The below Parliamentary question was asked by Eilidh Whiteford on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average number of days was from the posting of a medical certificate by a claimant in support of an employment and support allowance claim to the day his Department acknowledged receipt of that certificate in the last 12 months.
Penny Mordaunt
The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Touhig on 2016-10-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contingency plans have been put in place in the event of a mechanical failure of one of the Trafalgar Class submarines due to the withdrawal of the only Royal Navy repair ship RFA Diligence.
Earl Howe
Should on-board engineers be unable to resolve a problem with any ship or submarine, there is a range of ways in which operational maintenance and repair can be delivered. This can include the deployment of a Royal Navy repair and maintenance party, or utilising well-established commercial arrangements and international agreements, such as the use of other countries’ bases and facilities. This is particularly the case where resources and facilities are not available within the Ministry of Defence or are more effectively provided by a third party.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2015-10-29.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make representations on reducing the gender pay gap at the BBC during forthcoming discussions on the BBC Charter.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The Charter Review is looking at the BBC’s mission, purpose and values; scale and scope of its services and operations; the way it is funded; and also governance and accountability.
Last week, the Government announced new measures to eradicate gender inequality in the workplace, including forcing larger public sector employersto publish information about their bonuses for men and women and extending plans for gender pay gap reporting.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2015-11-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 2.82, page 94 of the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015, what progress his Department has made on introducing flexible season tickets on the Govia Thameslink Railway franchise.
Claire Perry
The introduction and roll-out of part-time season tickets will give people who commute part-time a better deal than they currently have access to. We have challenged the rail industry to develop proposals for pricing and delivering more flexible season tickets for those who work or commute part-time which could also attract new customers onto the railway.
Progress on delivery of more flexible tickets is beginning to be made. Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) have a franchise commitment to introduce carnet style tickets on their smartcards which is subject to the Secretary of State’s approval.
A number of costed options are being reviewed and a pilot programme has been developed, benefitting from and delivering the Key smart ticketing capability, this is expected to be introduced in May 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Healey on 2016-01-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what consultation his Department has undertaken with organisations that provide supported housing for vulnerable people (a) before and (b) since the announcement that housing benefit for tenants in supported housing will be capped at the local rate of local housing allowance.
Brandon Lewis
Ministers from the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Department of Work and Pensions regularly consult with a wide range of organisations as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Ministers and officials from both Departments are meeting relevant organisations from all sectors.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jo Cox on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department paid out in attendance allowance in each of the last three years.
Justin Tomlinson
The Department publishes historic benefit expenditure and caseload data consistent with the annual Budget and Autumn Statements. These are available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2015
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Virendra Sharma on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Prime Minister, what the (a) policy and (b) other responsibilities are of each special adviser in 10 Downing Street.
Mr David Cameron
A list of special advisers, and their pay bands, is published on an annual basis.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2016-03-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the definition of the term Commonwealth values” when used by that organisation.”
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We believe that Commonwealth values are those set out clearly in the Commonwealth Charter which was adopted by Heads of Government on 14 December 2012. These include democracy, human rights, international peace and security, through to gender equality and the role of civil society. We will continue to work with the Commonwealth Secretariat to ensure that commitments in the Charter are upheld, adhered to and kept under review by member governments, parliaments and civil society organisations. Hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2018 will give us the opportunity to build on the excellent progress made in Malta and reinforce the need for all members to observe the values outlined in the Charter.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-04-27.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of all disbursements for public sector pensions for all those in employment and currently entitled to such pensions.
Greg Hands
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) publish a forecast of the net cost of public sector pensions in the Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO) at every fiscal event.
This shows the total income for public service pensions, including employer and employee contributions, and the total expenditure for public service pensions, through pensions in payment.
More information can be found on page 154 of the OBR’s most recent EFO.
http://cdn.budgetresponsibility.org.uk/March2016EFO.pdf
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-06-06.
To ask the Attorney General, if he will take steps to offer incentives to encourage more solicitors to offer pro bono work.
Robert Buckland
Pro Bono is a voluntary commitment made by lawyers who understand that the service they provide is invaluable to those individuals who would otherwise be denied access to justice.
As pro bono champions of the Government, the Law Officers support a number of projects through our co-ordinating committees. The Government has also provided funding for several projects, such as the Litigants in Person package run by the Ministry of Justice.