Joan Walley

Labour - Former Member for Stoke-on-Trent North

First elected: 11th June 1987

Left House: 30th March 2015 (Retired)


Joan Walley is not a member of any APPGs
Members' Expenses Committee
18th Jul 2011 - 30th Mar 2015
Liaison Committee (Commons)
19th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Environmental Audit Committee
10th Jun 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Environmental Audit Committee
12th Nov 1997 - 30th Mar 2015
Panel of Chairs
6th Mar 2008 - 20th Oct 2010
West Midlands Regional Select Committee
3rd Mar 2009 - 6th May 2010
Draft Marine Bill (Joint Committee)
8th May 2008 - 22nd Jul 2008
Trade & Industry
27th Nov 1995 - 22nd Jun 1998
Shadow Spokesperson (Transport)
1st Jun 1990 - 1st Jun 1995
Shadow Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
1st Jun 1988 - 1st Jun 1990


Division Voting information

Joan Walley has voted in 1598 divisions, and 20 times against the majority of their Party.

20 Jan 2015 - Trident Renewal - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Labour Aye votes vs 101 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 35 Noes - 364
27 Oct 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 41 Labour Aye votes vs 162 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 166 Noes - 340
28 Apr 2014 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Labour Aye votes vs 185 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 50 Noes - 451
3 Jun 2013 - Energy Bill - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Labour Aye votes vs 208 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 20 Noes - 503
9 Feb 2011 - Domestic Heating Oil - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 184 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 501 Noes - 18
15 Jun 2010 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 29 Labour No votes vs 83 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 100 Noes - 331
15 Jun 2010 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 53 Labour Aye votes vs 57 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 171 Noes - 263
26 Oct 2009 - Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Labour Aye votes vs 236 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 158 Noes - 246
18 May 2009 - Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Labour Aye votes vs 251 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 217 Noes - 260
2 Mar 2009 - Political Parties and Elections Bill - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 93 Labour No votes vs 155 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 235 Noes - 176
2 Mar 2009 - Political Parties and Elections Bill - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 83 Labour No votes vs 157 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 158
2 Mar 2009 - Political Parties and Elections Bill - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 77 Labour No votes vs 156 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 213 Noes - 153
31 Mar 2008 - Housing and Regeneration Bill - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 27 Labour Aye votes vs 252 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 210 Noes - 263
31 Mar 2008 - Housing and Regeneration Bill - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 28 Labour Aye votes vs 248 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 74 Noes - 259
14 Mar 2007 - Trident - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 94 Labour Aye votes vs 226 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 167 Noes - 413
14 Mar 2007 - Trident - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 89 Labour No votes vs 222 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 409 Noes - 161
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 152 Labour No votes vs 162 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 416 Noes - 163
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 156 Labour Aye votes vs 157 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 305 Noes - 267
28 Feb 2007 - Offender Management Bill - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 49 Labour Aye votes vs 256 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 111 Noes - 267
17 Oct 2006 - Gambling Act 2005 (Amendment) - View Vote Context
Joan Walley voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 46 Labour No votes vs 49 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 55 Noes - 240
View All Joan Walley Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat)
(24 debate interactions)
Vince Cable (Liberal Democrat)
(21 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(50 debate contributions)
Department for Transport
(47 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(25 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Joan Walley has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Joan Walley's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Joan Walley

10th March 2015
Joan Walley signed this EDM on Tuesday 24th March 2015

PARITY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Tabled by: Liz McInnes (Labour - Heywood and Middleton)
That this House notes with concern that some outsourced providers of public sector contracts are failing to pay their employees on the same terms and conditions as those carrying out the same work directly for the public sector; believes that all employees carrying out public sector work should have parity …
45 signatures
(Most recent: 25 Mar 2015)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 20
Independent: 2
The Independent Group for Change: 1
23rd February 2015
Joan Walley signed this EDM on Tuesday 24th March 2015

WORKING CONDITIONS OF CARE WORKERS

Tabled by: Jim Cunningham (Labour - Coventry South)
That this House notes that care workers play an important role in looking after the elderly, sick and vulnerable; further notes that care workers should be treated with dignity and respect and should have the right to decent terms and conditions; believes that all care workers should be paid the …
46 signatures
(Most recent: 24 Mar 2015)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 14
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
Independent: 2
Green Party: 1
View All Joan Walley's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Joan Walley, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Joan Walley has not been granted any Urgent Questions

2 Adjournment Debates led by Joan Walley

Thursday 10th October 2013
Tuesday 14th June 2011

1 Bill introduced by Joan Walley


The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. The Bill would create a duty on the Secretary of State to prepare a Code for Sustainable Food to promote the procurement of healthy and sustainable food by public bodies. This Code could be made compulsory if uptake was not sufficiently extensive.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 30th June 2010

Joan Walley has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
6 Other Department Questions
23rd Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to the Treasury's announcement entitled Chancellor intervenes to honour fuel allowance benefits of ex-miners, published on 15 November 2013, how many former miners who worked in private-sector mines are in receipt of the concessionary fuel allowance as a result of that announcement.

As at 24 March 2015 the Government are meeting the solid fuel and cash in-lieu entitlement of 1,323 former UK Coal miners and their beneficiaries who had lost their entitlement as a result of the restructure of UK Coal in July 2013.

23rd Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to the Treasury's announcement entitled Chancellor intervenes to honour fuel allowance benefits of ex-miners, published on 15 November 2013, if he will place in the Library the full criteria used in making decisions on concessionary fuel payments for former miners who worked in private-sector mines; and how many former miners received concessionary fuel payments as a result of that announcement.

A copy of the Ex-UK Coal Concessionary Fuel Scheme Rules following the 15th November 2013 announcement was placed in the Libraries of the House.

As at 24 March 2015 the Government are meeting the solid fuel and cash in-lieu entitlement of 1,323 former UK Coal miners and their beneficiaries who had lost their entitlement as a result of the restructure of UK Coal in July 2013.

27th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require companies and financial institutions to produce an annual integrated sustainability report.

The UK already requires quoted companies to report, where necessary for an understanding of their business, on environmental matters. Companies are required to report their policy, principle risks and outcomes.

In addition, UK will implement directive 2014/95/EU that requires reports to cover, amongst other matters, environmental policy. This disclosure will include a discussion of the company policy, including the due diligence measures implemented, the outcome and the principle risks related to the environment related to the company’s operations, business relationships, products and services.

Considering the requirements already in place and those necessary to implement the EU Directive, we have no current plans to bring forward additional legislation proposals on this issue.

16th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Oral Answer of 8 January 2014 from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in his Department, Official Report, column 382, on mandatory origin marking, if he will place in the Library a list of the companies that have been consulted as part of the study of country of origin marking.

329 organisations and companies were contacted and 45 interviews were conducted by the research company carrying out the study on the impact of compulsory country of origin marking on behalf of the Department. Respondents were asked for permission for their name to be included in the final report, but only 12 did so. We have asked the research company to contact all of those respondents that indicated that they were content to have their name included in the final report to seek their permission to make it public now. A list of those respondents who indicate that they are content to be identified in this way will be placed in the Library of the House.

12th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the oral Answer of 8 January 2015, Official Report, columns 382-3, which organisations and businesses he consulted prior to adopting the Government's position of opposing the product safety and market surveillance package at the European Council; and if he will meet Steelite International to discuss mandatory country of origin marking.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills ran a formal consultation on the Product Safety and Market Surveillance Package from 10 July 2013 to 4 September 2013. Details of the Consultation can be found on the following link to the Gov.UK website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/product-safety-and-market-surveillance-package-proposal-for-new-european-regulations

In response to the specific question about country of origin marking contained in the Consultation paper we received responses from a wide range of stakeholders including 25 trade associations, but only 2 of these indicated to us that they agreed with the proposed mandatory requirements for all consumer products to bear indication of origin marking

I would of course welcome any evidence Steelite International may have on the cost benefits of mandatory country of origin marking for consumer products and I will ask my officials to meet them to discuss this.

5th Mar 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will commission a review of the risks and opportunities that resource insecurity poses to the UK economy.

The Government’s Horizon Scanning Programme examines emerging trends and developments, such as those related to resource insecurity, that have the potential to lead to risks and opportunities for the UK. As part of this programme, Defra led a piece of work to assess risks to the UK economy from countries or companies restricting the supply of key resources. A summary of this work was published in Civil Service Quarterly in July 2014.

Last year, the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee set up the Strategic Resources and Risks group to coordinate work on resource insecurity across Government. As part of its remit, this group considers risks and opportunities that resource insecurity poses to the UK economy. This work is being reflected in the current refresh of the Government’s National Security Risk Assessment. Domestic risks related to resource insecurity are also included in the UK’s National Risk Register.

18th Nov 2014
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the recent strike by members of the FBU was discussed by COBRA; and if he will make a statement.

It has been the practice of successive Governments not to give specific information on the content of Cabinet Committee and other Ministerial meetings.

18th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, by what date she plans for schools to be sent sample assessment materials for the new GCSE mathematics examination; and if she will make a statement.

This is a matter for Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. I have therefore asked its Chief Regulator, Glenys Stacey, to write directly to the Honourable Member. A copy of her reply will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

12th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to introduce biodiversity offsetting; and whether ancient woodland will be exempt.

The Government is not proposing any policy change regarding biodiversity offsetting at this point. As recommended by the Environmental Audit Committee and others, Defra waited for - and is considering - the report on the six offsetting pilots before making any further decisions.

The Government has always been clear that any policy change regarding offsetting would not alter existing protections in the planning system such as those for ancient woodland.

18th Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding her Department allocated to local nature partnerships in 2013-14 and to which projects.

Defra did not allocate any funding to Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) in 2013/14. In 2011-13 Defra, together with Natural England, provided a one-off £1 million capacity building fund for LNPs. Ongoing funding was not part of the envisaged model for LNPs. In 2013/14 the Environment Agency funded a small number of LNPs, the details of which are listed in the attached table. The Environment Agency has also contributed to other partnership projects where the LNP is a partner but not the direct recipient of its funding. These are not included in the attached table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will establish shale gas extraction exclusion zones in sensitive areas for wildlife and water resources.

Each application for shale gas exploration and extraction will be assessed on its merits and operators will require planning permission from the local minerals planning authority. The Environment Agency will object to shale gas extraction infrastructure or activity within a Source Protection Zone (SPZ) 1 (i.e. drinking water protected zone). Outside SPZ1, the Agency will also object when the activity would have an unacceptable effect on groundwater based on a site specific assessment.

In England, an environmental impact assessment is required if a particular development is located wholly or partly in a ‘sensitive area'.

Planning authorities assess each application on a case by case basis. There is a general presumption against approving a permit in such areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to meet representatives of Cuadrilla and other members of the shale gas industry.

The Secretary of State has no such planned engagements at present but always welcomes meeting a broad range of organisations to understand their needs and concerns. The UK Government is committed to the development of the shale gas industry in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he next plans to meet representatives of organisations that have made representations on the environmental effects of the shale gas industry.

The Secretary of State has no such planned engagements at present but always welcomes meeting a broad range of organisations to understand their needs and concerns. The UK Government is committed to the development of the shale gas industry in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

5th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will place in the Library a copy of all scoping reports on air quality in respect of motorway improvement schemes produced in the last three years.

A copy of each Environmental Assessment Report produced for motorway improvement schemes in the last three years will be placed in the House Library by 30 January 2015.

It should be noted that Air Quality scoping reports are not produced as individual documents for motorway improvement schemes, but air quality is considered as part of the overall environmental scoping exercise which is undertaken for each project in line with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges Volume 11 Section 2 parts 4 and 6.

The results of the scoping exercise provide the basis for the subsequent Environment Assessment Report which provides decision makers and the public with an accessible document which:

  • Describes and reports the environmental assessment activities;
  • Provides a clearly auditable trail of assessment decisions; and
  • Provides clear information on environmental mitigation to be implemented by a project.

2nd Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what inspections have been completed on garages performing MOT tests relating to diesel particulate filters since 26 October 2014.

Every MOT tester has to apply the standards set out within the inspection manual when inspecting vehicles fitted with diesel particulate filters. Since the end of October 2014, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency have visited around 1500 garages. If any issues have arisen during these visits, all staff at the garages have been made aware of the requirements.

23rd Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will review the decision to postpone the implementation of the driver training elements of EU regulation No. 181/2011 for up to four years.

My Noble Friend Baroness Kramer, Minister for Local Transport has recently completed a review of the use of a derogation applied under EU Regulation 181/2011 (concerning bus and coach passenger rights) exempting bus and coach drivers from undertaking mandatory disability awareness training.

To inform this review, she wrote to bus industry representatives, disability stakeholders and charities seeking their input, to determine whether drivers are receiving adequate disability awareness training under the current voluntary arrangement.

Having received and considered many comprehensive responses, the findings have been shared with Ministerial colleagues who are discussing how best to proceed.

While these discussions continue, officials will place a summary of all responses received in relation to the review on the Government’s website as a matter of priority.

2nd Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the need for extra capacity on the Crewe-Derby rail line.

I have made no such assessment. Network Rail is currently undertaking a Long Term Planning Process in consultation with industry, local and other stakeholders to identify the strategic priorities for future development of the rail network following the 2014-2019 Control Period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will request the Driving Standards Agency and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to waive charges arising from car seizures as a result of database classification errors.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency does not seize and impound cars.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) adopts a compliance and enforcement approach to ensuring vehicle excise duty is paid. This includes reminder letters and late licensing penalties as well as court prosecutions and the wheelclamping and/or removal of unlicensed vehicles.

If the DVLA is made aware of any action taken as a result of an error, officials will consider refunding any charges incurred. Each case is considered individually.

23rd Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training is provided to GPs and other healthcare professions on completing the ESA 50 form; and what steps his Department is taking to monitor and update that training.

The ESA 50 is completed by claimants with help from a friend, relative, carer or representative such as a support worker if needed.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/408008/esa-50-capability-for-work-questionnaire.pdf

Therefore no training is required or provided to GPs and other healthcare professions on completing it.

Guidance and information for GPs and other healthcare professionals from the DWP can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/healthcare-practitioners-guidance-and-information-from-dwp

19th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department provides to support people in North Staffordshire making claims for universal benefit under the new procedures.

To date, over 90% of Universal Credit claimants have made their claim online. Other methods will continue to be available – telephone or in person at the Jobcentre – to support claimants who require alternative arrangements to make a successful claim. All Jobcentres across the country have gone digital with computers and free Wi-Fi available for claimants to access the internet.

All new Universal Credit claimants will receive an information pack and advice from their work coach to help them understand universal credit processes and payments, and the support available locally.

Beginning next month Universal Credit will begin to expand across Great Britain in a tranche based approach, mirroring the successful implementation methods that we used to safely and securely roll it out in the north west of England. For more details please see the link below.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-national-expansion )

DWP Implementation Officers from Stoke/West Midlands recently met with their local authority counterparts to discuss Universal Credit roll-out in 2015/16 and the need to ensure that through local partnership working, support would be available for those single Job seekers who may need support to make and manage their claim. This discussion is in advance of the more detailed discussions around the detail in the Delivery Partnership Agreements.

Through local partnership working between DWP and local authorities, we are brokering funded Delivery Partnership Agreements to make available more support for those claimants who will need extra help to make and manage their Universal Credit claim on-line and their Universal Credit payment. This will help strengthen local partnership working between DWP, local authorities and their partners as we establish Personal Budgeting Support in all local communities through the expansion of universal credit from February 2015.

19th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what budget he has allocated for promoting awareness of universal credit among claimants in North Staffordshire who will be required to make online applications.

To date, over 90% of Universal Credit claimants have made their claim online. Other methods will continue to be available – telephone or in person at the Jobcentre – to support claimants who require alternative arrangements to make a successful claim. All Jobcentres across the country have gone digital with computers and free Wi-Fi available for claimants to access the internet.

All new Universal Credit claimants will receive an information pack and advice from their work coach to help them understand universal credit processes and payments, and the support available locally.

Beginning next month Universal Credit will begin to expand across Great Britain in a tranche based approach, mirroring the successful implementation methods that we used to safely and securely roll it out in the north west of England. For more details please see the link below.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-national-expansion )

DWP Implementation Officers from Stoke/West Midlands recently met with their local authority counterparts to discuss Universal Credit roll-out in 2015/16 and the need to ensure that through local partnership working, support would be available for those single Job seekers who may need support to make and manage their claim. This discussion is in advance of the more detailed discussions around the detail in the Delivery Partnership Agreements.

Through local partnership working between DWP and local authorities, we are brokering funded Delivery Partnership Agreements to make available more support for those claimants who will need extra help to make and manage their Universal Credit claim on-line and their Universal Credit payment. This will help strengthen local partnership working between DWP, local authorities and their partners as we establish Personal Budgeting Support in all local communities through the expansion of universal credit from February 2015.

19th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the timetable is for inclusion of each of the wards in North Staffordshire in the next tranche of conversion to universal credit.

To date, over 90% of Universal Credit claimants have made their claim online. Other methods will continue to be available – telephone or in person at the Jobcentre – to support claimants who require alternative arrangements to make a successful claim. All Jobcentres across the country have gone digital with computers and free Wi-Fi available for claimants to access the internet.

All new Universal Credit claimants will receive an information pack and advice from their work coach to help them understand universal credit processes and payments, and the support available locally.

Beginning next month Universal Credit will begin to expand across Great Britain in a tranche based approach, mirroring the successful implementation methods that we used to safely and securely roll it out in the north west of England. For more details please see the link below.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-national-expansion )

DWP Implementation Officers from Stoke/West Midlands recently met with their local authority counterparts to discuss Universal Credit roll-out in 2015/16 and the need to ensure that through local partnership working, support would be available for those single Job seekers who may need support to make and manage their claim. This discussion is in advance of the more detailed discussions around the detail in the Delivery Partnership Agreements.

Through local partnership working between DWP and local authorities, we are brokering funded Delivery Partnership Agreements to make available more support for those claimants who will need extra help to make and manage their Universal Credit claim on-line and their Universal Credit payment. This will help strengthen local partnership working between DWP, local authorities and their partners as we establish Personal Budgeting Support in all local communities through the expansion of universal credit from February 2015.

19th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the ability of claimants in North Staffordshire to access universal credit online.

To date, over 90% of Universal Credit claimants have made their claim online. Other methods will continue to be available – telephone or in person at the Jobcentre – to support claimants who require alternative arrangements to make a successful claim. All Jobcentres across the country have gone digital with computers and free Wi-Fi available for claimants to access the internet.

All new Universal Credit claimants will receive an information pack and advice from their work coach to help them understand universal credit processes and payments, and the support available locally.

Beginning next month Universal Credit will begin to expand across Great Britain in a tranche based approach, mirroring the successful implementation methods that we used to safely and securely roll it out in the north west of England. For more details please see the link below.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-national-expansion )

DWP Implementation Officers from Stoke/West Midlands recently met with their local authority counterparts to discuss Universal Credit roll-out in 2015/16 and the need to ensure that through local partnership working, support would be available for those single Job seekers who may need support to make and manage their claim. This discussion is in advance of the more detailed discussions around the detail in the Delivery Partnership Agreements.

Through local partnership working between DWP and local authorities, we are brokering funded Delivery Partnership Agreements to make available more support for those claimants who will need extra help to make and manage their Universal Credit claim on-line and their Universal Credit payment. This will help strengthen local partnership working between DWP, local authorities and their partners as we establish Personal Budgeting Support in all local communities through the expansion of universal credit from February 2015.

24th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what payments were made in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14 in compensation for delays to claimants arising from the Atos assessment process (a) nationwide and (b) in the Stoke-on-Trent area; what steps he is taking to ensure that no further such delays are incurred; and if he will make a statement.

My response relates to Work Capability Assessments.

The reasons for making special payments are not routinely recorded and to provide the requested information would incur disproportionate cost.

We are continuing to work closely with Atos under the current contract and process claims as quickly as possible. DWP’s aim is to continually improve the Work Capability Assessment process and help bring down waiting times for claimants.

18th Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2014, Official Report, column 113W, on unemployment benefits, what differentiation is made between paid part-time work and registered and declared voluntary work when assessing eligibility for out of work benefits.

For most benefits, any earnings received are deducted from entitlement, subject to a disregard. This disregard may vary depending on the claimant’s circumstances, the type of occupation and the benefit in payment. Claimants are usually excluded from benefit if they work more than 16 hours per week.

Voluntary work is defined for social security purposes as work for which the claimant receives no payment other than in respect of expenses reasonably incurred by the volunteer. It must be reasonable for the claimant to be providing services without pay. Voluntary work does not affect entitlement to benefit and any expenses paid are disregarded.

Whether working part-time or doing voluntary work, the claimant must continue to meet other relevant benefit conditions. For example, in order to be entitled to Jobseeker’s Allowance they must be available for and actively seeking full-time work.

1st Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons his Department does not distinguish between those in paid and those in unpaid work when assessing their eligibility for out-of-work benefits; if he will revise his Department's policy in this area; and if he will make a statement.

There are a number of working age benefits and each has slightly different rules. Working age benefits are usually affected by earnings and, depending which benefit is in payment, the amount payable may be affected. If work is unpaid because it is voluntary work, this would, in most cases, not affect the benefit award. If work is unpaid and it is not reasonable for it to be unpaid, the income related benefit rules allow an amount of notional earnings to be assumed.

3rd Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects that funding for a research fellow post to research atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour for proton beam therapy will be confirmed; and if he will make a statement.

NHS England is reviewing current international evidence and recent emerging findings to clarify future commissioning intentions. The relevant specialist clinicians within the Children’s and Cancer Leukaemia Group are assessing what data, including the possibility of a national audit of retrospective data, are needed. Following this, NHS England will consider the possibility of a research fellowship post.

3rd Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress his Department has made on the facilities proposed for the Christie Hospital in Manchester and at UCLH to offer treatment for atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour with proton beam therapy.

NHS England is currently planning to deliver a national Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) service in the United Kingdom in 2018. Until then, it continues to fund all clinically appropriate patients on the Proton Overseas Programme. Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumours are not currently included in the list of clinical indications for referral to PBT. However, the list of clinical indications for the new UK service is still in development.

2nd Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the policy of the NHS is on providing hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.

The provision of hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss is a matter for local commissioners and the level of provision is based on the needs of the local population.

1st Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations his Department has made to North Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group about its proposal to end the provision of NHS hearing aids.

A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database identified 66 written representations received between 27 June 2014 and 2 September 2014 about North Staffordshire clinical commissioning group’s (CCG) proposals to decommission the funding of hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate age-related hearing loss.

The provision of hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss is a matter for local commissioners and is based on the needs of the local population.

As such the Department has made no representations to North Staffordshire CCG about this matter.

1st Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations his Department has received about the proposal from North Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group to end the provision of NHS hearing aids.

A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database identified 66 written representations received between 27 June 2014 and 2 September 2014 about North Staffordshire clinical commissioning group’s (CCG) proposals to decommission the funding of hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate age-related hearing loss.

The provision of hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss is a matter for local commissioners and is based on the needs of the local population.

As such the Department has made no representations to North Staffordshire CCG about this matter.

15th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his environmental responsibilities are for the Overseas Territories.

Territory Governments are constitutionally responsible for the protection and conservation of their natural environments. As set out in the 2012 Overseas Territories White Paper, the UK Government provides technical advice and expertise to support the Territories in meeting their environmental obligations, for example through the Darwin Plus fund and supporting environmental mainstreaming initiatives.
15th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has received on the Cayman Islands Environmental Protection Fund; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no formal representations on the Cayman Islands' Environmental Protection Fund. The Fund, which is financed by a departure tax, is a matter for the Cayman Islands. Expenditure from the Fund is approved by the Finance Committee of the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly and disbursements fall under the control of the Minister of Finance.

15th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the timetable is for the adoption of a marine protected area in Pitcairn.

We continue to discuss the merits and mechanisms of a potential Marine Protected Area (MPA) around Pitcairn with interested parties. HMG is an enthusiastic supporter of MPAs, having established MPAs in the British Indian Ocean Territory and South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands. An MPA will be considered where there are scientific reasons for it, there is effective enforcement and monitoring capability and the costs are not prohibitive.
12th Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues as part of the process of approval of marine protection for the Pitcairn Islands; and if he will make a statement.

I have not had any formal discussions with ministerial colleagues about the proposal for a no-take Marine Protected Area (MPA) within Pitcairn’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) since being appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office on 11 August 2014. Senior officials are currently considering these proposals and will provide advice to Ministers in due course.

16th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which UN peacekeeping missions established since 1990 do not have a human rights mandate.

21 out of 51 peacekeeping missions established since 1990 did not include a human rights mandate to monitor and intervene. Of these 21, only the Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is still in operation.

Human rights mandates or components in peacekeeping missions vary depending on the context, and are common in newer peacekeeping missions. The UK Government has supported these human rights mandates wherever possible. This is part of our broader efforts to mainstream human rights into the UN's peace and security work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the effects of delays in the organisation of the referendum in Western Sahara on the security situation in that region.

We receive reports on the security situation in the region including in Western Sahara from a number of sources. The UN mission, MINURSO reports each year to the UN Security Council, most recently in document S/2014/258 dated April 2014.

18th Mar 2015
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, by what date does he plan to grant the Green Investment Bank powers to borrow from the private capital markets.

The Green Investment Bank (GIB) has a budget of £3.8bn and there is no immediate need for the bank to borrow.

As set out in ‘investing in Britain’s future’, the GIB has the power to borrow from the NLF if desired.

18th Mar 2015
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2015 to Question 225717, if he will request that the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority report on their performance in relation to sustainable growth in their annual reports.

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 requires the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority to include consideration of the principles of good regulation in their annual report.

These statutory principles of good regulation include “the desirability of sustainable growth in the economy of the United Kingdom in the medium or long term”.

27th Feb 2015
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will incorporate a section on natural capital in his annual budget report.

Economic growth and improving the environment go hand-in-hand, and the Natural Capital Committee has made a range of recommendations on how we manage the environment in a way that will enhance it for future generations whilst meeting our economic needs.

Given the significance of this work, the Government is carefully analysing the recommendations made in the Natural Capital Committee’s report, and will respond in due course. As part of that response, we will set out how Government plans to integrate natural capital into wider policy making and reporting.

The Government takes natural capital very seriously. We have set long term-goals to stop the decades of decline in wildlife and habitats, and have already seen some improvements. Since 2010 we have helped to create over 150,000 acres of field margins, wetlands and woodlands, and woodland cover is at its highest level in 700 years.

27th Feb 2015
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to integrate natural capital into the national infrastructure plan.

The Government takes natural capital very seriously. It has set long-term goals to stop decades of decline in wildlife and habitats, which have already resulted in improvements. Since 2010, it has helped to create over 150,000 acres of field margins, wetlands and woodlands; woodland cover is at its highest level in 700 years.

The Government’s environmental objectives are reflected in the National Infrastructure Plan. Its Top 40 Priority Infrastructure Investments include rail electrification, renewable energy and Smart Meters. These projects support a transition to a less resource intensive economy.

27th Feb 2015
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make representations to the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority to encourage them to take sustainability issues into account in the regulatory frameworks governing financial markets.

The Bank of England, its subsidiary the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) operate independently within the statutory remit agreed by Parliament.

The statutory principles of good regulation to which the PRA and FCA must have regard, provided for at section 3B of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 include “the desirability of sustainable growth in the economy of the United Kingdom in the medium or long term”.

27th Jun 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress he has made in reducing levels of tax avoidance in the UK's Overseas Territories.

The UK Government is at the forefront of the global response to international aggressive tax planning and cross-border evasion, driving the international tax, transparency and trade agenda forward under the UK's G8 presidency in 2013, and fully backing the OECD's Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project.

Under the Prime Minister's leadership of the G8, the UK has led a global leap forward in international tax transparency, meaning there are fewer places to hide. We are imposing tough new sanctions for those who do not come forward under HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) offshore disclosure facilities. There will be serious consequences for those who continue to believe they can hide wealth offshore, when later on this year HMRC will consult on a new strict liability criminal offence that could mean jail for those who do not declare taxable offshore income. HMRC will also consult on tougher civil sanctions. In addition, last year the Government entered into a series of Intergovernmental Agreements with the overseas territories which will ensure that from September 2016 HMRC will receive details of UK residents who have bank accounts and other investments in the overseas territories.

HMRC co-operates with tax authorities in other countries, in areas such as exchange of information and recovery of tax. Following the commitments made at the G8, all of the UK's Overseas Territories with financial centres and the Crown Dependencies have taken significant steps forward on tax transparency putting them at the forefront of this agenda globally. In addition to signing agreements with the UK for the automatic exchange of tax information, they have also agreed to be early adopters of the new global standard for automatic exchange of tax information, committing to an ambitious timetable of implementation as members of a group of 44 countries and jurisdictions.

16th Jun 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects to complete the loan guarantee arrangement for the proposed nuclear power station investments.

Completion of the loan guarantee arrangements for the proposed nuclear power station for Hinkley Point C will coincide with the European Commission's closing decision on the government's state aid notification in relation to the project. This is expected by the end of 2014.

If a guarantee is signed it will be reported to Parliament as required by the legislation, Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Act 2012, underpinning the scheme.