{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-08-02T13%3A19%3A12.33Z&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-08-02T14%3A44%3A15.633Z", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-08-02T13%3A19%3A12.33Z&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-08-02T14%3A44%3A15.633Z", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-08-02T13%3A19%3A12.33Z&_metadata=all&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-08-02T14%3A44%3A15.633Z", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-08-02T13%3A19%3A12.33Z&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-08-02T14%3A44%3A15.633Z", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-08-02T13%3A19%3A12.33Z&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-08-02T14%3A44%3A15.633Z", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-08-02T13%3A19%3A12.33Z&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-08-02T14%3A44%3A15.633Z", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141908", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141908/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The current strength of the Armed Forces as at 1 April 2019 is given<\/ins> in the table below:<\/p>

<\/p>

Service<\/p><\/td>

Trained Strength<\/p><\/td>

Workforce Requirement<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Royal Navy/Royal Marines<\/p><\/td>

29,224<\/p><\/td>

30,568<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Army<\/p><\/td>

75,070<\/p><\/td>

82,000<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Royal Air Force<\/p><\/td>

30,010<\/p><\/td>

31,756<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Trained Strength comprises military personnel who have completed Phase 1 and 2 training for Royal Navy/Royal Marines, the Army (prior to 1 October 2016) and the Royal Air Force. Following the change in definition of trained strength for Army, from 1 October 2016, trained strength for the Army comprises of personnel who have completed Phase 1 training.<\/p>

The Ministry of Defence remains committed to maintaining the overall size of the Armed Forces and we have a range of measures under way to improve recruitment and retention. The challenge is kept under constant review.<\/p>

Importantly the Services continue to meet all their current commitments, keeping the country and its interests safe.<\/p>

<\/p>

The strength of the Armed Forces is published every three months and can be found in the UK Armed Forces Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics at the following link:<\/p>

<\/p>

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2019<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4306", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Goldie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Goldie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-08-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141908/answer/previousversion/132042", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4306", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Goldie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Goldie"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-08-02T13:21:39.59Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ], "questionFirstMinisteriallyCorrected" : [{"_value" : "2019-08-20T11:14:54.383Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Armed Forces"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government by how much (1) the Royal Navy, (2) the army, and (3) the Royal Air Force, are under strength.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/627", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Campbell of Pittenweem"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Campbell of Pittenweem"} ], "uin" : "HL17452"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141909", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141909/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The number of recruits joining the Armed Forces in the last five years is given in the table below.<\/p>
12 Months Ending<\/strong><\/td>31 March 2015<\/strong><\/td>31 March 2016<\/strong><\/td>31 March 2017<\/strong><\/td>31 March 2018<\/strong><\/td>31 March 2019<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Tri-Service<\/td>12,980<\/td>13,796<\/td>13,383<\/td>12,359<\/td>12,485<\/td><\/tr>
Royal Navy/Royal Marines<\/td>2,933<\/td>2,997<\/td>3,045<\/td>3,042<\/td>3,143<\/td><\/tr>
Army<\/td>8,165<\/td>8,600<\/td>8,294<\/td>7,217<\/td>6,985<\/td><\/tr>
Royal Air Force<\/td>1,882<\/td>2,199<\/td>2,044<\/td>2,100<\/td>2,357<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

UK Regular Forces includes trained and untrained UK Regulars, excludes Gurkhas, Military Provost Guard Service, Locally Engaged Personnel, Volunteer Reserve, Serving Regular Reserve, Sponsored Reserve, and Full Time Reserve Service.<\/p>

<\/strong><\/p>

The Armed Forces recruitment figures are published in the Armed Forces Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics at the following link:<\/p>

<\/p>

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2019<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4306", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Goldie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Goldie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-08-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-08-02T13:36:38.357Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Armed Forces: Recruitment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) Royal Navy, (2) army, and (3) Royal Air Force, recruits there were in each of the last five years for which records are available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/627", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Campbell of Pittenweem"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Campbell of Pittenweem"} ], "uin" : "HL17453"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1140799", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1140799/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The government currently provides funding for adult learners aged 19 and over to undertake British Sign Language (BSL) qualifications through the Adult Education Budget (AEB), up to and including level 2. BSL forms part of the flexible local offer (non-statutory) and qualifications are either fully funded (if the learner is unemployed or participating in the low wage trial) or co-funded depending on the age, prior achievement and employment status of the learner. BSL qualifications at level 3 and above can be funded through an Advanced Learner Loan.<\/p>

<\/p>

We have not undertaken any recent assessment of the impact of costs on learners looking to participate in BSL courses, therefore we are unable provide a formal assessment of the impacts of cost on participation levels. However, the department publishes the National Aims Report showing the number of further education and skills enrolments by individual learning aim, broken down by different type of provision including BSL aims. Only aims with 50 or more enrolments per year are included in this report. This report can be found at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/777927/FEandSkills-National-Aims-1718-Final_v2.xlsx<\/a>.<\/p>

<\/p>

From the start of the 2019/20 academic year approximately 50% of the AEB will be devolved to 6 Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and delegated to the Mayor of London acting through the Greater London Authority (GLA). From that date the MCAs/GLA will be responsible for commissioning and funding AEB provision for learners in their areas. The Education and Skills Funding Agency will be responsible for funding AEB provision, including BSL provision, for learners in non-devolved areas.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kemi Badenoch"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Saffron Walden"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mrs Kemi Badenoch"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-08-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1140799/answer/previousversion/131207", "answeringMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4039", "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Orpington"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Joseph Johnson"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-08-02T13:58:05.827Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Sign Language: Education"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of the cost of learning BSL on take up of those courses.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4638", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Slough"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi"} ], "uin" : "280364"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141403", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141403/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

On 20 June 2019, the government issued a letter responding to the \u2018Bercow: Ten Years On \u2013 1st<\/sup> Anniversary Update\u2019 report, which was co-signed by ministers from the Department for Education, the Department of Health and Social Care and Ministry of Justice. The letter re-affirmed the government\u2019s commitment to supporting children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).<\/p>

<\/p>

In 2018, the government announced new contracts worth more than £25 million to help ensure that children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those relating to language and communication, receive the support they need.<\/p>

<\/p>

On 3 May 2019, the former Secretary of State for Education (Damian Hinds), my right hon. Friend, the Member for East Hampshire, announced a call for evidence on making funding improvements to support head teachers in making provision for their pupils with SEND. The call for evidence closed on the 31 July 2019.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kemi Badenoch"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Saffron Walden"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mrs Kemi Badenoch"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-08-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141403/answer/previousversion/131234", "answeringMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4113", "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stratford-on-Avon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nadhim Zahawi"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-08-02T13:38:40.1Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Special Educational Needs: Speech and Language Disorders"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to increase the support provided to children and young people in secondary schools that have speech, language and communication needs.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4603", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Edgbaston"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Preet Kaur Gill"} ], "uin" : "281097"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141477", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Exiting the European Union "} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141477/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government is steadfast in our commitment to the Belfast Agreement and will do everything in our power to ensure no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.<\/p>

On 13 March, the UK Government announced a unilateral approach to checks, processes and tariffs for trade moving from Ireland to Northern Ireland. This policy aims to retain the status quo as far as possible by doing all we can to avoid a hard border. This approach is strictly temporary.<\/p>

The UK Government will not introduce any new checks or controls on goods crossing from Ireland to Northern Ireland, including any new customs declarations for nearly all goods. The UK temporary tariff regime would therefore not apply to goods crossing from Ireland into Northern Ireland.<\/p>

We would need to apply a small number of measures strictly necessary to comply with international legal obligations, protect the biosecurity of the island of Ireland, or to avoid the highest risks to Northern Ireland businesses - but these measures would not require checks at the border. Expressly:<\/p>