Tag: Jim Cunningham

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what representations she has received from existing grammar schools wishing to expand in each of the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb

Records indicate that in the last 12 months eight selective academies have proposed an expansion of their school site via an application to their local Regional Schools Commissioner. We are unable to provide information for maintained grammar schools that wish to expand as this would be a matter for the relevant local authority. The Department does not have a role in these decisions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-10-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the funding available to the Waste and Resources Action Programme in each of the next five years; and if she will make a statement.

Dr Thérèse Coffey

The current 2016/17 grant agreement for the Waste and Resources Action Programme is £14m.

Future years’ allocations have yet to be finalised.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-10-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assistance his Department is providing to Iraqi and Kurdish forces to assist in the recapture of Mosul; and if he will make a statement.

Mike Penning

As a leading member of the Coalition, the United Kingdom has assisted in the training and mentoring of over 29,000 local Iraqi security forces (including over 6,900 Kurdish Peshmerga). This includes infantry, counter-IED, medical and engineering skills – including a small team of Royal Engineers mentoring Iraqi forces carrying out bridge building in support of the liberation of Mosul, over 40 km from the city, in response to a request from the Coalition for specialist assistance. Many of the forces British troops have trained are participating in the operation to recapture Mosul.

The RAF is contributing its advanced air capabilities to Coalition operations in support of Iraqi forces on the ground. Since the start of the Mosul operation, the majority of RAF strikes have been in support of the Iraqi ground operation in and around that city.

Additionally, the UK has been at the forefront of humanitarian support and recently committed £40 million to the Iraqi government, which will include a contribution to the Mosul aid plan. This brings the total pledged by the UK to help the victims of Daesh to almost £170 million since 2014.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support his Department is providing to higher education institutions to increase the number of post-doctoral positions offered; and if he will make a statement.

Joseph Johnson

The Government recognises the importance of sustaining a strong research community across the UK. In allocating Science and Research funding, the Government asks the Research Councils, Higher Education Funding Council for England, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society to ensure that they are “maintaining a substantial flow of new researchers and high level skills”. Research Councils support 14,000 research staff and fellows, including 10,000 university researchers, many of whom are in early research careers. The National Academies provide over 690 early career research fellowships.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost of overseas military operations was in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Penny Mordaunt

The total net additional costs of UK military operations overseas in each of the last five financial years has been as follows:

Financial Year	Total
2010-11	£4.0 billion
2011-12	£3.8 billion
2012-13	£2.8 billion
2013-14	£2.0 billion
2014-15	£1.1 billion

These figures cover operations in Afghanistan, Libya, the wider Gulf, countering ISIL activity in Iraq and Syria and other short-term operations, whether funded by the Treasury’s Special Reserve or by the Conflict Pool and subsequent Conflict Security and Stabilisation Fund.

This information is published in more detail in the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Annual Report and Accounts, most recently in Table 2.3.1 on page 51 of the MOD’s 2014-15 Annual Report and Accounts, which is available on the Gov.UK website at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-accounts-2014-to-2015

“

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the net present value of a phase-out of the use of lead ammunition for sports shooting.

Rory Stewart

The independent Lead Ammunition Group, which was established to consider the effect of lead shot on human health and wildlife, was also asked to advise on any significant impacts on shooting activity of possible advice or solutions. The Government is considering its report and will respond as soon as possible.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to reduce instances of antibiotic resistance developing in farmed animals; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice

In September 2013, the government published the UK Five-Year Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Strategy. The strategy sets out three strategic aims to minimise the development of antibiotic resistance and protect human and animal health and welfare.

In December 2014, the Government published the first annual progress report against the UK 5 year AMR Strategy[1]. The report sets out the work underway in each of the seven key areas, more specifically:

– infection, prevention and control,

– education and outreach,

– better access to surveillance data,

– strengthening International collaboration

The report also includes the further measures on animal health to be taken over the next four years to respond to the risk of AMR and to promote the responsible use of antibiotics.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/progress-report-on-the-uk-five-year-amr-strategy-2014

“

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-12-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is providing to the Libyan Council of Deputies to (a) tackle ungoverned regions and (b) support the transition to a democratic government in Libya; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The UK has strongly emphasised to the Libyan House of Representatives (aka Council of Deputies) and the other parties of the UN dialogue process that the establishment of a Government of National Accord is an important first step to restoring peace and stability in Libya. Only an inclusive government will deliver the peace and stability that the Libyan people desire and deny the space for Daesh and other extremist groups to operate. The UK stands ready to work with the international community to deliver a significant package of support to help a united Libyan Government of National Accord to deliver a stable and prosperous future for all Libyan citizens.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-12-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2015 to Question 18326, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the territory held by Daesh and affiliated groups across Libya; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We are extremely concerned about the growing threat from extremist groups in Libya, including Daesh and groups affiliated with it. These groups pose a threat to the stability of Libya and the region, and potentially to the UK and our interests and citizens overseas. We are working closely with international partners to deepen our understanding of Daesh’s presence in Libya, including in Sirte, and to develop a comprehensive approach to defeat it. This includes working closely with Libya’s neighbours to enhance their ability to protect themselves from terrorists in Libya. We are supporting UN-led efforts to establish a Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya, which will be crucial in the long term to tackling the Daesh threat present in that country and across the region.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-12-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 15 December 2015 to Question 19180, how her Department calculates how to allocate refugee support funding to recipient countries; what information her Department holds on how the distribution of that funding is allocated by the recipient country; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Nick Hurd

The UK has allocated £559 million, of an overall £1.12 billion contribution to the Syria crisis response, to support refugees in the region and vulnerable host communities. This includes £304 million in Lebanon, £193 million in Jordan and the remainder across the region. The UK prioritises its assistance according to where needs are greatest and most unmet, guided by assessments including the UN appeals, and the capacity of the host country to absorb refugees.

In line with the key humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality, we work with trusted humanitarian partners with experience of operating in fragile and conflict affected states, to ensure that aid is delivered to people on a needs basis. In 2015/16 DFID is working with 18 humanitarian partners in neighbouring countries. These include UN agencies, international organisations, NGOs and civil society organisations.