Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps she is taking to help ensure that weapons used by British armed forces are (a) fit for purpose and (b) modern.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
As explained in the report on the Modernising Defence Programme published in December 2018, we plan to modernise and transform our Armed Forces by embracing new and innovative technologies to ensure we retain military advantage over potential adversaries and by investing to improve the readiness and availability of defence equipment. We will spend over £186 billion on equipment and support over the decade from April 2018 to March 2028 to ensure that our Armed Forces are fit for the defence and security challenges of the future.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what the Government's policy is on a second referendum on EU membership.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The Government has been clear that it does not support a second referendum. The priority of the Government is to deliver on the result of the first referendum by trying to find a deal that could command majority support in Parliament.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether mobile roaming charges will be reintroduced in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
In the event that we leave the EU without a deal, the costs that EU mobile operators would be able to charge UK operators for providing roaming services would no longer be regulated by the EU. This would mean that surcharge-free roaming when UK consumers travel to the EU, and EU consumers travel to the UK, could no longer be guaranteed. However, the four mobile operators - O2, EE, Three and Vodafone - have all stated they have no current plans to change their approach to mobile roaming for their customers roaming in the EU.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions has she had with Home Secretary on the level of the cyber threat facing the UK.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
I have regular discussions on cyber threats with colleagues across Government. We take the cyber threat very seriously, and are strengthening our defences against increasingly sophisticated attacks. Our approach to cyber defence includes a wide range of technical, operational and administrative measures.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many 16 year olds signed up to the armed forces in each of the last three years.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Information on the number of 16-year olds who have joined the UK Regular Armed Forces in the requested period is provided in the table below:
Intake to Regulars at 16 years old by Service, 12-month period to 30 September
| |||
Date | 12 months to 30 September 2016 | 12 months to 30 September 2017 | 12 months to 30 September 2018 |
All Services | 1,140 | 660 | 1,530 |
Royal Navy/ Royal Marines | 100 | 100 | 140 |
Army | 1,000 | 500 | 1,330 |
Royal Air Force | 40 | 60 | 70 |
Notes:
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what her Department's policy is on the deployment of armed personnel to countries where UK citizens have been assessed as at risk.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence takes its responsibility for mitigation of the risks to Armed Forces personnel deployed overseas very seriously. We take a risk-based approach to deployments and consider each on a case by case basis; identified risks are factored into decision making and appropriate action is taken to ensure the safety and security of our Armed forces personnel overseas.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what he Department's policy is on the modernise of training bases in the UK.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Defence Estate Optimisation Programme aims to support military capability by providing better facilities to support the men and women of our Armed Forces and their families out to 2040 and beyond. It is a detailed, long-term plan which provides a framework for the geographical laydown of our forces in the UK for at least a generation.
The programme also aims to reduce the built estate by 30 per cent, making it more efficient and cost effective.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that all medical assessors for (a) disability living allowance and (b) personal independence payment are medical professionals.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
For Disability Living Allowance, information about care and/or mobility needs is submitted on a claim form, supported by medical reports where necessary, which allows the department’s case managers to determine entitlement and make award decisions.
Health Professionals that carry out Personal Independence Payment assessments on behalf of the department must have the following qualifications and experience:
Health Professionals are subject to a rigorous recruitment process followed by a comprehensive training programme in disability assessment for both physical and mental health conditions and have to be approved by the department. Health Professionals are then required to complete a programme of continuing professional development.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people under the age of 18 received a Sure Start Maternity grant in 2018.
Answered by Will Quince
The information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what financial assistance her Department provides to parents who leave work to undertake full-time care for a child with a disability.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department recognises that carers provide invaluable support for relatives, partners and friends who may be ill, frail or disabled. As such, there is an additional amount of benefit payable in Universal Credit to support carers who provide care of 35 hours or more each week for a severely disabled person. For claimants who meet these requirements an additional 160.20 per month is included in their Universal Credit entitlement for caring.
Carer’s Allowance is also available to provide a measure of financial support for those who give up full-time employment to care for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week. The rate of Carer’s Allowance has increased from £53.90 in 2010 to £66.15 a week, meaning an additional £635 a year for carers since 2010.