{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&_view=description&_properties=tablingMember.label,answeringDeptShortName,answer.answerText&_sort=answeringDeptSortName&max-questionFirstAnswered.=2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?_view=description&_properties=tablingMember.label,answeringDeptShortName,answer.answerText&_sort=answeringDeptSortName&max-questionFirstAnswered.=2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&_view=description&_properties=tablingMember.label,answeringDeptShortName,answer.answerText&_metadata=all&_sort=answeringDeptSortName&max-questionFirstAnswered.=2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&_view=description&_properties=tablingMember.label,answeringDeptShortName,answer.answerText&_sort=answeringDeptSortName&max-questionFirstAnswered.=2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z", "isPartOf" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_view=description&_properties=tablingMember.label,answeringDeptShortName,answer.answerText&_sort=answeringDeptSortName&max-questionFirstAnswered.=2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?_view=description&_properties=tablingMember.label,answeringDeptShortName,answer.answerText&_sort=answeringDeptSortName&max-questionFirstAnswered.=2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&_view=description&_properties=tablingMember.label,answeringDeptShortName,answer.answerText&_sort=answeringDeptSortName&max-questionFirstAnswered.=2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z", "type" : "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint"} , "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/10021", "AnswerDate" : {"_value" : "2013-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "QuestionStatus" : {"_value" : "Tabled"} , "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/10021/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury.<\/p>

The UK Government is not planning for independence as it believes that people in Scotland will vote to remain within the UK. As such, the Government has made no assessment of the risk of losses to the public purse, and has no plans to change accounting officers conventions<\/p>"} } , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "creator" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3949", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gregg McClymont"} } , "date" : {"_value" : "2013-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "dateTabled" : {"_value" : "2013-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpCreated" : {"_value" : "2013-11-19T13:03:48.373Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpModified" : {"_value" : "2015-02-06T21:47:35.477Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "humanIndexable" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "identifier" : {"_value" : "154017"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "parliamentNumber" : "55", "published" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "publisher" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-02-25T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential risk of losses to the public purse arising from applying the current accounting officer conventions in the period leading up to the referendum on Scottish independence in 2014.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "session" : ["2013/14"], "sessionNumber" : {"_value" : "3"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3949", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gregg McClymont"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gregg McClymont"} ], "title" : "House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2013/14 154017", "type" : "http://data.parliament.uk/schema/parl#WrittenParliamentaryQuestion", "uin" : "154017", "version" : "1", "writtenParliamentaryQuestionType" : "NamedDay"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/10022", "AnswerDate" : {"_value" : "2013-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "QuestionStatus" : {"_value" : "Tabled"} , "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/10022/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury.<\/p>

The UK Government is not planning for independence as it believes that people in Scotland will vote to remain within the UK. As such, the Government has made no assessment of the risk of losses to the public purse, and has no plans to change accounting officers conventions<\/p>"} } , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "creator" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3949", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gregg McClymont"} } , "date" : {"_value" : "2013-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "dateTabled" : {"_value" : "2013-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpCreated" : {"_value" : "2013-11-19T13:03:48.450Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpModified" : {"_value" : "2015-02-06T21:47:36.380Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "humanIndexable" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "identifier" : {"_value" : "154018"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "parliamentNumber" : "55", "published" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "publisher" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-02-25T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with officials in his Department on how the accounting officers' conventions would apply to investment in Scotland in advance of the referendum on Scottish independence in 2014.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "session" : ["2013/14"], "sessionNumber" : {"_value" : "3"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3949", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gregg McClymont"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gregg McClymont"} ], "title" : "House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2013/14 154018", "type" : "http://data.parliament.uk/schema/parl#WrittenParliamentaryQuestion", "uin" : "154018", "version" : "1", "writtenParliamentaryQuestionType" : "NamedDay"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/11895", "AnswerDate" : {"_value" : "2013-05-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "QuestionStatus" : {"_value" : "Tabled"} , "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/11895/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

We are working very closely with other departments, including the Cabinet Office and the Department for Work and Pensions, to simplify free school meals criteria under universal credit, while ensuring that free lunches continue to be available to the families who need them most. These discussions, which include consideration of a phased implementation timetable, are in recognition of the significant number and complexity of passported benefits across Government, most of which have different eligibility criteria.<\/p>

We will allow good time to enable schools, local authorities and children's charities to comment on our proposals before we introduce new entitlement criteria for free school meals under universal credit.<\/p>

<\/p>"} } , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "creator" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/394", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Clive Betts"} } , "date" : {"_value" : "2013-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "dateTabled" : {"_value" : "2013-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpCreated" : {"_value" : "2013-11-19T13:06:23.323Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpModified" : {"_value" : "2015-02-06T22:05:38.937Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "humanIndexable" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "identifier" : {"_value" : "153906"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "parliamentNumber" : "55", "published" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "publisher" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-02-26T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he plans to consult on eligibility for free school meals ahead of the introduction of universal credit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "session" : ["2013/14"], "sessionNumber" : {"_value" : "3"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/394", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Clive Betts"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sheffield South East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Clive Betts"} ], "title" : "House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2013/14 153906", "type" : "http://data.parliament.uk/schema/parl#WrittenParliamentaryQuestion", "uin" : "153906", "version" : "1", "writtenParliamentaryQuestionType" : "NamedDay"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/18743", "AnswerDate" : {"_value" : "2013-11-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"} ], "QuestionStatus" : {"_value" : "Tabled"} , "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/18743/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

<\/p>

[Holding Reply: Thursday 7 November 2013]<\/em><\/p>

The figures for affordable housing are as follows for the London Borough of Harrow area:<\/p>

<\/p>

2008-09<\/p><\/td>

£22 million<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2009-10<\/p><\/td>

£45 million<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2010-11<\/p><\/td>

£26 million<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2011-12<\/p><\/td>

£15 million<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2012-13<\/p><\/td>

£13 million<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Since April 2012, allocations from the Affordable Housing Programme have been overseen by the Greater London Authority rather than the Homes and Communities Agency. There have been no specific allocations on empty homes over this period.<\/p>

As outlined to the hon. Member in the answer of 7 January 2013, Official Report<\/em>, Column 121W, I would note that the new Affordable Rent model now allows for more affordable housing to be delivered with lower levels of taxpayer capital subsidy and lever in more private investment.<\/p>

As the National Audit Office has observed: \u201cThe Department selected the best delivery model open to it for the funds it had available\u201d and \u201cThe Department has so far achieved its policy objective to maximise the number of homes delivered within the available grant funding\u201d (National Audit Office, \u201cFinancial viability of the social housing sector; introducing the Affordable Homes Programme\u201d, 4 July 2012, HC465, pp.6-7).<\/p>

I also note that the Mayor's proposed Housing Strategy states: \u201c£1.8 billion of public funding has been secured by the Mayor which will unlock an estimated additional £3.7 billion of other investment for London to enable 55,000 affordable homes to be delivered between 2011-15\u201d (Mayor of London, \u201cThe Revised London Housing Strategy\u201d, December2011, p.35).<\/p>

Across England, 170,000 affordable homes have been delivered so far since April 2010, and a total of £19.5 billion of public and private investment is being spent on affordable housing over the current Spending Review period.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/em><\/p>

<\/p>"} } , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "creator" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/177", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gareth Thomas"} } , "date" : {"_value" : "2013-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "dateTabled" : {"_value" : "2013-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpCreated" : {"_value" : "2013-11-19T13:40:11.650Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpModified" : {"_value" : "2015-02-06T23:18:48.343Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "humanIndexable" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "identifier" : {"_value" : "174351"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "parliamentNumber" : "55", "published" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "publisher" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-04-28T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what funding was allocated from Homes and Community Agency to (a) develop new affordable housing and (b) bring empty homes back into use in Harrow in each of the last five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "session" : ["2013/14"], "sessionNumber" : {"_value" : "3"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/177", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gareth Thomas"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrow West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gareth Thomas"} ], "title" : "House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2013/14 174351", "type" : "http://data.parliament.uk/schema/parl#WrittenParliamentaryQuestion", "uin" : "174351", "version" : "1", "writtenParliamentaryQuestionType" : "NamedDay"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/19326", "AnswerDate" : {"_value" : "2013-11-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "QuestionStatus" : {"_value" : "Tabled"} , "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/19326/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

<\/p>

<\/p>

The Ministry of Justice has reduced the overall cost of air travel by almost half since 2009, and our total spend on all travel has fallen by more than 40 per cent in the same period \u2013 a saving of more than £9m.<\/p>

<\/p>

Furthermore, this year, the Justice Secretary toughened up the rules to ban first and business class travel for Ministers and officials in the department other than in exceptional circumstances where this is required to meet business need.<\/p>

<\/p>

Overseas travel makes up a small proportion of the Department's overall travel requirement. Flights and travel by Eurostar are booked through our contracted supplier, and whilst the MoJ records data on transactions, it does not hold details of the cost or destination of individual trips centrally. The cost of breaking down all travel in the ways requested would be disproportionate, as managers across the Department would have to create a breakdown of every trip taken, itemised by the different kinds of expenditure.<\/p>"} } , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "creator" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/422", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Chris Leslie"} } , "date" : {"_value" : "2013-11-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "dateTabled" : {"_value" : "2013-11-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpCreated" : {"_value" : "2013-11-19T13:40:56.267Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpModified" : {"_value" : "2015-02-06T23:25:48.577Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "humanIndexable" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "identifier" : {"_value" : "174860"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "parliamentNumber" : "55", "published" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "publisher" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-04-30T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many overseas trips, and at what total cost, his Department made in each year since 2010; and what the costs of (a) flights, (b) internal travel, (c) hotel accommodation and (d) subsistence were of each trip.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "session" : ["2013/14"], "sessionNumber" : {"_value" : "3"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/422", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Chris Leslie"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Nottingham East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Leslie"} ], "title" : "House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2013/14 174860", "type" : "http://data.parliament.uk/schema/parl#WrittenParliamentaryQuestion", "uin" : "174860", "version" : "1", "writtenParliamentaryQuestionType" : "NamedDay"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/19992", "AnswerDate" : {"_value" : "2013-11-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"} ], "QuestionStatus" : {"_value" : "Tabled"} , "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/19992/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

<\/p>

Role of the Department<\/em><\/p>

Reflecting our responsibilities for local government, housing, planning and communities across England, the work of the Department involves staff travelling to different parts of the country.<\/p>

Improved procurement has reduced our average domestic hotel rate in the UK by 8% between 2009-10 and 2012-13. Moreover, domestic flights for longer journeys can avoid the need for paying for staff to stay in a hotel overnight.<\/p>

Since 2011-12, the Department accepted responsibility for some new functions outside of London, including residual functions following the closure of the Government Offices for the Regions and then oversight of the European Regional Development Fund following the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies. As these business functions relate to work in areas outside of London and to the European Commission, this has therefore increased our travel spend compared to the base of 2010-11. However, this is far more than offset by the very significant savings to taxpayers of the abolition of these regional bodies.<\/p>

Based on current estimates (which reflect accounting consequences from machinery of government changes) the DCLG Group is reducing its annual running costs by around 40% in real terms between 2010-11 and 2014-15. This equates to net savings of at least £532 million over this spending review period and includes savings of around £420 million from the closure of the Government Offices for the Regions.<\/p>

In addition to this, I note that the Regional Development Agencies were spending in the region of £246 million a year on administration (as cited in 11 March 2009, Official Report<\/em>, Column 592W).<\/p>

Spending data<\/em><\/p>

The tables below list spending on travel by financial year. Figures for 2009-10 are from July 2009, as this is when the department's current approved travel agent contract commenced; those figures are therefore only for three-quarters of the financial year, and the full year is likely to be proportionately higher.<\/p>

<\/p>
<\/td>

Overseas Travel<\/em><\/p><\/td>

Overseas Accommodation<\/em><\/p><\/td>

Overseas Subsistence<\/em><\/p><\/td>

Total<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>

July 2009 - March 10<\/p><\/td>

£408,621<\/p><\/td>

£19,847<\/p><\/td>

£79,574<\/p><\/td>

£508,042 (part-year)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2010-11<\/p><\/td>

£56,304<\/p><\/td>

£21,759<\/p><\/td>

£27,798<\/p><\/td>

£105,861<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2011-12<\/p><\/td>

£69,463<\/p><\/td>

£21,204<\/p><\/td>

£19,946<\/p><\/td>

£110,613<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2012-13<\/p><\/td>

£78,474<\/p><\/td>

£29,224<\/p><\/td>

£21,911<\/p><\/td>

£129,609<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

<\/p>
<\/td>

UK Travel<\/em><\/p><\/td>

UK Accommodation<\/em><\/p><\/td>

UK Subsistence<\/em><\/p><\/td>

Total<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>

July 2009 - March 10<\/p><\/td>

£621,028<\/p><\/td>

£309,260<\/p><\/td>

£174,888<\/p><\/td>

£1,105,176 (part-year)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2010-11<\/p><\/td>

£434,467<\/p><\/td>

£199,563<\/p><\/td>

£81,315<\/p><\/td>

£715,345<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2011-12<\/p><\/td>

£980,307<\/p><\/td>

£162,544<\/p><\/td>

£71,913<\/p><\/td>

£1,214,764<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2012-13<\/p><\/td>

£1,030,710<\/p><\/td>

£166,149<\/p><\/td>

£74,424<\/p><\/td>

£1,271,283<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Explanatory notes:<\/p>

- Overseas subsistence costs can include accommodation, meals and travel tickets purchased locally.<\/p>

- The costs of internal travel abroad are not routinely recorded in the form requested and this information could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.<\/p>

- Data on cost per trip is not centrally held in the form requested.<\/p>

- For car hire, the data from our finance systems do not separate out expenditure for domestic and international car hire and this could only be provided at disproportionate cost.<\/p>

- For helicopter hire, our records show that the Department has incurred no expenditure on this since 2010-11.<\/p>

- Figures contained in this answer may differ from previous answers to Parliamentary Questions, as the data extracts have been re-run and reflect ongoing accruals and data. Delays in billing or crediting transactions can sometimes have an effect on the spend data between the financial years.<\/p>

Taken in the whole, we have reduced overall travel spending compared to the last Administration, and delivered substantive savings for taxpayers' from the abolition of regional government in England.<\/p>

<\/p>"} } , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "creator" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/422", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Chris Leslie"} } , "date" : {"_value" : "2013-11-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "dateTabled" : {"_value" : "2013-11-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpCreated" : {"_value" : "2013-11-19T13:41:57.067Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpModified" : {"_value" : "2015-02-06T23:33:43.027Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "humanIndexable" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "identifier" : {"_value" : "175475"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "parliamentNumber" : "55", "published" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "publisher" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-04-07T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many overseas trips, and at what total cost, his Department has made in each year since 2010; and what the costs of (a) flights, (b) internal travel, (c) hotel accommodation and (d) subsistence were of each trip.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "session" : ["2013/14"], "sessionNumber" : {"_value" : "3"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/422", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Chris Leslie"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Nottingham East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Leslie"} ], "title" : "House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2013/14 175475", "type" : "http://data.parliament.uk/schema/parl#WrittenParliamentaryQuestion", "uin" : "175475", "version" : "1", "writtenParliamentaryQuestionType" : "NamedDay"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/25299", "AnswerDate" : {"_value" : "2013-11-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"} ], "QuestionStatus" : {"_value" : "Tabled"} , "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/25299/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

<\/p>

Role of the Department<\/em><\/p>

Reflecting our responsibilities for local government, housing, planning and communities across England, the work of the Department involves staff travelling to different parts of the country.<\/p>

Improved procurement has reduced our average domestic hotel rate in the UK by 8% between 2009-10 and 2012-13. Moreover, domestic flights for longer journeys can avoid the need for paying for staff to stay in a hotel overnight.<\/p>

Since 2011-12, the Department accepted responsibility for some new functions outside of London, including residual functions following the closure of the Government Offices for the Regions and then oversight of the European Regional Development Fund following the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies. As these business functions relate to work in areas outside of London and to the European Commission, this has therefore increased our travel spend compared to the base of 2010-11. However, this is far more than offset by the very significant savings to taxpayers of the abolition of these regional bodies.<\/p>

Based on current estimates (which reflect accounting consequences from machinery of government changes) the DCLG Group is reducing its annual running costs by around 40% in real terms between 2010-11 and 2014-15. This equates to net savings of at least £532 million over this spending review period and includes savings of around £420 million from the closure of the Government Offices for the Regions.<\/p>

In addition to this, I note that the Regional Development Agencies were spending in the region of £246 million a year on administration (as cited in 11 March 2009, Official Report<\/em>, Column 592W).<\/p>

Spending data<\/em><\/p>

The tables below list spending on travel by financial year. Figures for 2009-10 are from July 2009, as this is when the department's current approved travel agent contract commenced; those figures are therefore only for three-quarters of the financial year, and the full year is likely to be proportionately higher.<\/p>

<\/p>
<\/td>

Overseas Travel<\/em><\/p><\/td>

Overseas Accommodation<\/em><\/p><\/td>

Overseas Subsistence<\/em><\/p><\/td>

Total<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>

July 2009 - March 10<\/p><\/td>

£408,621<\/p><\/td>

£19,847<\/p><\/td>

£79,574<\/p><\/td>

£508,042 (part-year)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2010-11<\/p><\/td>

£56,304<\/p><\/td>

£21,759<\/p><\/td>

£27,798<\/p><\/td>

£105,861<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2011-12<\/p><\/td>

£69,463<\/p><\/td>

£21,204<\/p><\/td>

£19,946<\/p><\/td>

£110,613<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2012-13<\/p><\/td>

£78,474<\/p><\/td>

£29,224<\/p><\/td>

£21,911<\/p><\/td>

£129,609<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

<\/p>
<\/td>

UK Travel<\/em><\/p><\/td>

UK Accommodation<\/em><\/p><\/td>

UK Subsistence<\/em><\/p><\/td>

Total<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>

July 2009 - March 10<\/p><\/td>

£621,028<\/p><\/td>

£309,260<\/p><\/td>

£174,888<\/p><\/td>

£1,105,176 (part-year)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2010-11<\/p><\/td>

£434,467<\/p><\/td>

£199,563<\/p><\/td>

£81,315<\/p><\/td>

£715,345<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2011-12<\/p><\/td>

£980,307<\/p><\/td>

£162,544<\/p><\/td>

£71,913<\/p><\/td>

£1,214,764<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2012-13<\/p><\/td>

£1,030,710<\/p><\/td>

£166,149<\/p><\/td>

£74,424<\/p><\/td>

£1,271,283<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Explanatory notes:<\/p>

- Overseas subsistence costs can include accommodation, meals and travel tickets purchased locally.<\/p>

- The costs of internal travel abroad are not routinely recorded in the form requested and this information could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.<\/p>

- Data on cost per trip is not centrally held in the form requested.<\/p>

- For car hire, the data from our finance systems do not separate out expenditure for domestic and international car hire and this could only be provided at disproportionate cost.<\/p>

- For helicopter hire, our records show that the Department has incurred no expenditure on this since 2010-11.<\/p>

- Figures contained in this answer may differ from previous answers to Parliamentary Questions, as the data extracts have been re-run and reflect ongoing accruals and data. Delays in billing or crediting transactions can sometimes have an effect on the spend data between the financial years.<\/p>

Taken in the whole, we have reduced overall travel spending compared to the last Administration, and delivered substantive savings for taxpayers' from the abolition of regional government in England.<\/p>

<\/p>"} } , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "creator" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4040", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Evans"} } , "date" : {"_value" : "2013-11-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "dateTabled" : {"_value" : "2013-11-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpCreated" : {"_value" : "2013-11-19T23:30:50.963Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpModified" : {"_value" : "2015-02-06T23:55:12.753Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "humanIndexable" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "identifier" : {"_value" : "176826"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "parliamentNumber" : "55", "published" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "publisher" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-04-07T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the cost of travel within the UK was for his Department in each year since 2010; and how much of this was spent on (a) hire cars, (b) helicopter hire, (c) hotel accommodation and (d) subsistence.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "session" : ["2013/14"], "sessionNumber" : {"_value" : "3"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4040", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Evans"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Islwyn"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Evans"} ], "title" : "House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2013/14 176826", "type" : "http://data.parliament.uk/schema/parl#WrittenParliamentaryQuestion", "uin" : "176826", "version" : "1", "writtenParliamentaryQuestionType" : "Ordinary"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/26106", "AnswerDate" : {"_value" : "2013-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "QuestionStatus" : {"_value" : "Tabled"} , "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/26106/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

<\/p>

<\/p>

I undertook to write to you when the information had been received.<\/p>

<\/p>

The table contained within Annex A details the live contracts that the Department holds with Capita, G4S, Serco, GeoAmey, Sodexo and MITIE. The table provides you with details on the start and end dates of these contracts, the estimated value of the contract as advertised when the procurement process was initiated, extension options and whether there is a break clause. Where information pertaining to any of these questions is already in the public domain, you will find for ease of reference links to the Hansard extracts.<\/p>

<\/p>

There are no contracts between the Department and A4E.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

The table within Annex A provides details on financial penalties where this information is already available in the public domain. To obtain this information for all the contracts listed would incur disproportionate costs.<\/p>

<\/p>

The details for the legacy Electronic Monitoring contracts between the Department and G4S and Serco have not been provided to you due to the ongoing criminal investigation into issues relating to these contracts.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>"} } , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "creator" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1577", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sadiq Khan"} } , "date" : {"_value" : "2013-11-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "dateTabled" : {"_value" : "2013-11-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpCreated" : {"_value" : "2013-11-22T17:30:24.440Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpModified" : {"_value" : "2015-02-07T00:03:45.817Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "humanIndexable" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "identifier" : {"_value" : "177489"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "parliamentNumber" : "55", "published" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "publisher" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-04-28T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which contracts his Department holds with (a) Capita, (b) A4E, (c) G4S, (d) Serco, (e) GeoAMEY, (f) Sodexo and (g) Mitie; when each contract started; how much each contract is expect to cost over its lifetime; when each contract is due to end; whether there are any options in the contract for extension; whether any financial penalties have been incurred by each contractor to date; and whether each such contract has a break clause.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "session" : ["2013/14"], "sessionNumber" : {"_value" : "3"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1577", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sadiq Khan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tooting"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sadiq Khan"} ], "title" : "House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2013/14 177489", "type" : "http://data.parliament.uk/schema/parl#WrittenParliamentaryQuestion", "uin" : "177489", "version" : "1", "writtenParliamentaryQuestionType" : "NamedDay"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/28185", "AnswerDate" : {"_value" : "2013-12-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "QuestionStatus" : {"_value" : "Tabled"} , "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/28185/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

<\/p>

<\/p>

The information requested in parts (a) and (b) of the question is set out in Tables 1 and 2 below for 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12, which are the last three years for which this information was collected.<\/p>

<\/p>

The information requested in part (c) was provided in my earlier answer to the right honourable Member for Tooting on 6 June 2013: (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130606/text/130606w0003.htm#13060674001141<\/a>).<\/p>

<\/p>

Figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.<\/p>

<\/p>

Purposeful activity was formerly a performance indicator for prisons, but was discontinued at the start of 2012-13. The indicator was not used in the day-to-day management of prisons and NOMS had concerns over the burden on the frontline of collecting the information. Indicators introduced into prison SLAs in respect of rehabilitation, resettlement and work in prisons provide a better demonstration of the efforts to equip prisoners to be less likely to offend on release.<\/p>

<\/p>

Work in prisons is a key priority to ensure prisoners are engaged purposefully whilst they are in custody. It also gives them the opportunity to learn skills and a work ethic which can increase their chances of finding employment on release, a key element to reducing reoffending.<\/p>

<\/p>

The number of prisoners working in industrial activity in public sector prisons increased from around 8,600 in 2010-11 to around 9,700 in 2012-13. This delivered an increase in the total hours worked in industrial activities from 10.6 million hours to 13.1 million hours. The average hours per week spent in education has increased since 2010.<\/p>

<\/p>

In addition there are substantial numbers of prisoners who work to keep prisons running on tasks such as cooking, serving meals, maintenance and cleaning.<\/p>

<\/p>

Our reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges national policy framework came into effect in adult prisons on 1 November 2013. Prisoners will be expected to engage in purposeful activity, as well as demonstrate a commitment towards their rehabilitation, reduce their risk of reoffending, behave well and help others if they are to earn privileges.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

Figures are published in the NOMS Annual Report Management Information Addendum: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf<\/a><\/p>"} } , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "creator" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3972", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Chapman of Darlington"} } , "date" : {"_value" : "2013-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "dateTabled" : {"_value" : "2013-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpCreated" : {"_value" : "2013-12-05T11:01:23.657Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpModified" : {"_value" : "2015-02-07T00:25:08.647Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "humanIndexable" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "identifier" : {"_value" : "178604"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "parliamentNumber" : "55", "published" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "publisher" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many hours per week was spent in (a) education or training, (b) work and (c) cells by prisoners in (i) each prison in England and Wales and (ii) each category of prison in each of the last three years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "session" : ["2013/14"], "sessionNumber" : {"_value" : "3"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3972", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Chapman of Darlington"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Darlington"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jenny Chapman"} ], "title" : "House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2013/14 178604", "type" : "http://data.parliament.uk/schema/parl#WrittenParliamentaryQuestion", "uin" : "178604", "version" : "1", "writtenParliamentaryQuestionType" : "NamedDay"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/31321", "AnswerDate" : {"_value" : "2014-01-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "QuestionStatus" : {"_value" : "Tabled"} , "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/31321/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

This Government's long term economic plan has kept interest rates at record lows for hardworking people across the country.<\/p>

<\/p>

Many lenders impose affordability stress tests on their mortgage lending decisions to ensure that the mortgage will remain affordable should interest rates rise. The Financial Conduct Authority's Mortgage Market Review rules, which came into force in April this year will require all mortgage lenders to conduct such a stress test.<\/p>

<\/p>

Although UKAR does not engage in new lending, UKAR runs a range of modelling scenarios to understand the potential effects of interest rate rises on customers. This work helps UKAR to identify customers who may be susceptible to higher interest rates and to engage with such customers at an early stage.<\/p>

<\/p>

UKAR assists all customers who wish to switch mortgage providers.<\/p>

<\/p>

NRAM and Bradford and Bingley are managed by UK Asset Resolution Limited (UKAR) which was established in 2010 to manage the disposal and rundown of outstanding assets at Bradford & Bingley and Northern Rock Asset Management in an integrated way, with a view to creating value for the taxpayer. UKAR is managed at arm's length from Government, on commercial principles.<\/p>

<\/p>

It is therefore not for the Chancellor to discuss detailed commercial matters with UKAR.<\/p>

<\/p>"} } , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "creator" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4011", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Cathy Jamieson"} } , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-01-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "dateTabled" : {"_value" : "2014-01-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpCreated" : {"_value" : "2014-01-07T22:00:31.257Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "ddpModified" : {"_value" : "2015-02-07T00:53:22.837Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "humanIndexable" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "identifier" : {"_value" : "182195"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "parliamentNumber" : "55", "published" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "publisher" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with UKAR regarding the potential effect on customers of a rise in interest rates.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "session" : ["2013/14"], "sessionNumber" : {"_value" : "3"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4011", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Cathy Jamieson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kilmarnock and Loudoun"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Cathy Jamieson"} ], "title" : "House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2013/14 182195", "type" : "http://data.parliament.uk/schema/parl#WrittenParliamentaryQuestion", "uin" : "182195", "version" : "1", "writtenParliamentaryQuestionType" : "Ordinary"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&_view=description&_properties=tablingMember.label,answeringDeptShortName,answer.answerText&_sort=answeringDeptSortName&max-questionFirstAnswered.=2014-05-13T12:00:00.00Z", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 5241, "type" : "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"} }