Tag: Stephen Timms

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-02-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, following changes to universal credit taking effect in April 2016, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the number of children in poverty of the introduction of universal credit.

Priti Patel

The Government is committed to working to eliminate child poverty and improve life chances for children. Work remains the best route out of poverty, and Universal Credit is designed to strengthen incentives for parents to move into and progress in work. Evidence shows claimants move into work significantly faster and earn more than under the current system. In addition, from April 2016 Universal Credit provides for 85% of childcare costs meaning more support for hardworking families.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-02-04.

To ask the Prime Minister, whether it is Government policy to promote multiculturalism in the UK.

Mr David Cameron

We have been very clear: we are proud that Britain is one of the most successful multi ethnic, multi faith democracies in the world. The Government is clear that people have full freedom here to choose and practice their faith. It is right though to challenge the view held by some that we should encourage communities to develop separately and effectively live in a segregated way. The Government is committed to boosting integration in some of our most isolated communities, and to proudly promoting the British values that we all share.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to improve links between schools and elite sports organisations.

Edward Timpson

The national curriculum sets out the expectation that pupils should be provided with opportunities to engage in a broad range of competitive sports and activities.

Many national governing bodies of sports and elite sporting organisations offer a programme for schools, to engage children and young people in their sports. Through their school sports programme, the Premier League is currently working in over 4,000 schools to support the PE curriculum, provide sports clubs, and deliver enrichment activities. In October 2015, the Premier League announced that they will expand their schools offer to every primary school in the country within 6 years.

The Department funds ‘On the Front Foot’, a programme designed and delivered by Premiership Rugby to develop character and resilience in primary and secondary schools across the country. The programme delivers classroom based and physical activity character building programmes to 17,250 pupils.

The Football Association’s Skills programme is a nationwide football coaching programme working in over 1,000 primary schools a year, providing specialist football coaching for children and supporting teachers in their delivery of sport. Sessions are offered during PE lessons, extra-curricula clubs and holiday clubs.

The Tennis Foundation and the Lawn Tennis Association support teachers with training, resource and equipment to help them deliver tennis in schools. Their aim is to increase access to tennis across schools, further and higher education through a wide range of programmes. They offer support to make tennis inclusive and accessible to all pupils. Over 60,000 primary, special and secondary school pupils take part in schools tennis competitions every year.

The Rugby Football Union works with hundreds of maintained schools as part of its ‘All Schools Plan’ to help more secondary school children play rugby. This was launched by the RFU and the Rugby Football Foundation in 2012, as part of the RFU’s Rugby World Cup 2015 legacy plans.

The School Games is the Government’s framework for competitive school sports. The programme provides a national final event where the most talented young people in the UK compete in 12 different sports. More than 150 of the athletes who competed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow had previously competed at the School Games and 59 athletes claimed 84 medals.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-02-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether Frontline has any formal partners in the private sector which give participants priority for their entry schemes.

Edward Timpson

Frontline do not have any formal partners in the private sector which give participants priority for their entry scheme.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on what date he became aware that his Department would not be able to deliver the Universal Credit programme to its original deadline of the end of 2017.

Priti Patel

In early 2013 the Government reset the Universal Credit Programme, and a clear plan was developed to ensure delivery. The Programme has since been delivering against that plan in a safe, steady and secure way.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 15 March 2016 to Question 30768, what the expected date was for finishing the transition to universal credit after completion of the reset in May 2013.

Priti Patel

The Department reset the Universal Credit Programme and set a new timetable. This was developed for the Strategic Outline Business Case and was then finalised as part of the Outline Business Case and Spending Review 15 process in late 2015. Parliament was kept regularly informed throughout the development of the timetable.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 15 March 2016 to Question 30116, what proportion of job seekers allowance claimants who received a sanction in the past year did not subsequently resume their benefit claim.

Priti Patel

The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-04-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the additional costs incurred by his Department arising from appeal hearings at the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum and Immigration) being adjourned as a result of no Home Office representative being present.

Mr Shailesh Vara

This information requested is not held centrally.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-04-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 11 April 2016 to Question 32294, what account is taken of a person’s earlier claim for work capability assessment if the person submits a new claim for employment and support allowance.

Priti Patel

In order for the claim to progress, a claimant must demonstrate that there has been a significant worsening in their health condition or that a new health condition has developed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-04-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to discourage employers from cutting staff benefits on the grounds that implementing the national living wage compels them to do so.

Nick Boles

It is for employers to decide how to manage increases in their wage bill. Many employers will be giving their staff a pay rise and maintaining other benefits.

Employers need to ensure their pay and reward packages are competitive to retain and develop the people and talent they need for their business.

Employers should be planning ahead, taking steps to boost their productivity and maintain an effective workforce. In every case they must pay at least the statutory National Living Wage, or the National Minimum Wage for workers aged under 25.