Tag: Toby Perkins

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2016-06-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Fallujah.

Sir Desmond Swayne

The UK is concerned by reports of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Fallujah. The UN estimates that up to 90,000 civilians may be trapped inside the city and surrounding areas. We call on all sides to the conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law and to ensure free, unimpeded access for humanitarian agencies.

Since June 2014, the UK has committed £79.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the crisis in Iraq. The UK is the largest contributor to the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund, through which we are funding projects to support those leaving Fallujah. Our humanitarian partners continue to engage with the Government of Iraq, civil and military authorities to find ways of reaching civilians.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2015-10-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to UK Defence in Numbers, published by his Department in August 2015, in what capacity the four Wessex Combat support helicopters referred to in that document may be used.

Mr Philip Dunne

The Defence in Numbers booklet is a snap shot of the UK’s Defence capability and how we are spending the fifth largest Defence budget in the world. As well as giving details on civilian and personnel numbers and current operations, it also includes a list of the Ministry of Defence’s equipment holdings, the vast majority of which are in service and deployable. We will continue to review the Defence in Numbers booklet to ensure that it best reflects the breadth of defence equipment.

The pieces of equipment listed in the Defence in Numbers booklet that are not capable for use on the front-line are: Jet provost aircraft, BAE-125 aircraft, Wessex helicopters, Challenger 1 battle tanks, FH70 Towed Howitzers and Chieftain Armoured Vehicles. These platforms are used in either a training or ceremonial capacity.

Currently 90 Tornado aircraft remain in the operational fleet and are, or could be, returned to combat ready status; this number includes aircraft undergoing periodic deep maintenance and modification which are not immediately available for operational use.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2015-11-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the effect of planned changes in funding for the Big Lottery Fund on local community, sport and cultural organisations.

Tracey Crouch

As set out in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn statement last week, there are no plans to reduce the Big Lottery Fund’s budget. The Fund will continue to receive 40% of National Lottery good cause money. Sport, Arts and Heritage will also continue to receive 20% each.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2016-02-03.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received over the additional burdens to small businesses of the move to quarterly tax returns.

Mr David Gauke

Making Tax Digital will not involve quarterly tax returns. Instead, this is about making life easier for businesses – saving them time and money. These changes are a central part of a package of reforms that will save businesses £400m in administrative burdens.

Many taxpayers have told HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that they want more certainty over their tax bill and access to an in-year picture of their tax position. Instead of an onerous tax return, once a quarter businesses will update HMRC from their digital records and in most cases, little or no further entry of information will be needed. These reforms will make it easier for business to understand how much tax they owe, giving them far more certainty over their tax position, helping them budget, invest and grow.

The Government has received a number of representations from individuals, businesses, professional bodies and the software industry about Making Tax Digital. I also refer the honourable Member to my response of 11 January 2016 (with references 20876 and 21032).

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to gather the views of and comments from claimants regarding their experiences with Maximus Health and Human Services Ltd.

Priti Patel

The Department has a formal contractual requirement on CHDA to report on claimant engagement and perception of the service they receive.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2016-06-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent report he has received on seizing Saudi weapons from Syrian rebel forces.

Michael Fallon

None.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2015-10-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to provide support to people diagnosed with cancer in the work-related activity group of employment and support allowance who will be affected by the proposed reductions in benefits for people in that group.

Priti Patel

No current claimants, including those diagnosed with cancer, will be affected by the change to the work-related activity component and we have already committed to providing up £100m in new, practical support for claimants with limited capability for work to help them move closer to the labour market and, when they are ready, into work.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2015-12-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many days on average each class of Royal Naval officer and rating was at sea in each year between 2005 and 2014.

Mark Lancaster

Time spent at sea can vary depending on the tasking of the vessel.

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2016-02-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many civil society groups have raised with her Department concerns over breaches of the school admissions code since 2010.

Nick Gibb

It is the role of the Schools Adjudicator to consider concerns about school admission arrangements. Where a person or body has concerns that a school’s admission arrangements do not comply with the School Admissions Code, they may refer an objection to the Adjudicator. The Adjudicator must consider whether the arrangements comply with the Code and the law relating to admissions. It has only been possible for groups such as civil society organisations to refer objections since 2012.

The Schools Adjudicator reports annually to the Secretary of State and this report is available to view here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/osa-annual-report

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2016-04-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many places were awarded on nursing degrees at each institution in each of the last 5 years.

Joseph Johnson

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes statistics on students enrolled at UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The attached table shows the number of entrants to full-time undergraduate courses at English HEIs who were studying nursing, split by institution, for the last 5 academic years.

Reforms to the funding of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals (AHP) courses will enable universities to create more training places by the end of this Parliament, allowing more students to study for a health degree.