{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberConstituency=Edinburgh+South&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2018-03-13", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberConstituency=Edinburgh+South&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2018-03-13", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberConstituency=Edinburgh+South&_metadata=all&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2018-03-13", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&tablingMemberConstituency=Edinburgh+South&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2018-03-13", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberConstituency=Edinburgh+South&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2018-03-13", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberConstituency=Edinburgh+South&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2018-03-13", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/856895", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "House of Commons Commission"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/856895/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The decision taken on the future model for guided tours is an operational business matter and it has been taken by the executive management of both Houses. Member Committees in both Houses and the House of Commons Commission were consulted during the making of this decision and the new model for tours has been endorsed by all of these bodies.<\/p>

The current contract with Blue Badge Guides to deliver commercial guided tours in Parliament ends in October 2018. Even if no changes were made to the way guided tours are delivered under procurement law the contract would need to be retendered through open competition, with no guarantees that the current provider would be successful.<\/p>

The decision was made following thorough scrutiny of three options, including keeping the current system as it is. The business case in favour of the chosen option was approved because it will simplify the management of our tours operation as a whole, maintain consistent quality across all types of tours offered, create 28 new full-time and part-time jobs, end Parliament\u2019s use of casual workers with no guaranteed hours, and also save a modest amount of taxpayers\u2019 money.<\/p>

The decision has been taken, and all efforts are now focussed on the important task of delivery of the agreed changes in 2018. Member engagement in the implementation of the new model is welcomed and Members can do so by contacting Amy Pitts, Director of Visitor and Retail Services, or John Thursfield, Guided Tours Review Project Manager.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/151", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tom Brake"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Carshalton and Wallington"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Tom Brake"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/856895/answer/previousversion/46740", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/151", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tom Brake"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Carshalton and Wallington"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Tom Brake"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-13T20:00:13.617Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "18"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "House of Commons Commission"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "House of Commons Commission"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-03-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parliamentary Tours"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will consult all Members on the decision of the Administration Committee to alter the way in-House guided tours are delivered before that decision is implemented.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3966", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Murray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Edinburgh South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Murray"} ], "uin" : "131407"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/855720", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/855720/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government does not publish internal correspondence. The Prime Minister's latest speech on EU exit, at Mansion House on 2 March 2018, made clear the Government's commitment to no hard border in Ireland and to retaining the constitutional and economic integrity of the UK.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/343", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rutland and Melton"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Alan Duncan"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-08T17:06:48.06Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-03-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Borders: Northern Ireland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans to publish in full his letter to the Prime Minister on the border in the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3966", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Murray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Edinburgh South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Murray"} ], "uin" : "131026"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/851619", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/851619/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Automatic enrolment has been a great success story with nearly 9.3 million workers enrolled into pensions saving. More than 1 million employers have met their automatic enrolment duties.<\/p>

<\/p>

Pension saving involves a balance between spending needs today versus saving for tomorrow \u2013 our system enables people to save and get an employer contribution, in most cases with tax relief too, so as to build retirement provision for their future. And it\u2019s a system that allows people to opt out if they so choose. And importantly, the earnings trigger \u2013currently at £10,000 and which is kept under annual review\u2013 is set at a level at which it \u2018pays to save\u2019 for individuals.<\/p>

<\/p>

The largest increase in participation has been among those for whom the policy was developed, including eligible low earners with some 63% of these workers in the private sector earning between £10,000 and £19,999 now saving into a workplace pension.<\/p>

<\/p>

We want to build on this, and we are increasing the minimum contributions from the current 2% of qualifying earnings to 5% in April 2018 and 8% in April 2019 to improve the level of savings, and in our 2017 Review of automatic enrolment set out our ambition for reforms which together would increase a median earners\u2019 private pension pot size at retirement by over 40 per cent and for lower earners by over 80 per cent.<\/p>

<\/p>

We recognise the potential impact on low paid workers; but of the 10 million employees we expect to be newly saving or saving more by April 2018 as a result of automatic enrolment, many will not see a fall in their take home pay because the increase in contributions will be counter-balanced by increases to the personal tax allowance, any pay increases, and the national living wage.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-05T12:40:59.987Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Workplace Pensions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the effect of pensions auto-enrolment on the income of low-paid workers.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3966", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Murray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Edinburgh South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Murray"} ], "uin" : "130382"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/851075", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/851075/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

<\/strong><\/p>

The new State Pension is not means tested. There are no plans to change this.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-05T15:48:03.133Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pensioners: Social Security Benefits"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of tapering state benefits when an employee retires and has an auto-enrolment pension.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3966", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Murray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Edinburgh South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Murray"} ], "uin" : "130259"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/850018", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/850018/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Information on the number of Support for Mortgage Interest claimants in Scotland is published here: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-02-19/128199/.<\/a><\/p>

<\/p>

The table below provides the Department\u2019s estimate of the caseload of Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) claiming ESA and JSA in Scotland.<\/p>

<\/p><\/td>

SMI and Employment and Support Allowance<\/p><\/td>

SMI and Job Seeker\u2019s Allowance<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Scotland<\/p><\/td>

5,000<\/p><\/td>

-<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

<\/em><\/p>

Notes:<\/p>