Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by John Grogan, 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.
As the Government’s pro bono champion, I am able to work closely with those involved in Public Legal Education, supporting initiatives to increase its profile and reach more members of the public.
The Public Legal Education panel is formed of leading organisations who promote the importance of teaching people about the law and their basic civil and criminal rights. It features members from across the legal community, for example the Law for Life, Citizens Advice and the Bar Council.
The Panel are currently combining their resources to map the provision and need of Public Legal Education around the county and to support and drive forward public legal education initiatives so more people can reap the benefits.
The provision of post office branches is the responsibility of Post Office Limited.
I have asked Paula Vennells, the Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the Hon Member on this matter and provide the information requested on the number of post offices open in Yorkshire and Humber, the UK and Bradford district since 2010. A copy of her reply will be placed in the libraries of the House.
The Department does not hold this information.
The rollout of smart meters is on track to deliver significant benefits, including putting an end to estimated bills, and is set to save consumers £300m in 2020 alone. Suppliers are mandated by government to offer every household and small business a smart meter by 2020, and remain committed to this target.
Over 7.7 million smart meters are operating under the Programme.
Coverage of women’s professional sport on free to air television has improved significantly in the last ten years, with the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Euro Championships, Women’s Rugby World Cup, cycling and tennis being regular fixtures on the BBC and ITV.
We know that more can be done to improve equality in sports broadcasting. That is why we have just announced our proposal to add the Paralympic Games to the list and we have started the statutory consultation process to do that. We are also considering the addition of women’s only sporting events where the equivalent men’s only tournaments are currently listed, which we plan to consult on later in the year. This is to give equal recognition to disabled and women’s sports.
The Government’s sport strategy, Sporting Future, encourages and promotes outdoor recreation. Use of our waterways by all can be a creative and fun way to engage with the natural world and to stay healthy.
Sport England is actively engaged with British Canoeing and the Canal and River Trust to get more people from all backgrounds active. In addition Sport England is providing £6.85m to British Canoeing for the period between 2017 to 2021.
The ‘public rights of navigation’ issue around access to waterways is dealt with by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they are currently working with British Canoeing to consider solutions to access disputes.
The table outlines Arts Council funding for organisations in the Parliamentary constituency of Keighley since 2008/09
Digital connectivity is a clear priority for this Government. The Super Connected Cities Programme installed WiFi in 1491 public buildings with a combined annual footfall of over 114 million, including in Yorkshire.
BDUK’s Superfast programme will provide at least 24 Megabits per second (Mbps) coverage to 95% of the UK by the end of this year. In Keighley, superfast coverage is already over 95%.
As a result of the Government's landmark agreement with mobile operators in 2014, each mobile operator will deliver mobile coverage to 90% of the UK's landmass by the end of this year. Additionally O2 will deliver indoor 4G coverage to 98% of premises in the UK, also by the end of 2017.
The Listed Events regime is underpinned by UK law in the Broadcasting Act 1996. The government is assessing how the reciprocal recognition of the listed events between Member States will work after the UK’s departure from the EU. This will depend on the UK’s future relationship with the EU, but will not change while we remain a Member State. The government currently has no plans to review the list of events.
Successful applications from wave 13 of the free schools programme were announced on 14 June 2019. The application from Moorlands Learning Trust was not successful, due to a lack of need for additional post-16 places in the proposed location of the school.
The Government remains committed to putting the school uniform guidance on a statutory footing and will do so when a suitable legislative opportunity arises.
Last year, the Environment Agency (EA) reported that there had been good progress in meeting water quality targets. Since 1995, investment in sewage treatment has achieved a 61% reduction in the amount of phosphorus and a 72% reduction in the amount of ammonia discharged to rivers. We will continue to work with the water companies.
Last year the Government committed to implementing measures to raise the standard of operator competence at permitted waste sites by strengthening the Environment Agency’s assessment and enforcement powers.
We are now delivering on these published commitments. In January we passed legislation requiring all waste facilities to have a written management plan to minimise the risks of pollution to the environment.
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/1227/part/3/made
In March we widened the scope of past offences the Environment Agency can consider when assessing competence for applications for waste facility permits:
In the coming months we will update Core Guidance to strengthen the Environment Agency’s enforcement capabilities when considering operators’ past performance. Further measures to tackle crime and low levels of performance in the waste industry are set out in our Resources and Waste Strategy.
Information of this nature is not held by the department.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Mid Derbyshire, Pauline Latham, on 19 February 2019 to PQ 220196.
An assessment of England’s municipal waste treatment capacity – including incineration with energy recovery – was set out in the Resources and Waste Strategy and the associated Evidence Annex published in December 2018. Existing operational capacity is sufficient to treat around 36% of municipal residual waste at current levels. While energy from waste plays an important role in diverting waste from landfill, our emphasis is on greater waste prevention, re-use or recycling.
Of the 1677 visits recorded, 866 of these are recorded as visits in the final year of the agreement. Records have only been collated since 2014 and many of these agreements will also have received visits prior to their final year.
311 Higher Level Environmental Stewardship agreements that have lasted 10 years were amended as a result of a care visit.
So far 1892 higher level stewardship agreements have lasted the full ten years of their term. Of these agreements and since central records began: 832 received one visit, 423 received two visits, 226 received three visits, 99 received four visits, 97 received five or more visits.
The number of members of England’s national park authorities whose main address is given as being in (a) London, (b) Tyne and Wear, (c) Merseyside, (d) West Yorkshire, (e) South Yorkshire, (f) West Midlands and (g) Greater Manchester is as follows:
London | 0 |
Tyne and Wear | 0 |
Merseyside | 0 |
West Yorkshire | 1 |
South Yorkshire | 3 |
Greater Manchester | 1 |
This data has been provided by national park authorities.
The total spent by the ten national park authorities in England (including the Broads Authority) on programmes to improve public transport access to national parks in the financial year 2017-18 is shown in the table below. These figures include ongoing support for transport services as well as projects to improve existing access.
National park authority | 2017-18 spending (£)[1] |
Broads Authority | 732 |
Dartmoor | 2,500 |
Exmoor | 0 |
Lake District | 21,186 |
New Forest | 52,015 |
North York Moors | 26,000 |
Northumberland | 12,000 |
Peak District | 4,000 |
South Downs | 0 |
Yorkshire Dales | 0 |
Total | 118,433 |
In addition to this total, national park authorities report £49,001 of indirect spend aimed at users of public and sustainable transport in national parks
[1] Figures provided by national park authorities.
We have not set a timeline for introduction. Drafting of the required statutory instruments is underway after close working with the Stakeholder group
The incineration of waste with energy recovery (also known as energy from waste) plays an important role in diverting waste from landfill but is lower in the waste hierarchy, which prioritises prevention, recycling and the re-use of waste.
We will consider the findings of Eunomia, on waste infrastructure capacity as we develop future policy on waste and resources.
The UK Government fully understands the importance of economic and personal links between St Martin/Sint Maarten and Anguilla and the Government is working closely with the Government of Anguilla on all aspects of Brexit. We are working with the Government of Anguilla on all related issues including around the flow of goods, services and people between St Martin/Sint Maarten and Anguilla.
The movement of both British citizens and British Overseas Territories citizens between Anguilla and St Martin should continue under the existing bilateral arrangements which provide visa-free access for short stays up to 90 days and do not depend on the UK’s EU membership. We will continue to work with Anguilla and our other Overseas Territories as we leave the EU to ensure we get a deal which works for the whole UK family.
The UK Government is working closely with the Government of Anguilla to enable them to understand the implications of the UK leaving the EU. Ministers and officials regularly engage with representatives from Anguilla and the other Overseas Territories through the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council which last met on 4 and 5 December 2018. This mechanism for dialogue ensures that assessments about the potential effects of EU Exit on their territories can be shared.
The Government is committed to working with Anguilla through the negotiation process with the EU, and getting a deal that works for the whole British family, which includes Anguilla.
The UK Government is firmly committed to maintaining the Common Travel Area (CTA) and to protecting the rights enjoyed by UK and Irish nationals when in each other’s state. The Commission’s draft Withdrawal Agreement Treaty text builds on December’s Joint report and confirms that the UK and Ireland can continue to work together as part of these arrangements.
The reciprocal rights for UK and Irish nationals associated with the Common Travel Area are described in the UK Government’s August 2017 position paper on Northern Ireland and Ireland, and include:
● the right to enter and reside in each others’ state without being subject to a requirement to obtain permission;
● the right to work without being subject to a requirement to obtain permission;
● the right to study;
● access to social welfare entitlements and benefits;
● access to health services; and
● the right to vote in local and parliamentary elections.
The UK and the EU acknowledge that the Belfast (‘Good Friday’) Agreement recognises the birth right of all the people of Northern Ireland to choose to be Irish or British or both and be accepted as such. They also recognise that the people of Northern Ireland who are Irish citizens will continue to enjoy rights as EU citizens, including where they reside in Northern Ireland. The UK and the EU therefore agree that the Withdrawal Agreement should respect and be without prejudice to the rights, opportunities and identity that come with European Union citizenship for such people.
The UK has been clear that we are committed to turning all of the commitments made under the Joint Report into legally binding text - that includes those on citizenship rights for the people of Northern Ireland under the terms of the Belfast Agreement.
LNER is working to introduce direct services between London and Bradford by the end of 2020.
Feasibility work is still in progress. We are now pressing on with further work to make sure that the proposed scheme can be made affordable, will attract sufficient traffic, and is part of the right long-term solution for all Trans-Pennine rail traffic. We will publish when these important issues have been explored and we understand the full picture.
Work is currently progressing and we expect to receive the results later this year to inform a decision as to whether the scheme should go to the next stage ‘develop’ of the Government’s Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline.
We are working closely with Transport for the North to assess the proposed scheme and to ensure that it can be affordable, will attract sufficient traffic, and is part of the right long-term solution for the cross Transpennine rail traffic.
This is part of our new approach to rail enhancements to ensure we address the needs of passengers and freight, and that funding commitments appropriately reflect the stage of development of schemes.
