Tag: Ian Murray

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-05-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Immigration of 3 May 2016, Official Report, column 45WH, on asylum seeker dispersal, if she will provide the names of the (a) 103 local authorities that are currently asylum dispersal areas, (b) 20 local authorities signed up to be asylum dispersal areas and (c) 28 local authorities that her Department is in discussions with to become asylum dispersal areas.

James Brokenshire

Recently published Home Office data confirms that, as at the end of March 2016 there were 107 local authorities accommodating dispersed asylum seekers. This data can be accessed via the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-january-to-march-2016/list-of-tables#asylum

Not all dispersal areas are currently housing asylum seekers; future published data will detail new dispersal areas as asylum seekers are dispersed to them.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-07-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans the Government has to review the level of funding it provides to NGOs and charities that support EU nationals in making applications for right to remain or other forms of residency visa as a result of the outcome of the EU referendum.

James Brokenshire

EU nationals do not need to apply for an entry visa, residence card or a permanent residence card in order to enjoy their free movement rights and responsibilities.

As a result, the Home Office does not provide funding to NGOs in order to assist EU nationals to obtain such residency documentation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many meetings the Government has had with Ministers of the Scottish Government on the UK leaving the EU.

Mr David Jones

The Prime Minister has committed to full engagement with the Devolved Administrations to get the best possible deal for all parts of our United Kingdom as we leave the EU.The Secretary of State for Exiting the EU has spoken with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon about developing a UK approach for EU exit. He has also met with Michael Russell, the Scottish Government Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe, to discuss the work of the Department for Exiting the EU.We will give the Devolved Administrations every opportunity to have their say as we form our negotiating strategy and we will look at any suggestions they put forward.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-01-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance is provided to GPs on charging patients for letters used to apply for benefits and transition from disability living allowance to personal independence payment.

Justin Tomlinson

Claimants are advised during the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim process that they should not request any documents from their GP that they may be charged fees for. Where an Assessment Provider requires further medical evidence to assist in completing the assessment report they may request a GP Factual Report (GPFR). GPs are paid a prearranged fee by assessment providers for GPFRs as the information requested is not included in their contractual agreement. As independent contractors GPs are permitted to charge their patient a fee as the provision of the report is outside their contractual obligations. The BMA provides guidance on appropriate levels of fees for different types of reports.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-03-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has made to consult stakeholders in advance on the (a) designation of reception zones and (b) determination of the criteria to be included in any order designating such zones in the UK.

James Brokenshire

Home Office appointed COMPASS contractors as providers of housing for asylum seekers with the ability to procure and supply housing in a manner that meets UK housing law. The COMPASS suppliers are required to consult local government formally to ensure relevant housing licensing requirements are met. UKVI officials have engaged with local government, through Strategic Migration Partnerships to devise suitable consultation protocols so that both parties are able to consider the most suitable locations for initial accommodation. In the circumstance that contingency options are deployed, the COMPASS provider is required to inform local dispersal authorities of the intended short term use of properties in their area, as initial accommodation facilities for asylum seekers, including in hotels.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people in Scotland who reach state pension age in 2016-17 will receive the full flat rate of the new state pension.

Justin Tomlinson

The Department cannot model the impact of the new State Pension at a regional or country specific level. Results for the whole of Great Britain can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491845/impact-of-new-state-pension-longer-term-reserach.pdf

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-05-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Immigration of 3 May 2016, Official Report, column 45WH, on asylum seeker dispersal policy, if she will publish the template letter she plans to send to leaders of local authorities on widening dispersal.

James Brokenshire

We continue to work closely with a wide range of local authorities across the UK to increase the number of areas that accommodate and support people seeking asylum and protection.

I am reassured that the number of local authorities participating in the dispersal scheme continues to increase. I intend therefore only to write to specific local authority leaders if progress is unsatisfactory.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government plans to increase funding to Citizens Advice Scotland in response to the transfer of social security powers to the Scottish Parliament by the Scotland Act 2016.

Margot James

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy provides Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) with core funding on behalf of all Whitehall Departments and the Scottish Government. This enables CAS to provide essential services to the Scottish network of Citizens Advice Bureaux and deliver advice on all manner of issues direct to Scottish citizens via its website.

There are no plans to increase core funding across the current Spending Review period.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-10-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish the response to the Government’s consultation on section 75 employer debt in pension funds, published in March 2015.

Richard Harrington

My Department is currently considering further changes to employer debt legislation, following a Call for Evidence about section 75 employer debt in non-associated multi-employer schemes last year with a view to consulting on any specific proposals in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-01-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many da Vinci surgical systems for use in the treatment of prostate cancer are in operation in the NHS in England.

Jane Ellison

Data on the number of da Vinci systems for treating prostate cancer, in operation across the National Health Service in England, is not routinely collected or held centrally.