The below Parliamentary question was asked by Corri Wilson on 2016-02-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people recovering from cancer have appealed (a) an employment and support allowance award and (b) a disability living allowance or personal independence payment award decision in the last five years; and how many such appeals were successful.
Mr Shailesh Vara
This information is not held centrally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2016 to Question 20339, how a longstanding mental health condition is taken account of in assessing whether a claimant is eligible for an advance payment of universal credit.
Priti Patel
When a work coach assesses a claimant’s financial need they will take into account all of the claimant’s circumstances including any health conditions and any vulnerabilities. The Work Coach is trained to maintain an on-going conversation with the claimant about their financial capability and build up a relationship of trust with the claimant over time.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the Government response to the International Development Committee’s Third Report of Session 2014-15, UK’s development work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, what progress she has made on providing support from the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund to people-to-people projects in Palestine involving people of all faiths.
Mr Desmond Swayne
The UK has supported several people-to-people projects through the Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) which have now come to an end. We are open to considering further support through the CSSF for strong co-existence projects that bring Israelis and Palestinians together, where these would deliver a positive impact, represent value for money, and follow the requirements for how CSSF funds may be used.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine West on 2016-05-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether cluster bombs used in the Yemeni civil war are of British manufacture.
Mr Philip Dunne
I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to the Urgent Question tabled by the hon. Member for Ochil and South Perthshire (Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh) on 24 May 2016 (Official Report, column 401).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 14 June 2016 to Question 40131, on Children: maintenance, for what reasons the (a) updating work has taken less time than assumed and (b) setting up of arrears on the CMS system is taking longer than anticipated.
Caroline Nokes
It is not unusual for cost estimates to vary as broad assumptions are replaced by more detailed ones. The cost estimates in the impact assessment were produced before the detailed processes involved were finalised and were therefore subject to change. The changes in cost estimates were not due to any change in the scope or objectives of case closure.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans he has to devolve the Wales and Border Rail Franchise to the Welsh Government.
Guto Bebb
The in-principle agreement between the Welsh Government and the Department for Transport to devolve the Wales and Borders franchise was announced on 21 November 2014.
We are continuing to engage constructively with the Welsh Government to enable them to achieve the successful procurement of the next Wales and Borders franchise from October 2018.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2015-11-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will introduce multi-year funding for child protection programmes in the Central African Republic.
Grant Shapps
Since 2013, DFID has committed £58 million to address the needs of Central Africans, Central African children and of refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR). This funding has enabled agencies to support children who have been separated from their families, to provide services for girls and boys who have suffered sexual and gender-based violence, to reduce malnutrition, and give children access to education and training. DFID monitors needs in CAR and reviews regularly the strategy and level of support it provides. DFID are currently considering options for programming in CAR after the end of our current programme, which runs until March 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Debbie Abrahams on 2015-12-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he expects to publish his Department’s response to the BBC Charter Review consultation.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The Government’s BBC Charter Review Public Consultation closed in October. Over 190,000 people responded to the consultation – the second largest response to any Government consultation. We are in the process of reading and analysing all the responses, and will publish the results once this exercise is completed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mendelsohn on 2016-01-27.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many regulation-making powers are contained in the Trade Union Bill.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
The Trade Union Bill contains 12 regulation making powers. Details are set out in the Delegated Powers memorandum, updated ahead of introductions in to this House in November 2015. A summary is attached.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-02-19.
To ask the Attorney General, what steps the CPS is taking to ensure a higher rate of prosecution for knife crimes.
Robert Buckland
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) recognises that carrying an offensive weapon, a knife or a bladed/pointed article is a serious offence as the unlawful provision and possession of weapons encourages violence and can cause serious injury and death in addition to facilitating other criminal offences.
The CPS acts robustly to deter the carrying and use of knives and offensive weapons and has issued guidance to prosecutors on the prosecution of knife crimes. The guidance provides advice when deciding what offence to charge, the public interest considerations to apply and comments on sentencing practice.
It has been agreed between the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and the CPS that a more robust response is required in respect of youths aged 16 and 17. Guidance issued to the police by the NPCC has been shared with prosecutors to emphasise the consistency of approach of the two organisations and to underline the shared expectation that where there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction, a prosecution should normally result.
The CPS participates in the cross-Government Ending Gang Violence and Exploitation programme of work which includes a work-stream to reduce violence and knife crime.
CPS data on offences charged and reaching a first hearing at magistrates’ courts shows an increased number of prosecutions for the year 2014-2015 in comparison with the previous year.