Tag: Ian Murray

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the criteria for inclusion in the limited post-study work visa pilot were; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Tier 4 visa pilot has been introduced to test the benefits of a differentiated approach within the education sector on the basis of compliance with immigration sponsorship requirements.

The four universities chosen to participate in the Tier 4 visa pilot, namely the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Bath and Imperial College London, were chosen on the basis of their consistently low visa refusal rates.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of how many claimants for personal independence payment have been asked to pay for a letter from their GP explaining their impairments or disability whilst being moved 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, if she will place in the Library copies of any letters her Department has sent since 1 June 2015 to chief executives or leaders of local authorities in the UK in respect of the power to request assistance under section 100 (1) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; and whether powers under that section have been used.

James Brokenshire

The Department has not made any request to chief executives or leaders of local authorities in the UK for assistance under section 100 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. The powers under that section have not been used to date.

However, over the past 12 months, the department has written to local authority leaders and chief executives in the North West, North East, Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber and Scotland to seek further cooperation and voluntary participation in widening asylum seeker dispersal arrangement.

We will be writing to chief executives in Wales, the South East, South West and East of England to seek their cooperation.

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 women 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, 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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