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1386553
star this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property date less than 2021-12-09more like thismore than 2021-12-09
star this property answering body
Department of Health and Social Care more like this
star this property answering dept id 17 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Health and Social Care more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Health and Social Care more like this
star this property hansard heading Breast Cancer: Health Services more like this
unstar this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of breast cancer in younger women. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Strangford remove filter
star this property tabling member printed
Jim Shannon more like this
star this property uin 90419 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction true more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-12-16more like thismore than 2021-12-16
star this property answer text <p>The NHS Long Term Plan’s ambitions for early diagnosis includes improvements for breast cancer patients of all ages. Rapid diagnostic centres (RDCs) have two models: for specific symptoms, which will include most women with suspected breast cancer; and for non-specific symptoms. As of October 2021, there were<ins class="ministerial"> 159</ins> <del class="ministerial">179</del> live RDC pathways in England, compared to 12 in March 2020. Of these, nine are for breast cancer symptoms, with evaluation showing that breast cancer has been diagnosed through non-specific symptom pathways.</p><p>The NHS Long Term Plan sets the ambition to offer personalised care to all cancer patients and transform follow-up care, giving people choice and control over the way their care is planned and delivered, includes younger patients with breast cancer. NHS England’s Cancer Quality of Life Survey identify patients’ views on their care and if any new services are needed. The first data from this survey was published in October 2021.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Lewes more like this
star this property answering member printed Maria Caulfield more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-12-16T17:04:09.613Zmore like thismore than 2021-12-16T17:04:09.613Z
star this property question first ministerially corrected
less than 2022-01-04T12:07:38.467Zmore like thismore than 2022-01-04T12:07:38.467Z
star this property answering member
4492
star this property label Biography information for Maria Caulfield more like this
star this property previous answer version
39791
star this property answering member constituency Lewes more like this
star this property answering member printed Maria Caulfield more like this
star this property answering member
4492
star this property label Biography information for Maria Caulfield more like this
star this property tabling member
4131
unstar this property label Biography information for Jim Shannon more like this
450075
star this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property date less than 2016-01-28more like thismore than 2016-01-28
star this property answering body
Department for International Development more like this
star this property answering dept id 20 more like this
star this property answering dept short name International Development more like this
star this property answering dept sort name International Development more like this
star this property hansard heading Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria more like this
unstar this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations her Department made at the pre-replenishment meeting of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Tokyo on 17 December 2015. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Strangford remove filter
star this property tabling member printed
Jim Shannon more like this
star this property uin 903412 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction true more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2016-02-03more like thismore than 2016-02-03
star this property answer text <p><del class="ministerial">The Secretary of State for International Development has had no discussions on the 1955 tax treaty between the UK and Malawi with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Issues relating to tax treaties are a matter for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Department’s Director General for Policy and Global Programmes attended the pre-replenishment meeting of the Global Fund in Tokyo, at which he urged all countries to contribute their fair share to the 2017-2019 Global Fund replenishment to support the delivery of the global goals.</ins></p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner more like this
star this property answering member printed Mr Nick Hurd more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2016-02-03T16:34:20.363Zmore like thismore than 2016-02-03T16:34:20.363Z
star this property question first ministerially corrected
less than 2016-02-03T16:41:46.167Zmore like thismore than 2016-02-03T16:41:46.167Z
star this property answering member
1561
star this property label Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd more like this
star this property previous answer version
43152
star this property answering member constituency Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner more like this
star this property answering member printed Mr Nick Hurd more like this
star this property answering member
1561
star this property label Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd more like this
star this property tabling member
4131
unstar this property label Biography information for Jim Shannon more like this
1541746
star this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property date less than 2022-11-14more like thismore than 2022-11-14
star this property answering body
Home Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 1 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Home Office more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
star this property hansard heading Asylum more like this
unstar this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the impact of the inadmissibility process on (a) the speed of asylum decision making and (b) the provision of asylum accommodation and support. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Strangford remove filter
star this property tabling member printed
Jim Shannon more like this
star this property uin 86487 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction true more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2022-11-22more like thismore than 2022-11-22
star this property answer text <p><del class="ministerial">This system will not introduce significant delays either for individuals entering the asylum system, or the asylum system as a whole.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">In recent years we have made progress in prioritising older claims, high harm cases, those cases with extreme vulnerability, children and new flow cases following the introduction of the Nationality &amp; Borders Act, whilst those in receipt of support are a priority for caseworkers considering legacy cases.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">The significant increase in dangerous journeys across the Channel is placing unprecedented strain on our asylum system and it has made it necessary to continue to use hotels to accommodate some asylum seekers. The use of hotels is a short-term solution and we are working hard with local authorities to find appropriate accommodation.</del></p><p>Statistics relating to supported asylum seekers temporarily residing in contingency accommodation are published here: <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fstatistical-data-sets%2Fasylum-and-resettlement-datasets&amp;data=05%7C01%7CPS.SpecialAdvisers%40homeoffice.gov.uk%7Ca496d0d3d4f74f6ad78b08dacca28a64%7Cf24d93ecb2914192a08af182245945c2%7C0%7C0%7C638047295713805596%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=UQ1sf2enuEQfqpFF8raBYrQXdDZHa6baJWew%2F0VSYaQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Asylum and resettlement datasets</a>.</p><p>The Home Office does not publish a breakdown of statistics which disaggregates the number of asylum seekers accommodated in specific types of accommodation, or the number at specific stages of the asylum process. These figures are not available in a reportable format and to provide the information could only be done at disproportionate cost. Further information on the inadmissibility process can be here: <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Finadmissibility-third-country-cases%2Finadmissibility-safe-third-country-cases-accessible&amp;data=05%7C01%7CPS.SpecialAdvisers%40homeoffice.gov.uk%7Ca496d0d3d4f74f6ad78b08dacca28a64%7Cf24d93ecb2914192a08af182245945c2%7C0%7C0%7C638047295713805596%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=GSuJUWbJOr1G0lLS6CwBOPkMVK6z4GogDoJbsI8qk%2Fg%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Inadmissibility: safe third country cases</a>.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Newark more like this
star this property answering member printed Robert Jenrick more like this
star this property previous answer version
36442
star this property answering member constituency Newark more like this
star this property answering member printed Robert Jenrick more like this
star this property answering member
4320
star this property label Biography information for Robert Jenrick more like this
36460
star this property answering member constituency Newark more like this
star this property answering member printed Robert Jenrick more like this
star this property answering member
4320
star this property label Biography information for Robert Jenrick more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2022-11-22T17:56:34.103Zmore like thismore than 2022-11-22T17:56:34.103Z
star this property question first ministerially corrected
less than 2022-11-23T09:06:48.58Zmore like thismore than 2022-11-23T09:06:48.58Z
star this property answering member
4320
star this property label Biography information for Robert Jenrick more like this
star this property tabling member
4131
unstar this property label Biography information for Jim Shannon more like this
708491
star this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property date less than 2017-03-06more like thismore than 2017-03-06
star this property answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept id 13 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property hansard heading Livestock Worrying more like this
unstar this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the number of dog attacks on sheep flocks in each of the last four years. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Strangford remove filter
star this property tabling member printed
Jim Shannon more like this
star this property uin 66758 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction true more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2017-03-14more like thismore than 2017-03-14
star this property answer text <p>Information on dog attacks on sheep and other livestock is not routinely collated by Defra. However, details of the number of people prosecuted under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 for each of the last four years for which details are available can be found in the attached table.</p><p>Defra and the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) recently met police forces, farming and rural interests to discuss the situation. Under the auspices of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, five police forces are collaborating to pilot more systematic data collection of incidents and good response practices</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth more like this
star this property answering member printed George Eustice more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2017-03-14T14:44:08.96Zmore like thismore than 2017-03-14T14:44:08.96Z
star this property question first ministerially corrected
less than 2017-03-24T12:30:52.183Zmore like thismore than 2017-03-24T12:30:52.183Z
star this property answering member
3934
star this property label Biography information for George Eustice more like this
star this property attachment
1
unstar this property file name 66758 - dog attacks on sheep flocks.pdf more like this
star this property title 66758 - dog attacks on sheep and other livestock more like this
star this property previous answer version
40195
star this property answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth more like this
star this property answering member printed George Eustice more like this
star this property answering member
3934
star this property label Biography information for George Eustice more like this
star this property tabling member
4131
unstar this property label Biography information for Jim Shannon more like this
687952
star this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property date less than 2017-02-09more like thismore than 2017-02-09
star this property answering body
Department for Culture, Media and Sport more like this
star this property answering dept id 10 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Culture, Media and Sport more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Culture, Media and Sport more like this
star this property hansard heading Gambling: Licensing more like this
unstar this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many times payment providers (a) were asked by the Gambling Commission to block payments to online gambling websites not licenced in the UK and (b) blocked such payments between the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 coming into force and 31 December 2016. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Strangford remove filter
