Tag: Chi Onwurah

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-11-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what policy his Department has in place to protect the confidentiality of data disclosed to JCP systems by jobseekers.

Priti Patel

All DWP staff are required to undertake annual information security training to ensure they are aware of the need to handle customer information in a way that preserves the integrity, security and confidentiality of that information. DWP also requires staff to apply and comply with the principles contained in the Data Protection Act 1998 and government security standards at all times.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-11-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what open data requirements apply to the BBC (a) generally and (b) to the publication of or making available licence fee payment numbers by region.

Mr Edward Vaizey

The BBC has a duty under the Charter to observe high standards of openness and transparency. The BBC is also subject to the Freedom of Information Act. The BBC has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the Open Data Institute and the Open Knowledge Foundation to support to the BBC in its aspirations to open up data where this is appropriate.

The BBC does not collate licence fee income by region, so cannot publish this information.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-12-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of whether the must offer provision of the Communications Act 2003 is sufficient to ensure access to public service broadcast channels on non-discriminatory terms for all TV platforms.

Mr Edward Vaizey

The Government’s consultation ‘the balance of payments between television platforms and public service broadcasters’ examined how the public service broadcasters’ business models for the distribution for television content work. The focus of this consultation was on the commercial arrangements between broadcasters and PSB platforms – not subscription-free DTT platforms.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-12-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the level of take-up by (a) micro, (b) small and (c) medium-sized enterprises has been of the cyber essentials programme.

Mr Edward Vaizey

At the end of March 2016, 2,181 Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certificates had been issued, of which ​it is estimated ​28% were awarded to micro, 28% to small, and 22% to medium-sized businesses​.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-01-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy of 3 December 2015, Official Report, column 512, how business parks can be part of the superfast broadband rollout.

Mr Edward Vaizey

Through the broadband connection voucher scheme, we have connected around 55,000 additional businesses countrywide with superfast broadband, that we know boosts productivity, jobs and security. Analysis from our the scheme rollout alone reported increased profits by £1,300 on average; a new job created for every four new connections; as well as improved security and customer services. Local authorities responsible for the delivery of broadband projects in their area are able to prioritise business parks in their roll-out plans.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-02-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the remaining time period is of Northstar Ventures’ funding through the European Regional Development Funds; and what changes are planned in the terms and control of that funding.

James Wharton

Northstar Ventures manages five funds that have received funding from the European Regional Development Fund 2000-06 and 2007-13 Programme periods.

Three of these funds are closed to new investments and Northstar Ventures is exiting from remaining deals. This is likely to conclude by February 2017.

Two remaining funds – Proof of Concept and Accelerator Fund – will remain open to new investments until June 2016.

No changes to management arrangements are planned. Northstar Ventures will remain responsible for concluding the funds up to 2020. The Department of Communities and Local Government will remain responsible for directing the use of any legacy funding generated by the funds.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-02-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the effect of the role of international sales agents on diversity in film and television production.

Mr Edward Vaizey

Government is committed to diversity in our film and television industries and encourages broadcasters and production companies to continue to deepen their commitment to diversity. At the same time, the UK is a world leader in international sales of film and television programmes. Revenue from international sales of UK TV and Film was over £2bn in 2014.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-04-18.

To ask the Rt. hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, how many representations of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic people there are in the paintings in the Palace of Westminster.

Tom Brake

There are four formal painted portraits of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people on display in the Palace of Westminster. The portraits are of Dr Dadabhoy Naoroji, the first Asian MP, Diane Abbott, the first black woman MP, Paul Boateng as the first black Cabinet Minister and Baroness Amos as the first black Leader of the House of Lords.

The Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art is committed to reflecting the diversity of the House today, and to recognising those who have influenced Parliament and contributed to its development in a notable way through the Parliamentary Art Collection. The Committee has agreed to give further consideration to the matter of BAME representation in the current Parliament.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-05-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to help small businesses benefit from cloud computing technology.

Mr Edward Vaizey

The Government supports many initiatives that promote small business adoption and use of ICT, including cloud computing.

For example, we are providing £12 million over the current spending period to Tech City UK, Tech North and other clusters where small tech businesses benefit from a number of initiatives including the Future Fifty programme offering targeted support to start-up companies. Business can also access support to do more online through Local Enterprise Partnerships and growth hubs. These services work in tandem with an extensive range of private sector-led initiatives to help small businesses improve their digital capability.

In addition, the Government’s Digital Marketplace has made it easier for SMEs to offer cloud products and services to the public sector by simplifying and speeding up the application process.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-05-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to support Newcastle upon Tyne’s Freedom City 2017 festival.

Mr Edward Vaizey

Freedom City 2017 is an important and exciting prospect for Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Arts Council England’s (ACE) North Director in Newcastle sits on the steering group for the festival and, in April 2015, ACE provided a Grants for the arts award of £15,000 to the Northern Roots, a partner in the development of the Freedom City 2017 event. ACE are continuing discussions with the Festival organisers on how they can further support the event.