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1133144
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-06-19more like thisremove minimum value filter
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Personal Independence Payment more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the average time taken to reach an outcome for mandatory re-considerations of personal independence payment applications. more like this
tabling member constituency Aberdeen North more like this
tabling member printed
Kirsty Blackman remove filter
uin 266707 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-06-24more like thismore than 2019-06-24
answer text <p>Statistics on the average clearance time for Mandatory Reconsiderations (MR) for Personal Independence Payment are found in Table 7C, ‘MR Clearance Time (median calendar days), Normal Rules, by month of clearance’ of the quarterly statistical publication ‘Personal Independence Payment: April 2013 to April 2019’ published by the Department for Work and Pensions and available here:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-independence-payment-april-2013-to-april-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-independence-payment-april-2013-to-april-2019</a></p> more like this
answering member constituency North Swindon more like this
answering member printed Justin Tomlinson more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-06-24T12:58:57.85Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-24T12:58:57.85Z
answering member
4105
label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson more like this
tabling member
4357
label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman more like this
1133137
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-06-19more like thisremove minimum value filter
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Visas: Scotland more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, where the assisted digital locations in Scotland will be; and what type of visa applicants will be able to use that service. more like this
tabling member constituency Aberdeen North more like this
tabling member printed
Kirsty Blackman remove filter
uin 266700 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-06-27more like thismore than 2019-06-27
answer text <p>Since September 2017, UK Visas &amp; Immigration has offered customers across the UK a free ‘Assisted Digital’ service. The service is designed to help people who need to use UK Visas &amp; Immigration online services but don’t have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to do so on their own. Support can be provided over the phone, at a local centre or in home with a trained tutor.</p><p>As of the 20th June, across the UK, there are over 300 centres across the UK supplemented by a network of over 60 tutors. In Scotland, there are 2 tutors offering in home support and 43 centres offering face to face support.</p><p>Customers should contact the Assisted Digital helpline on 03333 445 675 or by texting the word “VISA” to 07537 416 944 and they will be able to advise on the closest support centre. <br>The Assisted Digital service is available to all UKVI customers except for those applying through the following immigration routes, as support should be provided to them by their sponsoring employers or colleges</p><p>• Tier 1 (including entrepreneur and exceptional talent)<br>• Tier 2 (people working for a specific employer in the UK)<br>• Tier 4 (students in the UK)<br>In January 2019 the service was extended to support EU citizens and their family members applying for the EU Settlement Scheme.</p>
answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North more like this
answering member printed Caroline Nokes more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-06-27T14:46:02.133Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-27T14:46:02.133Z
answering member
4048
label Biography information for Caroline Nokes more like this
tabling member
4357
label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman more like this
1134255
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-06-24more like thismore than 2019-06-24
answering body
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept id 201 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
hansard heading Business: Billing more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of making the Prompt Payment Code compulsory for large businesses. more like this
tabling member constituency Aberdeen North more like this
tabling member printed
Kirsty Blackman remove filter
uin 268619 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-02more like thismore than 2019-07-02
answer text <p>In the recent Government Response to the Creating a Responsible Payment Culture Call for Evidence we announced that responsibility for the voluntary Prompt Payment Code (the ‘Code’) is to move to the Small Business Commissioner and that the Code will be reformed, following engagement with existing Code signatories.</p><p> </p><p>Turning a voluntary code into a compulsory code would be further legislation respect of payment terms. UK legislation already establishes maximum 30-day payment terms for transactions with public authorities and 60-day payment terms between businesses, unless they agree longer terms and those terms are not grossly unfair to the supplier.</p><p> </p><p>Government has worked closely with trade bodies and businesses to develop this. Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman, said of the recent announcement: “Small businesses will be delighted with today’s announcement” and “the measures today could finally see an end to poor payment practice. Changing our business culture will boost the small business community, productivity and growth.”</p><p> </p>
answering member constituency Rochester and Strood more like this
answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-02T14:10:31.767Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-02T14:10:31.767Z
answering member
4487
label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst more like this
