The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many personal independence payment claimants there were in Inverclyde in 2015.
Justin Tomlinson
Information on the number of claimants in receipt of Personal Independence Payment, by month and a range of geographic breakdowns, including parliamentary constituency, is available from Stat-Xplore. https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2016-07-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to ensure that his Department undertakes research into the potential merits of a universal basic income.
Damian Hinds
We have no current plans to conduct research on this topic.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2015-12-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people have been killed as a result of UK airstrikes in Syria since 3 December 2015.
Penny Mordaunt
We do not maintain total counts of enemy combatants killed in UK military action. We are not aware of any reports of civilian casualties resulting from UK air strikes in Syria since 3 December 2015.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has for the future role of the merchant navy.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Government appreciates the role played by the merchant navy and recognises the need for an adequate supply of UK maritime expertise to meet the nation’s economic and strategic requirements. This includes the demand for experienced seafarers in the shore-based maritime services sector.
The Department continues to provide support for the training of officers and ratings through the £15m Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme.
Apprenticeships are at the heart of the Government’s drive to give people of all ages the skills employers need to grow and compete. Maritime is a key part of this with the Maritime Trailblazer which is employer led and has one approved standard for deck ratings and a further three in development for maritime mechanic, maritime caterer and onboard services.
The Maritime Growth Study, chaired by Lord Mountevans and published on 7 September 2015, recognised the need for more proactive action to replenish and develop the skills needed to maintain the UK position as a world-leading maritime centre. The Government has accepted the recommendations. We have already let a research contract to Oxford Economics to establish the requirement for trained seafarers in the UK. This will assist both government and industry to plan ahead and to make efforts to address priority shortages where gaps are identified. We are also working to address the other skills recommendations including conducting a review of SMarT funding, better links into schools teaching and enlarging the awareness programme to encourage entry into the merchant navy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to tackle cold-callers.
Matt Hancock
We are determined to tackle the scourge of nuisance calls, however a balance needs to be struck between ensuring that consumers are adequately protected and also ensuring that the legitimate direct marketing industry can continue to operate. Our efforts are focused on taking action against companies that are deliberating break the rules, rather than penalising legitimate businesses who comply with the law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2015-12-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what process his Department uses to estimate the number of civilians killed by the UK’s bombing programme in Syria since 3 December 2015.
Penny Mordaunt
Every strike is subjected to careful post-mission scrutiny to confirm the aircrew’s assessment.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is taking to encourage people to join the merchant navy.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has no direct control over recruitment into the merchant navy.
The MCA works with strategic partners such as the Chamber of Shipping, Nautilus, the RMT and organisations such as the British Tugowners Association and National Workboat Association to encourage economic growth, including the employment of seafarers.
The MCA also manages the Government’s Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme that subsidises seafarer training by £15M annually. More than 700 new officer trainees started last year. The MCA is also involved with industry in supporting the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills apprenticeships for seafarers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of making cold-calling a criminal offence.
Matt Hancock
We are determined to tackle the scourge of nuisance calls, however a balance needs to be struck between ensuring that consumers are adequately protected and also ensuring that the legitimate direct marketing industry can continue to operate. Our efforts are focused on taking action against companies that are deliberating break the rules, rather than penalising legitimate businesses who comply with the law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2016-01-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 March 2015 to Question 227069, whether his Department has yet considered the recommendations of the Use of Dormant Betting Accounts Report, relating to the use of money from dormant betting accounts and unclaimed winnings held by betting operators for investment in good causes.
David Evennett
My officials have regular discussions with betting operators on a wide range of issues.
The Government keeps under review ways to support investment in good causes, including the recommendations of the Use of Dormant Betting Accounts Report.
Ministers continue to encourage the gambling industry to maximise their contributions to these important areas, including funding programmes of research, prevention, and treatment of gambling-related harm,
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has for the future role of the merchant navy.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Government appreciates the role played by the merchant navy and recognises the need for an adequate supply of UK maritime expertise to meet the nation’s economic and strategic requirements. This includes the demand for experienced seafarers in the shore-based maritime services sector.
The Department continues to provide support for the training of officers and ratings through the £15m Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme.
Apprenticeships are at the heart of the Government’s drive to give people of all ages the skills employers need to grow and compete. Maritime is a key part of this with the Maritime Trailblazer which is employer led and has one approved standard for deck ratings and a further three in development for maritime mechanic, maritime caterer and onboard services.
The Maritime Growth Study, chaired by Lord Mountevans and published on 7 September 2015, recognised the need for more proactive action to replenish and develop the skills needed to maintain the UK position as a world-leading maritime centre. The Government has accepted the recommendations. We have already let a research contract to Oxford Economics to establish the requirement for trained seafarers in the UK. This will assist both government and industry to plan ahead and to make efforts to address priority shortages where gaps are identified. We are also working to address the other skills recommendations including conducting a review of SMarT funding, better links into schools teaching and enlarging the awareness programme to encourage entry into the merchant navy.