Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andy McDonald this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 381–400 of 406 · this parliament
If she has provided advice on whether F-35 components supplied by the UK to Israel via a third party are used by Israel in Gaza in compliance with international humanitarian law.
Paragraph 2.13 of the Ministerial Code states: ‘the fact that the Law Officers have advised or have not advised and the content of their advice must not be disclosed outside Government without their authority’. This is known as the Law Officers’ Conventio...
If she will respond to correspondence of 15 May 2024 from the Work and Pensions Select Committee to her predecessor, o making recommendations in relation to the report by the Parliamentary and Health Se
We will need time to review and consider the Ombudsman’s report along with the evidence provided during the investigation. We need to consider the views that have been expressed on all sides including the recommendations made by the Work and Pensions Sele...
With reference to the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues, published on 21 March 2024, whether sh
As a newly formed Government we will need time to review and consider the Ombudsman’s report along with the evidence provided during the investigation. Now the election has concluded we need to consider the views that have been expressed on all sides. The...
Whether she accepts the findings of maladministration in her Department in the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and
As a newly formed Government we will need time to review and consider the Ombudsman’s report along with the evidence provided during the investigation. Now the election has concluded we need to consider the views that have been expressed on all sides. The...
If he will make it his policy to negotiate an end-use agreement with F-35 programme supply chain and electronic stockpile management system counterparts to end the re-export of F-35s to Israel.
The UK Government has made an amendment to the F-35 Open General Export Licence (F-35 OGEL) in relation to F-35 items manufactured in the UK, which now cannot be directly exported to Israel. The US Government manages the sale of F-35 aircraft to Israel an...
With reference to the Written Statement of 2 September 2024, HCWS64, whether he has had discussions with his counterparts in other countries in the F-35 global supply chain on the potential merits of s
The F-35 programme is the largest international collaborative defence programme in the world. The UK cannot make changes to the F-35 programme unilaterally – any change requires agreement across all Partner Nations. Regular discussions with programme part...
How many (a) stations and (b) rolling stock units in service were mobility-scooter friendly on the rail network in each year since 2010.
This government is committed to making the railway more accessible. Since 2006, the Access for All Programme has upgraded more than 250 stations to deliver step free access across Great Britain. Details on the accessibility and facilities for each station...
What guidance her Department has issued on increasing (a) station accessibility and (b) rolling stock accessibility for mobility scooters on the rail network.
The Secretary of State publishes Design Standards for Accessible Railway Stations, which licenced operators must follow whenever they install, renew or replace infrastructure or facilities in Great Britain. Train and station operators are required by thei...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral statement entitled Middle East Update of 2 September 2024, Official Report, column 37, what information his Department holds on whether Israeli F-3
The UK's robust export licensing criteria states that the government will not issue export licences if the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law. On this basis, we have suspended certain export li...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral contribution of 2 September 2024 on Middle East, Official Report, column 37, what discussions he had with his counterpart in the US Government prio
The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to his US counterpart about a wide range of issues. Our licencing decisions are based on our own processes and are not led by the decisions of others.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral statement of 2 September 2024 on Middle East Update, Official Report, column 37, if he will hold discussions with counterparts in other countries i
Our licencing decisions are based on our own processes. At the present time exports to the F-35 Programme will be excluded from this suspension, except where the exports would go direct to Israel, for the reasons set out in the Foreign Secretary's stateme...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral statement entitled Middle East Update of 2 September 2024, Official Report, column 37, what assessment he has made of whether equipment relating to
The UK assesses export licences against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (SELC), which state that a licence will not be granted for an item if the Government determines there is a clear risk that it might be used to commit or facilitate a serious v...
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring passenger rail franchise operators to accommodate mobility scooters.
Train and station operators are required by their operating licences to establish and comply with an Accessible Travel Policy (ATP) which must be approved by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). An ATP sets out, among other things, the arrangements and ass...
With reference to the Written Statement of 30 July 2024 on Low Pay Commission Remit, HCWS43, by what date will 18 to 20 year olds be in receipt of the single adult National Minimum Wage.
The Government is committed to delivering a genuine living wage for working people, and removing the discriminatory age bands, so that all adults can benefit. The new Low Pay Commission (LPC) remit asks the LPC to make progress on extending the National Living Wage to all adults. This will be achieved in the coming years, with the Government basing this decision on robust evidence, as well as the recommendations from the Low Pay Commission. The new remit is clear that this ambition should be pursued while also taking into account the effects on employment of younger workers, incentives for them to remain in training or education and the wider economy.
