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421725

registered interest
date	15/10/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Iran: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the human rights situation in Iran.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	12120
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2015 answer text Our assessment of human rights in Iran can be found in the FCO Human Rights Report, which was updated in July. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 22/10/2015 10:24:30 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421732

registered interest
date	15/10/2015
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Air Pollution
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 improve air quality in order to assist people with lung diseases.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	12122
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2015 answer text <p>Tackling poor air quality is a priority for this government. Our aim is for almost every car and van to be a zero emission vehicle by 2050.</p><br /><p>The Department for Transport takes its environmental obligations seriously, and is committed to making journeys cleaner. £2 billion has been committed since 2011 to increase the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles, support green transport initiatives and support local authorities to take action. These measures will help address both particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide roadside levels in pollution hotspots.</p><br /><p>We also work closely with the Department for Health, Public Health England, and their advisors the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants.</p><br /><p>Government is revising its Air Quality plans and launched a consultation on 12 September 2015 to seek views from local and transport authorities, businesses and members of the public on action that can be taken to improve air quality. The Department for Transport have been working with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on these plans, which set out a range of local, national and European actions to lower levels of harmful emissions. The consultation closes on 6 November 2015.</p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 22/10/2015 14:35:02 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421733

registered interest
date	15/10/2015
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
hansard heading	National Insurance Contributions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance his Department gives to ensure that the implications of missing national insurance contributions are made clear to those concerned at the time they are missed.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	12116
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2015 answer text <p>There is a range of guidance available to help a person understand the implications of not paying national insurance. A person’s record can be made up of national insurance contributions and credits from a variety of sources. When these are posted to the individual’s contributions record after the end of the tax year the individual may have insufficient contributions on their account for that year to qualify for certain benefits. These gaps in a person’s national insurance contributions record may be filled by the payment of voluntary Class 3 contributions. <br> HM Revenue and Customs has published guidance on GOV.UK that explains when the payment of voluntary Class 3 contributions may be beneficial, eligibility, rates and how and when to pay. This is available to view here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions</a></p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke question first answered 22/10/2015 15:08:04 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421346

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	UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress she is making on implementing Article 31 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	11820
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2015 answer text <p>The Government remains committed to giving due consideration to Articles set out in the UNCRC through new policy and legislation. Article 31 refers to the right to relax and play and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic, and other recreational activities. Play and relaxation are important for children’s mental wellbeing. As such, we believe that it is important for all children to have access to a wide range of such recreational activities.</p><p>The Children Act 1989 and associated guidance place duties on a range of organisations, including schools, to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. All schools should create a happy and supportive environment through a broad and balanced curriculum. They have a responsibility to ensure that all children have access to high-quality arts and cultural education. Pupils also have to study drama, as part of the English curriculum, and dance, as part of the PE curriculum.</p><p>Our guidance to schools on mental wellbeing, in particular the guidance on school-based counselling published in March, emphasises that support works best within a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing. This includes a healthy approach to play and relaxation, as set out in Article 31.</p><p>In addition the Government has:</p><ul><li>Invested over £460 million between 2012 – 2016 in a diverse portfolio of music and arts education programmes to improve access to the arts for all children;</li><li>Invested £5 million to fund projects in schools to help young people develop positive character traits, recognising excellent practice through the Character Awards and supporting research into what works best;</li><li>Provided £4.7 million to voluntary and community sector (VCS) projects delivering support to children and young people with mental health issues;</li><li>Committed to boosting children’s health, confidence and self-esteem through sport; for example, backing Sport England’s £1 billion investment in the youth and community strategy over 5 years;</li><li>Guaranteed a place on National Citizen Service for all 16-17 year olds, which has already targeted 100,000 teenagers; and</li><li>Invested £100 million in the Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme – which has seen a number of successful bids aimed at supporting children’s mental health.</li></ul> answering member constituency Crewe and Nantwich answering member printed Edward Timpson grouped question UIN 11821 question first answered 22/10/2015 14:53:25 answering member 1605 label Biography information for Edward Timpson
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421349

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	UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
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 implement Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child so that it supports childrens' mental health.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	11821
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2015 answer text <p>The Government remains committed to giving due consideration to Articles set out in the UNCRC through new policy and legislation. Article 31 refers to the right to relax and play and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic, and other recreational activities. Play and relaxation are important for children’s mental wellbeing. As such, we believe that it is important for all children to have access to a wide range of such recreational activities.</p><p>The Children Act 1989 and associated guidance place duties on a range of organisations, including schools, to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. All schools should create a happy and supportive environment through a broad and balanced curriculum. They have a responsibility to ensure that all children have access to high-quality arts and cultural education. Pupils also have to study drama, as part of the English curriculum, and dance, as part of the PE curriculum.</p><p>Our guidance to schools on mental wellbeing, in particular the guidance on school-based counselling published in March, emphasises that support works best within a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing. This includes a healthy approach to play and relaxation, as set out in Article 31.</p><p>In addition the Government has:</p><ul><li>Invested over £460 million between 2012 – 2016 in a diverse portfolio of music and arts education programmes to improve access to the arts for all children;</li><li>Invested £5 million to fund projects in schools to help young people develop positive character traits, recognising excellent practice through the Character Awards and supporting research into what works best;</li><li>Provided £4.7 million to voluntary and community sector (VCS) projects delivering support to children and young people with mental health issues;</li><li>Committed to boosting children’s health, confidence and self-esteem through sport; for example, backing Sport England’s £1 billion investment in the youth and community strategy over 5 years;</li><li>Guaranteed a place on National Citizen Service for all 16-17 year olds, which has already targeted 100,000 teenagers; and</li><li>Invested £100 million in the Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme – which has seen a number of successful bids aimed at supporting children’s mental health.</li></ul> answering member constituency Crewe and Nantwich answering member printed Edward Timpson grouped question UIN 11820 question first answered 22/10/2015 14:53:25 answering member 1605 label Biography information for Edward Timpson
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421397

registered interest
date	14/10/2015
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Mental Health Services: Homelessness
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to ensure that people who are homeless have access to talking therapies.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	11880
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2015 answer text <p>Homelessness can lead to significant physical and mental health problems, and without accommodation and support, the chances of recovery are very limited. The £10 million Homeless Hospital Discharge Fund promoted new ways of improving the discharge arrangements of homeless people from hospital by working with other local services to help their recovery and improve their health.</p><br /><p>In April, the £40 million Homelessness Change/Platform for Life programme was launched. This programme will join up health and housing services, and help support young people at risk of homelessness across the country. We will be announcing the successful programme bids shortly.</p><br /><p>Talking Therapies, like the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme are a key weapon in addressing the mental health needs of vulnerable groups, like homeless people. While the normal referral processes to IAPT services are through general practitioners (GPs), individuals can self-refer, meaning that homeless people can refer themselves to services without the need for a GP.</p><br /><p>Public Health England is also working with local authorities to help them understand better the physical and mental health needs of homeless people in which access to IAPT will play a part.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt grouped question UIN 11879 question first answered 22/10/2015 14:39:46 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421398

registered interest
date	14/10/2015
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Health: Homelessness
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he plans to take to improve the physical and mental health of homeless people.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	11879
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2015 answer text <p>Homelessness can lead to significant physical and mental health problems, and without accommodation and support, the chances of recovery are very limited. The £10 million Homeless Hospital Discharge Fund promoted new ways of improving the discharge arrangements of homeless people from hospital by working with other local services to help their recovery and improve their health.</p><br /><p>In April, the £40 million Homelessness Change/Platform for Life programme was launched. This programme will join up health and housing services, and help support young people at risk of homelessness across the country. We will be announcing the successful programme bids shortly.</p><br /><p>Talking Therapies, like the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme are a key weapon in addressing the mental health needs of vulnerable groups, like homeless people. While the normal referral processes to IAPT services are through general practitioners (GPs), individuals can self-refer, meaning that homeless people can refer themselves to services without the need for a GP.</p><br /><p>Public Health England is also working with local authorities to help them understand better the physical and mental health needs of homeless people in which access to IAPT will play a part.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt grouped question UIN 11880 question first answered 22/10/2015 14:39:46 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421453

registered interest
date	14/10/2015
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisoners' Release
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress his Department is making in arranging for the release of prisoners sentenced to imprisonment for public protection.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	11905
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2015 answer text <p>The release of prisoners serving indeterminate sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) is a matter for the independent Parole Board. The Parole Board directs the release of IPP prisoners on licence who have completed their minimum period of imprisonment (tariff), where the Board is satisfied that those prisoners may be effectively managed in the community.</p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 22/10/2015 16:40:00 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421454

registered interest
date	14/10/2015
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Criminal Proceedings: Fees and Charges
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his policy is on the Criminal Court Charge.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	11877
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2015 answer text <p>As the Secretary of State stated to the House on 8 September, we have been made aware of widespread concern about the operation of the Criminal Courts Charge, but it is important to stress that the Charge is levied or taken from the offender only after other <ins class="ministerial">impositions</ins><del class="ministerial">fines</del> have been paid. It is important to note that statutory protections are in place so that the payment of the Charge in due course should be linked to the offender's means. Within the Bill there was a duty placed on the Lord Chancellor to carry out a review of the Criminal Courts Charge, three years after the implementation of the Charge.</p> answering member constituency North West Cambridgeshire answering member printed Mr Shailesh Vara question first answered 22/10/2015 16:50:53 question first ministerially corrected 23/10/2015 11:04:35 answering member 1496 label Biography information for Shailesh Vara previous answer version 25299 answering member constituency North West Cambridgeshire answering member printed Mr Shailesh Vara answering member 1496 label Biography information for Shailesh Vara
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421499

registered interest
date	14/10/2015
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: Homelessness
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 plans to take to improve employment support for homeless people.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	11878
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2015 answer text <p>We are exploring how we can best deliver future tailored employment support as part of the Spending Review. We will continue to do all we can to help all individuals, including homeless people, find, and stay in, work.</p> answering member constituency Witham answering member printed Priti Patel question first answered 22/10/2015 13:23:43 answering member 4066 label Biography information for Priti Patel
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett