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1003640

	registered interest
	date	09/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Transport: Charities
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of implementing the EU Directive set out in Regulation EC No. 1073/2009 on local charity groups who provide free or reduced cost transport.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	189776
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>EC Regulation 1073/2009 deals with access to the international market for coach and bus operations. It includes within its provisions, a legal basis so that vehicles from the European Union can operate in the United Kingdom. It does not cover passenger accessibility issues nor non-commercial operations such as local charity groups.</p> answering member constituency Wealden answering member printed Ms Nusrat Ghani grouped question UIN 189777 question first answered 19/11/2018 16:51:22 answering member 4460 label Biography information for Ms Nusrat Ghani
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1003644

	registered interest
	date	09/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Transport: Disability
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that implementing Eu Directive set out in Regulation EC No.1073/2009 will not prevent people with a disability from accessing local transport services.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	189777
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>EC Regulation 1073/2009 deals with access to the international market for coach and bus operations. It includes within its provisions, a legal basis so that vehicles from the European Union can operate in the United Kingdom. It does not cover passenger accessibility issues nor non-commercial operations such as local charity groups.</p> answering member constituency Wealden answering member printed Ms Nusrat Ghani grouped question UIN 189776 question first answered 19/11/2018 16:51:22 answering member 4460 label Biography information for Ms Nusrat Ghani
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1006883

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Further Education: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of funding for further education institutions.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	191438
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/11/2018 answer text <p>We have protected the base rate of funding for 16 to 19 year olds for all types of providers until the end of the current spending review period in 2020. We have been allocated £1.5 billion for the Adult Education Budget for each year of the 2015 Spending Review period to engage adults to participate and develop the skills and learning they need up to level 3 to equip them for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.</p><p>We are actively exploring the efficiency and resilience of further education and will be assessing how far existing and forecast funding and regulatory structures enable high quality provision. This work will align closely with the Post-18 Funding Review in particular, to ensure a coherent vision for further and higher education. As with other areas of departmental spending, further education funding from 2020 onwards will be considered as part of the next spending review.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 22/11/2018 15:30:55 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1011585

	registered interest
	date	21/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Air Pollution: Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect children from the effects of air pollution.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	194195
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2018 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stockton North, Alex Cunningham, on 27 November 2018, PQ UIN192868.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 29/11/2018 17:39:55 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1020402

	registered interest
	date	05/12/2018
	answering body	Department for Exiting the European Union
	answering dept id	203
	answering dept short name	Exiting the European Union
	answering dept sort name	Exiting the European Union
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits and Legal Aid Scheme: EU Nationals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to Article 10 and Article 18 of the Draft Withdrawal Agreement, published on 14 November 2018, whether the Government plans to confer on EU parents who have lived in the UK for more than 3 months but less than 5 years, the same status as a UK citizen in terms of (a) social security benefits and (b) legal aid after the invocation of Article 50.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	199467
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2018 answer text <p>We have been clear that, under the Withdrawal Agreement, EU citizens in the UK on a pathway to settled status will continue to be able to access benefits after the end of the implementation period on the same basis that they can access them now. This broadly means equal access for workers and the self-employed and limited access for those not working. If these individuals go on to acquire settled status, they will then be able to access benefits on the same terms as comparable UK nationals.</p><p>Legal aid will continue to be available to all that meet the required criteria under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) and who require legal services that are within scope of LASPO.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 12/12/2018 16:23:51 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1025327

	registered interest
	date	14/12/2018
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Defence and Security Organisation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many staff the Defence and Security Organisation employed as of 1 April 2018; and what that organisation's 2018-19 budget is.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	202327
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2018 answer text <p>At 1 April 2018, the Department for International Trade had a total workforce of 155 in the Defence and Security Organisation. Its current net budget for 2018-19 is £9.9m.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart question first answered 19/12/2018 20:20:52 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1037112

	registered interest
	date	07/01/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Brexit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much his Department is spending on a public information campaign to prepare people for the potential effects of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	206011
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/01/2019 answer text <p>The Government has a duty to inform people and businesses about how leaving the EU might affect them, and to advise on the steps they may need to take to prepare for Brexit. <br> <br> Over the coming weeks, we will be using a range of channels to direct UK citizens, businesses, EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU to a dedicated area on GOV.UK at Gov.uk/euexit. <br> <br> Information on the costs associated with this campaign will be released in due course as part of normal data transparency releases.</p> answering member constituency Rossendale and Darwen answering member printed Jake Berry question first answered 10/01/2019 14:50:01 answering member 4060 label Biography information for Sir Jake Berry
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1037113

	registered interest
	date	07/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Brexit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much his Department is spending on a public information campaign to prepare people for the potential effects of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	206012
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/01/2019 answer text <p>The Government has a duty to inform citizens and businesses about how leaving the EU might affect them, and to advise on the steps they may need to take to prepare for EU Exit.</p><p> </p><p>We have developed a cross-departmental public information campaign to help achieve this. Over the coming weeks, we will be using a range of channels to direct UK citizens, businesses, EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU to a dedicated area on GOV.UK at Gov.uk/euexit.</p><p> </p><p>Information on the costs associated with this campaign will be released in due course as part of normal data transparency releases.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 10/01/2019 17:29:52 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1046874

	registered interest
	date	23/01/2019
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Research
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent funding has been made available for research into myalgic encephalomyelitis.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	211844
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2019 answer text <p>The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), on behalf of the Department, funded £1,495,363 of programme research on myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), over the last three financial years (up to 2017/18). Further information on this research is available through the NIHR Journals Library at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/programmes/" target="_blank">https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/programmes/</a></p><p>The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including ME/CFS; it is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.</p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 31/01/2019 17:21:07 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

349808

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Further Education: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's announcement on reducing spending of 4 June 2015, if he will make it his policy to maintain the existing level of funding to further education colleges over the next five years.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	1859
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2015 answer text <p /> <p>The majority of the Department’s £450m savings will be delivered through known underspends and releasing unallocated funding. Officials in my department are working with the Skills Funding Agency to determine how Further Education savings can best be achieved in line with ministers’ priorities.</p><p> </p><p>All spending decisions for 16-17 and beyond will be taken as part of the Spending Review, the timetable for which is yet to be finalised.</p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Nick Boles question first answered 16/06/2015 10:59:04 answering member 3995 label Biography information for Nick Boles
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

349826

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2015
	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	Learning Disability: Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure people with adult learning difficulties (a) receive appropriate support when looking for a job and (b) are supported enough to retain that job once in work.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	1970
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2015 answer text <p /> <p>Through the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) network across Jobcentre Plus, DWP provides a pan-disability, person centred approach, when supporting disabled people into employment. Advisers receive specific training on Autism and Learning Disabilities; enabling them to offer an appropriate and accessible service when supporting individuals with these conditions into work. The Work-Choice programme provides employment support for all pan-disability groups including individuals with learning disabilities, ensuring reasonable adjustment solutions are identified and put in place, at the earliest stage, ensuring participants are able to meet their full potential on the programme. To support the retention of people with learning disabilities, DWP provides help through the Access to Work scheme, which pays for the additional adjustments that disabled people may require to retain them in the workplace.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 16/06/2015 12:07:41 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

349827

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what responsibilities the National Apprenticeship Service has for regulation of apprenticeships in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	1971
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The National Apprenticeship Service is not an organisation in its own right, but is a service delivery brand operated by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). The SFA, as the funder of post 16 education and training in England, has the responsibility for the funding of apprenticeships in England. Any organisation in receipt of SFA funds to deliver apprenticeships is required to comply with the associated Funding Rules which detail compliance for the apprenticeship programme as referenced in the Deregulation Bill of 2015.</p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Nick Boles question first answered 18/06/2015 13:11:59 answering member 3995 label Biography information for Nick Boles
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

349828

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2015
	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	Social Rented 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 ensure neighbourhoods with a concentration of social housing do not suffer from educational underperformance and high accident and obesity rates; and what plans he has to foster a sense of community in such neighbourhoods.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	1972
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2015 answer text <p>We are continuing to roll out the Our Place approach – a neighbourhood level, partnership-based approach to service transformation with the community at its heart – across England, with a £1 million grant fund to support up to another 115 areas during 2015/16. This builds on the successes and lessons learned from the 12 pioneer areas and 117 areas previously supported to improve local services. Some of these areas developed new approaches to tackle poor educational attainment and high obesity rates and many of them operate in neighbourhoods with a high index of multiple deprivation.</p><p> </p><p>We are extending this work in 2015/16 through a new First Steps programme which will support 115 areas that are not yet ready for the Our Place approach to produce a Community Action Plan setting out the priorities for their area and how they might go about tackling them.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally my Department’s tenant involvement strategy enables social housing tenants to influence, challenge and take control of their housing services, putting communities in control and delivering localism to some of the most challenging areas.</p> answering member constituency Nuneaton answering member printed Mr Marcus Jones question first answered 23/06/2015 11:58:21 answering member 4024 label Biography information for Mr Marcus Jones
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

