allowing businesses to pay their business rate bills over 12 months, in order to assist with their cash flow.<\/li><\/ul> <\/p>
Central Government also now funds 50% of any additional local discounts granted.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Department does not collect data on a constituency basis, but Pendle constituency lies entirely within the boundary of Pendle Borough Council. Table 1 (attached) shows the estimated number of properties in 2015-16 within the boundary of Pendle Borough Council that benefit from business rates measures extended in this year\u2019s Autumn Statement. Table 2 (attached) presents the same information for properties within Lancashire County Council.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4043", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kris Hopkins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Keighley"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kris Hopkins"}
, "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/228286/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "228218 Stephenson.docx"}
, "title" : "Table 1 and Table 2"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-20T12:51:49.573Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Non-domestic Rates: Lancashire"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of small firms and shops likely to be affected by the planned reduction in business rates in (a) Pendle constituency and (b) Lancashire in 2015-16.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4044", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Stephenson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Pendle"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Stephenson"}
], "uin" : "228218"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/227733", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/227733/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department for Communities and Local Government does not authorise users to download and use news applications on their work-provided phones. The Department does not provide tablets. However, staff can access news websites through any in-built brower, if necessary.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4043", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kris Hopkins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Keighley"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kris Hopkins"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-23T14:32:25.517Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "ICT"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which news applications staff in his Department are authorised to download and use on their work-provided phones and tablets.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1565", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Philip Davies"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Shipley"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Philip Davies"}
], "uin" : "227819"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/227737", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/227737/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This is an issue which we take very seriously and my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State (Eric Pickles) will be writing to the hon. Member fully on the matter shortly. Under the Equality Act 2010, public and private service providers are required to make reasonable adjustments to enable people with disabilities to access a service on an equal basis with a non-disabled person. Local authorities and other local agencies should provide a good quality service to all, and we encourage local people to hold their local authorities to account.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1492", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Williams"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bristol West"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Williams"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-23T14:26:00.763Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Translation Services"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2015, Official Report, column 7, on translation costs, what progress he has made in looking into the matter of British sign language translation services.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"}
], "uin" : "227920"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/227738", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/227738/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Numbers and proportions quoted in this response are taken from the Department\u2019s HR database as of 28th February 2015. Figures are based on the Office of National Statistics definition of headcount which includes all staff employed by and paid via the Department\u2019s payroll. Staff that did not provide or consent to disclose their diversity information are not included in the headcount totals or proportions.<\/p>
<\/p>
(a) White or white British<\/em><\/p> <\/p>
1122 (79.6%) of employees identified themselves as White or White British.<\/p>
<\/p>
(b) Asian or Asian British,<\/em><\/p> <\/p>
124 (8.8%) of employees identified themselves as Asian or Asian British. In order to keep with the question, employees who identified themselves as Chinese are included in the total number and proportion.<\/p>
<\/p>
(c) Black or Black British<\/em><\/p> <\/p>
112 (7.9%) of employees identified themselves as Black or Black British.<\/p>
<\/p>
(d) Mixed or multiple ethnic group<\/em><\/p> <\/p>
27 (1.9%) of employees identified themselves as Mixed or multiple ethnic group.<\/p>
<\/p>
(e) another ethnicity<\/em><\/p> <\/p>
25 (1.8%) of employees identified themselves as another ethnicity.<\/p>
<\/p>
269 employees did not provide or consent to disclosure of their diversity information.<\/p>
<\/p>
As of 28th February 2015 the Department had a total Black and Minority Ethnic rate of 20% which is higher than the current Civil Service rate of 10% for 2014. The Department\u2019s declaration rate of 84% as of 28th February 2015 is also higher than the current Civil Service declaration rate of 79%.*<\/p>
<\/p>
*Civil Service Black and Minority Ethnic rates taken from 2014 Office of National Statistics statistical bulletin.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4043", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kris Hopkins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Keighley"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kris Hopkins"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-23T14:35:08.843Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Staff"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of employees in his Department identify as (a) white or white British, (b) Asian or Asian British, (c) Black or Black British, (d) mixed or multiple ethnic group and (e) another ethnicity.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3915", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gloria De Piero"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ashfield"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gloria De Piero"}
], "uin" : "227954"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/228083", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/228083/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The West Yorkshire governance review, published in July 2013, stated the wish for the area of the City of York Council to be included in the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, should the necessary legislative changes be made. The Government is committed to ensure that the combined authorities\u2019 legislation is appropriate. Following its recent consultation, the Government intends shortly to lay a draft Legislative Reform Order which, if approved and made during the next Parliament, would give greater flexibility to enable - for example \u2013 local authority areas which do not all share a boundary but which are in same functional economic area, to form or join a combined authority. Changes can be made to an existing combined authority on the approval of Parliament. If York and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority wish for York to join the Combined Authority, and if the statutory conditions are met and there is wide local support, this Government would seek Parliament\u2019s approval to make this change. The devolution deal announced on 18 March includes the City Of York.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4009", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Great Yarmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Brandon Lewis"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-23T17:50:19.5Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Local Government: Yorkshire and the Humber"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to allow City of York Council to join the West Yorkshire Combined Authority; whether the new city deal announced in the Budget for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority will apply also to City of York Council; when City of York Council first notified his Department of its wish to join the West Yorkshire Combined Authority; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/385", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Hugh Bayley"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Hugh Bayley"}
], "uin" : "228261"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/228085", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/228085/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Better Care Fund aims to keep people well and independent at home, delivering better care and value for money. Through locally led Better Care plans, local areas will spend over £2 billion on protecting social care, supporting over 2,500 more people to live independently rather than move to a care home.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4043", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kris Hopkins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Keighley"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kris Hopkins"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-23T14:38:02.407Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Better Care Fund"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to ensure that the Better Care Fund helps councils provide services faster and with improved value for money.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "228088"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/228086", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/228086/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have doubled the level of small business rate relief since October 2010. For 2015-16, this means an estimated 400,000 properties are paying no rates at all, while a further 200,000 properties are benefitting from tapered relief.<\/p>
<\/p>
Small businesses will also benefit from other measures in our £1.4 billion package of support for 2015-16 bills, including the 2% cap on the increase of the small business rates multiplier for two years and the £1,500 discount for shops, pubs and restaurants with rateable values below £50,000. They will also benefit from wider support for small businesses.<\/p>
<\/p>
Business rates are a proportionately higher fixed cost for small businesses as compared to large. The doubling of Small Business Rate Relief therefore provides targeted support to reduce small businesses\u2019 tax burden.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4043", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kris Hopkins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Keighley"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kris Hopkins"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-23T14:36:52.557Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Small Businesses: Non-domestic Rates"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the local economic benefits arising from the small business rate relief scheme.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "228090"}
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