Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Stephen Timms – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Stephen Timms – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-11-30.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of how many Syrian refugees in the vulnerable persons programme will be resettled in (a) North East England, (b) North West England, (c) Yorkshire and the Humber, (d) the East Midlands, (e) the West Midlands, (f) the East of England, (g) Greater London, (h) South East England, (i) South West England, (j) Wales, (k) Scotland and (l) Northern Ireland by 2020.

    Richard Harrington

    We are still in discussions with many local authorities to establish whether they wish to participate in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.

  • Emma Reynolds – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Emma Reynolds – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emma Reynolds on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment has been undertaken of the effect on sexual and reproductive health services of reductions in the Public Health Grant to local authorities for 2015-16 and the measures in the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015 relating to the public health system.

    Jane Ellison

    The Department’s Framework for Sexual Health Promotion in England (2013) sets out our ambitions and objectives to improve sexual health for all people. It takes account of the commissioning arrangements from 2013 including the new role for local authorities (LAs) as commissioners of most sexual health services. Later this month Public Health England (PHE) will undertake a survey of local commissioning arrangements for sexual health. It has also produced sexual health and reproductive health profiles to help LAs and others monitor the sexual and reproductive health of their populations and the performance of local public health related systems.

    It is for LAs to decide on what research and evidence they need to inform their tenders for sexual health and reproductive health services in line with procurement requirements and good practice. In 2014 PHE published Making it Work, a guide to commissioning for sexual health across the whole system, to improve the sexual health of both individuals and the wider public.

    We have made no formal assessment of the effect on sexual health services of reductions in the Public Health Grant to LAs for 2015/16, although PHE continues to monitor relevant outcomes data for every LA in England. Decisions on local public health spending are a matter for LAs. They are mandated by legislation to commission open access sexual health services that meet the needs of their local population. Officials meet regularly with sexual health organisations who would raise any concerns if LAs were not meeting their mandatory requirements for sexual health services.

    The Framework for Sexual Health Improvement includes as a priority reducing unwanted pregnancies and highlights the need to increase access to long acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods and emergency contraception for women of all ages. We have no plans to evaluate the effect on general practitioner surgeries of LA commissioning of LARCs.

  • Daniel Kawczynski – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Daniel Kawczynski – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Kawczynski on 2016-02-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support the House of Representatives in Libya, Tobruk and General Haftar to take over the running of the state of Libya.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    The UK strongly supports the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) signed at Skhirat on 17 December by the majority of the Libyan delegates to the UN facilitated political dialogue, and by a wide range of representatives of Libyan society, municipal leaders and political parties. The Agreement paves the way for a Government of National Accord (GNA) and was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2259. The House of Representatives, which endorsed the agreement with some reservations on 25 January, has a key role under the LPA. To ensure a lasting peace in Libya, we urge all parties to quickly take the necessary steps outlined in the Agreement, including the agreement of key leadership positions, to create a Government of National Accord based in Tripoli. Only a unified national government can begin the difficult work of establishing effective, legitimate governance, restoring stability and tackling the threat posed by Daesh.

  • Fiona Mactaggart – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Fiona Mactaggart – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Mactaggart on 2016-03-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) slaves, (b) victims and (c) potential victims have been found through the NSPCC helpine on modern slavery; and if she will make a statement.

    Karen Bradley

    Between 31 July 2014 and 31 July 2015, 849 contacts were made to the NSPCC-run modern slavery helpline including 57 contacts made by potential victims themselves. 403 referrals were made to the police during the same period. Many calls to the helpline are made by concerned members of the public rather than victims themselves and so the number of potential victims is based on the information provided by a third party. The helpline refers information to the police or social services if the operator believes someone to be in danger or at risk of modern slavery.

    From the 849 contacts the NSPCC was notified of a potential 1,163 victims. Of those potential victims, 340 were reported as female, 530 were male and 293 were recorded as both or unknown. The table below shows the breakdown of those potential victims by age group.

    Age group

    Total

    0-17

    83

    18-25

    152

    26-35

    114

    36-45

    46

    46-50

    17

    51-60

    37

    61-70

    10

    Unknown

    704

    Grand Total

    1163

    The Home Office does not maintain a record of how many potential victims were subsequently found or referred to the NRM as a result of these contacts. However, all potential adult victims who contact the helpline are signposted to The Salvation Army for support and referral into the National Referral Mechanism, if they consent. Potential child victims are referred to the NSPCC’s Child Trafficking Advice Centre for further action.

