Tag: Toby Perkins

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2015-11-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to raise the welfare standards of animals in battery cages.

George Eustice

All animals are protected by comprehensive animal welfare legislation, including the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal. The UK also has species specific legal requirements which protect the welfare of all farm animals in whatever system they are kept. Battery cages for laying hens were banned in 2012 as there was clear evidence that these cages were detrimental to laying hen welfare. A statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sport Shooting provides rearers of gamebirds with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their livestock as required by the Animal Welfare Act including in cage rearing systems.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2016-01-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the government has initiated legal action against any law firms for abuse of the Iraq Historic Allegations Team inquiry.

Penny Mordaunt

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has been conducting a wide-ranging investigation into two firms – Leigh Day & Co, and Public Interest Lawyers – as a result of concerns about their conduct in the Al-Sweady Inquiry and associated litigation. Among other things, it is investigating how these firms obtain instructions from claimants in Iraq – a matter that is directly relevant to the unprecedented number of allegations with which the Iraq Historic Allegations Team is contending.

The Government welcomes the SRA’s decision to refer Leigh Day & Co to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, and awaits its decision with regard to Public Interest Lawyers. We will decide what further action may be appropriate in the light of the results of this process.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons appointments were cancelled by Maximus Health and Human Services Ltd in each local authority area in each month of that organisation’s contract with his Department.

Priti Patel

Work capability assessments are delivered by Centre for Health Disability Assessments (CHDA is a MAXIMUS company).

Nationally, in the quarter from January 2016 to March 2016, the number of completed assessments was 417,143 and the number of cancellations was 10,143.

Information is not available by local authority area.

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.