Tag: Owen Thompson

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Thompson on 2016-03-16.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has set a deadline for implementation of a city deal for Edinburgh and South East Scotland.

Greg Hands

The Budget formally announced the opening of discussions with local partners and the Scottish Government towards a City Deal for Edinburgh and South East Scotland. No deadline has been set for their conclusion or for implementation of a Deal, but we will work with all parties to ensure that discussions proceed at an appropriate pace for delivering the best Deal to drive economic growth in Edinburgh and South East Scotland.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Thompson on 2015-11-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department plans to reduce the share of lottery ticket income allocated to the Big Lottery Fund budget.

Tracey Crouch

As set out in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn statement this week, there are no plans to reduce the Big Lottery Fund’s budget. The Fund will continue to receive 40% of National Lottery good cause money. Sport, Arts and Heritage will also continue to receive 20% each.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Thompson on 2016-03-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 69 of the Budget 2016, when his Department plans to start the science and innovation audit in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Joseph Johnson

The first wave of Science and Innovation Audits, including the Edinburgh and the Lothians audit, were announced at Budget on 16^th March. Consortia going through Wave 1 have been selected to represent a cross section of approaches, geographical areas, and capacity to engage actively in developing the methodology. Initial planning meetings will commence shortly and we expect the project to be delivered by the Autumn.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Thompson on 2015-11-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department plans to reduce the Big Lottery Fund budget.

Tracey Crouch

As set out in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn statement this week, there are no plans to reduce the Big Lottery Fund’s budget. The Fund will continue to receive 40% of National Lottery good cause money. Sport, Arts and Heritage will also continue to receive 20% each.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Thompson on 2016-03-16.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects discussions to begin with partners in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Deal.

Greg Hands

The Budget formally announced the opening of discussions with local partners and the Scottish Government towards a City Deal for Edinburgh and South East Scotland. No deadline has been set for their conclusion or for implementation of a Deal, but we will work with all parties to ensure that discussions proceed at an appropriate pace for delivering the best Deal to drive economic growth in Edinburgh and South East Scotland.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Thompson on 2015-11-25.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Spending Review 2015, what steps he plans to take on the proposed Edinburgh City Region Deal.

Greg Hands

We are working with Edinburgh and South East Scotland on their proposals to drive local economic growth and will continue to do so in discussion with the Scottish Government.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Thompson on 2016-03-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will publish further information on the science and innovation audit for Edinburgh and the Lothians set out in paragraph 1.268 of Budget 2016.

Joseph Johnson

The Edinburgh and Lothians audit is being taken forward in collaboration with a consortium led by Edinburgh University. Further information will be provided on GOV.UK in due course, once the first wave of audits gets underway.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Thompson on 2015-12-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to ensure that universal credit claimants are routinely asked if they require the alternative paying arrangement in order to protect vulnerable women and children from experiencing financial abuse.

Priti Patel

Work coaches already assess claimants’ situations on a case by case basis. At the initial interview, they discuss Personal Budgeting Support and asses the claimaint’s need for alternative payment arrangements (APA). The work coach maintains an on-going conversation with the claimant at subsequent interviews, to ensure they are happy with the arrangements.

We have the facility to split payments to members of the household where necessary.

Work coaches can signpost vulnerable claimants to further help and support where necessary.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Thompson on 2016-05-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department issues to inform people of state pension age of the implications for their surviving civil partner in the event of their death they are not married; and how many civil partners have been denied a claim to their partner’s pension following a claimant’s death.

Justin Tomlinson

Guidance on the circumstances in which the surviving member of a married couple or civil partnership may be entitled to State Pension based on their late partner’s National Insurance contributions is available on www.gov.uk.

Information on the number of applications for State Pension based on a late partner’s National Insurance contributions which have been disallowed is not available.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Thompson on 2016-01-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to ensure that football supporters from all nations of the UK have equal free access to their national team games aired on television.

Tracey Crouch

I share the enthusiasm of all supporters to be able to watch their home nation on TV. Where home nations compete in the European Championship and World Cup final tournaments, fans can watch them on free to air television as they are Listed Events. Beyond that it is a matter for the Scottish FA to negotiate with UEFA, under a central sales strategy, who broadcasts Scotland qualifying or friendly matches.