Tag: Neil Coyle

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-02-22.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to reduce domestic rent prices in London.

Greg Hands

The Government believes that the key to improving affordability in domestic rents is to increase the supply of homes. That is why the Government has taken measures to attract billions of pounds of investment to build homes specifically for private rent. This includes a £3.5 billion debt guarantee scheme to support the delivery of new homes purpose built for private rent.

At the Spending Review the Government set out its Five Point Plan for increasing housing supply. This includes plans to deliver 400,000 affordable home starts by 2020/21, including 10,000 Rent to Buy homes; a £2billion fund to provide infrastructure on large housing sites; a £1billion fund to provide loans to SME builders; further reforms to the planning system and the release of public sector land for 160,000 homes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-03-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will ensure that his proposals to limit 18 to 21 year olds’ access to the housing element of universal credit take into account all the reasons young people may need support with their housing costs.

Justin Tomlinson

The Department has committed to supporting young people so those who need support with housing costs continue to receive it. The Department is currently consulting with stakeholders to identify these groups and allow us to develop suitable protections. Once this work is complete we will bring forward detailed proposals.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-05-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the Housing and Planning Bill on housing associations that manage properties on behalf of councils.

Brandon Lewis

The Housing and Planning Bill intends to reduce the regulatory controls for private registered providers of social housing with the aim to reclassify housing associations as private organisations.

Through the Bill, the Secretary of State will have the power by affirmative regulations, to make provision for the purpose of limiting or removing the ability of local authorities to exert influence over private registered providers of social housing, through the nomination of board members and acting as shareholders. We will be discussing the potential impact of these regulations with some housing associations and local authorities, in advance of regulations being introduced later in 2016.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-07-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the timetable is for the introduction of proposals for a British Bill of Rights.

Sir Oliver Heald

We will set out our proposals for a Bill of Rights in due course. We will fully consult on our proposals.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what further devolution is being considered to the Mayor of London; and how his Department is working with the Mayor to tackle rail challenges facing the capital.

Paul Maynard

The Secretary of State for Transport has asked the Mayor of London to submit a business case for running London suburban rail services. This was submitted on Friday 14 October. We will now consider this and decide whether it will improve services for all passengers,‎ including longer distance commuters. We will also need to understand how the Mayor intends to fund his proposals. A decision will be made in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2015-12-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much he expects local authorities to raise through the proposed social care precept arrangements; and what steps he is taking to ensure those funds are ring-fenced for care services.

Mr Marcus Jones

I refer the hon. Members to information accompanying the provisional local government finance settlement 2016-17, which was announced by my rt. hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Greg Clark) 17 December 2015, Official Report, Column 1722.

This is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/council-tax-in-2016-to-2017 and https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/486708/Core_spending_power_supporting_information.xlsx

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-02-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to prepare for RansomWare attacks on NHS facilities.

George Freeman

The Department, the Health and Social Care Information Centre and strategic partners, have created the Care Computer Emergency Response Team service (CareCERT).

CareCERT was launched in September 2015 and is a centre of excellence for Cyber Security advice and Security Incident Management.

The CareCERT service is available to provide specific advice and guidance to organisations that may become affected. CareCERT maintains links with the United Kingdom National Computer Emergency Response Team and the Communications Electronic Security Group, and is able to call upon the expertise of these organisations should a larger incident be identified.

CareCERT send regular alerts and advisories to every National Health Service organisation and local authority on a range of Cyber Security issues, three of which have, to date, contained information regarding ransomware.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-03-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will review the way in which the shared accommodation rate is calculated to mitigate the effect of the housing benefit cap in the social sector.

Justin Tomlinson

There are no current plans to review how the shared accommodation rate is calculated within the Local Housing Allowance scheme.

For those under 35, not in supported housing, the existing exemptions that already apply to the shared accommodation rate for private rented sector tenants will be applied to the social sector as a minimum.

In addition, for those in supported housing, we are working closely with the supported housing sector to ensure appropriate protections are in place. For this reason we are awaiting the outcome of a Support Accommodation research project and subsequent policy review, to ensure support is focused on the most vulnerable, and appropriate safeguards are in place.

In addition, an enhanced package of Discretionary Housing Payment funding (£870 million over 5 years) will enable Local Authorities to provide support to the most vulnerable claimants.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-05-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to make public transport more accessible for people with guide dogs.

Andrew Jones

The Department is committed to building transport networks which work for everyone, including ensuring that disabled people have the same opportunities to travel as other members of society.

From the 1^st January this year all single deck buses designed to carry over twenty two passengers on local and scheduled routes have had to comply with the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR), which require vehicles to include contrasting handrails, priority seating and other features of benefit to visually impaired people. At least one priority seat on each bus must have sufficient space to accommodate an assistance dog with its owner. Double deck buses must comply with PSVAR by the 1^st January 2017.

Positive interactions with staff can also give visually impaired people the confidence to use bus services. We are working with Mott MacDonald to review disability awareness training from across the transport sector, and to produce best practice guidance by the end of 2016, to help equip bus drivers with the skills and knowledge they need to provide disabled passengers with a first class service.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-07-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will publish any research it holds on attendance allowance claimants and how such claimants use that funding.

Justin Tomlinson

The Department publishes its research and statistics on Gov.uk, with links to research available on https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/research. There are no current plans to publish any further research on Attendance Allowance claimants outside the regular statistical publications it produces.

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