349829

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2015
	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	Pensions: Widowed People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that reforms to the pensions system do not unfairly affect widows who have relied on their husband's earnings and have not themselves made a sufficient contribution.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	1973
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p /> <p>The new State Pension will be based on an individual’s own National Insurance contributions. This reflects the fact that, in contrast to earlier generations of women, most people of working age today are able to gain sufficient qualifying years to qualify for a state pension in their own right.</p><p> </p><p>We have put arrangements in place to ensure that certain women who elected to pay National Insurance contributions at the married women and widows’ reduced rate are not affected by withdrawing access to derived basic State Pension. Widows who qualify under these arrangements will be able to get a pension of about the same as the basic pension they could have got in the current scheme plus any additional State Pension they built up themselves by April 2016, if that is more than they would get under the new rules on their own contributions.</p><p> </p><p>We are also protecting the additional State Pension (also known as SERPS or S2P) a surviving spouse or civil partner would have been able to inherit under the current rules, if their deceased partner had either died or reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. Where both members of the couple are in the new State Pension system, the surviving member may inherit half of any “protected payment” (the amount, if any, by which a person’s state pension valued under current rules exceeds the full rate of the new State Pension at 2016). These arrangements will apply where the marriage or civil partnership had begun before the new scheme starts.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 18/06/2015 15:57:07 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

381228

	registered interest
	date	15/06/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Legal Aid Scheme: Mental Illness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to improve access to legal aid for people with mental health issues; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	2474
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2015 answer text <p>The Government is aware of the importance of ensuring that vulnerable people, including those with mental health issues have access to Justice.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst making savings to spending on civil legal aid we have made sure funding is available in cases where legal help is most needed. When we enacted the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, we specifically protected legal advice and legal representation for eligible persons involved in mental health and capacity proceedings under the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. In addition, certain damages claims brought against public authorities (those involving a significant breach of human rights or the abuse of a position of power) claims arising out of allegations of the abuse of a child or vulnerable adult, or allegations of sexual assault, continue to be funded.</p><p> </p><p>We are monitoring the impacts of legal aid reform and will conduct a post implementation review within 3-5 years of implementation of part 1 of LASPO.</p> answering member constituency North West Cambridgeshire answering member printed Mr Shailesh Vara question first answered 22/06/2015 16:00:59 answering member 1496 label Biography information for Shailesh Vara
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

381229

	registered interest
	date	15/06/2015
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve the teaching of personal, social, health and economic education in schools.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	2475
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2015 answer text <p>The Government wants all young people to leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. High quality personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) teaching has a vital role to play in providing young people with a ‘curriculum for life’, equipping them with the skills and understanding they need to manage their lives and stay safe. Departmental advice on the teaching of PSHE is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-social-health-and-economic-education-pshe</p><p> </p><p>To improve the quality of PSHE, we are developing a new, rigorous accreditation for schools which will enable them to demonstrate excellence in the quality of their PSHE teaching. The new quality mark will give parents more information about a school’s PSHE provision. We are also working with the PSHE Association to help quality assure teaching resources.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Crewe and Nantwich answering member printed Edward Timpson question first answered 22/06/2015 14:15:37 answering member 1605 label Biography information for Edward Timpson
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

381230

	registered interest
	date	15/06/2015
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Bicycles: Buses
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make representations to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on permitting cycle racks on the front of buses.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	2476
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>There are no specific regulations dealing with the fitting of cycle racks to the front of buses. The vehicle must comply with applicable road traffic law, including, but not limited to, overall dimensions, lighting, driver view of the road and the avoidance of danger, such as the potential risk to pedestrians. These requirements may be influenced by the vehicle type and the design and location of the rack. In common with other legislative provisions, it will be for the vehicle operator to ensure compliance with the law.</p><p> </p><p>As such, I do not believe there is cause for my intervention. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency enforces existing road vehicle regulations and they have the necessary knowledge and expertise to fulfil this function.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 18/06/2015 12:38:53 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

381231

	registered interest
	date	15/06/2015
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Transport: South West
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to promote joined-up transport ticketing systems in (a) Bath and (b) Bristol.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	2477
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>We are working closely with the local authorities and transport operators in both Bath and Bristol to deliver integrated transport ticketing. <em>Building better bus services: multi-operator ticketing</em> was published by the Department in March 2013 and provides guidance for local transport authorities on planning and implementing multi-operator ticketing services. In October 2013 the Department established the Smart Cities Partnership programme to accelerate the delivery of smart multi-operator commercial tickets. The West of England Partnership, including Bath and Bristol, is a member of the Smart Cities Partnership and has, alongside other large cities, bus operators (and equipment suppliers), committed to delivery principles that will underpin growth in smart, multi-operator ticketing. The big five bus operators have undertaken to deliver multi-operator ticketing this year throughout the Smart Cities Partnership areas, including Bristol, and we will be working with them to support delivery.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 18/06/2015 12:43:19 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

381240

	registered interest
	date	15/06/2015
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Vetting
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on introducing a single tier Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure certificate.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	2473
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2015 answer text <p>Enhanced criminal record certificates are available for a range of posts and activities involving particular sensitivity or trust, including working closely with children or vulnerable adults. Applications are based on the relevant workforce, which ensures that any local police information relevant to that category can be considered for disclosure. There are no plans to move away from this position.</p> answering member constituency Staffordshire Moorlands answering member printed Karen Bradley question first answered 19/06/2015 13:12:09 answering member 4110 label Biography information for Dame Karen Bradley
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

381282

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2015
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Regional Planning and Development: South West
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans for a West of England Powerhouse.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	900336
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2015 answer text <p>The deal with Greater Manchester emphasised this Government’s commitment to hand power from the centre to cities.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In May 2015 the Chancellor said his “door is open to any other major city who wants to take this bold step” and take control of its own affairs and access the same mayoral offer.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Queen’s Speech introduced a Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill which will enable cities to adopt a radical new model of government.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chelsea and Fulham answering member printed Greg Hands question first answered 16/06/2015 16:05:53 answering member 1526 label Biography information for Greg Hands
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

381491

	registered interest
	date	16/06/2015
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	hansard heading	Home Care Services
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals for changes to the Care Act 2014 to ensure that social carers spend sufficient time with each patient.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	2646
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2015 answer text <p>Care workers are routinely tasked with caring for individuals with intimate care and support needs, for example helping those who are older or who have a disability to do everyday things like wash, dress and get out of bed. It is unrealistic to think that very short home care visits, for example, those lasting less than 15 minutes would be enough time to do this - it is not fair on those who need care and it is not fair on care workers. Through the Care Act, the Government has made it clear that commissioning services without considering the impact on people’s wellbeing is unacceptable.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is the Government’s position that it would be inappropriate to introduce new or amend existing legislation to address this issue, for example, by specifying a minimum time length for home care visits. Short care visits may be appropriate for specific, non-intimate tasks such as checking medication has been taken.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Commissioning for high quality care requires a more fundamental culture shift where the outcomes individuals want to achieve sits at the heart of every decision made by a local authority. This is best achieved through guidance and support.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department has published statutory guidance to support the implementation of the Care Act that describes how local authorities must meet these new duties when commissioning. The Department has also worked with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the Local Government Association to co-produce a set of standards to support local authorities to assess and improve their commissioning practices.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 24/06/2015 11:15:46 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

384655

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2015
	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	Housing: Carbon Emissions
	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 councils to implement the zero-carbon home standard from 2016.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	3546
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2015 answer text <p>The Government considers that energy performance standards for new homes are best set through the national building regulations which were strengthened in 2013. Councils play an important role in checking compliance with these standards.</p> answering member constituency Stockton South answering member printed James Wharton question first answered 30/06/2015 11:14:47 answering member 4123 label Biography information for Lord Wharton of Yarm
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

384686

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2015
	answering body	Department for Energy and Climate Change
	answering dept id	63
	answering dept short name	Energy and Climate Change
	answering dept sort name	Energy and Climate Change
	hansard heading	Housing: Renewable Energy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what (a) funds and (b) subsidies are available to encourage people to install renewable energy in their homes.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	3545
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2015 answer text <p>There are two schemes which support deployment of domestic renewable energy installations.</p><p>The Feed-in Tariff incentivises domestic deployment of renewable electricity generation by providing a guaranteed tariff over 20 years to solar PV, wind, hydro, anaerobic digestion and micro CHP installations up to 5MW. Generators benefit from tariffs generation and export to the grid, as well as through bill savings.</p><p>The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) provides financial incentives to install renewable heating in place of fossil fuels, with payments based on an installation’s renewable heat output. The scheme supports air-to-water heat pumps; biomass-only boilers and biomass pellet stoves with integrated boilers; ground-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps; flat plate and evacuated tube solar thermal panels. Payments are made on a quarterly basis over seven years, with tariffs reflecting the expected cost of renewable heat generation over 20 years.</p> answering member constituency South Northamptonshire answering member printed Andrea Leadsom question first answered 29/06/2015 16:29:58 answering member 4117 label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

386954

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2015
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Pensions: Tax Allowances
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has for future policy on pension tax relief.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	5054
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2015 answer text <p>The Summer Budget 2015 announced that the government is consulting on whether there is a case for reforming pensions tax relief to strengthen the incentive to save.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>To help control the cost of pensions tax relief in the short term, the Summer Budget also confirmed the manifesto commitment to introduce a taper to the Annual Allowance for those with incomes, including pension contributions, above £150,000.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke question first answered 10/07/2015 12:18:22 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

386974

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2015
	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	Derelict Land
	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 implement new planning provisions on redevelopment of brownfield sites.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	5174
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2015 answer text <p>We are committed to ensuring that brownfield land is used as much as possible for new development. We will require local authorities to have a register of what is available, and ensure that 90 per cent of suitable brownfield sites have planning permission for housing by 2020. We will provide further support by creating a Fund to unlock homes on brownfield land for additional housing. We will continue to support the regeneration of brownfield land through a range of measures, including £200 million to help create Housing Zones outside London, and in addition releasing enough public sector land for over 150,000 homes by 2020.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 08/07/2015 15:39:27 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

387009

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2015
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Hearing Impairment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to provide more funding for deaf people to procure the services of interpreters.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	5055
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>Local authorities have clear duties to support children with special educational needs (SEN). They are responsible for planning and delivering the necessary services for children within their area.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Children and Families Act enables a joined-up approach to support children with sensory impairments, with clear information on the support that families can expect locally and the option of a personal budget for some parents and young people to give them control over the support they receive.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education funds the National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NatSIP) to support local authorities to benchmark and improve the support available for children with sensory impairments. NatSIP is working with sensory support services across the country to support the SEN reforms. NatSIP helps local authorities and settings ensure that the right support is in place to improve the outcomes for deaf, blind and multi-sensory impaired children.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Crewe and Nantwich answering member printed Edward Timpson question first answered 07/07/2015 16:29:28 answering member 1605 label Biography information for Edward Timpson
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

387084

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2015
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: Middle East
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the eligibility criteria are for entry to the UK for citizens of (a) Palestine and (b) Israel.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	5053
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2015 answer text <p>Non-EEA nationals seeking entry to the UK for any purpose must meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules. The Rules set out the criteria that applications for entry clearance, leave to enter or remain must meet to qualify for entry. Applicants must produce either a valid passport or travel document that satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality or citizenship.</p><p>Nationals or citizens of Israel, who hold a full Israeli passport, do not require a visa to come to the UK as a visitor or for any other purpose, for less than six months. Holders of Palestinian travel documents require a visa to come to the UK for any purpose in the Immigration Rules.</p> answering member constituency Old Bexley and Sidcup answering member printed James Brokenshire question first answered 09/07/2015 15:11:16 answering member 1530 label Biography information for James Brokenshire
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

387131

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2015
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for calls to HM Revenue and Customs.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	5173
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2015 answer text <p>HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) accepts that its performance was inconsistent during 2014-15 and has recently outlined actions taken to improve customer service. These include recruitment of additional staff and investment in new technology.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The department has allocated £45 million, supporting the recruitment of an additional 3,000 customer service staff to answer calls and deal with customer correspondence. HMRC is also temporarily moving around 2,000 additional people from other parts of HMRC into customer service roles to support the tax credits peak.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke question first answered 10/07/2015 10:58:20 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

388127

	registered interest
	date	07/07/2015
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Road Works: Retail Trade
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to support high street retailers that have incurred significant losses due to overrunning street works.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	5857
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2015 answer text <p>Compensation arrangements are already provided through The Gas (Street Works) (Compensation of Small Businesses) Regulations 1996 and the Water Industry Act 1991, which provide for compensation to be paid in certain circumstances in respect of loss or damage caused by gas-related and water-related street works. More widely, we are taking steps to reduce the disruption caused by street works, including the wider application of permit schemes and the piloting of lane rental. Further information about these initiatives may be found at:</p><p><a href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/road-management/street-works/" target="_blank">www.dft.gov.uk/topics/road-management/street-works</a></p><p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p /><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 13/07/2015 10:34:16 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

