The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Jobcentre Plus staff can provide support and advice to claimants who are intending to appeal against a benefit sanctions decision.
Priti Patel
Jobcentre staff will advise claimants about the appeals process at various stages.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-04-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether she has signed the Investor Agreement with EDF to proceed with Hinkley Point C as set out in the departmental minute of 21 October 2015.
Andrea Leadsom
My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State is minded to proceed with the Contract for Difference and associated agreements for Hinkley Point C, including the Investor Agreement, subject to EDF taking a final investment decision. EDF and the French Government have said that EDF are working towards a Final Investment Decision ‘in the near future, with the full support of the French Government’.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-05-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his latest assessment is of the effectiveness of the foreign lorry user charge; whether he has been in discussion with any representatives of the EU concerning the compliance of that charge with EU law; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
Since the levy started in April 2014, 4 million levies had been purchased for foreign-registered vehicles, raising £96.22 million in receipts, by the end of March 2016. Compliance rates continue to run at about 95 per cent in Great Britain. My Department has been engaged in discussions with the European Commission since the early stages of development of the levy. British drivers regularly pay when they use the roads in other countries, and the Government policy is that it is fair that foreign HGV drivers should do the same here.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Twigg on 2016-07-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans her Department has to replace programme partnership arrangements.
Priti Patel
I am currently considering the outcomes of my Department’s Civil Society Partnership Review, and will aim to publish it shortly.
In July 2015, the then Secretary of State for International Development announced a 9 month extension of all PPA financing, providing 18 months-notice that all current PPA financing would come to an end in December 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Bridgen on 2016-10-07.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will introduce an interim threshold in the VAT rules on digital supplies for micro-businesses.
Jane Ellison
While we remain in the EU our rights and obligations as a Member State apply and as such we cannot introduce laws that conflict with existing EU law.
The UK government has pushed for change and the European Commission has confirmed proposals expected by the end of this year will include a VAT threshold in order to help small start-up e-commerce businesses.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2015-10-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many students from India were granted a visa to study in Britain in 1990.
James Brokenshire
Due to a change of database in 2004, comparable data are not available for visas in years prior to 2004.
In 2005, 18,857 Indian nationals were issued with study visas granting entry clearance to the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mary Robinson on 2015-11-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to promote apprenticeships in the road haulage industry.
Nick Boles
Through our reforms, more than 1300 employers are designing new apprenticeships standards that are more responsive to the needs of business. 194 standards have been published with over 150 new standards in development, including the new Large Goods Vehicle Driver standard.
Subject to final approval, this new apprenticeship standard will provide the sector with an excellent opportunity to develop a new generation of drivers in a way that meets their specific requirements.
In addition, in June Jobcentre Plus and the Road Haulage Association launched “Driving Britain’s Future”. This 12-month scheme will identify 2,400 work experience placements for Jobcentre Plus customers with logistics employers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-01-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has made to her French counterparts on the proposed construction of a new camp for migrants close to Dieppe.
James Brokenshire
The management of migrant camps in northern France is the responsibility of the French Government. The Home Office is in regular contact with the French authorities and will continue to engage with them on managing port security and dealing with the migrant pressures.
We are not aware of any proposals to build a migrant camp in Dieppe.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bridget Phillipson on 2016-01-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 December 2015 to Question 19988, what progress he has made on finalising monitoring arrangements; and if he will support monitoring of the use of public transport and investment in the North East’s bus and rail networks as part of those arrangements.
James Wharton
The Government is working with the North East Combined Authority on the implementation plan for its devolution deal, which will cover monitoring arrangements. The devolution deal will create an elected mayor, who will be directly accountable to local people and will have powers over transport among other things. It is for the future mayor to decide how to monitor transport policy, and for local people to hold the mayor and the Combined Authority to account.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tulip Siddiq on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on how many occasions in each year since 2009-10 he has been asked to confirm a local planning authority’s decision to revoke planning permission under Section 97 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990; and on how many such occasions he (a) confirmed and (b) overturned that decision.
Brandon Lewis
Section 97 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 means that if it appears to the local planning authority that it is expedient to do so, it may make an order revoking any planning permission to develop land. When an order is opposed by the owner and occupier of the land or by other persons who in the authority’s opinion will be affected, the order has to be submitted to the Secretary of State and shall not take effect unless it is confirmed by him.
For each year since 2009/10:
|
Year |
Number submitted for confirmation |
Confirmed |
Overturned (declined to confirm) |
|
2009/10 |
1 |
1 |
None |
|
2010/11 |
1 |
None |
None |
|
2011/12 |
None |
None |
None |
|
2012/13 |
1 |
None |
None (withdrawn by authority) |
|
2013/14 |
None |
None |
None |
|
2014/15 |
None |
None |
None |
|
2015/16 |
None |
None |
None |