    No funding has been allocated for the NSPCC helpline for the financial year 2016-17. Polaris, a US-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), is establishing an enhanced UK helpline in collaboration with a UK-based NGO, which will supersede the current NSPCC helpline. The NSPCC helpline will remain in operation until the enhanced helpline is up and running. Start up funding of up to £1 million has been provided by Google.org. The new helpline is expected to be in operation later this year.

  • Alan Brown – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Alan Brown – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alan Brown on 2016-03-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Housing Statistical Release Right to Buy Sales October to December 2015, published on 24 March 2016, what the average length of time was from a start on site to occupancy.

    Brandon Lewis

    This information is not available.

  • Liam Byrne – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Liam Byrne – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liam Byrne on 2016-04-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many deceased people were authorised for burial by coroners in Birmingham (a) within (i) 24, (ii) between 24 and 48 and (iii) 72 hours and (b) after more than (A) five and (B) seven days in the last year.

    Caroline Dinenage

    Operational responsibility for coroner services, including allocating resources, is the responsibility of local authorities.

    The Ministry of Justice does not collect information about the time taken for coroner post mortem examinations, or the number of coroners’ authorisations for burial.

    Statistics for 2015 in relation to deaths reported to coroners, including the number of post mortem examinations carried out in the Birmingham and Solihull coroner area, will be published shortly at www.gov.uk/government/collections/coroners-and-burials-statistics

    “

  • Michelle Donelan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Michelle Donelan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michelle Donelan on 2016-06-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the age requirements for the driving test were last reviewed.

    Andrew Jones

    The minimum age for driving tests were last reviewed in 2010 following a widespread public consultation in 2009 on changes to the driver licensing and testing regime. The possible changes included amongst others, minimum ages, medical requirements, driving licence security and driving test vehicle requirements. The Government currently has no plans to alter minimum ages.

  • Tom Watson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Tom Watson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which expenses have been claimed by the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam under the Public Duty Cost Allowance.

    Ben Gummer

    The purpose of the Public Duties Cost Allowance is to assist former Prime Ministers with the costs of continuing to fulfil duties associated with their previous position in public life. Exceptionally, the then Prime Minister agreed that the former Deputy Prime Minister , the Rt Hon Member for Sheffield Hallam, should be able to have access to the allowance to recognise the special position he held in the Coalition Government. Other former Deputy Prime Ministers are not eligible for the allowance. The allowance is set at a maximum limit of £115,000 per annum. The amounts paid are a reimbursement of expenses, accounted for in the published Cabinet Office Annual Reports and Accounts. The former Deputy Prime Minister is eligible for the allowance from the date of leaving ministerial office for the duration of this Parliament.

  • Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-10-19.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will bring forward draft regulations under the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

    Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

    Officials are continuing their work on implementing the Housing & Planning Act 2016. A number of regulations have been implemented and this process will be on-going throughout 2017.

  • Lilian Greenwood – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lilian Greenwood – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2015-11-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department has spent on (a) temporary agency staff, (b) consultants, (c) non-payroll staff, (d) administration and (e) marketing and advertising in real terms in each year since 2010-11.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The Department’s spend on temporary agency staff, consultancy and administration for the financial years from 2010/11 to 2014/15 is published in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts and is included in the tables below.

    (a) Temporary Agency Staff

    Temporary Agency Staff (£m)

    2010/11

    2011/12

    2012/13

    2013/14

    2014/15

    Department for Transport (central)

    6.87

    4.10

    6.85

    12.80

    15.77

    Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

    3.70

    1.00

    3.13

    1.22

    0.98

    Driving Standards Agency

    0.34

    0.00

    0.01

    0.13

    0.80

    Highways Agency

    3.76

    2.45

    1.01

    5.83

    9.82

    Maritime and Coastguard Agency

    0.48

    0.17

    0.14

    0.57

    1.07

    Vehicle Certification Agency

    0.15

    0.12

    0.17

    0.36

    0.14

    Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

    1.00

    1.59

    2.28

    3.02

    5.39

    Department Total

    16.30

    9.43

    13.59

    23.93

    33.97

    (b) Consultancy

    Consultancy (£m)

