Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleague to ensure people on Universal Credit have equal access to fundraising for the purpose of standing for election.
Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
People on universal credit are not disqualified from standing for elections. With regards to accessing fundraising for the purposes of standing for election, the Electoral Commission have published clear guidance on the rules around donations, which apply to all candidates.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure people on Universal Credit are able to stand for election.
Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
People on universal credit are not disqualified from standing for elections. With regards to accessing fundraising for the purposes of standing for election, the Electoral Commission have published clear guidance on the rules around donations, which apply to all candidates.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what data his Department holds on (a) which Local Authorities provide their staff with statutory paternity leave and pay, (b) which Local Authorities provide their staff with enhanced paternity leave and pay and (c) the levels of take up are of these across local government.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Department does not hold this data. Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management of their own workforces and compliance with all relevant employment legislation.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provided to local authorities on parental eligibility for Neonatal Care Pay and Leave.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management of their own workforces and compliance with all relevant employment legislation. The Department has not provided guidance to local authorities.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support coalfield communities.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
This government’s defining mission is growth, and we are determined that our coalfield communities are central to it.
At budget we committed to retaining and reforming the Long-Term Plan for Towns, and I am proud that this will continue to support coalfield communities from Jarrow to Wrexham.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to announce the outcome of the consultation on cultural funding for the City of Dunfermline.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
The consultation for this funding launched on 31 October with a deadline for responses by 13 December. Returns are being carefully considered. In line with our expectations that the process would take approximately 12 weeks, we hope to communicate a decision to Fife Council and other consultees by the end of January.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether funding through the Shared Prosperity Scheme will continue after March 2025.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
The government is committed to structural or economic development funding and we will provide further details regarding funding beyond March 2025 at the next Spending Review.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the provisional levelling-up cultural funding awarded to Dunfermline will be delivered; and whether there will be changes to the (a) process and (b) criteria for spending.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
Local places will rightly be seeking clarity on existing funding commitments. The Government is giving full consideration to this matter, including the hard work undertaken on projects to date, and will continue dialogue with local leaders.