The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Hendrick on 2016-03-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people using the Chorlton Benefit Delivery Centre required a mandatory reconsideration of funeral payments in each month in 2015; and how many of the decisions on those reconsiderations were in the claimant’s favour.
Justin Tomlinson
The information requested is not available.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Gould of Potternewton on 2016-04-13.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why NHS England does not intend to reimburse some sexual health clinics for the provision of post-exposure prophylaxis.
Lord Prior of Brampton
NHS England has advised that it is not changing its commissioning policy in relation to post exposure prophylaxis after sexual exposure to HIV (PEPSE). However, NHS England is aiming to produce guidance to clarify how contractual arrangement for PEPSE can work in sexual health services that are no longer provided by the National Health Service and or have no experience of prescribing of antiretroviral drugs to enable appropriate levels of monitoring for quality and safety. NHS England remains committed to reimbursement for the appropriate use of PEPSE.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-05-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans her Department has to encourage the promotion of LGBT rights through its work with recipients of UK aid.
Mr Desmond Swayne
‘DFID’s approach to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights’ was published in February 2016 on the UK Government website. It outlines how DFID will focus on building clarity and narrative around non-discrimination in development and identifying and engaging with the Southern voices.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Hendrick on 2016-07-07.
To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what facilities are available for (a) lactating mothers and (b) the changing of babies within churches in the Diocese of Blackburn (i) during church services and (ii) at other times.
Mrs Caroline Spelman
The Child Friendly Church Award, now achieved by well over 100 churches in the Diocese of Blackburn, places children at the centre of the worship & ministry of our parish churches. This ensures that mothers who wish to breastfeed will find a warm welcome and adequate provision in these churches. We are grateful to the honourable member for the interest he continues to take in the detailed domestic affairs of the parishes of the diocese. I would encourage him to take this up with the Bishop in his own diocese with regard to making progress at a local level.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Barker on 2016-10-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the budget of the UK Trade Office in Raleigh, North Carolina for (1) 2016–17, and (2) 2017–18.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The British Government Office in Raleigh will be run by the member of staff hired locally in the US. Costs are expected to be low and limited to salary, office space rental and discretionary budget for travel and representational activities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of trained doctors; and if he will make a statement.
Ben Gummer
The annual workforce census, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre shows that as at 30 September 2014 there were 4,662 more consultants and 2,389 more doctors in training working in the National Health Service in England than there were in September 2010.
The census also shows that there were 1,219 more qualified general practitioners (GPs) working in England over the same period.
The Government has maintained the number of undergraduate medical training places at a level sufficient to support continued increase in the medical workforce in England.Where there are shortages in specific specialties, the Department will work with Health Education England and NHS England to address them for example, through the ten point plan for the general practice workforce, which will boost recruitment, encourage experienced GPs to remain in the profession and support GPs to return to practice. The Government has also committed to providing an estimated 5,000 more doctors working in general practice by 2020.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mendelsohn on 2015-12-14.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultation was carried out on the provisions outlined in clause 10 of the Trade Union Bill.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Clause 10 of the Trade Union Bill takes forward the Government’s manifesto commitment to introduce a greater level of transparency into union activities by requiring union members to make an active decision to contribute to a union’s political fund.
Therefore, there has been no further consultation on this.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ruth Cadbury on 2016-01-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect Tier 2 migration is having on the (a) pay and (b) terms and conditions of UK employees.
James Brokenshire
Tier 2, the skilled worker route, is designed to fill roles which cannot be filled by a suitable resident worker. The immigration rules, and UK employment law, do not allow workers to be made redundant and directly replaced.
It is a decision for businesses whether to outsource certain functions. We are, however, mindful of concerns that use of the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) category for third party contracting may undercut or displace resident workers.
That is why, in June last year, we commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to examine the ICT category as part of its wider review on Tier 2. The MAC published its report on 19 January and it can be found on the gov.uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/migration-advisory-committee-mac-review-tier-2-migration
Chapter 6 of the report sets out the MAC’s findings on the ICT category, including its use for third party contracting, the salaries paid to IT workers and the impacts on the resident labour market. The MAC found that salaries for these transferees were clustered around the 25th percentile of earnings for resident workers in IT occupations (the current minimum permitted under the immigration rules).
The Government is currently considering the MAC’s findings carefully and will announce any changes in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Lord Bishop of Southwark on 2016-02-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the decision by the High Court of Israel on 1 February to dismiss the latest petitions submitted by the Salesian Sisters Convent against the building of the annexation wall in the Cremisan Valley.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK’s position on the Separation Barrier is clear: where it has been constructed beyond the 1967 border, such as in the case of the Cremisan Valley, it is illegal under international law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-03-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, under the plans following the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, there will be more or fewer Royal Navy ships in commission by 2025 than the 57 currently.
Earl Howe
The 2015 Strategic and Defence Security Review announced that we will maintain our fleet of 19 frigates and destroyers whilst also conducting a concept phase assessment for the design and build of a new class of lighter, flexible general purpose frigate. This will mean that by the 2030s we can further increase the total number of frigates and destroyers. Joint Force 2025 will also include three replacement solid support ships, the two new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and at least two new offshore patrol vessels. Our national shipbuilding strategy, which we will publish later this year, will inform our plans.