Tag: Jim Shannon

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to (a) measure the number of butterflies and (b) restore butterfly habitats.

Rory Stewart

Defra publishes an annual indicator on butterfly abundance, using data collected by volunteers. Large fluctuations are typical of butterfly populations but in England the indicator shows that butterfly numbers have generally fallen since 1990, although with numbers of some common species stabilising over the last five years.

In England, we will take forward our manifesto commitment to produce a 25 year strategy for the environment, which will include biodiversity. Our approach will be designed to meet the habitat needs of many species including butterflies. In England’s National Pollinator Strategy we are aiming to expand flower rich habitats across different types of land to benefit pollinators including butterflies.

The England network of protected areas provides benefits for many species even when those areas are not specifically designated for the conservation of those particular species. This network includes local and national sites protected under domestic legislation and international sites protected under European and International law. Some of these sites are specifically designated for species of particular importance, including the marsh fritillary butterfly, which is a notified feature of a number of Special Areas of Conservation, designated under the Habitats Directive.

Agri-environment schemes play a major role in the conservation of butterflies in England. For instance, across grassland habitats in Dorset, between 1990 and 2010 the marsh fritillary increased in abundance by around 278% on land managed under these schemes.

In the summer of 2014 the critically endangered high brown fritillary experienced its best season since 2004 with numbers increasing by more than 180% as compared to 2013 across Dartmoor, Exmoor, and Morecambe Bay in Lancashire and sites in the Lake District.

The Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Package in the new Countryside Stewardship scheme contain options to improve habitats and provide nectar sources for butterflies. It will play a key role in supporting the National Pollinator Strategy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment the Government has made of potential links between alcohol intake by middle-aged people and the incidence of dementia; and whether the Government plans to make a statement on its policy on this matter.

Jane Ellison

Reducing the incidence of dementia, improving the treatment and care of people with dementia and improving dementia research, is a key priority for the Government. That is why in February 2015, the Prime Minister launched his Challenge on Dementia 2020 as a successor to the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2012-2015.

Under the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2020, we want to see improved public awareness and understanding of the factors which increase the risk of developing dementia (including alcohol consumption), and how people can reduce their risk by living more healthily for example by increased identification of effective ways in which people can reduce their personal risk of developing dementia, including cardio-vascular and cognitive strategies, and ways of encouraging these approaches to improve public health.

Public Health England’s strategy for the next five years identifies reducing the risk of dementia, its incidence and prevalence in 65-75 years, as one of seven key priorities. This includes action to support people to live healthier lives.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of school children studying foreign languages.

Nick Gibb

Since September 2014, maintained primary schools in England have been required to teach a modern or ancient foreign language to pupils at key stage 2 (covering the ages 7 to 11).

The Government took action in 2010 to halt the decline in the number of school children taking language GCSEs by introducing the English Baccalaureate (EBacc). This has had a positive effect on the take up of languages in schools, with a rise in the proportion of the cohort in state funded schools entered for a modern foreign language from 40% of pupils in 2010 to a provisional figure of 49% in 2015.

As part of the Government’s commitment to increase the numbers of pupils taking the EBacc, all but a small minority of pupils who started secondary school this September will be expected to study a language to GCSE level. We are consulting on these proposals. To attract further applicants for initial teacher training (ITT), we have increased bursaries for secondary languages ITT trainees for 2016/17.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on potential links between statins and inhibition of the influenza vaccine.

Jane Ellison

We are aware of two recent studies published in the Journal of Infectious Disease which suggest that the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in people taking statins may be reduced. As suggested by the authors of both studies, there are limitations in the data and design of these studies which do not allow any firm conclusions to be drawn. Other research has suggested that statin use decreases the risk of severe outcomes from influenza.

Influenza vaccines are important in reducing the complications of influenza, and statins are important medicines in patients with lipid disorders and in the prevention of heart attack and stroke. As stated in an editorial accompanying the publications, the findings of these studies do not affect current recommendations for use of influenza vaccines or the prescribing of statins.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the government of Romania on (a) Central Media Enterprise, (b) Adrian Sârbu and (c) Ronald Lauder.

Mr David Lidington

The Department has had no recent discussions on these specific issues with the government of Romania.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to protect civilians in Syria in its strategy to tackle ISIL.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

Ultimately the best way to protect civilians in Syria from Daesh’s brutality and inhumanity is by defeating Daesh and establishing peace and stability in the region. We are the second largest bilateral donor of humanitarian aid to Syria and the region. Many of our projects are aimed at protecting civilians – such as support to civil defence and search and rescue teams throughout Syria.

By joining Coalition airstrikes in Syria, the UK is bringing the most advanced forms of targeting and precision weaponry, possessed by only a small number of international actors. We observe rigorous targeting protocols. These have meant that in more than a year of strikes against Daesh targets in Iraq, there have been no reports of civilian casualties resulting from UK operations. We are bringing these same protocols in our work in Syria.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department takes to ensure that UK funding to Nigeria reaches the people most in need.

Mr Nick Hurd

To ensure UK aid reaches the most vulnerable recipients, leaving no one behind, we work with implementing partners who have a strong track record of prioritising assistance to those most in need. DFID independently monitors all its programmes and aid impact is also reviewed by The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI).

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the waiting time for spouses seeking visas to undertake English language tests.

James Brokenshire

The Home Office is not aware of any issues with regards to waiting times for Secure English Language Testing (SELT).

In the UK, customers should be able to book a test within 28 days, often within a few days. In countries where there are permanent test centres customers should again be able to book tests within 28 days. In busy periods, the centres will test more frequently.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of the adult population had raised cholesterol in each of the last five years; and what steps his Department is taking to (a) raise awareness of cholesterol and (b) reduce the number of people with high cholesterol.

Jane Ellison

National estimates of cholesterol in adults is measured yearly by the Health Survey for England (HSE). Data on raised cholesterol from the HSE were last published by Health and Social Care Information Centre in 2012, using the latest data from 2011. The data showed 52% of men and 53% of women aged 16+ had raised cholesterol.

Information on cholesterol and its impact on health can be accessed on the NHS Choices website. Information on cholesterol as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease was also shared directly with 7.4 million people between April 2013 and September 2015 as part of the NHS Health Check invitation. Over the same period, over 3.5 million people between 40 and 74 years also benefited from a cholesterol check as part of the NHS Health Check.

The Government advocates a healthy balanced diet based on the eatwell plate and everyday activity to improve health. People should consume no more than 11% of their food energy as saturated fat. Reducing saturated fat consumption reduces blood cholesterol levels. Advice about cutting saturated fat intake and becoming more physically active can be found on the NHS Choices and Change4Life websites.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what process was used for administering the ballot for tickets to the Thiepval Memorial event on 1 July 2016; whether observers were appointed to scrutinise that process; and if he will make a statement.

Tracey Crouch

Applicants were required to submit details online, or via a postal form, between 28 September and 18 November 2015. Once the ballot closed, a computer system randomly selected the successful applicants by their reference numbers – so that no weighting was added to any other factor such as geographic location or date of application.

The ballot was administered by an external company, SEE Tickets, with previous experience of the managing ticketing and ballots for large scale events. No additional observers were involved in the draw process.