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Will the Secretary of State reassure my constituent whose relative was murdered by the Yorkshire Ripper many years ago that he will never be let out of prison for his heinous crimes?
Will the Secretary of State reassure my constituent whose relative was murdered by the Yorkshire Ripper many years ago that he will never be let out of prison for his heinous crimes?
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Topical questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
23 March 2010
I would like to provide that reassurance. I have to say to the hon. Lady and the House that ultimately that decision would be for the Parole Board and the courts, and perhaps mental health tribunals. However, I say to her, and through her to her constituent, that all the evidence I have seen in this case—it is a great deal—suggests to me that there are no circumstances in which that man will be released.
Subjects
Sutcliffe, Peter; David Kelly Death Inquiry
Date
23 March 2010
Reference
508 c131-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects the first funding to be disbursed from the UK innovation investment fund.
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects the first funding to be disbursed from the UK innovation investment fund.
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answered by
Pat McFadden
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
1 March 2010
For answer on
4 March 2010
Answered on
5 March 2010
The UK Innovation Investment Fund brings together public and private sector finance to back the best of British Innovation. The fund has appointed two managers, Hermes Private Equity and the European Investment Fund. There is a total pool of capital of £325 million. £200 million will be invested through the EIF's UK Future Technologies Fund in areas such as ICT, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. £125 million through the Hermes Environmental Innovation Fund will specialise in cleantech and low carbon. We expect these two funds to begin investing over the next few months.
Subjects
Investment; Technology
Date
5 March 2010
Reference
506 c1437W; 320208
House
House of Commons
In the light of the UK's performance at the winter Olympics, does the Secretary of State wish that we had spent more of our money on elite sporting performance in winter Olympic sports?
In the light of the UK's performance at the winter Olympics, does the Secretary of State wish that we had spent more of our money on elite sporting performance in winter Olympic sports?
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 March 2010
The hon. Lady is rather negative about the UK's performance at the winter Olympics. We actually won our first gold medal in a single event for 30 years—since Robin Cousins—so it was our best performance for several years. But of course, these funding decisions are not taken by Ministers in this Government, although she might like that to be the case under a Conservative Government. We believe in the sports bodies making the decisions about where funding goes. Of course, they will review whether the funding that they put into certain winter Olympic sports represents good value for money, and they will make decisions about future funding based on those talks.
Subjects
National Lottery; Sports
Date
1 March 2010
Reference
506 c651
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
As the Minister will be aware, it is estimated that about £200 billion will need to be invested in energy production in the next decade if the lights are not going to go off. In the light of that figure, does he think that the £800 million-plus profit that British Gas announced today should be used for further investment or cutting bills?
As the Minister will be aware, it is estimated that about £200 billion will need to be invested in energy production in the next decade if the lights are not going to go off. In the light of that figure, does he think that the £800 million-plus profit that British Gas announced today should be used for further investment or cutting bills?
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Energy and Climate Change
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
25 February 2010
The hon. Lady invites me to answer one of the key questions. We want energy companies to invest £200 billion in infrastructure projects in this country over the next decade, so we should celebrate the fact that they are successful global companies that do make profits. However, when those profits are excessive and members of the public are struggling to pay high energy bills after four successive years of very big increases, we are entitled to say that as world prices fall the customers should share in that benefit.
Subjects
Energy supply
Date
25 February 2010
Reference
506 c434
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What recent assessment he has made of progress on loyalist decommissioning.
What recent assessment he has made of progress on loyalist decommissioning.
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answered by
Shaun Woodward
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 January 2010
For answer on
3 February 2010
Answered on
3 February 2010
At the beginning of January, the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning confirmed a major act of decommissioning by the UDA. We applaud the leadership and courage behind that decision and those responsible.
Subjects
Northern Ireland; Weapons
Date
3 February 2010
Reference
505 c288-9; 314141
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The Secretary of State—[Interruption.]
The Secretary of State rightly says that there has been welcome decommissioning by the UDA, but he will also be aware of the worrying number of loyalist dissident assaults, which are up by almost 250 per cent. on the same time last year. What is his Department doing to ensure that the people who orchestrate and authorise such assaults face justice?
The Secretary of State—[Interruption.]
The Secretary of State rightly says that there has been welcome decommissioning by the UDA, but he will also be aware of the worrying number of loyalist dissident assaults, which are up by almost 250 per cent. on the same time last year. What is his Department doing to ensure that the people who orchestrate and authorise such assaults face justice?
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
3 February 2010
First, this is a matter for the Chief Constable. That being said, we are ensuring that the resources are available for him to deal with all those who are engaged in crime. If the agreement that we are trying to work through at Hillsborough succeeds, an additional £800 million will be available to policing and justice in Northern Ireland to help with these things. If the agreement is not reached, that money will not be available and the police will have to suffer the consequences of a failure to reach agreement.
Subjects
Northern Ireland; Weapons
Date
3 February 2010
Reference
505 c289
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The Government have long had an aspiration for 50 per cent. of young people to go into higher education. Given the right hon. Gentleman's savage cuts in the university sector, can he tell us in what year he expects to meet that 50 per cent. aspiration and what percentage of young people will be going to university next year?
The Government have long had an aspiration for 50 per cent. of young people to go into higher education. Given the right hon. Gentleman's savage cuts in the university sector, can he tell us in what year he expects to meet that 50 per cent. aspiration and what percentage of young people will be going to university next year?
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
14 January 2010
I am pleased to say that we have more young people at university than ever before in our history, and we will have even more next year. However, if the £610 million of cuts to my Department's budget were enacted, which was the Conservative proposal 18 months ago, that would mean a reduction of many thousands.
Subjects
Finance; Higher education
Date
14 January 2010
Reference
503 c823-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the system for processing student visa applications.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the system for processing student visa applications.
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answered by
Phil Woolas
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 December 2009
For answer on
14 December 2009
Answered on
14 December 2009
We implemented Tier 4 of the points based system on 31 March 2009, replacing the previous arrangements for overseas students to come and study in the UK. This ensures that only those colleges and schools who provide quality education and take responsibility for their students are licensed to bring in international students. We continuously monitor our systems and where improvements can be made we will make them. The Prime Minister recently announced a review of certain elements of Tier 4 and we are studying the recommendations.
Subjects
Overseas students; Visas
Date
14 December 2009
Reference
502 c711-2W; 306219
House
House of Commons
I am sure the Minister saw the story in the newspapers last week of a family in west London who were receiving some £180,000 worth of benefits, most of which formed their housing allowance. The hon. Lady previously had plans to cap the very large sums of rent that were paid to families. Can she explain how such an extraordinary state of affairs came about?
I am sure the Minister saw the story in the newspapers last week of a family in west London who were receiving some £180,000 worth of benefits, most of which formed their housing allowance. The hon. Lady previously had plans to cap the very large sums of rent that were paid to families. Can she explain how such an extraordinary state of affairs came about?
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
7 December 2009
We have already acted to cap those high levels of benefit by capping the local housing allowance to the five-bedroom rate. We will shortly be consulting on reform of housing benefit to make it fairer and support access to reasonably priced accommodation. The hon. Lady makes a fair point. Nobody expects housing benefit to pay for a small number of people to live in extremely expensive accommodation, but I point out to her that fewer than 100 households across the whole country receive housing benefit of more than £1,000 a week.
Subjects
Housing benefit
Date
7 December 2009
Reference
502 c14
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
If I remember correctly, back in 1997, the Labour Government had the aspiration of 0.7 per cent. of gross national income being spent on overseas development. Why, therefore, is it in the last year of the Labour Government that they are proposing to put that into legislation?
If I remember correctly, back in 1997, the Labour Government had the aspiration of 0.7 per cent. of gross national income being spent on overseas development. Why, therefore, is it in the last year of the Labour Government that they are proposing to put that into legislation?
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Treasury
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
3 November 2009
We will not take any lectures from the Conservatives on overseas aid, given that they slashed the budgets year on year. We have seen sustained improvement in the amount of money going to help some of the poorest countries as a result of the 12 years of this Labour Government; indeed, it is one of the things I am most proud of. We have said that we will meet our interim target of 0.56 per cent. by 2010. We are on track to do that, and we will also, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill (Mr. Clarke) clearly pointed out, lead the way in having a climate change deal that will help the poorest countries of the world.
Subjects
Development aid
Date
3 November 2009
Reference
498 c706
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The Minister gave the House an interesting answer when he said that services had increased by 50 per cent. So that we can understand that figure, will he say to what extent that represents the normal service on any other working day of the year?
The Minister gave the House an interesting answer when he said that services had increased by 50 per cent. So that we can understand that figure, will he say to what extent that represents the normal service on any other working day of the year?
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Transport
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
22 October 2009
The 50 per cent. figure represents the increase over previous years that is planned for this year in the 2009 timetable.
Subjects
Public holidays; Railways
Date
22 October 2009
Reference
497 c1038-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent representations he has received from local authorities on the physical security of vulnerable people in local authority care.
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent representations he has received from local authorities on the physical security of vulnerable people in local authority care.
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Primarolo
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
1 July 2009
For answer on
7 July 2009
Answered on
22 October 2009
[holding answer 7 July 2009]: All children's homes must comply with regulations and national minimum standards. These require that premises must be fit and suitable for achieving the home's statement of purpose. Every home must be secure from unauthorised access. This could include, for example, using electronic surveillance to monitor those who enter and leave the premises or having ground floor windows that can be opened only part way.Where a local authority looks after a child, including those that have been trafficked, then they are responsible for identifying a placement that will be appropriate to meeting their needs, including their need to be kept safe from any likely harm.On 1 July 2009, we published new "Statutory Guidance on children who run away and go missing from home or care". This sets out the measures local authorities must take whenever a child that they look after goes missing from their care placement and includes specific information about managing support for especially vulnerable groups of looked after children—such as those asylum seeking children who may have been trafficked into the UK.
Subjects
Children in care; Care homes; Security
Date
22 October 2009
Reference
497 c1662W; 284348
House
House of Commons
The Minister will be aware that one of the principal bottlenecks for the existing capacity on the line between Birmingham and Worcester is Bromsgrove station. As a result, my constituents, and those of my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Worcestershire, have to suffer severe overcrowding and reduced services. Advanced plans for a new station in Bromsgrove were given impetus by money from the west midlands region not so long ago. Can the Minister offer us a start date for the cutting of the first sod at Bromsgrove station, because that would be the best news that my constituents could hear?
The Minister will be aware that one of the principal bottlenecks for the existing capacity on the line between Birmingham and Worcester is Bromsgrove station. As a result, my constituents, and those of my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Worcestershire, have to suffer severe overcrowding and reduced services. Advanced plans for a new station in Bromsgrove were given impetus by money from the west midlands region not so long ago. Can the Minister offer us a start date for the cutting of the first sod at Bromsgrove station, because that would be the best news that my constituents could hear?
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
West Midlands Regional Grand Committee
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 October 2009
I have discussed that subject with the leader of Bromsgrove district council. I am afraid that I cannot give a precise date, but I will try to establish one as quickly as possible and write to the hon. Lady.
Subjects
Transport; West Midlands
Date
8 October 2009
Reference
WMRGC c5
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
In those meetings, has the Minister been made aware of what is happening on the ground to businesses—SMEs—across the west midlands? The way in which such businesses have been treated by the banks might be one of the reasons why our area has been affected most by the recession. I have evidence from local firms that they have been asked to increase the interest rate on their existing overdraft facilities from 4 per cent. to 7 per cent., with a cut down to 6 per cent. if they are willing to offer personal guarantees. That is being done by all the high street banks but, of course, it is very aggrieving when Lloyds bank, which is largely owned by the taxpayer, is piling pressure on businesses that provide jobs and wealth for people. When businesses are treated in such a way, they deeply regret it, and the situation has pushed some of them into insolvency.
In those meetings, has the Minister been made aware of what is happening on the ground to businesses—SMEs—across the west midlands? The way in which such businesses have been treated by the banks might be one of the reasons why our area has been affected most by the recession. I have evidence from local firms that they have been asked to increase the interest rate on their existing overdraft facilities from 4 per cent. to 7 per cent., with a cut down to 6 per cent. if they are willing to offer personal guarantees. That is being done by all the high street banks but, of course, it is very aggrieving when Lloyds bank, which is largely owned by the taxpayer, is piling pressure on businesses that provide jobs and wealth for people. When businesses are treated in such a way, they deeply regret it, and the situation has pushed some of them into insolvency.
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
West Midlands Regional Grand Committee
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 October 2009
The hon. Lady is absolutely right about the problem faced by businesses in her constituency and right across the region, which has been central in this recession. If she thinks that we can help some of the individual companies in her constituency that are having difficulties raising finance, she should give me their details and I will ensure that they are contacted by Advantage West Midlands tomorrow, or as soon as possible. That problem has been the most important issue in this recession.
We were the first region to establish a regional loan fund, which has helped dozens of companies and saved thousands of jobs. We were the only region that was allowed to extend such finance. Today I can announce that we are going further still and providing an extra £4.29 million of new funding from AWM and the European regional development fund to provide much-needed help for entrepreneurs and SMEs in the region that are struggling to raise finance.
The hon. Lady was absolutely right to say that we were the first region to bring together its banks and business groups to help to ensure that companies, especially small firms, get access to the finance that they need. I am not pretending that the problems have been sorted out—she is right about their nature—but it is true to say that 529 businesses in the west midlands have now been offered loans worth more than £52 million through the enterprise finance guarantee scheme, which the Government introduced earlier this year.
Subjects
Banks; Credit; Interest rates; Small businesses; West Midlands
Date
8 October 2009
Reference
WMRGC c9-10
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister for the West Midlands, what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on the availability of credit for small and medium-sized enterprises in the West Midlands.
To ask the Minister for the West Midlands, what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on the availability of credit for small and medium-sized enterprises in the West Midlands.
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Austin of Dudley
(Labour)
Answering body
West Midlands Regional Grand Committee
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 October 2009
I have regular discussions about the availability of finance with ministerial colleagues, including at the Council of Regional Ministers and the Regional Economic Council. As a result of those and other discussions, the Government have introduced a series of measures to ensure that viable firms can access funding from the enterprise finance guarantee scheme, for example, and regional schemes such as the advantage transition bridge fund.
Subjects
Credit; Small businesses; West Midlands
Date
8 October 2009
Reference
WMRGC c9; 292189
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people who retired before April 2005 are members of schemes under the Pension Protection Fund; how many such people have had their pensions capped; what estimate she has made of the annual cost of restoring the full pensions...
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people who retired before April 2005 are members of schemes under the Pension Protection Fund; how many such people have had their pensions capped; what estimate she has made of the annual cost of restoring the full pensions...
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answered by
Angela Eagle
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
17 June 2009
For answer on
19 June 2009
Answered on
9 September 2009
The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.Such information as is available was provided to the hon. Member on 4 June 2009, Official Report, column 622W.
Subjects
Pension Protection Fund
Date
9 September 2009
Reference
496 c2043-4W; 281716
House
House of Commons
Does the Secretary of State not recognise that the probation service is already overstretched and that the cuts are most unwelcome? How does he expect the service to ensure the safety of the public and prevent reoffending by people who have been in prison if it does not have the resources to manage them properly?
Does the Secretary of State not recognise that the probation service is already overstretched and that the cuts are most unwelcome? How does he expect the service to ensure the safety of the public and prevent reoffending by people who have been in prison if it does not have the resources to manage them properly?
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 July 2009
The resources are there. The budget for probation in the hon. Lady's area of West Mercia was £9.2 million in 2001-02. In the year just finished, it was £15.7 million. Even allowing for some inflation, that is a big real-terms increase. I am working carefully with the unions nationally, including the National Association of Probation Officers, to ensure that anxieties are properly and better dealt with than they might have been.
Subjects
Finance; Probation
Date
21 July 2009
Reference
496 c733
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Does the Minister agree that one of the biggest and easiest hits that we can make when it comes to our climate change ambitions is tackling domestic carbon emissions? The measures taken in the home are therefore the most important. Why does she not bang heads together, get a smart metering agreement between the various companies, and implement it as soon as possible?
Does the Minister agree that one of the biggest and easiest hits that we can make when it comes to our climate change ambitions is tackling domestic carbon emissions? The measures taken in the home are therefore the most important. Why does she not bang heads together, get a smart metering agreement between the various companies, and implement it as soon as possible?
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Energy and Climate Change
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
9 July 2009
I agree with the hon. Lady's proposition. About 27 per cent. of our emissions come from the domestic sector and result from the choices that we make, so that sector is very important. We have already announced a roll-out of smart meters. It is a complex programme—it needs to reach every household in the country—so it will start next year and will take 10 years. If we can speed it up, we will. It is very important, it is the way forward, and we will do it.
Subjects
Housing; Energy
Date
9 July 2009
Reference
495 c1114
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Ministers will be only too sadly aware that the United Kingdom has the highest level of youth unemployment in Europe and that the figures are likely to be added to during the summer, as many thousands of graduates leave university and look for work. Can the Minister help me to tell my constituents what advice and help will be available to them as they try to find a place in the job market?
Ministers will be only too sadly aware that the United Kingdom has the highest level of youth unemployment in Europe and that the figures are likely to be added to during the summer, as many thousands of graduates leave university and look for work. Can the Minister help me to tell my constituents what advice and help will be available to them as they try to find a place in the job market?
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Topical questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
29 June 2009
As I said earlier, young people, like others, are affected by the worldwide recession. It is worth noting, however, that long-term youth claimant unemployment is still 56.6 per cent. lower than it was in 1997. We are being successful in quickly turning around people, including young people, who are becoming unemployed. The hon. Lady will be aware that when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government was at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, he announced an internship scheme in order to help graduates leaving university. Over the summer we will be talking more about that, as well as other opportunities for school leavers, including the September guarantee, which the hon. Lady's party opposes.
Subjects
Young people; Unemployment; Apprentices
Date
29 June 2009
Reference
495 c18
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
May I, too, urge the hon. Gentleman to make strenuous representations on this matter with both Ofwat and Ministers? As he has just said, the issue involves not only the churches but other voluntary bodies such as scouting organisations. Such bodies are very important to our national life, are not big businesses and cannot afford the charges. If the charges go ahead and they are not able to operate, that will diminish our national life.
May I, too, urge the hon. Gentleman to make strenuous representations on this matter with both Ofwat and Ministers? As he has just said, the issue involves not only the churches but other voluntary bodies such as scouting organisations. Such bodies are very important to our national life, are not big businesses and cannot afford the charges. If the charges go ahead and they are not able to operate, that will diminish our national life.
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Church Commissioners
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
18 June 2009
I am grateful to the hon. Lady. She will be happy to know that at yesterday's annual general meeting of the Church Commissioners, I raised that specific point. I said that it was encouraging that the Church, through the Synod and the Archbishops Council, was working with scouting and other organisations. The Archbishops Council has led the way in this matter on behalf of the Church, along with the Church Commissioners, but the House has to give, as I think it has done, a strong message to Ofwat in addition to all the other representations that have been made.
Subjects
Churches; Water charges
Date
18 June 2009
Reference
494 c411-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons