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171324

	registered interest
	date	17/12/2014
	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	Work Capability Assessment: Highlands of Scotland
	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 reduce the waiting time for work capability assessments in Highland; and what discussions he has had with Atos on that reduction.
	tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	tabling member printed	John Thurso
	uin	219206
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>Official statistics for ESA processing times are not readily available and to provide the information requested would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>The total number of people whose Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) functional assessment has not yet been completed in the Highland Local Authority area is 1,700; of these 1,400 relate to new ESA claims.</p><p> </p><p>We have taken robust action to improve the process and are in daily contact with Atos. We are committed to putting this right.</p><p> </p><p>Atos Healthcare will continue to deliver Work Capability Assessments until they exit from the contract on 28 February 2015. The new supplier, MAXIMUS Health and Human Services, will be responsible for all service delivery from 1 March 2015 including any outstanding work carried over from Atos. The priority for MAXIMUS will be to transition the service smoothly from Atos and stabilise the service to deliver the best service possible for claimants, increase the volume of assessments carried out and reduce waiting times without compromising quality.</p><p> </p><p>The process for claimants will remain the same during the transition so they should continue to attend their assessments.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper grouped question UIN 219203 219204 219205 question first answered 05/01/2015 17:51:38 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
	tabling member	1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso

171323

	registered interest
	date	17/12/2014
	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	Work Capability Assessment: Highlands of Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applicants for employment and support allowance in Highland have been waiting for a work capability assessment for (a) longer than three months, (b) longer than four months, (c) longer than five months and (d) longer than six months.
	tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	tabling member printed	John Thurso
	uin	219205
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>Official statistics for ESA processing times are not readily available and to provide the information requested would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>The total number of people whose Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) functional assessment has not yet been completed in the Highland Local Authority area is 1,700; of these 1,400 relate to new ESA claims.</p><p> </p><p>We have taken robust action to improve the process and are in daily contact with Atos. We are committed to putting this right.</p><p> </p><p>Atos Healthcare will continue to deliver Work Capability Assessments until they exit from the contract on 28 February 2015. The new supplier, MAXIMUS Health and Human Services, will be responsible for all service delivery from 1 March 2015 including any outstanding work carried over from Atos. The priority for MAXIMUS will be to transition the service smoothly from Atos and stabilise the service to deliver the best service possible for claimants, increase the volume of assessments carried out and reduce waiting times without compromising quality.</p><p> </p><p>The process for claimants will remain the same during the transition so they should continue to attend their assessments.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper grouped question UIN 219203 219204 219206 question first answered 05/01/2015 17:51:38 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
	tabling member	1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso

171322

	registered interest
	date	17/12/2014
	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	Work Capability Assessment: Highlands of Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applicants for employment and support allowance in Highland are awaiting a work capability assessment.
	tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	tabling member printed	John Thurso
	uin	219204
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>Official statistics for ESA processing times are not readily available and to provide the information requested would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>The total number of people whose Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) functional assessment has not yet been completed in the Highland Local Authority area is 1,700; of these 1,400 relate to new ESA claims.</p><p> </p><p>We have taken robust action to improve the process and are in daily contact with Atos. We are committed to putting this right.</p><p> </p><p>Atos Healthcare will continue to deliver Work Capability Assessments until they exit from the contract on 28 February 2015. The new supplier, MAXIMUS Health and Human Services, will be responsible for all service delivery from 1 March 2015 including any outstanding work carried over from Atos. The priority for MAXIMUS will be to transition the service smoothly from Atos and stabilise the service to deliver the best service possible for claimants, increase the volume of assessments carried out and reduce waiting times without compromising quality.</p><p> </p><p>The process for claimants will remain the same during the transition so they should continue to attend their assessments.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper grouped question UIN 219203 219205 219206 question first answered 05/01/2015 17:51:38 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
	tabling member	1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso

171321

	registered interest
	date	17/12/2014
	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	Work Capability Assessment: Highlands of Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time is in Highland for people requiring an employment and support allowance work capability assessment.
	tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	tabling member printed	John Thurso
	uin	219203
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p /> <p>Official statistics for ESA processing times are not readily available and to provide the information requested would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>The total number of people whose Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) functional assessment has not yet been completed in the Highland Local Authority area is 1,700; of these 1,400 relate to new ESA claims.</p><p> </p><p>We have taken robust action to improve the process and are in daily contact with Atos. We are committed to putting this right.</p><p> </p><p>Atos Healthcare will continue to deliver Work Capability Assessments until they exit from the contract on 28 February 2015. The new supplier, MAXIMUS Health and Human Services, will be responsible for all service delivery from 1 March 2015 including any outstanding work carried over from Atos. The priority for MAXIMUS will be to transition the service smoothly from Atos and stabilise the service to deliver the best service possible for claimants, increase the volume of assessments carried out and reduce waiting times without compromising quality.</p><p> </p><p>The process for claimants will remain the same during the transition so they should continue to attend their assessments.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper grouped question UIN 219204 219205 219206 question first answered 05/01/2015 17:51:38 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
	tabling member	1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso

166553

	registered interest
	date	27/11/2014
	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	Electric Cables
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether the £500 million provision for undergrounding old transmission lines in the UK's protected areas announced by Ofgem on 10 November 2014 covers Scottish National Parks and National Scenic Areas; by what process candidate undergrounding projects are being identified; and what steps Ofgem is taking to ensure that such funds are distributed equitably across England, Wales and Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	tabling member printed	John Thurso
	uin	216311
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2014 answer text <p>The Visual Impact Provision (VIP) applies to National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales, and National Scenic Areas in Scotland. The allowance is available for all of Great Britain’s electricity Transmission Owners to address the impact of existing lines in these areas. To participate in the scheme Transmission Owners are required to develop and submit a policy to Ofgem for approval. National Grid has set out a policy and process for deciding how to allocate funding in its licence area of England and Wales. National Grid’s VIP policy and process have both been approved by Ofgem following consultation with stakeholders. Further information is available at <a href="http://www.nationalgrid.com/VIP" target="_blank">www.nationalgrid.com/VIP</a>. The Scottish Transmission Owners have not developed a policy, so funding is not currently available in Scotland.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 04/12/2014 15:10:22 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso

1240848

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Banks and Post Offices: Closures
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received from residents in (a) Wick and (b) other towns in cases where a bank branch has been proposed for closure at the same time as the proposed closure of the last post office in that area; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	tabling member printed	Jamie Stone
	uin	99709
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/10/2020 answer text <p>Though I understand the disappointment felt in a community when a bank branch closes, these are ultimately commercial decisions in which the government does not seek to intervene.</p><p> </p><p>We know that the retail financial landscape is changing, as more consumers and businesses opt for the convenience, security, and speed of digital payments and digital banking. Banking service providers need to balance customer interests, market competition, and other commercial factors when considering their strategy.</p><p> </p><p>However, the government also firmly believes that the impact of branch closures should be understood, considered, and mitigated where possible so that all customers, wherever they live, continue to have access to over-the-counter banking services if they wish to use them. That is why the government supports the industry’s Access to Banking Standard which helps customers to understand the options they have locally to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance for customers who need more help.</p><p> </p><p>Alternative options include the Post Office, which allows 95% of business and 99% of personal banking customers to carry out their everyday banking at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Over 90% of the national population live within one mile of their nearest post office branch, and over 99% within three miles. Almost 99% of the rural population also lives within 3 miles of their nearest post office branch. While there is no programme of post office closures, some unexpected closures can occur, often for reasons beyond the control of the Post Office. When this happens, the Post Office works hard to find alternative service providers so that services can be restored.</p><p> </p><p>In September 2020, the FCA published guidance setting out their expectation of firms when they are deciding whether and how to reduce their physical branches or the number of free to use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of a planned closure on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, and other relevant branch services and consider possible alternative access arrangements. This will ensure the implementation of closure decisions is done in a way that treats customers fairly.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 12/10/2020 10:57:52 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4612 label Biography information for Jamie Stone

1240754

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Fuel Poverty and Wind Power: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much of the £160 million allocated to developing offshore wind he plans to spend on the coasts of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross; and whether he plans to tackle fuel poverty in the far north of Scotland with that funding.
	tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	tabling member printed	Jamie Stone
	uin	99708
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/10/2020 answer text <p>One hundred and sixty million pounds will be made available to upgrade ports and infrastructure in the offshore wind sector. This will enable the sector to support jobs directly and indirectly by 2030 in ports, factories and wider supply chains, manufacturing the next-generation of offshore wind turbines and delivering clean energy to the UK.</p><p> </p><p>No locations are confirmed at this stage. We are inviting landowners or developers of potential large-scale coastal manufacturing hubs to contact the department, by responding the request for information published on 6th October 2020 on the Gov.uk website by 30th October.</p><p> </p><p>The purpose of the new funding is to enable development of supply chains.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng question first answered 12/10/2020 11:31:33 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
	tabling member	4612 label Biography information for Jamie Stone

1544450

	registered interest
	date	22/11/2022
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Care Homes and Supported Housing: Television Licences
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of (a) the number of care homes and supported living accommodation sites which have shared facilities but have no common and exclusive boundary, and (b) the number of pensioners who by reason of residence in such locations are unable to claim a concessionary TV licence.
	tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	tabling member printed	Jamie Stone
	uin	93608
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2022 answer text <p>Some residents in sheltered or residential care accommodation may be eligible for the Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) television licence fee concession. If eligible, residents are required to pay a reduced rate of £7.50 for a TV licence.</p><p>While licence fee concessions are set in legislation, it is the BBC, not the government, that administers these schemes. The BBC is responsible for the collection and enforcement of the licence fee and all of its concessions, including maintaining existing ARC concessionary licences and making decisions on requests for new ARC concessionary licences.</p><p>The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport does not hold the information requested. More information on this concession, including eligibility information and details on how to apply, can be found on the TV Licensing <a href="https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ78" target="_blank">website</a>.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 29/11/2022 09:23:03 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4612 label Biography information for Jamie Stone

1462045

	registered interest
	date	11/05/2022
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Defence Equipment: Sales
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the document MOD surplus inventory for sale, published online, to whom and where his Department sells the surplus equipment; and what happens to the income from those sales.
	tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	tabling member printed	Jamie Stone
	uin	917
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2022 answer text <p>The Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) has a range of supply options for what is a wide variety of surplus equipment not all of which represents military capability, routes are principally Government to Government sales as well as wider to UK industry. In addition, DESA coordinates several specialist contractors (selected through open competition) for the sale of defence equipment to the public and industry, both in the UK and overseas.</p><p> </p><p>All revenue is returned directly back to each of the Front Line Commands.</p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Jeremy Quin question first answered 16/05/2022 14:11:46 answering member 4507 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Quin
	tabling member	4612 label Biography information for Jamie Stone

1300517

	registered interest
	date	09/03/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Events Industry: Insurance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	If he will introduce a Government-backed insurance scheme for the live events industry.
	tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	tabling member printed	Jamie Stone
	uin	913199
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2021 answer text <p>On 22 February, the Prime Minister announced the Government’s roadmap to cautiously ease lockdown restrictions in England, including an ambition to lift restrictions on large events in Step 4, subject to the outcome of the Events Research Programme</p><p> </p><p>Officials are considering the most appropriate way to support the events sector informed by the findings of the scientific programme in the Spring.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 09/03/2021 14:07:20 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4612 label Biography information for Jamie Stone