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421726

registered interest
date	15/10/2015
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	Air Pollution
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 her 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	12119
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2015 answer text <p>We are fully committed to complying with EU Air Quality Standards as soon as possible. We have already committed over £2 billion since 2011 in transport measures to improve air quality. On 12 September we launched a public consultation on our draft revised Air Quality plans for nitrogen dioxide, 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><br /><p>Government departments and agencies work together to prioritise action and offer the best advice to vulnerable groups to help mitigate the health effects of air pollution. Our daily air quality forecast includes accompanying health messages to the public based on advice provided by Public Health England.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart question first answered 20/10/2015 16:33:33 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421729

registered interest
date	15/10/2015
answering body	Department for Energy and Climate Change
answering dept id	63
answering dept short name	Energy and Climate Change
answering dept sort name	Energy and Climate Change
hansard heading	Wind Power
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what plans her Department has on funding for onshore wind energy development.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	12121
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2015 answer text <p>We are delivering our election commitment to end subsidies for new onshore wind. We are seeking to legislate through the Energy Bill to close the renewables obligation (RO) to new onshore wind capacity from 1 April 2016, one year earlier than planned. To protect wider investor confidence we are proposing to allow projects which meet certain criteria extra time to accredit under the scheme.</p><br /><p>Fifteen onshore wind projects, with a combined installed capacity of around 750MW, signed a Contract for Difference (CfDs) earlier this year following the first CfD allocation round. These projects are expected to commission between 2016/17 and 2018/19. We will be setting out our plans for delivering a new generation of cost effective, secure, electricity supplies and confirming decisions in relation to allocations of further renewables contracts in due course.</p><br /><p>Small-scale onshore wind projects up to 5 megawatts in scale are eligible for support under the feed-in tariff (FITs) scheme. DECC has proposed action, through the FITs review consultation, to control spending and put FITs onto an affordable and sustainable footing. Further information can be found online at:</p><br /><p><a href="https://econsultation.decc.gov.uk/office-for-renewable-energy-deployment-ored/fit-review-2015" target="_blank">https://econsultation.decc.gov.uk/office-for-renewable-energy-deployment-ored/fit-review-2015</a>.</p> answering member constituency South Northamptonshire answering member printed Andrea Leadsom question first answered 20/10/2015 15:27:20 answering member 4117 label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421345

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	Studio Schools
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of studio schools on pupil attainment.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	11874
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>Studio schools have a part to play in our education reforms by harnessing the talents of students. They offer hands-on learning and work experience alongside their GCSEs and A levels, providing them with the vocational and “work ready” skills that employers demand.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Mr Sam Gyimah question first answered 19/10/2015 16:08:39 answering member 3980 label Biography information for Mr Sam Gyimah
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421478

registered interest
date	14/10/2015
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Public Transport: Bicycles
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the provision of bike racks on buses on the number of people using public transport.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	11881
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>The Government is keen to promote cycling, and I am aware that bike racks on buses are commonplace in some countries. Whilst we have not conducted any assessments on their role in increasing overall bus patronage, I would encourage bus operators to consider fitting such equipment where it is safe and legal to do so.</p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 19/10/2015 11:42:04 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

421479

registered interest
date	14/10/2015
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Trams
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the use of trams to increase low-carbon travel.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	11875
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>In the right circumstances, this Government supports light rail and other types of urban transit. They can play an important role in our local transport networks, help reduce congestion, reduce carbon emissions and increase low carbon travel. Introducing a light rail system is a local matter for the relevant local authority and Local Economic Partnership to consider based on their needs and funding priorities.</p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 19/10/2015 11:38:06 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419785

registered interest
date	09/10/2015
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	Science: South West
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans he has to expand the Bristol and Bath Science Park.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	10729
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>The Bristol and Bath Science Park provides a world-class environment for innovative businesses to locate and grow their operations. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) continues to work closely with the Homes and Communities Agency, the private sector development partners and local partners to ensure that the existing site is developed to its full potential.</p><p>The Homes and Communities Agency manages the development on behalf of BIS. The Department is the beneficial owner of the site and the Homes and Communities Agency holds the freehold rights.</p><p>A Local Steering Group has been established to steer the development, which includes representatives from the private sector development partners, the local universities (Bath, Bristol, and the University of the West of England), South Gloucestershire Council, West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, the National Composites Centre which is situated on the Science Park and is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Invest Bristol &amp; Bath, the Homes &amp; Communities Agency and BIS.</p> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Joseph Johnson question first answered 19/10/2015 13:10:03 answering member 4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419786

registered interest
date	09/10/2015
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	Universities: Economic Situation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of universities on their local economy.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	10732
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>Higher education institutions play an important role in their local areas. Several universities have undertaken individual studies of their impact on their local area, and such studies have generally found positive impacts. Universities UK and others have also assessed the important impact of universities on national growth.</p> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Joseph Johnson question first answered 19/10/2015 13:07:45 answering member 4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419787

registered interest
date	09/10/2015
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: Arts
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 his Department is taking to encourage collaboration between higher education institutions and the creative economy.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	10733
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and supports collaboration between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the creative economy using a variety of mechanisms including knowledge exchange centres and collaborative doctoral studentships.</p><p>AHRC will invest £16m during the period 2012-16 in the Knowledge Exchange Hubs for the Creative Economy. These Hubs, based in Bristol, Dundee, London and Lancaster, have drawn over 350 businesses, 320 academics and 170 third sector organisations into new forms of collaboration.</p><p>Innovate UK encourages collaboration between HEIs and the creative economy through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (8 currently being supported in the Creative Industries) and through support of the creative industries council’s strategy.</p> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Joseph Johnson question first answered 19/10/2015 13:05:55 answering member 4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419844

registered interest
date	09/10/2015
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
hansard heading	VAT
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the proportion of VAT revenue accruing to the Exchequer which derives from businesses with an annual turnover under (a) £150,000 and (b) £250,000.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	10778
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>HM Revenue and Customs does not routinely publish estimates of VAT revenue accruing to the Exchequer which derives from businesses.</p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke question first answered 19/10/2015 15:31:24 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

419845

registered interest
date	09/10/2015
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
hansard heading	Small Businesses: VAT
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will review the level of existing VAT thresholds for small businesses.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
uin	10779
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>The UK has chosen to maintain a high VAT registration threshold, and it is currently the highest in the EU (at £82,000 from 1 April 2015). We believe that the UK’s current registration threshold achieves a reasonable balance between competing interests and reduces the administrative burden on the smallest businesses.</p><p>The Government may not increase this threshold further, aside from maintaining its value in line with inflation, without the consent of the European Commission and the unanimous agreement of all EU Member States.</p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke question first answered 19/10/2015 15:32:16 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett