The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2016-02-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent progress she has made on the implementation of a revised Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme.
Andrea Leadsom
Reform of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme will take place in two stages. I intend that the first stage of reform will take effect from Spring 2016. We will be consulting on our proposals for the second stage of reform shortly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2016-02-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the effect of the Renewable Heat Incentive on the UK’s decarbonisation targets.
Andrea Leadsom
Using less fossil fuel and more renewables to heat our homes and businesses is vital to decarbonising the UK economy. The continued Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) funding (rising to £1.15bn in 2020/21) means that renewable heat will continue to play its part in meeting our binding domestic and international targets on carbon and renewables.
We intend to reform the RHI to improve value for money and reduce costs; improve cost control and budget management; and explore the best way to support less able to pay households and owners of large plants. We plan to consult on the changes shortly; this consultation will provide estimates of the reformed RHI’s contribution towards our carbon targets.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of recent reports of Iran testing a new long-range ballistic missile.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
Reports that Iran carried out ballistic missile tests earlier this month are of great concern. These tests are inconsistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2231, and the UK is raising these concerns in writing with the UN Security Council. The UK continues to urge Iran to refrain from further tests.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2016-03-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the rationale was for the reduction in the dairy food group from 15 to eight per cent in the revised Eatwell Guide; and on what scientific evidence the new recommendations on dairy consumption are based.
Jane Ellison
The Government has adopted the refreshed Eatwell Guide which reflects updated government dietary recommendations based upon conclusions from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, robust modelling and consumer research. It shows the proportions of the different types of foods and drinks we should consume to have a healthy, balanced diet.
An external reference group was convened to inform the development of the Eatwell Guide. Members from health, voluntary sector and industry were invited, including trade and levy organisations.
Linear programming, the approach considered the most objective and robust by the reference group to inform the sizes of the food group segments, ensured all government dietary recommendations were met, including that for calcium. This analysis resulted in a new image with a reduced ‘dairy and alternatives’ segment, which will support consumers to reduce saturated fat and salt consumption, while still meeting calcium recommendations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2016-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what lessons were learned from the universal credit scheme pilot; and what changes have been put in place as a result of those lessons.
Priti Patel
The Department published a series of reports on Universal Credit. The latest can be found here:
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2016-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what lessons were learned from the universal credit scheme pilot; and what changes have been put in place as a result of those lessons.
Priti Patel
The Department published a series of reports on Universal Credit. The latest can be found here:
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2014-03-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what non-lethal military support his Department has provided to Tunisia in each year since 2012.
Dr Andrew Murrison
The UK strongly supportsTunisia’s democratic transition and we are working to assist the Tunisian authorities as they deliver change. Since 2012, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has provided the following support to the Tunisian Armed Forces:
In June 2012 the MOD and Department for Transport delivered Explosive Detection Equipment Training to the Tunisian Armed Forces in Tunisia;
In May 2012, Tunisian military delegates attended an Economic Exclusion Zone course in the UK;
In January 2014, a small team delivered a presentation to the Tunisian Armed Forces on the UK’s approach to Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR);
There are currently two Tunisian students enrolled on the International Sub Lieutenant’s course in the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2014-03-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what non-lethal military support his Department has provided to Libya in each year since 2012.
Dr Andrew Murrison
Since 2012 the UK has provided advice, training and Defence Education to Libya.
An advisory team was established in Tripoli in 2012 to support the UK / Libya relationship and provide advice through a number of personnel embedded in the Libyan Ministry of Defence, Navy, Air Force, Land Forces and Border Security Force.
In 2013 the advisory team was renamed the Defence Advisory and Training Team (DATT) to reflect the variety of support programmes, including strategic communication, developing explosive ordnance disposal schools, supporting the creation of a joint operational planning staff and naval training. The DATT currently numbers 34 personnel which includes a Senior Disarmament Advisor working with the Government of Libya, the UN and international partners on disarmament issues. The DATT also provides the platform for Short Term Training Team deployments from the UK.
In 2013 HMS Echo surveyed the coast off Tripoli including a number of ports and in February 2014 the Libyans signed a data sharing agreement with the UK Hydrographic Office.
Libyan personnel have undergone defence education and training in the UK including: English Language Training, Initial Officer Training, Economic Exclusion Zone Protection Officers courses and Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context.
In November 2013 the UK also established a Defence Section within the British Embassy, Tripoli with a Defence Attaché.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2014-03-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what non-lethal military support his Department has provided to Algeria in each year since 2012.
Dr Andrew Murrison
The UK provides military support to the Algerian Armed Forces mainly through the provision of academic and specialised UK based courses. In 2012, 31 Algerian students from the Algerian Armed Forces attended UK military courses, and in 2013 seven students came to the UK for training. The courses attended since 2012 are:
Royal College of Defence Studies
Initial Naval Training (Officers) at BRNC Dartmouth
RAF Initial Officer Training at RAF Cranwell
Economic Exclusion Zone Protection Officer Course (one in 2012 delivered in the UK, one in 2013 delivered in Gibraltar)
Stabilisation and Peace Support Operation
Board and Search Training
English Language Training
HM Common Time course
International Principal Warfare Officers’ Course
RIB training
International Air Battle Management Course
Multinational Peace Support Operations Instructor Training Course
Design and Evaluation of Peace Support Operations Training
In addition to this, in 2013, delegations from the Algerian Armed Forces visited the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, and the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury. In March 2014, a delegation from the Ministry of Defence’s Surgeon General’s department visited Algiers to discuss potential areas for cooperation with the Algerian military medical services.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Parish on 2014-03-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what bilateral funding arrangements his Department has with (a) governmental and (b) non-governmental projects and bodies in Argentina.
Dan Rogerson
Defra does not have any funding arrangements with either governmental or non-governmental projects or bodies in Argentina