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1471002

	registered interest
	date	16/06/2022
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, what steps the Government is taking to play a leading in role in delivering on the Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forest and Land Use.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	19614
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2022 answer text <p>The UK Presidency is continuing to lead international collaboration on Forest and Land Use, building on progress made at COP26. We held an international ministerial meeting on 1 June in Stockholm and we are continuing to work with countries that have endorsed the Declaration to gather views on implementation. We are creating a space for countries that are actively engaged in accelerating progress on the GLD to drive momentum and collectively address shared challenges.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 22/06/2022 10:45:42 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

794340

	registered interest
	date	23/11/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	5G
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, ?Media and Sport on the national roll-out of 5G networks.
	tabling member constituency	Brigg and Goole
	tabling member printed	Andrew Percy
	uin	115313
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2017 answer text <p>My Department is in regular contact with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the deployment of digital telecommunications infrastructure to support broadband and mobile connectivity, including the rollout of 5G.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 01/12/2017 13:23:14 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	3939 label Biography information for Andrew Percy

782675

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Aerials: Planning Permission
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans the Government has for further reform of planning regulations to support investment in infrastructure to improve mobile connectivity.
	tabling member constituency	Brigg and Goole
	tabling member printed	Andrew Percy
	uin	111251
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2017 answer text <p>In November 2016, the Government delivered major mobile planning reforms in England in November 2016, which have made it easier for Mobile Network Operators to roll out mobile infrastructure more quickly and introduced new rights to build taller masts. In addition, the housing White Paper <em>Fixing our Broken Housing Market,</em> published earlier this year consulted on proposals to amend national planning policy so that local planning authorities are expected to have planning policies setting out how high quality digital infrastructure will be delivered in their area and be available from a range of providers.</p><p>The Government is working closely with the industry to assess whether there are any further planning issues which can be overcome to improve mobile connectivity</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 09/11/2017 13:52:12 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	3939 label Biography information for Andrew Percy

750071

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many planning appeals have been made on affordable housing allocations in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.
	tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
	tabling member printed	Justin Madders
	uin	3831
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2017 answer text <p>The Planning Inspectorate does not hold the information requested.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 19/07/2017 14:28:37 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

752558

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the affordability of affordable homes available at up to 80 per cent of market rent for people on low and middle incomes.
	tabling member constituency	Tottenham
	tabling member printed	Mr David Lammy
	uin	5265
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2017 answer text <p>The Affordable Rent model was introduced to maximise the delivery of new affordable housing, making the best possible use of constrained public subsidy. It allows us to deliver more homes for every pound of Government investment, so more people in housing need can have access to a good quality home at a sub-market rent. This has allowed us to build nearly 333,000 new affordable homes since 2010, including 240,000 affordable homes for rent.</p><p>Rent must be set at or below 80 per cent of market rents, so tenants will still benefit from sub-market rent. When setting rent, landlords must consider the local market conditions to ensure fit with local circumstances. Actual levels of rents vary. For example, in London, Affordable rent is around 60 per cent of the market rates.</p><p>The vast majority of social housing (94 per cent) is still provided at social rent.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 20/07/2017 13:46:54 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	206 label Biography information for Mr David Lammy

754014

	registered interest
	date	19/07/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support institutional investment into the affordable rent to buy housing tenure.
	tabling member constituency	North Warwickshire
	tabling member printed	Craig Tracey
	uin	6210
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2017 answer text <p>Our Housing White Paper encourages institutional investors to invest more widely in housing, both private and affordable housing. The Government is offering a clear and stable long-term framework for investment and is encouraging lenders and investors to back developers and social landlords to build more homes of all tenures.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 11/09/2017 11:36:10 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4509 label Biography information for Craig Tracey

754015

	registered interest
	date	19/07/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether the revised definition of affordable housing in the National Planning Policy Framework will ensure that privately funded affordable rent to buy housing products are included within the definition in addition to the Government's rent to buy programme.
	tabling member constituency	North Warwickshire
	tabling member printed	Craig Tracey
	uin	6211
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2017 answer text <p>The Government consulted in the housing White Paper <em>Fixing Our Broken Housing Market</em> on a revised national planning policy definition of affordable housing. Consultation closed on 2 May and we are analysing responses. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, we envisage affordable rent to buy housing, where it meets the criteria in this definition and whether privately or publicly funded, would be included in the definition of affordable housing.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 11/09/2017 11:37:07 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4509 label Biography information for Craig Tracey

754016

	registered interest
	date	19/07/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the White Paper, Fixing our broken housing market, what privately funded affordable rent to buy housing products will count towards the (a) minimum 10 per cent affordable home ownership units on new housing sites and (b) requirement for new affordable home ownership products on Starter Homes Land Fund sites.
	tabling member constituency	North Warwickshire
	tabling member printed	Craig Tracey
	uin	6212
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2017 answer text <p>Subject to the outcome of the White Paper consultation, we envisage that affordable rent to buy housing which meets the criteria set out in the Paper, would count towards the proposed minimum 10 per cent affordable home ownership units and affordable home ownership products on starter homes land fund sites. The proposed affordable housing definition includes intermediate housing that is provided for sale and rent at a cost above social rent, but below market levels, and can include rent to buy housing.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 11/09/2017 11:33:51 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4509 label Biography information for Craig Tracey

759202

	registered interest
	date	11/09/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many Homes and Communities Agency-funded affordable homes, by tenure, were (a) started and (b) completed in each financial year since 2008-09 in (i) Bromsgrove, (ii) Reading and (iii) Windsor and Maidenhead local authority areas.
	tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
	tabling member printed	John Healey
	uin	9852
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/09/2017 answer text <p>The numbers of additional affordable dwellings provided in local authorities across England since 1997 is published in live table 1008C available here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-affordable-housing-supply" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-affordable-housing-supply</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 20/09/2017 11:17:15 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma previous answer version 11888 answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

759641

	registered interest
	date	12/09/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to publish the Affordable Housing Starts and Completions: England, April 2017 to September 2017 (Update of Live Table 1012).
	tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
	tabling member printed	John Healey
	uin	10088
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/09/2017 answer text <p>Publication dates for the Department's statistics are shown in the Statistics Release calendar, which is to be found at :</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements?utf8=%E2%9C%93&amp;organisations%5B%5D=department-for-communities-and-local-government" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements?utf8=%E2%9C%93&amp;organisations%5B%5D=department-for-communities-and-local-government</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 20/09/2017 16:02:37 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

769643

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to include and make specific reference to rent-to-buy in the definition of affordable housing in the National Planning Policy Framework.
	tabling member constituency	Christchurch
	tabling member printed	Mr Christopher Chope
	uin	107407
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2017 answer text <p>Subject to the outcome of the consultation on the Housing White Paper, we envisage that affordable rent to buy housing which meets the criteria set out in the proposed definition of affordable housing would be classified as affordable housing in the revised National Planning Policy Framework.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 17/10/2017 16:56:56 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma previous answer version 15679 answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	242 label Biography information for Sir Christopher Chope

769644

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to include affordable rent-to-buy schemes in their affordable housing programmes.
	tabling member constituency	Christchurch
	tabling member printed	Mr Christopher Chope
	uin	107406
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2017 answer text <p>The Government introduced Rent to Buy to support aspiring tenants on low to middle income into home ownership, enabling them to save for a deposit.</p><p>Funding for Rent to Buy is available from our Affordable Homes Programme 2016-21, which supports the delivery of a wide range of affordable homes with over £9 billion. As set out at Autumn Statement 2016, the programme is fully flexible and sets no ringfences on particular forms of tenure. We encourage providers to ensure that their schemes take account of the affordable housing needs in the local areas – to ensure that we build the right homes in the right places.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 17/10/2017 16:58:43 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma previous answer version 15678 answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	242 label Biography information for Sir Christopher Chope

769645

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to encourage private institutional investment in (a) affordable rent-to-buy schemes and (b) other affordable home ownership products.
	tabling member constituency	Christchurch
	tabling member printed	Mr Christopher Chope
	uin	107404
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2017 answer text <p>We continue to actively engage with and meet a range of organisations from the commercial sector and institutional investors who may have an interest in supporting delivery through the Affordable Homes Programme, which includes Rent to Buy and Shared Ownership.</p><p>The Affordable Homes Programme, through which we have delivered 333,000 new affordable homes since 2010, has been opened up to enable private developers to deliver Shared Ownership.</p><p>We have also set out a long term rent deal for social landlords in England, where increases will be limited to CPI + 1 per cent for 5 years from 2020. This will enable these providers the certainty they need to leverage in more private finance to build more homes across all tenures, including for home ownership.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 17/10/2017 16:57:34 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma previous answer version 15673 answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	242 label Biography information for Sir Christopher Chope

769646

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether privately-funded affordable rent-to-buy products will qualify for inclusion in Starter Homes Land Fund sites; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Christchurch
	tabling member printed	Mr Christopher Chope
	uin	107405
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2017 answer text <p>The Housing White Paper announced the Starter Homes Land Fund would be used to prepare more sites for Starter Homes and other affordable home ownership products. This can include Rent to Buy products.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 17/10/2017 16:59:21 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma previous answer version 15676 answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	242 label Biography information for Sir Christopher Chope

777650

	registered interest
	date	24/10/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to increase the number of affordable homes.
	tabling member constituency	Mid Worcestershire
	tabling member printed	Nigel Huddleston
	uin	901478
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2017 answer text <p>The Government is investing over £9 billion between 2016-2021 to deliver a wide range of affordable housing - to meet the needs of a broad range of people, including homes for social rent. We have also confirmed long-term rent certainty for social landlords – creating a stable investment environment to support councils and housing associations to build more affordable homes.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 30/10/2017 16:59:40 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston

