Tag: Vernon Coaker

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 Education, what arrangements are in place to ensure that the pupil premium for service children is used for its intended purposes.

Mr David Laws

Headteachers are responsible for selecting the most appropriate interventions to support their service pupils, including pastoral support or interventions to improve attainment.

They are held accountable for the use of this additional funding in two ways. Firstly, through the Ofsted inspection framework where inspectors focus on the attainment of different groups of pupils, including those who attract the service premium. Secondly, schools are required to publish online how much service pupil premium funding they receive, how it is spent and the impact it has made.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2014-05-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the pupil premium is available for pre-school children from service families; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Laws

The pupil premium and the service children premium are additional resources provided to maintained schools and academies in England to support the education of 4-16 year-olds who meet the eligibility requirements.

The Government has announced that a new early years pupil premium, worth £50 million, will be introduced from April 2015. It will give disadvantaged three- and four-year-old children better access to quality early education which evidence shows can have a major impact on their school readiness. The Government will consult later this year on how best to implement these proposals.

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.