Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she is taking steps to provide support to victims of marriage fraud in the UK by foreign nationals to help them obtain (a) a residence permit and (b) money.
Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)
The impact of fraud extends beyond financial losses. Victims can suffer both serious financial and emotional harm and that is why we have taken various steps, as detailed in the Fraud Strategy, to improve the victim support system.
The strategy outlines how we will raise public awareness and safeguard victims through improved reporting pathways, more accessible victim support, and the provision of clear and consistent protect advice. This will ensure that everyone receives the support they need to feel safe again and prevent revictimisation.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on reducing the fuel duty on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil fuels.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government recognises the potential carbon-reduction benefits of drop-in low carbon fuels, such as sustainable hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). HVO is eligible for Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs) under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and, where they are produced from waste, they are eligible to receive twice the reward in certificates under the RTFO scheme.
The Department engages across government on how to ensure that appropriate incentives are in place to encourage the production and use of low carbon fuels. Matters of taxation, including fuel duty, remain the responsibility of the Treasury. The Government keeps all taxes under review, and any changes are announced by the Chancellor at fiscal events.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to help increase the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government recognises the potential carbon-reduction benefits of drop-in low carbon fuels, such as sustainable hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). HVO is eligible for Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs) under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and, where they are produced from waste, they are eligible to receive twice the reward in certificates under the RTFO scheme.
The Department engages across government on how to ensure that appropriate incentives are in place to encourage the production and use of low carbon fuels. Matters of taxation, including fuel duty, remain the responsibility of the Treasury. The Government keeps all taxes under review, and any changes are announced by the Chancellor at fiscal events.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket report Holding Up A Mirror To Cricket, what recent discussions her Department has had with (a) the ECB and (b) the MCC on that report's findings.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The government is clear that there is absolutely no place for racism, discrimination, bullying or harassment in sport or society. It is for the England and Wales Cricket Board to implement recommendations from the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket’s report, and we welcome their commitment to bring forward a plan to tackle these serious issues, which must be addressed fully. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is having regular conversations with the ECB to discuss what actions they will take in response.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not had any direct conversations with Marylebone Cricket Club.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket report Holding Up A Mirror To Cricket, if her Department will discuss recommendation 18 of that report with the MCC.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The government is clear that there is absolutely no place for racism, discrimination, bullying or harassment in sport or society. It is for the England and Wales Cricket Board to implement recommendations from the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket’s report, and we welcome their commitment to bring forward a plan to tackle these serious issues, which must be addressed fully. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is having regular conversations with the ECB to discuss what actions they will take in response.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not had any direct conversations with Marylebone Cricket Club.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help implement the recommendations in the report of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket entitled Holding up a mirror to cricket.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The government is clear that there is absolutely no place for racism, discrimination, bullying or harassment in sport or society. It is for the England and Wales Cricket Board to implement recommendations from the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket’s report, and we welcome their commitment to bring forward a plan to tackle these serious issues, which must be addressed fully. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is having regular conversations with the ECB to discuss what actions they will take in response.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not had any direct conversations with Marylebone Cricket Club.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to update the Hydrocarbon Oil Duty Act 1979 to categorise hydrotreated vegetable oil as a biodiesel.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is treated as diesel for the purposes of fuel duty. HVO benefits from the rebated duty rate of 10.18 pence per litre (ppl) when used for an allowed purpose, and 52.95 ppl for road use.
The Government encourages the use of HVO through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), which incentivises the use of low carbon fuels and reduces emissions from fuel supplied for use in transport and non-road mobile machinery. The RTFO has been highly successful in supporting a market for renewable fuel since its introduction in 2008. Renewable fuels supplied under the RTFO currently contribute a third of the savings required for the UK’s transport carbon budget.
The Government’s Biomass Strategy which was published on 10 August reviews the amount of sustainable biomass available to the UK, including liquid biofuels such as HVO. It is important to ensure that biomass is prioritised within the economy where it offers the greatest opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ‘hard to abate’ sectors where there are fewer options to decarbonise through alternative low carbon technologies.
As with all taxes, the Government keeps the tax treatment of HVO under review.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of reducing fuel duty on hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is treated as diesel for the purposes of fuel duty. HVO benefits from the rebated duty rate of 10.18 pence per litre (ppl) when used for an allowed purpose, and 52.95 ppl for road use.
The Government encourages the use of HVO through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), which incentivises the use of low carbon fuels and reduces emissions from fuel supplied for use in transport and non-road mobile machinery. The RTFO has been highly successful in supporting a market for renewable fuel since its introduction in 2008. Renewable fuels supplied under the RTFO currently contribute a third of the savings required for the UK’s transport carbon budget.
The Government’s Biomass Strategy which was published on 10 August reviews the amount of sustainable biomass available to the UK, including liquid biofuels such as HVO. It is important to ensure that biomass is prioritised within the economy where it offers the greatest opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ‘hard to abate’ sectors where there are fewer options to decarbonise through alternative low carbon technologies.
As with all taxes, the Government keeps the tax treatment of HVO under review.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on improving air quality in towns and cities in Wales.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
My Department has regular discussions with the Welsh Government on steps to reduce emissions in Wales.
Air quality is devolved and the responsibility of the Welsh Government. This UK Government has committed £20bn over the next two decades to reduce industrial emissions and drive up air quality across the UK.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department's policy is on the regulation of electric bike conversion kits for pedal cycles.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Conversion kits of this sort are only legal for use on the public highway if, after conversion, the cycle meets in full the requirements of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983 (as amended), as well as conforming to all of the requirements of the Pedal Cycles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1983 (as amended).
If, after conversion, the e-bike does not comply with these regulations, it is classed as a motorcycle and is subject to vehicle registration, compulsory insurance and vehicle excise duty. The rider must have a driving licence and wear a motorcycle helmet.