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.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-07-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will place in the Library a copy of the report about Bright Tribe Multi-Academy Trust prepared by the Risk Analysis Division of the Education Funding Agency.
Edward Timpson
The Education Funding Agency is due to publish a report about Bright Tribe Trust. This final report will include the Trust’s progress in implementing recommendations set out by the EFA in December 2015; and will incorporate how assurance is obtained that services are provided at cost. Once this report is published, a copy will be placed in the Library.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-09-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2016 to Question 43735, how many of the applications received in 2015 and subsequently approved the Regional School Commissioner initially recommended to be declined.
Edward Timpson
The Department’s centralised records do not hold data on converter academy applications that may have previously been declined.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-09-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of (a) secondary and (b) grammar schools is rated by Ofsted as (i) outstanding, (ii) good, (iii) satisfactory and (iv) inadequate.
Nick Gibb
These are matters for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw. I have asked him to write to the Hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House libraries.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-10-19.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what date HM Revenue and Customs began to share RTI PAYE earnings data with Concentrix for use in its review of working tax credit claims.
Jane Ellison
HM Revenue and Customs began sharing Real Time Information data with Concentrix in November 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-10-28.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have accessed the Pension Wise service through the (a) face-to-face service provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau and (b) telephone service provided by the Pensions Advisory Service to date.
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.