The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Lammy on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate his Department has made of how long it will take to negotiate bilateral trade deals with (a) USA, (b) China, (c) Japan, (d) Canada and (e) other large non-EU trading partners once the UK leaves the EU.
Greg Hands
I refer the Rt hon Member to the answer of 21 July to UIN 42585.
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Lammy on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what budget his Department has set for paying staff (a) on secondment from external companies and (b) engaged as external contractors or consultants for each year from 2016 to 2020.
Greg Hands
Following her appointment on 13 July 2016 the Prime Minister established the Department for International Trade (DIT). The DIT aggregates UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), UK Export and Finance (UKEF), Trade Policy Units from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), as well as some new hires.
Until such time as a transfer of functions order establishes the Secretary of State as a corporation sole, DIT remains a unified Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) department for accounting purposes.
The use of secondments and contractors to provide commercial and sectorial experience, not readily available in the civil service and to provide additional resource for limited periods is occasionally required. DIT does not set budgets for the use of secondees, external contractors or consultants as each are deployed flexibly in line with business need. As such we cannot provide details of budgets allocated from 2016 to 2020.
For reference, expenditure on secondees currently equates to approximately £14, 299.27 per month. Expenditure on contractors and consultants for 2015/16 was approximately £26.5 million. These costs are subject to fluctuation as the Department responds to changing requirements. Contractor costs reflect the level of senior specialist, technical and commercial knowledge required by the former UKTI department to support British businesses in international markets, and with overseas investors looking to invest in the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Lammy on 2015-11-05.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Government will process as a matter of urgency the asylum applications of the 114 Syrian refugees currently being held at RAF Dhekelia in Cyprus.
James Brokenshire
Under an existing agreement with the Republic of Cyprus, those who claim asylum will be processed by the Cypriot authorities on behalf of the Sovereign Base.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Lammy on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many migrants working in the NHS have no recourse to public funds.
Ben Gummer
The Health and Social Care Information Centre collects data on the number of staff working in National Health Service hospital and community health services (HCHS) in England.
Nationality is a self-reported field within the electronic staff record system. The following table shows the number of HCHS staff from other European Union (EU) countries who declared their nationality who work in the NHS in England and in London.
Information on the number of employees from other EU countries working in London is only available for those people working in NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups.
|
England 30 September 2015 |
Headcount |
||
|
All staff |
People from other EU countries working in England |
People from other EU countries working in London |
|
|
Employees in NHS Trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups |
1,151,138 |
52,812 |
17,735 |
|
Employees in Central Bodies and Support Organisations |
36,456 |
1,015 |
n/a |
|
Total |
1,187,594 |
53,827 |
17,735 |
Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre, NHS Hospital and Community Health Service workforce statistics
Information on how many employees working in the NHS have no recourse to public funds is not available.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Lammy on 2016-05-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of what the likely change in the level of social housing stock will be if the proposed extension of right-to-buy to housing association properties is agreed in (a) Tottenham, (b) Enfield, (c) Haringey, (d) Barnet, (e) Islington and (f) London in (i) 2016 and (ii) each of the next three years.
Brandon Lewis
Under the voluntary agreement with the National Housing Federation and housing associations, every home sold to tenants will result in an additional affordable home being provided. At least two new affordable homes will be provided for each high value vacant property that is expected to be sold in London. This will lead to an increase in overall housing supply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Lammy on 2016-05-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the criteria is for which hospitals are listed as being supported by the Emergency Care Intensive Support Team.
Ben Gummer
In 2015/16, increased resources were provided to the Emergency Care Intensive Support Team (ECIST). This was to enable it to provide a programme of deeper support to 27 health communities in England selected on the basis of poor performance against the national 4-hour accident and emergency standard during 2014/15 and quarter one of 2015/16. ECIST is also resourced to provide expert input to the eight urgent and emergency care vanguards.
Since April 2016, the team has offered limited improvement support to a small group of trusts at the request of NHS Improvement regional teams.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Lammy on 2016-06-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answers of 6 June 2016 to Questions 37441 and 38348, why North Middlesex Hospital is not being supported by the Emergency Care Intensive Support Team via the Emergency Care Improvement Programme.
Ben Gummer
We are advised by NHS Improvement that North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust was not supported by the Emergency Care Intensive Support Team (ECIST) during 2015/16 as it did not fall within the criteria at the time of selection for enrolment in the Emergency Care Improvement Programme.
However, following concerns regarding the Emergency Department waiting time performance at the Trust, we are aware that NHS Improvement and NHS England jointly arranged a review of the system’s emergency care pathway by the North West Utilisation Management Unit.
We understand that in response to the findings the system has developed a ‘safer, faster, better’ programme to address issues across the pathway.
We are informed that the Trust requested support from ECIST at the end of April 2016. A tailored support programme is currently being developed. This will include visits from clinicians and improvement managers from ECIST.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Lammy on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate his Department has made of how long it will take to negotiate a trade deal with the EU after the UK leaves the EU.
Mark Garnier
It is in the interests of all parties to secure an agreement that provides the basis for the fullest possible market access. The timescale will partly be determined by the discussions held prior to Brexit.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Lammy on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many officials of his Department are (a) on secondment from external companies and (b) engaged as external contractors or consultants; and what the cost is of engaging such people.
Greg Hands
Following her appointment on 13 July 2016 the Prime Minister established the Department for International Trade (DIT). The DIT aggregates UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), UK Export and Finance (UKEF), Trade Policy Units from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), as well as some new hires.
Until such time as a transfer of functions order establishes the Secretary of State as a corporation sole, DIT remains a unified Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) department for accounting purposes.
Since the department was formed in July there have been no secondees appointed from the private sector. Secondees previously in post with syndicate organisations have moved across to DIT on legacy terms.
Contractors in post with syndicate organisations have also moved across to DIT on legacy terms. Since the department was formed in July the number of contractors remains 217 with incumbent costs, as tabled below.
|
DIT Secondees |
Monthly Costs |
DIT Contractors |
Costs for financial year 2015/16 |
|
|
Trade Policy & Ministerial (BEIS) |
1 |
£0.00 |
1 |
£14,982 |
|
International Trade & Investment (UKTI) |
*12 |
£14,299.27 |
196 – as of 01/09/16 |
£24 million |
|
UK Export Finance |
0 |
– |
20 – as of 01/09/16 |
£2.54 million |
|
Total |
13 |
£14,299.27 |
217 |
£26.5 million |
Table Notes:
The majority of secondees are funded by seconding companies. Costs are based on collective monthly salaries of DIT funded secondees.
Actual numbers of contractors fluctuate throughout the year as do costs. Contractor costs reflect the level of senior specialist, technical and commercial knowledge required by the former UKTI department to support British businesses in international markets, and with overseas investors looking to invest in the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Lammy on 2015-12-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what policies his Department is implementing to promote active fatherhood; and if he will make it his policy that fathers be required to sign birth certificates.
Priti Patel
Our objective is to support families to create and maintain good quality relationships to sustain a safe, stable and nurturing environment for their children. We believe that fathers play an integral role in family life and that is why the government has worked hard to ensure that families have the support they need. In particular, we have invested approximately £8m for 2015-16 providing services for couples – mothers and fathers – during key transitions and in difficulty. We have ensured that all specifications for new contracts specifically include a requirement for providers to engage fathers and ensure their services are father friendly.
We have also introduced the Family Test which ensures that potential impacts on family functioning are carefully considered as part of the policymaking process, including impacts on all members’ ability to play a full role in family life.
The legislative provisions to introduce mandatory joint registration remain on the statute and we will continue to consider how joint registration can support fathers’ involvement as part of a wider package of support.