Tag: Tim Farron

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-09-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will reassess the potential merits of proposals to make sustainable drainage systems compulsory in new housing developments at risk from flooding.

Gavin Barwell

There are strict tests in national planning policy to protect people and property from flooding and we have been very clear that where these tests are not met new development should not be allowed.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that new development should only be considered appropriate in areas at risk of flooding where it gives priority to the use of sustainable drainage systems. The policy was strengthened in April 2015 to make clear the expectation that sustainable drainage systems should be provided in all major new developments, unless demonstrated to be inappropriate. The Framework is underpinned by planning guidance, including guidance on sustainable drainage systems, which was strengthened last year.

The Housing and Planning Act 2016 places a duty on the government to carry out a review of both planning legislation and planning policy in respect of sustainable drainage systems in developments. Any subsequent changes would be based on the evidence from this review.

Additionally, developers must comply with the building regulations which give priority to sustainable drainage systems in their hierarchy of arrangements for dealing with rainwater draining from roofs and pavings giving access to the building.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the army has been of teaching children in private schools in the UK and abroad in each year since 2010.

Harriett Baldwin

The total spend by the Department on Continuity of Education Allowance in the UK for Army personnel in each financial year since 2009-10 is shown below.

The Department also funds a range of education provisions overseas for Army personnel. However these are not all defined as ‘private schools’. The cost of this is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Financial Year	Spend by Army (£million)
2009-10	62.745
2010-11	67.021
2011-12	67.669
2012-13	62.134
2013-14	57.595
2014-15	55.960
2015-16	54.887

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2015-10-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to review the requirement for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria in the application criteria for the gender recognition certificate.

Caroline Dinenage

The Government takes gender equality issues very seriously and has actively contributed towards the Women and Equalities Select Committee’s inquiry into transgender equality. The Government will consider the recommendations of the inquiry once they become available.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-02-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 18 January 2016 to Question 22908, on prisoner escapes, if he will place a copy of the letter to the hon. Member for Romford in the Library.

Andrew Selous

Once the information requested is available I will write to the hon. Member for Romford and place a copy of that reply in the Library.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will estimate the number of days of sickness absence taken for reasons of depression, anxiety or stress in each of the last three years.

Mr Rob Wilson

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-05-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department plans to carry out an (a) impact and (b) equality assessment of the Government’s policy of replacing the Human Rights Act 1998 with a British Bill of Rights.

Dominic Raab

We will set out our proposals for a Bill of Rights in due course. We will fully consult on our proposals.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-06-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to develop a cross-departmental strategy to provide more support to carers in England.

Alistair Burt

The Government recognises the invaluable contribution made by unpaid carers and the importance of supporting them in their carer roles. This includes provision of and access to respite and replacement care.

The Department has provided £400 million to the National Health Service over four years from 2011 for carers to have breaks from their caring responsibilities. The carers breaks funding of £130 million is now included in the Better Care Fund in 2016/17. The Department has also provided £186.6 million of funding in 2016/17 to local authorities for improved carers’ rights, as established in the Care Act 2014.

The Care Act 2014 duty for local authorities to undertake carers’ assessments also provides an opportunity for the local authority and the carer to look at the support they need and the outcomes that they wish to achieve, including providing them with a break or taking up work, educational and leisure opportunities if they wish.

The Department is committed to continuing to improve support for carers and is currently leading the development of a new cross-Government national carers’ strategy, due to be published by the end of 2016. We are currently consulting widely with a range of stakeholders and carers themselves to inform the development of the strategy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-07-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service family accommodation homes have not met the Decent Homes standard in each of the last five years,

Mark Lancaster

Data on Service Family Accommodation (SFA) houses that did not meet the decent homes standard in each of the last five years is not held as the Ministry of Defence (MOD) only started assessing houses against this standard in April 2016.

As of 12 July 91.6% of SFA houses met or exceeded the decent homes standard.

The information on the historical condition of SFA demonstrated a steady increase in condition against the ‘Standard for Condition’ metrics. Under this system 96% of SFA was at the top two standards for condition which broadly equated to the decent homes standard.

Any family currently living in a property that does not meet the decent homes standard has the option to move, but will not be forced to move. The MOD does not allocate properties below the decent homes standard to families.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-09-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of proposals to make funding to farmers after the UK has left the EU dependent on implementing measures against flooding.

George Eustice

Supporting our farmers and protecting the environment will form an important part of our exit from the EU. The Government is very clear this needs to be looked at carefully and we are looking forward to working with industry and the public to develop new proposals that support our agricultural industry as we leave the EU.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-10-10.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his announcement on EU regional funding dated 3 October 2016, what conditions will need to be passed by funding projects to ensure they are (i) good value for money and (ii) in line with domestic strategic priorities; and if he will guarantee that all regions will receive the full amount of funding they were allocated by the EU.

Mr David Gauke

The Chancellor announced that the Treasury will provide a guarantee for all new structural and investment fund projects, signed after Autumn Statement, and before we leave the EU, where they provide value for money and support domestic strategic priorities.

Each government department will take responsibility for the allocation of money to projects in line with these conditions and the wider rules on public spending. The Treasury will work with departments to embed this approach.