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100664
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Home Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 1 more like this
unstar 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 Overseas Students more like this
star 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 his policy is on excluding foreign university students from net immigration targets. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Windsor more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Adam Afriyie more like this
star this property uin 211742 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer remove filter
star this property answer text <p>Net migration statistics are produced by the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS). In line with the internationally agreed UN definition, these statistics define a migrant as someone changing their normal place of residence for more than a year. This includes students in net migration in the same way as other migrants. Other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand also include students in their net migration figures. <br><br>Net migration measures the difference between the number of peoplecoming the UK and the number leaving, so if students return home after<br>their studies, their impact on long-term net migration will be minimal. The ONS has recently improved its methodology so that it is possible to<br>better identify students in the emigration flows to give a more accurate measure of the contribution of students to overall net migration.In the last year, 124,000 non-EU students came to Britain to stay for more than 12 months, and the ONS estimates that only 50,000 left the country. <br><br>All migrants who are in the UK for 12 months or more have an impact on our communities, infrastructure and public services. Changing the way we measure migration would not make any difference to our student migration policy. There is no cap on the number of students who can come to the UK, and the county remains open to the brightest and the best.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Old Bexley and Sidcup more like this
star this property answering member printed James Brokenshire more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T14:46:23.9636243Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T14:46:23.9636243Z
star this property answering member
1530
star this property label Biography information for James Brokenshire more like this
star this property tabling member
1586
star this property label Biography information for Adam Afriyie more like this
100609
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 16 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property hansard heading Civil Servants: Languages more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
star this property question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government which languages have been studied by civil servants and diplomatic staff at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Language School; and how many civil servants and diplomatic staff have studied each language. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Baroness Coussins more like this
star this property uin HL2340 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
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star this property answer text <p>Since the Language Centre opened on 19th September 2013 a total of 45 different languages have been studied there either full or part-time by 813 students. Of those students, 779 are Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff and 34 are from other government departments (OGDs) (including staff from the following departments: Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Office, the Department for Business, Innovation &amp; Skills, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, UK Trade and Investment, the Department for International Development, HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and the House of Commons). An additional 60 FCO staff have trained at the Institut Francais. Staff across the Civil Service can also access the FCO Language Centre library to continue to develop their own language skills outside formal study and 58 OGD staff have taken advantage of this offer so far.</p><p>It is important to note that when more appropriate, staff from OGDs also receive language training outside of the FCO Language Centre through use of the Civil Service-wide contract with Language Services Direct (the company that run the FCO Language Centre) or at the Institut Francais if French is required. Since September 2014, 113 OGD students have received language training on their own premises via the FCO contract.</p><p>The table below provides a breakdown of the languages that have been taught at the FCO Language Centre:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Albanian</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Arabic</p></td><td><p>186</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Azeri</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bosnian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bulgarian</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Burmese</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cambodian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Czech</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Danish</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Dari</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Dutch</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Farsi</p></td><td><p>33</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Finnish</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>French</p></td><td><p>14</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Georgian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>German</p></td><td><p>40</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Greek</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hebrew</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hindi</p></td><td><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Indonesian</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Italian</p></td><td><p>23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Japanese</p></td><td><p>33</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Korean</p></td><td><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Macedonian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mandarin</p></td><td><p>93</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Norwegian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Pashto</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Polish</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Portuguese</p></td><td><p>47</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Romanian</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Russian</p></td><td><p>84</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Serbian</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sinhalese</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Slovak</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Slovene</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Spanish</p></td><td><p>153</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Swedish</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tajik</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Thai</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tigrinya</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Turkish</p></td><td><p>11</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Turkmen</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Urdu</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Uzbek</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Vietnamese</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>813</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p>
star this property answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:51:51.0127173Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:51:51.0127173Z
