Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his planned timetable is for bringing forward legislation to approve the Law Commission's draft code on event fees under section 87 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993.
Answered by Lee Rowley
We have committed to making event fees in leasehold retirement properties fairer and more transparent. We intend to bring forward legislation, as soon as Parliamentary time allows, to introduce a Code of Practice for event fees.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the Terms of Reference for the BBC Funding Review Panel allow the Panel to consider all the funding options contained in the 6th report of the DCMS Select Committee of session 2019-21, and in the annex to that report.
Answered by Julia Lopez
The Terms of Reference for the BBC Funding Model Review set out that the Government wants the BBC to continue to succeed as a Public Service Broadcaster long into the future, providing high quality public service content on a universal basis.
As the Terms of Reference make clear, the review will be looking at a range of models for funding the BBC to ensure it is fair to licence fee payers, sustainable for the long term and supports the BBC’s vital role in growing the creative industries. This will include looking at options to reform the licence fee, and how the BBC can increase its commercial revenues. Given pressure on household incomes, the Secretary of State has explicitly ruled out this review looking at creating any new taxes.
The findings of the review will support the Government’s views on the future funding of the BBC. Any final decision on reforming the BBC’s funding model would be taken at Charter Review.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System does not delay cross-Channel rail travellers.
Answered by Huw Merriman
I recognise the importance of smooth passenger flows for international rail services and it is the Government’s priority to support pragmatic solutions to address the potential impact of the EU’s Entry Exit System (EES) at juxtaposed controls. My officials have and continue to work closely with Home Office (as the lead Department) and industry partners, including HS1 Ltd, Eurostar and Eurotunnel to prepare for the implementation of EES later this year.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to expand the use of international rail as sustainable transport.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The Government fully supports the growth and development of international rail services given the environmental benefits these provide, as well as the social and economic benefits for UK citizens and businesses.
My officials regularly engage with infrastructure managers, other Government Departments and European partners to discuss new routes and potential market entrants, and continue to welcome engagement with prospective operators where there is a credible commercial proposition to develop new services.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Eurostar on reopening international rail services from Ashford since 1 January 2024.
Answered by Huw Merriman
I fully recognise the important benefits international rail services provide for the areas and communities they serve, including for the people and businesses in Kent. I last met with Eurostar in December 2023 and emphasised the UK Government’s desire to see the return of international services at Ebbsfleet and Ashford as soon as reasonably possible.
My officials have and will continue to engage regularly with Eurostar on this matter and press for the reinstatement of services at Kent stations once it is commercially viable for them to do so.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of mirroring social care sector pay with the NHS Agenda for Change pay scales.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Most care workers are employed by private sector providers who set their pay and terms and conditions, independent of the Government.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average award made to veterans consequent on the LGBT Veterans Independent Review is.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
The Government accepted the recommendations of Lord Etherton’s report, including the financial award scheme in its formal response, published in December 2023. Development of the scheme is at an early stage so the Government cannot yet confirm the details, the expected number of claimants, or the likely size of awards.
The Government is committed to maintaining the momentum of the Review and continues to work at pace on the financial award scheme. Further updates on the development of the financial award will be added to the LGBT Veterans: Support and next steps page on GOV.UK when available: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many awards to veterans have been made consequent to the LGBT Veterans Independent Review.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
The Government accepted the recommendations of Lord Etherton’s report, including the financial award scheme in its formal response, published in December 2023. Development of the scheme is at an early stage so the Government cannot yet confirm the details, the expected number of claimants, or the likely size of awards.
The Government is committed to maintaining the momentum of the Review and continues to work at pace on the financial award scheme. Further updates on the development of the financial award will be added to the LGBT Veterans: Support and next steps page on GOV.UK when available: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to support high street businesses in Ashford constituency.
Answered by Jacob Young
The Government is fully committed to supporting our high-street businesses and communities. The department has announced over £15 million in targeted funding in Ashford constituency since 2021, including:
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department has taken with local authorities to tackle anti-social behaviour in (a) Ashford constituency and (b) England.
Answered by Jacob Young
In March 2023, the Government launched the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Action Plan to crack down on ASB, restoring people’s confidence that these crimes will be quickly and visibly punished. The Action Plan applies to all local authorities across England and Wales, including Ashford.