Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to help ensure the safety of Eritrean refugees.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights state that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association. This Government fully supports these rights, including the right of individuals to protest peacefully.
There is a long tradition in this country of people being free to assemble and demonstrate their views, however uncomfortable they may make others, provided they do so within the law.
Of course, there is a balance to be struck. The right to peaceful protest does not extend to violent behaviour. The police have powers to deal with such behaviour and we expect them to use them where appropriate.
The management of protests is an operational matter for the police. The police have a duty to ensure the protection and safety of all individuals, regardless of their background, origin or views and will take appropriate steps to do so.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she is taking steps to help ensure that the rights of Eritrean refugees in the UK to protest against acts of the Eritrean Government are protected.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights state that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association. This Government fully supports these rights, including the right of individuals to protest peacefully.
There is a long tradition in this country of people being free to assemble and demonstrate their views, provided they do so within the law.
Therefore, should Eritrean refugees in the UK wish to protest against the Eritrean government they are well within their right to do so, as long as such protests are conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
The management of demonstrations is an operational matter for the police. In certain circumstances, the police have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect those wishing to exercise their rights peacefully and to consider any potential risk to public safety.
Similarly, the management of community events, including decisions on their approval, is a matter for the relevant local authority.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held recent discussions with the Eritrean embassy in London on recent clashes between Eritrean Government supporters and opponents.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Recent events involving members of the Eritrean community in the UK have, on occasions, led to public disorder and arrests. Ahead of a planned and subsequently cancelled event in the London Borough of Harrow in July, FCDO officials and officers from the Metropolitan Police met with staff from the Eritrean embassy to discuss security plans and arrangements. The FCDO plus relevant police forces and councils will engage with the UK Eritrean community and Eritrean embassy ahead of other events.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department will respond to the letter sent by the hon. Member for Glasgow North East to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Pensions, dated 24th March 2023.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
A reply to the correspondence from the hon. Member was sent on 3 May from the relevant Minister.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many appeals have been referred to his Department on Green Deal mis-selling by Home Energy and Lifestyle Management.
Answered by Graham Stuart
A total of 348 Homes Energy and Lifestyle Management (HELMS) cases have been referred to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (or predecessors at the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) for review. 189 of these cases are live; 159 have been completed.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many appeals have been made to the First Tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) Environment on Green Deal mis-selling by Home Energy and Lifestyle Management offered by his Department and its predecessors.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Department is aware of 20 such appeals that have been made to the General Regulatory Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to help ensure the end of premiums for prepayment meter energy customers.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
From July, the Energy Price Guarantee will be adjusted so that the typical customer on a PPM is paying the same amount as an equivalent customer on direct debit until 31 March 2024. The Government has asked Ofgem to report by autumn on options to bring charges for PPM customers into line with direct debit customers, including standing charges, so that they are ready for implementation when the EPG ends.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to end the use of premiums for prepayment meter energy customers after the conclusion of the Energy Price Guarantee.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government has asked Ofgem to report by autumn on options to bring charges for PPM customers into line with direct debit customers, including standing charges, so that they are ready for implementation when the Energy Price Guarantee ends.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of a permanent ban of (a) forced prepayment meter installations and (b) the remote switching of smart meters to prepayment mode for households where there is a disabled person present.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
A permanent ban on the use of involuntary prepayment meter installation would likely see a move to using debt enforcement via the courts and bailiffs, which is not a desirable outcome.
The Code of Practice that Ofgem have agreed with industry and consumer groups sets out clear procedures that suppliers must follow, strengthening protections for customers in vulnerable situations, including banning involuntary switching for customers in high-risk categories.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with (a) energy suppliers and (b) Ofgem on ending the premiums for prepayment meter energy customers.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Ministers and officials meet regularly with both Ofgem and suppliers to discuss a range of issues, including prepayment meters (PPMs).
From July, the Energy Price Guarantee will be adjusted so that the typical customer on a PPM is paying the same amount as an equivalent customer on direct debit until 31 March 2024. The Government has asked Ofgem to report by autumn on options to bring charges for PPM customers into line with direct debit customers, including standing charges, so that they are ready for implementation when the EPG ends.