The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2015-11-30.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the amount of the revenue element of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund in (1) 2014–15, and (2) 2015–16.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
In 2014-15, £64.9m revenue funding was provided through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. A further £64.5m was provided in 2015-16.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 2016-01-12.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what benefits aside from the 10 per cent price reduction that policy required have accrued from conducting the Lead Provider Framework procurement process to date.
Lord Prior of Brampton
The Lead Provider Framework enables clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to run a simpler, legally compliant and more efficient process than typical European procurements in order to source high quality commissioning support from accredited, professional at scale providers.
Sourcing commissioning support collaboratively with other commissioners enables CCGs to benefit from the economies of scale and the diverse range of smaller niche organisations that the nine Lead Providers bring together.
The Lead Provider Framework has already led to consolidation within the market, driving efficiency and has improved the quality and range of services offered. CCGs are expected to benefit from further efficiencies as providers compete for their contracts.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Mearns on 2016-02-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what financial support the Risk Protection Arrangement has offered to Burnley Road Academy in Cumbria; and what assessment she has made of the extent to which that scheme has reimbursed the losses incurred by academy trusts as a result of flooding.
Edward Timpson
The Department’s Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) will cover all storm related costs incurred by Burnley Road academy in Calderdale, including the costs of temporary accommodation while the original building is reinstated.
The RPA will similarly cover all costs incurred by academy trusts who are members of the RPA as a result of flooding, in accordance with the RPA membership rules. It is too early to assess the total cost to RPA of these losses, since claims are still being reported, evaluated and settled. As at January 27, a £3.7 million reserve total for RPA claims has so far been identified to cover losses as a result of recent storms.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Burt of Solihull on 2016-02-24.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many employees in the UK engineering sector are from other EU member states, and what is their total contribution to (1) UK Gross Domestic Product, and (2) UK Gross Value Added.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
It is not possible to answer the question as there is no agreed statistical definition of what is meant by the term “engineering sector”.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2016-04-25.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Northern Powerhouse strategy will include his pledge in paragraph 2.256 of Budget 2016 to support the UK’s bid for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup; and if he will make a statement.
Greg Hands
As stated in Spending Review 15 the government supports the ambition to host the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in the Northern Powerhouse.
Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michelle Donelan on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities on the conservation of nestling swifts in the demolition or renovation of old housing estates.
Rory Stewart
Natural England has part funded the production of book called Designing for Biodiversity: A Technical Guide for New and Existing Buildings. The publication includes detailed advice on provision for swifts (as well as a range of other species) in new developments, which local authorities may find useful.
No specific guidance has been issued to local authorities on the conservation of nestling swifts in the demolition or renovation of old housing estates.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Johnson on 2016-09-05.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the success of Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Tracey Crouch
Team GB’s historic medal haul in Rio is an amazing achievement and our athletes have made the country incredibly proud.
Our greatest Olympic performance in a century owed much to UK Sport’s ‘no compromise’ approach and an increase in funding. It is crucial that this funding was invested strategically in the right sports, the right athletes and the right support programmes.
We must not forget the crucial role the British public has played in making us one of the leading Olympic and Paralympic nations in the world with the continued support the public has given our top athletes through the National Lottery.
I am confident that this success will continue at the current Paralympics, and through to Tokyo in 2020.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2016-10-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many operators have been licenced to carry out badger culling; and how many such licence applications have been refused since the badger cull began.
George Eustice
For 2016 over the 10 licensed areas, 1446 operators are authorised to carry out badger culling, (latest figures: 17/10/16).
The control companies submit details of those operators they wish to put forward to become authorised to undertake licensed action, (each operator does not submit an individual licence application). Natural England has not refused to authorise any operator where the relevant details were submitted; i.e. confirmation of attending and passing the relevant training or refresher courses and valid Firearms Certificate or Shotgun Certificate details.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lucas on 2015-11-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of recent reports about VAT fraud by online traders operating from abroad, whether they plan to pursue (1) Amazon, and (2) eBay, for any UK VAT that has been evaded by traders using those online marketplaces; and if not, why not.
Lord O’Neill of Gatley
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is actively targeting operational and intelligence activity to tackle this issue. However, HMRC is unable to give details of its plans in respect of any individual taxpayer because of taxpayer confidentiality.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Chidgey on 2015-11-30.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government in which countries the short wave radio transmission of BBC World Service programmes has been jammed in each year from 1999 to 2014.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The BBC World Service has advised that short wave radio transmission has been jammed in the following countries: 2004 to present – Uzbekistan 2010 – China (Mandarin) 2012 to 2013 – Iran 2013 to present –China, which has also affected parts of India, Bhutan and Bangladesh