Written Statements
(9 years, 11 months ago)
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Gifting of Equipment (Pakistan)
(9 years, 11 months ago)
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The Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon)
I have today laid before the House a departmental minute describing a package of surplus counter-improvised explosive device (CIED) equipment which the UK intends to gift to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, at their request.
Pakistan faces a severe threat from IED attacks perpetrated by terrorist groups, and has sought assistance from the UK in tackling this threat and developing the capabilities of its security forces. The UK is delivering a CIED programme to assist Pakistan in establishing a multi-agency capability for tackling IEDs. This package will complement that programme.
Pakistan has a rapidly expanding CIED capability with close to 5,000 practitioners already trained. IEDs are being defeated across the provinces and lives are being saved. Pakistani battalions who benefited from UK support are now operating in counter-terrorism operations in the North Waziristan agency and Pakistan’s Chief of General Staff has reported a noticeable reduction in casualties: UK help is saving lives.
Developing counter-terrorism capability in Pakistan supports UK objectives under the counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST), targets the problem at source and reduces the risk of a terrorist attack against that nation or another, including the UK.
Subject to completion of the departmental minute process, gifting is expected to be undertaken in the first quarter of 2015.
[HCWS185]
War Pensions Scheme (Uprating)
(9 years, 11 months ago)
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The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Anna Soubry)
The new rates of pensions and allowances payable under the war pensions scheme proposed from April 2015 are set out in the tables below. The annual uprating of awards and allowances for 2015 will take place from the week beginning 6 April. Rates for 2015 are increasing by 1.2% in line with the September 2014 consumer prices index.
Rates (£) | Rates (£) | |
|---|---|---|
(Weekly rates unless otherwise shown) | 2014 | 2015 |
war pensions | ||
Disablement Pension (100% rates) | ||
officer (£ per annum) | 9,189.00 | 9,298.00 |
other ranks (weekly amount) | 176.10 | 178.20 |
Age allowances payable from age 65 | ||
40%-50% | 11.80 | 11.95 |
over 50% but not over 70% | 18.15 | 18.35 |
over 70% but not over 90% | 25.80 | 26.10 |
over 90% | 36.30 | 36.70 |
Disablement gratuity (one-off payment) | ||
specified minor injury (min.) | 1,123.00 | 1,136.00 |
specified minor injury (max.) | 8,374.00 | 8,474.00 |
1-5% gratuity | 2,800.00 | 2,834.00 |
6-14% gratuity | 6,225.00 | 6,300.00 |
15-19 gratuity | 10,887.00 | 11,018.00 |
supplementary allowances | ||
Unemployability Allowance | ||
Personal | 108.80 | 110.10 |
adult dependency increase | 60.45 | 61.20 |
increase for first child | 14.05 | 14.20 |
increase for subsequent children | 16.55 | 16.75 |
Invalidity Allowance | ||
higher rate | 22.55 | 21.80 |
middle rate | 14.00 | 14.20 |
lower rate | 7.00 | 7.10 |
Constant Attendance Allowance | ||
exceptional rate | 132.80 | 134.40 |
intermediate rate | 99.60 | 100.80 |
full day rate | 66.40 | 67.20 |
Part-day rate | 33.20 | 33.60 |
Comforts Allowance | ||
higher rate | 28.60 | 28.90 |
lower rate | 14.30 | 14.45 |
Mobility Supplement | 63.40 | 64.15 |
Allowance for lowered standard of occupation (maximum) | 66.40 | 67.20 |
Therapeutic Earnings Limit (annual rate) | 5,252.00 | 5,408.00 |
Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance | 66.40 | 67.20 |
Severe Disablement Occupational Allowance | 33.20 | 33.60 |
Clothing Allowance (annual rate) | 227.00 | 230.00 |
Education Allowance (annual rate) (max) | 120.00 | 120.00 |
Widow(er)s benefits | ||
Widow(er)s’—other ranks (basic with children) (weekly amount) | 133.55 | 135.15 |
Widow(er)—Officer higher rate both wars (basic with children) (£ per annum) | 7,102.00 | 7,187.00 |
Childless widow(er)s’ u-40 (other ranks) (weekly amount) | 31.99 | 32.37 |
Widow(er)—Officer lower rate both wars (£ per annum) | 2,476.00 | 2,496.00 |
Supplementary Pension | 89.34 | 90.41 |
Age Allowance | ||
(a) age 65 to 69 | 15.20 | 15.40 |
(b) age 70 to 79 | 29.25 | 29.60 |
(c) age 80 and over | 43.40 | 43.90 |
Children’s Allowance | ||
Increase for first child | 20.95 | 21.20 |
Increase for subsequent children | 23.45 | 23.75 |
Orphan’s pension | ||
Increase for first child | 23.95 | 24.25 |
Increase for subsequent children | 26.25 | 26.55 |
Unmarried dependant living as spouse (max) | 131.20 | 132.80 |
Rent Allowance (maximum) | 50.30 | 50.90 |
Adult orphan’s pension (maximum) | 102.60 | 103.85 |
[HCWS186]
National Policy Statement (National Networks)
(9 years, 11 months ago)
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The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Mr John Hayes)
On 13 January 2015 the House of Commons debated the national policy statement for national networks which I laid for parliamentary approval on 17 December 2014. In the light of the satisfactory completion of that process I am pleased to inform the House that I am today designating it as a national policy statement under the provisions of section 5(4) of the Planning Act 2008.
An effective planning system is crucial to the future timely development of the country’s national networks infrastructure. The designation of this policy statement marks a significant step forward, clarifying what is required to enable the development of major schemes that will alleviate congestion on our roads and overcrowding on our railways, while setting clear requirements on safety, design quality and environmental protection.
[HCWS187]