Tag: Matthew Pennycook

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-06-13.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on the UK economy of the increase in corporate debt in China.

Damian Hinds

The Treasury continuously monitors global economic developments, including in China, and their impact on the UK as part of the normal process of policy development. As one of the most open trading economies in the world with a large financial sector, we have to recognise that the UK is not immune to the continued problems being experienced in the world economy. Nonetheless, the Bank of England’s 2015 stress tests modelled a severe slowdown in commodities and emerging markets. No banks were required to submit revised capital plans following the stress tests. These results indicate that the UK banking system would have the capacity to continue to lend to the real economy, even under such a severe adverse scenario.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-10-11.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of replacing the Bank of England’s two per cent inflation target with a two to three per cent inflation target averaged over the business cycle

Simon Kirby

A comprehensive Review of the Monetary Policy Framework was published in 2013, considering the benefits and costs of a number of different monetary policy frameworks. The current remit for the Monetary Policy Committee reflects the assessment set out in the Review, which includes retaining a flexible inflation targeting framework, with a 2 per cent symmetric inflation target, as measured by the 12 month change in the Consumer Prices Index. The remit also states that the MPC may allow inflation to deviate from this target temporarily in order not to cause undesirable volatility in output due to the short-term trade-offs involved.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2015-10-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress his Department has made in piloting reasonable adjustments to the work capability assessment for people with mental health problems.

Priti Patel

The Department has been working closely with its new provider, the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) to develop and test new processes for obtaining further evidence as part of the Work Capability Assessment. An initial test of these new processes should start by the end of the year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what cross-departmental structures her Department has established with the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Transport since May 2015 to ensure progress on meeting the EU target of 15 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Andrea Leadsom

My rt. hon Friend has regular meetings with colleagues from all Departments with an interest in Climate Change and Energy policy.

The 2020 renewables target is relevant to a number of government policies, and my Department ensures that all views across government are taken into account.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-02-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that UK rail operators who may lose their franchise as a result of the recently announced proposals to transfer the responsibility for inner suburban rail services in London from his Department to Transport for London maintain and improve their services while this change takes place.

Claire Perry

No current franchises will be affected by the proposals, therefore we would not expect to see any operator lose their franchise as a result. The proposed transfer will take place at the start of, or within the, successor franchises.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-03-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to update the document, Medical guidance for DLA decision makers (child cases): staff guide, last updated on 8 December 2015, to incorporate references to congenital, inherited or acquired heart disease.

Justin Tomlinson

The department has committed to undertake a comprehensive review of the suite of medical guidance products for Child Disability Living Allowance decision makers over the next 12 months. This will include creating additional guidance where required.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-06-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Southeastern train operating company meets its Public Performance Measure targets.

Claire Perry

I chair a monthly meeting with Network Rail, train operators in the South East, Transport Focus, and my department’s officials. This group monitors performance and passenger experience and it is absolutely committed to identifying improvements and ensuring rail passengers see the benefits of these improvements being delivered. I have made clear that Network Rail and Southeastern both need to get better when it comes to fixing faults and communicating with their passengers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the press statement issued by the Minister for the Middle East and Africa on 5 October 2016, entitled Minister for the Middle East statement on plans to construct a new settlement in the West Bank, what discussions he has had with the government of Israel on preventing illegal settlement activity in the Palestinian Occupied Territories.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The Foreign Secretary, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson), raised our concerns over new settlements with the Israeli Prime Minister when he met him in Jerusalem on 30 September. On 7 September, during a meeting with Israeli Defence Minister Lieberman in London, I also raised our concerns about settlements. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv also regularly raises our concerns with the Israeli authorities on the continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2015-10-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many appeals by claimants in the work related activity group of employment and support allowance have resulted in subsequent placement in the support group of employment and support allowance in each quarter since 2013.

Justin Tomlinson

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

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-01-19.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many times the inter-ministerial group on clean growth has met since 7 May 2015.

Mr Oliver Letwin

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster chairs an inter-ministerial group on Clean Growth, to consider issues relating to air quality and de-carbonisation where these have a cross-departmental aspect. The group meets as and when required, and members include ministers and officials from the relevant departments, including Defra, DECC, DfT and BIS. To protect the integrity of the policy making process, we do not comment on specific membership or the frequency and timing of meetings.