All 3 Debates between Dan Jarvis and Nick Hurd

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Dan Jarvis and Nick Hurd
Wednesday 25th June 2014

(10 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Nick Hurd Portrait Mr Hurd
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

With more and more people volunteering, it is right that we should do more to recognise and celebrate their great work. Points of Light is a new daily award from the Prime Minister. Today he is announcing the 50th winner. I would welcome recommendations from all constituencies, including South Basildon and East Thurrock.

Dan Jarvis Portrait Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab)
- Hansard - -

T3. City Year recruits 18 to 25-year-olds to volunteer as mentors and tutors in schools in deprived areas. They have a proven track record of tackling educational under-attainment and developing young people to become more employable and more engaged citizens. Will the Minister consider recognising a full-time year of voluntary service as a new pathway for young people, as a transition between education and employment, by giving it a status that will ensure that young people have confidence that their commitment is publicly recognised?

Nick Hurd Portrait Mr Hurd
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Like many Members across the House, I am a huge supporter of City Year. The Cabinet Office has backed it with a substantial grant and it is part of a wider coalition of organisations that got together to structure the Step Up to Serve campaign, which is supported by all three party leaders and led by the Prince of Wales and which aims to double the number of young people involved in volunteering. I hope the hon. Gentleman can welcome that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Dan Jarvis and Nick Hurd
Wednesday 30th April 2014

(10 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Dan Jarvis Portrait Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab)
- Hansard - -

6. What steps he is taking to encourage volunteering.

Nick Hurd Portrait The Minister for Civil Society (Mr Nick Hurd)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

We have created hundreds of thousands of new volunteering opportunities, not least through the National Citizen Service. We have invested in the important infrastructure that supports volunteering and we have reformed barriers such as Criminal Records Bureau checks. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will welcome the fact that volunteering has risen after years of decline.

Dan Jarvis Portrait Dan Jarvis
- Hansard - -

Will the Minister join me in congratulating Margaret Hayes, who recently worked her final shift after 31 years of volunteering to support patients at Barnsley hospital? Volunteers such as Margaret make a much valued contribution to our society, and it is welcome that the number of volunteers is increasing. What more can the Minister do to encourage volunteering among people of all ages and backgrounds around the whole country?

Nick Hurd Portrait Mr Hurd
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I wholly support that vision. It is massively important to the country. I join the hon. Gentleman in recognising the work of that extraordinary individual and remind him that the Prime Minister has launched a new initiative that will announce daily the Points of Light awards to reward outstanding volunteers. I ask Members of Parliament on both sides of the House to think about nominating individuals in their constituencies for that award.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Dan Jarvis and Nick Hurd
Wednesday 15th June 2011

(13 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Nick Hurd Portrait Mr Hurd
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

We have made it clear—I have done so personally—to every provider that money should not be a barrier to participation in the pilots. We are experimenting with a range of models to gauge people’s willingness to pay for the value that the models add, but we have made it very clear to providers that money should not be a barrier to participation.

Dan Jarvis Portrait Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab)
- Hansard - -

5. What progress his Department’s counter fraud taskforce has made in tackling benefit fraud.