The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2015-11-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress has been made towards a resolution of the Scottish Power cashback mis-selling dispute since his meeting in July 2015 with the CEO of the Insolvency Service.
Sajid Javid
I have asked my officials to seek an update from Scottish Power on what steps they are taking in this matter.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2015-12-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prosecutions were brought to court under the provisions of the Human Rights Act in each year since 2005.
Dominic Raab
Prosecutions are not brought under the provisions of the Human Rights Act. A person may bring a civil claim under the Act or rely on Convention rights in any legal proceedings.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2016-01-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support milk producers in ensuring milk prices in supermarkets are maintained.
George Eustice
We support the farming industry by reducing red tape, funding research to foster innovation, extending the tax averaging period for self-employed farmers and working to open up new export markets.
To provide some relief to hard-pressed farmers we secured a £26.6m aid package for the UK from the European Commission – the third largest of all Member States. Dairy farmers across the UK are being paid a one-off, flat rate payment linked to milk production. The majority of payments were made by the RPA on 16 November 2015.
The Government is working with the food industry – including supermarkets, retailers, manufacturers and caterers – on even more consistent labelling and branding of British dairy products, improving transparency across the supply chain and allocating more space on shop shelves. This will make it easier for consumers and food businesses to know when they are buying British dairy products.
A number of supermarkets have pledged to pay a premium over and above the current market price and we should welcome that. It won’t solve the problem but it will give some respite to farmers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will exempt crisis, refuge and homeless accommodation from any extension to the Local Housing Allowance cap.
Caroline Nokes
I refer the Honourable Member to the Written Statement made today by the Secretary of State:
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2015-11-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to her Statement of 16 November 2015, Official Report, columns 379 to 382, what proportion of the new security officers announced in that Statement she plans will be based in Scotland.
Mr John Hayes
We do not discuss specific deployments of SIA officers. The Rt. Hon member can be confident that the Strategic Defence and Security Review is a good result for the whole of the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2015-12-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans for the proposed British Bill of Rights to apply to Scotland.
Dominic Raab
The government was elected with a mandate to reform the UK’s human rights framework. We are considering the implications of a Bill of Rights on devolution as we develop our proposals. We will, of course, fully engage with the devolved administrations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2016-01-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the implications for aid of the 1955 tax treaty between the UK and Malawi.
Mr Nick Hurd
The Secretary of State for International Development has had no discussions on the 1955 tax treaty between the UK and Malawi with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Issues relating to tax treaties are a matter for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department plans to publish its review into supported accommodation; and whether it has carried out an impact assessment on the extension of the Local Housing Allowance cap.
Caroline Nokes
I refer the Honourable Member to the Written Statement made today by the Secretary of State:
Full impact and equality impact assessments will be undertaken in due course.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2015-11-17.
To ask the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will provide an update on whether there are plans for a review of security protocols for the Parliamentary Estate and what communication the Serjeant at Arms office has had with relevant government departments on increasing the security of the House and the safety of staff.
Tom Brake
It is a long-standing practice that we do not comment in public on the security of Parliament. However, I can assure the hon. Member that arrangements are kept under continual review and those working on the Estate are advised of any changes. If he has particular concerns the Parliamentary Security Director and the Serjeant at Arms would be happy to meet with him.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2015-12-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the effect of the Government’s welfare programme on social and economic inequalities in Scotland.
David Mundell
We have fully assessed the impacts on equality of the measures in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill and the wider budget, meeting our obligations as set out in the Public Sector Equality Duty. The Government set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Bill on 20 July.