Asked by: Michelle Thomson (Independent - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to introduce a graduated driving licensing system for young drivers.
Answered by Andrew Jones
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.
Asked by: Michelle Thomson (Independent - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for funding of broadband provision in Scotland of the UK voting to leave the EU.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
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.
Asked by: Michelle Thomson (Independent - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that children's right to education is protected across the world.
Answered by Nick Hurd
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.
Asked by: Michelle Thomson (Independent - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what purposes her Department used the income it raised from visa applications in each of the last three years.
Answered by James Brokenshire
Income from fees contributes to providing the resources necessary to fund delivery of, and improvements to the Border, Immigration and Citizenship system.
Asked by: Michelle Thomson (Independent - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the average amount people spent on visa applications before being granted entry to the UK in the last year for which figures are available.
Answered by James Brokenshire
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.
Asked by: Michelle Thomson (Independent - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason her Department no longer publishes accounts of the revenue stream from visa services previously published by the UK Border Agency.
Answered by James Brokenshire
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.
Asked by: Michelle Thomson (Independent - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much revenue her Department has raised from each category of visa in each of the last three years.
Answered by James Brokenshire
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
Asked by: Michelle Thomson (Independent - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of level of revenue that will be raised from the new apprenticeship levy; and what additional funding he plans will be available for apprenticeships in England.
Answered by Greg Hands
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.
Asked by: Michelle Thomson (Independent - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to make available to the Scottish Government additional resources as a result of plans to increase funding for apprenticeships in England.
Answered by Greg Hands
Spending on apprenticeships in England will flow through the Barnett formula in the usual way. Skills policy is a devolved area, so the Scottish Government will continue to have complete flexibility over how to support businesses through training and apprenticeships.
Asked by: Michelle Thomson (Independent - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of the number of businesses in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK that will be required to pay the new apprenticeship levy.
Answered by Greg Hands
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.