The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2015-02-10.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent representations he has received on Equitable Life compensation packages; and if he will make a statement.
Andrea Leadsom
The Treasury continues to talk to many interested parties on this important issue.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2015-02-10.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to review the level of compensation paid to Equitable Life policy holders; and if he will make a statement.
Andrea Leadsom
The Government accepted all the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s findings of government maladministration and established the Equitable Life Payment Scheme. Taking into account of the state of the public finances, to be fair to both policyholders and tax payers, the Government allocated £1.5 billion to fund payments to around one million Equitable Life policyholders. At 31 January 2015 payments surpassing £1 billion have been issued to 896,367 policyholders.
The Government is focussed on making the remaining payments to eligible policyholders and has no plans to increase the levels of funding available to the Scheme.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Written Statement of 10 February 2015, HCWS273, on gifting of counter-IED equipment to Iraq, what protection will be provided to the members of the Armed Forces being deployed as part of the C-IED training package in Erbil.
Michael Fallon
UK Armed Forces personnel deploying to deliver the C-IED training in Erbil will conduct a comprehensive package of pre-deployment training and will be equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment. They will be armed for self defence purposes and the deployment will include a dedicated force protection element. Coalition partners will also provide force protection at the training location.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Written Statement of 10 February 2015, HCWS273, on gifting of counter-IED equipment to Iraq, how many members of the British Armed Forces are being deployed as part of the C-IED training package in Erbil; and what the time frame is for their deployment.
Michael Fallon
The UK will have around 30 personnel delivering counter IED training in Northern Iraq at Erbil, with a further two working in a supporting role in the Coalition headquarters. Subject to Parliamentary approval, training is due to commence in March and personnel will deliver training packages for at least six months, depending on demand.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Written Statement of 10 February 2015, HCWS273, on gifting of counter-IED equipment to Iraq, what ranks the members of the Armed Forces being deployed as part of the C-IED training package in Erbil are.
Michael Fallon
The ranks of the UK Armed Forces Personnel being deployed as part of the C-IED training package in Erbil will range from Private to Major.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2014-05-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how armed forces veterans are identified when making an application for jobseeker’s allowance; and if he will make a statement.
Esther McVey
Armed Forces Veterans who claim Jobseeker’s Allowance are identified by the Work Coach at their initial Work Search interview.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2014-05-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide details of the projects supported by the Armed Forces Covenant (LIBOR) Fund since its inception; and how much funding has been given to each of those projects.
Anna Soubry
The £35 million LIBOR fund has now closed with the majority of the money being allocated in support of a total of 97 projects. A copy of the document detailing those projects and the funding they have received is attached. A small sum is being held back for contingencey purposes.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2014-03-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what funds his Department has returned to the Exchequer as a result of underspend in each year since 2010.
Philip Hammond
In 2010-11, the Ministry of Defence returned no funds to the Exchequer; in 2011-12, the MOD returned £300 million; and in 2012-13, the MOD returned no funds. Final accounts for 2013-14 are not yet available but the MOD has an agreement with the Treasury for carry-forward of underspend at Supplementary Estimates.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2014-06-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps he is taking to secure the future of coal mining at Thoresby Colliery in Nottinghamshire.
Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement I made as Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on Thursday 12 June 2014.
As stated, I will continue to keep the House updated.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2014-03-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget Statement on 19 March 2014, Official Report, column 784, what effect making departmental underspends permanent and locked-in will have on his Department’s budgetary assumptions in relation to his Department’s (a) revenue and (b) capital budget until 2015-16.
Mr Philip Hammond
(holding answer 31 March 2014)
The Chancellor’s Budget statement did not change the Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s budgetary position until 2015-16 from that set out at the Autumn Statement in December 2013.
The Treasury has confirmed that Defence’s overall position remains unchanged as a result of the Budget: there has been no change to the MOD’s budgetary baseline for 2015-16.