The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his policy is on the declaration and publication by civil servants of financial interests other than gifts and hospitality.
Matthew Hancock
There are no plans to publish such declarations which are personal information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rebecca Long Bailey on 2016-06-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether it is his policy to require social housing providers to ensure that a proportion of their properties are adapted for disabled residents.
Mr Marcus Jones
The Government already has measures in place to help people with disabilities to live independently. It has committed to support disabled people to live safely in independent accommodation suitable to their needs by investing over £1 billion pounds through Disabled Facilities Grant since 2010.
There are no plans to require local authorities to require social housing providers to ensure that a proportion of their properties are adapted for disabled residents.
The Government is also investing over £200 million to develop over 4,000 affordable homes providing specialised accommodation for older people and adults with physical disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health needs, through the Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund. The statutory ‘reasonable preference’ requirements ensure that priority for social housing is given to those who need to move on medical and welfare grounds, including grounds relating to a disability.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the obstruction of humanitarian agencies delivering assistance to civilians and the expulsion of international NGOs in South Sudan would trigger the sanctions regime provided for in UN Security Council Resolution 2304.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The sanctions threat in UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2304 relates specifically to the obstruction of the UN Mission in South Sudan or the deployment of a Regional Protection Force. However, the obstruction of the activities of international peacekeeping, diplomatic, or humanitarian missions in South Sudan or of the delivery or distribution of, or access to, humanitarian assistance are some of the criteria set out in UNSCR 2290, which renewed the sanctions regime on South Sudan until 31 May 2017.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-10-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to implement the recommendation of the Review of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for victims of human trafficking, published in November 2014, on contacting all relevant people going through the NRM to remind them when their immigration leave expires.
Sarah Newton
We are committed to doing all we can to identify and support UK-based victims of modern slavery. Following the NRM, and in consultation with law enforcement and NGOs, we are piloting ways of improving the efficacy and efficiency of existing arrangements in two regions. The pilot will be evaluated and the findings will inform any reforms that we decide to roll out. Putting the NRM on a statutory footing would require secondary legislation and we will consider whether there is a need do so at the end of the pilot.
However, following the commencement of the Immigration (Variation of Leave) Order 2016, individuals on an Overseas Domestic Workers (ODW) visa only, who are also potential victims of modern slavery, are informed of the date that their visa will expire and whether they can continue to work. They will be updated up until 28 days after a conclusive grounds decision is made.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2015-11-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what effect the spending reductions agreed between his Department and HM Treasury will have on the (a) Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, (b) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, (c) Maritime and Coastguard Agency and (d) Vehicle Certification Agency.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Government will provide full details of the Spending Review outcome on 25 November.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail and Suffolk County Council on increasing the number of services stopping at Newmarket railway station.
Claire Perry
The Secretary of State has held no discussions with Network Rail and Suffolk County Council on increasing the number of services stopping at Newmarket station.
The issues of future passenger and freight demand, route capacity and service levels have been considered in Network Rail’s Anglia Route Study; and will be considered by the Department in future planning cycles.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tania Mathias on 2016-01-19.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the new electronic system of quarterly income tax reporting will allow small businesses to align their reporting with VAT returns.
Mr David Gauke
Making Tax Digital will simplify tax administration for small businesses. The Government believes VAT registered businesses should have the option to provide HMRC with one update to cover both VAT and their profits-based taxes. We will consult widely on the details of Making Tax Digital during 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2016-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of a British exit from the EU on the international legal enforceability of protected UK food names.
George Eustice
We have not made an assessment of the potential effect of a British exit from the EU on the international legal enforceability of protected UK food names.
Separately, the Government is taking steps to achieve a significant increase in the number of UK food products covered by the EU’s protected food names scheme. We continue to exert pressure on the European Commission to secure wider international recognition of these products, as well as our wines and spirits drinks that are protected by Geographical Indications, in the context of EU bilateral trade negotiations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tebbit on 2016-03-02.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any (1) minister, (2) official, or (3) ministerial special adviser, importuned any persons to sign letters concerning the European Referendum or the consequences of a national vote for leaving the EU in national newspapers; and if so, (a) how many were importuned, (b) how many signed, and (c) how many declined to do so.
Lord Bridges of Headley
I refer the Noble Lord to the Prime Minister’s oral response to the Hon Member for Mid Bedfordshire on 22 February 2016: Column 32.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mhairi Black on 2016-04-26.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which (a) PFI contracts and (b) other large contracts between the Government and private bodies have been renegotiated since May 2010.
Greg Hands
There are over 700 operational PFI contracts across the UK, the large majority of which are managed and operated by local authorities, NHS trusts and the devolved governments. There is no requirement for any contracting authority to notify HM Treasury of contract renegotiations and, as a result, we do not hold the information requested.