    2010/11

    2011/12

    2012/13

    2013/14

    2014/15

    Department for Transport (central)

    5.54

    5.57

    10.30

    8.12

    19.25

    Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

    0.76

    0.48

    0.56

    0.70

    0.12

    Driving Standards Agency

    0.10

    0.00

    0.00

    0.04

    0.31

    Highways Agency

    3.87

    0.30

    0.19

    0.27

    0.00

    Maritime and Coastguard Agency

    0.13

    0.05

    0.10

    0.13

    0.00

    Vehicle Certification Agency

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.05

    0.00

    Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

    0.39

    0.01

    0.07

    0.97

    0.09

    Department Total

    10.79

    6.41

    11.22

    10.28

    19.77

    The figures for temporary staff and consultancy have been produced based on Cabinet Office definitions for these categories of expenditure. Consultancy is defined as work of an advisory nature designed to inform policy or to assist with strategic decisions and complex legal issues. Temporary Staff category includes expenditure where it is clear that specific individuals are being engaged to work on projects and ‘business as usual’ functions.

    Please see (d) Administration for further information

    (c) Non-payroll Staff

    Most non-payroll expenditure is included as either Temporary Staff or Consultancy answered in parts (a) and (b) above, with the exception of:-

    Non-Payroll Staff (£M)

    2010/11

    2011/12

    2012/13

    2013/14

    2014/15

    Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)

    1.68

    1.76

    2.05

    2.18

    3.04

    VCA figures include overseas contractors and locally employed staff. There was a large increase 2013/14 to 2014/15 as they took over a Turkish contract.

    (d) Administration

    Administration costs reflect the costs of running the Department, including staff, accommodation, IT costs, and operating lease rentals. The administration budget figures below are substantially lower than the 2009-10 figure of £297m.

    Department for Transport Spend Category (£m)

    2010/11

    2011/12

    2012/13

    2013/14

    2014/15

    Total Administration Budget

    276.26

    216.74

    242.93

    240.08

    271.38

    To ensure that the Department was resourced to deliver its agenda, particularly around letting and managing rail franchise contracts following the Laidlaw and Brown reviews, HM Treasury agreed to switch £25m from DfT’s Programme to Administration budgets, increasing the Department’s 2014-15 Administration budget to £275m, plus £13m for depreciation.

    The increases in (a) temporary staff and (b) consultancy spend was covered in this switch.

    Notes:

    1. Government Car & Despatch Agency disbanded during 2012/13 following which the work has been undertaken within the Department. The Administration therefore falls under Central Administration section from

    2013/14 onwards.

    2. General Lighthouse Authorities consolidated into the Department’s accounts for 2013/14 and beyond.

    (e) Marketing and Advertising

    Spend on marketing, including marketing related advertising, by the Department and its Executive Agencies for the financial years 2012/13 to 2014/15 is set out in the table below.

    Marketing spend in 2014/15 is 83% less than the £48.4 million recorded for 2009/10.

    Marketing related expenditure (£m)

    2012/13

    2013/14

    2014/15

    Department for Transport (central)

    3.47

    4.79

    5.96

    Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

    0.56

    Nil

    Nil

    Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency1

    –

    –

    0.23

    Driving Standards Agency1

    0.04

    0.03

    –

    Government Car and Despatch Agency2

    Nil

    –

    –

    Highways Agency

    0.46

    0.43

    1.91

    Maritime and Coastguard Agency

    0.18

    0.16

    0.21

    Vehicle and Operator Services Agency1

    0.06

    0.06

    –

    Vehicle Certification Agency

    0.04

    N/A

    0.05

    Department Total

    4.80

    5.47

    8.36

    Notes:

    1. The Driving Standards Agency and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency became the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in April 2014.

    2. The Government Car and Despatch Agency ceased on 30 September 2012.

    Most of the additional spend in 2014/15 compared to the previous year is attributable to the THINK! Drug Drive campaign in March 2015 supporting the implementation of new enforcement regulations and the Highways Agency public information campaign on the implementation of new traffic management and payment methods at the Dartford Crossing.

    Figures for 2010/11 and 2011/12 were not prepared and could be compiled now only at disproportionate cost.