The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2015-12-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015, what changes are planned for local government funding over the next five years; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Marcus Jones
Plans for local government funding will be set out shortly, alongside the publication of the provisional local government finance settlement for 2016-17.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2015-12-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his estimate is of the amount of New Home Bonuses to be granted to (a) East Northants Council, (b) the Borough Council of Wellingborough, (c) Northamptonshire County Council and (d) England in each of the next 10 years.
Brandon Lewis
As part of the Spending Review, the Government committed to the continuation of the New Homes Bonus. We will consult on reforms to the New Homes Bonus, including means of sharpening the incentive to reward communities for additional homes. We will also explore reducing the length of payments from six years including an option for savings of at least £800 million to be returned to local government and used to fund vital services such as adult social care. Details of both reforms will be set out shortly. There are no plans to change the basis of allocations for 2016/17. The allocations for 2016/17 will be published alongside the provisional Local Government Settlement for that year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2015-12-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what transitional arrangements are in place for women affected by the planned increase in the retirement age for state pension recipients.
Justin Tomlinson
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 November 2015 to Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North), Question UIN 15476
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2015-11-30.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the prevalence of the use of performance advancing drugs in UK sport.
Tracey Crouch
The Government supports the work of UK Anti-Doping which works tirelessly to ensure athletes and sport are clean. Through testing programmes, intelligence sharing with law-enforcement agencies on supplying and trafficking, and its excellent athlete education initiatives, UKAD is one of the world’s most highly regarded national anti-doping organisations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2015-12-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the (a) average cost of building new prisons planned by the Government and (b) length of time it will take from conception to completion to build such a prison.
Andrew Selous
£1.3bn will be invested to reform and modernise the prison estate to make it more efficient, safer and focused on supporting prisoner rehabilitation. The government will build nine new, modern prisons, five of which will open in this Parliament and the rest shortly after.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2015-12-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on creation of new unitary authorities.
Mr Marcus Jones
The Government’s policy is to work with local areas to deliver effective devolution with the governance necessary to support this. We support the move to create new unitary authorities where such a move is locally driven and enjoys local support.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2015-12-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 8 December 2015 to Question 18626, what estimate he has made of the average cost of (a) the five new prisons planned to be open in the current Parliament and (b) the four new prisons planned to open after the current Parliament; and what estimate he has made of the average time that will be taken from application for planning permission to completion in each such set of such prisons.
Andrew Selous
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to PQ 18626 on 8 December 2015.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will estimate the UK’s current trade deficit with the EU.
Anna Soubry
This data is publicly available and can be found on the ONS website in the ‘Balance of Payments, Quarter 2 (April to June) 2015’.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2016-01-05.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made on reducing net migration to the tens of thousands.
James Brokenshire
Uncontrolled mass immigration increases pressure on public services and can drive down wages. That is why our ambition remains to cut net migration to sustainable levels. We continue to work across government to reduce net migration outside of the EU and seek reform in Europe to reduce the pull factors behind EU migration. Building on the measures in the Immigration Act 2014, our new Immigration Bill will address illegal working, the availability of public services which help migrants remain here unlawfully and will extend our ‘deport first appeal later’ approach to ensure that even more illegal migrants are removed from the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2016-01-05.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the effect on Wales if the UK voted to leave the EU.
Stephen Crabb
The Prime Minister believes Britain’s best future lies within a reformed European Union. He is focused on addressing the concerns of the British people and is confident that the right agreement can be reached.