Ian C. Lucas

To date there has been no award of damages and litigation is ongoing.

Numbers on employment in the sector are not robust enough to show how many jobs are supported directly by the feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme, and for this reason it has not been possible to quantify with a high degree of confidence the impact of proposed changes on employment levels in the sector or the wider economy. We have asked a question in the FIT review consultation about the wider impact of changes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 July 2015 to UIN 6470.

Entrepreneurs who are discharged bankrupts can encounter difficulties in accessing finance because their credit history is affected for several years after a bankruptcy.

There are no targeted support schemes for entrepreneurs who are discharged bankrupts. However, they are still able to apply for finance from commercial sources and steps have been taken to improve the ability of all entrepreneurs to find the finance they need to start and expand a business. There is, for example the 'Finance Finder' tool on the gov.uk website. This is a searchable database of publicly-backed sources of finance. The tool helps to explore the full range of options available, from Government grants through to investment types of finance available from Business Angels and Venture Capitalists. In addition, the British Business Bank has recently published “The Business Finance Guide: A journey from Start-Up to Growth”. This is a unique guide that outlines sources of finance available to businesses. It is available on the British Business Bank website. Details of a wide range of private sector lenders, searchable by location and firm type can also be found at the Better Business Finance website.

Current bankruptcy provisions in the UK give a fresh start to a debtor after 12 months when he or she is discharged from the bankruptcy. In 2014, the EU Commission published its recommendation calling for a maximum 3 year discharge period across Europe in order to encourage entrepreneurship. I am pleased to note that we are already well within that recommendation. There are no plans to assess these provisions at present.

Once bankruptcy is discharged, there is no formal bar to an individual setting up a new business.

I and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport have regular discussions on a wide range of issues.

The Digital Economy Centres were funded through the Research Council UK’s (RCUK) Digital Economy (DE) research programme. This theme has already invested over £170 million in applied multidisciplinary research across the Digital Economy - from societal challenges to technological solutions.

The Next Generation DE Centres will operate over a five-year period and will draw substantially on the knowledge and successes of previous RCUK Digital Economy investments. We have funded six centres and will continue to monitor the impact of the programme as these centres become operational.

There have been no ministerial or official level discussions with the Welsh Government on this issue. The Research Councils support academic research throughout the UK. The Centre based in Swansea is partnering with the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust and South Wales Police, amongst other partners.

The DE Centres were awarded as part of a peer reviewed competition during 2014/15. All applications were considered according to the RCUK standard peer review processes with research excellence as the primary criterion. Additional secondary assessment criteria such as evidence of co-creation with end-users, and clear plans to develop the UK Digital Economy community, were also considered. The Centres were also required to demonstrate how they would train skilled researchers and innovators.

The Digital Economy Centres were funded through the Research Council UK’s (RCUK) Digital Economy (DE) research programme. This theme has already invested over £170 million in applied multidisciplinary research across the Digital Economy - from societal challenges to technological solutions.

The Next Generation DE Centres will operate over a five-year period and will draw substantially on the knowledge and successes of previous RCUK Digital Economy investments. We have funded six centres and will continue to monitor the impact of the programme as these centres become operational.

There have been no ministerial or official level discussions with the Welsh Government on this issue. The Research Councils support academic research throughout the UK. The Centre based in Swansea is partnering with the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust and South Wales Police, amongst other partners.

The DE Centres were awarded as part of a peer reviewed competition during 2014/15. All applications were considered according to the RCUK standard peer review processes with research excellence as the primary criterion. Additional secondary assessment criteria such as evidence of co-creation with end-users, and clear plans to develop the UK Digital Economy community, were also considered. The Centres were also required to demonstrate how they would train skilled researchers and innovators.

The Digital Economy Centres were funded through the Research Council UK’s (RCUK) Digital Economy (DE) research programme. This theme has already invested over £170 million in applied multidisciplinary research across the Digital Economy - from societal challenges to technological solutions.

