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Tag: Helen Jones

  • Helen Jones – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Helen Jones – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2015-02-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the total amount spent from government sources on research into (a) stroke, (b) cancer and (c) coronary heart disease.

    George Freeman

    Spend on research funded directly by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is categorised by Health Research Classification System health categories. NIHR expenditure on research infrastructure and systems where spend cannot be attributed to health categories is excluded. In 2013/14, the NIHR spent £26.3 million in the category ‘stroke’, £129.9 million in the category ‘cancer’, and £46.3 million in the category ‘cardiovascular’ (including coronary heart disease – CHD).

    Research Councils UK has provided the following information on expenditure in 2013/14.

    £000s

    Stroke

    Cancer

    CHD

    Arts and Humanities Research Council

    –

    34

    –

    Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

    323

    10,269

    1,829

    Economic and Social Research Council

    1,376

    2,177

    1,205

    Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

    –

    –

    –

    Medical Research Council (MRC)

    4,140

    79,900

    26,300

    Natural Environment Research Council

    –

    –

    –

    Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

    –

    395

    –

    The BBSRC does not fund research directly relating to understanding/treating specific human diseases. The underpinning health research that the BBSRC supports seeks to provide a better understanding of what makes a healthy biological system – and the key moderators of this health (both positive and negative) – and also informs strategies to help maintain resilient health across the life-course and reduce the risk of emergence of diseases typically associated with age-related health decline. In the context of stroke/cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer this may include basic bioscience of angiogenesis/tissue repair, inflammation, cell cycle/signalling/molecular transport, and immune system functioning, and how these processes operate and are influenced (e.g. by genetics and environmental factors such as diet and exercise) across the lifecourse. The BBSRC figures provided are based on examples where specific linkages can be made from the basic bioscience to potential applicability to stroke/CVD and cancer research, but there will be a wider body of more indirectly linked bioscience that may also contribute to developing important baseline understanding.

    The EPSRC invested £59 million in 2013/14 in research to develop new technologies that have applications across healthcare from diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation, and also supports a much wider portfolio of research that underpins advances in medical science. The EPSRC supports basic research which delivers new techniques and technologies, ultimately delivering solutions that underpin the healthcare and life sciences sector, including the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries and the National Health Service. Around 25% of the £4 billion EPSRC portfolio is of relevance to healthcare and the life sciences.

    MRC cancer research expenditure shown in the table is taken from National Cancer Research Institute data for 2013.

    In addition to the expenditure shown in the table, the STFC also makes support available through its large facilities. For instance, cancer-related research is carried out using ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) in support of the University of Liverpool, who have an EPSRC grant. The grant pays the marginal staff cost and the running cost of the ALICE facility.

    In 2013/14 Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency has invested in research concerning stroke, cancer and CHD. The following table details spend for each condition. Figures include research into detection technologies and post-surgery therapies.

    £000s

    Stroke

    Cancer

    CHD

    Innovate UK

    972

    18,728

    345

  • Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the average debt level per capita is of local authorities in (a) England and (b) the North West; and what the level of debt per capita is in Warrington Borough Council.

    Kris Hopkins

    I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the rt.hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East (Mr Nicholas Brown) on 14 July 2014, Official Report, Column 532W.

    My Department does not publish regional statistics.

  • Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

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

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last discussed violence against women and girls with representatives of the Indian government; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    We are committed to working with the Indian government and international partners to address the problems of gender-based violence, human trafficking and child exploitation and regularly discuss these issues with the Indian authorities. Our High Commissioner Sir James Bevan recently met India’s Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi on 17 June to discuss a range of issues, including gender-based violence and the UK’s plans to host the 2014 Girls Summit aimed at tackling female genital mutilation (FGM) and early and forced marriage. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has also discussed the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and its efforts to prevent violence against women and girls, with India’s new Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj.

    Through the Department for International Development (DFID) the UK supports measures in India’s 120 poorest districts to promote the empowerment and access to benefits and services of excluded groups. DFID India also provides support to national and state governments in India, which includes helping girls to complete basic education and further tackling violence against women and girls.

  • Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

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

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to encourage more rape victims to report that crime to the police and to ensure that they are treated appropriately when they do so.