Under the terms of their Franchise Agreement Arriva Rail North (ARN) were required within 12 months of the start date of the franchise to consult with passengers, user groups, Network Rail, other train operators who operate along the affected routes and other relevant Stakeholders on the potential demand for passenger services on Boxing Day and produce a report. This was submitted to the Rail North Partnership team and highlighted that the direct cost of operation would exceed the estimated revenue, and raised concerns regarding access due to significant engineering activity traditionally carried out at this time of year.
Separately ARN’s Franchise Agreement requires the operation of a minimum of 60 services on Boxing Day from 2018. However, Northern raised concerns about their ability to operate a service on Boxing Day 2018, mainly due to engineering possessions along the routes they wish to operate, and have asked for a derogation until the following year to the current Franchise Agreement which is currently being considered.
Under the terms of their Franchise Agreement TransPennine Express (TPE) were required within 12 months of the start date of the franchise to consult with passengers, user groups, Network Rail, other train operators who operate along the affected routes and other relevant Stakeholders on the potential demand for passenger services on Boxing Day and produce a report. This was submitted to the Rail North Partnership team and recommended that there may be an opportunity to work jointly with ARN and RNP to agree to use funds allocated in the Franchise for future service initiatives (the Service Options Fund) to provide a trial service for a future Boxing day, with terms of such a trial being pre-agreed between the parties.
Unlike ARN, TPE has no obligation under its Franchise Agreement to provide Boxing Day services. Opportunities for funding and delivering such services in the future will be considered alongside other franchise enhancement opportunities.
The feasibility study into the reinstatement of the Skipton-Colne rail link as part of a route for passengers and freight has only very recently been completed. The Government is considering next steps and expects to make an announcement shortly.
LNER is currently working with its industry partners to introduce extra services as soon as possible, including the Bradford services, and the industry is reviewing proposed changes for the May 2019 timetable.
We are working closely with Transport for the North and relevant local transport authorities to evaluate the costs, benefits and funding options for reopening the line for passengers and freight, as part of a freight route across the Pennines. It builds on previous work commissioned by the local authorities and local campaign group. Work is in progress and we expect to receive the results later this year in the form of a Strategic Outline Business Case prepared in line with the Government’s new pipeline approach to rail enhancements.
The Rail North Partnership has had discussions with the operators regarding the provision of Boxing Day services for 2018. At this time, following the announcement yesterday regarding the timetable for the December change date, we are unable to confirm the plans for Boxing Day in 2018.
The Government has fully assessed the impact of expansion in the South East on the UK’s connectivity, as set out in Chapter 3 of the Updated Appraisal Report. The Government is clear that a Northwest Runway at Heathrow will help to secure the UK’s status as a global aviation hub, while regional airports will continue to develop their point-to-point networks.
This conclusion is supported by the analysis which shows that passenger numbers and international flights at airports outside of London are expected to increase by 80% and 71% respectively between 2016 and 2050 with a third runway at Heathrow. In addition, passengers from all across the UK are expected to use the connections made available at an expanded Heathrow, with nearly 6 million additional trips from passengers outside of London and the South East being made via the airport in 2040.
Table 1 below shows the forecast number of international passenger Air Transport Movements (ATM) from the Department’s 2017 UK aviation forecasts.[1] The Government recognises that all three schemes for expansion in the South East are projected to result in regional airports experiencing somewhat slower growth in international flights than they might otherwise have seen. However, there is still expected to be strong growth at non-London airports relative to today. Expansion will also improve the UK’s connectivity as a whole with more frequent services to important destinations around the world, providing benefits for passengers and freight-operators across the UK, supporting economic growth.
It is recognised that Table 1 does not reflect this hub benefit nor the considerably greater scope that expansion brings for more domestic flights from regional airports to Heathrow, which would provide passengers from across the country access to a vast network of international destinations. In addition, the modelling does not take account of the future commercial strategies which individual airports could employ to take advantage of the opportunities from both greater connections and growing demand outside London.
Heathrow expansion has been supported by a range of UK airports, including Liverpool John Lennon, Glasgow and Newquay.
Table 1: International passenger Air Transport Movements at modelled UK airports, thousands
International passenger ATMs (000s) | No expansion | LHR NWR | ||||
2030 | 2040 | 2050 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 | |
Gatwick | 266 | 277 | 280 | 255 | 273 | 279 |
Heathrow | 467 | 473 | 474 | 698 | 719 | 730 |
London City | 69 | 65 | 66 | 39 | 55 | 52 |
Luton | 100 | 95 | 88 | 99 | 97 | 89 |
Stansted | 166 | 182 | 183 | 121 | 163 | 182 |
Birmingham | 115 | 173 | 185 | 97 | 130 | 183 |
Bristol | 56 | 59 | 66 | 49 | 58 | 59 |
East Midlands | 52 | 71 | 90 | 53 | 67 | 84 |
Edinburgh | 52 | 63 | 71 | 51 | 63 | 72 |
Glasgow | 44 | 47 | 55 | 43 | 46 | 53 |
Liverpool | 23 | 25 | 43 | 25 | 27 | 42 |
Manchester | 179 | 214 | 272 | 159 | 207 | 245 |
Newcastle | 26 | 29 | 35 | 22 | 28 | 34 |
Other small UK airports | 140 | 217 | 351 | 113 | 137 | 232 |
Total | 1755 | 1990 | 2258 | 1825 | 2069 | 2338 |
[1] An ATM represents a single use of a runway – either a landing or a take-off – so the numbers of take-offs and landings are each half of the total displayed.
The current regulation is clear that subsidies can be provided under Public Service Obligations (PSOs). The Government already subsidises three PSO routes to London airports (Newquay to Gatwick; Dundee to Stansted; and Londonderry to Stansted).
The Department has taken further legal advice on the Government’s interpretation of existing PSO regulations as part of the development of policy to improve connections between Heathrow and the regions and nations of the UK should expansion go ahead. This will be central to achieving the Secretary of State’s ambition for up to 15% of slots from a new runway being used for domestic routes.
The Government’s position on domestic connectivity will be set out in a Green Paper on the Aviation Strategy this autumn and while Government does not publish legal advice, other relevant documents will be published alongside this consultation as appropriate.
Network Rail publish all official industry cancellation data which is available on the ORR data portal. The published figures aggregate cancellations for all causes, based on the 13 period rail year. Please see the attached table for more detail.
The current national concessionary scheme costs around £1 billion and, given the pressure on public finances, any further extensions to the scheme could jeopardise its sustainability.
Restoring the previous age of eligibility for concessionary bus travel to sixty would see a return to the anomalous position of non-disabled, working-age citizens receiving free bus passes. Re-establishing the link between concessionary bus pass eligibility and the state pension age has addressed that issue.
There are no plans to implement a national bus concession for young people. However, my Department continues to engage with the Department for Education on other concessions such as for apprenticeships. In addition, the new Enhanced Partnership powers in the Bus Services Act allows local transport authorities and bus operators to agree standard ticket rules, such as eligibility for reduced fares across operators. Local authorities already have the discretion to offer additional concessions, and are best placed to make decisions that match local needs and circumstances.
The report has been received from TPE and contains commercially confidential information and is therefore unsuitable for public publication. The proposals contained within the report have been considered by a technical working group, under confidentiality agreement, within Rail North / Transport for North and options will be considered that could see Boxing Day services introduced within the current franchise (running 2016 to 2023).
However, there are a number of issues relating to the introduction of Boxing Day services, most notably the infrastructure works required to deliver capacity improvements that are often undertaken during Christmas / Boxing Day closures. It should also be noted that Boxing Day services are not contracted through the existing TPE Franchise Agreement and additional funding is expected to be needed to deliver such services.
The study is being progressed under the Government’s new approach to railway enhancements. We are creating a rolling programme of investment, focused on outcomes that deliver real benefits to passengers, freight users and the economy. This new approach was set out in the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) published in March 2018.
The study, on which we are working closely with Transport for the North, will evaluate the costs, value and funding options for reopening the line for passengers and freight, as part of a freight route across the Pennines. It will build on previous work commissioned by the local authorities and local campaign group. We expect to receive the results later this year in the form of a Strategic Outline Business Case prepared in line with the RNEP approach and other Government guidance on transport business cases. We will engage with wider stakeholders as the study progresses and on the conclusions before any decisions on next steps.
Train Operators have been making progress on the delivery of more flexible tickets. c2c have a Flexi-Season on a smart card. Arriva Trains Wales have introduced a Mobile Multi-Flex product for customers in Cardiff and the surrounding areas. In addition both the recently announced South Western and West Midlands franchises include the announcement of a new flexible season ticket which will benefit people working fewer than 5 days a week. We continue to challenge the rail industry to develop proposals for pricing and delivering more flexible ticketing options for those who work or commute part-time.
Of the published franchise agreements, two franchises are currently required to provide proposals for Boxing Day services.
Within 12 months of the start of their franchises, First Transpennine Express and Arriva Rail North are contractually obliged to prepare and submit a report to the Secretary of State which sets out proposals for operating Boxing Day services.
Both Arriva Rail North and First Transpennine Express have submitted the required reports to Rail North, who work in conjunction with the Secretary of State within the terms of the Rail North Partnership Agreement, to assess such proposals for Boxing Day services.
The Government published its response on the rail fares penalty appeal process consultation in December 2016. The response set out plans to bring forward a new statutory instrument, strengthening passenger protections, and introducing provisions requiring train operators that operate a penalty fares scheme to introduce an independent third stage appeal with these changes to be in effect from April 2018. The industry has already taken steps towards this objective and the recruitment process, run by Transport Focus, for the independent panel commenced on 8 January 2018.
We are in discussions with Stagecoach to ensure the needs of passengers and taxpayers will be met in the short term whilst laying the foundations to bring forward the reforms in full under a long-term competitively procured contract.
We expect to provide additional services to Lincoln and Bradford from May 2019. It remains our intention to deliver additional services to Middlesbrough when capacity is available to do so. Virgin Trains East Coast has contingent rights to run services from London to Middlesbrough from May 2020 and firm rights from May 2021.
From 2020, we will introduce the East Coast Partnership - a regional partnership between the public and private sector, operated by a single management, under a single brand and under a single leader.
Two rail franchises are currently required to provide limited Boxing Day services. Greater Anglia is required to operate certain services between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport. Govia Thameslink Railway is required to operate certain services between London Victoria, Gatwick Airport and Brighton, between London Victoria and Sutton, and between London Victoria and East Croydon. During any periods of engineering work, replacement bus services would be provided.
All franchises have discretion to operate Boxing Day services on a commercial basis, subject to agreement with Network Rail.
Where connectivity needs are the key objective, we task the local authorities concerned to take the first step in evaluating benefits and prioritising available resources.
Local partners in the North share a desire to improve connectivity across the Pennines and their East-West Connectivity Study suggested there will be economic benefits in doing so. They will be actively involved in the Transport for the North’s Central Pennines strategic development corridor study to develop an outline programme and business case. We look forward to seeing the results of this work in due course.
We are in regular discussions with train operators over performance of their contractual obligations. We are unable to comment on the specific details of individual franchise agreements.
The Northern franchise requires them to consult with passengers, user groups, Network Rail, other train operators, and other relevant stakeholders on the potential demand for passenger services on Boxing Day. . Once this is done they must prepare and submit a report to the Secretary of State which sets out their proposals for operating Boxing Day services. As part of this process Northern must provide a minimum of 60services to operate on Boxing Day 2018.
The TPE franchise requires them to carry out a similar consultation and report process.
At the direction of the Secretary of State the Franchisee shall undertake the consultation required in conjunction with the Northern Franchisee.
There are obligations within both franchise agreements aimed at harmonising fares across the network to resolve inequalities across County boundaries.
The Department does not hold information on the number of bus journeys operated out of Keighley and Ilkley bus stations.
The Office of Rail and Road produces estimates of station usage in terms of the total number of people entering and exiting each national rail station in Great Britain. Annual estimates for the four stations requested from 2010-11 to 2015-16 (the latest year for which data are available) are given in the table below.
Entries and exits by station from 2010-11 to 2015-16
Station | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 |
Ilkley | 1,342,018 | 1,374,276 | 1,211,992 | 1,253,476 | 1,299,496 | 1,303,810 |
Keighley | 1,653,298 | 1,682,586 | 1,627,592 | 1,639,250 | 1,720,804 | 1,702,720 |
Ben Rhydding | 180,778 | 181,518 | 196,524 | 198,462 | 210,342 | 220,770 |
Steeton & Silsden | 744,336 | 750,926 | 787,810 | 797,060 | 862,046 | 838,874 |
Where connectivity needs are the key objective, we look to the local authorities concerned to take the first step in evaluating benefits and prioritising available resources.
Local partners in the North share a desire to improve connectivity across the Pennines and their East-West Connectivity Study suggested there will be economic benefits in doing so. They will be actively involved in the Transport for the North’s Central Pennines strategic development corridor study to develop an outline programme and business case.
Historic information on the number of train services run on Boxing Day is not held by the Department. We are not currently aware of plans for an increase in services on Boxing Day this year, but franchised operators are encouraged to explore the scope for such initiatives where these can be operated on a commercial basis.
Train Operators have been making progress on the delivery of more flexible tickets. c2c have a Flexi-Season on a smart card. Arriva Trains Wales have introduced a Mobile Multi-Flex product for customers in Cardiff and the surrounding areas. In addition both the recently announced South Western and West Midlands franchises include the announcement of a new flexible season ticket which will benefit people working fewer than 5 days a week. We continue to challenge the rail industry to develop proposals for pricing and delivering more flexible ticketing options for those who work or commute part-time.
The report has been received from TPE and contains commercially confidential information and is therefore unsuitable for public publication. The proposals contained within the report have been considered by a technical working group, under confidentiality agreement, within Rail North / Transport for North and options will be considered that could see Boxing Day services introduced within the current franchise (running 2016 to 2023).
However, there are a number of issues relating to the introduction of Boxing Day services, most notably the infrastructure works required to deliver capacity improvements that are often undertaken during Christmas / Boxing Day closures. It should also be noted that Boxing Day services are not contracted through the existing TPE Franchise Agreement and additional funding is expected to be needed to deliver such services.
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
The table below shows the number of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) appeals by outcome in 2017 for (a) Yorkshire and the Humber, (b) Bradford.
Number of PIP appeals by outcome, 2017 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
| Number of appeals | Number where the decision was overturned at appeal | Number where the decision was upheld at appeal |
Yorkshire and Humber | 7,510 | 4,770 | 2,740 |
Bradford | 740 | 450 | 290 |
Data has been rounded to the nearest 10.
Appeals data is taken from the DWP PIP computer system’s management information. Therefore this appeal data may differ from that held by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) for various reasons such as delays in data recording and other methodological differences in collating and preparing statistics.
PIP data includes normal rules and special rules for the terminally ill claimants, and is for both new claims and DLA reassessment claims.
The Local Authority and Region geography relates to the origin of the claim rather than the location of where the tribunal was held.
Decisions overturned at appeal may include a small number of appeals that have been lapsed (which is where DWP changed the decision after an appeal was lodged but before it was heard at Tribunal).
The figures do not include withdrawals or strike outs.
Official statistics on appeals based on HMCTS data are published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I previously gave on 15 November 2017 to Question UIN 111959
The application for Keighley Community Led Local Development project is in the final stages of appraisal and a decision is expected by the end of November.
Ministers do not have a role in approving wholly-owned subsidiary companies created by National Health Service foundation trusts, with this role delegated by powers to NHS Improvement. In November 2018, NHS Improvement published revised guidance to make all such subsidiaries subject to an approval process.
In contrast, the Secretary of State has the function of consenting to an NHS trust’s proposal to establish an income generating subsidiary company. The Department is not aware of any NHS trust which has asked for approval to set up such schemes in the last three years.
Due to commercial sensitivities, NHS Improvement does not provide information of which hospital trusts have proposals under active consideration to set up wholly-owned subsidiary companies. The Department has no NHS Trust Income Generation Schemes currently under consideration.
Ministers do not have a role in approving wholly-owned subsidiary companies created by National Health Service foundation trusts, with this role delegated by powers to NHS Improvement. In November 2018, NHS Improvement published revised guidance to make all such subsidiaries subject to an approval process.
In contrast, the Secretary of State has the function of consenting to an NHS trust’s proposal to establish an income generating subsidiary company. The Department is not aware of any NHS trust which has asked for approval to set up such schemes in the last three years.
Due to commercial sensitivities, NHS Improvement does not provide information of which hospital trusts have proposals under active consideration to set up wholly-owned subsidiary companies. The Department has no NHS Trust Income Generation Schemes currently under consideration.
NHS England’s Ambulance Quality Indicators set out Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust performance against each of the categories measured in each month of 2018. The data is attached.
Data by District Council area is not collected centrally. Ambulance response times are published monthly by NHS England at ambulance trust level.
Data can be found online at the following address:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance-quality-indicators/
The data is not available in the format requested.
Information on the number and names of subsidiary companies set up by National Health Service trusts is not collected centrally. NHS Improvement asks NHS foundation trusts to inform them how many subsidiaries have been consolidated into their accounts. Therefore, there may be cases where a very immaterial subsidiary is not consolidated into their accounts, and as such would not be included on the list below.
The information below is based on the most recent returns as at 31 March 2017. The list stands at 41 as it includes two subsidiaries which the trust reported as having a zero impact on the financials.
1 | Hampshire Hospitals Contract Services Limited |
2 | Summerhill Supplies Ltd |
3 | IFM Bolton Ltd |
4 | BHT Charity |
5 | The Clatterbridge Pharmacy Limited |
6 | Clatterbridge Propcare Services Limited |
7 | Synchronicity Care Ltd |
8 | D Hive |
9 | Dudley Clinical Services Limited |
10 | QEF |
11 | Guy's and St Thomas' Enterprises Ltd |
12 | GTI Forces Healthcare Ltd |
13 | Pathology Services Ltd |
14 | Essentia Trading Ltd |
15 | KCH Commercial Services Ltd |
16 | King's Interventional Facilities Management LLP |
17 | Moorfields Ventures LLP |
18 | WebV Solutions Ltd |
19 | Optimus Health Limited |
20 | Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Ltd |
21 | Northumbria Primary Care Limited |
22 | Northumbria Primary Care Cost Sharing Group Ltd |
23 | Oxleas Prison Services Limited |
24 | Healthcare Facilities |
25 | RSCH Pharmacy Ltd |
26 | Salisbury Trading Limited |
27 | Odstock Medical Limited |
28 | South Central Fleet Services Ltd |
29 | UHS Pharmacy LTD |
30 | UHS Estates LTD |
31 | SDH Developments Ltd |
32 | STFT Holdings Limited |
33 | South Tyneside Integrated Care Limited |
34 | Stepping Hill Healthcare Enterprises Ltd |
35 | City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Ltd |
36 | MyUCLH |
37 | Pharmacy@QEHB Ltd |
38 | UHB Facilities Ltd |
39 | Assure Dialysis Services Ltd |
40 | Day Case UK LLP |
41 | Symphony Healthcare Services Ltd |
Information on the number of subsidiary companies set up by National Health Service trusts is not collected centrally.
No specific VAT guidance has been issued by the Department in relation to the setting up of wholly owned subsidiary companies by NHS trusts. These companies are subject to normal VAT rules and as such no specific guidance is required. The tax affairs of subsidiary companies set up by NHS trusts will ultimately be an issue for the companies themselves to resolve with HM Revenue and Customs.
The Department’s Finance Director, Chris Young, wrote to NHS trust and foundation trust Finance Directors on 28 September 2017 to clarify the Department’s view on the use of tax advisors, with particular reference to tax avoidance. It should be noted that this letter was not issued with direct reference to any specific tax arrangements being entered into by the NHS.
Information on the number of subsidiary companies set up by National Health Service trusts is not collected centrally.
No specific VAT guidance has been issued by the Department in relation to the setting up of wholly owned subsidiary companies by NHS trusts. These companies are subject to normal VAT rules and as such no specific guidance is required. The tax affairs of subsidiary companies set up by NHS trusts will ultimately be an issue for the companies themselves to resolve with HM Revenue and Customs.
The Department’s Finance Director, Chris Young, wrote to NHS trust and foundation trust Finance Directors on 28 September 2017 to clarify the Department’s view on the use of tax advisors, with particular reference to tax avoidance. It should be noted that this letter was not issued with direct reference to any specific tax arrangements being entered into by the NHS.
500 additional places have already been allocated to existing medical schools and will be made available for students commencing courses from 1 August 2018.
We have consulted on how best to allocate the remaining 1,000 places by August 2019.
The Government response to the consultation was published on 9 August 2017 and is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/expanding-undergraduate-medical-education
The Steppe Inne is a well-known institution at the British Embassy in Ulaanbaatar and has hosted Embassy contacts, Mongolian and British alike, for more than 30 years. With the forthcoming move to new Embassy premises, the Steppe Inne will close but plans are being developed to arrange Steppe Inne nights at an alternative venue in Ulaanbaatar. The Steppe Inne has played a role in UK soft power but is part of a much wider Embassy effort to promote British interests in Mongolia.
The British Ambassador in Peru raised Media Freedom with Foreign Minister Popolizio on 24 June, extending to him an invitation to the Global Conference on Media Freedom in London in July.
In his opening speech at the Conference, the former Foreign Secretary hailed the work of Investigative Journalist Gustavo Gorriti of IDL-Reporteros, noting that he "has brought to light a series of corruption scandals involving business, the government and the judiciary". Mr Gorriti sent a video message in support of the Conference, and his fellow investigative journalists Paola Ugaz and Pedro Salinas were able to attend at the British Government's invitation.
The United Kingdom is fully committed to the promotion of media freedom and the protection of journalists. In 2019, the former Foreign Secretary announced our launch of the international campaign to end the climate of impunity and mobilise a consensus behind protection of journalists worldwide. We are currently considering how this campaign can best add value and reinforce existing mechanisms, including those of the UN and other international organisations. We have held discussions with Reporters Without Borders and are actively reviewing their proposal for a dedicated UN position on this issue.
We hold regular discussions with the Government of Albania and opposition parties and have urged both sides to engage in dialogue to resolve their political differences. The previous Prime Minister raised the need for political dialogue with Prime Minister Rama at the Poznan Summit. The then Minister of State for Europe and the Americas also saw acting Foreign Minister, Gent Cakaj, in Poznan, where they discussed the impasse in Albania and broader political challenges in the Western Balkans.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) funds the participation of UK election observers in election observation missions overseas where it judges that it is in the UK national interest to do so and where it is safe to do so. Details of this expenditure are not held centrally because decisions are made by individual FCO departments. It would therefore be disproportionately costly to calculate the total amount disbursed over the past five years.
Our Embassy in Pristina has raised with the Government of Kosovo the arrest and deportation of six Turkish nationals from Kosovo to Turkey. We have made clear to the Government of Kosovo that as a supporter of democratic values, Kosovo must prioritise the Rule of Law and international human rights standards in all its institutions.
HM Revenue and Customs does not hold information on VAT revenues from NHS bodies that can be broken down to the requested level of detail.
British citizens, including those with dual British/Irish or British/EU citizenship, are not eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. This is because, under Section 1(1) of the Immigration Act 1971, those with a right of abode in the UK (including all British citizens) cannot be granted immigration status.
Irish citizens resident in the UK who do not hold British citizenship will be eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if they choose. However, they do not need to do so as under the reciprocal Common Travel Area arrangements with Ireland, Irish citizens have a status in the UK separate from EU free movement rights that allows them to live, work, study and access benefits and services without being subject to a requirement to obtain leave to enter or remain in the UK.
The information requested is not available in statistics published by the Home Office.
The Home Office does not publish fire statistics by government office regions but by Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) regions.
Published figures for fire-related fatalities by FRA can be found in table FIRE0502 here:
Defining Yorkshire and the Humber as comprising the Humberside, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire FRAs, then the fire-related fatalities in each year since 2009/10 were:
2009/10 – 45
2010/11 – 33
2011/12 – 23
2012/13 – 15
2013/14 – 27
2014/15 – 30
2015/16 – 47
2016/17 – 24
The Home Office collects and publishes statistics on the number of police community support officers employed by each police force in England and Wales on a bi-annual basis. These data are published in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletins, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2017
The Home Office does not collect this information by constituency. Data on the number of police community support officers in West Yorkshire, as at 31 March each year, can be found in the accompanying Open Data Table: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/629362/open-data-table-police-workforce.ods
The names of the joint military exercises in which Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships participated during 2017, up to 6 December are given below.
Exercise Cougar Voyage | Exercise Artemis Trident |
Exercise Sea Khanjar | Exercise Baltops |
Exercise Azraq Serpent | Exercise Trade Winds 17 |
Exercise Unified Trident | Exercise Dynamic Mongoose |
Exercise Dynamic Guard | Exercise Breeze |
Exercise Aman | Exercise Grampus |
Exercise Khunjar Hadd | Exercise Saxon Warrior |
Exercise East Dolphin | Exercise Joint Warrior 172 |
Exercise Joint Warrior 171 | Exercise Brilliant Mariner |
Exercise Alligator Dagger | Exercise Dogu Akdeniz |
Exercise Samurai Blade | Exercise Niriis |
Exercise Konkan | Exercise Nusret |
It is UK policy that we do not comment on matters relating to submarine activity or operations as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Notes:
The total spend by the UK on the D5 Life Extension Programme up to the end of financial year 2016-17 was £157.6 million.
As stated in the recent update to Parliament on the Dreadnought Programme, approval was given in 2017 to extend the planned life of the Trident II D5 missile electronic packages at a total project cost of around £350 million.
I refer the Hon Member to my answers of 19 February 2019 and 20 February 2019 in response to Question UIN 221735 and Question UIN 222008 from the Hon Member for Barnsley Central, which set out our criteria for devolution and how the One Yorkshire proposal did not meet these.
In reaching his decision on the One Yorkshire proposal the Secretary of State had regard to the evidence and analysis supplied by the Yorkshire leaders, which are available at https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/economy/devolution/ . It was on this basis that the Secretary of State concluded that the One Yorkshire proposal met neither the criterion on functional economic area nor on there being strong and accountable governance. The proposal focuses on an area that is far greater than any of today’s functional economic city regions, and does not show how a single accountable mayor would be empowered to take tough decisions across a single area.
Further information on the eligibility criteria for the fund will be included in supplementary guidance for local authorities which shall be published in due course.
We are inviting bids from unitary authorities, metropolitan districts, London boroughs and, where there is a two-tier system, from district councils, in England. We are only accepting bids from local authorities, given their control of the strategic levers to develop the types of projects that will meet the objectives of the Fund. However, we encourage councils to work closely with stakeholders including Business Improvement Districts. Further information on the fund, including details of the nature of stakeholder support that we expect bidding authorities to demonstrate in their applications, can be found in the prospectus published online.
We are considering the material provided.
The Government has already agreed a devolution deal for the Sheffield City Region. We look forward to this being implemented in full. It will bring £900 million of much needed new funding to the city region, and put power in the hands of local people.
The new entry-level exception site policy is set out in the revised National Planning Policy Framework which was published on 24 July 2018. It supports both first time buyers and those looking to rent their first home. The policy should have a positive impact on provision of affordable rented homes as sites should comprise entry-level homes offering one or more types of affordable housing, including affordable housing for rent.
Officials are currently assessing the data contained in the published registers.
Officials are currently assessing the data contained in the published registers.
Since 1 January 2013 the Secretary of State has called 86 planning applications. Four involved either an existing airfield or were adjacent to an airfield.
A combined authority with an elected mayor could be established for the area by order, subject to Parliamentary approval, the consent of all councils concerned, and the statutory tests set out in the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 being met.
We received more than 4,700 responses to the consultation on banning letting agent fees charged to tenants. We are currently analysing responses and will publish a Government response shortly.
In 2015 Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield agreed a devolution deal with government. Each twice reaffirmed this commitment when consenting to parliamentary orders.
It is now for those local councils consult on the new powers.
While devolution discussions are ongoing elsewhere in Yorkshire, government remains committed to the existing South Yorkshire deal.
Cafcass launched its Child Impact Assessment Framework in October 2018. It is available at https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/grown-ups/professionals/ciaf/. The framework, which incorporates the award-winning Domestic Abuse Practice Pathway, brings together guides and tools which Cafcass officers can use to help them assess the impact on the child of different case factors in private law cases, including: domestic abuse; harmful conflict; child refusal or resistance to spend time with one of their parents, which includes parental alienation; and other forms of harmful parenting.
In October last year the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) launched its Child Impact Assessment Framework (CIAF) which sets out how children may experience parental separation and how this can be understood and acted on by Cafcass.
Cafcass is planning to undertake a review of its case records featuring actual or alleged alienating behaviours so that it has a clearer evidence base on the prevalence of parental alienation and its relationships with other case factors. This study will commence once the CIAF has been fully embedded into practice.
The use of digital scans to establish cause of death is a matter for individual coroners who decide how to proceed in light of guidance from the Chief Coroner. The guidance can be found on his website at:
www.judiciary.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/guidance-no-1-use-of-port-mortem-imaging.pdf
The figures for the number of post mortems held in 2017 which involved less invasive techniques are available at:
Bradford is in the West Yorkshire (western) coroner area, in which 267 less-invasive post mortems were conducted in 2017.
Annual coroner statistics are collected at the end of the year. Statistics for 2018 will be published in May 2019.