What estimate her Department has made of the number of pensioners living in (a) relative poverty and (b) absolute poverty that are not in receipt of Pension Credit.
For the financial year 2022/23, the latest year that data that is available, 1.6m pensioners living in households not in receipt of Pension Credit were in relative poverty after housing costs, and 1.2m pensioners living in households not in receipt of Pension Credit were in absolute poverty after housing costs. Statistics on the number of pensioners living in absolute and relative poverty in the UK are published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication at Households below average income: for financial years ending 1995 to 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab). The latest available data with breakdowns by receipt of Pension Credit can be found on Stat-Xplore (https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/) in the ‘Households Below Average Income’ dataset. The latest statistics published on 21 March 2024 are for the financial period 2022/23. Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore can be found here: Getting Started (dwp.gov.uk). An account is not required to use Stat- Xplore, the ‘Guest Login’ feature gives instant access to the main functions.
With reference to the Written Statement of 30 July 2024 on Low Pay Commission Remit, HCWS43, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the National Living Wage in line with the forecast rate of CPI inflation.
The Government has issued a new remit to the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to recommend a National Living Wage (NLW) which takes into account the impact on business, competitiveness, the labour market, the wider economy and for the first time this year, the cost of living, including the expected annual trends in inflation. When recommending rates, the LPC carries out extensive research and consultation, drawing on economic, labour market and pay analysis, independent research, and stakeholder evidence to inform its recommendations. When setting new rates, the Government publishes an Impact Assessment (IA) for that year’s increases this sets out the evidence base that informs the Government’s decision on the rate.
With reference to the Written Statement of 30 July 2024 on Low Pay Commission Remit, HCWS43, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the floor of the National Living Wage rate to one higher than two-thirds of UK median earnings for workers aged 21 and over.
The Government has issued a new remit to the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to recommend a National Living Wage (NLW) which takes into account the impact on business, competitiveness, the labour market, the wider economy and for the first time this year, the cost of living, including the expected annual trends in inflation. When recommending rates, the LPC carries out extensive research and consultation, drawing on economic, labour market and pay analysis, independent research, and stakeholder evidence to inform its recommendations. When setting new rates, the Government publishes an Impact Assessment (IA) for that year’s increases this sets out the evidence base that informs the Government’s decision on the rate.
What steps her Department plans to take to help support low income pensioners that will no longer receive the Winter Fuel Payment.
This Government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control. Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged 80 and over. Over the next five years we expect over 12 million pensioners will see their State Pensions increase by thousands of pounds as a result of our commitment to the Triple Lock. Protecting the Triple Lock even in the current economic climate shows our steadfast commitment to pensioners. We are prioritising support for pensioners through our Warm Homes Plan which will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating – upgrading millions of homes over this Parliament. Our long-term plan will protect billpayers permanently, reduce fuel poverty, and get the UK back on track to meet our climate goals. We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits – hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need.As part of the current Pension Credit Week of Action, we have joined forces with national charities, broadcasters and local authorities to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim.From 16 September, we will be running a national marketing campaign on a range of channels. The campaign will target potential pension-age customers, as well as friends and family who can encourage and support them to apply.Our future campaign messaging will also focus on encouraging pensioners to apply for Pension Credit before the 21 December 2024, which is the last date for making a successful backdated claim for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment.We will work with external partners, local authorities and the Devolved Governments to boost the take-up of Pension Credit.
What estimate her Department has made of the number of people eligible for but not claiming Pension Credit in Middlesbrough & Thornaby East constituency.
The latest available Pension Credit take-up statistics cover the financial year 2021 to 2022 and are available at: Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year ending 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). These statistics are only available at Great Britain level and cannot be broken down to smaller geographical areas.The Government is determined to ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need.As part of the current Pension Credit Week of Action, we have joined forces with national charities, broadcasters and local authorities to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim.From 16 September, we will be running a national marketing campaign on a range of channels. The campaign will target potential pension-age customers, as well as friends and family who can encourage and support them to apply.Our future campaign messaging will also focus on encouraging pensioners to apply for Pension Credit before the 21 December 2024, which is the last date for making a successful backdated claim for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment.We will work with external partners, local authorities and the Devolved Governments to boost the take-up of Pension Credit.
What discussions she has had with stakeholders on the decision to withdraw eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments from those not in receipt of Pension Credit.
This Government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. The Department met with Age UK, the Local Government Association and Citizens Advice prior to the Chancellor’s statement, which included the Winter Fuel Payment announcement. Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the Government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control. We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits – hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need. The Government will work with external partners and local authorities to boost the uptake of Pension Credit and to target additional support to the poorest pensioners.