Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hylton on 2016-05-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what reports they have received concerning the welfare of refugees and migrants removed from Greece to Turkey, in the light of reports that some are being detained in camps at Düziçi and elsewhere, without access to legal advice or medical services.

    Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

    The Government takes very seriously any allegations of the inappropriate treatment of migrants or refugees, and we would urge any evidence substantiating the allegations to be made available to us and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). We note Turkey’s strong assurances about the treatment of migrants and refugees in its camps and removal centres. And also note the recent agreements reached betweenTurkey, the European Commission and the UNHCR, providing them with access to the Düziçi Camp and Kirklareli Removal Centre, and the UNHCR’s positive view following its initial visit. We will be following the outcome of future visits closely.

  • Antoinette Sandbach – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Antoinette Sandbach – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Antoinette Sandbach on 2016-07-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, by what date (a) clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are required to submit and (b) NHS England is required to approve sustainability and transformation plans for maternity services; and when he expects the NHS to publish its annual rating on the provision of CCGs maternity services.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) are being developed by health and social care organisations located across local areas referred to as ‘footprints’. Whilst clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are key stakeholders in the footprints, STPs represent the combined view of the organisations in the area also including National Health Service providers and local government.

    The March STP guidance to footprints stressed the importance of responding to 10 key priority areas which included maternity. On the 30 June there was a checkpoint for STPs. Footprints are at different starting points, and so the degree of detail that has been provided in the 30 June STP checkpoint varies. At present, managerial conversations regarding the submission are being held between the national bodies and representatives from each footprint. Footprints will be expected to submit a final plan in October. Final STPs and operational plans will be expected to set out how Mandate priorities will be delivered, including improvement to maternity services, before being agreed.

    The CCG Improvement and Assessment Framework will rate CCGs on the provision of maternity services annually. The first results of the first assessment will be published soon.

  • Clive Efford – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Clive Efford – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Efford on 2016-10-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the 46th Report of the Public Accounts Committee, Session 2014-15, HC971, what steps he has taken to ensure that the public purse is not exposed to any losses in circumstances in which Circle Holding plc fails to fulfil its contractual obligations in the delivery of musculoskeletal services in Greenwich; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    The procurement of local health services by means of competitive tendering is a matter for the local National Health Service.

    We are advised by NHS England that NHS Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has taken all reasonable steps to protect the public purse with regard to the contract for the provision of an integrated Musculoskeletal (MSK) service in Greenwich, which it awarded to Circle Health.

    The contract is governed by the General Conditions of the NHS national Standard Contract, which require the service provider and commissioner to indemnify each other in respect of any losses.

    With regard to contract expiry or termination, the conditions also provide for the protection of commissioners from excess costs (and their administration) incurred in procuring the services from another party, for a period of six months from termination.

    We are also advised by NHS England that as part of the procurement process undertaken by Greenwich CCG, parties bidding to provide an integrated MSK service in Greenwich were required to provide a mobilisation plan within identified timescales, in line with the scope of service.

    We understand that the CCG and Circle Health hold weekly mobilisation meetings to track Circle’s progress and to monitor the implementation and transition of the service up to the go-live date and the post go-live transition.

  • Jim Cunningham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Jim Cunningham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-05.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the cost to the public purse of private agency supply teacher services in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

    Nick Gibb

    Schools, academiesand local authorities are responsible for recruiting and managing their supply teachers and whether or not they use private supply agencies.Supply agency costs are a private commercial arrangement between schools, or local authorities, and individual supply agencies.

    Agency supply teacher spend data at national and local authority level is available in the following publications:

    For maintained schools – ‘Expenditure by Local Authorities and Schools on Education, Children and Young People’s Services: 2013-14’ (Table 3), at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-education-and-childrens-services-spending-2013-to-2014.

    For academy schools – ‘Income and expenditure in academies in England: 2013 to 2014’ (Raw data SATS table) at:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-and-expenditure-in-academies-in-england-2013-to-2014.

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  • Richard Burgon – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Richard Burgon – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burgon on 2015-12-03.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government has taken to ensure that former Northern Rock mortgage holders will not be disadvantaged by the sale of UK Asset Resolutions’ Granite Portfolio to Cerberus.

    Harriett Baldwin

    A key consideration in the selection of the successful bidder was the continued fair treatment of customers. Cerberus was selected following a thorough due diligence process, and like any buyer, remains subject to the regulatory oversight of the Financial Conduct Authority; including the requirement of Treating Customers Fairly.

    Day-to-day management of the assets within the Granite portfolio will remain with the mortgage servicing arm of UK Asset Resolution, and there will be no changes to the terms and conditions of the mortgages involved in the transaction.

  • 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 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what contingency arrangements his Department has made for the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the upcoming EU referendum.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    I refer my hon Friend to the answer given to him by my rt. hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 14 January 2016 (UIN 21952)

    http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2016-01-11/21952/.

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  • Lord Browne of Belmont – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Lord Browne of Belmont – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Browne of Belmont on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to improve support for children and young people with mental health problems.

    Lord Prior of Brampton

    Children and young people’s mental health is a priority area for this Government and it is committed to delivering the vision set out in Future in Mind, the report published jointly by the Department and NHS England in March 2015. This is supported by an additional investment of £1.4 billion over the course of this Parliament. A copy of Future in Mind is attached.

    Progress has been made on many of the key ambitions set out in Future in Mind. One significant development being that Local Transformation Plans (LTPs) for children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing have been produced covering the full spectrum of mental health issues, from prevention to intervention for emerging or existing mental health problems. LTPs also address the full spectrum of need, for every clinical commissioning group (CCG) in the country. The Local Government Association have produced a spreadsheet giving details of LTPs. A copy of this spreadsheet is attached.

    Work is in progress to strengthen the capacity and capability of the workforce and to improve data and information in order to deliver the vision set out in Future in Mind by 2020. In addition, the Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme is continuing to be rolled out across the country.

    Progress has also been made on making help and support to children and young people available online through the launch of an online hub for children and young people on the NHS Choices website and further investment made into a campaign to reduce stigma and discrimination as proposed in Future in Mind.

    All CCGs, working closely with their partners, have developed and submitted LTPs to transform their local offer for children and young people’s mental health. Plans cover the whole spectrum of services from prevention to intervention for emerging or existing mental health problems and address the full spectrum of need.

  • Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-02-29.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Nigerian authorities about any action being taken to support the integration of traumatised women and girls who are freed from Boko Haram and face mistrust and suspicion when they return home.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    We are pleased that a number of women and children have been rescued, and regularly stress to the Nigerian authorities the importance that they are provided with appropriate support to deal with the trauma they have faced, including to reintegrate into their communities. I personally raised the importance of challenging the social stigma faced by women and girls freed from Boko Haram with Nigerian ministers and military officials during my visit to Nigeria last month. Challenging negative attitudes on sexual violence is a key element of this.

  • Crispin Blunt – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Crispin Blunt – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Crispin Blunt on 2016-04-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average number of (a) seats available and (b) passengers is on train services running from Gatwick Airport to London Bridge during the 0700 to 1000 weekday peak period.

    Claire Perry

    While Govia Thameslink Railways provide us with information on capacities and passenger numbers arriving at London Bridge, it is not possible to provide numbers of passengers who boarded at Gatwick Airport railway station.

  • Julie Cooper – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Julie Cooper – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-05-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many free schools projects have been cancelled at any stage in each year since 2011.

    Edward Timpson

    A list of free school projects that were cancelled or withdrawn between 2011 and 2015, and that have final confirmed expenditure, is published on GOV.UK at:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/523706/Free_Schools_Data_for_Publication.xlsx.

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