The below Parliamentary question was asked by Geoffrey Cox on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent representations he has received on regional variations on the availability of treatment for arthritis.
Jane Ellison
No representations have been made to Ministers in the Department on regional variations in the availability of treatment for arthritis.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gavin Newlands on 2016-02-05.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the policy of HM Revenue and Customs is on using debt collection agencies to retrieve outstanding tax payments from (a) individuals and (b) businesses.
Mr David Gauke
As an integral part of its overall debt policy, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) uses private sector debt collection agencies as additional resource capacity, to extend the reach of its debt recovery activities (currently around 3% of all collection activity), particularly in relation to high volume, low value, debts. This ensures that all debts are kept in active recovery, and releases HMRC staff to focus on higher value more complex cases.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2016-03-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will seek a meeting with the new President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, on reducing corruption in international football.
David Evennett
The government is committed to tackling corruption in sport. I have no plans to meet with Mr Infantino at this stage. I am, however, happy to work with all sports bodies, including international federations, to discuss reducing corruption and promoting good governance in sport.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Debbie Abrahams on 2016-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications from care leavers between the age of 18 and 25 were made for reconsideration or appeal of a sanction decision in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15.
Priti Patel
The information requested in respect of care leavers is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-05-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the proposals of the French government to sell assets to raise capital to fund Hinkley Point C on the viability of that project.
Andrea Leadsom
EDF and the French Government have agreed a way forward on financing of the company. The chairman of EDF has begun a non-binding consultation with the company council ahead of a final investment decision, which is a commercial matter for EDF. The British Government and EDF are both confident that Hinkley will go ahead. The French Government also remain fully committed to the project.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno on 2016-06-09.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the estimated income from tourists from the EU who visited the UK in each of the last five years.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
In 2011, tourists from the EU spent £8.26 billion in the UK. This was £8.28 billion in 2012, £9.19 billion in 2013, £9.55 billion in 2014 and £9.71 billion in 2015. This Government is committed to further growing the tourism industry across the whole of Britain, encouraging more visitors to travel beyond the capital.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick on 2016-09-06.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help young people who are concerned about their debts from student loans and mortgages.
Lord O’Neill of Gatley
The Government recognises that there are those who face problem debt. The Money Advice Service (MAS) is responsible for the coordination of publically funded free to client debt advice and is financed by a levy on the financial services industry.
Mortgage lending is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The regulation of mortgage lending is based on the principle that mortgages should only be advanced where there is a reasonable expectation that borrowers can repay. All lenders must conduct a thorough affordability assessment in order to ensure any lending is responsible.
Graduates only have to start repaying their student loans when their earnings are above the repayment threshold of £21,000. Any outstanding debts are written off 30 years after graduation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 2016-10-21.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to ask the competition authorities and the Care Quality Commission to review the Age UK report on self-funders in care homes published on 20 October.
Lord Prior of Brampton
Care and support is arranged on an open market where prices and fee rates are negotiated locally by commissioners for state funded clients, whilst individuals and their families do so for those who self-fund. The Government has no say in these individual negotiations.
Under the Care Act, councils are under a duty to promote their overall local provider market to ensure it remains sustainable and delivers high-quality services for all local people. Prices and fee rates paid by commissioners to provider organisations must reflect these new duties.
The Department published the Care and Support statutory guidance setting out how councils should meet these new duties when commissioning, including the consideration of the actual costs of care and support when negotiating fee levels. This guidance is an online-only resource, subject to updates.
The Department is aware of the Age UK report Behind the headlines: ‘stuck in the middle’ – self-funders in care homes. There are many reasons why individuals who self-fund may pay more than local authorities, including premium accommodation and services, and discounts that may be available to authorities for bulk purchasing and lower transaction costs.
The Government has no plans to ask the competition authorities or the Care Quality Commission to review the Age UK report, though we maintain a continuing dialogue across government and with the sector to encourage good practice and fairness to consumers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2015-11-09.
To ask the Attorney General, what steps his Department has taken to embed the family test into its policy making.
Jeremy Wright
The Family Test was announced by the Prime Minister in August 2014 and introduced in October 2014. DWP published guidance for Departments and officials on how the test should be applied when formulating policy and whenever appropriate the Law Officers’ Departments would follow that guidance.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2015-12-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many sexual assault referral centres offer therapeutic services for (a) adults and (b) children under 18.
Jane Ellison
The independent review of pathways for victims of sexual assault was commissioned by NHS England. Work on next steps, including production of a summary report, is ongoing.
Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) service models vary from area to area, dependant on the commissioning decisions taken by police and Police and Crime Commissioners in partnership with their NHS England commissioners. Data on the numbers of SARCs offering therapeutic services is not collected centrally.