The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-01-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what analysis his Department has commissioned of the potential effect of a British withdrawal from the EU on Anglo-French defence projects.
Mr Julian Brazier
None.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-02-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether benefits for people with disabilities will be exempt from the freeze on working-age benefits.
Priti Patel
The Welfare Reform and Work Bill introduces a four-year freeze for the main rates of most working-age benefits from 2016-17 to 2019-20, as part of the Government’s welfare reforms that are moving the country to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society.
The freeze does not apply to benefits related to the additional costs of disability, such as Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment; to the support group component of Employment and Support Allowance or the limited capability for work and work-related activity amount in Universal Credit; or to the disability premiums in Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Housing Benefit. Carers benefits and premiums are also exempted from the freeze.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-02-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential effect on the number of people employed in Scotland who are from non-EU countries of the salary threshold increase for Tier 2 visa applications to £35,000.
James Brokenshire
The Government announced in 2012 that from 6 April 2016 Tier 2 visa holders who apply for settlement in the UK will be required to meet a minimum annual salary requirement of £35,000. PhD level roles and those in recognised shortage will be exempt from the £35,000 threshold.
Data of the number of people employed in specific regions of the United Kingdom is not available. The Home Office holds individual records showing the working location of Tier 2 (General) migrants, but centralised records show the registered address of the Tier 2 Sponsor, which is normally that organisation’s Head Office.
The Home Office published a full impact assessment on the changes to Tier 2 settlement rules when they were laid before Parliament on 15 March 2012. This includes the impact on the top ten occupations and is available on the gov.uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117957/impact-assessment-tier2.pdf
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-03-10.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the level of duty on Scotch whisky on the export of that product.
Damian Hinds
There is no alcohol duty payable on exported Scotch Whisky.
The government is committed to supporting the Scotch Whisky industry. The duty on spirits was cut at March Budget 2015 and, to continue this support, Budget 2016 announced a duty freeze for spirits this year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-03-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the risk of increased suppression of demonstrations, civil society organisations, and of threats to Iraqi citizens from Iraqi government forces and militias.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We are following demonstrations by civil society organisations which are currently taking place in Iraq. These follow large demonstrations which took place during summer 2015. We welcome the overwhelmingly peaceful nature of these demonstrations and the measured manner in which they have been policed. Demonstrators commented on the good treatment by and positive interaction of the Iraqi Security Forces. This is in stark contrast to 2011 when lethal force was used against demonstrators. We are also following similar demonstrations in Iraqi Kurdistan.
However, we are concerned by recent reports alleging that Iraqi Security Forces, Kurdish Security Forces, Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces and militias have committed human rights abuses and violations during recent military operations. We have been clear that Iraqi forces need to do everything they can to protect civilians and demonstrate that they are fighting on behalf of all Iraq’s communities. Prime Minister Abadi and Kurdish Regional President Barzani have committed to investigating all reports and ensuring those responsible are held to account. We regularly underline with the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government the importance of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs attributable to the arms export industry in 2014.
Anna Soubry
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills does not hold this information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2016 to Question 31489, what the date was of the most recent meeting at which the use of cluster munitions was raised with the Saudi Arabian government since the Convention on Cluster Munitions came into force on 30 May 2008.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The issue of Cluster Munitions was raised with the Saudis by Sir Alan Duncan, the Government’s Envoy on Yemen during his visit to Riyadh on 6 April 2016. In line with our obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions, we continue to encourage Saudi Arabia, as a non-party to the Convention, to accede to it.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of its recent increases in financial support for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Egypt on the ability of those NGOs to operate effectively.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
Our assessment is that programme effectiveness has not been compromised to date, despite growing restrictions on civil society. However, we continually review our programming to ensure it has maximum impact and represents value for money for the taxpayer.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government has provided support to the US administration for its remotely piloted aircraft system strikes in Yemen.
Penny Mordaunt
The UK Government has not provided support to the US for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System strikes in Yemen.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-05-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received from the Libyan government on UK military training and mentoring for Libyan authorities; and what offers of such training and mentoring the UK has made to Libyan authorities.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) has not made a specific request to the UK for military training and mentoring for Libyan authorities. We have discussed with international partners how best we might support the GNA. That could include training Libyan Security Forces to provide their own security, and to the Libyan Coastguard to help tackle illegal people smuggling as agreed by the international Community at the Vienna Ministerial on 16 May. Any such support we and others provided would be in response to a clear request from the GNA.