Tag: Helen Goodman

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what security-related sales and services the UK is (a) contracted to provide and (b) plans to provide to other countries in (i) 2017, (ii) 2018 and (iii) 2019.

Harriett Baldwin

The UK does not have commercial contracts with other countries for arms and security related sales and services. Through bilateral government-to-government arrangements the UK works closely with its international partners and allies to support the development of their defence and security capabilities across a broad range of areas.

To produce the information would involve collecting data from all branches and services involved in international defence engagement activity which could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on work permits and immigration rules for EU citizens working in the NHS, health and pharmaceutical industries after the UK leaves the EU.

David Mowat

My Rt. hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Health and the Home Secretary meet regularly.

Department of Health officials and Home Office officials are working together with officials at the Department for Exiting the European Union to ensure that the workforce implications for the National Health Service and care sectors are considered as part of the discussions around leaving the EU.

The Secretary of State for Health and the Prime Minister have made it clear that they wish for EU citizens, including those working in the NHS, health and pharmaceutical industries to remain in the United Kingdom post-Brexit.

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

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to protect families paying debts over time from bailiff fees, court charges and interest rates; and if he will consider a statutory breathing space for families in debt.

Simon Kirby

The Government noted the report with interest and is grateful for the important work that The Children’s Society does. The Government is committed to supporting individuals in problem debt.

The Government is exploring whether some form of “breathing space” would be a useful and viable addition to the range of formal and informal debt solutions available to consumers and creditors. Officials in HM Treasury and the Insolvency Service have been asked to discuss this issue with stakeholders and the Government will report back this autumn.

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 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, 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.

Mr David Lidington

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.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-03-01.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the technological capacity of small businesses to move to a quarterly digital tax reporting system by 2020.

Mr David Gauke

In the context of the Making Tax Digital programme, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has developed a strong understanding of the technological capability of small businesses.

The vast majority of small businesses are already engaging with HMRC online. For example, 95% of VAT returns and 98% of Corporation Tax returns are submitted online, while a record 89% of self-assessment returns were submitted online in January 2016. In addition, many are already using digital tools to deal with their tax affairs.

HMRC has additional research underway to further explore digital capability issues. The Department recognises that some people will need support to transition to dealing with their tax affairs digitally and will help those who may struggle to adapt.

The Government will consult on the details of the Making Tax Digital proposals throughout 2016, including digital capability issues.

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.