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Written Question
Refugees: Ukraine
Thursday 16th March 2023

Asked by: Philippa Whitford (Scottish National Party - Central Ayrshire)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has taken steps with Cabinet colleagues to advertise English language (a) tuition services and (b) other learning initiatives to Ukrainian refugees.

Answered by Felicity Buchan

We recognise that English language skills are vital for Ukrainians to integrate into UK and find employment. The Government announced on 15 March a £11.5 million employment and support programme for Ukrainians which includes provision of English language training. We are working with other government departments to consider how to promote and harness the current ESOL offer available through the Adult Education Budget and engaging with employers to understand what flexibilities might be available within the overall employment offer. Further information can be accessed here.

Written Question
Elections: Proof of Identity
Monday 16th January 2023

Asked by: Philippa Whitford (Scottish National Party - Central Ayrshire)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment of the potential benefits of utilising the sight loss registers to ensure that all blind and partially sighted people are fully informed about the new Voter ID requirement.

Answered by Lee Rowley

The Electoral Commission have launched a communications campaign to help voters understand the new requirement to present identification to vote. This has included work with civil society groups and other stakeholders, including the RNIB and Thomas Pocklington Trust, to support groups who might need further assistance to ensure they have accepted identification and understand the policy.

The maintenance and use of sight loss registers is the responsibility of local authorities and Government guidance states specifically that local authorities may use these registers to provide blind and partially sighted people with information about electoral events in accessible formats.

Written Question
Levelling Up Fund
Monday 7th February 2022

Asked by: Philippa Whitford (Scottish National Party - Central Ayrshire)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he plans to publish (a) detailed guidance and (b) the application forms for the next round of levelling up funds.

Answered by Neil O'Brien - Shadow Minister (Policy Renewal and Development)

The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport and investing in cultural and heritage assets. We will open round 2 in Spring 2022 and will share further details in due course.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 24 Jan 2022
Oral Answers to Questions

"8. What plans his Department has to increase devolution across the UK. ..."
Philippa Whitford - View Speech

View all Philippa Whitford (SNP - Central Ayrshire) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 24 Jan 2022
Oral Answers to Questions

"Unfortunately, the levelling-up fund is already being used to bypass the devolved Governments, and the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 could enable UK Ministers to overrule the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments’ policy decisions. Does the Secretary of State not recognise that riding roughshod over devolution will force the people …..."
Philippa Whitford - View Speech

View all Philippa Whitford (SNP - Central Ayrshire) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 25 Sep 2020
Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill

"I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.

Before I start my speech, I too wish to send my and my party’s condolences to the family of the police officer who lost his life in the line of duty last night.

Bristol Royal Infirmary, Mid …..."
Philippa Whitford - View Speech

View all Philippa Whitford (SNP - Central Ayrshire) contributions to the debate on: Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 25 Sep 2020
Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill

"I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention. That is exactly the problem with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, which falls within employment law, putting the burden on the employee to prove that they have been sacked purely for raising a concern, rather than on the employer. As I …..."
Philippa Whitford - View Speech

View all Philippa Whitford (SNP - Central Ayrshire) contributions to the debate on: Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 25 Sep 2020
Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill

"Absolutely; I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention, and I will come to some of those issues later. This issue, as has been said, is in part one of culture, of being open, of realising that it should be about learning and fixing rather than trying to shut someone …..."
Philippa Whitford - View Speech

View all Philippa Whitford (SNP - Central Ayrshire) contributions to the debate on: Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 25 Sep 2020
Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill

"I welcome that intervention, but whistleblowing should not have to be a risk. It should be a normal part of someone’s work or their duty as a citizen to come forward and report something.

The Bill defines whistleblowing disclosures, but it also widens the definition of “relevant authorities” to include …..."
Philippa Whitford - View Speech

View all Philippa Whitford (SNP - Central Ayrshire) contributions to the debate on: Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 25 Sep 2020
Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill

"I was surprised when I was elected as an MP suddenly to discover that I was a prescribed person. We received no training or induction whatsoever...."
Philippa Whitford - View Speech

View all Philippa Whitford (SNP - Central Ayrshire) contributions to the debate on: Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill