The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-03-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have registered for the payment of universal credit who are not UK citizens to date.
Priti Patel
The information requested is not currently available. During 2016 we will be publishing further statistics on Universal Credit in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-04-13.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information his Department holds on the reasons why the EU Action Plan on VAT consultation document issued by the European Commission on 7 April 2016 omits any reference to the decision of EU Leads of Government that the UK can remove VAT from women’s sanitary products; and if he will make a statement.
Mr David Gauke
The content of the EU VAT Action Plan is a matter for the European Commission.
European Council Conclusions welcomed “the intention of the Commission to include proposals for increased flexibility for Member States with respect to reduced rates of VAT, which would provide the option to Member States of VAT zero rating for sanitary products”.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-07-06.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the effect on financial markets of (a) his announcement on 15 July 2016 of plans to introduce an emergency Budget in the event of the UK voting to leave the EU and (b) his oral contribution of 4 July 2016, Official Report, column 625 announcing that there would not be an emergency Budget.
Mr David Gauke
The Chancellor of the Exchequer set out his assessment of recent developments in financial markets during his oral contributions on the 4 July.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-09-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the oral Answer of 18 July 2016, Official Report, column 542, what evidence district councils who wish to retain their independence and status in a two-tier system need to produce in order to protect that status.
Mr Marcus Jones
Where an area has plans for its governance arrangements to be changed and proposes this to the Secretary of State, it must provide evidence as to how its proposals are likely to result in the provision of better local public services, significant cost savings, greater value for money, stronger and more accountable local leadership, and sustainability in the medium to long term. It is of course open to any body or person to make representations to the Secretary of State either in support of or in opposition to such proposals.
As we have made clear during discussions with areas, whilst size is an important consideration for areas considering governance changes, there are no maximum or minimum permitted sizes.
The level of council tax of any new authority is a matter for the local councils concerned. The government will however maintain council tax referendum thresholds at a modest level in order to help keep bills down for hardworking people. This is always the case including in cases of governance change.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2015-11-06.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much is owed in overpaid tax credits.
Damian Hinds
This information is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/449343/HMRC_Annual_Report_and_Accounts_2014-15__Web_accessible_version_.pdf
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-01-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has made to her French counterparts on the proposed construction of a new camp for migrants close to Dieppe.
James Brokenshire
The management of migrant camps in northern France is the responsibility of the French Government. The Home Office is in regular contact with the French authorities and will continue to engage with them on managing port security and dealing with the migrant pressures.
We are not aware of any proposals to build a migrant camp in Dieppe.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-01-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people applied to join the Army Reserve in 2015; and how many such applications were successful.
Mr Julian Brazier
Defence Statistics publish information on a regular basis showing intake figures for the Armed Forces, including the Army and Army Reserve. The most recent information is contained in ‘UK Armed Forces Monthly Service Personnel Statistics: December 2015’ and associated tables, which is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-armed-forces-monthly-service-personnel-statistics-index.
The number of applications to the Army Reserve in the 12 months ending 30 September 2015 was 29,730. The intake of Army Reserve New Entrants in the 12 months ending 30 September 2015 was 3,750.
There is not necessarily a direct correlation between the individual applicants who applied within the period above, and the individuals who were classed as new entrants within the same period: due to the time taken to process applications, not all new entrants would have been applicants during the period specified.
New Entrants reflect intake into the initial phase of training only, and comprise new recruits, ex-Regulars and Reserve re-joiners that require training.
‘UK Armed Forces Monthly Service Personnel Statistics: 1 January 2016’ will be published on 11 February 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-02-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will direct Ofsted to undertake re-inspections of (a) Parley First School and (b) Ferndown Upper School within two years of their last inspections.
Nick Gibb
The scheduling of school inspections is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector. Ofsted’s general policy is to inspect ‘requires improvement’ and ‘inadequate’ schools after approximately two years.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-02-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2016 to Question 27033, which governments within the EU support further political integration.
Mr David Lidington
As I said in my response of 23 February 2016 (PQ 27033), there is clearly support in some governments within the European Union for further political integration, but there are other, more sceptical voices too. The recital in paragraph one of section C makes clear that “the United Kingdom, in the light of the specific situation it has under the Treaties, is not committed to further political integration into the European Union”.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-03-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what checks his Department carries out to ascertain the (a) immigration status and (b) nationality of benefits claimants.
Priti Patel
Access to means-tested benefits is conditional upon satisfying the Habitual Residence Test (HRT) where claimants must provide proof of their nationality and immigration status; their employment (where appropriate) and habitual residence in the UK.
Generally, access to disability benefits is conditional upon satisfying the Past Presence Test (PPT) where claimants must provide proof of their nationality and immigration status; their habitual residence in the UK; and presence in the UK for 2 years out of the last 3 years.
Access to contributions-based benefits is not dependent on a residency test, but the claimant must be present in the UK and they must have made the required number of national insurance contributions.