Tag: Tim Loughton

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2015-11-10.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions took place between his Department and the Department for Education about the allocation of funds to the Pioneer Communities Project.

Greg Hands

The Government announced at Autumn Statement 2014 funding for the Department for Education for an “Early intervention pilot for 0-2 year olds – to pilot a new approach to ensure that the most effective early intervention actions are taken during a child’s earliest years, to prevent avoidable problems later.”

This measure was to be delivered by the Department for Education, who worked with a number of stakeholders including Her Majesty’s Treasury, the Wave Trust and the Early Intervention Foundation to identify options to deliver the project.

As no contract has been signed for this measure, in June 2015 the Department for Education undertook not to proceed with the measure in this financial year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-01-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her policy is on local authorities offering council tax discounts to in-house foster carers but not to independent or agency foster carers looking after children in care from that authority; and what information she holds on which authorities have such arrangements.

Edward Timpson

The arrangement of foster care placements is the duty of local authorities. The regulatory framework for the provision of foster care placements is clear that local authorities must have access to sufficient placements to meet the needs of the children they look after.

The framework referred to above is clear that foster carers should not be economically disadvantaged as a consequence of carrying out their role on behalf of the local authority.

There is no specific provision for foster carers in council tax legislation. However, local authorities are able to grant council tax reductions to any individuals or groups as they see fit.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-01-11.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what contingency arrangements his Department has made for the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the upcoming EU referendum.

Matthew Hancock

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt Hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 14 January 2016 to UIN: 21952.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-01-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to publish her review of children’s centres; and for what reasons that review was not published in 2015.

Mr Sam Gyimah

We value children’s centres services. We are committed to consulting on the role of children’s centres in 2016. Details about the scope and timing of the consultation will be made available in due course and will be publicised widely to ensure the broadest possible response.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department issues to sperm banks on the grounds for rejecting donors.

Jane Ellison

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) issues guidance to licensed clinics, including sperm banks, on donor recruitment, assessment and screening in the HFEA Code of Practice. A copy of which is attached.

The HFEA requires clinics to select donors on the basis of their age, health and medical history, provided on a questionnaire and through a personal interview performed by a qualified and trained healthcare professional. This assessment must include relevant factors that may assist in identifying and screening out persons whose donations could present a health risk to others, such as the possibility of transmitting diseases, (such as sexually transmitted infections) or health risks to themselves (e.g. the risks associated with the egg collection procedure or the psychological consequences of being a donor).

Clinics should ensure that its procedures for recruiting donors are fair and non-discriminatory. The HFEA has never required or endorsed prohibiting people with dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other disorders from becoming sperm donors. In relation to the recent press coverage about a particular centre, the HFEA has clarified its requirements for selecting donors with this centre, and has reviewed all the exemptions cited in the centre’s materials, to ensure that all future donors are treated fairly and in accordance with the law.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-03-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he plans to respond to Question 24897, tabled on 29 January 2016 by the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham for Answer on 3 February 2016.

Joseph Johnson

I apologise to my hon Friend for the delay. I will reply shortly.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-03-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he expects the UK-China human rights dialogue to take place.

Mr Hugo Swire

The next round of the annual UK-China Human Rights Dialogue will take place in London. The date is still being agreed with the Chinese Government.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-05-23.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse has been of all advertising of the Government’s position on the EU referendum on social media to date.

John Penrose

The Government published details of the cost of the producing, distributing and publicising its EU Referendum leaflet and associated website on 6th April 2016

The total cost was £9.3 million, with the breakdown of these costs as follows:
• production – £458,500
• print and delivery to over 27 million homes across the UK in 2 waves – £5,947,436
• digital promotion and website – £2,894,064

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-06-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much profit Govia Thameslink Railway was expected to make over the lifetime of its franchise according to the original business case; and how much profit that company has made since the start of that franchise.

Claire Perry

The profit Govia Thameslink Railway expected to make over the lifetime of its franchise is a commercially sensitive figure. With regard to their actual profits, Govia will publish their audited annual accounts as required through Companies House.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-09-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which local authority children’s services departments subject to improvement notices have been visited by Ministers of her Department in each of the last six years.

Edward Timpson

Since my appointment in September 2012, as the relevant minister, I have visited and/or met with councillors and/or officers from 15 local authorities that were subject to Improvement Notices and/or Statutory Directions. I have also visited and/or met with councillors and or/officers from nine local authorities that have been subject to intervention since 2010. A list of these appointments is in the attached document.