First elected: 6th May 2010
Left House: 3rd May 2017 (Defeated)
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
These initiatives were driven by Simon Danczuk, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Simon Danczuk has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Simon Danczuk has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Simon Danczuk has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
The number and proportion of Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) staff based in each region of the UK (as shown on the BIS staff database) as at 31 March 2015 was as follows:
Location | Headcount | Percentage |
Birmingham | 37 | 1.5% |
Bristol | 12 | 0.5% |
Cambridge | 8 | 0.3% |
Cardiff | 46 | 1.8% |
London | 2065 | 81.2% |
National | 133 | 5.2% |
Sheffield | 241 | 9.5% |
Grand Total | 2542 | 100.0% |
Due to a change in the database used to capture staff information it is not possible to provide data for previous years within the timescale.
The Government is keeping the current 15 year time limit for all UK citizens living overseas under consideration. There are no plans to change the law at the present time.
The competition powers of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) passed to the new Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on 1 April 2014. Like the OFT, the CMA is an independent authority, and therefore has complete discretion to investigate those cases, which, according to its prioritisation principles, it considers most appropriate.
In the case of the private motor insurance industry, the CMA is already conducting a market investigation, and on 12 June set out for consultation its proposed changes to the market. These include a cap on the charges to the insurer of an at-fault driver in an accident for the cost of providing a replacement vehicle to the non-fault driver; better information for consumers; and a ban on price parity agreements between price comparison websites and insurers. Further details are available via this link to the CMA press release:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-sets-out-changes-for-private-motor-insurance
The issue of voting in domestic elections is a matter for national governments and we do not accept the Commission's view of a European Public Space.
The Government will keep the 15 year time limit under consideration, but is not minded to change the law at the present time.
Decisions on whether or not to bring criminal charges are taken by prosecutors who are independent from government and independent from Parliament. I am confident of the independence and the integrity of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Alison Saunders, in making the difficult judgements the job of a prosecutor involves.
The Victims’ Right to Review, which Alison Saunders helped to bring in, allows any victim of crime who is dissatisfied with a decision taken by a prosecutor not to proceed with their case to ask for the decision to be reviewed. This review has operated as it was designed to in the case of Greville Janner.
We are world leaders in offering that safeguard for victims and since Alison Saunders has been DPP, the CPS has prosecuted and convicted more child sex offenders than ever before.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Deposits are not currently required for candidates to stand in local government elections and the Government does not have any plans to introduce such a provision.
Every candidate standing in the General Election must pay a deposit of £500, which is forfeited if they fail to gain five per cent of the vote in the constituency in which they are standing.
The total amount that is to be returned to the Consolidated Fund as a result of candidates losing their deposit at the 2015 General Election is £773,000. This represents 1,546 candidates that lost their deposit.
The information requested is presented within the Main tables: SFR20/2015 at the following link:
Provision for children under 5 years of age: January 2015 - Publications - GOV.UK
Figures for 2-year-olds can be found within Table 1a and for 3- and 4-year-olds, within Table 2a.
The Department for Education publishes data on the number of children benefitting from funded early education places by type of provider and local authority. The latest information can be found in the Statistical First Release Provision for children under five years of age in England: January 2015 (SFR20/2015).
As part of our ongoing development of our 30 hours implementation plans we are consulting extensively with key stakeholders, including representative organisations and other individual providers.
The government will continue to support the growth and creation of new places to deliver the 30 hours funded entitlement through investing at least £50 million of capital investment to support the creation of additional early years places. This is in addition to our commitment to capital funding to create nursery provision as part of new Free Schools which we estimate will create at least 4,000 places.
Currently the national average hourly rate paid by the Department for Education to local authorities in England is £4.56. From April 2017, the national average funding rate paid by the Department will increase to £4.88 per hour for three- and four-year-olds. This includes the average spend on the early years pupil premium which, at current rates, is approximately 5p per child per hour. More government investment and support than ever before is going towards high-quality early education: funding for the early years entitlements will increase from £2.7 billion per year to £3.9 billion per year during the course of this Parliament, and this includes an uplift of £300 million per year.
We recognise that the current funding system for funded early education creates unfair and unjustifiable differences between areas and providers. That is why we have announced that we will introduce a national funding formula for early years. The Government will be consulting on detailed proposals later this year.
These figures refer to England as the early years entitlements are a devolved matter.
