The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Maynard on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which organisations have received how much funding from his Department aimed at supporting access to short breaks and respite provision for children, young people and their families experiencing all types of disadvantage in each of the last five financial years.
Mike Penning
The Department has no schemes of this nature.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what average period of time is spent on bail by an offender whose case is dealt with in a (a) magistrates’ court and (b) Crown court where the offender (i) pleads guilty at the outset, (ii) changes their plea to guilty during the course of the proceedings and (iii) pleads not guilty.
Mr Shailesh Vara
Information on bail and remand collected centrally by the Ministry of Justice and held on the Court Proceedings Database does not include any information on the length of time defendants were held on bail or remand. This information could only be ascertained by reference to individual court files which could only be achieved at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many contracted staff there are carrying out functions for his Department who are paid less than the Living Wage by (a) occupation, (b) location and (c) contractor.
Mike Penning
DWP have discussed with contractors the payment of the London Living Wage. Telereal Trillium have worked with us so that from April 2014 all of their London based staff were paid at least the level of the living wage. Discussions are continuing with our other major contractor, Cofely.
We intend to have the same negotiations regarding staff based across the regions where the situation is currently:
|
REGION |
NUMBER OF STAFF |
|
Scotland |
539 |
|
North East |
309 |
|
North West |
885 |
|
Yorks & Humber |
529 |
|
East Midlands |
255 |
|
West Midlands |
770 |
|
East Of England |
252 |
|
Wales |
279 |
|
South East |
366 |
|
London |
2 |
|
South West |
307 |
|
TOTAL |
4,493 |
It is not possible to provide further breakdown of these figures as this information is commercially sensitive.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Birt on 2014-05-06.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to reduce the ratio of national debt to gross domestic product to below 40 per cent; and, if so, in which year.
Lord Deighton
As set out in Budget 2014, given the costs and risks of high levels of debt, once the supplementary debt target has been met, any future government will need to ensure that debt continues to fall as a percentage of GDP. Even in the absence of future shocks sustained action will be needed to bring down debt.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Murphy on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many full time members of staff in her Department have responsibility for tuberculosis.
Justine Greening
There are 12 full-time staff in the Health Services Team and Global Funds Department whose roles include work on tuberculosis. In addition there are a wide range of staff across the Department, including research, press, policy, financial and corporate advisers and staff in country offices, whose roles include work on tuberculosis.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support for the payment of mortgage interest will be available for universal credit recipients in low paid work; and if he will make a statement.
Steve Webb
Under the current system, low paid workers are able to supplement their earnings by claiming support from tax credits. However, tax credits do not make any allowance for mortgage interest payments. Similarly, when Universal Credit replaces the tax credit system, there will be no entitlement to help with mortgage interest during any period in which the claimant is in paid work.
However the earnings rules are far more generous in Universal Credit. This means that most people, particularly those on low incomes, have a significantly greater incentive to move into work than under the current system.
The vast majority of people claiming UC will be better off in work: even if they work part-time and even if they receive a low hourly rate of pay. For example, a lone parent receiving the average amount of mortgage interest who takes up a job that pays the national minimum wage will be better off than under the current system if he or she works just 7hours a week.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-05-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the prevalence of ticks in deer; and what steps he is taking to tackle ticks in deer.
George Eustice
Defra has not made an assessment of the prevalence of ticks in deer but I am aware that they are widespread. The Deer Initiative, which is part funded by Defra, provides advice on ticks on its website.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Buckland on 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to his written statement of 7 April 2014, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, on Higher Education: student support, what impact assessment his Department has made of the proposed changes to disabled students’ allowances.
Mr David Willetts
We are currently consulting with a wide range of stakeholders to help inform both the Equality Analysis and Disabled Students’ Allowances Guidance for 2015/16.
I will have due regard to an updated Equality Analysis before a final decision is made and regulations are laid before the House.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is giving to the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict for the campaign to eradicate the recruitment of children by government armed forces by 2016.
Mark Simmonds
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides funding of £150,000 over three years (January 2013-December 2015) to the Office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict. These funds strengthen the UN SRSG’s capacity to monitor violations committed against children in situations of concern, in line with UNSC Resolutions 1612, 1882, 1998 on children and armed conflict and including countries covered by the UN SRSG’s campaign, such as Burma and South Sudan.
Children and Armed Conflict is an important personal priority. I am leading a campaign to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers and to protect children from becoming victims of sexual violence in five priority countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Chad and Burma. I have raised the issue with a number of leaders, including most recently with the Somali President during a visit in April.
The UN SRSG will take part in the End Sexual Violence in Conflict Summit, from 10-13 June in London, where she will join a Ministerial roundtable that I am hosting on Children and Armed Conflict.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cathy Jamieson on 2014-06-04.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Prudential Regulatory Authority will report on details of new bank authorisations.
Andrea Leadsom
The Prudential Regulation Authority will report on details of new bank authorisations as part of the Annual Report and Accounts.