The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Stewart on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the fund to increase the number of degree apprenticeships that he announced on 24 March 2016 will also apply to masters-level apprenticeships.
Nick Boles
The fund to increase the number of degree apprenticeships announced on 24 March 2016 applies to developing degree apprenticeships at both level 6 (bachelor’s) and level 7 (master’s).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Stewart on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Minister for Social Care’s oral contribution of 3 December 2015, Official Report, column 608, what progress his Department has made on putting in place a national ambition to reduce the number of adults sent out-of-area for acute inpatient mental health care.
Alistair Burt
In-line with the recommendations of the Independent Mental Health Taskforce published in February 2016, we have set a national ambition to eliminate inappropriate out of area treatments for adult acute inpatient care as a result of local acute bed pressures by 2020/21 at the latest. To achieve this ambition we expect areas to put in place local action plans and achieve year on year reductions from 2016/17.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Stewart on 2016-04-12.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what amount of corporation tax was paid by soft drinks manufacturers in the latest financial year for which figures are available.
Mr David Gauke
Corporation Tax payable for accounting periods ending in the financial year 2013-14 for companies manufacturing soft drinks, and producing mineral water is estimated to be about £70 million. This estimate is based on those classified under the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 2007 code 11070 (Manufacture of soft drinks; production of mineral waters and other bottled waters) plus those manufacturing soft drinks who are classified elsewhere. This is the latest year available.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Stewart on 2016-04-12.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish modelling conducted by his Department on the potential effect of the soft drinks industry levy on corporation tax receipts.
Damian Hinds
The independent Office of Budget Responsibility publishes the policy costing and forecast of the tax receipts at every fiscal event, which contain the relevant economic analysis.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Stewart on 2016-04-12.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what external groups his Department consulted on its proposal to introduce a soft drinks industry levy before announcing that levy; and on what dates he or officials of his Department met such groups.
Damian Hinds
Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Stewart on 2016-04-12.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information his Department holds on which other European countries have introduced a soft drinks industry levy in the last five years; and what research the Government has commissioned or undertaken on the effects of such levies on levels of obesity.
Damian Hinds
Other European countries have introduced a soft drinks tax in recent years. For example, Hungary in 2011 and France in 2012.
These taxes however are not identical in design to the new soft drinks industry levy the Chancellor announced at Budget 2016. The levy is a lever to encourage producer-led reformulation.
The Chief Medical Officer has said that reformulation is a key win for tackling obesity and soft drinks are the single largest source of sugar intake for children and teenagers.
This levy will be an important part of the government’s comprehensive childhood obesity strategy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Stewart on 2015-10-21.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to allow local authorities to retain business rate revenues.
Mr David Gauke
The Chancellor set out a radical devolution reform package for local government in his conference speech. This included plans to allow local government to retain 100 per cent of revenue from business rates to spend on local services, as well as giving local authorities the power to lower business rates to boost growth and support jobs.
While there will still be redistribution between Local Authorities to ensure those with a lower tax base do not lose out, local areas will be able to keep all local growth in their business rates.
The parliamentary question asked by Iain Stewart, the Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South, in the House of Commons on 14 November 2022.
What recent discussions she has had with the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police on the effectiveness of Operation Deter.
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Suella Braverman)
Before I answer, on behalf of the UK may I pass on my thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the terrible attack in Istanbul yesterday? I am sure that the whole House will join me, on behalf of the UK Government, in saying that the UK stands with Turkey in the fight against terrorism. We send our condolences to all those affected.
Last month, I visited Thames Valley police to meet the chief constable, force leaders and student officers. A number of topics were discussed, including the delivery of Operation Deter. I am always keen to discuss interventions that the chief constable and local partners believe to be effective in reducing knife crime.
Iain Stewart
The police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, introduced Operation Deter as a zero-tolerance approach to knife crime. It started in Milton Keynes and is now being rolled out in the force in other areas. It is already delivering some very encouraging signs in reducing knife crime. Will my right hon. Friend review it further and encourage other forces to replicate it in their areas?
Suella Braverman
I have met the excellent police and crime commissioner, to whom my hon. Friend refers, on two occasions now—perhaps more—and I really welcome all initiatives that show measurable impacts against violent crime. I am determined that interventions that are proven to work are delivered across our forces. I am also a big supporter of violence reduction units. I am very keen to look at the verified results of Operation Deter, alongside all innovative approaches. I am clear that all options should be explored and that we should support operations that work.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Stewart on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what progress has been made on implementation of the Smith Commission recommendations.
Mr Alistair Carmichael
We promised draft clauses on new powers for the Scottish Parliament and we published that legislation ahead of the Burns’ Night deadline.
The main UK parties have all committed to bring forward a Bill in the next Parliament. Scotland will get more powers.