Tag: Stephen Timms

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what scope there is for new claimants of universal credit to negotiate the terms of their claimant commitment.

Priti Patel

A personalised Claimant Commitment is drawn up by the Work Coach as part of a one to one discussion with the claimant. The work-related requirements detailed in the Claimant Commitment are tailored to an individual’s needs, experience and circumstances, making them realistic and achievable.

It is reviewed with the claimant and revised where appropriate on an on-going basis.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Jobcentre Plus staff can provide support and advice to claimants who are intending to appeal against a benefit sanctions decision.

Priti Patel

Jobcentre staff will advise claimants about the appeals process at various stages.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to how many appeal hearings her Department did not send a representative at (a) First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) and (b) Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) in (i) 2012-13 (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15.

James Brokenshire

The Government publishes the percentage of appeal hearings at which the Secretary of State for the Home Department was represented on a quarterly basis. Below is a table covering the 2012-2015 period.

Appeal Representation Rates

Quarters	All hearings (%)	First Tier (%) 3	Upper Tier (%) 3	Deportation (%) 2
2012 Q1	83%	80%	100%	100%
2012 Q2	83%	80%	100%	100%
2012 Q3	87%	85%	100%	100%
2012 Q4	94%	93%	100%	100%
2013 Q1	95%	94%	100%	100%
2013 Q2	98%	97%	100%	100%
2013 Q3	98%	98%	100%	100%
2013 Q4	99%	99%	100%	100%
2014 Q1	99%	98%	100%	100%
2014 Q2	99%	99%	100%	100%
2014 Q3	99%	99%	100%	100%
2014 Q4	99%	99%	100%	100%
2015 Q1	97%	97%	100%	100%
2015 Q2	86%	83%	100%	100%
2015 Q3	85%	82%	100%	100%
2015 Q4	98%	97%	100%	100%

	Appeal Representation Rates
1	The percentage of appeal hearings at first tier/upper tier/deportation where the Home Office was represented.
2	Deportation appeals show both first tier and upper tier representation rates.
3	The first tier/upper tier information excludes entry clearance appeals and deportation appeals.
4	All figures quoted have been derived from management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.
5	This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols.
6	Data refers ONLY to those cases recorded on the Casework Immigration Database.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-04-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to encourage homeless people to be screened for tuberculosis.

Jane Ellison

The Collaborative Tuberculosis (TB) Strategy for England 2015-2020 was launched in January 2015[1]. It lays out 10 key ‘areas for actions’ which include improving TB awareness raising, TB case finding (screening) and treatment for under-served populations such as the homeless; which are being delivered across England by seven TB Control Boards supported by a national TB team.

These actions are underpinned by collaborative working between third sector organisations, local authorities, Public Health England and the National Health Service. The work focuses on targeted awareness-raising of symptoms and curability of TB; the range of local health and care services; and eligibility for free treatment. Specific and targeted outreach interventions for under-served populations (informed by proven models such as ‘Find and Treat’ in London) include specific services for active case finding for pulmonary TB among homeless people, use of mobile X-ray units (MXUs) with incentives for people to have chest X-rays, enhanced case management and return to service interventions to prevent loss to follow up.

[1]Public Health England. Collaborative Tuberculosis Strategy for England 2015 to 2020 [Internet]. 2015. Available from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/collaborative-tuberculosis-strategy-for-england

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-04-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what protocols her Department has on removing from the UK people who have been refused leave to remain and who require (a) 16 hours and (b) 24 hours of oxygen per day for medical reasons.

James Brokenshire

There are no protocols in place for enforced removals in such circumstances. Any such case would be assessed by our medical escorting contractor on the basis of the individual’s need.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-05-03.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate HM Revenue and Customs has made of the number of PAYE schemes whose balances do not reconcile to within £100 of their liabilities in 2013-14 and each successive financial year.

Mr David Gauke

HM Revenue and Customs does not keep this data.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-05-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many permanent EU officials were passed through the Civil/Diplomatic Service European Fast Stream programme in each year since 2010.

Mr David Lidington

The European Fast Stream was re-established in 2010 with the dual aim of increasing UK representation in the EU institutions, as well as building EU capability in Whitehall. As part of the scheme, each European Fast Streamer spends five months or longer in an EU institution as a national expert. Since 2010 there have been four successful candidates in the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) competitions from the European Fast Stream. Of these successful candidates, one took up a post in 2014 and another is starting in summer 2016.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, whether he plans to ensure that private tenants affected by (a) cancer and (b) other long-term health conditions are able to access suitable accommodation, support and protection from eviction.

Brandon Lewis

The welfare system provides financial support to those with cancer and other long-term health conditions, including to help people meet the additional costs that come from these conditions.

The statutory ‘reasonable preference’ requirements ensure that priority for social housing is given to those who need to move on medical or welfare grounds. Statutory guidance on allocations makes clear that this would include people who have chronic or progressive medical conditions or long term care needs.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-06-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which Commissioner would make the decision in a case where a multi academy trust operating in one region wished to expand by adding a school in another region.

Edward Timpson

The National Schools Commissioner allocates a lead Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) to Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) and sponsors who are operating across more than one region.

The lead RSC ‘owns’ the relationship with the MAT, and is responsible for negotiating any strategic decisions, such as expansion, which has an impact on multiple regions.

Where a MAT wants to operate across more than one region, the lead RSC would meet with the trust and agree to the expansion in principle. The formal decision concerning the individual academy or free school joining the MAT is taken by the RSC for the region in which the school is located. The decision is informed by the lead RSC’s view of the MAT’s capacity and capability.

For national trusts, that have a relationship with the National School Commissioner, decisions by RSCs about MAT expansion are informed by the views of the National Schools Commissioner who has a national view of the trust’s capacity.

This information is publicly available and can be found in the RSC decision-making framework on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/517565/RSC-Decision-Making-Framework.pdf

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support regional school commissioners are expected to provide to organisations in their area wishing to become an academy sponsor.

Edward Timpson

Regional Schools Commissioners (RSCs) have an important role to play in encouraging and supporting high performing schools to extend their influence by growing Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and recruiting new sponsors to their region. The RSCs support schools and other organisations to become sponsors and grow effectively by offering practical one-to-one advice and facilitating supportive networks between MATs. They are also able to commission additional support for trusts where that is required, for example, from local Teaching School Alliances.

As set out in our White Paper Educational Excellence Everywhere, in the future MAT support will be system-led, and there will be a role for larger and more experienced trusts in supporting growing trusts as they develop. The Department is taking a number of steps to support MATs with leadership and governance, including:

• a MAT CEO development programme;

• redesigning a National Professional Qualification in leadership; and

• funding the academy ambassadors programme that has resulted in over 240 experienced business leaders providing support to MATs by joining trust boards as non-executives.

We are committing funding for 5 years to provide long term stability to help many more volunteers find a school or MAT that is looking for someone with their skills.

The Government has allocated £300 million that will be available to support schools to convert and, in particular, support sponsors to turn around failing schools. A further £300 million will be available to support strong and effective multi-academy trusts to grow and improve.