The Next Generation DE Centres will operate over a five-year period and will draw substantially on the knowledge and successes of previous RCUK Digital Economy investments. We have funded six centres and will continue to monitor the impact of the programme as these centres become operational.

There have been no ministerial or official level discussions with the Welsh Government on this issue. The Research Councils support academic research throughout the UK. The Centre based in Swansea is partnering with the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust and South Wales Police, amongst other partners.

The DE Centres were awarded as part of a peer reviewed competition during 2014/15. All applications were considered according to the RCUK standard peer review processes with research excellence as the primary criterion. Additional secondary assessment criteria such as evidence of co-creation with end-users, and clear plans to develop the UK Digital Economy community, were also considered. The Centres were also required to demonstrate how they would train skilled researchers and innovators.

The Government commitment to protecting the interests of overseas students coming to the UK is highlighted in the International Education Strategy published July 2013. The International Education Council has been established to drive the implementation of this strategy. As part of their work they have formed a sector led working group which has been looking a range of issues which shape the overall International Student Experience - including financial protection.

Policy for further and higher education is a devolved matter and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is responsible for England. Institutions of Further and Higher Education are autonomous independent organisations and as such, they are themselves responsible for their policies and procedures and the management of their operations. The Government encourages the sector to take student welfare seriously, including the welfare of international students.

Officials in BIS regularly meet with Home Office officials and education sector representatives to discuss a range of issues affecting international students. Both my R thon Friend the Secretary of State for BIS and I also regularly meet with bodies who represent or are otherwise concerned with international students.

Policy for further and higher education is a devolved matter and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is responsible for England. Institutions of Further and Higher Education are autonomous independent organisations and as such, they are themselves responsible for their policies and procedures and the management of their operations. The Government encourages the sector to take student welfare seriously, including the welfare of international students.

Officials in BIS regularly meet with Home Office officials and education sector representatives to discuss a range of issues affecting international students. Both my R thon Friend the Secretary of State for BIS and I also regularly meet with bodies who represent or are otherwise concerned with international students.

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) received a letter from the National Union of Students dated 15 July 2014 which asked BIS to lead in ensuring the creation of a scheme to protect legitimate international students.

As part of his visit to Australia in February 2014, my predecessor the Rt. hon Friend the Member for Havant (David Willetts) was keen to learn more about their Tuition Protection Scheme and officials also liaised with Tuition Protection Scheme officials in Australia to understand the design and management of this scheme.

Policy for further and higher education is a devolved matter and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is responsible for England. Institutions of Further and Higher Education are autonomous independent organisations and as such, they are themselves responsible for their policies and procedures and the management of their operations. The Government encourages the sector to take student welfare seriously, including the welfare of international students.

Officials in BIS regularly meet with Home Office officials and education sector representatives to discuss a range of issues affecting international students. Both my R thon Friend the Secretary of State for BIS and I also regularly meet with bodies who represent or are otherwise concerned with international students.

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) received a letter from the National Union of Students dated 15 July 2014 which asked BIS to lead in ensuring the creation of a scheme to protect legitimate international students.

As part of his visit to Australia in February 2014, my predecessor the Rt. hon Friend the Member for Havant (David Willetts) was keen to learn more about their Tuition Protection Scheme and officials also liaised with Tuition Protection Scheme officials in Australia to understand the design and management of this scheme.

Final figures for the years up to 2014 are shown in the table.

The latest information for the 2015 application cycle shows that, as at January 15^th, applicants via UCAS from EU and non-EU countries were up by 7% and 3% respectively, compared to the same point last year. The UCAS deadline for the receipt of applications from non-EU applicants is the end of June; normally, only around two thirds of non-EU applicants apply by mid-January.

These figures only cover applicants to full-time undergraduate courses. Information on applicants to part-time undergraduate courses, and all postgraduate courses, is not held centrally. Only just over half of all non-EU overseas entrants to full-time courses apply via UCAS, the rest apply directly to institutions.

