Tag: Rehman Chishti

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rehman Chishti on 2015-11-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the Government is doing to assist small businesses to recover debts.

Anna Soubry

Late payment remains an important issue for small businesses in the UK. The Government is taking significant steps to assist small businesses to recover late payment debts.

Through the Enterprise Bill, currently before Parliament, we will legislate to establish a Small Business Commissioner to help small business resolve disputes with large companies, tackling, in particular, late payment. The Commissioner will act as a disincentive to unfavourable payment practices, and build the confidence and capabilities of small businesses to help them to assert themselves in contractual disputes and negotiate more effectively with larger businesses.

This is part of a package of measures to tackle late payment. We have also legislated for new transparency measures in the public and private sectors. This will allow full public scrutiny of payment performance.

We have also strengthened the Prompt Payment Code to ensure it is a recognised and demonstrated beacon of best practice, and we recently consulted on proposals to give representative bodies wider powers to challenge grossly unfair payment practices.

Tackling late payment is about creating a responsible payment culture where larger companies recognise the benefit of having a sustainable and robust supply chain, and smaller businesses feel able to challenge poor behaviour. Once implemented, the Government is confident that these measures will lead to significant changes in the UK’s payment culture.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rehman Chishti on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking with Police and Crime Commissioners to improve diversity in police forces.

Brandon Lewis

The Government is clear; increasing diversity in our police forces is not an optional extra. It goes right to the heart of this country’s historic principle of policing by consent. We must ensure that the public have trust and confidence in the police, and that the police reflect the communities they serve.

The Government has reformed policing to ensure that there is a sector-led approach to making improvements, including in the area of recruitment and representation.

The College of Policing as the professional body for policing is delivering a major piece of work -black, Asian and minority ethnic Progression 2018 – to address under-representation in policing. The Government looks forward to working with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and individual Police and Crime Commissioners as democratically elected local leaders of policing, to place a greater emphasis on this agenda and urges PCCs to consider the opportunities provided through the Police Transformation Fund.

While the Government would expect senior commitment in all forces it is for local leaders to decide how they will deliver improvements.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rehman Chishti on 2015-11-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what (a) regulations and (b) guidance apply to Sheriffs breaking into commercial properties to recover debts.

Mr Shailesh Vara

The rules governing the power to enter a commercial property for enforcement by taking control of goods are contained in Schedule 12 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. Enforcement under a High Court Writ, which was the responsibility of Sheriffs, is now carried out by High Court Enforcement Officers pursuant to the High Court Enforcement Officers Regulations 2004. Paragraphs 14 to 30 of Schedule 12 (as amended by the Crime and Courts Act 2013) make provision concerning powers of entry for the purposes of enforcement, and paragraphs 18A and 19 make provision specifically in relation to the power to use reasonable force to enter premises at which the enforcement officer reasonably believes the debtor carries on a trade or a business. The Ministry of Justice has produced guidance, the Taking Control of Goods: National Standards, to support creditors and enforcement agents and promote minimum standards. It is available on the Gov.uk website.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rehman Chishti on 2016-09-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential benefits of the UK taking part in the European Year of Cultural Heritage proposed for 2018 by the European Commission for her Department’s objectives set out in the Culture White Paper, published in March 2016 ; what assessment she has made of the implications of the outcome of the EU referendum on UK participation in that event; and if she will make a statement.

Tracey Crouch

Our rich cultural heritage makes the UK a great place to live and attracts millions of visitors each year. In the White Paper we committed to ensuring we continue to celebrate our heritage and make sure we can pass on something even more inspirational to future generations.

Until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the European Union and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force. During this period, we will continue to participate in EU initiatives, and the European Year of Cultural Heritage is a potential opportunity to showcase UK heritage. We will continue to work with the heritage sector to determine the nature of our involvement.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rehman Chishti on 2016-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 9 February 2015 to Question 222936, when he plans to announce which of the 5,000 ships under consideration will be designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

Mark Lancaster

The consultation process as to which ships under consideration will be designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 is at its later stages, and an announcement will be made in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rehman Chishti on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the recent statement of the Secretary of State for Defence on increasing the number of cadet units in state schools across the UK, what steps he plans to help ensure that those units provide opportunities for young people from ethnic minority and vulnerable backgrounds.

Mark Lancaster

Last year the Government committed £50 million of LIBOR funding to the Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) to increase the number of cadet units in schools to 500 by 2020. This manifesto commitment will establish around 150 new units in state schools across the UK. The programme is targeting schools in less affluent areas to ensure that more young people can experience the life-enhancing activities that cadet service brings.

The cadet forces are inclusive organisations which help young people achieve their full potential. We are committed to equality of opportunity for young people from all backgrounds, regarding diversity within our membership as one of our greatest strengths.

As part of our plan to build a country that works for everyone we have made it a priority to focus the CEP on areas of high deprivation where the potential benefit is greatest. The new school units will help young people to get on in life, raising their aspirations and motivating them to succeed in their education.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rehman Chishti on 2016-01-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many military pilots have sought medical assistance and been stood down after a laser pen attack.

Mark Lancaster

Data on military aircrew seeking medical assistance or being stood down from flying following a laser pen incident is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rehman Chishti on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress his Department has made on improving the performance of ambulance services which are in special measures.

Mr Philip Dunne

Since entering Special Measures in November 2015, the London Ambulance Service has reduced the gap from 3% behind the national average for Category A Red 1 Calls 8 minute standard, to 1.3% in August 2016, and is consistently above the national average for the remaining Category A Red 1 and 2 performance standards.

The London Ambulance Service has met its A8 performance recovery trajectory each month from April to August 2016 in spite of growth in incidents of 5.4% above the original contract plan.

South East Coast Ambulance Service entered Special Measures in September 2016 and is now receiving a comprehensive package of support, including buddying with South Central Ambulance Service and an Improvement Director has been appointed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rehman Chishti on 2016-01-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many incidents of laser pen attacks on military aircraft were recorded in (a) the UK and (b) overseas in the last five years.

Mark Lancaster

There have been some 470 laser related Defence Air Safety Occurrence Reports received in the last five years involving UK military aircraft. Some 250 occurred in the UK and 220 overseas. It is not possible to determine whether laser pens were responsible for each incident.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rehman Chishti on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her policy is on UK support for the global eradication of polio; and what discussions she has had with her counterparts in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria on eradication of that disease in those countries.

James Wharton

The UK is fully committed to global polio eradication and is the third largest donor to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, providing £300million for 2013 to 2019. The UK is also the largest donor to Gavi; which has led the rapid global scale up of Inactivated Polio Vaccine. DFID helps sustain global political commitment and ensures the eradication programme has a strong focus on results and delivering value for money.

The Governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria have shown extraordinary commitment to polio eradication. DFID officials work closely with their counterparts in these three endemic countries to support their national efforts towards this historic cause.