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1134217

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Homelessness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the finding, reported in the Guardian on 17 June 2019, that the number of homeless camps forcibly removed by local authorities across the UK has risen from 72 in 2014 to 254 in 2018; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	268596
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Housing, Commnunities and Local Government does not collect any statistics on the number of homeless camps who have been forcibly removed by local authorities.</p><p>The Guardian article on 17 June 2019 says the estimate is based on a Freedom of Information request to all councils in the UK about how many homeless encampments they had cleared since 2014, how many complaints about encampments they had received and details on charges for confiscated tents and possessions. The article says ‘an encampment was defined as a location where one or more homeless people were living in the area in private or public land’. 336 local authorities out of total of 408 in the UK provided a response. No further details about the overall quality and robustness of these statistics is provided so we are unable to make an assessment of the accuracy of these findings.</p><p>The Guardian article is available at the following link: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/17/removal-of-homeless-camps-trebles-as-charities-warn-of-out-of-control-crisis" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/17/removal-of-homeless-camps-trebles-as-charities-warn-of-out-of-control-crisis</a></p><p>These statistics do not adhere to same rigour as government statistics. The Rough Sleeping Statistics, published on 31 January 2019, which are produced in compliance with the UK Statistics Authority’s Code of Practice for Statistics, include people sleeping rough in makeshift camps but no separate figures about the types of sites where people are sleeping rough are recorded or whether they have been forcibly removed by local authorities.</p><p>These statistics show the total number of people counted or estimated to be sleeping rough in each local authority area in England, on a single night in Autumn 2018 was 4,677. This was down by 74 people or 2 per cent from the 2017 total of 4,751 and was up 2,909 people or 165 per cent from the 2010 total of 1,768. Local authorities use a specific definition to identify people sleeping rough. This includes people sleeping or who are about to bed down in open air locations and other places including tents, cars, and makeshift shelters. The full definition of people sleeping rough is as follows:</p><p><em>People sleeping, about to bed down (sitting on/in or standing next to their bedding) or actually bedded down in the open air (such as on the streets, in tents, doorways, parks, bus shelters or encampments). People in buildings or other places not designed for habitation (such as stairwells, barns, sheds, car parks, cars, derelict boats, stations, or “bashes” which are makeshift shelters, often comprised of cardboard boxes). The definition does not include people in hostels or shelters, people in campsites or other sites used for recreational purposes or organised protest, squatters or travellers. Bedded down is taken to mean either lying down or sleeping. About to bed down includes those who are sitting in/on or near a sleeping bag or other bedding.</em></p><p><br>These statistics are available at the following link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rough-sleeping-in-england-autumn-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rough-sleeping-in-england-autumn-2018</a>.</p><p>This Government is committed to reducing homelessness and rough sleeping. No one should ever have to sleep rough. That is why last summer we published the cross-government Rough Sleeping Strategy which sets out an ambitious £100 million package to help people who sleep rough now, but also puts in place the structures that will end rough sleeping once and for all. The Government has now committed over £1.2 billion to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over the spending review period. This year, Rough Sleeping Initiative investment totals £46 million and has been allocated to 246 areas – providing funding for an estimated 750 additional staff and over 2,600 bed spaces.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 01/07/2019 14:56:03 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1134218

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Homelessness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on the forcible removal of camps containing homeless people.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	268597
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government does not issue guidance on the removal of tents containing homeless people. Each local authority, together with the police, will make their own plans and decisions about how to best support rough sleepers and ensure their safety in their own area, based on local circumstances. This can include the removal of encampments, alongside support. Encampments can present serious safety risks for the people living in encampments and it is right that local authorities, who know their area best, have the powers they need to respond. A summary of the powers that public bodies have to help them deal with illegal and unauthorised sites, published in 2015, is available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dealing-with-illegal-and-unauthorised-encampments" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dealing-with-illegal-and-unauthorised-encampments</a></p><p>Where local areas are taking action to remove encampments, we are clear that this needs to go hand-in-hand with considering how to support the people residing in them away from rough sleeping. Safeguards are in place to ensure powers are used appropriately. For example, for Public Space Protection Orders councils must consult with the police and relevant community representatives before making the order, and before the order is made councils must also publish the draft order. The Government guidance on Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act is available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-social-behaviour-crime-and-policing-bill-anti-social-behaviour" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-social-behaviour-crime-and-policing-bill-anti-social-behaviour</a></p><p>This Government is committed to reducing homelessness and rough sleeping. No one should ever have to sleep rough. That is why last summer we published the cross-government Rough Sleeping Strategy which sets out an ambitious £100 million package to help people who sleep rough now, but also puts in place the structures that will end rough sleeping once and for all. The Government has now committed over £1.2 billion to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over the spending review period. This year, Rough Sleeping Initiative investment totals £46 million and has been allocated to 246 areas – providing funding for an estimated 750 additional staff and over 2,600 bed spaces.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 01/07/2019 14:49:39 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1134220

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Homelessness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which local authorities charge homeless people for the return of confiscated items.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	268599
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>MHCLG does not collect any statistics about which local authorities charge homeless people for the return of confiscated items. This is for local authorities to determine, subject to section 211 of the Housing Act 1996.</p><p>However, the Government is working to support better practise through the implementation of the Rough Sleeping Initiative. This year, Rough Sleeping Initiative investment totals £46 million and has been allocated to 246 areas – providing funding for an estimated 750 additional staff and over 2,600 bed spaces. MHCLG are working closely with local authorities through the Rough Sleeping Initiative to support people off the street.</p><p>This Government is committed to reducing homelessness and rough sleeping. No one should ever have to sleep rough. That is why last summer we published the cross-government Rough Sleeping Strategy which sets out an ambitious £100 million package to help people who sleep rough now, but also puts in place the structures that will end rough sleeping once and for all. The Government has now committed over £1.2 billion to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over the spending review period.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 02/07/2019 13:30:43 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1135585

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2019
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Healthy Start Scheme: Yorkshire and the Humber
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many families are in receipt of Healthy Start vouchers in (a) Barnsley Central, (b) Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber region.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	270797
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>The information is not held in the format requested.</p> answering member constituency Thurrock answering member printed Jackie Doyle-Price question first answered 08/07/2019 14:58:15 answering member 4065 label Biography information for Dame Jackie Doyle-Price
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1132568

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many people aged over 75 are in receipt of a free TV licence in (a) Barnsley Central, (b) Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber region.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	265517
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport does not hold this information.</p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James question first answered 24/06/2019 12:53:45 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1132570

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of means-testing people aged over 75 for TV licences.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	265518
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2019 answer text <p>The BBC is responsible for the cost and the administration of the over 75 licence fee concession from June 2020.</p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James question first answered 24/06/2019 12:54:37 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1132571

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Pension Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking with the Department for Work and Pensions to promote the take-up of pension credits.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	265519
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2019 answer text <p>Ministers have regular discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions on this issue. In light of the recent BBC decision on the future of the over 75 licence fee concession, the Government have asked the BBC to consider a range of measures to further support the most vulnerable pensioners, including measures to promote the take up of Pension Credit.</p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James question first answered 24/06/2019 13:14:17 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1132573

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2019
	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	Veterinary Services: Fees and Charges
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a maximum, standardised prescription charge for veterinary surgeries.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	265520
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government has no plans to introduce any price regulation in the veterinary industry, including charges for prescriptions. The prices of veterinary services are driven by market forces and vary according to the animal sector involved, the region of the UK and the costs incurred by individual veterinary practices.</p><p> </p><p>The fees charged are a private matter between the client and the practice.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 25/06/2019 12:09:06 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1132575

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2019
	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	Veterinary Services: Fees and Charges
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much was raised by veterinary surgeries in prescription charges in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	265521
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government does not collect data on the revenue generated by veterinary practices from prescription charges.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 25/06/2019 12:22:05 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1132930

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2019
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Housing: Heating
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to implement NICE guidance NG6 on reducing excess winter deaths and illness and the health risks associated with cold homes.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	266229
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2019 answer text <p>Public Health England (PHE) publishes resources to support those who wish to implement the recommendations within the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Guidelines NG6, including local authorities, the National Health Service and other frontline staff. These include the Cold Weather Plan for England, collated resources on the Homes for Health collection webpage, and guidance to support local authorities in identifying at risk individuals.</p><p> </p><p>The Cold Weather Plan can be viewed at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/748492/the_cold_weather_plan_for_england_2018.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/748492/the_cold_weather_plan_for_england_2018.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>More details on the Homes for Health can be found at the following link:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/housing-for-health" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/housing-for-health</a></p><p> </p><p>Further information on the guidance to support local authorities can be found at the following link:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/770963/data_sources_to_support_local_services_tackling_health_risks_of_cold_homes.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/770963/data_sources_to_support_local_services_tackling_health_risks_of_cold_homes.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Ribble answering member printed Seema Kennedy question first answered 26/06/2019 16:33:50 answering member 4455 label Biography information for Seema Kennedy
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis