Tag: Grant Shapps

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-17.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to ensure that Britain’s financial services sector will stay competitive after the UK has left the EU.

Simon Kirby

As the Chancellor has set out, it is important Britain maintains its status as a great place for financial services and that is why the government stands ready to help the sector maximise the opportunities that leaving the EU presents. Britain has natural strengths, such as a central time zone and English language, alongside a globally respected regulatory system, world-class legal and professional services and a highly skilled financial services workforce, that will ensure it remains competitive after the UK has left the EU.

In addition, the government is committed to investing in home-grown talent, and will continue to welcome the best and brightest around the world to further contribute to the UK’s competitive position. Britain is already a world-leader in the global markets of the future including green and sustainable finance, FinTech, and renminbi and rupee products.

The government is maintaining an open dialogue with the financial services industry, including through the Financial Services Trade and Investment Board, as it prepares to withdraw from the EU.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to hold a second phase of the Small Modular Reactor Competition; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman

As the Government stated at the outset of the competition, the intention of Phase One was to gauge market interest among global market actors in developing, commercialising and financing Small Modular Reactor Competitions in the UK. The evidence gathered during Phase One is being used to inform policy decisions, including the design of any future stages of the competition. Given that Phase One is still continuing, I am not able to provide any further information at this stage.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of accelerating the Small Modular Reactor Competition process.

Jesse Norman

Since launching the first phase of the competition in March, we have been exploring the potential of different Small Modular Reactor (SMR) designs and routes to commercialisation. In doing so we have drawn on the findings of the independent Techno-Economic Assessment, the Phase One expressions of interest documents, the meetings held by officials over the summer with 32 technology vendors, service providers and potential investors, and our continuing discussions with regulators. This evidence is being used to inform the future of the competition. The timings for any future competition phases is being kept under review, in line with wider SMR policy development.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has been spent from the public purse on purchasing (a) wearable fitness tracking technology and (b) diet pills for soldiers deemed to be overweight in the last financial year.

Harriett Baldwin

Wearable fitness tracking technology equipment is purchased by individual military units. Records of the cost of these purchases are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

In accordance with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, the Ministry of Defence prescribes the medication Orlistat for the management of obesity. The drug is prescribed to both UK military personnel and their dependants. In financial year 2015-16 the total purchase cost of Orlistat was £6,300.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-05-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he plans to publish responses to the Broadband Universal Service Obligation consultation.

Mr Edward Vaizey

The Government intends to publish its response to the broadband Universal Service Obligation consultation shortly, and a copy will be placed in the House Library.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department plans to continue sending aid to Turkey after the UK leaves the EU.

Sir Alan Duncan

The UK will remain engaged internationally beyond our EU exit, building on our regional relationships to deliver stability and security. We will determine what our departure from the EU means for wider budgets at the appropriate time.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if he will eliminate import tariffs on agricultural produce from developing nations when the UK has left the EU.

Greg Hands

The Government is currently reviewing its trade policy as the UK prepares to leave the EU. This offers us an opportunity to forge a new role for ourselves in the world: to negotiate and design, in time, our own trade arrangements. The UK remains committed to ensuring developing countries can reduce poverty through trading opportunities.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what forecast he has made of the date when the Government’s Small Modular Reactor Competition (Phase One) will be completed.

Jesse Norman

At the time of the competition launch, it was announced as part of the Guidance for the Small Modular Reactor competition that we envisaged Phase One lasting until autumn 2016. We are not working to a specific date.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-20.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to reduce the rate of VAT on the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles once the UK has left the EU.

Jane Ellison

While all taxes are kept under review, there are no plans to reduce the rate of VAT applied to sales of electric and hybrid vehicles.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-07-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken under the National Roma Integration Strategy to enhance the health integration of Gypsy Traveller Roma people.

Jane Ellison

We have taken steps to improve the health of Gypsies, Travellers and Roma people as part of our broader social inclusion policies. The inclusion health programme sought to identify and promote good practice across the National Health Service and elsewhere. It has included: developing practical guidance on the commissioning of more inclusive services to help ensure the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups are taken into account in shaping local plans and priorities; working with primary health care professionals and others to improve access to services for these groups; and supporting the education and training of health professionals to enable them to work more effectively with these groups. This work is being carried forward across the health system.