Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

173736

registered interest
date	14/01/2015
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government plans to take to support newly-qualified teachers in seeking employment.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	220755
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2015 answer text <p>The Department for Education has reformed initial teacher training so that schools can now play a much greater part in selecting and training new teachers, ensuring that they are well prepared for life in the classroom.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Newly qualified teachers working in the maintained school sector are entitled to a period of statutory induction, which helps to build a bridge between their initial training and a career in teaching. In 2014, the annual newly qualified teachers survey reported that 94% of both primary and secondary trainees rated their induction experience as helpful.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Overall, teacher vacancy rates remain very low (vacancy rate of 0.2% as of November 2013). The Government provides access, through the gov.uk portal, to the ‘Universal Jobmatch’ website, which helps teachers (amongst others) to identify appropriate vacancies. Schools and local authorities (in the maintained sector) are responsible for recruiting their staff and it is their responsibility to select the teacher they consider is best for the post available.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Yeovil answering member printed Mr David Laws question first answered 21/01/2015 16:05:01 answering member 1473 label Biography information for Mr David Laws
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

173737

registered interest
date	14/01/2015
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Children: Nutrition
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on preventing unhealthy eating among children of primary school age.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	220756
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2015 answer text <p>No recent formal discussions with Department for Education (DfE) Ministers have taken place on preventing unhealthy eating among children of primary school age.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Department of Health and DfE Ministers have discussed the issue informally and officials meet regularly to discuss progress on delivering of the School Food Plan.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Battersea answering member printed Jane Ellison question first answered 21/01/2015 17:23:27 answering member 3918 label Biography information for Jane Ellison
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

173738

registered interest
date	14/01/2015
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: Agriculture
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 he is taking to promote the engagement of higher education colleges with the agri-foods sector.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	220757
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2015 answer text <p>The Government recognises the importance of preserving and developing skills in the agri-foods sector and we are pleased to see that the number of students in agriculture-related subjects has been increasing in recent years.</p><p> </p><p>We are taking an employer-led approach to skills delivery and funding.</p><p> </p><p>The Agri-Tech Strategy:</p><p> </p><p>• maps the funding of research by private and public sector organisations including support for studentships; and</p><p> </p><p>• works alongside the Agri-Skills Forum in England to help deliver their Skills Strategy.</p><p> </p><p>The Strategy can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-agricultural-technologies-strategy" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-agricultural-technologies-strategy</a></p><p> </p><p>The Government has a number of initiatives to encourage employers to work with colleges and other educational bodies to ensure that we have the skills that we need as a country to compete in the global marketplace. For example, in England, the National Skills Academy for Food &amp; Drink is running a new Industrial Skills Partnership with £2m of funding from the (BIS/DfE) Employer Ownership of Skills Fund. This new industry-led partnership will take forward work across a broad front including improving the perception of jobs in the industry, creating clear career pathways and addressing specific skills shortages in the sector.</p><p> </p><p>Innovate UK (sponsored by the Department) also delivers a number of programmes that allow Higher Education Institutions to work with businesses on innovative projects across all sectors, including agri-food (<a href="http://www.innovateuk.org/" target="_blank">www.innovateuk.org</a>).</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Tunbridge Wells answering member printed Greg Clark question first answered 26/01/2015 11:53:32 answering member 1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

173739

registered interest
date	14/01/2015
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	High Speed Trains
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which high-speed rail projects are planned to be completed in 2015.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	220759
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2015 answer text <p>In 2015 we expect the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill for HS2 Phase One to continue its progress through Parliament. We will continue to review and refine proposals for the Phase Two route from West Midlands to Manchester, Leeds and beyond to ensure they bring the best solution in terms of connectivity and economic growth for the regions. Any further announcements and decisions on the Phase Two route are currently expected to be made in 2015 but could come later.</p><p> </p><p>It is also expected that in 2015 we will commence ground investigation works enabled by the HS2 Preparation Bill (2013).</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill grouped question UIN 220758 question first answered 21/01/2015 10:02:50 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

173740

registered interest
date	14/01/2015
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	High Speed Trains
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which high-speed rail projects are planned to commence in 2015.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	220758
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2015 answer text <p>In 2015 we expect the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill for HS2 Phase One to continue its progress through Parliament. We will continue to review and refine proposals for the Phase Two route from West Midlands to Manchester, Leeds and beyond to ensure they bring the best solution in terms of connectivity and economic growth for the regions. Any further announcements and decisions on the Phase Two route are currently expected to be made in 2015 but could come later.</p><p> </p><p>It is also expected that in 2015 we will commence ground investigation works enabled by the HS2 Preparation Bill (2013).</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill grouped question UIN 220759 question first answered 21/01/2015 10:02:50 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

173741

registered interest
date	14/01/2015
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	Nigeria
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is offering to the Nigerian government in response to the recent killings by Boko Haram in Nigeria.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	220760
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2015 answer text The UK has taken an active role in leading international support to Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram. We are providing a substantial package of UK military, intelligence and development support, which includes training and advice to Nigerian units deploying against Boko Haram, intelligence support and support to the Nigerians in bringing increased development and prosperity to the North East. We are also working closely with our international partners to support the large numbers of people displaced by the conflict in the North East. answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 20/01/2015 14:11:56 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

173742

registered interest
date	14/01/2015
answering body	Northern Ireland Office
answering dept id	21
answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
hansard heading	Terrorism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress the Government has made on its work to provide justice for the victims of the 1976 Kingsmill Massacre.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	220724
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2015 answer text <p>The Kingsmill attack was a horrendous sectarian atrocity. I understand how the pain of such an attack never diminishes for the families of the victims. I hope that the ongoing Coroner’s inquests will help provide the answers the families are seeking about the deaths of their loved ones.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chipping Barnet answering member printed Mrs Theresa Villiers question first answered 21/01/2015 16:15:29 answering member 1500 label Biography information for Theresa Villiers
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

173743

registered interest
date	14/01/2015
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Doctors: Working Hours
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure that doctors and surgeons are not working excessive hours.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	220725
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2015 answer text <p>It is the responsibility of National Health Service trusts to ensure that service rotas are designed and staffed appropriately and are in accordance with the Working Time Regulations.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department commissioned the Royal College of Surgeons to review the impact of the Working Time Directive on the health sector. A taskforce, chaired by Professor Norman Williams and comprising of representatives from across the medical profession, met on six occasions from October 2013 to February 2014 and a report was produced. The taskforce identified concerns about the impact of the adoption of the European Working Time Directive on the continuity of care for patients and the quality of training for some junior doctors. In view of this the report made recommendations that NHS trusts should review best practice in the design of working rotas.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Central Suffolk and North Ipswich answering member printed Dr Daniel Poulter question first answered 20/01/2015 16:05:40 answering member 3932 label Biography information for Dr Dan Poulter
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

173744

registered interest
date	14/01/2015
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	Squirrels
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 she is taking to protect red squirrels in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	220818
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2015 answer text <p>The Government is committed to protecting and expanding red squirrel populations and tackling the threats that grey squirrels in particular pose to them.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In particular, Defra is contributing a total of £50,000 between 2014 and 2016 to research into the Squirrel Pox Vaccine that will help to secure the long term future of red squirrels in the UK.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Additionally, the Forestry Commission continues to support Red Squirrels Northern England, a partnership project between the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, Natural England, the Forestry Commission and the Wildlife Trusts, which is helping to protect and expand the biggest population of red squirrels left in England. Seventeen reserves have been identified where long-term survival of the species is considered most likely. Targeted control of grey squirrels is carried out in the reserves and surrounding buffer zones. In addition, the reserves and surrounding areas are being managed in ways that favour red squirrels. In the south of England, where there are secure populations on the Isle of Wight and Poole Harbour Islands, there is an action plan in place to respond to the appearance of grey squirrels.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In 2014 the Forestry Commission reviewed our approach to grey squirrels. As a result of the review, the Forestry Commission has updated the action plan for grey squirrels in England.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 21/01/2015 17:37:49 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

173745

registered interest
date	14/01/2015
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	Somalia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle the persecution of Christians in Somalia.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	220766
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2015 answer text <p>The overwhelming majority of people in Somalia are Muslim (around 99.8%) and Islam is recognised as the official state religion in Somalia’s provisional constitution. The UK continues to support the Federal Government of Somalia in their efforts to bring government control to Somalia, and restore essential freedoms to all Somalis.</p><p>The UK is working with the Federal Government of Somalia to establish a national human rights commission, to improve human rights for everybody in Somalia, irrespective of their religious persuasion - and also supporting the United Nations assistance mission in Somalia (UNSOM) monitoring and improving human rights.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 20/01/2015 14:13:39 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson