Asked by: Tom Pursglove (Conservative - Corby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many prosecutions there have been of transport operators for discriminating against guide dogs and their owners in each of the last five years.
Answered by Andrew Jones
I understand the harm that the refusal of an assistance dog causes, not only to its owners ability to complete the journey that they set out to make but also to travel with confidence in the future.
We do not currently collect data on the outcome of assistance dog refusal incidents reported to local authorities, however my officials and I meet regularly with assistance dog owners and their representatives and I understand anecdotally that few refusals result in a successful prosecution.
I want to understand why this is, and will be reviewing the available evidence with a view to eradicating such unacceptable discrimination.
Asked by: Tom Pursglove (Conservative - Corby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward an accessibility action plan to improve access to taxis and private hire vehicles for guide dogs and their owners.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department is committed to developing an Accessibility Action Plan (AAP) which will allow disabled people to access education, to get to work, see family and friends and to enjoy leisure activities.
The needs of assistance dog owners, including those who work with guide dogs, have informed the development of the actions which we intend to include in the AAP.
The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) has advised the Department on the broad content and scope of the AAP.
We aim to consult on the draft document by the end of the calendar year with the intention of publishing a final version by mid-2017.
Asked by: Tom Pursglove (Conservative - Corby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to promote best practice amongst licensing authorities on the use of taxis and private hire vehicles by guide dog owners.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department has previously issued guidance to licensing authorities on the application of the law regarding the carriage of guide and assistance dogs in taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs), including their role in responding to allegations of non-compliance.
The Department is currently reviewing existing Best Practice Guidance on the licensing of taxis and PHVs, with a view to consulting stakeholders on a revised version in 2017. This will include strengthened recommendations relating to the training of drivers in disability awareness and equality.
Asked by: Tom Pursglove (Conservative - Corby)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support his Department provides for communities in which Post Offices require relocation.
Answered by Margot James
The provision and location of Post Offices is the operational responsibility of Post Office Limited.
Any proposal by Post Office Limited to relocate a post office within a community includes a six week local consultation conducted by the Post Office to let the community know what is happening and seek feedback from interested customers and stakeholders within the community. The Post Office carefully considers all feedback received during the consultation process before making a final decision on whether to relocate.
The Government recognises the importance of post offices to communities and will have invested £2 billion in the Post Office during the period 2010 to 2018 to maintain the network and invest in transformation of the business which includes money to help relocate post offices to more sustainable locations in their communities. This investment has led to the highest level of network stability in decades.
Asked by: Tom Pursglove (Conservative - Corby)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase opportunities for young people to access skills and vocational education.
Answered by Justine Greening
It is essential that everyone, irrespective of background and upbringing, has the opportunity to get the skills and training they need to get on in life. Tech levels and certificates in schools, Traineeships, Apprenticeships, National Colleges, Institutes of Technology and proposed technical education reforms set out in the Skills Plan, present real opportunities for people of all ages to acquire the high quality skills and vocational or technical education that employers demand. Opportunity Areas will be at the forefront of my Department’s drive to increase opportunities for young people to develop the skills they need to succeed.
Asked by: Tom Pursglove (Conservative - Corby)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to improve the confidence of suppliers and customers in the future of the UK steel industry.
Answered by Nick Hurd
The Government has been working closely with industry to provide all the support we can during these difficult times.
We have made significant progress in addressing the challenges faced by the industry and we have convened a Steel Council to ensure our continued support is targeted in the right areas.
Asked by: Tom Pursglove (Conservative - Corby)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of General Policy Recommendation No.16, by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, adopted on 16 March 2016, that doctors, teachers, landlords and other social service providers should not be obliged to report illegal immigrants.
Answered by James Brokenshire
Access to social services, benefits, social housing, NHS secondary care services, employment and private rented accommodation is subject to eligibility rules and immigration status checks by providers. The Government would not accept or support any recommendation which would bar public officials or private service providers from reporting illegal immigrants to the Home Office.
Asked by: Tom Pursglove (Conservative - Corby)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 25 May 2016 to Question 37198, how many of the leaflets entitled Why the Government believes that voting to remain in the European Union is the best decision for the UK have been returned to his Department; and what the postage cost to the Government has been of such returns.
Answered by David Gauke
I refer the Hon Member to the Prime Minister's response of 25th May 2016. This information is not collated centrally by the Department.
Asked by: Tom Pursglove (Conservative - Corby)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 25 May 2016 to Question 37198, how many of the leaflets entitled Why the Government believes that voting to remain in the European Union is the best decision for the UK have been returned to his Department; and what the postage cost to the Government has been of such returns.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
I refer the Hon Member to the Prime Minister's response of 25th May 2016. This information is not collated centrally by the Department.
Asked by: Tom Pursglove (Conservative - Corby)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 May 2016 to Question 37198, how many of the leaflets entitled Why the Government believes that voting to remain in the European Union is the best decision for the UK have been returned to his Department; and what the postage cost to the Government has been of such returns.
Answered by David Lidington
I refer my Hon Friend to the Prime Minister's response of 25th May 2016. This information is not collated centrally by the Department.