Tag: Chris Elmore

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Elmore on 2016-09-05.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the effect of recent increases in Financial Services Compensation Scheme levies on small businesses.

Simon Kirby

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is an independent non-governmental body. The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) determine the maximum level at which the FSCS levy is set, and how it should be apportioned across industry. The FSCS sets annual levies within these limits.

In March 2016 the Government and FCA published the Financial Advice Market Review which observed that the unpredictable nature of the FSCS levy can make it hard for independent financial advisors to plan effectively. It recommended a number of options regarding FSCS funding, which could make the levy more manageable for independent financial advisors. The FCA is currently reviewing FSCS funding and will publish a consultation later this year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Elmore on 2016-09-08.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2016 to Question 42682, whether he is taking steps to reduce the number of spoilt ballots in elections.

Chris Skidmore

The Government has made improvements to ballot papers, forms and instructions used by voters at elections and referendums in order to make voting as accessible as possible. This involved public user-testing of the revised voting forms. The Government will consider reports from the Electoral Commission and other organisations on the polls held during 2016 and decide whether any further action is required.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Elmore on 2016-09-08.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many times he has visited South Wales in an official capacity since his appointment; and what future plans he has to visit South Wales.

Simon Kirby

The Chancellor will visit constituencies all across the UK in due course. All his visits are recorded in the transparency data published on gov.uk.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Elmore on 2016-09-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the construction of new railway stations along the England-Wales border.

Paul Maynard

We launched the second round of our New Stations Fund on 26 August, with up to £20 million available to promoters of new stations throughout England and Wales. Successful bids may be awarded up to 75% towards the capital expenditure on the station.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Elmore on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to promote investment in former coalfield communities.

Andrew Percy

In England, local investment is mainly determined by Local Enterprise Partnerships based on their local economic growth priorities and funded through programmes such as City Deals, Devolution Deals, the Local Growth Fund and Enterprise Zones.

My officials continue to work with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to support former coalfields communities.

Local growth is a devolved issue in the rest of the UK.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Elmore on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what plans he has to involve representatives from the Welsh Government in negotiations for exiting the EU.

Mr David Jones

The Prime Minister has committed to full engagement with the Devolved Administrations to get the best possible deal for all parts of our United Kingdom as we leave the EU. We will give the Welsh Government every opportunity to have their say as we form our negotiating strategy and we will look at any suggestions they put forward.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Elmore on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to facilitate the learning of the Welsh language by pupils in England.

Nick Gibb

Primary and secondary schools can choose to teach the Welsh language to pupils if there is sufficient demand. It is possible for a pupil in England to take privately a Welsh language GCSE offered in Wales if an examination centre is willing to enter them. This will include a revised Welsh Second Language GCSE available for first teaching from September 2017.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Elmore on 2016-07-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department has taken to support agriculture in South Wales since May 2015.

George Eustice

Agricultural policy is devolved. Support for agriculture in South Wales is the responsibility of the Welsh Government.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Elmore on 2016-10-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps are being taken to improve television reception in the South Wales valleys.

Matt Hancock

Under a 2006 agreement, digital terrestrial, cable and satellite digital television services together cover practically all UK households, so that in all but the most exceptional of cases, everyone should be able to get free-to-air digital television, by one means or another.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Elmore on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many spoilt ballots were counted in the 2016 Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Chris Skidmore

Provisional analysis undertaken by the Government has identified that a total of 311,509 ballot papers were rejected at the elections of Police and Crime Commissioners held on 5 May 2016.