Asked by: Tom Blenkinsop (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which nuclear energy stakeholders he consulted on whether the UK should seek to withdraw from the European Atomic Energy Community (a) before and (b) after the publication of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill 2016-17.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government has had detailed discussions with nuclear sector stakeholders since the referendum. Both officials and Ministers have been in frequent contact with nuclear industry and research stakeholders, and we will continue to work closely with them as we take the negotiations forwards.
Asked by: Tom Blenkinsop (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Trade on the potential role of equivalence agreements in future trading relationships with the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
Cabinet discussions are confidential. However, the whole Government is focused on seeking to negotiate a bold and ambitious Free Trade Agreement with the EU, which will include free-flowing trade in both goods and services. Currently, we have unprecedented levels of regulatory convergence with other EU Member States. That forms a strong starting point for a discussion about access to each other's markets.
Asked by: Tom Blenkinsop (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the effect of the business rates revaluation on state schools in (a) England, (b) the North East, (c) Middlesbrough and (d) Redcar and Cleveland.
Answered by Marcus Jones
The effect of the revaluation of business rates on schools in England, the North East, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland will depend on the specific circumstances and location of the relevant property. A £3.6 billion transitional relief scheme will provide support for the minority of properties which face an increase in rates as a result of the 2017 revaluation, and applies equally to schools.
Asked by: Tom Blenkinsop (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to ensure that private parking ticket costs are not excessive.
Answered by Marcus Jones
We have set out a clear manifesto commitment to tackle aggressive parking enforcement and excessive private parking charges. This Government is taking steps to tackle rogue and unfair practices by private parking operators. We have put in place a range of measures to reform the behaviour of private parking companies, including the banning of wheel clamping and towing.
The discussion paper entitled ‘Parking reform: tackling unfair practices’, sought thoughts and comments on the private parking sector. My Department published a summary of the responses on 11 May 2016. I am actively considering responses to the discussion paper, and options for reform.
Asked by: Tom Blenkinsop (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will make an estimate of the costs to the Exchequer of the discount on non-domestic rates given to independent schools in (a) England, (b) the North East, (c) the South East, (d) Middlesbrough and (e) Redcar and Cleveland in each of the last five years.
Answered by Marcus Jones
The Department does not hold information on the cost of relief given to independent schools.
Asked by: Tom Blenkinsop (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the total amount of non-domestic rates paid was by state schools in (a) England, (b) the North East, (c) Middlesbrough and (d) Redcar and Cleveland in each of the last five years.
Answered by Marcus Jones
The Department does not hold this information.