Tag: John Mann

The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2015-12-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate she has made of any shortfall in the number of qualified mathematics teachers in each English region.

Nick Gibb

During the academic year 2014/15 there were 33,400 mathematics teachers in state-funded schools in England. The vacancy rate was low, with only 1.4% of all mathematics teaching posts in secondary schools vacant. Mathematics continues to be a popular subject for teacher training, with nearly 2,500 training in 2015/16. During this period we achieved 93% of our postgraduate initial teacher training (ITT) target in mathematics.

Each year we estimate the number of mathematics teachers we need to train using the Teacher Supply Model. This estimate is based on assumptions about pupil numbers, teaching practice, curriculum changes, and teacher deployment. The department does not hold estimates of shortfalls for teachers in any particular subjects or regions. It is up to schools to decide what teachers they need, in what specialisms and with what qualifications.

Nevertheless, we realise that within the context of a strong economy, recruitment for all STEM subjects is challenging. We have continued to offer scholarships and bursaries worth up to £25,000 tax free for those candidates entering mathematics initial teacher training in academic year 2016/17. Through the School Direct (salaried) route we provide schools with additional grant funding to boost trainees’ salaries in mathematics.

Furthermore, in March the Prime Minister announced a package worth up to £67 million to transform mathematics and physics teaching in England by recruiting 2,500 additional mathematics and physics teachers and providing subject knowledge training to 15,000 non-specialist serving teachers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2016-02-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many new community cricket grounds have been opened in the last five years.

David Evennett

According to Sport England’s Active Places Power database which maps community sports facilities in England, 105 new community cricket pitches have been opened in England in the last five years. This data can be found at: www.activeplacespower.com

The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many unaccompanied children arrived in the UK from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2015.

James Brokenshire

The question has been interpreted as referring to unaccompanied asylum seeking children arriving in the UK.

During 2015, there were 11 asylum applications from Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, excluding dependants, received from nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Figures on asylum applications for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) are published quarterly by the Home Office in the Immigration Statistics release.

A copy of the latest release, Immigration Statistics October to December 2015, is available from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-october-to-december-2015

The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many crossings across traffic are planned to be closed on the A1 (a) southbound and (b) northbound.

Mr John Hayes

The current major works on the A1 from Leeming to Barton in North Yorkshire will result in six permanent gap closures. These gaps will be accessed via a new local road and alternative routes alongside the new motorway for the benefit of the local community. Access to the new motorway will be via a new junction at Catterick and an improved junction at Scotch Corner.

Over the next two months three, maintenance schemes will require temporary gap closures on the A1 at Highfields roundabout, near Berwick; between Lane Head to Old Swarland in Northumberland; and at Buckden (Brampton Rail Bridge) in Cambridgeshire. The affected gaps on the A1 will be re-opened on completion of their respective maintenance works.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, who is responsible for paying defendant costs orders; and which organisation receives payment if costs are awarded for a successful prosecution of a breach.

Mr Shailesh Vara

Defendant Costs Orders are awarded to a defendant when a prosecution is unsuccessful and the defendant is acquitted. The expenditure is called ‘Central Funds’ and are payable at legal aid rates. Central Funds fall under the financial responsibility of the Legal Aid Agency but are operationally administered by HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

If costs are awarded in a successful prosecution of a breach of a Defendant Costs Order, then whoever the prosecutor is will be entitled to receive the costs.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what representation he has received from magistrates and the judiciary since 1 June 2014 on service delivery; and if he will seek feedback as part of Test Gate 4 on whether the sale of Community Rehabilitation Companies contracts is having a detrimental impact on sentencing and court processes.

Jeremy Wright

On 1 June, as part of our ongoing Transforming Rehabilitation Programme of reform, the new National Probation Service (NPS) and Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) formally commenced operation. My officials have been in regular contact with the judiciary and magistracy throughout the transition process, but we have had no specific representations from them concerning service delivery.

We have made it clear throughout this process that we will manage the reforms in a controlled way and we will not proceed to share sale until thorough testing is complete and we are satisfied that it is safe to do so.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2014-06-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many new houses have been built in Bassetlaw district in each of the last five years.

Kris Hopkins

Statistics on house building completions in Bassetlaw District are published in the Department’s live table 253, which is available at the following link:

http://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-house-building

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2014-06-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, of how many local authority plans arising from which authorities he has rejected the proposed local development framework and required additional housing supply in excess of that specified in the regional spatial strategy.

Nick Boles

[Holding Reply: Monday 9 June 2014]

The Secretary of State has not rejected any Local Plan.

The Coalition Government has put Local Plans and local councils at the heart of planning. We have abolished the unpopular and ineffective top-down targets in Regional Strategies, shifting power and responsibility for housing and planning to local councils and local communities. Regional Strategies are no longer relevant for Local Plans coming forward for examination.

The Localism Act 2011 removed planning inspectors’ powers to impose changes on local authorities’ draft Local Plans. Instead, independent planning inspectors now report to the local authority and identify any conflicts between a draft Local Plan and national policy and regulatory process. They are able to recommend modifications to overcome these issues if they are asked to do so by the council itself. The local authority is free to choose to accept the inspector’s modifications and adopt the draft plan, or resubmit a new plan. This approach is aimed at encouraging a more collaborative process as the public examination proceeds.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2014-06-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what performance indicators for the renewal of existing passports have been met by each passport office administrative centre.

James Brokenshire

Straightforward passport applications from applicants in the UK have a published expected turnaround of three weeks. For the financial year 2013-14,
99.58 percent of customers received their passports within that period.

Achievement of turnaround times is a national objective and specific targets are not focused on individual offices. This approach allows HM Passport Office
to channel resources and distribute applications to meet capacity.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2014-06-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many passport renewals have been completed within the advertised three week turnaround time from receipt in the last period for which figures are available.

James Brokenshire

Straightforward passport applications from applicants in the UK have a published expected turnaround of three weeks. For the financial year 2013-14,
99.58 percent of customers received their passports within that period.

Achievement of turnaround times is a national objective and specific targets are not focused on individual offices. This approach allows HM Passport Office
to channel resources and distribute applications to meet capacity.