The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jo Stevens on 2015-12-15.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether employers that have offshored their company payroll will be required to pay the apprenticeship levy.
Greg Hands
Further details of how the Apprenticeship Levy will operate will be set out in the Finance Bill and draft clauses will be published early in 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2016-01-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect on local authority budgets of people in supported housing not remaining in that housing as a result of a cap on housing benefit at the rate of local housing allowance.
Justin Tomlinson
The information requested is not available.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Stephens on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, further to the oral contribution of the Minister for Skills of 2 February 2016, Official Report, column 776, whether his Department intends to bring forward amendments relating to check-off and facilities time before the Trade Union Bill reaches Report Stage in the House of Lords.
Nick Boles
Government amendments to Clause 12 (Facility Time Reporting) and Clause 13 (Facility Time cap) of the Trade Union Bill were included in the Bill at Lords Committee.
The remaining stages in the Lords are amending stages and the Government will table amendments as necessary.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Smith on 2016-03-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the number of disabled people who will lose their entitlement to the (a) standard rate of and (b) enhanced rate of personal independence payment as a result of changes to the assessment criteria regarding the use of aids and appliances for activities five and six.
Justin Tomlinson
It is not possible to forecast exact figures because it will depend on factors such as caseload, possible behavioural change, and the outcome of DLA reassessment outcomes.
We estimate that in 2020/21 there will be a total of 640,000 people who will be in some way affected by these changes.
However, a significant number will continue to qualify for an award, and for many the effects will be notional because they are not yet receiving the benefit. Claimants affected may also remain eligible for other forms of Government support. This includes, but is not limited to, the mobility component of PIP, ESA, local welfare provision, support through the NHS, adult social care and the Disabled Facilities Grant.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2016 to Question 20586, what discussions his Department has had with NHS England on achieving the aims of the draft Hepatitis C Improvement Framework and the decision to withdraw that draft framework.
Jane Ellison
The Department continues working with Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England to advance the public health ambitions set out in the initial framework to establish a strategic approach to tackle hepatitis C.
Both PHE and NHS England are fully committed to improving hepatitis C outcomes including the long-term reduction in transmission of the virus in which treatment has a potentially major role to play.
NHS England has been working on plans for access to treatment during 2016/17 and has committed to produce an operational framework for the treatment of hepatitis C during 2016/17. This will set out NHS England’s commitment to improving outcomes in hepatitis C across England.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alistair Carmichael on 2016-05-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy that when revised UK Chief Medical Officers’ Guidelines on keeping health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level, published in January 2016, are communicated to the public they are placed in the context that moderate alcohol consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle for people that choose to drink.
Jane Ellison
The UK Chief Medical Officers’ alcohol guidelines give the public the latest and most up to date scientific information so that they can make informed decisions about their own drinking.
It is however important that the new guidelines are clear and understandable and take into account the responses to the consultation.
We will publish the final guidelines and the government response to the consultation as soon as possible.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Fuller on 2016-07-13.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many employee share ownership schemes were submitted to HM Revenue and Customs’ valuation check service in each tax year since 2010-11.
Jane Ellison
HM Revenue and Custom’s Shares and Assets Valuation office have dealt with the following employee share ownership scheme valuation checks:
|
Year |
TOTAL |
|
2010 – 11 |
4,052 |
|
2011 – 12 |
4,042 |
|
2012 – 13 |
4,494 |
|
2013 – 14 |
4,837 |
|
2014 – 15 |
5,396 |
|
2015 – 16 |
5,721 |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-09-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 April 2016 to Question 32492, to which countries RAF Reaper or Watchkeeper drones have been deployed on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sorties since 4 April 2016.
Mike Penning
From 4 April until 20 September 2016, UK Reapers have continued to be deployed on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sorties in Iraq and Syria. Watchkeeper has not been deployed during the period in question.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Thangam Debbonaire on 2015-11-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that public opinion is taken into account in its input to the BBC Charter review.
Mr Edward Vaizey
A public consultation which began on Thursday 16 July and closed on 8 October received in excess of 190,000 responses. We are now in the process of analysing these responses.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to increase the level of home ownership relative to other EU countries.
Brandon Lewis
This Government is committed to increasing opportunities to help people achieve the aspiration of home ownership. Almost 270,000 people have been helped to buy a home since 2010 using government-backed schemes. In the Autumn Statement we announced that the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme will be extended for five years to 2021 with £8.6 billion of additional funding. This will assist the sale of up to 145,000 more new-build homes. We will also launch London Help to Buy in early 2016, increasing the equity loan in London from up to 20% to up to 40%, in recognition of the specific affordability issues resulting from higher house prices in the capital.
The Autumn Statement also confirmed a total of £8 billion for over 400,000 affordable homes, including £4.1 billion for 135,000 new Shared Ownership homes. This also includes delivery of 200,000 Starter Homes at a 20% discount for young first time buyers, with £2.3 billion committed to supporting these. As well as reinvigorating the Right to Buy in 2012, we have secured a historic deal with housing associations to give their tenants the opportunity to buy their home with an equivalent discount to the Right to Buy.