Ofcom expects providers to resolve network faults, however caused, as quickly as possible. The regulator also expects providers to deal fairly and sympathetically with consumers who experience a loss of service as a result of network issues. This could include giving compensation or by allowing customers to exit their contract without penalty.<\/p>
The Communications Act requires telecoms providers to take appropriate measures to protect the security and resilience of their networks and services. When a security or availability incident occurs which has a significant impact on the operation of a network or service, the legislation requires the provider to report this to Ofcom. Ofcom monitors these reports closely and has the power to intervene if they believe a provider is not taking the appropriate measures.<\/p>
<\/p>
Ofcom has imposed minimum targets on Openreach requiring 80% of fault repairs to be completed within one to two working days of being notified and the company to report publicly on its performance, allowing Ofcom to monitor and intervene if required.<\/p>
Consumers can pursue claims for compensation caused by line outages by contacting their communications providers. If they are unhappy with the outcome of their complaint or how their complaint has been handled, they are able to pursue the case through the registered Alternative Dispute Resolution service \u2013 a free and impartial service that Ofcom requires all communications providers to have in place.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1580", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Vaizey of Didcot"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wantage"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Edward Vaizey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "224141"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-23T08:33:22.857Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Culture, Media and Sport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Culture, Media and Sport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Telecommunications: Compensation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance his Department issues on what compensation is payable for the loss of both landline and internet services for the period of 21 days; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/384", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thirsk and Malton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Miss Anne McIntosh"} ], "uin" : "224140"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/176769", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/176769/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The active farmer test is set out in the European Regulations, but aspects remain to be interpreted by Member States. Farmers who operate certain non-agricultural activities, comprising waterworks, railway services, airports, real estate services, or permanent sport and recreational grounds, will be ineligible for direct payments unless they meet the \u2018readmission criteria\u2019 or received less than \u20ac5,000 in direct payments in the previous year.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
A business will be readmitted if it: provides evidence that its annual amount of direct payments is at least 5% of the total receipts that it obtained from non-agricultural activities; has an eligible area of at least 36 ha (the median average size of a farm in England); or provides evidence that its agricultural receipts are at least 40% of its total receipts.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
We believe the active farmer test risks discouraging farm diversification and may lead to needless restructuring, while offering no benefit to tenants or others who make their living from farming. It is also a burden on both applicants and administrators. We will be arguing in future reform negotiations that the test be optional for the Member State.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for George Eustice"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Camborne and Redruth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "George Eustice"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-03T13:02:23.427Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Common Agricultural Policy"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how her Department defines the term active farmer for the purposes of applications for basic farm payments under the reformed CAP; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/384", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thirsk and Malton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Miss Anne McIntosh"} ], "uin" : "222673"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/175709", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/175709/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have engaged regularly with the farming industry and other interested groups on the implementation of the Basic Payment Scheme. This has included our formal consultation on the implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in England in October 2013, to which we received nearly 5,000 responses. 720 people also attended our regional consultation events. Our response to that consultation was published on 19 December 2013, with a further response in February 2014.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
Since last April we have published a series of \u2018Countdown to CAP Reform\u2019 leaflets to provide potential claimants, including farmers and landowners, with as much clarity as possible on progress in implementing the CAP in England as it has become available. We have continued to seek input from industry and other interested groups.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for George Eustice"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Camborne and Redruth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "George Eustice"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-29T14:18:56.623Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Agriculture: Subsidies"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent representations she has received on the implementation of the basic farm payment scheme; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/384", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thirsk and Malton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Miss Anne McIntosh"} ], "uin" : "221950"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/175338", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/175338/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1556", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Rob Wilson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Rob Wilson"} , "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/175338/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "PQ 221746 ONS 20.pdf"} , "title" : "ONS Letter to Member - Jobseekers Allowance"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-27T16:36:59.247Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Jobseeker's Allowance: Thirsk"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many long-term unemployed people claim jobseeker's allowance in Thirsk and Malton constituency; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/384", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thirsk and Malton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Miss Anne McIntosh"} ], "uin" : "221746"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173927", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173927/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) and I regularly speak to our European counterparts on a range of issues, including EU reform. In addition, since July 2014, the Foreign Secretary has been undertaking a series of visits to EU Member States\u2019 capitals to discuss EU reform. During the course of these visits, he has met with the Foreign Ministers of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden. He has raised, with these Foreign Ministers the Government\u2019s position that EU reform is necessary for the EU to become more competitive, democratically accountable and fair for those inside and outside the Eurozone.