tabling member
4357
label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman more like this
1134256
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-06-24more like thismore than 2019-06-24
answering body
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept id 201 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
hansard heading Business: Billing more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reducing the maximum payment terms of the Prompt Payment Code from 60 days to 30 days. more like this
tabling member constituency Aberdeen North more like this
tabling member printed
Kirsty Blackman remove filter
uin 268620 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-02more like thismore than 2019-07-02
answer text <p>The Prompt Payment Code (‘the Code’) encourages businesses to aim for 30-day payment terms as the norm, with 60 days as the maximum. Signatories commit to paying 95% of invoices within 60 days, unless there are exceptional circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>In the recent Government Response to the Creating a Responsible Payment Culture Call for Evidence we announced that responsibility for the Code is to move to the Small Business Commissioner and that the Code will be reformed, following engagement with existing Code signatories. We are also keen to increase the number of businesses signed up to the Code.</p><p> </p><p>UK legislation already establishes maximum 30-day payment terms for transactions with public authorities and 60-day payment terms between businesses, unless they agree longer terms and those terms are not grossly unfair to the supplier.</p><p> </p><p>Government has worked closely with trade bodies and businesses to develop this. Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman, said of the recent announcement: “Small businesses will be delighted with today’s announcement” and “the measures today could finally see an end to poor payment practice. Changing our business culture will boost the small business community, productivity and growth.”</p>
answering member constituency Rochester and Strood more like this
answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-02T14:10:37.61Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-02T14:10:37.61Z
answering member
4487
label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst more like this
tabling member
4357
label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman more like this
1134257
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-06-24more like thismore than 2019-06-24
answering body
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept id 201 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
hansard heading Small Businesses: Billing more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how he plans to define late payments that the Small Business Commissioner will enforce. more like this
tabling member constituency Aberdeen North more like this
tabling member printed
Kirsty Blackman remove filter
uin 268621 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-02more like thismore than 2019-07-02
answer text <p>Within the Small Business Commissioner’s (the Commissioner) remit to tackle late payment and help drive culture change in private sector payment practices, the Commissioner addresses small business complaints about their larger customers. The Commissioner will make non-binding recommendations as to how the issues could be resolved, remedied and mitigated.</p><p> </p><p>Further detail of the Commissioner’s complaints handling scheme is set out in the Small Business Commissioner (Scope &amp; Scheme) Regulations 2017.</p><p> </p><p>I announced in the recent Government Response to the Call for Evidence on Creating a Responsible Payment Culture that we will consult on strengthening the Commissioner’s ability to assist and advocate for small businesses in the area of late payments.</p><p> </p><p>Government has worked closely with trade bodies and businesses to develop this. Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman, said of the recent announcement: “Small businesses will be delighted with today’s announcement” and “the measures today could finally see an end to poor payment practice. Changing our business culture will boost the small business community, productivity and growth.”</p>
answering member constituency Rochester and Strood more like this
answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-02T14:10:44.023Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-02T14:10:44.023Z
answering member
4487
label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst more like this
tabling member
4357
label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman more like this
1134258
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-06-24more like thismore than 2019-06-24
answering body
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept id 201 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
hansard heading Business: Billing more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what evidence base the Government used in reaching the decision to provide a £1 million business fund for the use of technology to help reduce late payments. more like this
tabling member constituency Aberdeen North more like this
tabling member printed
Kirsty Blackman remove filter
uin 268622 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-02more like thismore than 2019-07-02
answer text <p>A £9 million Business Basics Programme was announced in the Industrial Strategy, to test innovative ways of encouraging SMEs to take up the proven technology and business practices that can boost productivity. I announced in the recent Government Response to the Call for Evidence on Creating a Responsible Payment Culture that, as part of that Programme, we will launch a Business Basics fund competition up to £1 million. This will provide funding to trial how to get businesses to take up proven technology and business practices, including a focus on payment technology.</p><p> </p><p>Government has worked closely with trade bodies and businesses to develop this. Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman, said of the recent announcement: “Small businesses will be delighted with today’s announcement” and “the measures today could finally see an end to poor payment practice. Changing our business culture will boost the small business community, productivity and growth.”</p><p> </p> more like this
