To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 18 Jun 2018
Oral Answers to Questions

"17. What steps his Department is taking to make the property rental market fairer and more affordable. ..."
Helen Whately - View Speech

View all Helen Whately (Con - Faversham and Mid Kent) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 18 Jun 2018
Oral Answers to Questions

"It is hard to call somewhere home if you might not be living there in three months’ time, and for children, leaving home can also mean leaving school. Will my hon. Friend advise me what he is doing to increase the security of tenancies for people in rental accommodation?..."
Helen Whately - View Speech

View all Helen Whately (Con - Faversham and Mid Kent) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 30 Apr 2018
Windrush

"As a Kent MP, I fully recognise the mixed blessing of the UK as an attractive place to live for migrants, both legal and illegal. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that the Windrush generation and all cases dealt with by the Home Office will be treated with humanity …..."
Helen Whately - View Speech

View all Helen Whately (Con - Faversham and Mid Kent) contributions to the debate on: Windrush
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 12 Mar 2018
Oral Answers to Questions

"T4. Thousands of houses have been granted planning permission in my constituency, but there are often long delays before they are actually built. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that, when planning permission is granted, homes are built, particularly affordable homes?..."
Helen Whately - View Speech

View all Helen Whately (Con - Faversham and Mid Kent) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 24 Jan 2018
South-eastern Rail Franchise

"We would do better not to pit suburban passengers against those who travel longer distances—perhaps to and from my constituency—because we should all recognise that the franchising process is an opportunity to secure more capacity, more reliable trains and better-value services for all our constituents who rely on the railway...."
Helen Whately - View Speech

View all Helen Whately (Con - Faversham and Mid Kent) contributions to the debate on: South-eastern Rail Franchise
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 24 Jan 2018
South-eastern Rail Franchise

"Will the hon. Gentleman give way?..."
Helen Whately - View Speech

View all Helen Whately (Con - Faversham and Mid Kent) contributions to the debate on: South-eastern Rail Franchise
Written Question
Department for Communities and Local Government: Staff
Tuesday 20th December 2016

Asked by: Helen Whately (Conservative - Faversham and Mid Kent)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what measures his Department has in place to support those of its staff who have mental health problems.

Answered by Marcus Jones

Civil Service Employee Policy provides a central health and well-being service to support departments in their well-being work.

In 2015, the People Board agreed a strategic approach to health and well-being for the Civil Service. This identified mental health as a key priority. This strategic approach was developed into a Strategic Action Plan, which has now been successfully implemented.

Wellbeing is a key part of the DCLG People Plan. The Plan sets out the Department's strategic commitment to establish and maintain good health amongst staff in the business. The commitments and actions linked to wellbeing are delivered jointly by the Department's Human Resources directorate and the Health and Wellbeing Network.

Specific support for staff within DCLG with mental health problems includes:

  • Mental Health First Aid training. So far over 100 members of staff including have received the MHFA training.
  • A listening and support service through a Mental Health Ambassador Network which is made up of over 30 MHFA trained staff from across the business.
  • A Mental Health Support Group that encourages staff experiencing poor mental health or who are caring for someone with a mental health illness to meet to share experiences and resources and to offer each other support and advice.
  • Mandatory Mental Health Awareness training for all staff using the Civil Service Learning portal.
  • Internally designed and delivered Mental Health Awareness workshops - over 200 staff have received the training so far.
  • Internally designed and delivered Building your Resilience workshops - over 150 staff have received the training so far.
  • Delivery of 'whole department' events such as Time to Talk, Break the Stigma and World Mental Health Day designed to raise staff awareness of the support they can access and to breakdown the stigma associated with mental ill health.
  • A contracted Employee Assistance Programme (Help) which gives staff free and immediate access to support on all matters relating to health and wellbeing, including crisis support to individuals and their line managers. The EAP also provides a gateway to more specialist and professional medical services.
  • Occupational Health Service referrals which are aimed at obtaining medical advice on how to support a colleague’s health and well-being either whilst off sick, in returning to the workplace and/or at work
  • Access to a range of support tools through the Wellbeing Zone.

Written Question
Housing: Headcorn
Monday 6th July 2015

Asked by: Helen Whately (Conservative - Faversham and Mid Kent)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will request Maidstone Borough Council to require the applicant to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed development at Hazelpits Farm, Headcorn (Application Ref: 15/503325/Hybrid) prior to the determination by Maidstone Borough Council's planning committee planned for 9 July 2015.

Answered by Brandon Lewis

My rt. hon. Friend, the Secretary of State is already considering this request.

The local authority has been informed of this request and it is a matter for them to decide how this should inform their planning decision making process, including the forthcoming committee.