The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-09-05.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps her Department has taken to roll out superfast broadband; and if she will make a statement.
Matt Hancock
Superfast broadband rollout continues at pace, with coverage currently around 91% and on track to reach 95% by the end of 2017.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-09-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate her Department has made of the cost of an appeal being cancelled at (a) First-tier Tribunal and (b) Upper-tier Tribunal due to documents from the Home Office not being submitted before the hearing date in each of the last three years.
Sir Oliver Heald
The First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chambers) are administered by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
HMCTS does not routinely estimate the cost of the cancellation of individual postponement and adjournments because the Tribunal will, wherever possible, replace a cancelled hearing with cases that are available in reserve.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-10-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many apprenticeships were started by (a) former free school meals pupils and (b) pupils who were not formally free school meal pupils in the last three years.
Robert Halfon
Data on whether apprenticeships were started by former free school meals pupils or those who were not formerly free school meals pupils is not collected.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-10-28.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what data his Department collects on people who have exercised new pension freedoms who have not accessed the Pension Wise service.
Harriett Baldwin
The government committed to providing free, impartial guidance through Pension Wise, to help people make informed and confident decisions about how they use their defined contribution pension savings in retirement. It is available online, via the telephone and face to face. As of 29 October 2015, there were over 20,000 completed appointments for face to face guidance and 9,000 completed appointments for telephone guidance as well as over 1.7 million visits to the website.
Pension Wise runs exit surveys of those who have completed an appointment It is not mandatory for a user to complete an exit survey. The government is committed to being open and transparent with Pension Wise data and will be making core data readily available by placing it on the government performance platform this autumn. The data will be in the public domain and updated regularly. HM Treasury is working with Pension Wise delivery partners to provide the level of detail that we require for reporting purposes.
The Financial Conduct Authority, in line with its remit to protect consumers and ensure markets function in consumers’ interests, is monitoring developments in the retirement income market closely and has committed to take action where consumers are coming to harm or where the market is not operating competitively.
The government recognises that people may wish to consult different sources of information before reaching a decision about their retirement income. In addition to Pension Wise, The Pension Advisory Service (TPAS) provides independent, impartial information and guidance about pensions, free of charge, to members of the public. The Money Advice Service also provides free and unbiased information and guidance on all money matters.
A number of pension providers offer financial guidance. Individuals can also access regulated advice from an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). HM Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority are jointly considering how financial advice could be made more accessible and affordable for consumers through the Financial Advice Market Review.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-10-29.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what alternative sources of advice there are for people exercising pension freedoms who do not access Pension Wise guidance.
Harriett Baldwin
The government committed to providing free, impartial guidance through Pension Wise, to help people make informed and confident decisions about how they use their defined contribution pension savings in retirement. It is available online, via the telephone and face to face. As of 29 October 2015, there were over 20,000 completed appointments for face to face guidance and 9,000 completed appointments for telephone guidance as well as over 1.7 million visits to the website.
Pension Wise runs exit surveys of those who have completed an appointment It is not mandatory for a user to complete an exit survey. The government is committed to being open and transparent with Pension Wise data and will be making core data readily available by placing it on the government performance platform this autumn. The data will be in the public domain and updated regularly. HM Treasury is working with Pension Wise delivery partners to provide the level of detail that we require for reporting purposes.
The Financial Conduct Authority, in line with its remit to protect consumers and ensure markets function in consumers’ interests, is monitoring developments in the retirement income market closely and has committed to take action where consumers are coming to harm or where the market is not operating competitively.
The government recognises that people may wish to consult different sources of information before reaching a decision about their retirement income. In addition to Pension Wise, The Pension Advisory Service (TPAS) provides independent, impartial information and guidance about pensions, free of charge, to members of the public. The Money Advice Service also provides free and unbiased information and guidance on all money matters.
A number of pension providers offer financial guidance. Individuals can also access regulated advice from an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). HM Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority are jointly considering how financial advice could be made more accessible and affordable for consumers through the Financial Advice Market Review.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-11-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many advisers worked at Plaistow Jobcentre in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013 and (e) 2014.
Priti Patel
The information is in the table below:
| Year | Number of Advisers that worked at Plaistow Jobcentre |
| 2010/11 | 24 |
| 2011/12 | 26 |
| 2012/13 | 27 |
| 2013/14 | 23 |
| 2014/15 | 27 |
1. Source of management information: DWP Work Services Activity Based Management Tool
2. The management information is collated and reported for the period from April to March for each year
3. The numbers of advisers are expressed as Full Time Equivalents
4. The management information contained within this document does not form part of any official statistics and is intended for DWP internal use only.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-11-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of people resident in the UK of working age who were born in Lithuania are (a) in the G8 Claimant Count, (b) in receipt of employment and support allowance and other incapacity benefits and (c) lone parents in receipt of income support.
Priti Patel
The information requested is not available however the department has published some statistics on working age benefit recipientsclaiming within 6 months of National Insurance Number (NINO) registration. This information is known as “Nationality at point of National Insurance number registration of DWP benefit claimants” and is included in the “Statistical Bulletin on National Insurance Number Allocations to Adult Overseas Nationals Entering the UK – registrations to February 2015”, available at:
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-12-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to encourage educational establishments that cater for people between 16 and 18 years old to teach the dangers of problem gambling.
Edward Timpson
All 16-19 year olds are now offered study programmes that bring together the qualifications, English and maths, and work experience – the skills that will prepare them for employment or further learning. The study programme principles enable all students to take a programme that meets their needs and helps them progress to the next stage of their career, whether it be employment, an apprenticeship or further study.
We are also investing £5 million in character education and have awarded £3.5 million grants for 2015/16 to support 14 projects in character development. These include projects delivering competitive sport; volunteering and social action; links with local businesses and work experience. We have also made £1 million available to the Education Endowment Fund (EEF) to build evidence and expand research into the most effective ways that character can be developed. Character is the sum of qualities and attributes which enable young people to make the right choices, to withstand adversity, and pursue an aspirational life.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-12-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, in which countries her Department plans to spend the additional £1 billion of Government funding for humanitarian efforts in and around Syria; and how much of that spending has been allocated for each country.
Mr Desmond Swayne
The UK has always punched above its weight in helping deal with the effects of the Syria crisis. We will continue to do so for the reconstruction of Syria. On 26 November, the Prime Minister announced at least £1 billion for Syria’s reconstruction. This signalled the UK’s enduring commitment to Syria and focused international attention on the need to plan now for reconstruction inside Syria. This funding will be used to support activities inside Syria and is additional to the existing £1.1 billion the UK has already pledged to respond to the ongoing crisis inside Syria and the region.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-12-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the potential contribution of aid to Syria to strengthening the moderate opposition’s capacity to provide governance and basic services.
Mr Desmond Swayne
The UK has been at the forefront of the response to the crisis in Syria and the region. We have pledged over £1.1 billion to date, our largest ever response to a single humanitarian crisis. This makes us the second largest bilateral donor. Of this total, the UK has allocated £561 million to support vulnerable people inside Syria to date.
By the end of June 2015, UK support inside Syria had provided over 15.1 million food rations; access to clean water for over 1.6 million people (peak month); 2 million medical consultations; more than 4 million relief packages; and there have been over 6.9 million instances when people benefited from sanitation and hygiene activities. We are also helping those who feel safe to do so to stay in Syria by building their ability to cope, helping the moderate opposition to provide governance and essential services, and supporting the provision of education and jobs.
The UK will continue to punch above its weight in supporting the reconstruction of Syria. That is why, on 26 November, the Prime Minister signalled that the UK will commit at least £1 billion to Syria’s reconstruction in the longer term.