    Norman Baker

    Rape and sexual violence are devastating and unacceptable crimes. The
    Coalition Government’s continued approach to tackling such violence and abuse
    is set out in our Violence against Women and Girls Action Plan, updated in
    March 2014. Supporting victims is at the heart of this approach, which
    includes giving victims more confidence to report crimes, and it is encouraging
    that police recorded crime figures show more victims are having the confidence
    to come forward.

    We want every report of rape to be treated seriously from the point of
    disclosure, every victim to be treated with dignity and every investigation and
    every prosecution to be conducted thoroughly and professionally.

    We have ring-fenced funding for 87 Independent Sexual Violence Advisers to
    provide appropriate and independent support for victims.

    We have supported the publication of data on rape for every police force in the
    country as a basis for improving recording and investigations of rape and
    ensure that guidance on investigating and prosecuting rape is implemented in
    every police force area. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary is
    inspecting the recording of rape as part of a wider crime recording audit, and
    the police and Crown Prosecution Service have published a joint action plan to
    improve how these cases are handled within the criminal justice system.

  • Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which arts organisations and events in the North West he has visited since his appointment.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has visited the following organisations and attended following events in the North West since his appointment:

    • Mellor Mill, Stockport

    • Lady Lever Art Gallery, the Wirral

    • Tate Liverpool

    • Merseyside Maritime Museum

    • International Festival of Business, Liverpool

  • Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Attorney General

    Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Attorney General

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

    To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the fall in the percentage rate of convictions in rape cases between 2012-13 and 2013-14; and if he will make a statement.

    Oliver Heald

    The Rape National Scrutiny Panel led by the Director of Public Prosecutions and the National Policing lead for rape, considered the investigation and prosecution of rape cases including their referral from the police to the CPS. A range of issues have been identified that may have contributed to the drop in conviction rates. The joint Crown Prosecution Service / police Rape Action Plan published on 6 June 2014 aims to address these.

  • Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    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 (a) the proposed closure of its contact centre in Warrington and (b) the possibility of other jobs being based there.

    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.

  • Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    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.

  • Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2014-04-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had on provision for young women aged 16 to 18 years who have been victims of domestic violence; and if she will make a statement.

    Norman Baker

    The Coalition Government recognises that young people can be victims of
    domestic violence and abuse both within the home and in their relationships. That is why in March
    2013, we extended the definition of domestic violence and abuse to include 16
    and 17 year olds, and coercive control. Our aim in extending the definition is
    to increase awareness that young people experience domestic violence and abuse,
    encouraging more of them to come forward and access the support they need. In
    March 2013, the Home Office also published a guide to assist local areas to
    consider how the extension to the definition of domestic violence and abuse may
    impact on their services and identify potential gaps and opportunities for
    working with 16-17 year olds and how to respond to cases involving young
    people.

    The Coalition Government believes it is important to invite young people to
    express their views and preferences about policies that are developed for them which is why
    we have worked with the NSPCC to establish a Young People’s Panel. The Panel
    has met four times since its inception in 2012 and their discussions have fed
    into policy development around young people and domestic violence. This
    includes commenting on the guidance for local areas following the change in
    definition, and reviewing aspects of our media campaigns.

    The Home Office has also launched its Teenage Relationship Abuse and
    Teenage Rape Prevention campaigns. The aims of the campaigns are to prevent
    teenagers from becoming victims and perpetrators of abusive relationships. It
    will encourage teenagers to re-think their views of violence, abuse or
    controlling behaviour in relationships and direct them to places for help and
    advice. The campaign is aimed at 13 to 18 year old boys in particular.

  • Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Helen Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to improve the quality of care given by GPs to people with asthma.

    Jane Ellison

    Information on the number of asthma patients with a care plan is not collected. However, the Government’s mandate to NHS England says that by 2015, everyone with a long term condition should be offered a personalised care plan.

    NHS England is supporting clinical commissioning groups to improve out of hospital treatment for those with asthma by giving doctors more control over the commissioning of asthma services and improving information links between general practitioners and hospitals. The implementation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence asthma quality standard, that sets out what good quality care looks like, will also raise the standard of care people with asthma receive.

    NHS England, through its National Clinical Director for Respiratory Disease, will continue to work with Asthma UK and professional groups in both primary and secondary care to improve outcomes for all those with asthma.