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1001922

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that a claimant will not receive less money in benefits as a result of moving to universal credit under the managed migration process.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	188120
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2018 answer text <p>Welfare claimants whose circumstances remain the same will not see their benefit entitlement reduced as a direct result of being moved on to Universal Credit through managed migration, as they will receive transitional protection. This will ensure that claimants who are managed migrated will have total entitlement to Universal Credit that is at least as great had been their total entitlement to existing benefits at the point they are migrated, so safeguarding their benefit entitlement until their circumstances change.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants whose entitlement is less in Universal Credit than their legacy entitlement will receive transitional protection to ensure their benefit allowance remains the same at the point of transition. The other claimants who are migrated onto Universal Credit as part of managed migration will receive the same or an increased entitlement as they receive on legacy benefits.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, we have announced that Tax Credits claimants with capital in excess of the £16,000 capital threshold will now receive a 12-month grace period during which they can receive transitional protection if eligible.</p><p> </p><p>We have also announced that, from 16 January 2019, we will prevent those claimants who are, or have been within the past month entitled to an award of an existing benefit that includes a Severe Disability Premium (SDP), from naturally migrating to Universal Credit following a change of circumstances. These claimants will continue to receive the relevant legacy benefit(s) appropriate to their change of circumstance and will only move to Universal Credit via managed migration (and therefore be eligible to transitional protection), safeguarding their existing benefit entitlement.</p><p> </p><p>We will also provide both an on-going monthly payment to eligible claimants who have already lost the SDP as a consequence of moving to Universal Credit and an additional monthly payment to cover the period since they moved. Eligibility for these payments will depend on a number of criteria being satisfied, which include whether the basic qualifying conditions for SDP continue to be met.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 16/11/2018 14:33:47 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1038495

	registered interest
	date	09/01/2019
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Drugs: Innovation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it is an objective of the new NHS Long Term Plan to ensure that the most innovative drugs will be accessible to patients more quickly than they currently are.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	206878
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2019 answer text <p>The NHS Long Term Plan, together with other recent initiatives including the Life Sciences Sector Deal and the 2019 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, describe the Government’s objectives for a health and care system that delivers world leading patient care and health outcomes.</p><p> </p><p>The Government wants patients to benefit from effective new drugs and the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access agreed between the Department and the branded pharmaceutical industry commits to align the speed of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence technology appraisals for non-cancer medicines to the faster timeline for cancer medicines.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy set out a vision of being a world-leader in developing and bringing to market innovative medicines to improve life-chances of United Kingdom patients. It highlighted the importance of evolving and simplifying the access system for new medicines by implementing, and building on, the findings of the Accelerated Access Review.</p> answering member constituency Winchester answering member printed Steve Brine question first answered 18/01/2019 12:18:43 answering member 4067 label Biography information for Steve Brine
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1132926

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of reported rape cases were not passed to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police forces of England and Wales in 2017-18.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	266225
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government does not hold data on the total number of reported rape cases which are not passed on to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police.</p><p>The Crown Prosecution Service publishes data on the number of pre-charge decisions for rape cases.</p><p>The Government expects every report of sexual violence and rape to be treated seriously from the point of disclosure and continues to work with the police to look at ways to improve police investigations. Through the refreshed Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy we have committed to undertake an end-to-end review into the criminal justice response to rape, from the point of police report through to final outcome in court, which will include examining police referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 08/07/2019 15:16:26 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1132928

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2019
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what proportion of reported rape cases that were passed to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police forces of England and Wales were returned to the police for further evidence to be gathered in 2017-18.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	266227
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2019 answer text <p>Rape is a horrific crime which has a significant and profound impact on victims. It is vital to ensure that cases are investigated thoroughly in order to bring them to justice. To achieve this, it is necessary in many cases to seek further information before a prosecutor is able to determine whether or not to charge. This process ensures that cases are as robust as possible once they reach the court.</p><p>In 2017-18, cases were referred back to the Police for 61% of suspects in cases recorded as rape in the system. Whilst one situation where the CPS may refer a case back to the Police is to request further evidence, it could also be in instances when the Police have sought ‘early investigative advice’ from the CPS to assist in determining the evidence required for a charge. It is not possible to separate cases where the CPS has requested further evidence and when the Police have sought early investigative advice.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 24/06/2019 15:26:16 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1132935

