The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-09-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the next appraisal of the High Speed 2 project is planned.
Andrew Jones
The Department is continuing to keep the appraisal of HS2 under review and further updates will be prepared as the programme reaches critical milestones. The Government intends to announce a decision on the route of Phase 2 by the end of the year and this will be supported by an updated appraisal.
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 the technical and economic analysis required for a full route decision on Phase 2b of High Speed 2; and when the deadline is for details of that route to be announced.
Andrew Jones
The Department and High Speed 2 Limited continue to develop technical and economic analysis on HS2. The Government intends to announce a decision on the route of Phase 2b by the end of the year. This will be supported by a Strategic Outline Business Case.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the £55.7 billion cost of the High Speed 2 project also includes the cost for the High Speed 3 project.
Andrew Jones
Spending Review 2015 restated the long-term budget for HS2 at £55.7bn (2015 prices). This is for the entire ‘Y’ network, including Phase 1 and 2.
The government committed a separate £60m from the Transport Development Fund for the development of Northern Powerhouse Rail (sometimes known as HS3) at this year’s Budget. Transport for the North are leading the development of a range of potential options for Northern Powerhouse Rail, including options that make use of sections of the HS2 network, major upgrades, and new lines. Transport for the North will publish their priorities for further development in spring 2017.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much has been spent from the public purse on advertising the Government’s Own Your Home scheme.
Mr Marcus Jones
The Government is committed to supporting home ownership and the Own Your Home campaign is designed to increase awareness of government home buying schemes amongst first time buyers.
In 2015/2016 spend on the campaign has been approximately £4 million. Activity consisted of radio, press and consumer advertising, out of home on-street bus stop posters, digital and Facebook advertising and a series of ‘How to’ online videos promoted through You Tube.
On average around 140 people are helped through government home buying schemes every day and over 335,000 households have been helped to buy a property since 2010, through schemes like Help to Buy and the reinvigorated Right to Buy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans the Government has to extend the period of time separating spouses of service personnel have to vacate his Department’s accommodation.
Mark Lancaster
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has no plans to extend the period of time in which separating spouses of Service personnel have to vacate MOD provided accommodation. However, the current 93-day period can be extended further according to individual circumstances, such as children’s schooling, relevant welfare and any medical considerations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-09-15.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support he is providing to Fintech after the vote to leave the EU.
Simon Kirby
The UK is recognised as the world’s leading FinTech capital, with recent reports such as EY’s ‘UK FinTech: on the cutting edge’ and Deloitte’s ‘Connecting Global FinTech: Hub Review 2016’ placing the UK and London as the number one location for FinTech in the world.
The government is determined to continue to help support UK FinTech firms as they innovate and grow, and wants to ensure that the UK remains the location of choice for FinTech firms. As such, we are continuing to implement a range of our previously announced policies which are designed to reduce barriers to entry for FinTechs, help industry accelerate the development of key FinTech initiatives and ease access to foreign markets. We are also assessing other initiatives which can further help support the growth of UK FinTech, in consultation with the industry.
In July, we launched our second FinTech Bridge with the Republic of Korea – increasing the opportunities for trade and investment between our two nations on FinTech, and deepening regulatory and government collaboration.
Following the vote to leave the European Union, the government is engaging extensively with the sector. I will be meeting with the sector this month to discuss what they are looking for out of the European negotiations, and what more the government can do in the short and medium term to support the sector.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the £55.7 billion agreed funding for the High Speed 2 project includes the costs of the recently proposed £70 million road safety and support fund for communities affected by the line.
Andrew Jones
Yes, the £70 million allocated to the Road Safety, Community and Environment, and Business and Local Economy Funds is included within the overall £55.7 billion funding envelope for HS2.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to impose fines on Volkswagen as a result of its manipulation of emissions tests in 2015.
Mr John Hayes
The Government continues to take the unacceptable actions of the Volkswagen Group extremely seriously.
We want to ensure that the Volkswagen Group faces appropriate legal consequences for its manipulation of emissions tests and are continuing to consider how best to do this. We continue to consider opening our own investigation and it would therefore be inappropriate and potentially damaging to any prosecution to discuss our plans publicly at this stage.
Prosecuting authorities from across Europe have met to discuss and coordinate their investigations. Department for Transport officials have been part of those coordinating efforts and continue to monitor the progress of those investigations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-20.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on moves to reduce Air Passenger Duty by 50 per cent in the near future.
Jane Ellison
Like all taxes Air Passenger Duty is kept under review with any changes being announced at fiscal events.
The statement made by Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, in the House of Commons on 15 December 2022.
This statement concerns the Government’s decision to close the Help to Grow: Digital programme. Help to Grow: Digital will close to new business applications for discounts on 2 February 2023. Discounts issued for eligible software must be redeemed within 30 days from issue date.
The scheme has supported businesses to grow, but with take-up lower than expected, the Government cannot justify the continued cost of the schemes to the taxpayer. The decision has been taken to refocus efforts towards other support mechanisms for small businesses, ensuring businesses get the backing they need in the most efficient and productive way possible. The Help to Grow: Management scheme remains in place.
The Government continue to support small businesses, such as through the Government-backed British Business Bank’s start-up loans, which are available to help aspiring entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. The Government have taken action to protect all eligible UK businesses, including small businesses, from rising energy costs through the energy bill relief scheme.