388280

	registered interest
	date	07/07/2015
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	hansard heading	Sign Language: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on future funding for supporting adult sign readers; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	5859
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2015 answer text <p>It is the responsibility of local providers and commissioners to make the reasonable adjustments required by the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that disabled people are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled people.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Arrangements for the provision of sign language interpretation and translation services by National Health Service bodies and NHS service providers are a matter for local determination.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In order to reduce unacceptable variation in the provision of accessible information and communication support to disabled people, including adult sign readers, NHS England published an accessible information standard, SCCI1605, on 3 July. The standard sets out that all organisations providing NHS or adult social care must take steps to ensure that people receive information that they can access and understand, and receive communication support if they need it. Organisations must comply in full with the standard by 31 July 2016.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 14/07/2015 13:24:00 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

388370

	registered interest
	date	07/07/2015
	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	National Insurance Contributions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what arrangements exist to support those who have fallen behind with national insurance contributions in fully accessing contributory benefits.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	5861
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2015 answer text <p>National Insurance credits are generally available to people who are unable to work and pay contributions for example if they are unemployed, incapable of work or caring for others.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>National Insurance credits are awarded automatically with qualifying social security benefits; otherwise applications are required to determine eligibility.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government is introducing a new credit for those who reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. It will be available to the spouses and civil partners of members of HM Forces for past periods spent accompanying their Service partner on postings outside the UK.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Those not eligible for National Insurance credits may be able to fill gaps in their record to protect certain benefits by paying voluntary contributions. These are subject to time limits; and higher rate provisions when paid late.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>For those who would like further information on their National Insurance record they should go to the GOV.UK website <a href="https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/07/2015 11:56:27 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

388371

	registered interest
	date	07/07/2015
	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	Employment Schemes: Hearing Impairment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support his Department provides to people with hearing difficulties in finding work.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	5858
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2015 answer text <p /> <p>People with hearing difficulties can benefit from the same support to find work as other disabled people through provision such as the Work Programme and Work Choice.</p><p> </p><p>In addition we are launching a new programme, Specialist Employability Support (SES), in September. It focuses on helping those for whom other provision such as Work Choice or Work Programme is not suitable and one of the programme providers will support people with hearing difficulties in preparing for work.</p><p> </p><p>SES replaces the Residential Training contracts and is expected to double the number of people supported at the same cost.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/07/2015 11:37:57 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419005

	registered interest
	date	01/09/2015
	answering body	Wales Office
	answering dept id	28
	answering dept short name	Wales
	answering dept sort name	Wales
	hansard heading	Health Services: Wales
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on equality and diversity training in health and social care in Wales.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	901182
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2015 answer text <p>I, along with Ministerial colleagues, have regular discussions with Welsh Government Ministers on a range of issues, including equality and diversity within the health and social care sectors in Wales.</p><p> </p><p><br></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Vale of Glamorgan answering member printed Alun Cairns question first answered 16/09/2015 12:22:29 answering member 4086 label Biography information for Alun Cairns
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419785

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Science: South West
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans he has to expand the Bristol and Bath Science Park.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10729
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>The Bristol and Bath Science Park provides a world-class environment for innovative businesses to locate and grow their operations. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) continues to work closely with the Homes and Communities Agency, the private sector development partners and local partners to ensure that the existing site is developed to its full potential.</p><p>The Homes and Communities Agency manages the development on behalf of BIS. The Department is the beneficial owner of the site and the Homes and Communities Agency holds the freehold rights.</p><p>A Local Steering Group has been established to steer the development, which includes representatives from the private sector development partners, the local universities (Bath, Bristol, and the University of the West of England), South Gloucestershire Council, West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, the National Composites Centre which is situated on the Science Park and is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Invest Bristol &amp; Bath, the Homes &amp; Communities Agency and BIS.</p> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Joseph Johnson question first answered 19/10/2015 13:10:03 answering member 4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419786

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Universities: Economic Situation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of universities on their local economy.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10732
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>Higher education institutions play an important role in their local areas. Several universities have undertaken individual studies of their impact on their local area, and such studies have generally found positive impacts. Universities UK and others have also assessed the important impact of universities on national growth.</p> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Joseph Johnson question first answered 19/10/2015 13:07:45 answering member 4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419787

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Higher Education: Arts
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to encourage collaboration between higher education institutions and the creative economy.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10733
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and supports collaboration between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the creative economy using a variety of mechanisms including knowledge exchange centres and collaborative doctoral studentships.</p><p>AHRC will invest £16m during the period 2012-16 in the Knowledge Exchange Hubs for the Creative Economy. These Hubs, based in Bristol, Dundee, London and Lancaster, have drawn over 350 businesses, 320 academics and 170 third sector organisations into new forms of collaboration.</p><p>Innovate UK encourages collaboration between HEIs and the creative economy through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (8 currently being supported in the Creative Industries) and through support of the creative industries council’s strategy.</p> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Joseph Johnson question first answered 19/10/2015 13:05:55 answering member 4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419844

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
	hansard heading	VAT
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the proportion of VAT revenue accruing to the Exchequer which derives from businesses with an annual turnover under (a) £150,000 and (b) £250,000.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10778
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>HM Revenue and Customs does not routinely publish estimates of VAT revenue accruing to the Exchequer which derives from businesses.</p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke question first answered 19/10/2015 15:31:24 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419845

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
	hansard heading	Small Businesses: VAT
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will review the level of existing VAT thresholds for small businesses.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10779
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>The UK has chosen to maintain a high VAT registration threshold, and it is currently the highest in the EU (at £82,000 from 1 April 2015). We believe that the UK’s current registration threshold achieves a reasonable balance between competing interests and reduces the administrative burden on the smallest businesses.</p><p>The Government may not increase this threshold further, aside from maintaining its value in line with inflation, without the consent of the European Commission and the unanimous agreement of all EU Member States.</p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke question first answered 19/10/2015 15:32:16 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419887

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	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	Air Displays: Shoreham
	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 consider issuing guidance restricting the taking of photos and videos following the Shoreham air show crash.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10840
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>This is not a matter for the Department for Communities and Local Government.</p> answering member constituency Stockton South answering member printed James Wharton question first answered 19/10/2015 16:49:20 answering member 4123 label Biography information for Lord Wharton of Yarm
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419893

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Theatre: Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to support the expansion of children's theatres across the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10725
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2015 answer text <p>The Government believes it is important for all young people to have access to the very best arts and culture, and will continue to support children's theatres through Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs)and Grants for theArts projects.</p><p>For example, 2012 – 2015 (year to date) NPO funding has provided over £74 million to organisations that provide support to children and young people’s theatre, while Grants for theArts has invested £4 million ofNationalLottery funds in theatre projects specifically for children and young people. TheGovernment'sTheatres Taxrelief, launched during the last Parliament,also supports new and touring theatre productions across the UK and includes children’s theatres.</p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed Mr Edward Vaizey question first answered 21/10/2015 11:03:10 answering member 1580 label Biography information for Lord Vaizey of Didcot
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419894

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Arts: Young People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress he has made on promoting greater access to the arts for young people from all backgrounds.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10726
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2015 answer text <p>TheGovernmentbelievesthatchildrenfromall backgrounds should haveaccessto the very best artsandculture in and out of school.</p><p>We supportthe Arts Council's recently launched CulturalEducation Challenge (details can be found at:<a href="http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/news/arts-council-news/arts-council-england-launches-cultural-education-c/" target="_blank">http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/news/arts-council-news/arts-council-england-launches-cultural-education-c/</a>)which ensures that all children and young people of all backgrounds have access to great arts and culture, and that every child can create, compose, and perform; visit, experience and participate in the arts.</p><p>The Government is also supporting music and cultural education programmes with an investment of £460 million between 2012 and 2016 and is working closely with Arts Council England to promote diversity across the country; Arts Council England has allocated £6m of strategic funds to a new diversity fund for 2015-18.</p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed Mr Edward Vaizey question first answered 21/10/2015 12:17:29 answering member 1580 label Biography information for Lord Vaizey of Didcot
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419922

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Educational Visits: Theatre
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate she has made of the uptake of school theatre visits.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10727
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2015 answer text <p>The Department for Education does not collect data on the uptake of school theatre visits. Teachers and head teachers are in the best position to use their professional judgement to decide how theatre visits and similar activities meet the needs of their pupils, and to plan lessons and use their budgets accordingly.</p><p>The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Taking Part 2014/15 Annual Child Report published in July 2015 shows that almost all children aged 5-15 (98.1%) had engaged with the arts in the preceding year. Figures are available in the DCMS Taking Part 2014/15 Annual Child Report published in July 2015 online at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/447730/Taking_Part_2014_15_Child_Report__Repaired_.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/447730/Taking_Part_2014_15_Child_Report__Repaired_.pdf</a></p><p>The government recognises the importance of cultural education. That is why we are supporting Arts Council England’s Cultural Education Challenge, which calls for arts and cultural organisations together with the education sector to offer consistent cultural education to all children and young people.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 15/10/2015 09:56:28 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419935

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Special Educational Needs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to prevent sexual exploitation of vulnerable people with special educational needs in schools.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	11056
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>The government’s report ‘Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation’ sets out the steps that the government is taking to protect children from sexual exploitation, including children with learning difficulties and disabilities. For example, we are exploring how personal, social, health and economic education training and resources for schools might be tailored for staff and special schools, and have provided £4.85 million for services supporting child sexual abuse survivors, including vulnerable children with learning difficulties.</p> answering member constituency Crewe and Nantwich answering member printed Edward Timpson question first answered 19/10/2015 16:25:17 answering member 1605 label Biography information for Edward Timpson
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419979

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	Department for Energy and Climate Change
	answering dept id	63
	answering dept short name	Energy and Climate Change
	answering dept sort name	Energy and Climate Change
	hansard heading	Combined Heat and Power
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will bring forward proposals to allow the creation and sale of licences and franchises to provide heating using power station waste heat.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10707
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2015 answer text <p>The Government has a range of policies in place to promote the use of Combined Heat and Power (CHP), which is a key technique capable of generating heat from power station waste heat. Environmental permitting requires developers of power plants to consider opportunities for operating CHPs, and provides them with CHP permits if these are cost effective. CHP installations that are certified by our Quality Assurance Programme are eligible for Enhanced Capital Allowances, Business Rates exemptions, a partial exemption from the Carbon Price Support tax, and Renewable Obligation Certificates and Renewable Heat Incentive payments for any heat they generate from biomass. Developing heat networks offers further opportunities for power plants to recover and supply heat.</p> answering member constituency South Northamptonshire answering member printed Andrea Leadsom question first answered 16/10/2015 13:47:31 answering member 4117 label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419988

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Floods: Insurance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department made prior to laying the Flood Reinsurance (Scheme Funding and Administration) Regulations 2015 of whether the scope of the definition of home insurance in the regulations covered only those home insurers who explicitly protected against flood risk.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10795
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2015 answer text <p>We consulted widely and worked very closely with the Association of British Insurers to ensure that the Flood Reinsurance (Scheme Funding and Administration) Regulations 2015 reflect the intended policy position. As set out in the Regulations, Flood Re will assess whether an insurer is liable for levy payments (and the amount of levy they are due to pay) based on the amount of domestic property insurance an insurer covers in the UK market.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart question first answered 16/10/2015 12:26:29 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

420250

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Magistrates' Courts: Buildings
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many of the magistrates' courts which closed in the last five years were sold within 12 months of closure; how many such courts remain unsold; and what the average period is between closure and receipt of funds on sale.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10731
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2015 answer text <p>It has not been possible to answer this question in the time allowed. I will write to the honourable member in due course.</p> answering member constituency North West Cambridgeshire answering member printed Mr Shailesh Vara question first answered 16/10/2015 10:40:23 answering member 1496 label Biography information for Shailesh Vara
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

420287

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
	hansard heading	Regional Airports: Air Passenger Duty
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of devolution of air passenger duty on regional airports.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10730
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2015 answer text <p>In light of the decision to devolve APD to Scotland and consider the case for devolving APD to Wales, the government has recently published a discussion paper exploring options to support English regional airports from the impacts of APD devolution. We are considering the evidence that we have received from stakeholders, and will respond to the consultation in due course.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 16/10/2015 13:40:58 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

420333

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Disability: Children's Play
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent assessment she has made of the ease of disabled children's access to play.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	10728
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against disabled children which could include ‘play’. For example it would be unlawful to refuse or inhibit a disabled child’s access to a local playground; their enrolment at a local nursery or playgroup; or their taking part in any other play activities such as local sports. The Act requires service providers to make both requested and anticipatory ‘reasonable adjustments’ that will facilitate the participation of disabled children in all forms of ‘play’.</p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 19/10/2015 11:14:02 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421330

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2015
	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	Right to Buy Scheme
	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 revise the agreement reached with the National Housing Federation on right to buy to clarify that it does not cover almshouse residents.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	11876
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2015 answer text <p>Almshouses are exempt from the Right to Buy for council housing. This long-standing exemption will also apply to the extended Right to Buy for housing associations.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 21/10/2015 14:10:11 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421345

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2015
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Studio Schools
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of studio schools on pupil attainment.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	11874
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>Studio schools have a part to play in our education reforms by harnessing the talents of students. They offer hands-on learning and work experience alongside their GCSEs and A levels, providing them with the vocational and “work ready” skills that employers demand.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Mr Sam Gyimah question first answered 19/10/2015 16:08:39 answering member 3980 label Biography information for Mr Sam Gyimah
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett