Tag: Julian Sturdy

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the publication by HS2 Ltd, Broad options for upgraded and high speed railways to the North of England and Scotland, published in March 2016, whether the Government is planning to extend High Speed 2 beyond Manchester and Leeds.

Mr Robert Goodwill

When Phase One of HS2 opens in 2026, new HS2 trains will serve Manchester, north west England and Glasgow. When the full Y Network opens in 2033, the new HS2 route will extend to just south of Wigan and York and HS2 trains will then also serve Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. The UK and Scottish Governments share an ultimate ambition for 3 hour journeys between London and Scotland’s central belt, but we recognise the further work needed to understand the benefits and business cases of different options.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2015-12-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received on reforming of NICE’s procedure for appraisal of medicines.

George Freeman

We receive representations about the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) technology appraisal programme from hon. Members, members of the public, clinicians and the pharmaceutical industry.

NICE is the independent body that provides guidance on the prevention and treatment of ill health and the promotion of good health and social care and is responsible for its own processes and methodology.

NICE regularly reviews these and its internationally renowned technology appraisal programme has evolved constantly to meet new challenges. NICE has demonstrated its ability to adapt to changes in the health and care environment, and we expect it will continue to evolve in the future, in particular through the recommendations of the Accelerated Access Review which NICE is centrally involved in.

Further guidance on NICE’s processes of technology appraisal is available at:

www.nice.org.uk/article/pmg19/chapter/Foreword

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-03-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will implement a treatment pathway for people who suffer from lipoedema to allow such people to receive liposuction on the NHS.

Jane Ellison

There are several different treatments available for the management of lipoedema such as compression therapy, exercise and massage. There is limited evidence on the efficacy of liposuction for the treatment of lipoedema, and it is not routinely available on the National Health Service.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the likelihood of private hire operators straddling licensing authorities in order to avoid more thorough licensing requirements under the Deregulation Act 2015.

Andrew Jones

Before these measures were introduced, the Department undertook an informal targeted consultation, which focused on key stakeholders such as national licencing associations, respected solicitors in the taxi and private hire industry and a union. The Department also conducted an impact assessment for this policy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2015-12-09.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of changing the VAT status of care providers to zero-rated in order to assist them in meeting the cost of complying with the national living wage.

Mr David Gauke

Care services provided by certain bodies are subject to a mandatory VAT exemption under EU VAT rules.

EU VAT rules do not allow the introduction of any new zero rates without the unanimous agreement of all 28 Member States on the basis of a proposal from the Commission.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-03-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to take steps to introduce more standardised taxi licensing regulations between authorities in close geographical proximity.

Andrew Jones

Local licensing authorities are empowered to set standards for taxi and private hire vehicle services that best meet the needs of their local area. In doing so, the safety of the travelling public must always be the first priority.

Whilst the Department issues Best Practice Guidance to assist local authorities set standards, the Government does not at this time plan to introduce standardised licensing criteria.

Nevertheless, it is prudent for local authorities to consider the standards of neighbouring authorities, and consult those authorities, when setting standards.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-04-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what timetable is in place for the publication of the new National Litter Strategy.

Rory Stewart

Defra and the Department for Communities and Local Government have started work on a litter strategy to improve the way we all tackle the scourge of litter. We will publish the strategy as soon as we can and a great deal of work will be taken forward in the coming months.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-01-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department records the number of late licensing penalties issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for the non-return of V11 forms; and what revenue is raised from those penalties.

Andrew Jones

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) does not issue late licensing penalties for the non-return of V11 forms. However, the DVLA does issue such penalties to those who do not pay the vehicle excise duty due on their vehicle. During 2014-2015, 474,861 late licensing penalties were issued with £16m collected in revenue. These are the audited figures as included in the DVLA’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2014/15.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-03-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what safeguards are in place to ensure that private hire vehicle operators remain responsible for journeys sub-contracted to other licensed operators across licensing authority boundaries.

Andrew Jones

Whilst private hire vehicle operators have the freedom to subcontract bookings, the operator that originally accepted a sub-contracted booking remains ultimately responsible for that booking.

Both the initial operator who accepts the booking and the operator who fulfils the booking by providing a driver and vehicle are under a duty to keep records of the booking. The relevant enforcement authorities are able to check those records.

All bookings, including those subcontracted, have to be fulfilled by operators, drivers and vehicles all of whom have been licensed by their local authority.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on the guardianship of the property and affairs of missing people.

Dominic Raab

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton on 9 March 2016, which can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2016-03-01/29212/.

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