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Tag: John Woodcock

  • John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Woodcock on 2014-01-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what representations he has received on the decision to withdraw the local welfare provision grant in 2015-16; and what consultation he undertook prior to making that decision.

    Kris Hopkins

    [Holding Reply: Thursday 30 January 2014]

    DCLG Ministers and officials talk regularly to elected members and officers of local authorities about a range of issues.

    The nationally run Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans were poorly targeted and failed to help those most in need. So, in 2012 as part of wider welfare reform, the Department for Work and Pensions abolished these national discretionary schemes and transferred responsibility to local authorities so they could deliver and tailor new local support as part of their existing services to their communities.

    Councils can continue to provide support to those in their community who face financial difficulties or who find themselves in unavoidable circumstances, but there is no requirement to replicate the previous approach adopted by central government.

    In contrast to a centralised grant system that was poorly targeted, under the Department for Work and Pensions’ reforms, councils can now choose how best to support local welfare needs within their areas – what is right for, say, Barrow and Furness may not be for other authorities. Some councils have already chosen to wind down their dedicated schemes following underspends.

    In the next Spending Round period, from April 2015, central government continues to provide support to local authorities through general funds as part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to reducing ring-fencing and ending top-down Whitehall control.

    The Department for Work and Pensions provided a separate fund for 2013-2015 and are carrying out a review of the provision to date.

  • John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Woodcock on 2014-03-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment he has made of the effects on the community energy sector of removing eligibility for Enterprise Investment Scheme awards from business qualifying for renewable obligation certificates.

    Michael Fallon

    Eligibility for the Enterprise Investment Scheme is a matter for HM Treasury who will be consulting stakeholders on the proposals in due course.

  • John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Woodcock on 2014-04-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support he is providing for local authorities to address issues caused by high gull populations.

    George Eustice

    Local authorities in England may lethally control gulls or disrupt their nests or eggs, in accordance with licences issued by Natural England for certain purposes. Without a licence, they can also take action to manage gulls by controlling the availability of food by efficiently managing waste (including introducing byelaws to stop intentional feeding of gulls, should they wish) and preventing gulls from landing, roosting or nesting on buildings. Defra does not provide specific support for such measures but Natural England offers free advice to those experiencing problems with gulls.

  • John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Woodcock on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the extent of persecution of Christians in North Korea; what steps he is taking within the international community to address that issue; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    I made clear in my response to Oral questions on 8 April that the UN Commission of Inquiry’s report documents a persecution of christians which is truly shocking. The UK played a leading role in ensuring a strong Human Rights Council resolution in response to this report. My Written Ministerial Statement on 31 March 2014 sets out a summary of the concrete measures in the DPRK resolution to ensure the work of the COI continues in order that those responsible for human right violations and crimes against humanity will one day be brought to account.

  • John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Woodcock on 2014-04-30.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average cost of a primary school meal was in 2013.

    Mr David Laws

    The Department for Education does not hold the information requested.

  • John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Woodcock on 2014-04-30.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many childcare places for disadvantaged two year olds have been created since September 2013.

    Elizabeth Truss

    The Department for Education does not hold information on how many childcare places for disadvantaged two-year-olds have been created since September 2013. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that every eligible child, whose parents want a childcare place, is able to take one. We are reforming the early education market so that places are both more affordable and accessible. We are encouraging more schools to provide places for two-year-olds, including as part of an offer of provision between 8am and 6pm. The introduction of childminder agencies will also provide a new way for parents to find places that are suited to their needs.

  • John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Woodcock on 2014-04-30.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of additional catering staff needed in schools to deliver the extension of free school meals to all pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 in September 2014.

    Mr David Laws

    This information is not held centrally.

    In his autumn statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced over £1 billion revenue funding for universal free school meals for pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 between 2014 and 2016. This funding, which includes special provision of £22.5 million for small schools in 2014-15, will be used by schools to pay for the cost of producing school lunches for newly eligible pupils, including any additional staff required.

  • John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Woodcock on 2014-04-30.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of the 20 per cent most disadvantaged two year olds who are currently taking up their free childcare place.

    Elizabeth Truss

    In February 2014, local authorities reported that around 103,000 two-year-olds were already accessing a funded early learning place. Of these, around 95,000 were from the 20% most disadvantaged cohort, which represents 73%.

  • John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Woodcock on 2014-05-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the announcement of 25 April 2014, entitled Chancellor puts UK at forefront of ocean research with new polar science ship, if he will take steps to ensure that the new polar research ship is constructed in a UK shipyard.

    Mr David Willetts

    This new polar flagship presents a significant opportunity for British business to show that they can compete with the best in the world. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will be working hard to make sure that British business are aware of the major opportunities around the project. The UK has world class skills and technology in this area and the Government hopes that UK marine and maritime companies will take the wider range of opportunities – from the design and building of the ship, through to its operation and maintenance.

    This ship will cost more than £200 million and legally it has to be procured through open competition. This ensures a fair process so that the UK gets the best possible product with the best value to the taxpayer. The Natural Environment Research Council’s British Antarctic Survey will be operating the ship. They will be consulting the scientific community on the detailed specification for the ship shortly. An invitation to tender is expected to be issued in summer 2015.

  • John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    John Woodcock – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Woodcock on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what records his Department holds on numbers of magnetic resonance imaging scans deing undertaken on behalf of the NHS at zoological or veterinary premises.

    Jane Ellison

    The Department holds no information on the numbers of magnetic resonance imaging scans undertaken on behalf of the National Health Service at zoological or veterinary premises.

    Arrangements for deciding the most appropriate way for individual patients to access NHS services based on their clinical needs is for local determination.