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

1127834

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Research Fund for Coal and Steel
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to maintain the same level of funding awarded under the Research Fund for Coal and Steel after the UK leaves the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
	tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
	uin	257085
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The UK Government is committed to ensuring that UK and EU researchers, universities and businesses in the steel sector will be able to continue to collaborate after the UK leaves the European Union.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s priority remains ensuring the Withdrawal Agreement (WA) is ratified. This would ensure that UK entities’ right to participate in the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) would be unaffected by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU until the end of 2020: the WA envisages that UK participants will be eligible to bid for RFCS funding until that date.</p><p> </p><p>In the event the UK leaves the EU without an overall withdrawal agreement, the Government will guarantee the payment of awards for UK organisations which successfully bid directly to EU programmes, including RFCS, until the end of 2020, for the whole lifetime of projects agreed.</p><p> </p><p>Beyond 2020, the UK government is considering options for supporting R&amp;D in steel and will continue to work with the sector, unions and Devolved Administrations to develop a long-term viable solution for the UK steel industry.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will decide on science and innovation expenditure, including on R&amp;D for steel, in the next Spending Review. Science and innovation have been made a priority by the UK Government and is at the heart of the Department’s Industrial Strategy, in recognition of the strong economic benefits of public investment in science and innovation and its capacity to leverage private investment.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson grouped question UIN 257087 question first answered 04/06/2019 07:56:30 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1127891

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Energy: Consumers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to promote awareness of Ofgem's priority services register.
	tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
	tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
	uin	256956
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>Ofgem requires energy companies to promote and maintain a Priority Services Register (PSR), to provide non-financial help to certain groups of vulnerable consumers. Ofgem is responsible for ensuring compliance with these requirements.</p><p>In 2016, Ofgem introduced new requirements that companies take all reasonable steps to identify customers who may benefit from PSR services and introduced a broad “Vulnerability Principle” in 2017, which clarifies that suppliers need to make an extra effort to identify and respond to the needs of consumers in vulnerable situations, which can help identify those who could benefit from PSR services.</p><p>The number of consumers on PSRs has risen from 1.7 million electricity and 1.4 million gas consumers in 2010, to nearly 6 million electricity and 4.8 million gas consumers in 2017. Ofgem publish information on energy company performance, available online at:</p><p><a href="https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/system/files/docs/2018/11/vulnerability_report_2018.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/system/files/docs/2018/11/vulnerability_report_2018.pdf</a></p><p>Ofgem is also working to promote PSR data sharing between energy and water companies in England and Wales (with the customer’s consent) following a successful pilot in Spring 2018.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 04/06/2019 07:56:07 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

1127906

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Natural Gas: Prices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent comparative assessment he has made of the cost of gas to British consumers relative to the cost to consumers in each of the other member states of the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
	tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
	uin	256957
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The Department is committed to regular and transparent reporting on the price of gas for UK consumers and currently publishes a price comparison with EU member states on a bi-annual basis. The latest statistical reports from this series are available here: <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fstatistical-data-sets%2Finternational-domestic-energy-prices&amp;data=02%7C01%7CThomas.Lane%40beis.gov.uk%7Cb4196cc03ed84ca5ef4b08d6e36b7d91%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C636946448136868794&amp;sdata=IDLG6f8mx8LSfW2pAo35UIjF3cPP%2FRahNB1X8F4%2FgGg%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/international-domestic-energy-prices</a></p><p>The UK has some of the lowest domestic gas prices in the EU. Average prices paid by consumers for the period January to June 2018 were the second lowest in the EU15 and were 31 per cent lower than the median average price.</p><p>Recent figures also show that gas prices for UK consumers has been consistently cheaper than the median average for all EU member states (EU28) since 2016 currently peaking at 15.5% cheaper in the first half of 2018.</p><p>These figures are for average domestic gas prices including taxes paid for by UK domestic consumers, with a consumption level of the EU’s definition of a ‘medium’ amount of gas per annum (5,557 – 55,557 kWh).</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 04/06/2019 07:56:13 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

1127747

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Languages: GCSE
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the difficulty in obtaining top grades in exams on the number of students choosing to study a foreign language at GCSE.
	tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
	tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
	uin	257044
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The Department is aware that many factors can influence a student’s decision to study languages at GCSE level. As the regulator of qualifications, examinations and assessment in England, Ofqual takes claims of grading severity in modern foreign languages (MFL) seriously. Ofqual is currently conducting a comprehensive review of grading standards in GCSE French, German and Spanish to see if there is a compelling case for an adjustment to grading standards in these subjects. Ofqual’s review will consider statistical evidence, contextual data including trends in the numbers taking these subjects, and the quality of students’ work through looking at how GCSE grades relate to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Ofqual is also gathering the views of subject experts and other stakeholders and is due to report on this work in autumn 2019.</p><p> </p><p>The Department wants to see more pupils taking a language GCSE. We are supporting schools to increase the number of pupils taking GCSEs in languages through several programmes including, the £4.8 million MFL pedagogy programme, an undergraduate digi-mentoring scheme, the £10 million Mandarin Excellence Programme, and targeted communications activity at key points in the school year to challenge misconceptions about studying languages.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 04/06/2019 07:39:28 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1127748

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	English Baccalaureate
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans his Department has to ensure that grades awarded for EBaccs are comparable across all subjects.
	tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
	tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
	uin	257045
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>This is a matter for the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). I have asked its Chief Regulator, Sally Collier, to write directly to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. ​​</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 04/06/2019 07:40:39 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1127751

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason Government funding was withdrawn for the Quality Assurance Agency's regulatory and Quality Assurance licensing of Access Validating Agency's for the new academic year 2019-20.
	tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
	tabling member printed	Gordon Marsden
	uin	256937
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>Under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, the Office for Students cannot pay the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) to regulate or quality assure Access Validating Agency’s or Access to Higher Education Courses beyond 31 July 2019.</p><p> </p><p>The department has spoken with the QAA to discuss how it is adapting to the conclusion of these historic contracts and will hold further discussions later in the year.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 04/06/2019 07:42:47 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	465 label Biography information for Gordon Marsden

1127786

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Arts: Curriculum
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his policy is on the inclusion of music, dance and theatre in the school curriculum.
	tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
	tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
	uin	256913
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The Department strongly believes that the arts form an important part of a broad and balanced National Curriculum, which is why art &amp; design, dance, drama and music are compulsory for pupils aged 5-14 in state-maintained schools. The arts contribute significantly towards our economy and can transform lives and introduce young people to a huge range of opportunities. As a result, the Department is providing nearly £500 million of funding between 2016 and 2020 for a diverse portfolio of arts and music education programmes. £300 million of this funding is ring-fenced to support music education. The Department funds other music, dance and drama programmes as well, and also provides opportunities for young people to attend Saturday Arts Clubs and visit museums.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 04/06/2019 07:44:15 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1127776

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to publish a letter from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body Chair providing information about Government policy on public sector pay for the forthcoming pay round.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	256979
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The Defence Secretary wrote to the Chair of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body in November 2018, setting out their remit for the 2019/20 pay round.</p><p> </p><p>This year’s pay round is currently in progress, and the Government will respond to the recommendations of the Pay Review Bodies in due course.</p><p> </p><p>The pay round for 2020/21 has not begun yet and will commence as usual in the Autumn.</p><p> </p><p>Last year, members of the Armed Forces received a well-above inflation increase of 2.9%, worth £680 in pay, plus a one-off payment of £300, to an average soldier.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss question first answered 04/06/2019 06:59:33 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1127847

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Public Sector: Redundancy Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason he has included employees of Magnox Ltd in the consultation on the redundancy compensation cap for public sector workers.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	256909
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The scope of the cap is guided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) independent classification of public sector bodies. The ONS determines whether a body falls within the public sector by reference to objective criteria based upon governance, funding, ownership and function. Magnox Ltd is classified as a public sector body by the ONS classification guide.</p><p> </p><p>We are undertaking staged implementation of the cap, with the first stage capturing: the UK Civil Service, non-departmental public bodies, executive agencies, non-ministerial departments, the National Health Service, academy schools, local government, and police forces. The cap on exit payments will then be extended to the rest of the public sector including Magnox Ltd, as guided by ONS classification, in due course.</p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss question first answered 04/06/2019 06:48:05 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1127861

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will place in the libraries of both Houses the methodology for calculating payments to Equitable Life policyholders.
	tabling member constituency	Kettering
	tabling member printed	Mr Philip Hollobone
	uin	256997
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The methodology for calculating payments to Equitable Life policyholders was published in 2011 and can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equitable-life-payment-scheme-design" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equitable-life-payment-scheme-design</a> .</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 04/06/2019 06:47:46 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	1537 label Biography information for Mr Philip Hollobone