802361

	registered interest
	date	06/12/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether the Government has made an assessment of the extent to which the use of viability assessments could reduce affordable housing contributions.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	118048
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2017 answer text <p>Stakeholders report that the use of viability assessments can add complexity and uncertainty to the planning process. This can lead to delays and diminished contributions towards infrastructure and affordable housing.</p><p>The Government consulted on proposals to reform the viability assessment process within the<em> Planning for the right homes in the right places consultation</em>. This will create more certainty about the contributions developers are expected to make to affordable housing and reduce the use of viability assessments at the planning application stage. The viability of the expected contributions should be tested at the plan-making stage. Where tested in plan-making, the issue should not usually need to be tested again at the planning application stage.</p><p>The consultation has now closed and we are currently analysing the responses. A further announcement will be made in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 118049 question first answered 14/12/2017 17:03:26 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

802362

	registered interest
	date	06/12/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps are being taken to prevent housing developers using loopholes in the Government's planning policy to reduce the number of affordable houses.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	118049
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2017 answer text <p>Stakeholders report that the use of viability assessments can add complexity and uncertainty to the planning process. This can lead to delays and diminished contributions towards infrastructure and affordable housing.</p><p>The Government consulted on proposals to reform the viability assessment process within the<em> Planning for the right homes in the right places consultation</em>. This will create more certainty about the contributions developers are expected to make to affordable housing and reduce the use of viability assessments at the planning application stage. The viability of the expected contributions should be tested at the plan-making stage. Where tested in plan-making, the issue should not usually need to be tested again at the planning application stage.</p><p>The consultation has now closed and we are currently analysing the responses. A further announcement will be made in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 118048 question first answered 14/12/2017 17:03:26 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

802934

	registered interest
	date	08/12/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much has been allocated under the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme 2016-21 to (a) London and (b) each Homes and Communities Agency operating area to the end of September 2017; and what the number of housing units in receipt of such allocation has been by tenure in that period.
	tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
	tabling member printed	John Healey
	uin	118354
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/12/2017 answer text <p>Affordable housing remains the Government’s priority. That’s why the Prime Minister recently announced an additional £2 billion funding for affordable housing, increasing the Affordable Homes Programme 2016-21 budget to over £9 billion to deliver a wide range of affordable housing, including social rent homes.</p><p>The Affordable Homes Programme is delivered through the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).</p><p>London will receive £3.15 billion over the period 2015 – 2021 to deliver at least 90,000 affordable housing starts by March 2021. Details for GLA allocations are available at the following link: <a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/record-17bn-deal-for-new-homes" target="_blank">https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/record-17bn-deal-for-new-homes</a></p><p>The breakdown of funding and housing units so far delivered by HCA operating areas up to 2021 will be published in quarter 4, details for the 2015 to 2018 programme can be found at the following link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/affordable-homes-programme-2015-to-2018-guidance-and-allocations" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/affordable-homes-programme-2015-to-2018-guidance-and-allocations</a></p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 13/12/2017 17:07:31 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

802936

	registered interest
	date	08/12/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the average funding per unit from allocations under the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme 2016-21 for (a) London and (b) each Homes and Communities operating area, excluding nil grant units was for (i) the entire programme (ii) Affordable Rent units and (iii) Affordable Home Ownership units for the period up to the end of September 2017,
	tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
	tabling member printed	John Healey
	uin	118356
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2017 answer text <p>Funding is allocated by the Homes and Communities Agency and the Greater London Authority in London. Housing associations and local authorities are able to bid into the Programme for funding.</p><p>Successful bids for the HCA and GLA can be found online.</p><p>HCA figures can be found here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/affordable-homes-programme-2016-to-2021-successful-bidders" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/affordable-homes-programme-2016-to-2021-successful-bidders</a></p><p>GLA figures can be found here:</p><p><a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-land/homes-londoners/homes-londoners-affordable-homes-programme-2016-21" target="_blank">https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-land/homes-londoners/homes-londoners-affordable-homes-programme-2016-21</a></p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 14/12/2017 12:19:57 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma previous answer version 29542 answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

802937

	registered interest
	date	08/12/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will set out the average gross rents resulting from total allocations under the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme 2016-21 to the end of September 2017 for affordable rent schemes in (a) London and (b) each Homes and Communities Agency operating area, expressed both in (i) pounds per week and (ii) as a percentage of market rent.
	tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
	tabling member printed	John Healey
	uin	118357
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/12/2017 answer text <p>The Greater London Authority has published its proposed London Affordable Rent levels on its website. See page 7 in the following file:</p><p><a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/homesforlondoners-affordablehomesprogrammefundingguidance.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/homesforlondoners-affordablehomesprogrammefundingguidance.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>The overall national average as a proportion of market rent for affordable rent funded housing through the programme is 80 per cent.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Homes and Communities Operating area</p></td><td><p>Average rent PW</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Midlands</p></td><td><p>169</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East, Yorkshire and The Humber</p></td><td><p>131</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North West</p></td><td><p>108</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South East</p></td><td><p>154</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South West</p></td><td><p>149</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>National Total</p></td><td><p>144</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 13/12/2017 17:06:49 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

765600

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing and Shared Ownership Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much earmarked for the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme has been spent since the scheme was announced in the Spending Review 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Hampstead and Kilburn
	tabling member printed	Tulip Siddiq
	uin	106205
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2017 answer text <p>The Government launched the Affordable Homes Programme 2016-21 in April 2016. Initial allocations made by the Homes and Communities Agencies under the Programme can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/affordable-homes-programme-2016-to-2021-successful-bidders" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/affordable-homes-programme-2016-to-2021-successful-bidders</a></p><p>The Programme is delivered by the Greater London Authority (GLA) in London. The GLA launched the Homes for Londoners: Affordable Homes Programme 2016-21 in November 2016. Initial allocations made by the GLA can be found at: <a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/record-17bn-deal-for-new-homes" target="_blank">https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/record-17bn-deal-for-new-homes</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 19/10/2017 13:44:27 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4518 label Biography information for Tulip Siddiq

732590

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing: Construction
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that rent-to-buy products are within the definition of affordable housing for the purposes of local authority section 106 agreements.
	tabling member constituency	South West Devon
	tabling member printed	Mr Gary Streeter
	uin	1073
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2017 answer text <p>Our White paper <em>Fixing the Broken Housing Market</em>, published in February, made clear that Rent to Buy products can help to meet affordable housing needs. We intend to reflect this in an updated definition of affordable housing for planning purposes when the National Planning Policy Framework is reviewed. We are also investing £7.1 billion in the Affordable Homes Programme to deliver 225,000 affordable housing starts by March 2021, including Rent to Buy homes.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 04/07/2017 16:45:35 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	234 label Biography information for Sir Gary Streeter

778113

	registered interest
	date	26/10/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing: Construction
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many affordable homes he plans to build in each region of England in each year until 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
	tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
	uin	109787
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2017 answer text <p>Building more affordable housing is a Government priority. That is why we are investing over £9 billion in our Affordable Homes Programme 2016-21 to deliver a wide range of affordable housing, including social rent homes, by March 2021.</p><p>The Programme is flexible and sets no ring fences on particular forms of tenure. The precise number of homes and where they are built will depend on the bids that are received. This allows providers to have the flexibility and agility to respond to local needs and markets – building the right homes in the right places.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 02/11/2017 17:28:19 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

793946

	registered interest
	date	22/11/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing: Cornwall
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to promote the construction of affordable housing in Cornwall.
	tabling member constituency	North Cornwall
	tabling member printed	Scott Mann
	uin	115035
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/11/2017 answer text <p>Affordable housing is a Government priority. That’s why we are:</p><ul><li>Investing £9 billion in our Affordable Homes Programme to March 2021 to help councils and housing associations to build more homes, including social rent homes.</li><li><p>Providing rent certainty to 2025 to support stable investment environment.</p></li><li><p>Supporting councils with an extra £1 billion of borrowing to build more homes where demand is greatest.</p></li><li><p>Supporting all developers by continuing to reform the planning system to ensure that we plan for and build enough of the right homes in the right places.</p></li></ul><p>The Homes and Communities Agency has allocated around £31 million funding from the Affordable Homes Programme 2016-21 in Cornwall, and last year we saw a 60 per cent increase in the number of affordable housing starts and an 18 per cent increase in completions.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 30/11/2017 17:34:56 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4496 label Biography information for Scott Mann

783172

	registered interest
	date	03/11/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing: Expenditure
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the affordable housing budget was in each of the last 15 years.
	tabling member constituency	Denton and Reddish
	tabling member printed	Andrew Gwynne
	uin	111424
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/11/2017 answer text <p>The information on Government’s capital expenditures on affordable housing through Government’s affordable homes programmes is available publicly.</p><p>A summary of housing expenditure under the Housing Corporation for the period 2000 - 2008 and the National Affordable Homes Programme 2008-11 is available through the National Archives website:</p><p><a href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20071204140632/http:/www.housingcorp.gov.uk" target="_blank">http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20071204140632/http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk</a></p><p>For the Affordable Homes Programme 2011-2015:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/affordable-homes-programme-2011-to-2015-guidance-and-allocations" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/affordable-homes-programme-2011-to-2015-guidance-and-allocations</a></p><p>For the Affordable Homes Programme 2015-2018:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/affordable-homes-programme-2015-to-2018-quarterly-updates" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/affordable-homes-programme-2015-to-2018-quarterly-updates</a></p><p>For the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme 2016-21:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/affordable-homes-programme-2016-to-2021-successful-bidders" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/affordable-homes-programme-2016-to-2021-successful-bidders</a></p><p>Data for London only is available at:</p><p><a href="http://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london-assembly/london-assembly-committees/budget-monitoring-sub-committee" target="_blank">http://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london-assembly/london-assembly-committees/budget-monitoring-sub-committee</a></p><p><a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/governance-and-spending/spending-money-wisely/annual-accounts-and-governance-statement" target="_blank">https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/governance-and-spending/spending-money-wisely/annual-accounts-and-governance-statement</a></p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 13/11/2017 17:06:51 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1506 label Biography information for Andrew Gwynne

776250

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Affordable Housing: North of England
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many affordable homes have been built in (a) the North of England, (b) Bolton and (c) Wigan in each year since May 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton West
	tabling member printed	Chris Green
	uin	109102
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2017 answer text <p>Figures on the number of additional affordable homes supplied are available in live table 1008C: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-affordable-housing-supply" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-affordable-housing-supply</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 31/10/2017 15:01:12 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4398 label Biography information for Chris Green

714185

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 7 January 2015 to Question 4985, what funding his Department gave to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.
	tabling member constituency	Hampstead and Kilburn
	tabling member printed	Tulip Siddiq
	uin	69329
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/04/2017 answer text <p>Whilst there has been significant progress in Afghanistan on human rights since 2001, these gains are fragile and the overall human rights picture remains poor. The UK works closely with the National Unity Government, civil society and the international community to promote the development of human rights and this continues to be a priority for the UK.</p><p>We provide support to the development of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) to increase their capacity. Through the FCO Strategic Programme Fund, the UK has contributed the following funding to the AIHRC:</p><p>2014-15: £500,000</p><p>2015-16: £519,000</p><p>2016-17: (Forecast contribution) £320,000</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 04/04/2017 13:57:33 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4518 label Biography information for Tulip Siddiq

722493

	registered interest
	date	19/04/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Afghanistan: LGBT People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the new guidance on sexual orientation and gender identity in Afghanistan which may lead to the return of failed LGBT asylum seekers to Afghanistan.
	tabling member constituency	Heywood and Middleton
	tabling member printed	Liz McInnes
	uin	71295
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2017 answer text <p>Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials provided evidence to the Home Office (Annex A of the Country Policy and Information Note) in advance of the publication of the updated guidance.</p><p>The FCO will continue to provide analysis to the Home Office on issues relevant to the Country Policy. The Home Office consider each claim on its individual merits. Where someone is found to be at risk of persecution or serious harm in their country of origin because of their sexuality or gender identity, refuge will be granted.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 24/04/2017 15:38:57 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4342 label Biography information for Liz McInnes

600644

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2016
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Afghanistan: Security
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Afghanistan.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	48294
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2016 answer text <p>I refer the Hon. Member to the response the Minister of State, my noble Friend, the Rt Hon. the Baroness of Anelay of St Johns, gave in the other place on 26 September 2016, <em>Official Report</em>, <em>House of Lords</em>, HL1823.</p><p>We strongly condemn the recent attacks on places of worship in Afghanistan. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. The security situation in Afghanistan remains challenging. We commend the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF)'s resilience over recent weeks in combating a series of determined insurgent assaults. The Taliban continue to expand their influence in some rural areas and increasingly threaten some provincial capitals. However, with significant international assistance the government has been able to expand their influence in some rural areas and government forces have repelled assaults on significant population centres.</p><p>Along with international partners, the UK is committed to helping Afghanistan build a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. At the Warsaw Summit in July 2016, NATO agreed to sustain its non-combat &quot;Train, Advise and Assist&quot; mission (Resolute Support) through 2017. We are increasing the UK forces under RS command by 10 per cent. I attended the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan on 4 October, which was another strong signal of international resolve. At that conference, the UK pledged £750 million in development support to Afghanistan through until 2020. Ultimately, a political settlement offers the best prospect for an enduring peace. We urge the Taliban to join the political process and become part of a brighter future for Afghanistan.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 17/10/2016 16:03:22 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

687989

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Afghanistan: Security
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Afghan counterpart on the (a) security situation in the province of Jowzjan and (b) killing of International Committee of the Red Cross workers on 8 February 2017.
	tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
	tabling member printed	Catherine West
	uin	63943
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/02/2017 answer text <p>I discussed the security situation in Afghanistan when I met the Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister, Hekmat Karzai, on 8 February. I reassured Mr Karzai of the UK's continued commitment to Afghanistan.</p><p>The Government strongly condemns the attack on members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Jowzjan Province. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We call for the safe release of the two members of the team who were abducted in the attack. The Secretary of State for International Development, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Priti Patel), has written to the President of the ICRC to offer our condolences.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 24/02/2017 13:25:01 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

687990

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Afghanistan: Security
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in the Jowzjan province of Afghanistan.
	tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
	tabling member printed	Catherine West
	uin	63954
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/02/2017 answer text <p>The security situation in Afghanistan remains challenging. Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice already advises against all travel to Jowzjan Province.</p><p>We commend the resilience of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) over recent weeks in combating a series of determined insurgent assaults. The Taliban continue to expand their influence in some rural areas and threaten some provincial capitals. However, with US assistance, ANDSF forces have repelled assaults on significant population centres.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 24/02/2017 13:27:57 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

720466

	registered interest
	date	13/04/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Afghanistan: Security
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	70346
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/04/2017 answer text <p>The security situation across Afghanistan, including in Helmand, remains challenging and we expect this forthcoming fighting season to be as difficult as 2016. However, we should be mindful that this is the third year that the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) have taken the lead for security since the closure of the International Security Assistance Force combat mission. The ANDSF continue to improve under difficult security circumstances, supported by mentors from NATO's Resolute Support (RS) mission. The Taliban continue to test the ANDSF, particularly in rural areas and occasionally threaten some provincial capitals, but the ANDSF have shown professionalism and resilience in managing security and countering terrorism, including from Daesh's affiliate in the region.</p><p>Along with international partners, the UK is committed to helping Afghanistan to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. At the Warsaw Summit in July 2016, NATO agreed to sustain the non-combat Train, Advise and Assist RS mission through 2017. We have increased the UK forces under RS command to a total of 500. The Brussels Conference on Afghanistan, which I attended, on 4 October 2016 sent a strong signal of international resolve. At Brussels, the UK pledged £750 million in development support to Afghanistan through until 2020. Ultimately a political settlement offers the best prospect for an enduring peace. We urge the Taliban to join the political process and become part of a brighter future for Afghanistan.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 20/04/2017 13:21:21 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

994614

	registered interest
	date	25/10/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Africa: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with her African counterparts on support for the International Labour Organisation convention to end violence and harassment in the world of work.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
	tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
	uin	183969
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government supports the adoption of an ILO Convention on ending violence and harassment in the world of work. The Government is fully engaged in discussions in the ILO on the scope and content of the proposed Convention and as part of that is in regular contact with other states on this issue. The text of the Convention under negotiation includes informal workers and, if universally ratified, would apply to the world’s poorest workers. The Government’s position on the definitions and scope of the Convention is that it should provide broad coverage, whilst being ratifiable by as large a number of the ILO’s membership as possible.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 183319 183320 183322 question first answered 01/11/2018 16:04:03 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma previous answer version 81929 answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1122166

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Age: Discrimination
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce ageism in the workplace.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	245681
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2019 answer text <p>The Equality Act 2010, provides strong protection against direct and indirect age discrimination in employment and makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee or a job applicant because of their age, unless the employer can justify it as a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.</p><p> </p><p>Government has put in place a number of measures to support people of all ages to enter and remain in a workplace.</p><p> </p><p>We have taken steps to support younger workers by introducing the Youth Obligation Support Programme, an intensive package of labour market support for 18-21 year-olds looking to get (back) into work. We are committed to providing targeted support for young people, so that everyone, no matter what their start in life, is given the very best chance of getting into work. In April 2019, Mentoring circles were rolled out nationally, which involve national employers offering specialised support to unemployed, young jobseekers to help build their confidence and raise their aspirations.</p><p>To support older workers to remain in or return to the labour market, the Government has removed the Default Retirement Age meaning most people can choose when to retire, and extended the right to request flexible working to all employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service with their employer.</p><p>In February 2017, the UK Government published “Fuller Working Lives: a partnership approach” to set out the role employers, individuals and Government can play in supporting fuller working lives. <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/587654/fuller-working-lives-a-partnership-approach.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/587654/fuller-working-lives-a-partnership-approach.pdf</a></p><p>The Government has also appointed the Business In The Community (BITC) Age at Work leadership team as Business Champion for Older Workers. The BITC team of employers spearhead the Government’s work to support employers to retain, retrain and recruit older workers. They actively promote the benefits of older workers to employers across England.</p><p>The number of older workers in employment is at a record high. There are now 10.4 million people aged 50 and over in the workforce.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 30/04/2019 11:19:34 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1344815

	registered interest
	date	07/07/2021
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	hansard heading	Agriculture: Carbon Emissions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the COP26 summit results in commitments to reduce emissions from (a) agriculture and (b) the wider land use sector, without those emissions being displaced to other countries.
	tabling member constituency	Bury South
	tabling member printed	Christian Wakeford
	uin	29169
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2021 answer text <p>As COP26 Presidency, we are calling for global ambition and action to reduce emissions across all sectors, in order to meet net zero by 2050 – including in agriculture, forestry and other land use, which is collectively responsible for 23% of global emissions.</p><p>We have already seized the opportunities of our G7 and COP26 Presidencies to drive international action and commitments on sustainable agriculture. The G7 Leaders’ Summit was a critical point as we work towards COP26. The G7 leaders committed to achieve net zero no later than 2050, with deep emissions reduction targets in the 2020s – consistent with keeping 1.5 degrees within reach. The G7 Leaders also acknowledged the harmful effects of some subsidies on the environment and the need to reform policies with recognised impacts on nature – and committed to work to accelerate an inclusive global transition to sustainable and climate resilient agriculture.</p><p>Together with the World Bank, we are co-hosting an international Policy Dialogue on the ‘Transition to Sustainable Agriculture through redirecting public policies and support and scaling innovation’. Through the Dialogue, we are developing a Policy Action Agenda on the transition to sustainable agriculture.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 29168 question first answered 21/07/2021 07:24:53 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4871 label Biography information for Christian Wakeford

1354350

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2021
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	hansard heading	Air Pollution: Health Hazards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in other countries on the effects of air quality on health.
	tabling member constituency	Swansea West
	tabling member printed	Geraint Davies
	uin	45794
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2021 answer text <p>By tackling the causes of climate change, we can also reduce the impacts of poor air quality on premature deaths throughout the world. Through our COP26 campaigns, we are seeking closer integration with public health objectives to facilitate a global green, healthy and sustainable recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic.</p><p>Through the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the COP26 Unit is engaging with countries on the COP26 Health Programme which supports increased ambition on climate change and health, including the relationship with air quality. The engagements also highlight the opportunity for the health sector to reduce carbon emissions in a way that also improves air quality. The government is also working with non-governmental organisations, including the World Health Organisation, to engage with health professionals internationally to advocate for stronger climate action, including addressing the health impacts from air quality.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 14/09/2021 16:04:45 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	155 label Biography information for Geraint Davies

1353317

	registered interest
	date	07/09/2021
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	hansard heading	Air Pollution: Pollution Control
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, whether tackling toxic air is part of his priorities for the COP26 summit.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	44441
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2021 answer text <p>For COP26, countries are being asked to come forward with ambitious 2030 Green House Gas emissions reduction targets that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century. To deliver on these stretching targets, countries will need to accelerate the global phase out of coal, encourage renewables deployment, curtail deforestation, and speed up the switch to electric vehicles.</p><p>By tackling the causes of climate change, we can also reduce the impacts of poor air quality on premature deaths throughout the world. As set out in its NDC the UK supports and is pushing for decarbonisation approaches that strive to improve air quality and minimise adverse impacts on human health. Our domestic policy pathway will be outlined in the UK’s Net Zero Strategy which will be published ahead of COP26.</p><p>Through our COP26 campaigns, we are seeking closer integration with public health objectives to facilitate a global green, healthy and sustainable recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 14/09/2021 16:02:12 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

773102

	registered interest
	date	18/10/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Airports: Planning
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to include protection for airfields in the National Planning Policy Framework.
	tabling member constituency	Welwyn Hatfield
	tabling member printed	Grant Shapps
	uin	108384
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2017 answer text <p>The National Planning Policy Framework recognises the significant contribution that aviation makes to economic growth. It requires local authorities, when preparing their Local Plans, to take account of the role of airfields in meeting business, leisure, training and emergency service needs. Planning guidance supporting the Framework makes clear local authorities should consider the interconnectivity between airfields of different sizes and that they should have regard to the Aviation Policy Framework.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 24/10/2017 10:07:33 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps

982648

	registered interest
	date	08/10/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Amazon: Social Security Benefits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if her Department will publish statistics on the number of employees of Amazon who have been in receipt of (a) working tax credits and (b) universal credit in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will publish the total amount paid to such employees in (a) working tax credits and (b) universal credits in that same period.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
	tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
	uin	175919
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/10/2018 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 11/10/2018 16:25:38 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

579493

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2016
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Animal Welfare
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote animal welfare in the Government's foreign policy.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	45850
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2016 answer text <p>The Government has a manifesto commitment “to push for high animal welfare standards to be incorporated into international trade agreements” and we are working with colleagues across Whitehall and with the European Commission, who represents EU Member States in the associated negotiations, to deliver this.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 19/09/2016 15:29:49 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

720473

	registered interest
	date	13/04/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Antisemitism
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many times he has discussed anti-Semitism with his international counterparts in the last calendar year.
	tabling member constituency	Bassetlaw
	tabling member printed	John Mann
	uin	70428
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2017 answer text <p>​Combating all forms of discrimination, including anti-semitism, remains an important part of the Government's human rights work internationally. Through our membership of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), we actively supported the adoption of a Working Definition of Antisemitism in 2016. The UK is now encouraging individual states to adopt the definition domestically. Since 2010, the UK's Special Envoy for post-Holocaust issues has played an important role in driving a more coherent and strategic approach to our work in this area, including on anti-semitism. The current Special Envoy Sir Eric Pickles raised antisemitism during his recent visits to Poland in October 2016 and March 2017.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 70702 question first answered 25/04/2017 16:45:13 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1387 label Biography information for Lord Mann

720489

	registered interest
	date	13/04/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Antisemitism
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has made representations on antisemitism to his (a) Russian, (b) Polish, (c) Latvian, (d) Lithuanian, (e) Saudi Arabian and (f) Malaysian counterparts since he took office.
	tabling member constituency	Bassetlaw
	tabling member printed	John Mann
	uin	70702
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2017 answer text <p>​Combating all forms of discrimination, including anti-semitism, remains an important part of the Government's human rights work internationally. Through our membership of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), we actively supported the adoption of a Working Definition of Antisemitism in 2016. The UK is now encouraging individual states to adopt the definition domestically. Since 2010, the UK's Special Envoy for post-Holocaust issues has played an important role in driving a more coherent and strategic approach to our work in this area, including on anti-semitism. The current Special Envoy Sir Eric Pickles raised antisemitism during his recent visits to Poland in October 2016 and March 2017.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 70428 question first answered 25/04/2017 16:45:13 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1387 label Biography information for Lord Mann

715067

	registered interest
	date	29/03/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Armed Conflict: Schools
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to sign the Safe Schools Declaration.
	tabling member constituency	Richmond Park
	tabling member printed	Sarah Olney
	uin	69669
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2017 answer text <p>While the UK Government welcomes the spirit of the Safe Schools Declaration, we remain concerned that the accompanying Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military use during Armed Conflict do not mirror the exact language of International Humanitarian Law.</p><p>Under International Humanitarian Law, the UK already affords schools and educational establishments a high degree of protection during military operations. We take these international obligations very seriously and believe better implementation of, and compliance with, International Humanitarian Law by all parties to armed conflict provides the best protection for civilians, including children. For this reason, the UK Government has not signed the declaration.</p><p>The UK Government will, however, continue to keep this policy under review.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 19/04/2017 16:00:24 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4591 label Biography information for Sarah Olney

712947

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Armed Conflict: Sexual Offences
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he plans to commit new research funding to the UK National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security to support the Government's commitment to the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	68807
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2017 answer text <p>The Government is committed to producing the next UK National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, in a focused, consultative and inclusive way. While HMG funding on Women, Peace and Security is focused on the implementation rather than the production of the UK National Action Plan, we have provided funding to enable civil society consultations in four focus countries and we are working with partners to ensure UK civil society and academic views are taken into account in the revision of the UK National Action Plan. The Government has funded an external, independent evaluation of the current UK National Action Plan, which will make recommendations for the next iteration of the plan for the next financial year to include research on stigma and preventing sexual violence against men and boys. This is part of our on-going efforts to produce an evidence base to inform and shape our Women, Peace and Security policy and more broadly on Gender Equality/Women and Girls, where there is a wide volume of funding for research, including through DFID funding.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 24/03/2017 14:53:45 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

712959

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Armed Conflict: Sexual Offences
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department plans to host another Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	68650
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/03/2017 answer text <p>This year marks five years since the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative was founded. The 2014 Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict was the biggest Summit of its kind. Significant progress has been made since 2012, including through:</p><ul><li>training over 17,000 military and police personnel;</li><li>deploying the UK Team of Experts over 85 times;</li><li>funding of over £35 million to support more than 70 projects in 26 countries to provide capacity building on advocacy, protection, survivor support, evidence gathering, judicial reform, prosecution and reparations work.</li></ul><p>The British Government will host an international meeting in 2019 to review commitments made at the 2014 Summit and galvanise further international action and commitment. The 2019 meeting will focus on what further action is needed to end sexual violence in conflict, including how we can further support survivors and tackle the stigma and negative attitudes associated with sexual violence.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 29/03/2017 16:00:12 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1010639

	registered interest
	date	20/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to disregard income from an Armed Forces medical pension when calculating universal credit payments.
	tabling member constituency	Easington
	tabling member printed	Grahame Morris
	uin	193435
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2018 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p>Income related benefits already partially disregard War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments for injuries and bereavement. With the introduction of Universal Credit, we have gone a step further and ensured that War Pensions and all Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments are fully disregarded in the assessment of income for Universal Credit.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 23/11/2018 14:36:35 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

598416

	registered interest
	date	10/10/2016
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Asia Bibi
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make urgent representations to the Pakistani government on the case of Asia Bibi.
	tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
	tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
	uin	47880
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2016 answer text <p>I remain concerned about Ms Asia Bibi ahead of her Supreme Court hearing due this week. We raise regularly our concerns about misuse of the blasphemy laws with the Pakistani Government, and continue to urge Pakistan to adhere to its international obligations and uphold the rule of law. During his visit to Pakistan in March, the former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), made clear our concerns about minority communities and misuse of the blasphemy laws. The UK supported the EU statement of October 2014 following the decision of the Lahore High Court to uphold the conviction of Ms Bibi. We will continue to work with our EU and other international partners to ensure our views are made clear to the Pakistani authorities.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 13/10/2016 15:05:29 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

649474

	registered interest
	date	01/12/2016
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Asia: Politics and Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans the Government has to support the US administration in promoting regional security in (a) the South China Sea and (b) other parts of Asia.
	tabling member constituency	Salisbury
	tabling member printed	John Glen
	uin	55921
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/12/2016 answer text <p>We continue to work closely with the US in promoting regional security across Asia. In line with our Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 commitments to the Asia Pacific region more broadly, we are active with a range of like-minded security partners in the region. For example, in November 2016 Exercise Eastern Vortex saw the Royal Air Force participate in a military exercise with Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand; in joint exercises with Japan; and in a trilateral exercise with the US and the Republic of Korea.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 09/12/2016 11:12:30 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4051 label Biography information for John Glen

1458369

	registered interest
	date	19/04/2022
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	hansard heading	Asylum: Rwanda
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Government's proposed transportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda on meeting the UK's COP26 obligations.
	tabling member constituency	Oxford West and Abingdon
	tabling member printed	Layla Moran
	uin	155902
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2022 answer text <p>The UK remains committed to honouring its obligations on climate change, including those contained in the Glasgow Climate Pact.</p><p><br>The UK continues to work closely with the Government of Rwanda on climate issues, including ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in June. We are also working in our COP Presidency year to help ensure the world stays on course to meet its commitments and maintains ambitious efforts to keep 1.5 degrees within reach.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 25/04/2022 12:42:15 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4656 label Biography information for Layla Moran

573679

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2016
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Australia: Refugees
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will raise with his Australian counterpart the issue of the living conditions of refugees on Nauru.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
	tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
	uin	44616
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2016 answer text <p>We welcome Prime Minister Turnbull’s announcement that the Australian Government will examine complaints about the treatment of detainees at its immigration detention centre in Nauru. We would not want to prejudge the outcome of that process. The United Kingdom has previously raised these issues with the Australian Government, including at the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Australia in November 2015.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 07/09/2016 15:33:07 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff