First elected: 7th May 2015
Left House: 3rd May 2017 (General Election)
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 Michelle Thomson, 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.
Michelle Thomson has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Michelle Thomson has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Michelle Thomson has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Forensic Linguistics (Standards) Bill 2015-16
Sponsor - Roger Mullin (SNP)
The Government has been clear that one of the reasons we are moving the Green Investment Bank (GIB) into the private sector is to enable the business grow and continue as an institution supporting investment in the UK green economy.
GIB is being sold as a going concern and potential investors will be buying into the company’s green business plan and forward pipeline of projects.
The Government has always been clear about our plans to sell a majority of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) in order to achieve one of our key objectives, which is for GIB to be re-classified to the private sector once sold.
The decisions on the final size of stake of GIB to be sold will depend on the outcome of confidential discussions with bidders; driven by what best achieves our objectives for the sale, and, most importantly, what is in the best interests of the taxpayer.
The Government has set out its plans for the sale of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) in the document “Green Investment Bank: sale of shares” laid before Parliament on 3 March 2016.
As stated in that document, the Government has asked potential investors to confirm their commitment to GIB’s green values and investment principles and how they propose to protect them, as part of their bids for the company. In addition, the Government has approved the creation of a special share to protect GIB’s green purposes in future.
Scotland has a strong renewable energy sector, and Edinburgh continues to offer a great deal in terms of renewable energy expertise and attractive investment opportunities. We have asked potential investors to confirm their commitment to the Green Investment Bank’s (GIB) green values and investment principles, and how they propose to protect them, as part of their bids for the company.
GIB is being sold as a going concern and potential investors will be buying into the company’s green business plan and forward pipeline projects. The Green Investment Bank’s Chairman, the noble Lord, Lord Smith of Kelvin is strongly committed to the Edinburgh office.
The Phase 1 superfast broadband delivery in Scotland has benefited from up to £20 million of European funding. Currently no significant levels of European funding are expected to be used for the Phase 2 programme in Scotland. The Rest of Scotland broadband project remains on track to achieve 96% superfast broadband coverage by end of 2017.
DFID is committed to the Global Goal for education which aims to make sure that every girl and boy receives a quality education, including the poorest and most vulnerable. The UK supported 11 million children’s education between 2010 and 2015. We are committed to supporting 11 million children between 2015 and 2020.
The Government will consult shortly on airspace matters. This consultation will include a draft of new guidance to the Civil Aviation Authority on the environmental factors it should take into account when exercising its air navigation functions.
It is expected that the revised guidance will be in place by the end of this year.
It is important that we strike the right balance between the safety and the freedom of young drivers. Many rely on their cars to get to work and education; so licensing restrictions could affect their ability to access these opportunities.
Instead, we’re focussing our efforts on encouraging learner drivers to be better prepared for the wonderful freedoms a driving licence offers, but without compromising on safety, which is at the heart of what we do.
The information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Bereavement Support Payment will be introduced from 6 April 2017 for new claimants only. Existing claimants of Widowed Parent's Allowance and Bereavement Allowance will remain on those benefits. We estimate that approximately 8,500 parents will claim Bereavement Support Payment in 2017/18.
The Government introduced legislation in Finance Act 2014 to tackle false self-employment arising through intermediaries. Where there is control over the worker, as a result of the legislation, an intermediary has to operate PAYE and pay National Insurance Contributions. It was estimated that this would lead to 200,000 workers being correctly treated as employed.
Since April 2015, intermediaries also have to submit a quarterly electronic return if they have made payments to a worker without deductions under PAYE. The first returns were made to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in July and November 2015, and HMRC is using the information to tackle false self-employment through intermediaries.
In negotiating double taxation treaties, the UK’s objective is to reach an agreement that allocates taxing rights on a basis acceptable to both countries.
The government has committed to 3 million apprenticeship starts over the Parliament. The new levy on large employers will fund the step change needed in starts and quality. Further details will be set at the Spending Review following a formal engagement with business.
Employer investment in skills has been a problem since the 1990s and it needs to change. Large companies will now have direct control via the digital apprenticeship voucher and firms that are committed to training will be able to get back more than the put in. Further details will be set at the Spending Review following a formal engagement with business.
The Barnett formula will apply to spending on apprenticeships in England in the usual way. Skills policy is a devolved area so the DAs will have complete flexibility over how to support businesses. Further details will be set at the Spending Review following a formal engagement with business.
The guidance builds on the principles set out by the Home Secretary on 24 October. The criteria are intended to ensure that we are focusing on the most vulnerable children. We will be considering all those aged 12 and under, all children referred to us by the French authorities assessed as being at a high risk of sexual exploitation, and those nationalities most likely to qualify for refugee status in the UK, aged 15 or below. In doing this we are also establishing whether it is in each child’s best interests to come here. Since 10 October, we have transferred over 300 unaccompanied minors to the UK from France and, as the Home Secretary told Parliament on 24 October, we expect several hundred more children to be brought to the UK in the coming days and weeks.
We do not record income broken down for each category of visa.
However, the Home Office publishes the amount of income raised through fees charged for visa applications within the Home Office’s Annual Report and Accounts for the three previous years, copies of which are available in the Vote Office.
Statistical information relating to volumes within each visa category are published on the Gov.uk website, and are available at the following link. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-april-to-june-2015/list-of-tables
This information is published in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts 2014-15, a copy of which is available in the Vote Office.
Table 6.2 sets out an analysis of income from services provided to external and public sector customers.
The Home Office does not analyse the average amount people spend on visa applications before being granted entry to the UK. The Home Office provides a wide range of visa products and services and takes into account a range of factors when setting fees, so there is no typical fee amount.
Income from fees contributes to providing the resources necessary to fund delivery of, and improvements to the Border, Immigration and Citizenship system.