Applicants via UCAS from EU and non-EU countries to full-time undergraduate courses at UK institutions

Final end of cycle figures

The Coalition Government believes strongly that transparency in the extractives sector is essential to ensure that citizens in resource-rich countries can benefit from the wealth generated from the extraction of their natural resources. This is why we supported the EU's proposal to require large and listed extractive industries companies to report on the payments they make to governments; and why the UK has signed up to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

The Government continues to raise awareness of the importance of transparency in the extractive industries. Over the past year key steps have been taken to raise awareness of the UK's commitment to become EITI-compliant. This includes the launch event in July 2013 held at BIS with 130 attendees from industry, civil society and government. The Multi Stakeholder Group (MSG) has been formed which plays a key part in making the decisions on UK implementation. A website for the UK's EITI has been developed, a link can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/uk-extractive-industries-transparency-initiative-multi-stakeholder-group

My hon Friend the Member for Dunbartonshire East (Jo Swinson) published an article in the EITI Telegraph supplement on Sunday 6^th October 2013, explaining the UK's rationale for committing to EITI. Most recently, the Prime Minister in an article dated 4 June and published in the Wall Street Journal, called on government leaders to work towards a global standard in transparency reporting.

I spoke at the EITI mining event which tookplace at the Institute for Materials, Minerals & Mining (IMMM) on the 12 June. This event was directed at key mining stakeholders who we need to engage in EITI.

During the consultation period of Chapter 10 of the Accounting Directive my department held familiarisation sessions with stakeholders which provided an opportunity to learn more about the reporting requirements of the Directive and explain the UK's proposed approach to implementation. The consultation closed on Friday 16 May and officials are currently analysing the responses received.

The Government will take every opportunity to drive forward this important agenda.

The requested information is not held centrally and would incur disproportionate costs to determine. Officials visit all parts of the UK regularly, they have met with many individuals and organisations on a wide range of subjects and will continue to do so.

For example, the Cabinet Office Communications department is running seven Civil Service Live events for 18,000 civil servants across the UK. Civil Service Live will take place at the following locations this summer: Glasgow 7 June, Birmingham 13 June, Blackpool 27 June, Cardiff 5 July, Newcastle 12 July and London 17/18 July.

The UK Governement has more than 300,000 civil servants who, rather than visiting the rest of the UK, are based outside of London in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland.

EU Exit is an all-of-government operation. The Department for Exiting the European Union is doing detailed work with departments to prepare for the upcoming negotiations by understanding the risks and opportunities of leaving the EU and coordinating planning.

Members of staff across the Department may at times be required to provide advice and analysis on EU Exit issues as required. Since there is extensive crossover between EU exit work and the Department’s other priorities, it would not be possible to give an accurate figure.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

As part of my Department's transparency programme, details of Ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on the Cabinet Office website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministers-transparency-publications.

Since January 2011, as part of the Government’s transparency programme, details of central government contracts above the value of £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder. Since 1 April 2015, wider public sector bodies, including local authorities, have also been required to publish details of contracts above the value of £25,000 on Contracts Finder.

Contracts published prior to 26 February 2015 can be viewed at: http://data.gov.uk/data/contracts-finder-archive

Those published after 26 February 2015 can be viewed at: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of ministerial discussions are not normally disclosed.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

CERT-UK, the UK’s national Computer Emergency Response Team assesses the severity of cyber attacks against the UK and coordinates the UK’s response to such incidents working with HM Government, Law Enforcement, private industry and overseas partners as the need arises. The UK’s approach to the management of cyber incidents is in line with the wider UK management of national emergencies of any cause and is drawn from the Central Government Arrangements for Responding to an Emergency: Concept of Operations (CONOPS) available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-central-governments-s-concept-of-operations.

The assessment of and response to incidents is considered on a case by case basis in line with the principles in the CONOPS and will depend on the actual or potential impact that might be caused.

Work is underway across Government to consider the findings of the Muslim Brotherhood review. We will make the main findings of the review public in due course.

Work is underway across Government to consider the findings of the Muslim Brotherhood review. We will make the main findings of the review public in due course.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.