Linked Data API

Show Search Form

Search Results

31321
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-01-07more like thismore than 2014-01-07
star this property answering body
HM Treasury more like this
star this property answering dept id 14 more like this
star this property answering dept short name
star this property answering dept sort name
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with UKAR regarding the potential effect on customers of a rise in interest rates. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Kilmarnock and Loudoun more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Cathy Jamieson more like this
star this property uin 182195 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-05-13more like thismore than 2014-05-13
star this property answer text <p>This Government's long term economic plan has kept interest rates at record lows for hardworking people across the country.</p><p> </p><p>Many lenders impose affordability stress tests on their mortgage lending decisions to ensure that the mortgage will remain affordable should interest rates rise. The Financial Conduct Authority's Mortgage Market Review rules, which came into force in April this year will require all mortgage lenders to conduct such a stress test.</p><p> </p><p>Although UKAR does not engage in new lending, UKAR runs a range of modelling scenarios to understand the potential effects of interest rate rises on customers. This work helps UKAR to identify customers who may be susceptible to higher interest rates and to engage with such customers at an early stage.</p><p> </p><p>UKAR assists all customers who wish to switch mortgage providers.</p><p> </p><p>NRAM and Bradford and Bingley are managed by UK Asset Resolution Limited (UKAR) which was established in 2010 to manage the disposal and rundown of outstanding assets at Bradford &amp; Bingley and Northern Rock Asset Management in an integrated way, with a view to creating value for the taxpayer. UKAR is managed at arm's length from Government, on commercial principles.</p><p> </p><p>It is therefore not for the Chancellor to discuss detailed commercial matters with UKAR.</p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency South Northamptonshire more like this
star this property answering member printed Andrea Leadsom more like this
star this property grouped question UIN 182196 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Zmore like thismore than 2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z
unstar this property answering member
4117
star this property label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom more like this
star this property tabling member
4011
unstar this property label Biography information for Cathy Jamieson more like this
31322
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-01-07more like thismore than 2014-01-07
star this property answering body
HM Treasury more like this
star this property answering dept id 14 more like this
star this property answering dept short name
star this property answering dept sort name
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of an interest rate rise on customers whose mortgages are held by UKAR; and what support is available to assist such customers to switch providers. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Kilmarnock and Loudoun more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Cathy Jamieson more like this
star this property uin 182196 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-05-13more like thismore than 2014-05-13
star this property answer text <p>This Government's long term economic plan has kept interest rates at record lows for hardworking people across the country.</p><p> </p><p>Many lenders impose affordability stress tests on their mortgage lending decisions to ensure that the mortgage will remain affordable should interest rates rise. The Financial Conduct Authority's Mortgage Market Review rules, which came into force in April this year will require all mortgage lenders to conduct such a stress test.</p><p> </p><p>Although UKAR does not engage in new lending, UKAR runs a range of modelling scenarios to understand the potential effects of interest rate rises on customers. This work helps UKAR to identify customers who may be susceptible to higher interest rates and to engage with such customers at an early stage.</p><p> </p><p>UKAR assists all customers who wish to switch mortgage providers.</p><p> </p><p>NRAM and Bradford and Bingley are managed by UK Asset Resolution Limited (UKAR) which was established in 2010 to manage the disposal and rundown of outstanding assets at Bradford &amp; Bingley and Northern Rock Asset Management in an integrated way, with a view to creating value for the taxpayer. UKAR is managed at arm's length from Government, on commercial principles.</p><p> </p><p>It is therefore not for the Chancellor to discuss detailed commercial matters with UKAR.</p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency South Northamptonshire more like this
star this property answering member printed Andrea Leadsom more like this
star this property grouped question UIN 182195 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Zmore like thismore than 2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z
unstar this property answering member
4117
star this property label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom more like this
star this property tabling member
4011
unstar this property label Biography information for Cathy Jamieson more like this
32172
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2014-01-09
star this property answering body
HM Treasury more like this
star this property answering dept id 14 more like this
star this property answering dept short name
star this property answering dept sort name
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion and value of his Department's contracts have been let (a) under the restricted procedure, (b) by the open procedure, (c) via framework agreements and (d) via a tendering process involving the use of a pre-qualification questionnaire in each of the last three years. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Nottingham East more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Chris Leslie more like this
star this property uin 182696 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-05-07more like thismore than 2014-05-07
star this property answer text <p>Since January 2011, central government departments have been required to publish on Contracts Finder information on the tenders issued and contracts they award with a value over £10,000 (excluding VAT) (www.gov.uk/contractsfinder).</p><p> </p><p>Public Procurement Regulations require that prescribed procurement procedures are used when procurements exceed the EU contract threshold values. This legal framework helps to ensure that public procurement is conducted in a fair and open manner both within the UK and across the EU.</p><p> </p><p>Less than two percent of all contracts were let under the restricted procedure in each of the last three years.</p><p> </p><p>In 2010/11 there was one contract let under the restricted procedure. This was for actuarial support to the independent commission on Equitable Life Payments that was set up by this government to recommend how best to fairly allocate funds provided for the Equitable Life Payments Scheme (ELPS) and had a contract value of £1million.</p><p> </p><p>In 2011/12 there were two contracts let under the restricted procedure. They were (i) Corporate Financial Advice framework contract (estimated contract value of £5 million over the 2 years but no guaranteed spend)and (ii) a contract for actuarial support for (ELPS) in making fair and transparent payments to Equitable Life policyholders who suffered financial losses as a result of Government maladministration which occurred in the regulation of Equitable Life. The contract value was £5.4 million.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The information requested for the proportion and value of HM Treasury contracts that have been let via framework agreements and where a tendering process involving the use of a pre-qualification questionnaire in each of the last three years is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency South Northamptonshire more like this
star this property answering member printed Andrea Leadsom more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-05-07T12:00:00.00Zmore like thismore than 2014-05-07T12:00:00.00Z
unstar this property answering member
4117
star this property label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom more like this
star this property tabling member
422
unstar this property label Biography information for Mr Chris Leslie more like this
31448
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-01-07more like thismore than 2014-01-07
star this property answering body
HM Treasury more like this
star this property answering dept id 14 more like this
star this property answering dept short name
star this property answering dept sort name
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many non-UK EEA nationals had dependants eligible to receive child benefit where the dependant is (a) in the UK and (b) outside the UK on 1 January 2014; and how much has been paid in such a fashion in each of the last three years. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Leicester East more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Keith Vaz more like this
star this property uin 181673 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2014-05-14
star this property answer text <p>HMRC are not able to provide the information in the manner requested. HMRC do not record the nationality of the claimant receiving Child Benefit for children living in another member state.</p><p> </p><p>Published Child Benefit statistics provide annual estimates of the number of families and children claiming. The latest available (August 2012) show that there were 7.92 million families, responsible for 13.77 million children and qualifying young people receiving Child Benefit.</p><p>The main purpose of Child Benefit is to support families in the UK. Consequently, the rules generally do not provide for them to be paid in respect of children who live abroad.</p><p> </p><p>Nevertheless, Child Benefit is a family benefit under EC Regulation 883/2004. This regulation protects the social security rights of nationals of all member states of the European economic area, including the UK, and Switzerland when they exercise their rights of free movement under EU law.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC holds information on the number of Child Benefit awards under EC Regulation 883/2004. As at 31 December 2013, there were 20,400 ongoing Child Benefit awards under the EC Regulation in respect of 34.268 children living in another member state.</p><p> </p><p>This is a fall of 3,682 (15.3%) awards in respect of 5,903 (14.7%) fewer children since 31 December 2012.</p><p> </p><p>The breakdown by member state is as follows:</p><p> </p><p>*We have withheld the number where it is fewer than 5, as there is risk that the information could be attributed to an identifiable person, which would prejudice their right to privacy and would therefore be a breach of Principle 1 of the Data Protection Act.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Child Benefit</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Country of residence of children</p></td><td><p>Number of awards</p></td><td><p>Number of children</p></td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>Austria</p></td><td><p>23</p></td><td><p>37</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Belgium</p></td><td><p>75</p></td><td><p>140</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bulgaria</p></td><td><p>186</p></td><td><p>245</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Croatia</p></td><td><p>*5</p></td><td><p>*5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cyprus</p></td><td><p>39</p></td><td><p>61</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Czech Republic</p></td><td><p>124</p></td><td><p>203</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Denmark</p></td><td><p>13</p></td><td><p>23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Estonia</p></td><td><p>45</p></td><td><p>65</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Finland</p></td><td><p>12</p></td><td><p>23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>France</p></td><td><p>789</p></td><td><p>1429</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Germany</p></td><td><p>283</p></td><td><p>495</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Greece</p></td><td><p>44</p></td><td><p>69</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hungary</p></td><td><p>136</p></td><td><p>196</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Iceland</p></td><td><p>*5</p></td><td><p>*5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Italy</p></td><td><p>156</p></td><td><p>273</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Latvia</p></td><td><p>797</p></td><td><p>1091</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liechtenstein</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Lithuania</p></td><td><p>1215</p></td><td><p>1712</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Luxembourg</p></td><td><p>7</p></td><td><p>14</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Malta</p></td><td><p>15</p></td><td><p>22</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Norway</p></td><td><p>30</p></td><td><p>61</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Poland</p></td><td><p>13174</p></td><td><p>22093</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Portugal</p></td><td><p>202</p></td><td><p>309</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Republic of Ireland</p></td><td><p>1231</p></td><td><p>2505</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Romania</p></td><td><p>230</p></td><td><p>392</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Slovakia</p></td><td><p>692</p></td><td><p>1232</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Slovenia</p></td><td><p>11</p></td><td><p>21</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Spain</p></td><td><p>600</p></td><td><p>1019</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sweden</p></td><td><p>49</p></td><td><p>95</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Switzerland</p></td><td><p>77</p></td><td><p>150</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>The Netherlands</p></td><td><p>142</p></td><td><p>288</p></td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>Totals</p></td><td><p>20400</p></td><td><p>34268</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As announced in the 2014 Budget, to prevent EEA migrants claiming benefits they are not entitled to, the Government will increase compliance checks to establish whether EEA migrants meet the entitlement conditions to receive Child Benefit</p><p> </p><p>Under domestic law, in order to claim Child Benefit EEA Migrants must be present in the UK, ordinarily resident and have a right to reside in the UK and their children must live in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>The recent changes to migrants' access to benefits announced by the Government sends a strong message that the UK benefit system is not open to abuse, as well as deterring those who may seek residence in the UK primarily to claim benefits.</p><p>Strengthening compliance checks will help prevent EEA migrants from claiming, and continuing to claim, benefits they are not entitled to. Checks will be applied to both new claims and existing awards.</p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Loughborough more like this
star this property answering member printed Nicky Morgan more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
183448 more like this
184509 more like this
191453 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-05-14T12:00:00.00Zmore like thismore than 2014-05-14T12:00:00.00Z
unstar this property answering member
4027
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Morgan of Cotes more like this
star this property tabling member
338
unstar this property label Biography information for Keith Vaz more like this
5108
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2013-05-08more like thismore than 2013-05-08
star this property answering body
Cabinet Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 53 more like this
star this property answering dept short name
star this property answering dept sort name
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the total loss to the economy as a result of underemployment in Scotland. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Glasgow East more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Margaret Curran more like this
star this property uin 153940 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-02-25more like thismore than 2014-02-25
star this property answer text <p>This is not a matter for Cabinet Office Ministers.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Norwich North more like this
star this property answering member printed Chloe Smith more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-02-25T12:00:00.00Zmore like thismore than 2014-02-25T12:00:00.00Z
unstar this property answering member
1609
star this property label Biography information for Chloe Smith more like this
star this property tabling member
3982
unstar this property label Biography information for Margaret Curran more like this
9
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2013-05-08more like thismore than 2013-05-08
star this property answering body
Deputy Prime Minister more like this
star this property answering dept id 58 more like this
star this property answering dept short name
star this property answering dept sort name
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the outcome of his Department's matching of the electoral register with Department for Work and Pensions data in communities with (a) seaside towns and (b) towns with high student populations; and what effect this work will have on the size of electorates in these constituencies. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Vale of Clwyd more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Chris Ruane more like this
star this property uin 154454 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-02-25more like thismore than 2014-02-25
star this property answer text <p>As part of the transition to Individual Electoral Registration (IER), entries on the electoral register will be matched against data held by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for the purposes of confirming existing electors, a process which will simplify the transition for the majority of existing electors. Last year the Cabinet Office undertook pilots to test this process and we published our evaluation of these pilots earlier this year which is available to download from:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/simplifying-the-transition-to-individual-electoral-registration</p><p> </p><p>The evaluation report includes an analysis of match rates by population groups and while no specific analysis was undertaken of seaside towns, the results did suggest that match rates were lower in areas with high student populations. However, anyone who cannot be confirmed will still be invited to register individually and will retain their ability to vote in the 2015 general election. By using confirmation to simplify the process for the majority of electors it means resources can be focused on maximising registration among those people who cannot be confirmed, including individuals who are not currently registered. We are also currently running a separate set of pilots exploring whether data matching against DWP and other trusted national data sets can be used to find potential electors who are not currently registered but may be eligible to do so, in order to invite them to register. The results of the pilots, which are specifically targeted at boosting registrations among students, attainers and home-movers, will be published in the summer.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Norwich North more like this
star this property answering member printed Chloe Smith more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-02-25T12:00:00.00Zmore like thismore than 2014-02-25T12:00:00.00Z
unstar this property answering member
1609
star this property label Biography information for Chloe Smith more like this
star this property tabling member
534
unstar this property label Biography information for Chris Ruane more like this
10021
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2013-05-08more like thismore than 2013-05-08
star this property answering body
Cabinet Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 53 more like this
star this property answering dept short name
star this property answering dept sort name
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential risk of losses to the public purse arising from applying the current accounting officer conventions in the period leading up to the referendum on Scottish independence in 2014. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Gregg McClymont more like this
star this property uin 154017 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-02-25more like thismore than 2014-02-25
star this property answer text <p>I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury.</p><p>The UK Government is not planning for independence as it believes that people in Scotland will vote to remain within the UK. As such, the Government has made no assessment of the risk of losses to the public purse, and has no plans to change accounting officers conventions</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey more like this
star this property answering member printed Danny Alexander more like this
star this property grouped question UIN 154018 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-02-25T12:00:00.00Zmore like thismore than 2014-02-25T12:00:00.00Z
unstar this property answering member
1535
star this property label Biography information for Danny Alexander more like this
star this property tabling member
3949
unstar this property label Biography information for Gregg McClymont more like this
10022
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2013-05-08more like thismore than 2013-05-08
star this property answering body
Cabinet Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 53 more like this
star this property answering dept short name
star this property answering dept sort name
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with officials in his Department on how the accounting officers' conventions would apply to investment in Scotland in advance of the referendum on Scottish independence in 2014. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Gregg McClymont more like this
star this property uin 154018 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-02-25more like thismore than 2014-02-25
star this property answer text <p>I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury.</p><p>The UK Government is not planning for independence as it believes that people in Scotland will vote to remain within the UK. As such, the Government has made no assessment of the risk of losses to the public purse, and has no plans to change accounting officers conventions</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey more like this
star this property answering member printed Danny Alexander more like this
star this property grouped question UIN 154017 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-02-25T12:00:00.00Zmore like thismore than 2014-02-25T12:00:00.00Z
unstar this property answering member
1535
star this property label Biography information for Danny Alexander more like this
star this property tabling member
3949
unstar this property label Biography information for Gregg McClymont more like this
18743
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2013-11-04more like thismore than 2013-11-04
star this property answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government more like this
star this property answering dept id 7 more like this
star this property answering dept short name
star this property answering dept sort name
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what funding was allocated from Homes and Community Agency to (a) develop new affordable housing and (b) bring empty homes back into use in Harrow in each of the last five years. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Harrow West more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Mr Gareth Thomas more like this
star this property uin 174351 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-04-28more like thismore than 2014-04-28
