The below Parliamentary question was asked by Debbie Abrahams on 2015-10-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress the Government has made on developing proposals for reform of the Human Rights Act 1998.
Dominic Raab
This Government will fully consult on our proposals, this session, before introducing legislation for a British Bill of Rights. Further details will be announced in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Thangam Debbonaire on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his policy is on the Government continuing to sign off arms export licenses for those countries identified as a cause for concern by the Committees on Arms Export Controls and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and if he will make a statement.
Anna Soubry
The Government takes its export responsibilities very seriously and aims to operate one of the most robust export control regimes in the world. Government policy is enshrined in the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, known as the Consolidated Criteria. We rigorously examine every application on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated Criteria and will only issue an export licence where to do so would be consistent with these criteria.
We undertake appropriate checks using both open and other sources when considering licence applications. To ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach, this will involve Desk and Post in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and relevant experts from other Departments.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Blomfield on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he expects to respond to the consultation on postgraduate study, student loans and other support.
Joseph Johnson
The consultation response is currently being analysed and the Department expects to respond in the Autumn.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Stephens on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of civil servants who have the right to deductions at source of trade unions dues in their contract of employment.
Matthew Hancock
This is a matter for individual government departments, to which check-off arrangements are delegated.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ben Howlett on 2015-10-09.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the proportion of VAT revenue accruing to the Exchequer which derives from businesses with an annual turnover under (a) £150,000 and (b) £250,000.
Mr David Gauke
HM Revenue and Customs does not routinely publish estimates of VAT revenue accruing to the Exchequer which derives from businesses.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2015-10-09.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many reports he has received in each of the last two financial years of HM Revenue and Customs’ electronic application portal failing to record and register data and supporting documentation submitted by applicants for child and working tax credits.
Damian Hinds
HM Revenue and Customs do not have an electronic application portal for applicants for child and working tax credits. New claims for tax credits can be submitted by post or over the telephone.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame Morris on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to improve supported accommodation for homeless young people in (a) Easington constituency, (b) County Durham, (c) the North East and (d) England.
Mr Marcus Jones
The Government is committed to preventing youth homelessness and we are taking specific action across England to support young homeless people into stable accommodation, education training or employment.
We have invested £14 million to enable Crisis to support 10,000 vulnerable single people into privately rented tenancies, of which 41 projects are specifically targeted at young people.
Our £15 million Fair Chance Fund payment by results scheme is supporting 1,600 vulnerable homeless 18-25 year olds into accommodation, education training and employment. Projects for the scheme are being delivered across the country including North East areas such as Newcastle, Northumberland, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Gateshead, Durham and Sunderland.
In addition, the Government is investing £40 million in Platform for Life, a lower rent shared accommodation programme to provide young homeless people a stable base for work and study. We have also implemented the ‘Youth Accommodation Pathway’, good practice model that supports young people to remain in the family home where it is safe to do so and offers tailored support for those who cannot. This has been disseminated across all English local authorities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Laurence Robertson on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will introduce a television licence scheme based on days rather than months.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The way in which the BBC is funded, and how the licence fee works -including potential simpler systems of payment -is an important aspect of the current debate around Charter Review. There has been a range of opinions expressed, not least as part of the substantial consultation response,and I will be considering these through the Charter Review process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) military, (b) non-commercial civil and (c) commercial civilian flights flew (i) into or (ii) out of RAF Northolt in (A) 2013-14 and (B) 2014-15; how many such flights are expected to take place in (1) 2015-16 and (2) 2016-17; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Philip Dunne
Take-offs and landings are not recorded separately. The figures for aircraft movements (either a take-off or a landing) are as follows:
|
Year |
Military |
Non-Commercial Civil |
Commercial Civilian (including commercial aeromed) |
London Air Ambulance |
Total Non-Military |
|
|
2013-14 |
4,068 |
14 |
9,227 |
847 |
10,088 |
|
|
2014-15 |
4,023 |
447 |
9,366 |
592 |
10,405 |
|
|
2015-16 (April to August) |
1,584 |
139 |
4,242 |
289 |
4,670 |
The maximum number of commercial aircraft movements permitted per year at RAF Northolt is 12,000. However, given the other limitations on commercial traffic at the station (for example hours of operation, daily limits, etc.), totals for the years 2015-16 and 2016-17 are expected to be broadly similar to the previous two years (i.e. 4,000 to 5,000 military, 9,000 to 10,000 commercial civilian and 14,000 to 15,000 total).
London Air Ambulance flights are recorded separately as they do not fit under any other category.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Leslie on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress his Department has made on the merger of further education colleges in Nottingham; and what options are under consideration for broadening and improving the governance of that new institution.
Nick Boles
Following a city-wide review of further education provision in Nottingham by the Further Education Commissioner, the Boards of Governors of New College Nottingham and Central College Nottingham have agreed to pursue a merger of their colleges to take effect from September 2016.
Colleges are independent corporations and responsible for their own decision making, including the governance arrangements that will apply to the merged entity.