Tag: Kate Hollern

The parliamentary question asked by Kate Hollern, the Labour MP for Blackburn, in the House of Commons on 6 March 2023.

Kate Hollern (Blackburn) (Lab)

14. What estimate he has made of levels of unemployment in towns and cities. (903881)

The Minister for Employment (Guy Opperman)

The January Office for National Statistics labour market statistics publication shows that payroll employment reached a new record high of 30 million in January 2023. That is, of course, higher than at any stage under the last, or any, Labour Government.

Kate Hollern

We hear of a record number of vacancies, yet so many who are looking to get into work are out of work. In Blackburn, the claimant count among 18 to 24-year-olds is at 7.9%, against a national rate of 4.6%. What is the Minister doing to bring down barriers to work such as unaffordable childcare, transport, a failed apprenticeship scheme and a levelling-up agenda that is just not meeting the skills agenda?

Guy Opperman

The hon. Lady should be aware that last Tuesday there was a jobs fair in her constituency. There were 59 exhibitors, and 900 customers attended the event. They provided fantastic feedback on the support and interventions given. If she did not attend that particular jobs fair, she might want to go to “March into manufacturing” on 21 March, an upcoming jobs fair in her patch.

Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con)

We started the sitting with a non-party political point, so may I continue in that mode? I absolutely agree that those on the Opposition Benches want to reduce the level of unemployment. Unfortunately, their policies do not follow. Does the Minister agree that every single Labour Government have left unemployment higher than when they came to office?

Guy Opperman

Yes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hollern on 2016-01-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there is an approved Outline Business Case for the investment proposals for the next phase of work on the Successor submarine programme.

Mr Philip Dunne

In line with normal Ministry of Defence processes, a business case for the additional investment referred to in the Strategic Defence and Security Review is going through the formal approvals process.

Options for the subsequent investment stages, including scope, time and cost are currently under consideration.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hollern on 2016-02-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the next three stages are in the investment programme announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review for the Successor programme; and when he expects each of those stages will reach approval decisions.

Mr Philip Dunne

As set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, we will further invest around £600 million in the design of the Successor submarine as we prepare to move to the demonstration phase. Options for the subsequent investment stages and their scope, time and cost are currently under consideration and will be subject to the formal approvals process

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hollern on 2016-03-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for safety on live ammunition ranges of changes in the numbers of safety wardens present on site.

Mr Julian Brazier

The Ministry of Defence is currently reviewing staffing levels on UK Defence Training Estate ranges and the implications for safety and I will update the hon. Member when this has been completed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hollern on 2016-01-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated completion and entry into service dates are for each of the proposed Successor Trident submarines.

Mr Philip Dunne

As set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, we expect the first Successor submarine to enter service in the early 2030s. As detailed Planning Assumptions for Service Entry are classified, I am witholding that information.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hollern on 2016-02-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who the members of the nuclear enterprise board are; what the terms of reference are of that board; how many times that board has met since January 2015; and how that board reports to ministers.

Mr Philip Dunne

Membership of the Defence Nuclear Executive Board consists of the:

Permanent Secretary

Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

Director General Finance

Director General Security Policy

Deputy Chief of Defence Staff Military Capability

Chief Scientific Advisor

Fleet Commander

The Terms of Reference for the Board are currently being reviewed. The Board sits quarterly and has met four times since January 2015; it reports to Ministers via the Defence Board.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hollern on 2016-03-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Ministry of Defence live ammunition ranges have safety wardens present on site.

Mr Julian Brazier

The following Ministry of Defence ranges have permanent dedicated wardens on site:

Otterburn Training Area	Northumberland.
Warcop Training Area	Cumbria.
Barry Buddon Training Centre	Angus, Fort George, Inverness, Hythe, Kent, Lydd, Kent.
Castlemartin Training Area	Pembrokeshire, Swynnerton, North Staffordshire, Lulworth, Dorset, Holbeach, Lincolnshire, Tain, Ross-Shire, Pembrey Sands, Carmarthenshire.
Kirkcudbright Training Centre	Kirkcudbrightshire.

The remainder of UK ranges are overseen by personnel who are responsible collectively for ensuring the ranges in a region are safe and fit for purpose. Irrespective of the presence of permanent wardens, each unit using a range is overseen by a qualified and experienced Range Conducting Officer, who ensures the safe operation for that exercise once the range has been handed over.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hollern on 2016-01-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there is an approved Final Business Case for the £600 million of further design work proposed for the Successor submarine programme.

Mr Philip Dunne

In line with normal Ministry of Defence processes, a business case for the additional investment referred to in the Strategic Defence and Security Review is going through the formal approvals process.

Options for the subsequent investment stages, including scope, time and cost are currently under consideration.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hollern on 2016-02-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the elements of the Successor programme have commenced Stage 2; and when he expects all elements of that programme to have commenced Stage 2.

Mr Philip Dunne

Every element of the Successor Programme has now commenced Stage 2 design.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hollern on 2016-03-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for safety on live ammunition ranges of changes in the numbers of safety wardens present on site.

Mr Julian Brazier

The Ministry of Defence is currently reviewing staffing levels on UK Defence Training Estate ranges and the implications for safety and I will update the hon. Member when this has been completed.