Tag: Imran Hussain

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2015-11-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of steps taken by (a) his Department and (b) the Burmese government to prevent sexual violence in conflict in Burma.

Mr Hugo Swire

Sexual violence in conflict remains a significant problem in Burma and we are focused on practical action to tackle it. There have been some signs of improvement since the Burmese government endorsed the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, at the London Global Summit in June 2014, but we continue to press for more.

During my visit to Burma in July 2015, I pressed the Burmese government at senior ministerial level on the issue and launched the International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence. The UK was also instrumental in facilitating the visit to Burma this summer of the Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Angelina Jolie Pitt. We continue to push the agenda in international fora, including through UN resolutions on Burma at the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, which we co-sponsor. At Burma’s 6 November Universal Periodic Review at the UN in Geneva, ending sexual violence and improving the rights of women and girls was a focus of our recommendations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2015-11-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made on the effect of the withdrawal of ESOL plus mandation funding ESOL on employment prospects for refugees.

Priti Patel

We are committed to supporting those who are unemployed to finding and keeping employment. In doing so, we ensure that any learning provision is delivered in the context of local employment and labour market demand. Data shows that the numbers of learners in England previously being referred to ESOL Plus (Mandation) provision was significantly lower than originally anticipated and the ESOL Plus (Mandation) budget was underspent in 2014/15.

The decision to remove the specific English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Plus (Mandation) funding for 2015/16 enables providers, as independent organisations which manage their own budgets, to have the flexibility to use their adult skills budget more effectively to support jobseekers. They are able to continue to provide ESOL training for jobseekers where it is likely to result in the most effective labour market outcome, and jobseekers with poor English language skills can still be mandated to this training. All new claimants are screened for spoken English at their first interview and if below entry level 2, they are referred for a more detailed assessment and, if appropriate, training provision.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the protection of minors applying for indefinite leave to remain on the settlement protection route whilst their applications are decided.

James Brokenshire

UK Visas and Immigration has taken significant steps to enhance support and protection for minors who apply for indefinite leave to remain. Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 requires the Home Office to carry out its existing functions in a way that takes into account the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in the UK.

As part of its commitment to Section 55, all UK Visas and Immigration employees have received training in order to assist them to identify potential vulnerable minors during the consideration of indefinite leave to remain applications.

UK Visas and Immigration has also implemented a vulnerable minor, and adult, policy along with a National Referral Mechanism for potential victims of human trafficking, a web link to the internal guidance is below: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/victims-of-trafficking-guidance-for-competent-bodies

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2016-04-12.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to publish aggregate statistics showing the size and origin of assets in UK financial institutions.

Harriett Baldwin

The Bank of England publishes aggregated data relating to UK Financial Institutions’ balance sheets. Its statistical releases can be found via the following link: http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/statistics/Pages/calendar/default.aspx

Under the Capital Requirements (country-by-country reporting) Regulations 2013 there are reporting obligations on institutions in the United Kingdom within scope of the Capital Requirements Directive 4. The regulations require institutions to publish annually details on a consolidated basis, by country where they have an establishment. These details include: their name, nature of activities and geographical location; number of employees; and their turnover.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2016-05-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the outcomes of the World Humanitarian Summit on gender equality; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Desmond Swayne

The World Humanitarian Summit made real gains for gender equality in humanitarian responses. This was a priority of the UK at the Summit and our call to put gender equality at the heart of 21st century humanitarian action was loudly echoed by many. There was strong agreement on the need to go beyond protection and make sure girls and women have a voice, choice, and control, even when crises hit. New Member States joined the Call to Action on Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (launched by UK in 2013) and commitments were made to ensure the right to sexual and reproductive health care is fulfilled for all women and adolescent girls in crisis settings.

My colleague, the Secretary of State for International Development, has already given her impressions of the Summit in a Written Ministerial Statement to the House.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2016-06-20.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the effect of the use of telematic black box electronic recording devices by insurance companies on the cost of car insurance.

Harriett Baldwin

In general, an insurer will make a decision about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the risks posed by an individual. Some insurers offer discounts to drivers who choose to use telematics in their cars. This is usually informed by the insurer’s claims experience and other industry-wide statistics. The Government does not intend to intervene in these commercial decisions by insurers as this could damage competition in the market. The respective capabilities of insurers to assess risk is a key element on which they compete. This competition is important and should lead to better products and lower prices for consumers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department plans to conduct a review of dentistry provision contracts.

David Mowat

The Government is committed to replacing the current National Health Service dental contract with one that better rewards dentists for improving the oral health of their patients in addition to providing treatment where needed.

The dental pilots which ran from 2011-16 tested a new way of delivering care focussed on prevention. Based on the learning from that scheme, 79 high street practices are continuing to test the prevention based clinical pathway with the addition of testing a possible new remuneration system.

The prototype scheme evaluation is expected during 2017-18. The evaluation will be overseen by an evidence and learning group, which includes clinical and stakeholder representation. If successful the new system could start to be rolled out nationally from 2018-19.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2015-11-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of (a) disqualifications of parliamentary candidates, (b) disenfranchisement of ethnic groups and (c) inaccuracy and omissions from the voter lists in elections in Burma in November 2015.

Mr Hugo Swire

The British Govenment was concerned by the disqualification of parliamentary candidates, which disproportionately affected Muslim nominees. Of the 6,074 candidates who registered, 99 nominations were rejected, of which 22 were Muslim. Of these, 67 appealed, and 24 decisions were overturned of which 11 were Muslim. The EU Election Observation Mission’s (EOM) preliminary statement of 10 November stated that since the rejections predominantly focused on the strict application of the citizenship requirement, this impacted particularly heavily on Muslim candidates. The EU EOM estimated that only 28 Muslim candidates stood in total. The UK has regularly expressed its deep disappointment with the decision to revoke Temporary Residence Cards (‘White Cards’) which effectively disenfranchised the Rohingya community from the vote, as well as some other minorities. The EU EOM noted that, as a result, universal suffrage was not properly provided for, and the elections were not fully inclusive. Improving the conditions for the Rohingya remains a top priority for the UK. As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymead and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) said in his statement of 10 November: ‘The UK stands ready to support the people of Burma as they continue to work towards a more democratic and accountable government, including those unable to vote in this election.’ Ahead of polling day there were widespread concerns about the accuracy of the voter lists. However, on the day, the EU EOM noted that: ‘Most voters, in polling stations visited, found their names on the voter list, but in 7% of polling stations visited some absences on the list were observed.’

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2015-11-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that claimants with limited English are referred to a structured programme to improve their English skills.

Priti Patel

All Jobseekers are screened for their ability in English Language skills and referred to appropriate English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training to improve their skills to help support them into employment.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Imran Hussain on 2016-03-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which (a) fixed and (b) mobile structures funded by her Department in Area C of the Occupied Palestinian Territory have been (i) demolished and (ii) confiscated by the Israeli authorities in (A) 2015 and (B) 2016.

Mr Desmond Swayne

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided on 17 March to Question number 30955