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2019
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what proportion of reported rape cases in 2017-18 passed to the CPS by the police forces of England and Wales were returned to the police for further evidence to be gathered, and were not subsequently returned to the CPS with that further evidence.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	266233
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2019 answer text <p>The CPS recognises that rape and serious sexual offences have a significant and profound impact on victims. It is vital to ensure that cases are investigated thoroughly in order to bring them to justice. To achieve this, it is necessary in many cases to seek further information before a prosecutor is able to determine whether or not to charge. In such cases, an action plan requesting further evidence will be provided to the police by the CPS.</p><p> </p><p>When the Police are unable to respond to the action plan, the case is administratively finalised. This is an administrative process where cases are closed on the CPS’s Case Management System if, after reminders from the CPS, the Police do not submit further information. Such cases may be reopened if, at a later date, new material is provided to the CPS by the Police enabling them to decide whether to charge.</p><p> </p><p>The Police may also seek ‘early investigative advice’ from the CPS to assist in determining the evidence required for a charge. In these cases the CPS may also administratively finalise a case if after receiving CPS advice, the Police do not re-submit the case.</p><p> </p><p>In 2017/18, 22% of all rape cases referred to the CPS were administratively finalised.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 24/06/2019 16:34:49 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1170428

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Sexual Offences: Convictions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps the Government is taking to improve conviction rates for rape and sexual offences.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	2667
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text <p>Rape is a devastating offence that can have a significant and profound impact on victims, and the CPS is committed to bringing perpetrators of these horrific crimes to justice. The CPS welcomes and accepts all recommendations made in HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate’s ‘Rape Inspection’ report, published in December 2019, and joint work with the police is already underway to make improvements. This work covers a range of areas, including case progression, digital capability and disclosure, expertise, supporting victims, and stakeholder engagement.</p><p> </p><p>The ongoing cross-Government review into this complex area will offer comprehensive findings across the whole criminal justice system, and I look forward to its completion.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 16/01/2020 15:51:01 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1170429

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Sexual Offences: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps he is taking to increase the number of reported rape and sexual offences that are brought to trial.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	2668
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text <p>The reduction in suspects charged in rape and serious sexual offence cases is a cause of concern. Both Government and the CPS are committed to exploring what improvements can be made to the handling of these horrific cases and making progress in this area.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS welcomes and has accepted all recommendations made in HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate’s ‘Rape Inspection’ report, published in December 2019, and a joint action plan with the police is already underway to make improvements. The ongoing cross-Government review into this complex area will also offer comprehensive findings across the whole criminal justice system, and I look forward to its completion. The CPS will address any issues highlighted by the review openly and honestly.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 16/01/2020 15:49:23 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1170430

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, how many and what proportion of cases of suspected rape were given No Further Action as a result of insufficient evidence to proceed in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	2669
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains a central record of the number of suspects, flagged as rape suspects, referred to prosecutors for a pre-charge decision and the number of decisions not to prosecute suspects following the charging decision.</p><p>The table below shows the volume and percentage of legal decisions not to prosecute for evidential reasons in each year from 2016/17 to 2018/19.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td colspan="2"><p>2016-2017</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>2017-2018</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>2018-2019</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Volume</p></td><td><p>%</p></td><td><p>Volume</p></td><td><p>%</p></td><td><p>Volume</p></td><td><p>%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Legal Decision: No Further Action: Evidential</p></td><td><p>2061</p></td><td><p>31.2%</p></td><td><p>1786</p></td><td><p>29.7</p></td><td><p>1816</p></td><td><p>35.5</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Data Source: Case Management Information System</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 16/01/2020 16:33:08 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1170431

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Criminal Proceedings
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what the average number of days taken from a report of rape to a decision to charge was in each year since 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	2670
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text <p>Records held by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) provide data showing the average number of days from receipt of the pre-charge case from the police to the decision to charge. The CPS does not have a record of the number of days from the date a crime was reported to the police to the date the police refer the case to CPS for a charging decision.</p><p> </p><p>The table below shows the average number of days from the date a case is received from the police to the date the decision to charge was taken for cases flagged as rape in each year from 2015/16 to 2018/19.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2015 – 2016</p></td><td><p>2016 – 2017</p></td><td><p>2017 – 2018</p></td><td><p>2018 - 2019</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Average police and CPS time to charge</p></td><td><p>52.70</p></td><td><p>67.28</p></td><td><p>77.98</p></td><td><p>107.68</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>In cases where a file is submitted to the CPS for early investigative advice or where there is insufficient evidence to bring a charge at the first referral, the prosecutor will advise the police officer on the further evidence to be gathered. Once this further evidence has been gathered the officer will return the case to the CPS in order for a charging decision to be made. With the increase in use of early investigative advice, the CPS is more often involved at an earlier stage in proceedings, which has an effect on the average number of consultations and overall timeliness.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 16/01/2020 17:24:15 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1170700

	registered interest
	date	14/01/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	European Arrest Warrants
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many requests the UK made to EU member states under the European Arrest Warrant in the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	3249
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office does not hold the information requested.</p><p> </p><p>However, statistics on the European Arrest Warrant are published by the National Crime Agency each year. These figures include a breakdown of the numbers of requests made by the UK.</p><p> </p><p>These figures are published at: <a href="http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/european-arrest-warrant-statistics" target="_blank">http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/european-arrest-warrant-statistics</a></p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 03/02/2020 16:27:24 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds