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61061

registered interest
date	10/06/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Private Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2014 to the hon. Member for Bradford East, Official Report, columns 222-3W, on private rented housing, when he intends to publish a new model tenancy agreement.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	200027
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>We are continuing to work with key partners, including the Competition and Markets Authority, to ensure that the clauses in the model residential tenancy agreement provide the right protections and an appropriate balance between the rights of landlords and tenants who choose to use the agreement. In that respect we are looking at the merits of index linked rent review clauses. We aim to publish the model in the summer when our discussions with partners are finalised, so landlords and tenants can, with confidence, use the agreement.</p><p>I would note that the model tenancy agreement is a voluntary approach. It is in contrast to HM Opposition's plans for the re-introduction of statist rent controls, which would destroy investment in the private rented sector. The interests of tenants are best served by avoiding excessive regulation which would ultimately force up rents and reduce supply and choice.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins grouped question UIN 199822 question first answered 17/06/2014 15:30:20 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

61062

registered interest
date	10/06/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Radicalism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what information his Department has provided directly to the public to help understand the threat from extremism and to promote integration; and whether such information has been made available in languages other than English.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	199829
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>We recognise that local communities know their own areas best and our approach is to enable local authorities, communities, businesses and voluntary bodies to lead integration in their local areas.<strong> </strong>To kick-start this approach, we support a range of practical exemplar projects which demonstrate positive or pioneering ideas that are community-led and create the conditions for people to live successfully alongside each other. Ministers have also recently led a series of roadshows to engage directly with the public to inform them about our Integration projects and cross government work to tackling extremism and hate crime. To accompany these roadshows DCLG has produced infographics summarising our integration work, they are available online at: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/communitiesuk/sets/72157644380501531/" target="_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/communitiesuk/sets/72157644380501531/</a>. In our Written Ministerial Statement of 12 March 2013,<em> Official Report</em>, Column 5-6WS, we made clear that translating material into other languages is expensive, and can hinder integration, encourage segregation and reduce incentives to learn English.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams question first answered 17/06/2014 14:12:52 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

61065

registered interest
date	10/06/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Rents
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what progress he has made on developing a model for rent review clauses which are index-linked to inflation.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	199822
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>We are continuing to work with key partners, including the Competition and Markets Authority, to ensure that the clauses in the model residential tenancy agreement provide the right protections and an appropriate balance between the rights of landlords and tenants who choose to use the agreement. In that respect we are looking at the merits of index linked rent review clauses. We aim to publish the model in the summer when our discussions with partners are finalised, so landlords and tenants can, with confidence, use the agreement.</p><p>I would note that the model tenancy agreement is a voluntary approach. It is in contrast to HM Opposition's plans for the re-introduction of statist rent controls, which would destroy investment in the private rented sector. The interests of tenants are best served by avoiding excessive regulation which would ultimately force up rents and reduce supply and choice.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins grouped question UIN 200027 question first answered 17/06/2014 15:30:20 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

61066

registered interest
date	10/06/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Hate Crime
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which organisations involved in reporting hate crime his Department has funded in each financial year since May 2010.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	199823
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>DCLG supports a series of organisations who tackle hatred in all its forms. Reporting forms only one part of this, complementing the work of organisations such as the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Show Racism the Red Card and the Anne Frank Trust who DCLG support to tackle hate crime.</p><p>DCLG has provided funding to the following organisations that report hate crime.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Organisation</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Amount of Funding</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tell MAMA</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>£91,567</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>£223,517</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>£80,457</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>True Vision</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>£75,000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>£25,000</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams question first answered 17/06/2014 15:57:59 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

61067

registered interest
date	10/06/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Radicalism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance his Department has provided to local authorities (a) to help the understand the threat from extremism and (b) relating to statutory powers available to them to challenge extremist speakers.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	199827
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Home Office provides ongoing support for local authority Prevent <br>coordinators funded by the Home Office in priority areas (currently thirty <br>local authorities, based on assessment of risk), to ensure that they understand <br>the threat of extremism and are equipped to deal with it effectively. This is <br>done through regular regional events, issuing briefings on specific issues, and <br>sharing best practice across different authorities. The police, including <br>police Prevent co-ordinators, also work closely with local authorities and <br>share appropriate information with them. <br><br>The Home Office issued advice in 2013 to help local authority Prevent <br>Coordinators manage the challenges posed by extremist speakers. This included <br>an overview of the duties placed upon public bodies under the Equalities Act <br>2010 and the regulations that events must comply with. <br><br>Additionally, the Department for Communities and Local Government gave <br>Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Luton Borough Council funding to lead <br>a national Special Interest Group of local authorities across England affected <br>by the activities of the English Defence League and similar groups, which has <br>supported them in sharing knowledge about what works best in tackling extremist <br>groups.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Staffordshire Moorlands answering member printed Karen Bradley question first answered 23/06/2014 11:32:30 answering member 4110 label Biography information for Dame Karen Bradley
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

61068

registered interest
date	10/06/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Radicalism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) published since May 2010 on citizenship and public attitudes towards extremism.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	199828
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>My Department has not commissioned any such research since 2010.</p><p>We have not published any such work other than the legacy Citizenship Survey which was discontinued in 2011, as it represented poor value for money for its £4 million a year cost.</p><p>Instead, we have focused on front line support for integration projects. A summary of our integration work can be found online at:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/communitiesuk/sets/72157644380501531/" target="_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/communitiesuk/sets/72157644380501531/</a></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams question first answered 17/06/2014 14:15:33 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

61069

registered interest
date	10/06/2014
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	Work Capability Assessment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training (a) Atos staff and (b) staff of his Department are given in mental health for the purposes of assessing whether claimants are fit for work.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	199817
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>All healthcare professionals receive training in mental health issues as part of their induction training, are required to engage in a programme of continuing medical education which includes modules on mental health issues, and have access to Mental Function Champions.</p><p> </p><p>Atos training and guidance materials are regularly reviewed and external experts including the Royal College of Psychiatrists are involved in quality assurance.</p><p> </p><p>All healthcare professionals are monitored to ensure that their work meets the required quality standards. If a problem is identified, the healthcare professional may be required to undertake tailored training, which may involve training in mental health issues if required.</p><p> </p><p>DWP staff receive training in respect of decisions concerning medical or disability issues, including mental health. Specifically learning is provided on:</p><p> </p><ul><li>understanding the WCA descriptors</li><li>gathering evidence from the claimant and medical professionals</li><li>using the evidence to apply the descriptors and determine capability for work.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Within the learning emphasis is placed on the on-going support available to Decision Makers from Atos Healthcare to interpret and understand medical information.</p><p> </p><p>In the Independent Review of the Work Capability Assessment published in December 2013, Doctor Litchfield made a number of recommendations related to training in mental health which have been accepted subject to further scoping work.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 16/06/2014 14:39:23 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

61070

registered interest
date	10/06/2014
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Work Capability Assessment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have currently been waiting (a) up to one month, (b) one to two months, (c) two to three months, (d) three to four months, (e) four to five months and (f) more than six months for their appeal against their being deemed fit for work to be determined.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	199818
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The First-tier Tribunal—Social Security and Child Support (SSCS), administered by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) hears appeals against Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) decisions on a range of benefits including a person's entitlement to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).</p><p> </p><p>Whilst a work capability assessment (WCA) can be a key factor in an ESA decision, it is not the only consideration. Appeals are brought against ESA refusals, and not WCA decisions themselves. The Tribunal does not record information on those ESA appeals in which the WCA decision is a factor, and as such HMCTS does not hold the specific information requested.</p><p> </p><p>Information on appeals against ESA decisions is published by HMCTS in Tribunal Statistics Quarterly. The most recent report for the period January to March 2014, published on 12 June 2014, can be viewed at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tribunal-statistics-quarterly-january-to-march-2014" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tribunal-statistics-quarterly-january-to-march-2014</a></p> answering member constituency North West Cambridgeshire answering member printed Mr Shailesh Vara question first answered 18/06/2014 15:20:45 answering member 1496 label Biography information for Shailesh Vara
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

61071

registered interest
date	10/06/2014
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	Personal Independence Payment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the current average waiting time is for personal independence payment assessments to be completed and a decision made in (a) England and (b) Leeds.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	199819
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The information you have requested is not currently available.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning grouped question UIN 199859 199860 question first answered 16/06/2014 15:08:42 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

60654

registered interest
date	09/06/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Councillors: Conduct
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what representations his Department has received from (a) local authorities and (b) others on sanctions available to councils under the Localism Act 2011 where councillors have been found to have been in breach of the Code of Conduct under that Act.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	199699
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p><em>[Holding Reply: Thursday 12 June 2014]</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As stated in the impact assessment on the abolition of the Standards Board regime (published in January 2011), a post implementation review will be carried out three to five years after implementation of the policy which was in July 2012.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>My Department routinely receives representations about standards arrangements in local government, and indeed, on a whole range of local government issues. We will have regard to representations and comments when we undertake our post implementation review.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>However, Ministers are clear that the new provisions are a significant improvement on the old, discredited regime. The Localism Act has clarified predetermination rules allowing elected councillors to campaign and speak up on local issues. We have reversed the petty culture of malicious and unfounded complaints that wasted time and energy and undermined the good reputation of local government. We have increased transparency on councillors' interests, and put in place criminal sanctions for the very rare instances of corruption. This is complemented by the role of political parties in ensuring good conduct, the law of libel, and the ultimate sanction: the ballot box.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 199698 199700 question first answered 23/06/2014 14:14:17 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis previous answer version 1100 answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn