Tag: Helen Jones

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2015-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of the change in the number of jobs in each region attributable to changes to feed-in tariffs.

Andrea Leadsom

Our consultation on the feed-in tariff review reflects the need to balance sector support whilst keeping bills down for consumers. We strongly welcomed evidence from the sector during this review consultation, which ended on 23 October, and we asked a question about the impact on the wider economy, including jobs, in the consultation. We will respond in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2015-10-20.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to issue guidance that staff employed by contract cleaning companies in government departments should not be disciplined for seeking a living wage; and if he will include this in future contracts.

Matthew Hancock

We are the first Government ever to deliver a National Living Wage. From April 2016, every employer in the country will pay the National Living Wage, including all Government contractors, for workers aged 25 and above.

Consequently, we have no plans to issue the specified guidance.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2015-10-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will estimate the number of homes in (a) Warrington and (b) Warrington North constituency which were sold under Right to Buy legislation and which have subsequently become privately rented properties.

Brandon Lewis

No estimate has been made as to how many homes sold under the Right to Buy have become private rented properties.

What a Right to Buy owner chooses to do with their property after they’ve bought it is up to them, just as it is for other home buyers on the open market. Mortgage providers and landlords may place restrictions on letting in the terms of the sale.

Under Right to Buy there are financial restrictions in place for re-sale within 5 years, and councils have the right of first refusal to buy back the property for up to 10 years at market value.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2015-10-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of the expected capacity margin of the National Grid during winter 2015-16.

Andrea Leadsom

National Grid has recently published their Winter Outlook Report with a capacity margin of 5.1% for winter 2015-16.

National Grid continually assesses the risks to security of supply and system stability across GB. They have confirmed they have all the tools they need to manage the system this winter.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2015-10-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what representations she has received on the probability of electricity shortages during winter 2015-16; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom

Ensuring that hardworking families and businesses across the country have secure, affordable energy supplies they can rely on is our top priority.

National Grid has recently published their Winter Outlook Report with a capacity margin of 5.1% for winter 2015-16.

National Grid continually assesses the risks to security of supply and system stability across GB. They have confirmed they have all the tools they need to manage the system this winter.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2015-10-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will hold discussions with Interserve on the inappropriateness of disciplinary action taken against cleaners who wrote to him requesting a living wage.

Mr David Lidington

Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have been in contact with Interserve and have asked them to comment on allegations that Interserve cleaners had been disciplined for writing to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) in July. Interserve informed the FCO that they had instigated an investigation to establish whether the letter breached their confidentiality agreement with staff. Interserve has since confirmed that their investigation has concluded and that no disciplinary action will be taken against any of the signatories to the letter.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2014-06-25.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will hold discussions with Lloyds Bank on the effect of the proposed closure of its contact centre in Warrington on women workers who cannot re-locate because of (a) childcare or other caring responsibilities and (b) a lack of adequate public transport provision.

Andrea Leadsom

Lloyds Banking Group, is run on a commercial basis. The bank retains its own independent board and management team with responsibility for determining its own strategies and commercial policies including those which may relate to the location of business functions.

The Government’s shareholding in Lloyds is managed on an arm’s length basis by UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI). As an engaged shareholder, UKFI works closely with the bank’s management to hold management rigorously to account for performance. UKFI’s role is to manage the investment and ensure that the bank’s strategy maximises value for money for the taxpayer. The Government does not get involved in any of the day to day decisions of Lloyds Bank.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he plans to lay regulations before the House to make the provision of smoke alarms in private rented property compulsory; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis

The Department of Communities and Local Government published a discussion document in 2014, which invited views on regulating for the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. We will publish our response along with a summary of the views shortly.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what funding she plans to allocate to police forces to train officers in recognising signs of coercive control and collecting the necessary evidence when that offence is introduced.

Lynne Featherstone

We are committed to ensuring the police and other frontline agencies have the
tools they need to respond effectively to domestic abuse. That is why on 18
December, the Home Secretary announced her intention to create a specific
offence of domestic abuse.

The offence will not come into force until frontline agencies are properly
trained to operate it effectively. An implementation plan, which will consider
funding issues, is currently being developed with the police and College of
Policing. The College is working with CAADA (Co-ordinated Action Against
Domestic Abuse) to pilot an intensive programme of training including domestic
abuse and coercive control. An evaluation will be carried out following the
pilot to ensure that the training will make a significant contribution to long
term improvements to policing of domestic abuse and will be an important factor
in driving a culture change in the police so that domestic abuse is treated as
the serious crime that it is.

The new offence of ‘coercive and controlling behaviour’, as well as the wider
issue of training for police officers on domestic abuse, has been discussed
at the National Oversight Group on domestic abuse, established and chaired by
the Home Secretary. The purpose of the group is to implement and monitor activity
against the recommendations coming out of HMIC’s review of domestic abuse and includes
both Chief Constable and Third Sector representation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with (a) chief constables and (b) organisations dealing with violence against women on the training requirements for police officers when coercive control becomes a criminal offence; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone

We are committed to ensuring the police and other frontline agencies have the
tools they need to respond effectively to domestic abuse. That is why on 18
December, the Home Secretary announced her intention to create a specific
offence of domestic abuse.

The offence will not come into force until frontline agencies are properly
trained to operate it effectively. An implementation plan, which will consider
funding issues, is currently being developed with the police and College of
Policing. The College is working with CAADA (Co-ordinated Action Against
Domestic Abuse) to pilot an intensive programme of training including domestic
abuse and coercive control. An evaluation will be carried out following the
pilot to ensure that the training will make a significant contribution to long
term improvements to policing of domestic abuse and will be an important factor
in driving a culture change in the police so that domestic abuse is treated as
the serious crime that it is.

The new offence of ‘coercive and controlling behaviour’, as well as the wider
issue of training for police officers on domestic abuse, has been discussed
at the National Oversight Group on domestic abuse, established and chaired by
the Home Secretary. The purpose of the group is to implement and monitor activity
against the recommendations coming out of HMIC’s review of domestic abuse and includes
both Chief Constable and Third Sector representation.