Tag: Stephen Gethins

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to maintain the Assisted Voluntary Returns schemes after 2020.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Assisted Voluntary Returns Service was integrated into the Home Office Voluntary Returns Service (VRS) on 1st January 2016 and provides a range of help and support to those who are here illegally and are seeking to leave the UK voluntarily. The Home Office envisages that the VRS will continue beyond 2020.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-01-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to prepare for the outcome of the EU referendum.

Mr Edward Vaizey

The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in Britain – so we get a better deal for Britain and secure our future. The Government is focused on delivering a successful renegotiation: it believes it can and will succeed in reforming and renegotiating our relationship with the EU.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how much funding her Department plans to make available for tidal energy research in the next financial year.

Andrea Leadsom

The Department is currently formulating its spending plans on innovation within HM Treasury guidance announced in the March 2016 budget and a further announcement will be made in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-07-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many additional members of staff will be posted at UKRep during the period of negotiations for UK withdrawal from the EU.

Mr David Davis

The UK’s Permanent Representation to the EU will play an important part in negotiating the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, as part of the Department for Exiting the European Union. The overall size and scope of the department, including staffing and budget, are being considered.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to ensure the UK fishing industry retains access to the EU market after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice

We are about to begin negotiations to realise the opportunities we have from exiting the EU, and securing access for trade will be part of our future policy work. While trade is important, having access to fishing grounds and setting appropriate catch levels are also crucial to ensuring a prosperous catching sector and sustainable management of the fish stocks; the issues are inter-related.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which EU commissioners she has met since taking office; and when and where such meetings took place.

Rory Stewart

During her attendance at the Foreign Affairs Council- Development on the 12^th September 2016 the Secretary of State met with the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, and the Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2015-10-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what representations his Department has received about customers without internet access being charged to receive paper bills.

Nick Boles

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has received a few representations, mainly on behalf of the ‘Keep Me Posted Campaign’, (and nine from hon. Members in 2014 on behalf of their constituents) which have included reference to the desire for paper bills to be supplied free of charge.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2015-10-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, in what way her Department is supporting the work of the Church of Scotland in South Sudan.

Grant Shapps

Whilst our DFID programme has not directly engaged with the Church of Scotland, the UK does support faith-led reconciliation efforts in South Sudan. We fund two projects that, through our implementing partners the Catholic Relief Services and the UN Development Programme, work closely with the South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission (SSPRC). The SSPRC plays an important role in coordinating a wide range of stakeholders to discuss and shape peace related actions within South Sudan.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much funding her Department has contributed to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (a) since the creation of that fund and (b) in each of the last five years.

Grant Shapps

The UK remains a strong and active supporter of the Global Fund and has pledged a contribution of up to £1 billion between 2014 and 2016 for the Global Fund’s 4th replenishment, subject to a 10% donor share cap. As part of this, in 2015-16 the UK has contributed £100m.

The 5th replenishment, for 2017-2019, has not been launched yet, so the UK contribution has not yet been determined.

The UK has contributed £2.05bn to the Global Fund since its inception. From a standing start in 2002, the UK’s unwavering support has enabled the Global Fund to keep 8.1 million people alive with HIV therapy, distribute 548 million mosquito nets, detect and treat 13.2 million cases on TB, and has contributed to a decline of one third in the number of people dying from the three diseases since 2002 in Global Fund countries.

The UK has contributed: £128m in 2011/12; £128m in 2012/13; £543m in 2013/14; £285m in 2014/15, and; £100m 2015/16. This totals £1.184bn over the 5-year period.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the effect that climate change is having on (a) clean water and (b) adequate sanitation facilities in developing countries.

Grant Shapps

Through the UK Government’s International Climate Fund DFID has worked with the World Health Organisation to assess the effect that climate change will have on water and sanitation facilities and has produced a joint report titled ‘Vision 2030’. This outlines the evidence, and sets out what can be done to optimise the resilience of water and sanitation technologies, infrastructure and services. DFID has also funded the Overseas Development Institute to produce a report assessing the risks that climate change poses to the delivery of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes. All of DFID’s WASH programmes require sustainability and climate risks to be taken into account in design and delivery.