The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2016-02-22.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether public sector net debt is forecast to fall in the next financial year.
Harriett Baldwin
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) produce the forecast for public sector net debt. Based on the OBR’s November 2015 ‘Economic and fiscal outlook’, public sector net debt is expected to fall as a share of GDP in every year of the forecast period.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-03-16.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposed merger between the London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Börse on London’s role as a global financial centre.
Harriett Baldwin
The government is aware of the announcement by the London Stock Exchange Group and Deutsche Boerse that they have reached agreement on a merger of equals. This is a commercial transaction and subject to regulatory and other relevant approvals. The Government will not be commenting at this stage.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Rowe-Beddoe on 2016-04-26.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of costs incurred by them in connection with the recent visit of the President of the United States.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
It is long established Government policy not to comment upon matters of personal protective security and their associated costs. Disclosure of such information could compromise the integrity of those arrangements and affect the security of the individuals concerned.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-06-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the amount spent by his Department on audio-visual systems intended for buses in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
The Department has not funded audio/visual equipment on buses, but we understand the importance of accessible on-board information to many passengers, including those who are visually impaired, and have supported initiatives to develop innovative and low-cost approaches for delivering it.
For instance, we worked with the Transport Systems Catapult on the All Aboard Competition, resulting in the development of a prototype vibrating wristband which alerts users to upcoming stops.
Many bus operators have already embraced audible and visual next stop announcements, and I encourage the wider industry to consider the potential benefit for all of its customers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Clegg on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how much his Department has spent to date on legal advice relating to Britain’s exit from the EU from (a) the Government Legal Department and (b) external legal firms; and how much he plans to spend on such advice over the next 12 months.
Mark Garnier
DIT already has a strong and capable in-house legal team and has not needed to spend on external legal advice. In the next two years we will be developing our in-house team to build the expertise needed to deliver the best outcomes for the UK and position the UK as a global leader in free trade. We have also received many offers of pro bono support from the UK’s outstanding legal profession.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Justin Madders on 2016-10-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions Ministers of his Department have had with Ministers of the Department for Justice on the investigation of stillbirths and neonatal deaths.
Mr Philip Dunne
No recent meetings have been held with colleagues at the Ministry of Justice to discuss this subject.
By law coroners can only investigate deaths of a baby when they have lived independently of their mother. Coroners have no role in investigating stillbirths, and there are no plans to change this. If there is doubt as to whether a baby was stillborn or lived independently of their mother the loss should be reported to the coroner to consider whether an investigation should be carried out.
We are providing £500,000 of funding, via the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership, for the development of a new system – the Standardised Perinatal Mortality Review Tool – which once complete will be used across the National Health Service to enable maternity services to review and learn from every stillbirth and neonatal death. We have also asked the new independent Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch, established in April 2016, to consider a particular focus on maternity services in its first year.
On 17 October my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced a comprehensive package of measures designed dramatically to improve the safety of maternity care in the NHS, with a particular focus on learning and supporting the NHS to become the world’s largest learning organisation. The announcement introduced the commitment to consult on a new voluntary alternative to litigation for families affected by severe birth injury (Rapid Resolution and Redress (RRR)).
RRR will provide an independent and thorough investigation of all instances of severe avoidable birth injury (around 500 cases per year), and for eligible cases the option to join an alternative system of compensation that offers support and regular payments without the need to bring a claim through the courts. We will be consulting to ensure the policy design best meets the needs of families.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many times participants in the Mandatory Intervention Regime under the Help to Work scheme are required to attend appointments at Jobcentre Plus each week.
Priti Patel
The Mandatory Intervention Regime (MIR) under the Help to Work scheme delivers all the employment support measures available through the JCP Offer and, to supplement those, provides more intensive, personalised support through increased work coach interviews. The length, nature and frequency of these additional interviews is determined locally on a case by case basis and may vary over time.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Tami on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that patients with multiple myeloma receive treatment at the highest standard of care comparable to other similar nations.
Jane Ellison
Ensuring that the National Health Service is able to support the availability and use of effective treatments and medicines for rare cancers, including multiple myeloma, is a key priority.
Cancer 52, an organisation which specifically represents patients with rarer cancers, was represented on the independent Cancer Taskforce. In July 2015, the Taskforce published its report, Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes: A Strategy for England 2015-2020. It made many recommendations relevant to rarer and blood cancers, focussing in particular on improving access to diagnostic testing, including fast, direct general practitioner access to key blood tests, and increasing patient access to the most advanced treatments.
NHS England has well established structures and processes which ensure that the best possible treatments are commissioned across England for cancer, including both blood and rare cancers. NHS England obtains clinical advice about current and new treatments and clinical guidelines predominantly through clinical reference groups.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is developing guidelines for the treatment of multiple myeloma and these are currently subject to public consultation.
In addition, a multiple myeloma algorithm is in development, which will help clinicians and patients to prescribe the appropriate chemotherapy care at the optimum point of the care pathway.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bob Stewart on 2016-01-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress she has made in Beckenham on implementing the Government’s proposal for 30 hours’ free child care for working parents.
Mr Sam Gyimah
We have made substantial progress towards implementing the offer of 30 hours of free childcare to working parents of three- and four-year-olds. At the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a significant increase in funding to support the policy, which means that by 2019-20 we will be spending over £1billion extra per year on the free childcare entitlements for two-, three- and four-year-olds.
The Childcare Bill, which provides the legal framework for the extended entitlement, has completed its Commons stages and Lords Consideration will take place on 2 February. We have announced that parents will be able to check their eligibility for both the working parents’ childcare offer and Tax-Free Childcare through a joint online system, making it easier for working parents to access Government childcare support.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Justin Madders on 2016-02-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent representations he has made to Premier League football clubs on the level of ticket prices.
David Evennett
While ticket prices are matter for individual clubs, this Government is aware how important this is to so many football fans. Football is enjoying an enormous amount of financial success at present, however it should not be forgotten that this is built on the hard work and the money of millions of loyal supporters. Clubs should ensure that ticket pricing strikes the right balance between value for supporters, and generating the income necessary to sustain their business.
I will be looking for football to embrace fully a key recommendation from a recently published Government Expert Working Group on supporter ownership and engagement that requires clubs meet with fans at least twice yearly to discuss matters of most importance.