Tag: Craig Whittaker

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2016-07-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will work with (a) Oman and (b) other Middle Eastern countries to broker a deal to end the current conflict in Yemen.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson), met his Saudi, Emirates and US counterparts on 19 July in London to review the situation in Yemen. A political solution is the best way to bring long-term stability and end the conflict. We welcome and fully support the UN led talks in Kuwait: now is the time to reach an agreement. We will continue to work closely with the UN and partners in the Middle East, including Oman, to encourage both sides to engage constructively.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on producing a long-term industrial strategy for the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Mr Nick Hurd

On 2 August, my right Hon. Friend the Prime Minister chaired the first meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Economy and Industrial Strategy, which brings together Secretaries of State of Departments across Whitehall to help to drive forward an Industrial Strategy that will aim to deliver the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘an economy that works for all’ and put the United Kingdom in a strong position for the future, promoting a diversity of industrial sectors and ensuring the benefits of growth are shared across cities and regions up and down the country, including Yorkshire and Humber.

Overall responsibility for developing and implementing an industrial strategy sits within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. We will be working closely across Government and with a range of organisations – including regional representatives, businesses, trade bodies, universities, and trade unions – to deliver this, to help ensure that the economy grows strongly in all parts of the country, and to support the UK’s global competitiveness.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2015-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what risk assessments his Department has conducted on changes to court provision in Calder Valley.

Mr Shailesh Vara

An impact assessment was published alongside the consultation document, which can be found at: https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/proposal-on-the-provision-of-court-and-tribunal-es.

No decision has been taken to close any court. The consultation closed on 8 October and we are considering all responses carefully.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2015-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government plans to take into account proposals put forward that will save money in ways other than proposals for closures, when analysing feedback on its recent consultation on the Provision of Court and Tribunal Estate.

Mr Shailesh Vara

No decision has been taken to close any court. The consultation closed on 8 October and we will carefully consider all responses submitted.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2015-10-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to support small businesses in (a) West Yorkshire and (b) Yorkshire & Humber.

Anna Soubry

We are supporting small businesses in many ways and are committed to making sure the UK is the best place in Europe to start and grow a business. Businesses in West Yorkshire and the Yorkshire and Humber region are benefitting from Government support.

More than 900 Start Up Loans, worth over £5 million, have been issued across West Yorkshire. And more than 2,600 loans, worth over £14 million, have been issued in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Almost 900 West Yorkshire businesses have secured loans worth £87 million under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme. And more than 2,000 businesses in the Yorkshire and Humber region have secured loans worth over £196 million.

There have been 48 Regional Growth Fund awards across the Yorkshire and Humber region totalling £268 million.

The Growth Deal programme is supporting growing businesses across the Yorkshire and Humber region, including £8m for growing SMEs across Leeds City Region. The Government is also funding the establishment of growth hubs which bring together local business support and advice into one place. The North Yorkshire & East Riding growth hub is now in place.

Ambitious, high growth businesses are also benefitting from the Business Growth Service: 369 in West Yorkshire and 900 in Yorkshire and Humber.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2015-10-22.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the UK economy of Greece leaving the Eurozone.

Mr David Gauke

The Greek government has been clear that they want to remain within the euro area. The Treasury continuously monitors global economic developments, including those in Greece, and their impact on the UK as part of the normal process of policy development.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2015-10-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will estimate the potential savings to local authorities of holding local council elections once every four years.

Mr Marcus Jones

On the assumptions that the cost of running local elections is £1.50 per elector and that all councils currently having elections more frequently than every 4 years were to move to whole council elections every fourth year, we estimate the savings across England over a four year period would be in the order of £50 million.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2015-10-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts about further expansion of the membership of the EU.

Mr David Lidington

The UK supports enlargement of the EU as a driver for peace, prosperity and reform, once countries have met in full the conditions and standards for membership. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), has made clear that there needs to be reform of the transitional controls on free movement of workers before any further countries join the EU. I discuss enlargement policy and developments in aspirant countries in the course of contacts with EU counterparts and in the context of annual autumn Council discussions on enlargement. Based on latest assessments and enlargement experiences to date, we don’t expect further enlargement before the early 2020s.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2015-10-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what account was taken of the effect on access to justice in rural areas in his Department’s consultation on the Provision of the Court and Tribunal Estate.

Mr Shailesh Vara

Access to justice is not just about proximity to a court. We are committed to providing alternatives to travel, for example through making better use of technology, including video conferencing, and exploring whether we can appropriately make use of civic buildings for certain types of hearing.

No decision has been taken to close any court. The consultation closed on 8 October and we are considering all responses carefully.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2015-10-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to re-open court room provision in (a) Todmorden and (b) other rural areas.

Mr Shailesh Vara

Access to justice is not just about proximity to a court. We are committed to providing alternatives to travel, for example through making better use of technology, including video conferencing, and exploring whether we can appropriately make use of civic buildings for certain types of hearing.

No decision has been taken to close any court. The consultation closed on 8 October and we are considering all responses carefully.