{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberConstituency=North+East+Bedfordshire&max-dateTabled=2020-03-17", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberConstituency=North+East+Bedfordshire&max-dateTabled=2020-03-17", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberConstituency=North+East+Bedfordshire&max-dateTabled=2020-03-17&_metadata=all", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&tablingMemberConstituency=North+East+Bedfordshire&max-dateTabled=2020-03-17", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberConstituency=North+East+Bedfordshire&max-dateTabled=2020-03-17", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberConstituency=North+East+Bedfordshire&max-dateTabled=2020-03-17", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1185686", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1185686/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have increased the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents \u2013 which is on average £600 in people\u2019s pockets. <\/ins><\/p> The government has brought forward a package of measures to protect renters affected by coronavirus. With these in force, no renter in either social or private accommodation will be forced out of their home.<\/ins><\/p> From 26 March, landlords have had to give all renters 3 months\u2019 notice if they intend to seek possession (i.e. serve notice that they want to end the tenancy) \u2013 this means the landlord can\u2019t apply to start the court process until after this period.<\/ins><\/p> This extended buffer period will apply in law until 30 September 2020 and both the end point, and the 3 month notice period can be extended if needed.<\/ins><\/p> From 27 March, the court service has suspended all ongoing housing possession action \u2013 this means that neither cases currently in the system or any about to go in to it can progress to the stage where someone could be evicted.<\/ins><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
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, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-03-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1185686/answer/previousversion/14836", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
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, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-03-25T16:53:42.43Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rents: Coronavirus"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she plans to take through the benefits system to support tenants to meet their rent payments during the covid-19 outbreak.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3912", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Fuller"}
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, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Richard Fuller"}
], "uin" : "30723"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1185687", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1185687/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We have increased the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents \u2013 which is on average £600 in people\u2019s pockets. <\/ins><\/p> Discretionary Housing Payments are made at local authority discretion, including the amount and duration of any award.<\/ins><\/p> Local authorities administer the scheme as they are best placed to make informed judgements about relative priorities and needs in their area to ensure that the most vulnerable are supported and the limited funds are targeted effectively.<\/ins><\/p> As we have announced at the spending round for 2020/21 there is £179.5m in DHPs for Local authorities to support renters with housing costs in the private and social rented sector. The increase to the Local Housing Allowance rates will help alleviate shortfalls in the private rented sector and relieve pressure on DHPs.<\/ins><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-03-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1185687/answer/previousversion/13953", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
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, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-03-23T16:12:34.74Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Discretionary Housing Payments: Coronavirus"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether people with a reduced income after following guidance on coivd-19 are eligible for assistance with rented housing costs through the Discretionary Housing Payments scheme; and whether additional funding has been allocated to local authorities for that payment scheme.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3912", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Fuller"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Richard Fuller"}
], "uin" : "30724"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1185688", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1185688/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " In order to help UK businesses during the Coronavirus outbreak, we have made an unprecedented level of support available in the form of cash grants and business loans.<\/p> <\/p> The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), delivered by the British Business Bank, is now available for eligible smaller businesses including unincorporated businesses, such as partnerships and sole traders. Decision-making on whether a business is eligible to access CBILS will be fully delegated to the 40+ accredited lenders. The Scheme covers overdrafts, loans, asset finance, and invoice finance. Full guidance, including eligibility criteria, will be published at: www.british-business-bank.co.uk/cbils<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> In addition, HMRC have set up a tax helpline on 0800 0159 559 to support and advise businesses and self-employed people concerned about missing tax commitments due to Coronavirus. Further detail on the Government\u2019s support package for businesses is at: www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4113", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stratford-on-Avon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nadhim Zahawi"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-03-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-03-27T14:13:25.367Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Self-employed: Coronavirus"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of covid-19 on sole traders; and what steps he is taking to support sole traders with reduced income during the covid-19 outbreak.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3912", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Fuller"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Richard Fuller"}
], "uin" : "30725"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1185689", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1185689/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is now live.<\/p> <\/p> Eligible businesses can apply for a loan or other form of finance through one of 40-plus providers accredited by the British Business Bank to offer the scheme. These include all the major UK banks.<\/p> <\/p> The application process is typically online for smaller amounts and the lending decision is made by the provider concerned.<\/p> <\/p>Support for rented housing costs are available through Universal Credit and Housing Benefit. Discretionary Housing Payments are also available, these payments are very flexible and can be considered where, in the local authority's opinion, further financial assistance towards housing costs is required.<\/del><\/p>Last week, the Chancellor announced, in response to COVID-19, that for 2020/21, we will increase the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that they are set at the 30th percentile of market rents.<\/del><\/p>As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.<\/del><\/p>As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.<\/del><\/p>