The below Parliamentary question was asked by Owen Smith on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to respond to the Fourth Report from the Work and Pensions Committee, on Support for housing costs in the reformed welfare system, Session 2013-14, HC 720, published on 2 April 2014.
Justin Tomlinson
I refer my Hon Member to the answer I gave on 15 October 2015 to Question UIN 11314.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2015-11-30.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to assist members of the armed forces who are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the future; and what assessment they have made of whether those individuals should receive financial support at least equivalent to that of civilians diagnosed with the disease.
Earl Howe
In the UK it is the National Health Service (NHS) that is responsible for the provision of healthcare to veterans including those diagnosed with mesothelioma. Veterans in England, Scotland and Wales are entitled to receive priority access to NHS secondary healthcare for conditions suspected to be due to their service in the UK Armed Forces, subject to the clinical needs of all patients.
Veterans are able to access support from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) through Veterans UK, part of MOD’s Defence Business Services, which provides a package of welfare support for veterans through a free helpline, website and national Veterans Welfare Service. Veterans UK also administer compensation payments for ill health or injury suffered while serving in the Armed Forces through the War Pensions Scheme (WPS) and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
The Department commissioned advice from the Independent Medical Expert Group to look at mesothelioma and the awards paid through the WPS. Following this, officials have considered what options there might be to offer any flexibility for those who will claim in the future under the WPS. This is a complex matter which has required detailed consideration and involved close consultation with our colleagues across Whitehall.
The Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans (Mark Lancaster) announced during the Adjournment Debate, in the House of Commons on mesothelioma compensation on 19 November 2015 (Official Report, columns 929-936) that he intends to make an announcement regarding the matter of lump sum payments as soon as possible. We will update ex-Service organisations at the forthcoming Central Advisory Committee on Compensation in December.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill on 2016-01-12.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why chairing the Environment Agency is a part-time post.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The Agency has a full time Executive and CEO who are responsible for all operational decisions.
The role of the Chairman is to hold the Executive to account through regular meetings and committees and provide leadership and strategic vision for the Board.The Chairman does not operationally manage day to day business and is therefore part-time. This is the usual case for Chair appointments to Public Bodies across Government.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2016-02-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of steps taken by energy suppliers to ensure customers with severe medical conditions are aware of the assistance available through the Priority Services Register.
Andrea Leadsom
Energy suppliers are required by their licence conditions to take reasonable steps at least once a year to inform their domestic customers about the Priority Service Register. They are required to explain how customers who are of pensionable age, disabled or chronically sick may become listed on it to receive free services to help them with their access, communication and safety needs.
Ofgem is carrying out a review of the Priority Service Register to ensure the existing services meets the needs of consumers in vulnerable situations. As part of the review, Ofgem is currently consulting on proposals, including changes to eligibility requirements to ensure support is better targeted to customers in vulnerable situations. The consultation closes on 18 February 2016 and is available on Ofgem’s website at:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/psr_final_proposals_final_0.pdf
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Lord Bishop of Leeds on 2016-02-24.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many UK nationals are resident in the other EU member states.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
There are approximately 2 million UK citizens living, working and travelling in the other 27 Member States of the EU.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 29 February 2016 to Questions 28144 and 28086, if her Department will take into account, when making a decision on granting right to abode, the Government’s obligations for life under the Armed Forces Covenant to support veterans and their families.
James Brokenshire
The assessment of the request by former members of the Hong Kong Military Service Corps that they be granted right of abode in the UK is under consideration. This will take into account all available information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-05-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidelines his Department issues on continued payment of housing benefit when a person remains in hospital for longer than 52 weeks.
Justin Tomlinson
Guidance for local authority staff about temporary absence from home is contained in the Housing Benefit Manuals on GOV.UK. The guidance for absences of up to 52 weeks is covered in paragraphs 3.530 – 3.534 of Chapter A3.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-07-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many applications from maintained schools to convert to academy status were (a) approved and (b) declined by each regional schools commissioner in 2015.
Edward Timpson
The table below shows the total number of applications received in 2015 from Local Authority maintained schools and how many of these were subsequently approved or declined. The information is split by the RSC region in which the schools are located. Please note that the decision to approve or decline may in some instances have been made by ministers.
|
RSC region |
Total number of applications received in 2015 |
Number of applications received in 2015 that were approved |
Number of applications received in 2015 that were declined |
|
East Midlands & Humber |
59 |
43 |
3 |
|
Lancashire & West Yorkshire |
42 |
35 |
1 |
|
North |
63 |
49 |
0 |
|
North East London & East |
55 |
55 |
0 |
|
North West London & South Central |
55 |
52 |
0 |
|
South London & South East |
56 |
49 |
1 |
|
South West |
90 |
74 |
0 |
|
West Midlands |
113 |
100 |
1 |
|
Total |
533 |
457 |
6 |
A small number of applications received in 2015 have been withdrawn or not yet decided.
The data is correct as at 1 July 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-10-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities in England have held council tax referendums in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Marcus Jones
The only council tax referendum to date was held by the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner. A proposed 15.8% increase in the Commissioner’s precept was rejected by a margin of 70% to 30% in May 2015.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell-Savours on 2015-11-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 28 October (HL2728), whether they will set out the broad circumstances in which a housing association or Community Land Trust could exercise discretion in deciding whether to sell a property to a tenant.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
The Government is currently engaging with the National Housing Federation and the housing association sector on implementing the Right to Buy Agreement. Further details will be announced in due course.