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Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Mark Menzies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Mark Menzies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2014-06-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Virgin Trains on ensuring that its proposed train service from Blackpool to Euston will stop at Kirkham Station.

    Stephen Hammond

    On 19 June 2014 the Secretary of State announced that Virgin had been awarded a new Direct Award franchise. This commenced on 22 June 2014, and will run until the new planned commencement of the next competed franchise in April 2017.

    Virgin and Network Rail will now submit an application to the Office of Rail Regulation for new services between Blackpool North and London Euston, which will include stops at Kirkham & Wesham and Poulton le Fylde stations. The new services are planned to commence in December 2014.

  • Kate Green – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Kate Green – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Green on 2014-06-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how his Department plans to monitor the effect of changes in the Independent Living Fund on individual recipients; and if he will make a statement.

    Mike Penning

    As stated in the Equality Analysis published on 6 March, the Department will be developing plans for evaluating the impact of the closure on former users of the Independent Living Fund.

  • Rachel Reeves – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Rachel Reeves – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rachel Reeves on 2014-06-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2014, Official Report, column 174W, on universal credit, whether he has approved the Department for Work and Pensions’ business case for the implementation of universal credit.

    Esther McVey

    The Chief Secretary to the Treasury has approved the UC Strategic Outline Business Case plans for the remainder of this Parliament (2014-15) as per the Ministerial announcement (5th December 2013, Official Report, column 65WS) —link to WMS:

    http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131205/wmstext/131205m0001.htm#column_65ws

    “

  • Tom Watson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Tom Watson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2014-06-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 19 October 2013, Official Report, column 235W, on billing, what the value was of duplicate supplier payments identified by his Department’s audit; and what proportion of such payments have since been recovered.

    Elizabeth Truss

    The Department’s spend recovery audit contractor has identified a small number of duplicate payments (excluding Executive Agencies). In 2012/13 there were 12 duplicate payments and in 2013/14 there was one. Any duplicate payments that have been identified and already recovered in previous years would not have been picked up in this audit.

    The value of these duplicate payments is £110,527 over the five years audited. The audit was completed in April 2014 and we have recovered £40,256 (36%) of the total amount, with the remainder being subject to an ongoing recovery process by the contractor. We expect the contractor to pursue the remaining recovery action quickly.

    In addition to the recovery work currently being undertaken, the Department has brought in other measures to minimise the risk of duplicate payments. From August 2013, arrangements for grants payments are dealt with by a central grants payment team. More recently, we have implemented the use of a unique reference number (URN) to reduce the risk of inaccurate grant payments and improve management information. The Department also ensures that finance guidance is updated as appropriate to ensure risks are minimised and we have regular discussions with our shared service provider about continuous improvements, which includes measures such as routine supplier data cleansing and clear protocols.

  • Gregory Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Gregory Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2014-06-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the threat level for UK visitors to Kenya.

    Mark Simmonds

    There is a high threat from terrorism, including kidnapping, in Kenya. The main threat comes from extremists linked to Al Shabaab, a militant group that has carried out attacks in Kenya in response to Kenya’s military intervention in Somalia. Violent crime also poses a threat. Full details of our travel advice for British Nationals can be found online. The FCO keeps its travel advice under constant review.

  • Mark Menzies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Mark Menzies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2014-06-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make available additional funding to improve care for people with dementia.

    Norman Lamb

    Improving dementia care is a priority for the Government, and the Prime Minister. On the 28 February, my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced his ambition for improving dementia care and support for people with dementia, their family and carers.

    NHS England has identified around £90 million annually that is available nationally to the National Health Service to support timely diagnosis of dementia and to ensure that by 2015, two-thirds of people with dementia have a diagnosis and receive appropriate support following diagnosis.

    The Department has committed to double funding for research for dementia by 2015.

    The Department has also provided major funding to improve dementia care for the following:

    – Dementia Friends programme, £2.4 million funded by Cabinet Office and the Department;

    – Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) £54 million in April 2012 and £108 million in April 2013;

    – Dementia Friendly Environments Capital Fund £50 million, October 2012;

    – Dementia Awareness Campaign £3.2 million, September 2012;

    – Dementia Workforce Development Fund for Social Care Staff (administered by Skills for Care) £2.4 million July 2012. In addition to this we have funded further Workforce Projects to the value of £1,640,000 since 2012-13 (£540,000 in 2012-13, £700,000 in 2013-14 and £400,000 planned for 2014-15);

    – Breakthrough Innovation Challenge Prize £1 million announced, June 2012; and

    – Social Services support to Memory Services £10 million, September 2011.

  • David Davis – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    David Davis – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Davis on 2014-06-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Defence and Security lecture on 24 June 2014 and to the estimated 20 cases dropped by the National Crime Agency, how many communication warrants were applied for in such cases; how many such requests were rejected by the telecommunication companies; and what reason was given for each such rejection.

    James Brokenshire

    Communications data is a vital tool needed by law enforcement agencies to investigate crime, protect the public and ensure national security. These
    agencies’ capability to access this data when it is needed is degrading as a result of rapidly changing technology. The figures quoted in the speech at
    Mansion House on 24 June demonstrate the impact that capability gaps are having on investigations.

    With reference to the 13 incidents involving children, these cases could not be pursued because the data needed to identify them from their activities online was not available. The current status of these children is therefore unknown. Where the Single Point of Contact in a law enforcement agency knows that data is not held by the service provider in question, they will not process a request for the data in the first place (as it would not be an appropriate use of their powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000).

  • Mark Menzies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Mark Menzies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2014-06-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail on the introduction of a passing loop on the South Fylde Line.

    Stephen Hammond

    I have had no discussions with Network Rail on this subject. Network Rail is currently undertaking a Long Term Planning Process in consultation with industry, local and other stakeholders to identify priorities for future development of the rail network following the 2014-2019 Control Period.

  • Lord Eames – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Lord Eames – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Eames on 2014-06-25.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the criteria for applicants to the UK Border Force.

    Lord Taylor of Holbeach

    Applicants applying for permanent positions with Border Force are required to meet a range of eligibility criteria, depending upon the role and grade. This may include nationality, age, driving licence, academic achievements for the grade and previous experience.

    The criteria for the key posts of Border Force Officer and Assistant Officer was formally reviewed in 2012. The requirement to hold a driving licence underwent an internal policy equality review in 2013.

  • Lord Hylton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Hylton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hylton on 2014-06-25.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have offered any assistance to the government of Israel in finding the three youths who were recently kidnapped.

    Baroness Warsi

    The Government had offered practical support to help find the kidnapped Israeli teenagers. Following discovery of their bodies, the Prime Minister, my right hon Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), expressed his deep sadness at this appalling and inexcusable act of terror.