Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ben Howlett on 2016-03-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the implications for his Department’s policies on people with rare forms of kidney disease are of the report of the Rare Disease Forum, Delivering for patients with rare diseases: Implementing a strategy, published on 29 February 2016; and if he will make a statement.

    George Freeman

    The Department is committed to improving the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases for all patients, including those with rare forms of kidney disease through implementation of the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases, published in November 2013.

    The UK Forum report, Delivering for patients with rare diseases: Implementing a strategy, published on 29 February 2016 includes 51 specific commitments to improve the lives of all those affected with rare diseases. The measures focus on improving diagnosis and early intervention for patients affected by a rare disease.

    The UK Rare Disease Forum is working to ensure that specific commitments in the Strategy are embedded in policy development and implementation across the United Kingdom.

  • Andrea Jenkyns – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Andrea Jenkyns – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrea Jenkyns on 2016-04-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to address skills shortages in the workforce.

    Joseph Johnson

    This Government is committed to giving young people the skills they need to succeed in life.

    We are supporting 3 million more apprenticeships in this Parliament, and we are ensuring that employers play a leading role in the design of our new Degree Apprenticeships. Following our Higher Education Green Paper, we will be launching a technical consultation on the Teaching Excellence Framework, which will ensure our universities continue to focus on helping their students into employment.

  • Tim Loughton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Tim Loughton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-06-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent changes he has agreed to the rail franchise agreement with Govia Thameslink Railway.

    Claire Perry

    The latest version of the Franchise Agreement, including all recent changes can be seen online at:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/525766/tsgn-franchise-agreement.pdf

  • Lisa Cameron – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lisa Cameron – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lisa Cameron on 2016-09-02.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of changes in the level of UK corporation tax on tax revenues in (a) developing and (b) other countries.

    Jane Ellison

    The Government is committed to a competitive and fair tax system, one that encourages innovation and business investment and taxes the profits of economic activity that occur in the UK.

    That is why the UK used its G8 presidency to build support for the OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project (BEPS), which is about tackling tax avoidance by multinationals through updating the international tax rules, and is delivering many of its recommendations in a package of measures announced at Budget 2016.

    The UK has led international efforts to help developing countries tackle evasion and avoidance. Through the G20 we have commissioned the international organisations to develop toolkits to assist developing countries to implement the BEPS outcomes, as well as funding assistance to help developing country tax authorities tackle multinational tax avoidance.

  • Catherine West – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Catherine West – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine West on 2016-10-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his recent assessment is of the (a) security situation and (b) state of human rights in Rojava region of Syria.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    The security situation in Syria remains extremely volatile and dangerous. There is widespread fighting throughout Syria. Full scale military operations involving the use of small arms, tanks, artillery and aircraft are ongoing. We advise against all travel to Syria, without geographic exception.

    The UK Government does not recognise the self-declared Rojava region in Syria. We continue to have concerns about the human rights situation in areas under the control of the PYD and its allies. Human Rights Watch and others have reported the abduction and arbitrary arrest of political opponents. Amnesty International has also highlighted reports of arbitrary detentions and unfair trials of those deemed to support Daesh without credible evidence, and the demolition of civilian homes and forced displacement of civilians. We continue to press the PYD to address these concerns; and for the PYD and all other actors to adopt a pluralistic approach, inclusive of all ethnic groups, and to abide by international human rights standards.

  • Tania Mathias – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Tania Mathias – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tania Mathias on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of aircraft on nitrous dioxide levels in Greater London.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    Air quality emission levels by mode are only compiled at a national level by the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory. Its estimates are updated annually. Emissions from road vehicles are by far the greatest source of nitrous dioxide levels in Greater London.

    The main impact of aviation on ground local air quality relates to emissions during the landing and take-off phase up to about 3000 feet. Above this height the oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter which can cause respiratory problems get dispersed.

  • Jim Cunningham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Jim Cunningham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-12-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many staff made up the BIS Automotive sector team in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

    Anna Soubry

    Information on the number of staff in the BIS Automotive sector team over each of the last five years is illustrated in the table below.

    Year (Calendar)

    Number of Staff (Full-Time Equivalent)

    2011

    15

    2012

    15

    2013

    17

    2014

    20

    2015

    20

  • Douglas Carswell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Douglas Carswell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2016-01-21.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether targets have been set for Centre for Health and Disability Assessment staff on the number of people to take off personal independence payments.

    Justin Tomlinson

    The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments delivers Work Capability Assessments for Employment and Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit claimants. They do not carry out assessments of Personal Independence Payment claimants which are delivered by Atos Healthcare and Capita.

  • Nick Clegg – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Nick Clegg – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Clegg on 2016-02-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many GP surgeries have closed in (a) Sheffield, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) England in the last three years.

    Alistair Burt

    Comprehensive data is not held centrally. Practices may close for a variety of reasons, including mergers with neighbouring practices or the retirement of general practitioners from single-handed practices.

  • Greg Mulholland – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Greg Mulholland – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2016-03-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on local economies of stone theft.

    Karen Bradley

    Stone theft has a detrimental effect on towns and communities across England and Wales. The impact of these crimes includes both the economic cost to the victim, but there are also wider costs to the community, for example where schools, churches or heritage items are targeted by criminals.

    We have received no recent representations from local authorities on this issue, nor have we had recent discussions with the police on stone theft specifically. However, the police are working with Historic England, the Crown Prosecution Service and others to share intelligence and shape good practice in tackling and preventing heritage crime, such as stone theft.

    We would encourage all victims of stone theft, whether individuals or organisations, to report instances of these crimes to their local police, so that the crimes can be properly recorded and investigated. The local response is a matter for individual chief officers of police and Police and Crime Commissioners, taking into account the specific local issues and demands that they face.

    We are satisfied that the existing legislation provides the police and courts with sufficient powers to respond to stone theft.