star this property tabling member printed
Jim Shannon more like this
star this property uin 63925 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction true more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2017-02-20more like thismore than 2017-02-20
star this property answer text <p>Between 1 November 2014 and 31 December 2016, there have been<del class="ministerial"> approximately</del> 13 occasions where the Gambling Commission has asked payment providers to prevent payments to online gambling website operators not licensed in the Great Britain but believed to be transacting with consumers in Great Britain.</p><p> </p><p>On 12 of those occasions the payment provider either terminated their relationship with the unlicensed operator or took steps to ensure that the unlicensed gambling website was no longer available to consumers in Great Britain. In the other case, enforcement activity is currently ongoing.</p><p> </p><p> </p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Chatham and Aylesford more like this
star this property answering member printed Tracey Crouch more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2017-02-20T16:01:47.747Zmore like thismore than 2017-02-20T16:01:47.747Z
star this property question first ministerially corrected
less than 2017-02-21T14:16:17.237Zmore like thismore than 2017-02-21T14:16:17.237Z
star this property answering member
3950
star this property label Biography information for Dame Tracey Crouch more like this
star this property previous answer version
36147
star this property answering member constituency Chatham and Aylesford more like this
star this property answering member printed Tracey Crouch more like this
star this property answering member
3950
star this property label Biography information for Dame Tracey Crouch more like this
star this property tabling member
4131
unstar this property label Biography information for Jim Shannon more like this
581979
star this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property date less than 2016-09-12more like thismore than 2016-09-12
star this property answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
star this property answering dept id 11 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Defence more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Defence more like this
star this property hansard heading Kurds: Military Aid more like this
unstar this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Kurdistan regional government on support for its army in tackling Daesh. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Strangford remove filter
star this property tabling member printed
Jim Shannon more like this
star this property uin 45868 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction true more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2016-09-19more like thismore than 2016-09-19
star this property answer text <p>The British Defence Attaché in Baghdad and Defence Advisor in Erbil regularly discuss these issues with representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government and Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. <del class="ministerial">I will discuss these issues with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government during my forthcoming visit to the region.</del></p><p> </p><p>The UK is steadfastly supporting the Kurdish Peshmerga as they fight, alongside other Iraqi forces, to defeat Daesh in Iraq. The UK has trained more than 6,000 Kurdish Peshmerga in infantry fighting skills, gifted 1,000 Vallon counter-IED detectors, provided more than 50 tonnes of non-lethal support, 40 heavy machine guns, nearly half a million rounds of ammunition and £600,000 worth of military equipment. We have also delivered over 300 tonnes of weapons and ammunition on behalf of other Coalition nations. In addition, the Kurdish Peshmerga benefit from RAF intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance capability and airstrikes - Tornado, Typhoon and Reaper have flown more than 3,000 missions in Iraq, carrying out over 1,000 successful strikes against Daesh targets, and in support of Iraqi forces.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead more like this
star this property answering member printed Mike Penning more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2016-09-19T14:55:13.44Zmore like thismore than 2016-09-19T14:55:13.44Z
star this property question first ministerially corrected
less than 2016-09-20T09:50:36.567Zmore like thismore than 2016-09-20T09:50:36.567Z
star this property answering member
1528
star this property label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning more like this
star this property previous answer version
12157
star this property answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead more like this
star this property answering member printed Mike Penning more like this
star this property answering member
1528
star this property label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning more like this
star this property tabling member
4131
unstar this property label Biography information for Jim Shannon more like this
1315565
star this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property date less than 2021-05-18more like thismore than 2021-05-18
star this property answering body
Northern Ireland Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 21 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Northern Ireland more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Northern Ireland more like this
star this property hansard heading Northern Ireland Protocol: Borders more like this
unstar this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the number of EU border checks completed in Northern Ireland, if he will have discussions with his EU counterpart on taking a more pragmatic approach towards the Northern Ireland Protocol. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Strangford remove filter
star this property tabling member printed
Jim Shannon more like this
star this property uin 2986 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction true more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-05-24more like thismore than 2021-05-24
star this property answer text <p>The Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol (‘the Protocol’) is a unique solution to complex challenges. To work, it must be given effect in a pragmatic, practical and proportionate way. That is how we ensure it can meet its core purposes: to uphold the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions, safeguard Northern Ireland’s integral place in the United Kingdom, and prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>This has been the basis on which the UK Government has continued to give effect to its obligations under the Protocol, conscious of the need to minimise its impact on everyday lives in Northern Ireland - as the Protocol itself sets out.</p><p> </p><p>There have been difficulties in the operation of the Protocol, and we are working through the structures of the Withdrawal Agreement to seek to resolve these. <ins class="ministerial">The UK and EU were able to use the Ireland/Northern Ireland Specialised Committee on 26 March to take stock of outstanding issues. Lord Frost and Vice President Šefčovič, and their respective teams, remain in close contact as we move forward.</ins> Issues remain, but our aim is to find common sense, risk-based approaches that enable us to agree a pragmatic way forward that substantially eases the burdens on Northern Ireland.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Worcester more like this
star this property answering member printed Mr Robin Walker more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-05-24T11:00:54.093Zmore like thismore than 2021-05-24T11:00:54.093Z
star this property question first ministerially corrected
less than 2021-05-27T15:04:53.117Zmore like thismore than 2021-05-27T15:04:53.117Z
star this property answering member
4091
star this property label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker more like this
star this property previous answer version
1872
star this property answering member constituency Worcester more like this
star this property answering member printed Mr Robin Walker more like this
star this property answering member
4091
star this property label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker more like this
star this property tabling member
4131
unstar this property label Biography information for Jim Shannon more like this
448320
star this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property date less than 2016-01-27more like thismore than 2016-01-27
star this property answering body
Department of Health more like this
star this property answering dept id 17 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Health more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Health more like this
star this property hansard heading Irritable Bowel Syndrome more like this
unstar this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people of each age group and gender were diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome in each of the last five years. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Strangford remove filter
star this property tabling member printed
Jim Shannon more like this
star this property uin 24429 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction true more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2016-02-04more like thismore than 2016-02-04
star this property answer text <p>Data relating to the total number of people diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome <ins class="ministerial">(IBS)</ins><del class="ministerial">(IBD)</del> in each of the last five years is not collected.</p><p> </p><p><del class="ministerial">The two main forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis only affects the large intestine whereas Crohn's disease affects the whole of the digestive system.</del></p><p> </p><p>The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance indicates that <ins class="ministerial">IBS prevalence in the general population is estimated to be between 10% and 20%. Recent trends indicate that there is also a significant prevalence of IBS in older people.</ins> <del class="ministerial">ulcerative colitis has an incidence in the United Kingdom of approximately 10 per 100,000 people annually, and a prevalence of approximately 240 per 100,000. This amounts to around 146,000 people in the UK with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. In addition to this, there are currently at least 115,000 people in the UK with Crohn's disease.</del></p>
star this property answering member constituency Battersea more like this
star this property answering member printed Jane Ellison more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2016-02-04T16:53:22.817Zmore like thismore than 2016-02-04T16:53:22.817Z
star this property question first ministerially corrected
less than 2016-02-08T14:58:49.237Zmore like thismore than 2016-02-08T14:58:49.237Z
star this property answering member
3918
star this property label Biography information for Jane Ellison more like this
star this property previous answer version
43583
star this property answering member constituency Battersea more like this
star this property answering member printed Jane Ellison more like this
star this property answering member
3918
star this property label Biography information for Jane Ellison more like this
star this property tabling member
4131
unstar this property label Biography information for Jim Shannon more like this
1662749
star this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property date less than 2023-10-13more like thismore than 2023-10-13
star this property answering body
Home Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 1 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Home Office more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
star this property hansard heading Young Offenders: Northern Ireland more like this
unstar this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will hold discussions with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on tackling physical abuse between people under the age of 18 in Northern Ireland. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Strangford remove filter
star this property tabling member printed
Jim Shannon more like this
star this property uin 200603 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction true more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2023-10-20more like thismore than 2023-10-20
star this property answer text <p>Policing, including the response to physical abuse, is a <del class="ministerial">delegated</del> <ins class="ministerial">devolved</ins> matter for consideration by the Northern Ireland Executive.</p><p> </p><p>We are open to discussions with the Police Service of Northern Ireland to share knowledge on tackling physical abuse amongst young people.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Derbyshire Dales more like this
star this property answering member printed Miss Sarah Dines more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2023-10-20T13:50:03.083Zmore like thismore than 2023-10-20T13:50:03.083Z
star this property question first ministerially corrected
less than 2023-10-23T09:15:34.227Zmore like thismore than 2023-10-23T09:15:34.227Z
star this property answering member
4816
star this property label Biography information for Miss Sarah Dines more like this
star this property previous answer version
99450
star this property answering member constituency Derbyshire Dales more like this
star this property answering member printed Miss Sarah Dines more like this
star this property answering member
4816
star this property label Biography information for Miss Sarah Dines more like this
star this property tabling member
4131
unstar this property label Biography information for Jim Shannon more like this
433138
star this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property date less than 2015-11-30more like thismore than 2015-11-30
star this property answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property answering dept id 26 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property hansard heading Construction more like this
unstar this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to support the creation of painting and decorating opportunities in the construction sector. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Strangford remove filter
star this property tabling member printed
Jim Shannon more like this
star this property uin 18208 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction true more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2016-01-06more like thismore than 2016-01-06
star this property answer text <p><del class="ministerial">Late payment remains an important issue for small businesses in the UK. The Government is taking significant steps to assist small businesses to recover late payment debts.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">Through the Enterprise Bill, currently before Parliament, we will legislate to establish a Small Business Commissioner to help small business resolve disputes with large companies, tackling, in particular, late payment. The Commissioner will act as a disincentive to unfavourable payment practices, and build the confidence and capabilities of small businesses to help them to assert themselves in contractual disputes and negotiate more effectively with larger businesses.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">This is part of a package of measures to tackle late payment. We have also legislated for new transparency measures in the public and private sectors. This will allow full public scrutiny of payment performance.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">We have also strengthened the Prompt Payment Code to ensure it is a recognised and demonstrated beacon of best practice, and we recently consulted on proposals to give representative bodies wider powers to challenge grossly unfair payment practices.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">Government promotes fair payment practices in construction through legislation (the &quot;Construction Act&quot;), the use of public procurement (promoting prompt payment to Tier 3 and the use of Project Bank Accounts), and by working with the industry through voluntary measures (such as the Prompt Payment Code and the Construction Leadership Council's Payment Charter).</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">The Payment Charter includes a commitment of zero retentions by 2025. To support this work, the Government recently announced a review of the practice of cash retentions under construction contracts.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">Tackling late payment is about creating a responsible payment culture where larger companies recognise the benefit of having a sustainable and robust supply chain, and smaller businesses feel able to challenge poor behaviour. Once implemented, the Government is confident that these measures will lead to significant changes in the UK's payment culture.</del></p><br /><p><ins class="ministerial">Opportunities in painting and decorating will be created through the steps Government is taking to increase demand in the construction industry, including its support for housebuilding in England.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"></ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Last week the Chancellor announced that the public housing budget for England is to double to over £2 billion per year, and the Housing Bill sets out plans to build 1 million homes in England by 2020.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"></ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">To deliver Government ambitions for construction it is vital to attract new people to the industry. The government is committed to significantly increasing the quantity and quality of all apprenticeships in England to 3 million starts by 2020; the construction industry will have a significant part to play in achieving this target.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">However, skills policy (including apprenticeships policy) is a devolved matter and, in Northern Ireland (NI), is the responsibility of the Department of Employment and Learning.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Minister of Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, published <em>Securing our Success, </em>a new NI Strategy on Apprenticeships in June 2014. This Strategy aims to reform the system of apprenticeships in NI, introducing them in a much broader range of occupational areas and establishing them as an attractive route to gaining higher level qualifications including at degree level and above.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Construction Skills Network Report for NI suggests that there will be an annual recruitment requirement of 100 painters and decorators over the next five years, within a total requirement of 1,490 construction trades each year.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"></ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Construction Industry Training Board NI has a role to encourage the adequate training of those employed or intending to be employed in the construction industry and to improve the skills and productivity of the sector. NI’s six Further Education Colleges provide professional and technical training for the painting and decorating trades.</ins></p>
star this property answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford more like this
star this property answering member printed Nick Boles more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2016-01-06T15:08:11.893Zmore like thismore than 2016-01-06T15:08:11.893Z
star this property question first ministerially corrected
less than 2016-01-11T16:04:15.177Zmore like thismore than 2016-01-11T16:04:15.177Z
star this property answering member
3995
star this property label Biography information for Nick Boles more like this
star this property previous answer version
37693
star this property answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford more like this
star this property answering member printed Nick Boles more like this
star this property answering member
3995
star this property label Biography information for Nick Boles more like this
star this property tabling member
4131
unstar this property label Biography information for Jim Shannon more like this