Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he will assess the potential merits of inviting the Foreign Affairs Committee to undertake pre-appointment scrutiny of all political appointees to special trade envoy roles.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Trade Envoys are political appointees. The Department for Business and Trade conducts scrutiny and due diligence as part of the process for appointing Trade Envoys.
There are currently no plans for the Foreign Affairs Committee to undertake any pre-appointment checks for Trade Envoys.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to exempt veterans who are amputees from repeat Personal Independence Payment assessments.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards, including the rate payable and the duration, are set on an individual basis, based on the claimant’s needs and the likelihood of those needs changing. Regular reviews are a key feature of the benefit and ensure that payments accurately match the current needs of claimants. Award durations can vary from nine months to an on-going award, with a light touch review at the ten-year point.
For most claimants over 25, their first review will be a minimum of 3 years and, assuming they remain entitled, 5 years for their next review.
We know PIP can be improved, which is why we launched the Timms Review, working with disabled people and their organisations to ensure the benefit is fit for the future. We launched a Call for Evidence that closed last week and are beginning to carefully consider and analyse the responses provided. We have also outlined a varied approach to evidence gathering so people can share their views on how the benefit should be reformed.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of rising input costs on farms in West Dorset.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Food security is a priority for Government, and we are taking the impacts from developments from the Middle East conflict seriously. Defra is actively monitoring all risks across food supply chains, including regular engagement with industry, to identify emerging pressures and support preparedness.
Defra works closely with other departments to ensure food supply is fully incorporated as part of emergency preparedness, including consideration of dependencies on other sectors.
This Government is taking decisive action to support farmers and fishers by cutting red diesel to its lowest rate in over 20 years, reducing the rates on red diesel by a third.