Tag: James Cartlidge

The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-06-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress her Department has made on creating a £10 million fund for small schools to secure expert support and advice on converting to academy status.

Edward Timpson

This Government recognises the particular challenges facing small and rural schools and is committed to supporting them. We have announced a package of measures to guarantee the continued success of these schools, including £10 million to secure expert support and advice. Details on how this will be administered, and further information, will be available in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2015-12-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if his Department will undertake an analysis of the benefits of owner-occupied retirement housing to residents of that housing; and if his Department will bring forward proposals to increase delivery of that housing.

Brandon Lewis

The Government believes that meeting the housing needs of our older population is key to helping people to live well and remain healthier longer. That is why we are providing £400 million over the Spending Review period to deliver 8,000 affordable specialist homes for the vulnerable, elderly or those with disabilities. A commitment to funding from the Department of Health could deliver up to a further 7,500 units over the next five years.

The National Planning Policy Framework directs local authorities to plan for a mix of housing based on current and future demographic trends, and the needs of different groups in the area, including older people and disabled people. In March 2015 we strengthened planning guidance to encourage local authorities to recognise the importance for planning for older people’s housing.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-06-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answers of 29 January 2016 to Question 23225 and of 28 April 2016 to Question 35312, what progress his Department has made on bringing forward changes to secondary legislation provisions of the Pensions Act 2014 relating to Pension Protection Fund capping.

Justin Tomlinson

Before the long service cap can be implemented a number of changes need to be made to secondary legislation, so that it will operate as intended in all cases. While progress is being made in deveoping this legislation, we cannot at this time commit to a particular implementation date which, in any case, would be subject to the wishes of Parliament.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-01-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will introduce legislative proposals to amend the provisions of the Pensions Act 2014 relating to the Pension Protection Fund capping to provide assistance to scheme members whose employers have entered into administration; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson

The Government is committed to the implementation of the Pension Protection Fund long service cap as described in the Pensions Act 2014.

Before the primary legislation can be brought into force, a number of changes need to be made to secondary legislation, so that it will operate as expected in all cases. Therefore we cannot, at this time, commit to a particular implementation date.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-06-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Life Sciences of 18 April 2016, Official Report, column 262WH, what progress he has made in convening a task and finish working group for brain tumour research; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman

The Department of Health Task and Finish Working Group on Brain Tumour Research is bringing together clinicians, charities and officials to discuss how, working together with research funding partners, we can address the need to increase the level and impact of research into this devastating disease.

The Working Group will be chaired by Professor Chris Whitty, the Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser, and will report directly to me. I anticipate that the Working Group will need to meet in person three times before completing its tasks by September 2017.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-03-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to improve the protection of areas of outstanding natural beauty in marine areas.

George Eustice

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty do not cover marine areas. However, this Government has made a commitment to complete a ‘Blue Belt’ of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) around our coasts. These sites will also contribute to an ecologically-coherent network of MPAs in the North East Atlantic.

Over 17% of UK waters and almost a third of English inshore waters are now within MPAs. This includes 50 Marine Conservation Zones created since 2013. We are continuing to work towards designating further MPAs to complete the ‘Blue Belt’.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-07-18.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what revenue was received by the (a) Financial Conduct Authority and (b) Financial Services Authority from fees and levies payable by regulated firms in each of the last five years.

Simon Kirby

The questions on Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Financial Services Authority fees and levies are both a matter for the FCA, who are operationally independent from Government.

The questions have been passed on to the FCA. The FCA will reply directly to the Honorable Member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-03-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress she has made in setting out and implementing a national strategy for areas of outstanding natural beauty; and if she will make a statement.

Rory Stewart

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) partnerships and conservation boards, along with National Park Authorities, are a vital part of the fabric of the nation. Whilst there are no current plans to either set out or implement a specific national strategy for AONBs, I recognise that they make a significant contribution to realising Defra’s wider ambitions for the natural environment, and they are engaged in our ongoing development of a 25 Year Plan for the Environment.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-09-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on how many residential planning permissions which were granted in England in the last five years have yet to commence building work.

Gavin Barwell

As of 1 July 2016 planning permission had been granted since 1 January 2011 for 311,000 homes on sites where work had not yet started. However, latest figures show that on these sites yet to be started, 90 per cent of the dwellings are now progressing towards a start, up from 85 per cent in July 2015.

There are a range of factors which can delay the start of work on site. We are taking forward a range of proposals to help drive up delivery post permission, including changes in legislation to tackle unnecessary planning conditions and providing additional investment in infrastructure to help unlock housing sites and we expect developers and local authorities to work together to tackle problems at a local level.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by James Cartlidge on 2016-03-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will ensure that a cost impact assessment, including the potential impact assessment on the mobile seed cleaning industry, is made for any future emergency order relating to the use of neonicotinoids.

George Eustice

Any future application for authorisation of neonicotinoids for emergency use will be assessed according to the legal requirements. These cover: the risks from use; whether the use addresses a danger which cannot be contained by any other reasonable means; and the means by which the use will be limited and controlled.

The requirement for limited and controlled use includes ensuring that the product is demonstrably targeted towards those growers with the greatest need. The applicant would need to establish an auditable supply chain to ensure this requirement was met.

The assessment of the application would be based on the case made by the applicant. If the requirements outlined above are met, the Government would have no grounds for withholding authorisation.

However, there is no clear reason why it would be necessary to exclude farm-saved seed in designing appropriate control measures for an emergency authorisation of pesticide use on oilseed rape. We have drawn this issue to the attention of potential applicants.