Tag: Helen Goodman

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-04-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate his Department has made of the loss caused to businesses by ad-blocking technology.

Mr Edward Vaizey

Government has not made any estimate of the impact of ad-blocking in terms of losses caused to businesses, however we are aware of the concerns from our sectors about the expansion of ad-blockers. As the Secretary of State outlined in his speech at the Oxford Media Convention on 2 March 2016, the newspaper, music, film and games industry are all having to adapt to a world in which, in almost every case, advertising revenue now plays an essential part in their new business models.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-06-08.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Department for International Development had any role in the current negotiations of tax treaties with (a) Malawi, (b) Lesotho, (c) Ghana and (d) Nepal.

Mr David Gauke

The Government recognises that developing countries may have different preferences from those of the UK and is willing to accommodate these preferences as part of a balanced agreement that is acceptable to both sides.

By governing the taxation of cross-border income flows in a predictable manner and eliminating double taxation and excessive taxation, tax treaties promote international trade and investment, leading to sustainable tax revenues, which are vital in financing for development.

Treasury Ministers decide the UK’s treaty negotiation programme following consultation with a number of interested parties, including the Department for International Development.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-09-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with her Cabinet colleagues on preventing self-employed adults with violent or sexual convictions providing extracurricular classes or sessions to children where there is no governing body for that sport or activity.

Edward Timpson

Schools are aware of their responsibilities in ensuring that any self-employed individual who is providing extra-curricular classes or sessions on their behalf has been subject to the necessary and appropriate checks, which could include checking individual status with the relevant sports or activity governing body.

If those checks reveal convictions for violence the school will then determine the appropriateness or otherwise of allowing that individual to continue to provide classes or sessions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-09-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) stakeholders on repealing the birds and habitats directives.

Dr Thérèse Coffey

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not discussed repealing the birds and habitats directives with either Cabinet colleagues or stakeholders.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with (a) her international counterparts, (b) non-governmental organisations and (c) toiletry companies on the provision of women’s health and sanitary products to refugee women and girls.

James Wharton

DFID is working with our partners to ensure that sexual and reproductive health needs of girls and women affected by crises are prioritised. This includes their right to experience menstruation with dignity. In 2015 alone, UK funding to UNFPA supported their efforts to distribute almost 60,000 menstrual hygiene kits to women and girls living in conflict situations. The UK has committed that, in humanitarian crises, DFID calls for proposals will require the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls to be considered. The UK also supported a joint statement led by UNFPA, highlighting the importance of sexual and reproductive rights in crises, at the World Humanitarian Summit in May this year.

DFID is working globally with a network of civil-society organisations, private sector companies, donors, academics, and international agencies to address stigma and increase access for all women and girls to the education, support, products and services they need to manage menstruation with dignity.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-10-10.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has received any reports that Concentrix has used postcode areas to target tax credit claimants with allegations that they have provided incorrect claim information.

Jane Ellison

Concentrix’s workload is delegated by HM Revenue and Customs. Using postcode areas for selection criteria is outside the scope of Concentrix. Information about the use of profiling techniques can be found in section A10.1 of the Concentrix contract at: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/85d1b730-5e4e-4be8-ae4c-3ac1f359afc7“

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2015-10-30.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will (a) incorporate natural capital into the national infrastructure plan, (b) take steps to ensure that new man-made infrastructure projects do not deplete the UK’s natural capital asset base and (c) prioritise investment in natural capital.

Greg Hands

The government recognises the value of natural capital to the country’s long-term economic growth. We do not currently agree that an investment programme for natural capital should explicitly feature in the National Infrastructure Plan. We do, however, strive for all publically funded infrastructure investments to make a positive contribution to protecting and enhancing our natural environment. For example, the Roads Investment Strategy has ring-fenced £225 million in an Environment Fund and £75 million in an Air Quality Fund to ensure more is done to limit the impact of the Strategic Roads Network on the environment.

As specific decisions on spending allocations in this Parliament will be set out following the Spending Review later this month, I cannot yet comment on future investment in natural capital. However, the government takes natural capital very seriously. We have set long term-goals to stop the decades of decline in wildlife and habitats, and have already seen some improvements. Since 2010 we have helped to create over 150,000 acres of field margins, wetlands and woodlands, and woodland cover is at its highest level in 700 years.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-01-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has an official statement of the UK’s relationship with Bahrain and the Bahraini government.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We have a long and shared history with Bahrain. Our relationship with Bahrain is important for our respective security and prosperity. We will continue to work with Bahrain to support their reform agenda. Bahrain has made progress but we are clear more needs to be done.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-01-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the number of secondary school pupils who have been unable to participate in a school trip directly related to a statutory aspect of the national curriculum in each of the last three years.

Nick Gibb

The Department does not collect data on the number of pupils who are unable to participate in school trips related to a statutory aspect of the national curriculum. All schools have a duty to teach a balanced and broadly based curriculum which, for maintained schools includes the national curriculum. It is the responsibility of schools to decide how best to teach the curriculum and this includes whether school trips could help enhance pupils’ experience and education and allow pupils to achieve better outcomes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-02-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers of his Department have had with (i) arms manufacturers, (ii) tobacco manufacturers and (iii) representatives of the Israeli embassy since the period covered in the Cabinet Office’s most recent ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings data release.

Jane Ellison

Departments publish details of Ministers meetings’ with external organisations routinely on Gov.uk.

Details of meetings held during the period October – December 2015 will be published in due course.