The below Parliamentary question was asked by Melanie Onn on 2016-03-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the average length of time taken to be diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease.
Jane Ellison
Information concerning the average length of time taken to be diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease is not collected.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Kawczynski on 2016-03-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the financial consequences of the EU sanctions on Russia on Serbia.
Mr David Lidington
The EU imposed sanctions on Russia in response to the annexation of Crimea and the crisis in Eastern Ukraine. Serbia has not currently imposed sanctions on Russia. No assessment on the financial consequences of EU sanctons on Russia has been made.
Neither I, nor the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), have had any disucssions with our Serbian counterparts on the financial consequences to Serbia of EU sanctions on Russia, but the UK Government has regularly encouraged Serbia, as an accession country, to align itself fully with EU foreign policy. The UK Government has not received any represenations from the Serbian government about the impact of EU sanctions on Russia on the Serbian economy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2016-05-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of reports of collusion within the police forces and other agencies after the Hillsborough disaster, whether they will introduce legislation to prevent serving members of the police force and the judiciary from belonging to the freemasons.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Any police officer must be able to discharge their duties within the law and is expected to abide by the oath of constable. The Standards of Professional Behaviour, set out in Schedule 2 to the Police (Conduct) Regulations (2012), require police officers to be ‘honest, act with integrity and . . . not compromise or abuse their position’. Police officers must be able to do so, irrespective of membership of any external membership organisations.
The College of Policing introduced a Code of Ethics in July 2014 which applies to all police officers and staff in England and Wales and sets out clear principles and standards of behaviour expected of them. It is for individual forces to determine whether an individual officer’s behaviour or misconduct meets the standards that are set out and where they are not, to investigate and instigate disciplinary proceedings where appropriate.
Following the Chapman Review in 2014, the Government is continuing its programme of reforms to improve police integrity and the police discipline system, including through the Policing and Crime Bill which is currently before parliament to improve the system and its ability to hold officers to account for their actions and behaviour.
In the case of judges it is also essential to the rule of law that they are independent and impartial when exercising their judicial functions. All judicial office holders should recuse themselves in any case where bias or the appearance of bias arises and are counselled against engaging in any activity which might undermine or be reasonably thought to undermine their judicial independence or impartiality. These commitments are enshrined in the judicial oath.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Blenkinsop on 2016-06-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to increase accessibility to university buildings for disabled students.
Joseph Johnson
The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone with the potential has the opportunity to benefit from higher education, irrespective of their background or mode of learning. In the last academic year we saw record entry rates to higher education, including among those from disadvantaged backgrounds
Higher Education Institutions have responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 to support their students, including those with disabilities. They have a clear legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people to ensure they are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled students.
To support Higher Education (HE) providers to prepare for the changes to Disabled Students’ Allowances that come into effect from academic year 2016/17, the Department has supported the establishment of a sector-led group ofstakeholders. The group’s focus is to communicate with senior leaders of HE providers, to help provide information about institutions’ responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments for disabled students, and to encourage HE providers to develop inclusive learning environments.
In addition, universities expect to spend more than £745 million through access agreements agreed with the Director of Fair Access on measures to improve access and success for students from disadvantaged groups, including disabled students – up significantly from £404 million in 2009.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Northover on 2016-09-12.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of tobacco use on international development as well as on public health.
Lord Prior of Brampton
The Government recognises the significant impact of tobacco use on international development.
Tobacco use is the world’s single most preventable cause of disease. If current patterns of use persist, tobacco will kill about 1 billion people in the 21st century. Evidence indicates that by 2030, over 80% of the world’s tobacco-related mortality will be in low and middle income countries.
Tobacco use is also a major barrier to sustainable development. A major driver of social inequities, tobacco use imposes significant social, economic and environmental harm on individuals, families and national economies.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Brendan MacNeil on 2016-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to review the planned business rate increase for organisations that seek to own or supply their energy with roof top solar panels in the light of carbon emissions targets agreed at the Paris Climate Change Conference.
Mr Marcus Jones
Business rates policy in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Government. In England, business rates are based on valuations from the Valuation Office Agency and we do not intervene in their independent assessments. We have proposed a £3.4 billion transitional relief scheme for England to ensure that no ratepayer is unfairly penalised by the 2017 revaluation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Glen on 2015-10-28.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many officials of his Department are responsible for work directly relating to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Harriett Baldwin
The Treasury’s business covers matters relating to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in a number of areas such as welfare, spending and pensions. As such it is not possible to give a definitive number of people who are responsible for work directly relating to DWP. The Treasury is appropriately resourced to achieve its strategic objectives in this area.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-11-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of premium service spousal visa applications were determined on the day of application in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013 and (e) 2014.
James Brokenshire
The proportion of premium service spousal visa applications that received a grant or refusal outcome and were determined on the day of application during 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were (data from 2009 has been included for context):
• In 2009, of 5930 applications, 80% were determined on the day of application
• In 2010, of 6360 applications, 80% were determined on the day of application
• In 2011, of 6855 applications, 74% were determined on the day of application
• In 2012, of 5670 applications, 69% were determined on the day of application
• In 2013, of 6335 applications, 78% were determined on the day of application
• In 2014, of 6725 applications, 91% were determined on the day of application
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Derek Thomas on 2015-12-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how the proposed council tax levy for social care will support integration of health and social care.
Alistair Burt
The Government is committed to delivering more person-centred care through programmes such as the Better Care Fund, the Integrated Care Pioneers and the Vanguards. The proposed council tax levy gives councils the flexibility to raise additional funds. Councils can also voluntarily invest additional funds in programmes if they wish.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the recommendations from the Accelerated Access Review interim report and the Cancer Drugs Fund consultation are not contradictory.
George Freeman
The Accelerated Access Review’s independent chair, Sir Hugh Taylor, is considering a range of options for accelerating patient access to innovative products, as set out in the interim report. The review team is working closely with NHS England to ensure that the review recommendations are aligned with emerging thinking on the Cancer Drugs Fund.