The Government estimates that around 390,000 three- and four-year-olds will be eligible for the additional 15 hours of free childcare, and we expect that the majority of parents with eligible children will want to take up this generous offer. During our 2015 consultation, we conducted an online survey and of nearly 20,000 respondents, around 89% said they would take up the additional hours if they were available now.
The early learning for two-year-olds programme was introduced in September 2013 for the benefit of 20% of the most disadvantaged children in England. In September 2014 the programme was expanded to 40% of the most disadvantaged two-year-olds in England. The taking up of a place is voluntary and parents can choose to use it as much or as little as they wish.
Local authorities reported that, at June 2015, the percentages of eligible 2-year-old children benefitting from funded early education places by region were as set out below:
Government Area | Regional take up figure | Regional take up percentage |
East | 15848 | 64.7% |
East Midlands | 13032 | 58.4% |
London | 24320 | 50.8% |
North East | 10536 | 74.4% |
North West | 28215 | 69.2% |
South East | 20405 | 63.9% |
South West | 14482 | 69.7% |
West Midlands | 19642 | 58.5% |
Yorkshire and the Humber | 20379 | 66.3% |
Total and national take up | 166,859 | 62.6% |
The Department does not record information about the number of children taking up their entitlement by socio-economic group or ethnic group.
The most recent published statistics on fixed penalty notices issued by Local Authorities for nuisance parking cover 2006 to 2009 and are available at:
https://data.gov.uk/dataset/fixed-penalty-notice-nuisance-parking
According to this data:
| 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 |
Number of Fixed Penalties Issued | 1657 | 74 | 150 |
The data does not specify how many cases were successfully appealed. The data includes the number of fixed penalty notices which were:
“Nuisance parking” includes the two offences of (i) exposing or advertising for sale as part of a business two or more vehicles parked on a road; and (ii) repairing a vehicle parked on the road, either as part of business or in a way that gives reasonable cause for annoyance to people nearby.
I believe it is important that help is available to people on low incomes when they face moments of unforeseeable and exceptional need. For this reason, the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payments scheme provides help to people on qualifying benefits with funeral costs.
Social Fund Budgeting Loans, which can be made to people who have been in receipt of a qualifying benefit for at least 26 weeks, are also available to support people with funeral costs. Budgeting Loans can be made irrespective of whether the applicant has claimed or is entitled to a Funeral Expenses Payment, and can therefore help where a deposit is required up front.
Good mental health is very important to this Government. Having legislated for parity of esteem, this Government will take mental health as seriously as physical health and hold the National Health Service to account for making progress towards parity of esteem. We have committed to introducing new access and waiting standards and will ensure these are delivered.
The following table shows the mean and median waiting times nationally and for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area from referral to first treatment for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services in 2013-14.
Area | Median waiting time (days) | Mean waiting time (days) |
England | 21 | 39.5 |
Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale CCG | 29 | 61.9 |
Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre
The data is not available in the format requested. Data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre shows that in 2013-14 21.2% of patients requiring Improving Access to Psychological Therapies treatment in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group area waited over 90 days from referral to first treatment.
The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), is leading the renegotiation, but the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne) and I play an important role. Departments including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are staffing this appropriately.
Since he took office in 2014, the Foreign Secretary has visited nearly all EU capitals and held meetings with MEPs, Commissioners, Foreign Ministers and a wide range of opinion formers across the EU.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) has spoken to Israeli and Palestinian counterparts as well as key international partners about the present crisis in Gaza on numerous occasions in recent weeks, urging an end to violence, a durable ceasefire and successful negotiations in Cairo which lead to a sustainable solution to the current crisis, tackling its underlying causes. He has visited Ramallah, Jerusalem and Cairo for talks and attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 15 August. He most recently spoke to the Egyptian Foreign Minister about the ceasefire talks on 20 August.
The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on 20 July.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) spoke with Palestinian President Abbas on 19 July and Israeli Foreign Minister Liebermann on 18 July.
We are clear that the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) must improve the way it operates. We have concerns that the ICT process does not adequately meet international fair trials standards. This is a message that we give consistently, both publicly and privately. We have also made clear that we are opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances in all countries.
During Bangladesh's 2nd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council on 29 April 2013, the UK urged the government of Bangladesh to ensure that the International Crimes Tribunal meet international legal standards.
We take human rights very seriously and follow the situation in Bangladesh closely, raising concerns where there are credible allegations. We welcome the Bangladesh government's assurances that they are committed to protecting human rights and recognise the positive progress that has been made across a range of social development indicators.
However, allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and human rights abuses are deeply concerning. We regularly raise our human rights concerns with the Bangladesh government. The Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi last raised reports of extrajudicial killings and disappearances with the Bangladesh High Commissioner on 13 May. During Bangladesh's 2nd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council last year we also recommended that the Government of Bangladesh thoroughly and impartially investigate and, if credible evidence emerges, prosecute all allegations of human rights violations.
Most recent information from operational systems shows that between 01 March 2013 and 29 February 2016, the Valuation Office Agency took an average (mean) of 17.5 working days to update the Council Tax Valuation Lists for England and Wales with entries for new properties. Out of these, 23,599 cases (representing 5% of the total) took longer than 3 months (defined as 60 working days). Over 99% of all cases are resolved within the first 4 months.
The Government has put in place a range of measures to support small businesses, including making it easier for them to find a bank that meets their needs. For example, the Business Banking Insight survey will help the UK's SMEs understand their options, make decisions about who they should bank with, and plan how they will finance their growth. It provides detailed information on what the UK's SMEs think about every aspect of their bank, and includes a ranking of banks against key indicators.
In addition, the British Bankers' Association website hosts a 'Business Account Finder'. This provides information on a range of financial services available to businesses, including current accounts. It presents a list of the most competitive current accounts available with separate sections for sole traders, limited companies, charities and other types of business.
Beers and ciders below 1.2 per cent alcohol by volume are exempt from alcohol duties.
The Home Office maintains an active partnership with local governments across the UK and funds Strategic Migration Partnerships to plan for the most appropriate voluntary agreements for the dispersal of asylum seekers, and the integration of Syrian refugees.
We continue to work closely with a wide range of local authorities to increase the number of areas that accommodate and support people seeking asylum and protection – every local authority is encouraged to contribute to ensure a reasonable spread across the whole of the UK.
The Government is currently consulting on reform of police funding arrangements in England and Wales. The consultation seeks views on the principles of the Government’s proposed model.
Final allocations for police force areas have not been set and will not be determined until we have consulted on the principles.
We will publish a Government response setting out force level impacts in due course.
The Government is currently consulting on reform of police funding arrangements in England and Wales. The consultation seeks views on the principles of the Government’s proposed model.
Final allocations for police force areas have not been set and will not be determined until we have consulted on the principles.
We will publish a Government response setting out force level impacts in due course.
The Government is currently consulting on reform of police funding arrangements in England and Wales. The consultation seeks views on the principles of the Government’s proposed model.
Final allocations for police force areas have not been set and will not be determined until we have consulted on the principles.
We will publish a Government response setting out force level impacts in due course.
Briefing provided by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) suggests that only 10 per cent of the pubs that change use do so under permitted development rights. Planning permission is required where permitted development rights for the change of use or demolition are removed. Planning applications are determined in accordance with the Local Plan, any neighbourhood plan, and other material considerations.
It is not possible to estimate what proportion of these pubs that have changed use via permitted development rights would in any case have received planning permission to do so or, if refused planning permission, would have closed.
Funding for local authorities to meet their statutory duty around contaminated land under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is provided through the Local Government Finance Settlement. The relevant funding streams are unringfenced and this is to allow councils to manage their budgets independently and in line with local priorities.
As Minister for Local Government I engage with colleagues in government on a range of issues which affect councils across England.
Although DEFRA’s Contaminated Land Capital Grant has ended, funding for local authorities to meet their duty under Part 2a of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 continues to be provided through the local government finance settlement.
The aim of estate regeneration is to build more and better homes, available for both rent and ownership, with a clear package of protections for residents. Existing tenants have a right to return and will be re-housed on redeveloped estates, if they want to return there, in safer, high-quality accommodation that meets their needs and is provided on the same terms. Existing homeowners are already compensated, but many current schemes go further and offer new homes on site, with deals such as shared ownership to spread the cost. My noble Friend, the rt. hon. Lord Heseltine’s estate regeneration Advisory Panel will be exploring these options and advising on the best way forward for the new programme.
The new Estate Regeneration Advisory Panel will be starting its work shortly, and will be seeking representations from as many estates as possible. The Panel will evaluate the potential for the regeneration of particular estates over the coming months, and will report by this year’s Autumn Statement. Any estates proposed for regeneration will need to take into account the value of properties and development viability considerations.
We have introduced a £1 billion business rate support package for 2014-15 including:
This package will benefit all businesses but particularly those with a lower rateable
value. Local authority forecasts of business rates are not available split by rateable
value threshold or business sector.
As at 31 March 2013, 89% of hereditaments had a rateable value of £50,000 or
lower. As at 31 March 2013, large properties (those with a rateable value equal to
or greater than £50,000) account for 72% of rateable value. These data are taken
from the Valuation Office Agency’s disclosure log, available at the following link:
http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/About/Policy/disclosureLogResponses2013.html
We have introduced a £1 billion business rate support package for 2014-15 including:
This package will benefit all businesses but particularly those with a lower rateable
value. Local authority forecasts of business rates are not available split by rateable
value threshold or business sector.
As at 31 March 2013, 89% of hereditaments had a rateable value of £50,000 or
lower. As at 31 March 2013, large properties (those with a rateable value equal to
or greater than £50,000) account for 72% of rateable value. These data are taken
from the Valuation Office Agency’s disclosure log, available at the following link:
http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/About/Policy/disclosureLogResponses2013.html
We have introduced a £1 billion business rate support package for 2014-15 including:
This package will benefit all businesses but particularly those with a lower rateable
value. Local authority forecasts of business rates are not available split by rateable
value threshold or business sector.
As at 31 March 2013, 89% of hereditaments had a rateable value of £50,000 or
lower. As at 31 March 2013, large properties (those with a rateable value equal to
or greater than £50,000) account for 72% of rateable value. These data are taken
from the Valuation Office Agency’s disclosure log, available at the following link:
http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/About/Policy/disclosureLogResponses2013.html
[Holding Reply: Thursday 16 January 2014]
The nationally run Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans were poorly targeted and failed to help those most in need. So, in 2012 as part of wider welfare reform, the Department for Work and Pensions abolished these national discretionary schemes and transferred responsibility to local authorities so they could deliver and tailor new local support as part of their existing services to their communities.
Councils can continue to provide support to those in their community who face financial difficulties or who find themselves in unavoidable circumstances, but there is no requirement to replicate the previous approach adopted by central government.
In contrast to a centralised grant system that was poorly targeted, under the Department for Work and Pensions' reforms, councils can now choose how best to support local welfare needs within their areas – what is right for, say, Rochdale may not be for other authorities. Some councils have already chosen to wind down their dedicated schemes following underspends.
In the next Spending Round period, from April 2015, central government continues to provide support to local authorities through general funds as part of the Coalition Government's commitment to reducing ring-fencing and ending top-down Whitehall control.
The Department for Work and Pensions provided a separate fund for 2013-2015 and are carrying out a review of the provision to date.
Up until the end of 2011-12 information was collected on the average hours per weekday that prisoners were unlocked. By subtracting the average hours unlocked from the 24 hours in a day it is possible to estimate hours spent locked in cell. Figures for each prison establishment for the three years from 2009-10 to 2011-12 have been placed in the library of the House.
It should be noted that time in cell includes hours when prisoners are asleep. Time unlocked includes time where a prisoner is either out of their cell or where the cell door is unlocked allowing them to move freely in and out of the cell.
Figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
Figures for time in cell for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Work in prisons is a key priority to ensure prisoners are engaged purposefully whilst they are in custody. It also gives them the opportunity to learn skills and a work ethic which can increase their chances of finding employment on release, a key element to reducing reoffending.
The number of prisoners working in industrial activity across public sector prisons increased from around 8,600 in 2010-11 (the first year for which figures are available) to around 9,700 in 2012-13. This delivered an increase in the total hours worked in industrial activities from 10.6 million hours to 13.1 million hours. Private sector prisons have also been supporting this agenda and have reported that they delivered over 1½ million prisoner working hours in commercial and industrial workshops in 2012-13 which provided work for over 1,200 prisoners.
In addition there are substantial numbers of prisoners who work to keep prisons running on tasks such as cooking, serving meals, maintenance and cleaning.
Figures for public sector prisons are published in the NOMS Annual Report Management Information Addendum:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf
The establishment-level breakdown of weekly hours worked is not available centrally for 2011-12 and 2012-13 and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Information on hours worked during 2013-14 is scheduled for publication on 31 July.
Information on the proportion of prisoners classed as unemployed is not available centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Our reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges national policy framework came into effect in adult prisons on 1 November 2013. Prisoners will be expected to engage in purposeful activity, as well as demonstrate a commitment towards their rehabilitation, reduce their risk of reoffending, behave well and help others if they are to earn privileges.