Tag: Julie Cooper

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on progress of democratic reforms in the Maldives since 2008.

Mr Hugo Swire

In 2008 the Maldives ratified a new constitution which paved the way for the first free and fair, multi-party elections in its history. We welcomed this process, the elections that followed it and the ambitious reform agenda of the new government.

Since 2012 there has been a steady decline in democratic space and respect for human rights in the Maldives. This includes restrictions on the right to protest, the intimidation of civil society, human rights organisations and members of the media and signs that the death penalty is to be reintroduced. Other concerns include the arbitrary detention of political figures and the decreasing independence of institutions and the judiciary. The State of Emergency declared in November 2015 temporarily suspended basic rights.

We continue to work with the Maldivian Government and the international community to encourage and support political and democratic reform.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many disabled people joined the workforce in each sector in (a) 2013, (b) 2014 and (c) 2015.

Mr Rob Wilson

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of political prisoners in the Maldives.

Mr Hugo Swire

The Maldives Police Service reports that in the past two years there have been 140 cases brought against those arrested at political rallies for disobeying police orders, obstructing police duties or committing or encouraging acts defined by the Maldivian authorities as terrorism. The opposition claims the total number facing politically motivated charges is much higher.

However, the number of individuals who have been sentenced to prison on charges we assess to be politically motivated is significantly lower. These individuals include former President Mohamed Nasheed, Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla and former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim amongst others.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-04-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many times he has attended public meetings of the Communities and Local Government Committee since his appointment.

Mr Marcus Jones

The Secretary of State has attended four meetings of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee since his appointment.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-04-25.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many homicides were recorded by police in (a) Lancashire and (b) Burnley in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012, (iv) 2013, (v) 2014 and (vi) 2015.

Mr Rob Wilson

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-05-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many free schools projects have been cancelled at any stage in each year since 2011.

Edward Timpson

A list of free school projects that were cancelled or withdrawn between 2011 and 2015, and that have final confirmed expenditure, is published on GOV.UK at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/523706/Free_Schools_Data_for_Publication.xlsx.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2015-11-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the police has taken to tackle suspected boiler-room operations in the City of London.

Mike Penning

The City of London Police leads Operation Broadway, which is a multi-agency response to boiler room frauds operating in the City of London. Operation Broadway makes use of intelligence from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau and the collective powers of its agencies to identify and tackle boiler rooms. Operation Broadway responses to boiler rooms focus on disruption and displacement and a number of differing tactical operations will be used. Operation Broadway also features in social media campaigns to raise public awareness of boiler room fraud.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-01-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what personal budgeting advice, and in what format, is provided to recipients of universal credit.

Priti Patel

As part of the assistance being provided under Universal Support, Universal Credit gives budgeting support to help claimants manage their money on a monthly basis and pay bills on time.

As well as support offered by work coaches, claimants are offered advice by external organisations with the relevant expertise. This advice is available online, by phone or face-to-face.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-01-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what impact assessment her Department has conducted of the proposed increase in the rate of VAT for solar and other renewables to 20 per cent.

Andrea Leadsom

This is a measure led by HMRC and currently only a proposal being consulted on. If following consultation this change is introduced, we will carefully consider its impact.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-01-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Burnley who are in receipt of employment and support allowance and incapacity benefits are also in receipt of housing benefit.

Priti Patel

The information requested is not readily available, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.