star this property answer text <p> </p><p><em>[Holding Reply: Thursday 7 November 2013]</em></p><p>The figures for affordable housing are as follows for the London Borough of Harrow area:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>£22 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>£45 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>£26 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>£15 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>£13 million</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Since April 2012, allocations from the Affordable Housing Programme have been overseen by the Greater London Authority rather than the Homes and Communities Agency. There have been no specific allocations on empty homes over this period.</p><p>As outlined to the hon. Member in the answer of 7 January 2013, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 121W, I would note that the new Affordable Rent model now allows for more affordable housing to be delivered with lower levels of taxpayer capital subsidy and lever in more private investment.</p><p>As the National Audit Office has observed: “The Department selected the best delivery model open to it for the funds it had available” and “The Department has so far achieved its policy objective to maximise the number of homes delivered within the available grant funding” (National Audit Office, “Financial viability of the social housing sector; introducing the Affordable Homes Programme”, 4 July 2012, HC465, pp.6-7).</p><p>I also note that the Mayor's proposed Housing Strategy states: “£1.8 billion of public funding has been secured by the Mayor which will unlock an estimated additional £3.7 billion of other investment for London to enable 55,000 affordable homes to be delivered between 2011-15” (Mayor of London, “The Revised London Housing Strategy”, December2011, p.35).</p><p>Across England, 170,000 affordable homes have been delivered so far since April 2010, and a total of £19.5 billion of public and private investment is being spent on affordable housing over the current Spending Review period.</p><p> </p><p><em> </em></p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Keighley more like this
star this property answering member printed Kris Hopkins more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-04-28T12:00:00.00Zmore like thismore than 2014-04-28T12:00:00.00Z
unstar this property answering member
4043
star this property label Biography information for Kris Hopkins more like this
star this property tabling member
177
unstar this property label Biography information for Gareth Thomas more like this
447
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2013-06-25more like thismore than 2013-06-25
star this property answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government more like this
star this property answering dept id 7 more like this
star this property answering dept short name
star this property answering dept sort name
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what powers and freedoms relating to (a) skills and employment, (b) housing and (c) economic development have been devolved since May 2010 to (i) local government and (ii) local enterprise partnerships. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Congleton more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Fiona Bruce more like this
star this property uin 162343 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-05-13more like thismore than 2014-05-13
star this property answer text <p> </p><p><em>[Holding Reply: Monday 1 July 2013]</em></p><p>The Government is taking considerable steps to devolve power and freedom to local government and Local Enterprise Partnerships.</p><p>Through the Localism Act, councils now have the general power of competence that enables them to do anything that an individual might do, apart from that which is specifically prohibited. In addition we have radically reformed the local government finance system putting levers and incentives in the hands of local authorities, for instance:</p><p>· The removal of ring-fencing from local government grants has given councils the freedom and flexibility over the money they receive and allows them to work with their residents to decide how best to make their spending decisions to fit their local priority needs.</p><p>· rewarded places that deliver growth, through the New Homes Bonus and Business Rate Retention.</p><p>· Local authorities now directly retain 50% of business rates locally which amounts to nearly £11 billion, instead of returning it to Whitehall.</p><p>· We established five pilot Rural Growth Networks aimed at tackling the barriers to economic growth in rural areas, such as a shortage of work premises, slow internet connectivity and fragmented business networks. These pilots expect to create up to 3,000 new jobs and support up to 700 new businesses, offering a local approach to local problems. We will share the lessons they learn with other Local Enterprise Partnerships and Local Authorities to help them promote growth in other rural areas.</p><p>We have also given councils the ability to borrow against their Housing Revenue Account.</p><p>Through the city deals programme we have devolved powers and responsibilities to 26 cities. For example we have:</p><p>•provided levers to deliver the skills and jobs that local businesses and people need;</p><p>•created joint investment programmes; and</p><p>• devolved greater financial powers and incentives to invest in growth to all cities.</p><p>As we made clear in our response to Lord Heseltine's review of Growth, we intend to go further. We have committed to negotiating Growth Deals with every Local Enterprise Partnership through which we will allocate the Local Growth Fund and negotiate broader powers, freedoms and flexibilities where a strong case for decentralisation can be made. The Local Growth Fund brings together funding from skills, housing and transport and we have committed £2 billion in 2015/16 and it will continue to be at least £2 billion a year up to 2021. The Local Growth Fund includes:</p><p> </p><ul><li>over £6 billion of transport funding;</li><li>£300 million of additional Housing Revenue Account borrowing;</li><li>£50 million of Local Infrastructure Funding for housing developers; and</li><li>£300 million skills capital funding.</li></ul><p>We are also for the first time putting £5 billion of European Structural Investment Funds for the 2014-20 period under the strategic direction of Local Enterprise Partnerships, bringing the total resource (including the Local Growth Fund) under the control of Local Enterprise Partnerships to over £17 billion up until 2020.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Keighley more like this
star this property answering member printed Kris Hopkins more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Zmore like thismore than 2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z
unstar this property answering member
4043
star this property label Biography information for Kris Hopkins more like this
star this property tabling member
3958
unstar this property label Biography information for Fiona Bruce more like this