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I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Can he tell the House the outcome of the Gulf Co-operation Council meeting held in Riyadh last month? Can he elucidate the current position on Yemen?
I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Can he tell the House the outcome of the Gulf Co-operation Council meeting held in Riyadh last month? Can he elucidate the current position on Yemen?
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 March 2010
My hon. Friend makes an important point. One of the key outcomes of the Friends of Yemen meeting in London was that the Gulf Co-operation Council should play a more proactive role in helping economic and other development in Yemen. At the meeting in Riyadh on 27 and 28 February there was agreement not only to a more intensive process of GCC engagement with Yemen for the first time, but to bring forward the aid flows that were promised in the 2006 London conference, which in 90 per cent. or so of cases have not yet been delivered.
Subjects
Politics and government; Yemen
Date
2 March 2010
Reference
506 c782
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Yemen; and if he will make a statement.
What recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Yemen; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answered by
David Miliband
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
24 February 2010
For answer on
2 March 2010
Answered on
2 March 2010
The recent ceasefire in northern Yemen offers hope for a longer-term, political settlement between the rebels and the Government. However, tensions continue to run high in the south. Yemen also faces a growing terrorist threat. The London meeting of 27 January galvanised international support for the Government of Yemen's reform efforts, which are essential to address Yemen's challenges and ensure its long-term stability.
Subjects
Politics and government; Yemen
Date
2 March 2010
Reference
506 c782; 319383
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
24 February 2010
Notes
Lead question not printed
Subjects
Cancer; Health services
Date
24 February 2010
Reference
506 c294-5; 317429
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First, may I add my condolences to those of my right hon. Friend regarding David Greenhalgh, who lived in Ilkeston in Erewash—my constituency—and was a very brave young man?
To receive a diagnosis of cancer must be one of the most frightening experiences in anybody's life. Currently, 94.1 per cent. of patients see a cancer specialist within two weeks. May I welcome the Government's intention to build on that incredible progress and to make the two-week goal a legal entitlement, thus further reassuring patients with cancer and their families?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First, may I add my condolences to those of my right hon. Friend regarding David Greenhalgh, who lived in Ilkeston in Erewash—my constituency—and was a very brave young man?
To receive a diagnosis of cancer must be one of the most frightening experiences in anybody's life. Currently, 94.1 per cent. of patients see a cancer specialist within two weeks. May I welcome the Government's intention to build on that incredible progress and to make the two-week goal a legal entitlement, thus further reassuring patients with cancer and their families?
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
24 February 2010
I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who has taken a very keen interest in how we can make progress against cancer in our country. The truth is that if people get early screening and diagnosis, there is a 90 per cent.-plus chance of survival from breast cancer and other forms of cancer such as bowel cancer. That is why we are so keen that everybody who is worried can see a specialist and get a diagnosis as quickly as possible. That is what will save lives.
Our policy of having a two-week guarantee, now reduced to one week, has massive support throughout the country. I cannot understand for the life of me why the Conservative party is against these guarantees that we give to every patient in the country. If the Opposition want to show their commitment to the NHS, they should support the guarantees for cancer care.
Subjects
Cancer; Health services
Date
24 February 2010
Reference
506 c294-5
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Derbyshire firm Baltex, which is based in my constituency, makes technical textiles and has twice received the Queen's award for industry. Among its work, it reinforces hoses that go into new cars. The company tells me that sales of that particular product line have soared since the inception of the scrappage scheme. What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of the scrappage scheme in terms of jobs and sales UK-wide?
Derbyshire firm Baltex, which is based in my constituency, makes technical textiles and has twice received the Queen's award for industry. Among its work, it reinforces hoses that go into new cars. The company tells me that sales of that particular product line have soared since the inception of the scrappage scheme. What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of the scrappage scheme in terms of jobs and sales UK-wide?
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
4 November 2009
The car scrappage scheme, which was dismissed by so many people, has been a great success. So, too, has the help that we are giving to small businesses. Now 200,000 or more small businesses have received cash-flow help from the Treasury. We have taken action to help businesses to keep on employees and to train employees during this difficult recession. None of that would have been possible without the fiscal support that we were prepared to give; that is the difference between ourselves and the Conservative Opposition.
Subjects
Motor vehicles; Manufacturing industries
Date
4 November 2009
Reference
498 c856
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
4 November 2009
Notes
Lead question not printed
Subjects
Motor vehicles; Manufacturing industries
Date
4 November 2009
Reference
498 c856; 297512
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Despite having huge amounts of taxpayers’ money at the onset of the recession, the banks’ behaviour can be described as variable—and that is putting it kindly. The situation has improved in my constituency, but there is still a long way to go. Will the Minister be more specific about what data are collected on banks’ activities? Is it just new loans, restructuring or the price of money? Will he also say how frequently the data are collected and how frequently, at a regional level, he meets the banks and discusses the issues?
Despite having huge amounts of taxpayers’ money at the onset of the recession, the banks’ behaviour can be described as variable—and that is putting it kindly. The situation has improved in my constituency, but there is still a long way to go. Will the Minister be more specific about what data are collected on banks’ activities? Is it just new loans, restructuring or the price of money? Will he also say how frequently the data are collected and how frequently, at a regional level, he meets the banks and discusses the issues?
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answering body
East Midlands Regional Grand Committee
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
9 September 2009
My hon. Friend is right to focus on that key issue. The flow of credit, affordable loans and overdrafts and the ability to tap into the banks’ resources are central to businesses in the region. It is true that last year, when the banks collapsed, if we had not intervened we would have had an absolute catastrophe and the economy would not have been able to recover. We can be proud that we made those interventions. Having rescued the banks, the question is now to ensure that the money flows through. New products such as the enterprise finance guarantee scheme are starting to flow through, although there was a slow start. That was one of the reasons why I had a meeting with banks in the region earlier this year, to put to them, very forcefully, that although they were getting agreements at a national level, that was not flowing down to the regional or local level.
Data are a matter for the regional finance forum, which is convened by the East Midlands Development Agency. I will write to my hon. Friend and describe what that finance forum does, the data it collects, and how we are monitoring the banks’ performance in terms of information. My regional economic cabinet intends to maintain the pressure on the banking system to deliver the help that people need—whether that is mortgages, or loans and overdrafts—to make a success of their businesses and their lives.
Subjects
Industry; Government assistance; East Midlands
Date
9 September 2009
Reference
EMRGC c13-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
What progress has Derbyshire county council made in meeting its local area agreement targets in the light of the credit crunch?
What progress has Derbyshire county council made in meeting its local area agreement targets in the light of the credit crunch?
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topical questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 June 2009
We undertook a first annual review through the Government office in January, and Derbyshire is making good progress in meeting the priorities that it set itself. The first full independent assessment will be carried out in Derbyshire, as elsewhere, in November. Derbyshire has set itself five important economic priorities, on which it is working and making progress. It has also led a response locally, which is very impressive, helping to make sure that businesses receive the business relief that they deserve; that welfare claimants receive the benefits that they need; that buy-in from the council comes from local firms; and that invoices are paid promptly. It is a council with a proud, successful record over the past four years, and I hope that it will be judged as such by the electorate on Thursday. It certainly deserves to be back as a Labour authority after Thursday.
Subjects
Derbyshire; Local area agreements
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
493 c160
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answered by
John Healey
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topical questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 June 2009
Notes
Lead question not printed.
Subjects
Derbyshire; Local area agreements
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
493 c160; 277625
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
In the last 18 months, Erewash credit union has saved local people £170,000 that would otherwise have gone to doorstep lenders in high interest rates. That reduces the misery experienced by people trapped in debt and releases extra money into the local economy. As my right hon. Friend knows, the Department for Work and Pensions growth fund backs credit unions. Will he assure me that that fund will remain the highest Government priority?
In the last 18 months, Erewash credit union has saved local people £170,000 that would otherwise have gone to doorstep lenders in high interest rates. That reduces the misery experienced by people trapped in debt and releases extra money into the local economy. As my right hon. Friend knows, the Department for Work and Pensions growth fund backs credit unions. Will he assure me that that fund will remain the highest Government priority?
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
13 May 2009
In the Budget we added an extra £18.5 million to help the credit funds. More than 100 credit unions have already benefited from that fund, and more than 150,000 people are being helped. I know that the credit union in my hon. Friend's constituency is a shining example of what is possible, with 700 people obtaining affordable credit. It is making new investment to help people with housing, which is desperately needed in her area. I congratulate her credit union on doing a fantastic job. We want to support credit unions in every part of the country, with both more support and more legislative backing in future.
Subjects
Credit unions
Date
13 May 2009
Reference
492 c854
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
13 May 2009
Notes
Lead question not printed.
Subjects
Credit unions
Date
13 May 2009
Reference
492 c854; 274647
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. May I tell him that Derbyshire Jobcentre Plus is well on target to meet the Department's required recruitment levels at both clerical and executive grades? The capacity and expertise are therefore already in place at local level. However, what are my right hon. Friend's contingency plans should further demand on Jobcentre Plus become evident?
I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. May I tell him that Derbyshire Jobcentre Plus is well on target to meet the Department's required recruitment levels at both clerical and executive grades? The capacity and expertise are therefore already in place at local level. However, what are my right hon. Friend's contingency plans should further demand on Jobcentre Plus become evident?
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 May 2009
Clearly, we will look at that at each pre-Budget report and Budget, but we believe that we have put in place the right number of people for the situation that we face. I am sure that my hon. Friend would join me in taking this opportunity to pay tribute to Jobcentre Plus staff, who are doing a fantastic job. They are coping with almost twice the number of claims of two years ago, but processing benefits three days quicker. We should recognise that in the House.
Subjects
Jobcentre Plus
Date
11 May 2009
Reference
492 c538
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of staffing levels in Jobcentre Plus; and if he will make a statement.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of staffing levels in Jobcentre Plus; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answered by
James Purnell
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
5 May 2009
For answer on
11 May 2009
Answered on
11 May 2009
We recognise that Jobcentre Plus is facing an increased work load as a result of the economic downturn. Thanks to the funding assigned in the Budget, Jobcentre Plus will be able to recruit 10,000 more staff in addition to the 6,000 new staff already provided for in the pre-Budget report. The increase in resources will enable Jobcentre Plus to maintain the provision of flexible, responsive and targeted support to help move people into work as quickly as possible.
Subjects
Jobcentre Plus
Date
11 May 2009
Reference
492 c538; 273490
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Niche engineering and light manufacturing play a significant part in the local economy of Erewash, and will offer future employment for young people with the appropriate skills. In the past four years, the number of apprenticeships completed has risen from 190 to 310, and that trend will continue with the investment that has been announced. However, the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Tim Farron) made a reasonable point about the importance of highlighting how employers and employers' representatives can access the funding and support for these apprenticeships following that announcement.
Niche engineering and light manufacturing play a significant part in the local economy of Erewash, and will offer future employment for young people with the appropriate skills. In the past four years, the number of apprenticeships completed has risen from 190 to 310, and that trend will continue with the investment that has been announced. However, the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Tim Farron) made a reasonable point about the importance of highlighting how employers and employers' representatives can access the funding and support for these apprenticeships following that announcement.
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Topical questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
30 April 2009
My hon. Friend raises an important point. The reason the Department has been running, with the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the advertising campaign fronted by Sir Alan Sugar is to raise awareness of the opportunities of apprenticeships with small employers up and down the country. The regional forums that we have had with Sir Alan have been very effective at raising awareness and interest. I draw my hon. Friend's attention to the recent announcement of the possibility of new funding for group trading associations, which, as we have found around the country, are often the best way of reaching the small employer who might assume that it is too difficult or time-consuming to have an apprenticeship. A group trading association can reassure people and make apprentices available to a wider range of employers.
Subjects
Apprentices
Date
30 April 2009
Reference
491 c1029
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answered by
John Denham
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Topical questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
30 April 2009
Notes
Lead question not printed
Subjects
Apprentices
Date
30 April 2009
Reference
491 c1029; 271906
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
MRSA and C. difficile rates are falling significantly at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Derby Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Ilkeston community hospital, all of which serve my constituents. Is this not down to the hard work of NHS professionals, coupled with the targeted investment put in by the Government? Will my right hon. and learned Friend take the opportunity to congratulate all involved?
MRSA and C. difficile rates are falling significantly at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Derby Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Ilkeston community hospital, all of which serve my constituents. Is this not down to the hard work of NHS professionals, coupled with the targeted investment put in by the Government? Will my right hon. and learned Friend take the opportunity to congratulate all involved?
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
25 March 2009
I will. I know that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has led that, and has led the NHS team in making that a target so that patients in hospital know that they can be safe. That is a result not only of the extra investment, but of the hard work from cleaners through to nurses, doctors and all the teams in the hospitals. I agree with my hon. Friend.
Subjects
Hospitals; Hygiene; Infectious diseases
Date
25 March 2009
Reference
490 c300
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The student fee assumption, which is the amount that the LSC assumes FE colleges will collect from adult students in training, is rising steadily. Will the Secretary of State undertake to keep that level under review, given falling family and company budgets?
The student fee assumption, which is the amount that the LSC assumes FE colleges will collect from adult students in training, is rising steadily. Will the Secretary of State undertake to keep that level under review, given falling family and company budgets?
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Topical questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 March 2009
I understand my hon. Friend's point, which has been raised by colleges. We always keep such matters under review, but I have two points to add. The performance of colleges in recovering fees varies widely and some are much more effective than others. I would be worried about pursuing a course of action that effectively penalised those colleges that take fee recovery seriously in order to reward those that have not previously focused on it in the way they might have done. We can continue to discuss that issue, but we need to be careful about doing anything that may have untoward consequences.
Subjects
Fees and charges; Students
Date
12 March 2009
Reference
489 c441-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department is taking to provide assistance for retraining to individuals who lose their jobs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department is taking to provide assistance for retraining to individuals who lose their jobs.
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answered by
John Denham
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 March 2009
For answer on
12 March 2009
Answered on
12 March 2009
I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to the right hon. Member for Stockton, South (Ms Taylor).
Subjects
Training
Date
12 March 2009
Reference
489 c654W;489 c656W; 262871
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answered by
John Denham
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Topical questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 March 2009
Notes
Lead question not printed
Subjects
Fees and charges; Students
Date
12 March 2009
Reference
489 c441-2; 262881
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many young people participated in regular sport (a) in 1997 and (b) in the latest period for which figures are available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many young people participated in regular sport (a) in 1997 and (b) in the latest period for which figures are available.
Asked by
Liz Blackman
(Labour)
Answered by
Gerry Sutcliffe
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
24 February 2009
For answer on
2 March 2009
Answered on
2 March 2009
The percentage of pupils aged five to 16 that have participated in at least two hours of high quality PE and school sport a week has increased from 62 per cent. to 90 per cent. between 2003-04 and 2007-08. Comparable data are not available prior to 2003-04.
Subjects
Young people; Sports
Date
2 March 2009
Reference
488 c1263W; 259240
House
House of Commons