The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-02-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many qualified counsellors worked in child and adult mental health services in each of the last three years.
Alistair Burt
This information is not held centrally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on Northern Ireland of the UK leaving the EU.
Mr Ben Wallace
The Government has published three papers which explain why the UK, including Northern Ireland, would be stronger, safer and better off remaining as a member of a reformed EU. The papers are available at www.gov.uk/publications.
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vicky Foxcroft on 2016-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what contribution his Department is making to Government steps to reduce the incidence of serious youth violence.
Andrew Selous
We continue to play an active role in cross-Government work to tackle gangs and prevent youth violence.
Youth reoffending is too high which is why the justice Secretary has asked Charlie Taylor to conduct a review of youth justice. He will report back later this year with recommendations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Deech on 2016-04-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to review the laws relating to surrogacy.
Lord Prior of Brampton
The Government has no current plans to review the legislation relating to surrogacy but is keeping this issue under consideration.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Virendra Sharma on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 on access to housing for post-release young offenders.
Justin Tomlinson
The Government set out its assessment of the impacts of the welfare policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Act on 20th July 2015. It set out its assessment of the impacts of the social rents policies in the Act on 28th September 2015.
A link to the impact assessments is included:
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/welfarereformandwork/documents.html
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reasons the proposals in Early Day Motion 278, on Office of Electoral Integrity, are not incorporated into the roles and responsibilities of the Electoral Commission; and if he will take steps to incorporate such proposals in the Electoral Commission’s remit.
Chris Skidmore
The accuracy of arguments advanced in the course of referendum and election campaigns is not subject to regulation.
The Government will consider this and other issues relating to the regulation of political campaigning, following the publication of the Electoral Commission’s report on the administration of the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union which is expected shortly.
Creating a new body to regulate what candidates and political campaigners could say would have an effect on freedom of speech within the law. Moreover, the proposed regime would be likely to fuel malicious and partisan complaints (and counter-complaints), which would undermine, rather than strengthen, confidence in the democratic process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-10-18.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to (a) transpose the EU’s fourth anti-money laundering directive into law, (b) continue to participate in measures to share details on the beneficial ownership of companies and (c) participate in the European Financial Intelligence Unit system following the UK’s exit from the EU; and what steps he is taking so that the UK can continue to participate in those schemes.
Simon Kirby
Until the UK leaves the EU, the government intends to implement and apply EU legislation, including the Fourth Money Laundering Directive. The UK is and will continue to be at the forefront of international efforts to exchange information on the beneficial ownership of companies and trusts. The UK will continue to work with international partners, including through the Financial Intelligence Unit network, to tackle money laundering and other transnational threats. As near neighbours, EU Member States are particularly important partners and we will continue to cooperate with them closely.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Judd on 2015-11-05.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will designate Egypt as a country of concern in the next FCO annual report on human rights and democracy.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Foreign and Commonwealth reviewed the use of the designation “countries of concern” earlier this year. We now highlight “human rights priority countries” that we wish to work positively with wherever possible to improve their human rights trajectory.
Our criteria in designating a human rights priority country is an evidence-based assessment. We utilise internationally respected indicators and indices, such as the UN Gender Inequality Index and the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, to form our assessments. Once we have the relevant data, we will take informed decisions as to which countries will be human rights priority countries in 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tania Mathias on 2015-12-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the rationale is for setting the interest rate on the repayment of student loans under the new system at three per cent.
Joseph Johnson
Interest rates on student loans vary according to a number of factors, including a borrower’s level of earnings, and whether they remain in contact with the Student Loans Company to ensure they are repaying when they are eligible to do so.
The maximum interest rate for the post-2012 system is the Retail Price Index (RPI) figure plus 3%. The maximum rate applies whilst the borrower is studying; is the maximum interest rate for those borrowers earning £41,000 and over; and is the default interest rate for those borrowers who fail to keep in touch with the Student Loans Company.
Once a borrower is due to repay, a variable rate of interest will be charged, which is dependent upon income. Borrowers with an income of £21,000 or less will accrue interest at RPI. For a borrower with income greater than £21,000, a real rate of interest will be tapered in, reaching a maximum of RPI plus 3% at an income of £41,000 or more.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liam Fox on 2016-01-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if her Department will liaise with Ofgem in taking steps to ensure that savings accrued to suppliers are returned to consumers in lower prices.
Andrea Leadsom
The government expects suppliers to pass through to consumers any reductions in the costs of supplying energy.
Strong competition is key to ensuring that prices are kept as low as possible and reductions in the costs of supplying energy are passed through to consumers. There are now 34 companies supplying gas and electricity to households, compared to 13 in 2010.
The Government has worked with the industry to cut the time it takes to switch from 5 weeks to 17 days. We are now working with Ofgem to deliver reliable next day switching by 2018.
Smart meters will make the energy market more accessible, and energy consumers will feel more in control. This increased engagement will drive a more vibrant and competitive market.
Ofgem has referred the energy markets to the Competition and Markets Authority for investigation. The Government has committed to acting on the Competition and Market Authority’s recommendations which are due to be published by June this year.