The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jess Phillips on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of free schools not originally opened as a trust subsequently joined multi-academy trusts since 2010.
Edward Timpson
Six free schools which originally opened as a single academy trust have joined a multi-academy trust since 2010.
53% of open free schools are part of a multi-academy trust.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-06-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to reduce the time taken for a shotgun and firearm application to be processed.
Mike Penning
Under the Firearms Act 1968, which applies to England, Wales and Scotland, firearm and shotgun certificate administration is a matter for the chief officer of police for the area in which the applicant lives. The time taken to process a firearm or shotgun application can vary as the chief officer must take into account the need to manage risk and ensure public protection.
The Policing and Crime Bill, which is before Parliament, introduces a power to issue statutory guidance to the police in relation to firearms licensing which should lead to improved consistency in practice across forces.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Danny Kinahan on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will review the adequacy of the level of protection against discrimination in employment, training and career development for people with disabilities.
Penny Mordaunt
Equality legislation for Disabled People is devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
In Great Britain, the Equality Act 2010 defines disability as “a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-today activities”. Where an employee/applicant or service-user has a condition that fits the definition of a disability, they are protected under the 2010 Act. Employers and service-providers are therefore required to make reasonable adjustments available in order to ensure that disabled people are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to those who do not have a disability.
It is for the courts to decide, on a case-by-case basis, whether there has been disability discrimination where a reasonable adjustment has not been made available.
For those who need additional support over and above that which is a reasonable adjustment, Access to Work can help. Access to Work provides practical and financial support with the additional costs faced by individuals whose health or disability affects the way they do their job. Access to Work continues to support over 36,000 people per year take up or retain employment.
Disability Confident, on which this Department leads, was launched by the then Prime Minister in July 2013 to challenge perceptions, engage employers and promote good practice.
Disability Confident is about creating a movement for change – getting employers to think differently about disability and to take action to improve how they attract, recruit and retain disabled workers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2016-10-10.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will meet FairFuelUK to discuss fiscal incentives for the use of cleaner fuels.
Jane Ellison
Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-29.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many primates were imported into the UK for scientific research purposes in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.
Mike Penning
The Home Office have previously published data on the numbers of non-human primates imported and used for scientific research in PQs 222873 (05 Feb 2015), 182703 (20 Jan 2014), 80687 (22 Nov 2011) and 76262 (25 October 2011). The numbers of non-human primates imported into the UK for scientific research were: 2,071 in 2010; 1,771 in 2011; and, 1,557 in 2012. This data was gathered from information supplied by project licence holders when requesting permission to import.
On 1 January 2013, the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 was amended to transpose European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The amended legislation has no requirement to request prior permission to import non-human primates acquired from overseas breeding centres. Therefore, the Home Office does not hold the information requested for 2013 and 2014. The published Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in Great Britain provide information on the sources of non-human primates used in experimental procedures for 2013 and 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Poulter on 2015-11-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Written Statement of 4 November 2015, HCWS288, whether all current junior doctors will receive an 11 per cent pay rise under the proposed new contract.
Ben Gummer
We have consistently said that average earnings will remain the same under the new contract. Basic pay would increase by an average of 11%, under our firm offer, as a result of ending banding payments and redistributing current earnings, placing more in basic pay.
This is something that the British Medical Association (BMA) said they wanted and that the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration has long recommended. All those moving fully onto the new contract would be paid on these terms.
The hon. Member will note that the BMA has now returned to direct negotiations with NHS Employers, having walked away from discussions in October 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cheryl Gillan on 2016-01-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many members of staff have left HS2 Ltd or his Department and been re-engaged on a self-employed or consultancy basis by either organisation in each year since the formation of HS2 Ltd.
Mr Robert Goodwill
Part A
HS2 Ltd do not have any staff who have been re-engaged on a self-employed or consultancy basis.
Part B
The Department for Transport (excluding its Agencies) has 3 staff that have been re engaged on a self-employed or consultancy basis during this time period.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what risk assessment he has conducted on the proposed rollout of wifi in NHS buildings.
George Freeman
Free wi-fi throughout National Health Service premises is an independent recommendation from Baroness Lane Fox to the National Information Board.
As part of the implementation of Baroness Lane Fox’s recommendations, NHS England will be carrying out a more comprehensive review of current provision, benefits and barriers to wi-fi throughout the NHS estate. This will include assessment of any risks.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tulip Siddiq on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2016 to Question 19716 and 18 February 2016 to Question 26688, what estimate her Department has made of the (a) average and (b) total cost to the public purse of (i) appeals heard in the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) which have a Home Office representative and (ii) appeals heard in the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) which do not have a Home Office representative in each year since 2009-10.
James Brokenshire
The information requested is not held centrally by the Home Office and can only be collated at disproportionate costs.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Adam Afriyie on 2016-03-22.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of measures in Budget 2016 on social mobility.
Mr David Gauke
The Government has carefully considered the impact of the tax and benefit reforms introduced in Budget. It is committed to improving social mobility by moving towards a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare society.
The Government published distributional analysis to accompany Budget 2016 which shows that the richest are paying a greater share of tax as a result of this government’s policies while the share of spending going to the poorest has been protected.