Tag: Charlotte Leslie

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-03-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average cost per pupil of running a pupil referral unit was in the last year for which figures are available.

    Elizabeth Truss

    The Department for Education does not routinely collect data on the average per pupil cost of running a pupil referral unit. Pupil referral units cater for a diverse range of needs and so the actual cost per pupil will vary significantly between institutions.

    The Department introduced new funding arrangements in April 2013 that take account of this variation. The new system offers stability for pupil referral units by providing £8,000 for each identified alternative provision place. This funding is supplemented by local authorities or schools when they place pupils into a pupil referral unit. The amount of top-up funding provided is determined locally to reflect the actual costs of educating pupils at that pupil referral unit.

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-05-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on making the term surgeon a protected title.

    Dr Daniel Poulter

    There is currently already provision in the Medical Act 1983 (s.49) which makes it an offence for a person to pretend to be or use the title “surgeon” which implies registration with the General Medical Council.

    However, as part of a longer title, the title “surgeon” has not been restricted and is widely used for other specialist employment roles e.g. tree surgeon, veterinary surgeon etc.

    The Law Commission has recommended in its report on the regulation of health care professionals and social care professionals in England, published April 2014, that the Government should consider undertaking a full review of existing protected titles and functions, and related offences. We will consider the Law Commission’s proposals and produce a formal response in due course.

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-03-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the (a) average life span and (b) health outcomes of members of gangs.

    Norman Baker

    [holding answer 24 March 2014]

    We know that young people, including gang members, who are exposed to violence have poorer health outcomes. This is set out in a practical guide we recently produced with the NHS Confederation on reducing violence, and in the Department of Health report ‘Protecting people, promoting health’.

    To address these issues, the Ending Gang and Youth Violence annual report 2013 includes ‘youth violence and health’ as a key priority.

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-05-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Environment Agency expects to conclude its investigation into Churngold Recycling Ltd.

    Dan Rogerson

    This is a complex investigation that the Environment Agency is working hard to complete. Legal challenges to the investigation in the civil courts have caused delays. Once the investigation is complete and the matter has been legally reviewed, the Environment Agency will decide on any appropriate enforcement.

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-04-07.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will consider awarding a loan guarantee under the UK Guarantee Scheme to investors in Helius Energy’s proposed biomass energy project in Avonmouth due to concerns surrounding the sustainability of biofuels.

    Danny Alexander

    HM TREASURY

    Charlotte Leslie MP

    BRISTOL NORTH WEST

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will consider awarding a loan guarantee under the UK Guarantee Scheme to investors in Helius Energy’s proposed biomass energy project in Avonmouth due to concerns surrounding the sustainability of biofuels. 195658

    DANNY ALEXANDER

    The Helius Energy – Avonmouth biomass power generation project has prequalified under the UK Guarantees Scheme and is still subject to the necessary due diligence, commercial negotiation and financial restructuring before any offer of a guarantee is made.

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-05-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve road safety for cyclists.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The Government takes cycle safety very seriously. In this Parliament we have committed £278m of funding directly for cycling in England; this includes junction safety schemes and traffic free and traffic calmed routes.

    We have also made it easier for local authorities to implement 20 mph zones and other highway measures to support cycle safety, and we encourage them to consider these measures on their highway network.

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-04-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to make it easier to report benefit fraud allegations.

    Esther McVey

    The public can report benefit fraud by telephoning the National Benefit Fraud Hotline which is a confidential free phone service that anyone can use anonymously to report their suspicions. The service is widely used handling over 350,000 referrals in 2013/14. Alternatively an allegation can be made using an online facility, by letter, or by telephoning a Jobcentre Plus office.

    We recently ran a communications campaign pilot to test the effectiveness of communications in reducing fraud and error and we are looking to expand this activity. Our communication campaign aims to challenge and change attitudes and behaviours towards benefit fraud. This includes improving awareness of the need for claimants to report changes in their circumstances and encouraging the general public to report potential benefit fraud.

    We are actively looking at ways to improve fraud referrals, in particular, focusing on making better use of digital channels and technology.

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-05-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities take into account the effect of planning decisions on neighbouring authorities when making those decisions.

    Nick Boles

    The Government’s reforms enshrine the Local Plan as the cornerstone of the planning system. We have confidence that local authorities will show the leadership necessary to work together in order to produce Local Plans that are effective and deliverable on important cross-boundary matters. My Department has also published an on-line set of planning guidance, which includes new advice to local authorities on the Duty to Co-operate across local authority boundaries. Furthermore, adjacent authorities are consulted on planning applications which are likely to affect land in their area, and in making its decision, the determining authority must consider all representations made.

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-04-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to increase understanding of pensions and retirement planning amongst women.

    Steve Webb

    The Department is taking a range of steps to address understanding of pensions and retirement planning, including amongst women.

    The DWP is working closely with the Money Advice Service (MAS), the government body with responsibility for improving the British public’s financial capability, including tackling the knowledge gaps which can inhibit individuals from saving into pensions.

    The Department is facilitating joint-working between its information services and those of The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS), which is playing an important role in supporting individuals who are automatically enrolled, and MAS. The DWP will also support MAS in increasing its reach, including through contact channels with DWP customers.

    As part of automatic enrolment, to encourage women to continue to save in a workplace pension we are running an awareness campaign with supporting information that emphasises the importance of saving for retirement and outlines the benefits of saving in a workplace pension. This reaches women via the use of appropriate media channels and by working in partnership with trusted brands.

    We are creating a simpler state pension so that everybody can know both what counts towards their state pension and how much they can expect to receive. We will take account of the different ways in which men and women are affected by the reforms in our communications approach. Our strategy includes using partnerships with media outlets most likely to reach these women to make them aware of the changes. We will evaluate the impact of our communications to make sure we are reaching women to increase their awareness and understanding.

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what salary the Chair of NHS Property Services receives for (a) that role and (b) his other roles in the Department of Health and the NHS; and for what hours he is contracted to work in each of his roles.

    Dr Daniel Poulter

    Mr Robin Williams holds the following positions within Department/National Health Service organisations:

    Chair of NHS Property Services Limited (NHS PS)

    He receives a directors’ fee of £60,000 per annum, less any tax and/or National Insurance contributions payable monthly in arrears for this role. He is required to devote 10 days a month to this role. He was appointed in April 2014.

    Non-Executive Chair of NHS Professionals Limited (NHSP)

    He receives a directors’ fee of £60,000 per annum, less any tax and or National Insurance contribution payable monthly in arrears for this role. He is required to devote 8 days a month to this role. He was appointed in January 2010.

    The workload on both posts is such that the time commitment is the monthly average over the year. On his appointment to NHS PS, he formally confirmed his other commitments did not prevent him fulfilling his contractual obligations to NHSP.