Tag: Chi Onwurah

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-04-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress his Department has made against its targets set out in the Government’s Digital Inclusion Strategy of April 2014 on reducing the number of people who are digitally excluded.

Mr Edward Vaizey

The 2014 Digital Inclusion Strategy, created under the last Government, sets out a series of commitments and digital inclusion targets for government and the private and voluntary sectors.

Since the Strategy was published, ONS data has indicated a reduction in the proportion of adults who have never used the internet, from 13% in 2014 to 11% in 2015. However there are still a significant proportion of the UK population that lack basic digital skills, which is why work must continue across all sectors to increase digital engagement and motivate people to get online and make the most of the internet.

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

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the advisory role to government of the Council of Data Science Ethics will be; whether that advice will include advice on EU legislative proposals on the right to be forgotten; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the Council’s membership has the necessary leadership expertise to fulfil its role.

Matthew Hancock

The Science and Technology Committee report on the Big Data Dilemma recommended that a Council for Data Ethics be established. The Government response was published on 26th April 2016 and can be found at the following link: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmselect/cmsctech/992/99204.htm

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-06-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of common coverage planning for mobile services similar to that undertaken by the broadcast industry.

Mr Edward Vaizey

As part of the Government’s wider work to improve digital connectivity the Government announced a package of planning reforms on 17 March to support the rollout of digital infrastructure so that UK consumers can continue to benefit from the opportunities offered by digital economy. We would encourage mobile infrastructure providers to consider sharing infrastructure wherever possible.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-07-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many full-time equivalent staff of his Department (a) have moved and (b) are planned to move into the EU Unit.

Mr Edward Vaizey

A new Europe unit is being set up in Whitehall, bringing together officials and policy expertise from across government. This unit will be led by and staffed by the best and brightest from across the civil service, including DCMS.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on science research funding in the North East.

Joseph Johnson

The Government is committed to maintain and enhance the strength of our research base. This is why we have protected the science resource budget in real terms from its 2015/16 level of £4.7 billion for the rest of the parliament, as well as committing to invest in new scientific infrastructure on a record scale – £6.9 billion over the period 2015-2021 – including £65 million in the North East in 2014/15.

The Treasury decision to underwrite the grants of competitively bid for EU research funding will give British participants and their EU partners the assurance and certainty needed to plan ahead for projects that can run over many years. We will ensure that the UK, including science and research in the North East, continues to be a world leader in international research and innovation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-10-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance is available for police forces on their response to complaints from consumers who find out that accommodation booked and paid for through Airbnb does not exist.

Brandon Lewis

The type of fraud committed in this scenario is rental fraud; if an individual thinks they have fallen victim to any type of fraud or cyber crime they should immediately report it to Action Fraud. Action Fraud is the national reporting centre for all frauds and cyber crimes; following receipt of a crime report it will then pass it to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) who will assess it for viable leads. Where there is enough evidence available and a viable lead, NFIB will disseminate a crime package to the most appropriate force to launch an investigatory response.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-10-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2015 to Question 12790, whether the licence obligation on Telefonica to provide indoor 4G coverage to 98 per cent of UK premises by 2017 includes coverage in tunnels.

Mr Edward Vaizey

The licence obligation on Telefonica to provide indoor 4G coverage to 98% of the UK population by 2017 does not include coverage in tunnels.The Government recognises that dropped calls and intermittent access to the internet are frustrations felt by many rail passengers. The Government is working with the rail and telecommunications industries to reach a collective understanding of the technical and commercial challenges and the potential solution to this problem.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-11-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect on the financial sustainability of sixth form colleges of (a) VAT and (b) pension costs; and if she will estimate the average proportion of a sixth form college’s budget which is spent on those costs.

Mr Sam Gyimah

The Education Funding Agency (EFA) regularly assesses the financial viability of sixth-form colleges on behalf of the department. Those assessments take account of all income and costs for colleges, including costs relating to VAT and pension liabilities.

The department estimates that VAT accounts for about 3% of sixth form colleges’ expenditure each year.

With regards to pension costs, sixth-form colleges may contribute to a number of pension schemes. The SFC financial returns are available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sfa-financial-management-college-accounts and show employer contributions to pensions. The EFA does not routinely collect data on the cost of other pension schemes through financial returns.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-11-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the total annual consumption of wifi data on trains operated by each franchise; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry

The consumption of data by on-train wi-fi varies by the commercial model and proposition offered by the train operating companies.

We have made no estimate of total annual consumption.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-11-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the use of alternative currencies for benefits payments.

Priti Patel

Customers living abroad and in receipt of payments delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions can have their payments made either:

• Direct into a UK bank or building society account in sterling; or
• Direct into an overseas account in the local currency;

All payments made to overseas customers, whether in sterling or local currency, are subject to fluctuating exchange rates. However, for payments made directly to overseas accounts in the relevant local currency, the Department has negotiated a competitive exchange rate which is more favourable that that available on the open Market.