Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and Mark Hoban

Monday 1st July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hoban]

My hon. Friend rightly says that we need to find ways to help people with mental health conditions, and other conditions, back into employment—the work we do under the Work programme is part of that, but other interventions are also being made—because there is a strong link between work and good health outcomes.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

23. Given today’s launch of Rethink’s Unfair WCA campaign, when will the Minister finally decide whether to implement the changes to the descriptors recommended over a year ago by the mental health charities?

[Mr Hoban]

Work is going on at the moment to test those descriptors, and we are working closely with the charities. Today also marks the launch of the call for evidence of the fourth independent review of the WCA, which recognises our commitment to improving on the system we inherited from the previous Government.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and Mark Hoban

Monday 10th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hoban]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. One of Professor Harrington’s recommendations was that the medical directors of charities review the guidance and some of the bases of assessment for conditions. I can assure him that the guidance for HIV/ AIDS is being reviewed by the medical director of the Terrence Higgins Trust.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

The hon. Member for North Devon (Sir Nick Harvey) was right to draw attention to the rising tide of real concern and anxiety among those threatened by the bedroom tax. How many households will be directly affected by the bedroom tax?

Northern Rock

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and Mark Hoban

Monday 21st November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hoban]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. If we measure this deal against the values at which other banks are trading at the moment, it is very clear that it is good value for money for the taxpayer. Rather than carping and criticising, Labour Members should welcome the fact that at a difficult time for the global economy we have been able to sell Northern Rock and get such good value for money.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

Has the Financial Services Authority expressed a view on the use of £240 million of Northern Rock’s own money by the buyers for the purchase of this scheme?

[Mr Hoban]

As I said earlier, the FSA will go through its normal process of approving the transfer and sale of this business.