answering member constituency Rochester and Strood more like this
answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-02T14:10:49.833Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-02T14:10:49.833Z
answering member
4487
label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst more like this
tabling member
4357
label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman more like this
1134259
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-06-24more like thismore than 2019-06-24
answering body
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept id 201 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
hansard heading Business: Billing more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the £1 million technology fund for businesses on the issue of late payments. more like this
tabling member constituency Aberdeen North more like this
tabling member printed
Kirsty Blackman remove filter
uin 268623 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-02more like thismore than 2019-07-02
answer text <p>Technology adoption can boost productivity in the UK. The £9 million Business Basics Programme was announced in the Industrial Strategy, to test innovative ways of encouraging SMEs to take up the proven technology and business practices that can boost productivity.</p><p> </p><p>Government believes there is also a role for the Commissioner to run a campaign to promote technological solutions to SMEs to reduce late payment, improve cash flow and encourage better credit management. This fits with the Commissioner’s role in offering advice and guidance on payment matters to SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>It is envisaged that this combined approach will improve awareness of the use of technology and begin to make inroads to improve administrative processes that underpin business operations such as streamlining invoicing, payment and credit management, ultimately making payment practices more efficient and businesses more productive.</p><p> </p><p>Government has worked closely with trade bodies and businesses to develop this. Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman, said of the recent announcement: “Small businesses will be delighted with today’s announcement” and “the measures today could finally see an end to poor payment practice. Changing our business culture will boost the small business community, productivity and growth.”</p>
answering member constituency Rochester and Strood more like this
answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-02T14:10:55.437Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-02T14:10:55.437Z
answering member
4487
label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst more like this
tabling member
4357
label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman more like this
1134260
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-06-24more like thismore than 2019-06-24
answering body
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept id 201 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
hansard heading Business: Billing more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to page seven of the Government's response to the paper entitled, Creating a responsible payment culture: a call for evidence on tackling late payment, what the evidential basis is for the statement there was no real consensus, either with regard to the extent of the issue itself or what the best solution to the problem is. more like this
tabling member constituency Aberdeen North more like this
tabling member printed
Kirsty Blackman remove filter
uin 268624 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-02more like thismore than 2019-07-02
answer text <p>We received 283 responses and respondents expressed a wide range of views in relation to payment practices and experiences. From the wide-ranging evidence provided it is clear there is no ‘magic bullet’ solution. That is why are taking action with a broad package of policy measures to tackle late payments and continue to change culture.</p><p> </p><p>Government has worked closely with trade bodies and businesses to develop this. Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman, said of the recent announcement: “Small businesses will be delighted with today’s announcement” and “the measures today could finally see an end to poor payment practice. Changing our business culture will boost the small business community, productivity and growth.”</p> more like this
answering member constituency Rochester and Strood more like this
answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-02T14:11:01.427Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-02T14:11:01.427Z
answering member
4487
label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst more like this
tabling member
4357
label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman more like this
1144620
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-09-04more like thismore than 2019-09-04
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Reserve Forces: Pay more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the daily rate of pay for armed forces reservists is calculated from the regular equivalents. more like this
tabling member constituency Aberdeen North more like this
tabling member printed
Kirsty Blackman remove filter
uin 286771 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-09more like thismore than 2019-09-09
answer text <p>In order to safeguard operational effectiveness, the Armed Forces are exempt from the provisions of the 1998 National Minimum Wage (NMW) Act. Nevertheless, we aim to ensure that the Armed Forces are remunerated in line with NMW provisions.</p><p>The daily pay offered to Part-Time Volunteer Reserve (PTVR) personnel is derived from the equivalent annual salary paid to their Regular counterparts. The annual salary is made up of base pay plus X-Factor, the latter reflecting the different conditions in Service life experienced by members of the Armed Forces compared to conditions in civilian life, averaged over a whole career and across all three Services. All pay rates, including X-Factor percentages, are recommended by the independent Armed Forces' Pay Review Body (AFPRB). At present, full-time Regular personnel are paid X-Factor at 14½% and PTVR personnel get 5% X-Factor. In giving their recommendations, the AFPRB give due consideration to the needs of the Services to recruit and retain suitably able, motivated and qualified people.</p><p>Following the Government's acceptance of the AFPRB's most recent recommendations (HCWS1770), the current annual starting salary for a Regular private or equivalent (pay increment OR2-1) has risen to £20,000 p.a., whilst the equivalent PTVR annual salary, derived using the lower level of X-Factor, has risen to £18,341 p.a. PTVR daily rates of pay are calculated by dividing the annual salary by 365¼, and a day's pay is earned through voluntary attendance of eight hours or more. For an eight-hour day, this is the equivalent of £6.28 per hour. In addition, PTVR personnel are provided with additional payments in lieu of untaken leave, equivalent to just over 10% of their pay; they may also claim an annual tax-free training bounty of up £470 in their first year of service where they meet their unit's minimum training requirements (approximately 30 days' relevant attendance). When PTVR personnel are called-up, for example for operational deployment, they are paid the same annual salary as their Regular counterparts, i.e. the rate inclusive of the higher level of X-Factor, and they also gain access to the same range of allowances payable for Regular service.</p><p>This Government will continue to work with the independent AFPRB to ensure that all members of the Armed Forces are fairly remunerated for the work that they do.</p>
answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View more like this
answering member printed Johnny Mercer more like this
grouped question UIN
286772 more like this
286773 more like this
286774 more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-09T15:42:47.74Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-09T15:42:47.74Z
answering member
4485
label Biography information for Johnny Mercer more like this
tabling member
4357
label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman more like this
1144621
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-09-04more like thismore than 2019-09-04
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Reserve Forces: Pay more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the minimum number of hours is that an armed forces reservist is expected to work to qualify for a day's pay. more like this
tabling member constituency Aberdeen North more like this
tabling member printed
Kirsty Blackman remove filter
uin 286772 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-09more like thismore than 2019-09-09
answer text <p>In order to safeguard operational effectiveness, the Armed Forces are exempt from the provisions of the 1998 National Minimum Wage (NMW) Act. Nevertheless, we aim to ensure that the Armed Forces are remunerated in line with NMW provisions.</p><p>The daily pay offered to Part-Time Volunteer Reserve (PTVR) personnel is derived from the equivalent annual salary paid to their Regular counterparts. The annual salary is made up of base pay plus X-Factor, the latter reflecting the different conditions in Service life experienced by members of the Armed Forces compared to conditions in civilian life, averaged over a whole career and across all three Services. All pay rates, including X-Factor percentages, are recommended by the independent Armed Forces' Pay Review Body (AFPRB). At present, full-time Regular personnel are paid X-Factor at 14½% and PTVR personnel get 5% X-Factor. In giving their recommendations, the AFPRB give due consideration to the needs of the Services to recruit and retain suitably able, motivated and qualified people.</p><p>Following the Government's acceptance of the AFPRB's most recent recommendations (HCWS1770), the current annual starting salary for a Regular private or equivalent (pay increment OR2-1) has risen to £20,000 p.a., whilst the equivalent PTVR annual salary, derived using the lower level of X-Factor, has risen to £18,341 p.a. PTVR daily rates of pay are calculated by dividing the annual salary by 365¼, and a day's pay is earned through voluntary attendance of eight hours or more. For an eight-hour day, this is the equivalent of £6.28 per hour. In addition, PTVR personnel are provided with additional payments in lieu of untaken leave, equivalent to just over 10% of their pay; they may also claim an annual tax-free training bounty of up £470 in their first year of service where they meet their unit's minimum training requirements (approximately 30 days' relevant attendance). When PTVR personnel are called-up, for example for operational deployment, they are paid the same annual salary as their Regular counterparts, i.e. the rate inclusive of the higher level of X-Factor, and they also gain access to the same range of allowances payable for Regular service.</p><p>This Government will continue to work with the independent AFPRB to ensure that all members of the Armed Forces are fairly remunerated for the work that they do.</p>
answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View more like this
answering member printed Johnny Mercer more like this
grouped question UIN
286771 more like this
286773 more like this
286774 more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-09T15:42:48.027Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-09T15:42:48.027Z
answering member
4485
label Biography information for Johnny Mercer more like this
tabling member
4357
label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman more like this