Tag: Susan Elan Jones

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2016-03-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has received from the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner on the removal of people convicted of child abuse and rape from the Sex Offenders Register.

Karen Bradley

The Home Office has not received any representations from the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner on the removal of people convicted of child abuse and rape from the sex offenders’ register.

Offenders who are on the register indefinitely are only able to seek a police review after 15 years. In 2012, the Home Office issued detailed guidance to police forces on assessing applications for review. All decisions to release a sex offender from the notification requirements must be authorised by a senior police officer. Public safety is at the heart of all decisions taken by police, and those who continue to pose a risk will remain on the sex offenders’ register, if necessary for life.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2016-04-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of banning micro beads.

George Eustice

Microbeads from personal care products are believed to make up a very small percentage of the total amount of microplastics entering the marine environment, with estimates ranging from 0.01% to 4.1%. A ban in the UK would therefore be expected to have only a small impact on the effects on the environment attributed to microplastics. However, microbeads, like other microplastics, do not biodegrade and so accumulate in the marine environment. There are also less harmful alternatives that are suitable to use.

Defra supports voluntary action by industry to phase out microbeads from personal care products, and is supporting other EU Member States in calling for the European Commission to come up with proposals to ban their use in cosmetics and detergents.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether all children in Calais with valid family reunion claims and the first 300 of those children identified as most at risk will be re-located to the UK in time for the start of the new school year in September 2016.

James Brokenshire

Both Governments are clear that migrants in Calais in need of protection should claim asylum in France. The UK will consider requests to take responsibility of an asylum application made in France, where an asylum claim is lodged by a minor with close family connections in the UK and both governments are committed to ensuring such cases are prioritised. To assist the handling of these cases the UK and France have established a senior level standing committee, agreed single points of contact within respective Dublin Units and the UK seconded an asylum expert to the French administration to facilitate the improvement of all stages of the process of identifying, protecting and transferring relevant cases to the UK. Since February 2016 the UK has accepted over 30 requests from France under the Dublin Regulation to take charge of asylum seeking children on family grounds of which more than 20 have already been transferred to the UK.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2016-05-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) medical assessors and (b) others considering applications for (a) personal independence payment and (b) other benefits have knowledge of (i) muscular dystrophy, (ii) neuromuscular conditions and (iii) other rare and progressive conditions.

Justin Tomlinson

All healthcare professionals carrying out assessments receive comprehensive training in disability analysis, which includes the evaluation of how medical conditions affect claimants in their day-to-day activities. Prior to carrying out an assessment, assessors refresh their knowledge of any condition with which they are not fully familiar.

Benefit entitlement is determined by the Department’s decision makers, who receive extensive training to enable them to evaluate a claim and assess a claimant’s needs. In order to make a decision on benefit entitlement the decision maker considers all the available evidence, including the reports received from the healthcare professional and any further evidence, which may include reports from GPs, hospital doctors and other clinicians.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2016-05-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to support people who require a mobility vehicle during a personal independence payment mandatory reconsideration and appeal process.

Justin Tomlinson

We recognise that the transition from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can be challenging for some individuals, which is why the Department worked closely with Motability as we developed our plans for the introduction of PIP. The Motability charity provides a one-off package of transitional support and advice to support customers who no longer meet the eligibility criteria for the Motability Scheme. For the majority of these customers, who joined the scheme before 2013, Motability will provide transitional support of £2,000. This should help support the mobility needs of those who choose to appeal during this period.

Disability Living Allowance continues for 4 weeks after a PIP decision. Motability allows those who are no longer eligible for their scheme following PIP reassessment to keep their vehicle for a further 3 weeks, for a total of 7 weeks. This means that the majority of those requesting a mandatory reconsideration can keep their vehicle until this is completed.

We work closely with HM Courts and Tribunals Service to reduce appeals times and these continue to improve.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2016-07-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the sentencing review of motoring offences and penalties.

Dr Phillip Lee

Both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Transport are aware of concerns about a number of issues relating to serious driving offences and the maximum penalties those offences carry. The Government are committed to making sure that the courts have sufficient powers to deal with driving offences appropriately and proportionately within the context of our wider sentencing framework. It is our intention to commence a consultation before the end of the year which will look at driving offences and penalties.

The new Justice Secretary will meet the new Transport Secretary to discuss further in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2015-11-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what his plans are for future funding of S4C.

Mr Edward Vaizey

The Government is committed to Welsh language programming and to the future of S4C. This is why the Secretary of State announced on the 3 February that S4C’s funding would be protected in 2016/17 at current levels (£6.8m). In order for S4C to continue to provide a first-class service and have a sustainable future, the Government also intends to carry out a comprehensive review in 2017. This will look at the remit, governance and funding of S4C to ensure the broadcaster can continue to meet the needs of Welsh speaking audiences in the future. The additional funding announced on 3 February will ensure financial stability through the review process.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2016-07-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when the results of the sentencing review of motoring offences and penalties will be published.

Dr Phillip Lee

Both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Transport are aware of concerns about a number of issues relating to serious driving offences and the maximum penalties those offences carry. The Government are committed to making sure that the courts have sufficient powers to deal with driving offences appropriately and proportionately within the context of our wider sentencing framework. It is our intention to commence a consultation before the end of the year which will look at driving offences and penalties.

The new Justice Secretary will meet the new Transport Secretary to discuss further in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2015-11-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will meet the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss the effect of the reductions in funding to S4C proposed in the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015.

Stephen Crabb

I have regular meetings with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which provide opportunities to discuss a range of issues, including matters related to funding of services across Wales.

The Government is committed to Welsh language programming and to the future of S4C. The majority of S4C’s funding comes via the BBC and last week’s spending review settlement on the Government element of S4C’s funding therefore represents a modest reduction in its overall funding.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2016-07-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the proposed purpose is of the review into sentencing of motoring offences and penalties.

Dr Phillip Lee

Both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Transport are aware of concerns about a number of issues relating to serious driving offences and the maximum penalties those offences carry. The Government are committed to making sure that the courts have sufficient powers to deal with driving offences appropriately and proportionately within the context of our wider sentencing framework. It is our intention to commence a consultation before the end of the year which will look at driving offences and penalties.

The new Justice Secretary will meet the new Transport Secretary to discuss further in due course.