The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to review regulations on food and drink packaging after the UK leaves the EU.
Dr Thérèse Coffey
The Government is developing its 25 Year Environment Plan, part of which will consider our regulations for resources, waste and recycling.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-01-29.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many residences classified as social housing (a) do not have access to superfast broadband, (b) have connections slower than 10 Mbit/s and (c) have connections slower than 2Mbit/s; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The Government is on target to deliver access to superfast broadband for 95% of all UK premises – including social housing – by December 2017, and to extend coverage beyond that as far as possible. We do not hold a breakdown of this information by housing tenure centrally, however this investment is benefiting all types of housing, as well as businesses, and we are proud to be delivering on this critical piece of infrastructure as set out in our manifesto.
Currently, superfast broadband is available to almost 90 per cent of homes and businesses in the UK – up from 45 per cent in 2010. Around 5 per cent of UK homes and business are currently experiencing connection speeds below 10 Mbit/s.
Having reduced the proportion of all UK premises with speeds less than 2 Mbit/s substantially from 11% in 2010 to around 1% in December last year, we have now implemented our commitment of having at least 2 Mbit/s per second basic broadband available to all homes and businesses.
All premises which are not currently scheduled to get an increase in speed to at least this level are eligible for a subsidised satellite broadband service that can deliver speeds of 10Mbps or more.
The Prime Minister has also announced the Government’s intention to implement a new broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) which is set at 10 Mbit/s. This new broadband USO will give people the legal right to request an affordable broadband connection, at a reasonable cost threshold, no matter where they live. We will be consulting on these proposals shortly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-09-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the first F35 Joint Strike Fighters are planned to be operational.
Harriett Baldwin
Initial Operating Capability for the UK’s F-35B Lightning aircraft is scheduled for December 2018.
The most recent US Selected Acquisition Report (SAR 2015) estimates that the production, sustainment and support revenue generated by the global F-35 fleet through the life of the programme will be over one trillion US dollars. The UK manufactures approximately 15% of each F-35 aircraft, however as the F-35 programme is still determining its Global Support Solution footprint, we are not yet in a position to determine the potential revenue for UK industry.
The programme is expecting to procure over 3,000 aircraft across the F-35 Partner Nations. This will be further supplemented by Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. FMS engagement and future sales projections are managed by, and are a matter for, the US Government.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether an estimate has been made of the number of jobs likely to be created due to the completion of the station for High Speed 2 in Birmingham.
Andrew Jones
Birmingham and the West Midlands will be key beneficiaries of HS2, which will provide a springboard for regeneration and growth and support job creation.
The Department for Transport alongside the Department for Communities and Local Government are supporting Birmingham and have provided £2.5 million funding to support the development of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Growth Strategy. The strategy demonstrates the potential for HS2 to support the creation of 36,000 jobs around Curzon Street Station and 16,500 jobs around Birmingham Interchange Station.
In addition, HS2 Ltd expects the construction of HS2 to create 24,600 jobs, which will include many further opportunities for Birmingham and the West Midlands.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-14.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the dangers of money laundering being undertaken by means of anonymous online crowdfunding investment platforms.
Simon Kirby
All crowdfunding platforms fall within the FCA’s definition of regulated investments and are therefore subject to FCA rules. These rules require companies to maintain effective systems and controls to address the risk that they might be exploited by criminals. Where a firm’s systems and controls are not adequate, the FCA can and does take enforcement action.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to change its policy on the use of genetically modified organisms in farming after the UK leaves the EU.
George Eustice
As part of the preparations for EU exit, the Government is considering possible future arrangements for the regulation of genetically modified organisms. The Government’s general view remains that policy and regulation in this area should be science-based and proportionate.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-01-29.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that social housing tenants who would like superfast broadband can access connections; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The Government is on target to deliver access to superfast broadband for 95% of all UK premises – including social housing – by December 2017, and to extend coverage beyond that as far as possible. We do not hold a breakdown of this information by housing tenure centrally, however this investment is benefiting all types of housing, as well as businesses, and we are proud to be delivering on this critical piece of infrastructure as set out in our manifesto.
Currently, superfast broadband is available to almost 90 per cent of homes and businesses in the UK – up from 45 per cent in 2010. Around 5 per cent of UK homes and business are currently experiencing connection speeds below 10 Mbit/s.
Having reduced the proportion of all UK premises with speeds less than 2 Mbit/s substantially from 11% in 2010 to around 1% in December last year, we have now implemented our commitment of having at least 2 Mbit/s per second basic broadband available to all homes and businesses.
All premises which are not currently scheduled to get an increase in speed to at least this level are eligible for a subsidised satellite broadband service that can deliver speeds of 10Mbps or more.
The Prime Minister has also announced the Government’s intention to implement a new broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) which is set at 10 Mbit/s. This new broadband USO will give people the legal right to request an affordable broadband connection, at a reasonable cost threshold, no matter where they live. We will be consulting on these proposals shortly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-09-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on armed forces and civilian staff of the planned sale of RAF Henlow.
Mark Lancaster
Military personnel currently based at RAF Henlow will be relocated with their unit, the details of this relocation will be made clear later this year.
Civilian staff will be expected to honour the mobility obligations if their post is being relocated. Where an individual’s post is being relocated outside the scope of their personal mobility obligation they will be managed in accordance with normal Departmental policy and processes.
Trade Unions have been consulted and detailed discussions regarding civilian staff will take place well in advance of any closure.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on securing a suitable funding package for the Manchester Airport interchange on the High Speed 2 line.
Andrew Jones
Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Manchester Airports Group have made a commitment in principle to a local contribution to funding for the airport station and we continue to work with them on the details.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-14.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing taxes on e-cigarettes on health grounds.
Jane Ellison
E-cigarettes are not liable for excise duty as they do not include tobacco. However, they are still liable for VAT.