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/15", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir David Lidington"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aylesbury"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr David Lidington"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-21T16:48:10.253Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "EU Reform"} , "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, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts about reforming the European Union.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/384", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thirsk and Malton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Miss Anne McIntosh"} ], "uin" : "220886"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173811", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173811/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Neither the Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) nor I have discussed the Greek elections with our counterparts in Greece. It is for the Greek people to decide on their government. We look forward to working with the Government of Greece after the elections and maintaining the excellent relations that we enjoy between our two countries, including in the context of our cooperation as members of NATO and the EU.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/15", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir David Lidington"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aylesbury"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr David Lidington"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-21T13:51:36.62Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Greece"} , "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, what recent discussions he has had with his Greek counterpart on elections in that country in January 2015; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/384", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thirsk and Malton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Miss Anne McIntosh"} ], "uin" : "220693"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172746", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172746/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I last visited the Emergency Planning College on 12 July 2013.<\/p>
The College and its partnership contract continue to serve as excellent examples of what can be achieved by the application of innovation, energy and commercial skill in the delivery of an important public service.<\/p>
I am pleased to report that the College was profitable in 2014 and will pay a dividend.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Maude of Horsham"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Horsham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Francis Maude"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-12T13:29:57.29Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Emergency Planning College"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he last visited the Emergency Contingencies Planning College, The Hawkhills, Easingwold; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/384", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thirsk and Malton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Miss Anne McIntosh"} ], "uin" : "220144"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172750", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172750/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We make regular use of national and local media to increase public awareness of the contribution our Reserves make to Defence through both general marketing and highlighting Reserves activity. Recently, for example, we have publicised the support given by Reservists in the operation to counter the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. This helps to increase recognition of the contribution that Reservists make and to demonstrate to potential recruits the range of challenges and opportunities within the Reserves.<\/p>
The Army Reserve's updated 'More Than Meets the Eye' campaign starts on 16 January 2015 with a PR launch at Waterloo Station, whilst the Royal Air Force has also developed a Reserves-specific advert.<\/p>
Local units also play an important role in promoting Reserve service. For example, in your constituency, Work Place Recruiting Events were run by local Army and RAF personnel at the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs in Malton in October and November 2014.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/77", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Julian Brazier"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Canterbury"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Julian Brazier"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-14T17:34:03.487Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Reserve Forces"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to promote service in the Reserves.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/384", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thirsk and Malton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Miss Anne McIntosh"} ], "uin" : "220143"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172757", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Deputy Prime Minister"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172757/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Following the Chancellor\u2019s announcement of a further £1billion in the Autumn Statement to expand the Growth Deal programme, officials have met with all local enterprise partnerships, including York North Yorkshire and East Riding, to discuss their priorities for the additional Growth Deal funding.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
The Growth Deal for York, North Yorkshire and East Riding, announced in July 2014, will see investment of £110m in the area, including investment in key housing and transport infrastructure projects.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1578", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Greg Clark"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tunbridge Wells"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Greg Clark"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172757/answer/previousversion/38763", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1578", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Greg Clark"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tunbridge Wells"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Greg Clark"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-16T10:58:35.94Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "58"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Deputy Prime Minister"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Deputy Prime Minister"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Local Enterprise Partnerships: Yorkshire and the Humber"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what recent discussions he has had with the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership on infrastructure funding; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/384", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thirsk and Malton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Miss Anne McIntosh"} ], "uin" : "220145"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172768", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Energy and Climate Change"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172768/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department regularly receives representations regarding regulation relating to shale gas development and exploration and we have produced a range of guidance material which set out how these concerns are addressed. These can be found at the following link.<\/p>