Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1149045

registered interest
date	14/10/2019
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Elections: Visual Impairment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he has taken to replace tactile voting since it was found to be unlawful.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	60
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2019 answer text <p>The Government continues to work with the Accessibility of Elections Working Group to make an informed assessment of the most suitable options to take forward. Officials are due to hold a meeting on this topic with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) very soon</p><p>Work has been undertaken to revise guidance to electoral administrators and, with input from RNIB, to research technical solutions which will be further discussed at a dedicated sub-group.</p><p>We are also starting to bring forward measures following the Government’s response to the 2018 Call for Evidence on Access to Elections. Proposals were announced during the Queen’s Speech. This will include increasing the range of support available to voters with disabilities in polling stations and allowing a wider range of people (such as carers) to assist disabled voters in polling stations if needed.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster grouped question UIN 1137 1138 question first answered 21/10/2019 14:06:31 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1149046

registered interest
date	14/10/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Biofuels: Research
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans her Department has to fund research into micro-algae biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuel.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	61
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2019 answer text <p>The majority of BEIS funding for research is allocated through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRI currently funds a large portfolio of research projects looking at bioenergy and other alternative energy sources.</p><p> </p><p>Algae have considerable potential as an industrial biotechnology platform serving a wide range of bio-based products. Developed in the right conditions, this could offer a low carbon alternative to existing technologies as well as a sustainable alternative to traditional crop cultivation. Algae-UK, one of six funded Networks in BBSRC’s Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy portfolio, is focussing on realising the potential of algal systems.</p><p> </p><p>More widely, the Department has also supported a Science and Innovation Audit for the marine economy in the Highland and Islands region of Scotland, home of 61% of the UK’s coastline. The report, published earlier this year, highlighted the potential value of marine biotechnology to the region, which could be worth £600m by 2030.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 21/10/2019 13:13:53 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1149047

registered interest
date	14/10/2019
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing: Construction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Department is taking to support sustainable house-building.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	62
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2019 answer text <p>The Department is committed to increasing the sustainability of new homes.</p><p>On 1 October the government launched a consultation on stronger building regulations that will pave the way for the Future Homes Standard. These 2020 changes aim to cut carbon emissions in new homes by almost a third, while keeping household bills low.</p><p>We propose that new homes built to the Future Homes Standard from 2025 should have 75-80 per cent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than ones built to current building regulations standards. Developers will be expected to use new technologies such as air source heat pumps and the latest generation of solar panels.</p><p>A further consultation will follow, in the coming months, proposing changes to the energy efficiency standards for non-domestic buildings and existing homes; and on preventing overheating in new buildings.</p><p>The revised National Planning Policy Framework, re-issued February 2019, expects local planning authorities to plan for climate change. Local authorities should take account of how new developments will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as through its location, orientation and design. Local authorities should also adopt proactive strategies to adapt to climate change. Planning practice guidance provides advice for local authorities and applicants on implementing these policies.</p><p>The National Planning Policy Framework also supports sustainability more broadly and will help deliver the 25 Year Environment Plan, and the Clean Air Strategy. For example, the Framework retains strong and appropriate protections for the natural environment and expects local authorities to require developers to include green infrastructure in housing and commercial developments. The 25 Year Environment Plan commands strong public support and helps ensure new housing is built sustainably.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Tatton answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 23/10/2019 12:10:01 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1149048

registered interest
date	14/10/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Agriculture: Sustainable Development
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to incentivise farmers to use more sustainable farming methods.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	63
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2019 answer text <p>As part of our future agricultural policy, a range of policies are being developed to support farmers and land managers in relation to animal welfare, productivity, and research and development. Farmers and other land managers will also have the opportunity under the new Environmental Land Management scheme to be paid for delivering the following public goods set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan: clean air; clean and plentiful water; thriving plants and wildlife; protection from and mitigation of environmental hazards; beauty, heritage and engagement; mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. Sustainable farming methods can contribute to many of the environmental public goods that land managers will be incentivised to deliver through the ELM scheme.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 21/10/2019 15:42:08 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1149050

registered interest
date	14/10/2019
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Roads: North Herefordshire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps he has taken to encourage responsible driving and improve road safety in North Herefordshire.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	64
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to improving the safety of all road users on a national basis. Our recent publication of the Road Safety Statement, ‘A Lifetime of Road Safety’, describes in detail the Department’s intention to undertake a set of actions in the coming years aimed at improving road safety. For example, one of those actions is for the Department to establish a rural roads working group to share experience on improving rural road safety and to work together to tackle the key issues.</p><p> </p><p>The Road Safety Statement can be viewed at the link below: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/road-safety-statement-2019-a-lifetime-of-road-safety" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/road-safety-statement-2019-a-lifetime-of-road-safety</a></p><p> </p><p>The Government also recognises the importance of educating drivers about driving responsibly. In addition to advice in the Highway Code and on <a href="http://www.gov.uk/" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a>, the THINK! Campaigns are designed to educate drivers and promote road safety, which includes supporting a change in behaviour when driving.</p> answering member constituency Mid Norfolk answering member printed George Freeman question first answered 22/10/2019 13:15:38 answering member 4020 label Biography information for George Freeman
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1149056

registered interest
date	14/10/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Young Offenders: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on improving educational opportunities for young offenders.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	65
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2019 answer text <p>We have long worked collaboratively with the Department for Education (DfE) to improve educational and other rehabilitative outcomes for children in the youth justice system.</p><p>The DfE has a proactive role in the governance and delivery of many youth justice projects:</p><ul><li>Our new secure schools model for youth custody has been developed collaboratively with the DfE and has a strong focus on improving the provision of education through the commissioning of child-focused providers.</li><li>We are retendering learning services in young offender institutions (YOIs) by September 2021 when existing contracts are due to expire. The DfE is part of this project and provides advice on it, particularly regarding developing service requirements and engaging schools, colleges and academy trusts.</li><li>The DfE and Ministry of Justice (MoJ) work closely with other government departments to implement the cross-government serious violence strategy, which includes provisions for schools-based early intervention and prevention initiatives where appropriate, and to minimise the harmful impact of school exclusions.</li></ul><p>Over the longer-term, the DfE, MoJ and other government departments are reviewing the structure and governance of the youth justice system in Wales and the entire youth secure estate to improve alignment, standards and outcomes for children</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 22/10/2019 14:42:24 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1149058

registered interest
date	14/10/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Offenders: Employment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what support his Department provides to help prisoners secure employment on release.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	66
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2019 answer text <p>Since we launched our Education and Employment Strategy in May 2018, we have overhauled the prison education system, allowing governors to commission skills-based training and education that meets the needs of the local labour market and helps prison leavers into work.</p><p> </p><p>We have introduced the New Futures Network, a specialist part of the Prison Service which brokers partnerships between prisons and employers in England and Wales to provide job opportunities for prisoners both in custody and on release. Additionally, we have established new rules to allow governors to get offenders out to work earlier on temporary licence. This will increase the opportunities available for prisoners to secure jobs on release and reduce their chances of reoffending.</p><p> </p><p>DWP Prison Work Coaches are in place at many prisons to support prisoners into work on release and our recently published National Partnership Agreement with DWP will further strengthen our collaboration in this area.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 22/10/2019 16:25:06 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin