Tag: Julian Sturdy

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of accessibility of assessment centres for work capability assessment and personal independence payments consultations for people using larger or bariatric wheelchairs.

Penny Mordaunt

All assessment centres meet accessibility standards under the Equality Act 2010.

Before attending an assessment, claimants are given the opportunity to alert the assessment provider to any additional requirements they may have and the providers will endeavour to meet any such reasonable requests.

If a claimant is unable to travel to, or access an assessment centre as a result of their health condition or impairment, a home visit may be offered.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2015-11-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what account he has taken of trends in reports of pregnancy discrimination as in his review into employment tribunal fees.

Mr Shailesh Vara

On 11 June we announced the start of the post-implementation review of the introduction of fees in the Employment Tribunals. The review will consider, so far as is possible, the impact the fees have had on those with protected characteristics and the types of case they bring. In order to do this, we will be giving all relevant material the appropriate consideration.

The review is underway and will report in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-03-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to mitigate the potential effect on rural businesses of the proposed changes to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 concerning the burning of waste oil.

Rory Stewart

The changes referred to do not amend the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. The changes made are to the ‘Environmental Guidance On Waste Incineration’, which now clarifies that small waste oil burners used to burn waste oil must meet the requirements of Chapter IV of the Industrial Emissions Directive or switch to non-waste fuels. This guidance can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-permitting-guidance-the-waste-incineration-directive/environmental-permitting-guidance-waste-incineration.

A consultation on the changes to the guidance was undertaken between 14 September and 26 October last year. A summary of responses can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/487892/waste-incineration-consult-sum-resp.pdf.

The impact assessment for the changes to this guidance considered some sensitivities on the price of crude oil with regard to collection fees only. The impact assessment can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/487895/waste-incineration-consult-ep-ia.pdf.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether requirements for starter homes will be retrospectively placed on developments which have received planning permission but are not yet built.

Brandon Lewis

Requirements for starter homes will not be placed retrospectively on developments that have received planning permission.

Section 106 agreements may of course be renegotiated at any time by mutual consent. Planning guidance is clear that local planning authorities should be flexible in their requirements, taking into account site specific circumstances and changing circumstances.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure assessment centres for work capability assessment and personal independence payment consultations are fully accessible to people using different kinds of mobility assistance devices.

Penny Mordaunt

All assessment centres meet accessibility standards under the Equality Act 2010.

Before attending an assessment, claimants are given the opportunity to alert the assessment provider to any additional requirements they may have and the providers will endeavour to meet any such reasonable requests.

If a claimant is unable to travel to, or access an assessment centre as a result of their health condition or impairment, a home visit may be offered.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2015-11-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what cross-departmental steps he has taken to produce a plan of action to reduce pregnancy discrimination and better support pregnant women and new mothers in the workplace.

Nick Boles

Officials from this Department have participated in round table meetings with stakeholders which have been organised by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), following publication of interim findings of research into pregnancy and maternity related discrimination. The independent research, the largest of its kind to be undertaken in Great Britain, was jointly funded by Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the EHRC. The Interim findings were published in July 2015 and can be found at: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/publication/pregnancy-and-maternity-related-discrimination-and-disadvantage-first-findings-surveys-employers-and-0 . The final report is due to be published later this year.

These meetings and the research findings will inform the EHRC’s recommendations to Government. The EHRC recommendations will in turn inform the Government response.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-03-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the farming industry of the potential impact on rural businesses of the proposed changes to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010.

Rory Stewart

The changes referred to do not amend the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. The changes made are to the ‘Environmental Guidance On Waste Incineration’, which now clarifies that small waste oil burners used to burn waste oil must meet the requirements of Chapter IV of the Industrial Emissions Directive or switch to non-waste fuels. This guidance can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-permitting-guidance-the-waste-incineration-directive/environmental-permitting-guidance-waste-incineration.

A consultation on the changes to the guidance was undertaken between 14 September and 26 October last year. A summary of responses can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/487892/waste-incineration-consult-sum-resp.pdf.

The impact assessment for the changes to this guidance considered some sensitivities on the price of crude oil with regard to collection fees only. The impact assessment can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/487895/waste-incineration-consult-ep-ia.pdf.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has initiated with military charities on minimising duplication of effort and gaps in provision.

Mark Lancaster

The Service Charities Partnership Board (SCPB) is the most senior MOD Forum with charities and is attended by the Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO), The Royal British Legion and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.

Our structured engagement serves to help identify gaps in current provision and increase coherence. The SCPB meets quarterly chaired by the Chief of Defence People with an annual Ministerial-led meeting attended by a broader spectrum of Armed Forces charities. Armed Forces charities are also represented at the MOD Welfare Conference, Bi-annual Defence Recovery Board, and the Armed Forces Covenant Reference Group.

The MOD continues to pursue a number of initiatives to increase coherence and minimising duplication of effort amongst the many Service Charities, including producing clear strategies in areas such as Mental Health; Wellbeing; and a Families Strategy, which will help provide a clear and better direction to co-ordinate work in these areas as well as helping to identify gaps in the current provision.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with cystic fibrosis in receipt of disability living allowance have been invited to claim personal independence payments (PIP); and how many such people have been awarded PIP for (a) 16 to 18 year olds and (b) people over 18.

Penny Mordaunt

The Department intends to provide detailed breakdowns of DLA to PIP reassessment outcomes in due course. The Department is working to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority to ensure we are able to publish statistics that meet high quality standards at the earliest opportunity.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2015-12-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Vaccine Damage Payment scheme.

Jane Ellison

Policy responsibility for the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme transferred to the Department of Health from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in May 2014 although DWP continues to administer this scheme. The scheme was last revised in 2007 and no assessment of effectiveness has been made since that date.