Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Amber Rudd and John Howell

Monday 19th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Amber Rudd]

I have seen the report by the rapporteur—I read it over the weekend—and I must say that I was disappointed, to say the least, by the extraordinary political nature of his language. We on the Conservative Benches will always engage with professionals, experts and non-governmental organisations—we are not so proud that we do not think we can learn as we try to adjust universal credit for the benefit of everybody—but that sort of language was wholly inappropriate and actually discredited a lot of what he was saying. We look forward to working with experts in the area to make sure that we get the right outcome for the people whom we want to look after.

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

4. What recent steps the Government have taken to support care leavers into employment.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Amber Rudd and John Howell

Monday 5th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Amber Rudd]

I understand the hon. Gentleman’s motive in making this point. However, I would respectfully say to him that that could have a very detrimental effect in terms of a pull factor, with children coming to this country—potentially being sent or indeed trafficked to this country—in order to have their parents brought over; so no, we will not be looking at it again.

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

16. How is the Modern Slavery Act 2015 going to affect the burden that is put on local authorities?

[Amber Rudd]

On the burden put on local authorities, one of the elements to which I refer them is the controlling migration fund—a new source of funds that I hope they will be able to access to support unaccompanied minors. On the Modern Slavery Act, I will have to get back to my hon. Friend.

Onshore Wind Subsidies

Debate between Amber Rudd and John Howell

Monday 22nd June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Mr McDonald, for an aspiring statesman, frenetic gesticulation is a tad unseemly.

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

I welcome the statement. As my right hon. Friend knows, I had a role in the development of neighbourhood plans at the very beginning. If local communities decide not to pursue wind turbines, will she reassure me that she will give precedence to those neighbourhood plans over anything else in the planning system?

[Amber Rudd]

I thank my hon. Friend for that comment. I know that he was the great man who developed the neighbourhood plan. He is absolutely right that the neighbourhood plans will be the central tome on this, and they will allow communities to have the authority that they need on the planning decisions that would be impacted in this situation.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Amber Rudd and John Howell

Monday 7th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Amber Rudd (Hastings and Rye) (Con)]

8. What assessment he has made of the prospects for progress on the academies programme; and if he will make a statement.

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

11. What recent assessment he has made of progress on the academies programme; and if he will make a statement.

[The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove)]

There are currently 203 academies open in 83 local authorities. Academies with results in 2008 and 2009 showed an increase in the proportion of pupils achieving at least five A to C GCSEs, including English and maths, at 5 percentage points—an increase on last year’s academy improvement rate of 4.3 percentage points. That was, of course, double the national increase. Interest from schools in joining the academies programme has been excellent: as I mentioned earlier, more than 1,100 schools have already registered interest with my Department.