Tag: Hilary Benn

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2015-10-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Palestinian Authority on action to prevent terrorist attacks in Israel.

Mr Philip Hammond

I spoke to President Abbas on 9 October about the violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and urged him to do everything in his power to reduce tensions and restore calm. In recent weeks, Her Majesty’s Consul General in Jerusalem has also pressed several senior Palestinian figures on the need to de-escalate the current tension.

I strongly condemn the recent terrorist attacks. The effect that they are having on innocent civilians is appalling. I also strongly condemn all incitement to commit acts of violence by both sides.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2015-10-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 12 October 2015 to Question 11278, who is responsible for restrictions on commercial and humanitarian shipping to Yemen.

Mr Desmond Swayne

A number of parties are responsible for the conflict in Yemen which has led to the restrictions on commercial and humanitarian shipping to Yemen. At President Hadi’s request, Saudi-led Coalition airstrikes began in March 2015 following a rebellion against President Hadi and the Government of Yemen by the Houthi’s and forces loyal to former president Saleh. Intense fighting and insecurity on the ground has resulted in restrictions being placed on commercial and humanitarian shipping, and it is proving difficult to distribute food and fuel to those who need it making the humanitarian situation even worse.

The most important action to address the humanitarian situation, beyond a ceasefire, is to open up access for commercial and humanitarian goods to reach those most in need. All parties to the conflict should take all reasonable steps to allow and facilitate humanitarian access, to facilitate immediate access to life-saving supplies both into and within Yemen. The Secretary of State for International Development recently reinforced this message at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The UK also supports the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism, UNVIM, which is now being established to address commercial shipping needs. It involves setting up an internationally-staffed maritime verification centre to replace the existing informal Coalition mechanism. To be effective, all commercial cargo should be within the scope of UNVIM – including fuel.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2015-10-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of (a) the level of humanitarian need and (b) access for the provision of humanitarian support in Yemen.

Mr Desmond Swayne

The humanitarian situation in Yemen is now one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. According to the UN, 21 million Yemenis – more than 80% of the population – are in need of humanitarian assistance. Of those, over 6 million people are facing severe food shortages, with households struggling to meet their daily needs. In particular, 1.8 million children require access to life-saving nutrition services. In Hodeidah city alone, UNICEF have warned that 96,000 severely malnourished children are at risk of dying.

The UK is one of the largest donors to the crisis in Yemen and has announced £75 million to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, focused on the most urgent life-saving needs. UK aid is providing vital medical supplies, water, food and emergency shelter, as well as supporting UN work to co-ordinate the international humanitarian response.

The conflict has resulted in restrictions on imports of commercial and humanitarian supplies to Yemen and intense fighting on the ground, which has severely constrained access and limited the operational capacity of humanitarian partners across the country. The UK continues to call on all parties to the conflict to facilitate unimpeded and immediate humanitarian access to all people in need in Yemen, and to lift any restrictions on commercial and humanitarian shipping, including of fuel for civilian use.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the additional cost of additional appeals to the Parking Traffic Appeals Service if a 25 per cent discount is given to motorists who lose an appeal at tribunal against the issue of a parking ticket.

Brandon Lewis

As recommended by the Transport Select Committee (Local authority parking enforcement, HC 118, October 2013), the Government intends to work in partnership with a local authority to assess introducing a 25% discount to motorists who lose an appeal at tribunal level. This trial will allow us to evaluate the impacts, before rolling out the policy nationally.

The underlying policy rationale is the current lack of any discount at an appeal stage (but with a discount operating if the driver does not appeal) acts as a disincentive for drivers with genuine cases to appeal. I would remind the rt. hon. Member that parking fines are a quasi-judicial process, not a source of revenue for councils. This Government believes in fairness, in contrast to the Labour Government which actively told councils to adopt aggressive parking enforcement practices.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2014, Official Report, column 578W, on rent, what his policy is on developing rent review clauses which are index-linked to inflation in a model for longer-term tenancies in the private rented sector.

Kris Hopkins

I refer the rt. hon. Member to my answer to him of 17 June 2014, Official Report, Column 578W, which outlines the Government’s policy and our opposition to the Labour Party calls for rent controls.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he expects to consult on the review of the General Permitted Development Order announced in Budget 2014.

Nick Boles

We will consult in due course. The consultation will include proposals on the wider retail use class announced in the Budget 2014.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many expressions of interest in response to the Locally-led Garden Cities Prospectus have been (a) received and (b) considered to date.

Kris Hopkins

Garden cities are not just housing developments: they are extremely complex infrastructure projects, and high quality proposals will take time to develop. We have had a number of positive informal discussions with localities in response to our locally led garden cities prospectus, published in April. We expect Expressions of Interest to be made formally once proposals are properly worked up.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many apprentices aged (a) 16 to 18, (b) 19 to 24 and (c) 25 years or over are employed in (i) his Department and (ii) each of his Department’s executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

Brandon Lewis

My Department currently has six apprentices. Two are aged 16 to 18, and four are aged 19 to 24. We are due to get a further 4 apprentices in September 2014.

Of our Arms Length Bodies, the Planning Inspectorate currently has seven apprentices. Six are aged 19 to 24, and one is aged 25 or over. Homes and Communities Agency currently has three apprentices, all of whom are aged 19 to 24.

6 apprentices were appointed to permanent roles in the Department of the 10 employed last year. The Department is committed to bringing in apprentices and promoting fresh perspectives and ideas. They are enthusiastic in their approach to work and committed to learning and developing the skills needed to make a positive contribution, both within and outside the Department.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what types of premises will be excluded from the wider retail use class announced in the Budget 2014.

Nick Boles

We will consult in due course. The consultation will include proposals on the wider retail use class announced in the Budget 2014.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the average lettings agency fees charged to tenants in the private rented sector (a) at the start of a new tenancy and (b) when a tenancy is renewed.

Kris Hopkins

My Department has not made its own estimate of the average lettings agency fees charged to tenants in the private rented sector but has taken note of the figures reported by independent organisations, such as the Office of Fair Trading, Shelter and Which.

The Government is currently legislating through the Consumer Rights Bill to ensure there is full transparency on fees charged by all letting agencies, ending hidden fees.

By contrast, I would observe that the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has commented that the policy proposals of HM Opposition on fees would harm tenants, as it would lead to: “increases in rents to cover the additional costs visited upon landlords” and a “reduction in supply” (RICS, Letting agent fees for tenants: a tale of two amendments, 15 May 2014).