The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2015-12-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish the White Paper on supporting people with health conditions and disabilities to get into work.
Priti Patel
As announced in the Spending Review, the Government will publish a White Paper in 2016 that will set out reforms to improve support for people with health conditions and disabilities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress he has made on making the Post Office a front office for Government; and if he will make a statement.
George Freeman
The Post Office is the largest provider of counter-based Government services in the UK. In 2013 it won a cross-Government framework contract which allows all Government Departments and their Executive Agencies to contract with the Post Office easily and cheaply. Key contracts with the DVLA and the Passport Office have been moved onto this new framework, as has the Post Office Card Account contract which has been extended to at least 2021.
The Post Office is well-placed to bid for and win important contracts, with its extensive geographic reach and key role in the heart of communities. Government cannot simply award contracts to the Post Office; services must be procured competitively to ensure value for taxpayers’ money.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2016-04-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress his Department has made on steps to ease the blockade of Gaza, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 25 February 2015, Official Report, columns 155-8WH.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We remain deeply concerned by the situation in Gaza. Officials from our Embassy and Consulate General regularly raise the need to make progress towards a durable solution for Gaza, and press for practical steps to advance reconstruction and economic development with both the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority (PA).
We have urged the PA to make progress on resuming control in Gaza. We are also urging Egypt to show maximum flexibility in opening the Rafah crossing.
We have welcomed the steps that Israel has taken to ease some restrictions, including extension of the fishing zone to nine nautical miles, extension of agricultural exports beyond the shmita year, increase of water supply and support for energy and desolation projects. We urge Israel to take further action to ease restrictions.
We are concerned about recent reports of diversion of cement entering Gaza through the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM). While we understand Israeli security concerns, new restrictions on the import of cement have resulted in a slowdown in reconstruction activity and will have a significant impact on employment. The Department for International Development support to the Materials Monitoring Unit of the GRM also helps provide monitoring to ensure construction materials are used for civilian purposes.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2016-04-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has undertaken or commissioned research into the relationship between people who are convicted of multiple breaches of restraining orders and commission of stalking offences.
Dominic Raab
The Government recognises that stalking is an insidious crime that can have a devastating impact on the lives of victims and their families. That is why the coalition Government created specific stalking offences in 2012 and why we continue to look at ways to protect victims of stalking, ensure stalking is recognised early and dealt with effectively and, where an offender is convicted, provide the courts with appropriate sentencing powers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2016-04-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of psychological assessment and rehabilitation of people convicted of stalking offences under Sections 2A and 4A.
Dominic Raab
The Government recognises that stalking is an insidious crime that can have a devastating impact on the lives of victims and their families. That is why the coalition Government created specific stalking offences in 2012 and why we continue to look at ways to protect victims of stalking, ensure stalking is recognised early and dealt with effectively and, where an offender is convicted, provide the courts with appropriate sentencing powers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2016-04-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to encourage businesses to take on apprentices.
Nick Boles
Later this month, we will launch a communications campaign that will promote the benefits of apprenticeships to employers.
From next April, the apprenticeship levy will put funding in the hands of employers and encourage them to take on more apprentices.
We are also supporting smaller businesses taking on young apprentices through the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers; and removed the requirement for employers to pay National Insurance contributions for apprentices aged under 25.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of the introduction of the apprenticeship levy on companies which pay into other industry levy schemes.
Robert Halfon
The apprenticeship levy will enable us to improve the technical and professional skills of the workforce. It will encourage employers to invest in their apprentices and take on more, by putting apprenticeship funding in their hands. The apprenticeship levy is economy wide. It will apply to all employers with a pay bill over £3,000,000 including those who already pay into an existing levy.
We are aware that industry is concerned about the potential impact of paying two levies. We are working with the relevant Industry Training Boards for the construction, engineering construction and film industries. They will consult their members on potential future changes to their existing arrangements.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to publish updated guidance on opening a university technical college.
Robert Halfon
Each University Technical College (UTC) application round opens with the publication of the ‘University Technical Colleges How to Apply Guide’, which sets out the application window for each round. The next How to Apply Guide will be published in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2016-09-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when the next application round for university technical colleges will open.
Robert Halfon
Each University Technical College (UTC) application round opens with the publication of the ‘University Technical Colleges How to Apply Guide’, which sets out the application window for each round. The next How to Apply Guide will be published in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2016-09-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department plans to continue to ring-fence Contracts for Difference funding solely for tidal and marine energy projects.
Jesse Norman
The details of the forthcoming Contract for Difference (CfD) allocation round, including whether funding for wave and tidal stream projects should be ring-fenced, will be announced in due course.