Tag: Tommy Sheppard

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tommy Sheppard on 2015-11-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what progress has been made on the proposed Edinburgh City Deal.

James Wharton

We are working with Edinburgh and South East Scotland on their proposals to drive local economic growth and will continue to do so in partnership with the Scottish Government. As a One Nation Government, serious about rebalancing our economy, we will consider strong, credible ideas from all areas of the UK.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tommy Sheppard on 2016-05-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to recommendation 8 of the report of the Foreign Affairs Committee, The UK’s role in the war against ISIL following the cessation of hostilities in Syria in February 2016, published on 24 March 2016, what representations he has made to his Turkish counterpart on seeking a negotiated, peaceful and democratic solution to the conflict in predominantly Kurdish areas of Turkey.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The ongoing violence in the predominantly Kurdish areas of south-east Turkey is extremely concerning. We believe Turkey has a legitimate right to defend itself against the PKK, whose attacks we condemn as we condemn all terrorism. Our thoughts are with the victims of these attacks, and the civilians who have been caught up in the violence. As in any conflict, civilian casualties should be avoided and human rights need to be fully protected. PKK violence must end and the peace process be resumed. We stand ready to help in any way we can. The Foreign Secretary and Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Turkey have emphasised to the Turkish government the need to respect human rights, avoid civilian casualties and return to the peace process.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tommy Sheppard on 2015-11-30.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress has been made on the Big Society initiative.

Mr Rob Wilson

The UK Government is committed to the Big Society and the increase of social action in communities. The Spending Review has seen this commitment reaffirmed byfunding 300,000 NCS places by 2020, ensuring that any young person who wants to participate is guaranteed a place, and an extra£80million to grow Social Investment. These initiatives are helping to empower people around the country to build more resilient communities and a stronger society for all.

Civil Society and Communities policy are fully devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tommy Sheppard on 2016-06-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason the application from Mr Hamde Abu Rahma to visit Scotland was rejected; and if she will instigate a review of that decision.

James Brokenshire

In order to safeguard an individual’s personal information and comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 the Home Office is limited in what information it can provide when the request is made by someone who is not the applicant. The Home Office is therefore unable to provide the information requested.

All applications are considered on their individual merits and in line with the Immigration Rules.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tommy Sheppard on 2015-12-10.

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

Mr Desmond Swayne

The UN assesses that the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) is a protracted protection crisis with humanitarian consequences. According to the UN, Palestinians in the OPTs face a range of serious threats including threats to life, liberty and security, destruction of homes and other property, forced displacement, and restrictions on freedom of movement and access to livelihoods.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tommy Sheppard on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Israeli government on that country’s use of the courts to obtain information on the identities of soldiers who have served in Operation Protective Edge and testified about their experience with Breaking the Silence.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We have not raised this issue with the Israeli authorities.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tommy Sheppard on 2016-01-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time a person waited after applying to a hardship fund to receive funding was in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) Edinburgh in the last 12 months.

Priti Patel

The information is not available at the level requested and could only be provided at disproportionate costs.

The Department has, however, published information on the number of hardship applications and awards for Jobseekers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance which can be accessed via the link below.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/jsa-and-esa-hardship-applications-and-awards-apr-2012-to-jun-2015

“

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tommy Sheppard on 2016-06-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to paragraph 2.1(5) of the Principles for maintaining continuity of care when moving across borders within the United Kingdom, published in March 2015, what mechanism would be used to resolve or arbitrate on a disagreement between local authorities relating to the moving of an adult’s care package from one UK country to another.

Alistair Burt

The “Principles for maintaining continuity of care when moving across borders within the United Kingdom” provide a framework for local authorities to support adults with care and support who move between countries in the United Kingdom without having their care interrupted.

Adhering to the principles should reduce the potential for disagreement, however, where disagreements do arise, the Department and the Devolved Administrations would expect the parties to act reasonably and to make full efforts to resolve the dispute between themselves through constructive dialogue, cooperation and communication, including the timely sharing of information, and focussing on the well-being of the adult. The timely and effective resolution of disputes is in the interest of all parties, not least, the adult in question.

It is not possible to be definitive about which authority a cross-border continuity of care matter should be pursued with because it will depend on the facts and the nature of the issue. The adult may wish to approach their own local authority in the first instance. However where an issue raised with an authority falls within the remit of the other, the principle that the authorities should work together and share information should apply.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tommy Sheppard on 2016-01-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people subject to benefit sanctions applied to a hardship fund in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) Edinburgh in 2015.

Priti Patel

The information is not available at the level requested and could only be provided at disproportionate costs.

The Department has, however, published information on the number of hardship applications and awards for Jobseekers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance which can be accessed via the link below.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/jsa-and-esa-hardship-applications-and-awards-apr-2012-to-jun-2015

“

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tommy Sheppard on 2016-06-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Principles for maintaining continuity of care when moving across borders within the United Kingdom, published in March 2015, whether an adult with a care package who needs to raise a cross-border moving issue should raise that issue with the local authority they are leaving or the one they are moving to.

Alistair Burt

The “Principles for maintaining continuity of care when moving across borders within the United Kingdom” provide a framework for local authorities to support adults with care and support who move between countries in the United Kingdom without having their care interrupted.

Adhering to the principles should reduce the potential for disagreement, however, where disagreements do arise, the Department and the Devolved Administrations would expect the parties to act reasonably and to make full efforts to resolve the dispute between themselves through constructive dialogue, cooperation and communication, including the timely sharing of information, and focussing on the well-being of the adult. The timely and effective resolution of disputes is in the interest of all parties, not least, the adult in question.

It is not possible to be definitive about which authority a cross-border continuity of care matter should be pursued with because it will depend on the facts and the nature of the issue. The adult may wish to approach their own local authority in the first instance. However where an issue raised with an authority falls within the remit of the other, the principle that the authorities should work together and share information should apply.