Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to tackle tuberculosis overseas.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The UK Government is helping lower and lower middle income countries achieve the ambitious 2035 targets of WHO’s End TB Strategy. We do so by increasing access to, and use of, effective diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, including drug resistant TB. The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria is the principal mechanism the UK uses to finance our contribution to combat TB. We have pledged up to £1.1 billion for 2017-2019 to this Fund, which will support treatment for 800,000 people with TB. We also invest in research and product development into more effective diagnosis and treatment. Finally, we support countries to strengthen health systems that can deliver quality TB programmes.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will meet with representatives of NatWest to discuss the potential effect on that bank's elderly and vulnerable customers of the proposed closure of its Millhouses branch in Sheffield.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The decision to open and close a bank branch remains a commercial judgement for banks, which the Government does not intervene in. However, the impact on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated where possible.
The Access to Banking Protocol Standard commits banks to ensure personal and business customers are better informed about branch closures and the reasons for them closing, along with the options they have locally to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance for customers who need more help. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by the independent Lending Standards Board.
The independent financial services regulator - the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - requires firms to treat their customers fairly, including the elderly and the vulnerable, and has broad and robust powers to enforce breaches of its rules. The FCA’s Handbook requires firms to identify particularly vulnerable customers, and to deal with such customers appropriately.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding has been allocated from the public purse to English for Speakers of Other Languages classes in each of the last five years.
Answered by Anne Milton
Funding for adult education, including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), is not allocated by subject at the national level. Instead, education providers have the freedom and flexibility to use their Adult Education Budget (AEB) allocation to meet the needs of their local communities, including through the provision of ESOL classes. Unemployed adults who are looking for work are eligible for full funding; all other learners are co-funded with the government contributing 50% of the course fee.
The table attached sets out the funding spent on ESOL from the AEB over the past five years based on what providers delivered. The table also shows the funding for English language projects by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The department cannot show future subject-specific allocations, as this is for each provider to determine based on local demand and need on an annual basis. In addition, from 2019/20, the government is devolving approximately 50% of the AEB to eight Combined Authorities and London (subject to meeting readiness conditions). These areas will have responsibility for determining adult English language and other adult further education provision in their local areas.
There are a number of other funding sources for ESOL and English language provision, including through Home Office funding for English language as part of its commitment to help vulnerable people integrate into their local communities.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding has been allocated from the public purse to English for Speakers of Other Languages classes in each of the next five years.
Answered by Anne Milton
Funding for adult education, including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), is not allocated by subject at the national level. Instead, education providers have the freedom and flexibility to use their Adult Education Budget (AEB) allocation to meet the needs of their local communities, including through the provision of ESOL classes. Unemployed adults who are looking for work are eligible for full funding; all other learners are co-funded with the government contributing 50% of the course fee.
The table attached sets out the funding spent on ESOL from the AEB over the past five years based on what providers delivered. The table also shows the funding for English language projects by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The department cannot show future subject-specific allocations, as this is for each provider to determine based on local demand and need on an annual basis. In addition, from 2019/20, the government is devolving approximately 50% of the AEB to eight Combined Authorities and London (subject to meeting readiness conditions). These areas will have responsibility for determining adult English language and other adult further education provision in their local areas.
There are a number of other funding sources for ESOL and English language provision, including through Home Office funding for English language as part of its commitment to help vulnerable people integrate into their local communities.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when construction work is planned to start on Network Rail's Hope Valley Capacity Order.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
On 13 February 2018, the Secretary of State announced his decision to provide Network Rail Infrastructure Limited with the legal powers to construct, operate and maintain new passing facilities and associated railway infrastructure on the Hope Valley route between Bamford and Hathersage and at Dore. Network Rail have completed the single option design for the railway infrastructure scheme proposed in the Hope Valley and the timetable for further work on this scheme will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for train operating companies to operate increased services on Network Rail's Hope Valley Capacity Order.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
The Department’s value for money assessment includes assumptions about the financial merits of increasing the number of passenger services on this route. This assessment will need to be refreshed as part of taking forward further work on this scheme. Decisions about future franchise changes will be assessed on their merits as part of this further work.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has allocated funding for Network Rail's Hope Valley Capacity Order.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
On 13 February 2018, the Secretary of State announced his decision to provide Network Rail Infrastructure Limited with the legal powers to construct, operate and maintain new passing facilities and associated railway infrastructure on the Hope Valley route between Bamford and Hathersage and at Dore. The position on funding for this scheme is as set out in the Secretary of State’s decision letter of 13 February 2018 which is available on the GOV.UK website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/network-rail-hope-valley-capacity-order
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what level of training is offered to decision-makers in his Department on better understanding the mental health situation of claimants.
Answered by Sarah Newton
The DWP provides role specific training which allows decision makers to reach decisions using a wide range of evidence, and in accordance with the relevant law. They work closely with Health Care Professionals, who undertake medical assessments and supply medical information and evidence to enable a decision to be reached.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many audits have been carried out by HMRC on British Airways in relation to its pilots' time away from base allowance in the last five years.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The administration of the tax system, including where appropriate the repayment of tax or duties, is a matter for HM Revenue and Customs. It would not be appropriate for Treasury Ministers to become involved in specific cases.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what legislation regulates the operation of private car parks.
Answered by Rishi Sunak - Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 banned the clamping of vehicles by private parking companies and introduced the principle of vehicle keeper liability. Currently, the private parking industry operates under a system of self-regulation.
Sir Greg Knight has introduced a Private Members’ Bill that seeks to create an independent code of practice for private parking companies. The Government fully supports Sir Greg’s Bill, which will seek to get the fairest deal for motorists and will help tackle rogue private parking operators.