star this property answering member
3474
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property tabling member
3829
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Coussins more like this
100610
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 16 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property hansard heading Civil Servants: Languages more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
star this property question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they expect to see an increase in the numbers of United Kingdom civil servants capable of fulfilling the language requirements for applications to the European Civil Service; and if so by how many, and by when. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Baroness Coussins more like this
star this property uin HL2341 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
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star this property answer text <p>The Government is working to increase the number of applicants to the European Civil Service and to increase civil service language training. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) supports all UK applicants, including civil servants, through the EU recruitment process, including advice on how to pass the recruitment tests in a foreign language. The European Fast Stream programme has been re-structured for 2014 and the training updated. As part of this, the language training provided to participants has been revised and tailored to offer more effective preparation for the Commission’s entry exam known as The Concours. There is also language training offered to civil servants through the FCO language centre. Some Government Departments also offer training in-house in different languages.</p><p> </p> more like this
star this property answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:54:59.7503661Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:54:59.7503661Z
star this property answering member
3474
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property tabling member
3829
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Coussins more like this
100611
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 16 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property hansard heading Civil Servants: Languages more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
star this property question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government how civil servants from all departments with the wish or the potential to benefit from a course at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Language School are identified. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Baroness Coussins more like this
star this property uin HL2342 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer remove filter
star this property answer text Full-time language training is available to all staff on appointment to one of the 674 designated ‘speaker’ roles based across the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)’s network of posts overseas. Appointment is made following an advert, application and selection by interview for a position. All positions (including speaker roles) in the Senior Management Service are also advertised across the Civil Service. A number of positions (including speaker roles) in the delegated grades are also advertised across the Civil Service via ‘Interchange’. All FCO staff (or staff from other governmental departments (OGDs) if on Interchange) and their spouses/partners posted to non-speaker roles in a foreign country also have the option of taking up language training to reach a basic level (Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) – A2 Confidence foreign language proficiency) to help settle into a new posting overseas. FCO staff who wish to develop skills in a foreign language can also attend a rolling programme of part-time lunchtime or evening classes in 12 languages. Where there is space in these classes, OGD staff are offered places based on language learning needs analyses by Departments. Language Services Direct (the company who run the FCO Language Centre) also provide part-time classes to a number of OGDs (the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Cabinet Office, the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the Department for International Development, Members of Parliament, UK Hydrographic Office) on their own premises or at Language Services Direct premises (HM Revenue and Customs). Language Services Direct also run a bespoke training package for staff from both the FCO and across the Civil Service wishing to apply for positions within EU institutions. A number of OGDs also appoint staff, following their own internal appointment processes, to their own ‘speaker’ roles overseas and are able use the Language Centre for training, or receive training at their own premises from Language Services Direct. To-date over 130 OGD staff have been trained either full-time or part-time at the Centre or at their own premises.
star this property answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:56:28.9626879Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:56:28.9626879Z
star this property answering member
3474
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property tabling member
3829
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Coussins more like this
100658
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Department for Energy and Climate Change more like this
star this property answering dept id 63 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Energy and Climate Change more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Energy and Climate Change more like this
star this property hansard heading Electricity Generation more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
star this property question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government, given the requirements of the Climate Change Act 2008, how they will ensure that all new and refurbished power generating capacity in the United Kingdom is contributing towards the meeting of carbon targets; and how they will ensure that higher carbon infrastructure is not being locked in that will make the meeting of carbon targets harder and more expensive in the future. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Baroness Worthington more like this
star this property uin HL2389 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer remove filter
star this property answer text <p>The Climate Change Act established a legally binding target to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% below base levels by 2050. The Act introduced a system of carbon budgets which provide legally binding limits on the amount of emissions that may be produced in successive five-year periods, setting the UK on a least cost trajectory to 2050.</p><p>A comprehensive package of policies has been put in place to meet future carbon budgets, which includes reducing the carbon intensity of power generation.</p><p>Electricity market reform (EMR) provides support for all low carbon technologies including nuclear, Carbon Capture Storage and renewables. The EMR delivery plan also provides an outlook to 2030 illustrating different scenarios for power sector decarbonisation consistent with our carbon plan and budgets.</p><p>This approach increases energy security and minimises costs to taxpayers and consumers, while reducing emissions.</p> more like this
star this property answering member printed Baroness Verma more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T14:26:05.855548Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T14:26:05.855548Z
star this property answering member
3790
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Verma more like this
star this property tabling member
4235
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Worthington more like this
100640
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 16 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property hansard heading Kashmir more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
star this property question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have received reports about exchanges of fire on the Line of Control in Kashmir and on the working border between India and Pakistan; and whether they have provided any advice to India and Pakistan in order to resolve outstanding matters, including the right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Ahmed more like this
star this property uin HL2371 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer remove filter
star this property answer text <p>We are concerned about the incidents which took place in recent weeks on both sides of the Line of Control and the International Border in Kashmir. We hope that both sides can take steps to reduce tensions. The longstanding position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, one which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to mediate in finding one.</p> more like this
star this property answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:58:33.010193Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:58:33.010193Z
star this property answering member
3474
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property tabling member
3470
star this property label Biography information for Lord Ahmed more like this
100641
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 16 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property hansard heading Kashmir more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
star this property question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to encourage the dialogue between Pakistan and India over the disputed region of Kashmir. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Ahmed more like this
star this property uin HL2372 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer remove filter
star this property answer text <p>We have followed developments in the region and officials from our High Commissions in both Delhi and Islamabad discuss the situation in Kashmir with both governments. The long standing position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, one which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to mediate in finding one.</p> more like this
star this property answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:58:54.56806Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:58:54.56806Z
star this property answering member
3474
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property tabling member
3470
star this property label Biography information for Lord Ahmed more like this
100619
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
HM Treasury more like this
star this property answering dept id 14 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Treasury more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Treasury more like this
star this property hansard heading Economic Situation more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
star this property question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the latest revised forecast by the International Monetary Fund for the British economy, whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer still has confidence in its forecasting. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Blencathra more like this
star this property uin HL2350 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer remove filter
star this property answer text <p>Britain’s long term economic plan is working, boosting economic security for Britain’s hardworking people. The economy is growing, the deficit has fallen by a third and there are record levels of people in work. But the job is not done and the biggest risk now to the recovery would be abandoning the plan that is delivering a brighter economic future.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s strategy is to restore the public finances to a sustainable path and the UK is seen as a relative safe haven, with interest rates remaining historically low helping keep interest payments down for households, businesses and the taxpayer.</p><p>The IMF set out their latest forecasts in the October 2014<em> World Economic Outlook. </em>The publication recognises the Government’s long term economic plan is working, that the UK is growing and leaving the crisis behind. The IMF project the UK economy to be the fastest growing G7 economy in 2014, at 3.2 per cent and 2.7 per cent in 2015. Furthermore, the IMF recognise that fiscal consolidation undertaken during the past few years has built trust among financial investors that current fiscal paths are sustainable.</p>
star this property answering member printed Lord Deighton more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T14:02:54.0014706Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T14:02:54.0014706Z
star this property answering member
4262
star this property label Biography information for Lord Deighton more like this
star this property tabling member
497
star this property label Biography information for Lord Blencathra more like this
100606
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 16 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property hansard heading Azerbaijan more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
star this property question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to send observers to the imminent trials in Azerbaijan of (1) Mr Arif and Ms Leyla Yunus of the Peace and Democracy Institute, (2) Mr Intigam Aliyev, and (3) Mr Rasul Jafarov; and whether they will propose that their trials are fully covered by European Union diplomats. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Hylton more like this
star this property uin HL2337 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer remove filter
star this property answer text <p>The British Government has publicly expressed its concern surrounding the arrests of Mr Arif and Ms Leyla Yunus and Mr Rasul Jafarav amongst others, and supports the EU statement of 14 August 2014 regarding the recent deterioration of the human rights situation in Azerbaijan. As has been the case in recent high profile trials, the British Government expects to make representation in coordination with its EU partners.</p> more like this
star this property answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:49:52.6019191Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:49:52.6019191Z
star this property answering member
3474
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property tabling member
2018
star this property label Biography information for Lord Hylton more like this
100652
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept id 16 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
star this property hansard heading Honduras more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
star this property question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the authorities in Honduras regarding Dina Meza. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Kennedy of Southwark more like this
star this property uin HL2383 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer remove filter
star this property answer text <p>Our Embassy in Guatemala City represents the UK in Honduras and has raised Dina Meza’s case with the Honduran authorities on several occasions, including with the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights. Our Embassy is in regular direct contact with Dina Meza herself, and is supporting a project concerning Freedom of Expression in Honduras, in which she is involved. Our Ambassador to Honduras has publicly stated our concern about crimes committed against journalists in Honduras. Officials will continue to monitor the situation closely.</p> more like this
star this property answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T16:00:29.2863718Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T16:00:29.2863718Z
star this property answering member
3474
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
star this property tabling member
4153
star this property label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark more like this