[wanabidii] United Kingdom Parliament Daily Digest Bulletin

Wednesday, January 06, 2016
United Kingdom Parliament International Development Committee Update

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05-01-2016 12:01 AM GMT

International Development Committee publishes report on Syrian refugee crisis
05-01-2016 12:00 AM GMT

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1st Report - Syrian refugee crisis

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05-01-2016 12:00 AM GMT

Read the latest Committee news

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05-01-2016 12:01 AM GMT

International Development Committee publishes report on Syrian refugee crisis
17-12-2015 01:17 PM GMT

Education Committee hears from Anne Longfield OBE on her 'Ambitious for Children' five commitments

Latest news from the House of Commons

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05-01-2016 12:01 AM GMT

International Development Committee publishes report on Syrian refugee crisis
17-12-2015 01:17 PM GMT

Education Committee hears from Anne Longfield OBE on her 'Ambitious for Children' five commitments
 

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Latest news from Parliament

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05-01-2016 12:01 AM GMT

International Development Committee publishes report on Syrian refugee crisis
17-12-2015 01:17 PM GMT

Education Committee hears from Anne Longfield OBE on her 'Ambitious for Children' five commitments
 

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Questions for Oral or Written Answer - House of Commons

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04-01-2016 12:00 AM GMT

Browse part 1 of the Question Book for details of written questions

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Today's Written Statements Update

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Mark Lancaster - Ministry of Defence

I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Lesley Mercer as a member of the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body. Ms Mercer will begin her three year appointment on 1 March 2016. This appointment has been conducted in accordance with the guidance of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.


Andrew Jones - Department for Transport

My Noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) made the following Ministerial Statement on Monday 21st December 2015.

The government is committed to investing in national road safety; this is not solely because of the tragic human consequences of road deaths and injuries. Safer roads and safer road users save lives, but they also help to reduce pressure on the NHS and emergency services, keep traffic moving and, as a result, keep our economy growing.

My honourable Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Andrew Jones, is today publishing a Road Safety Statement that sets out the government's vision, values and priorities for improving the safety of Britain's roads. This statement describes the context of road safety in Britain today and the overarching scope of road safety activity for the government. It will be followed by consultations on specific issues as options are developed. The statement covers road safety policy within Britain as governed by the Department for Transport (DfT).

In the short and medium term, the main specific actions that we will take include:

  • Outlining our proposals on dangerous in-car mobile phone use, reported by the RAC as being one of motorists' top concerns, with a view to increasing penalties for drivers using a hand-held mobile phone. This Road Safety Statement will be followed shortly by a more detailed consultation and impact assessment on this topic. The increases proposed are:

o that the vast majority of first time offenders will not incur a fixed penalty notice or penalty points but will instead be offered an educational course. Whether to invite a motorist to a course is at the discretion of the police;

o for the majority of vehicles (cars, vans, motorbikes), an increase from the current 3 penalty points to 4;

o an increase in the level of the fixed penalty notice from the current £100 to £150;

o more significant penalties for larger vehicles, such as HGVs, where the consequences of a collision can be much more severe, so that the penalty points increase from the current 3 to 6.

  • A £750,000 grant in 2015/16 for police forces in England and Wales to build drug-driving enforcement capability, consulting on options for a drug-drive rehabilitation scheme course and a High Risk Offenders regime for drug-drivers;
  • Consulting on legislative changes to improve urban cycle safety by ensuring that sideguards and rear under-run devices are not removed from HGVs but remain permanently fitted;
  • Consulting on proposals to support safety for motorcyclists, who account for 19% of all road deaths, including better training and improved safety equipment;
  • Consulting on ways to incentivise and reward the uptake of more pre-test practice, as announced in our Motoring Services Strategy consultation[1] on 13th November, and a broader range of real-world driving experiences, including deregulating to allow Approved Driving Instructors with dual-controlled cars to offer lessons on motorways to learner drivers;
  • Undertaking a £2 million research programme to identify the best possible interventions for learner and novice drivers; and
  • Undertaking a road safety management capacity review, to identify areas for improved joint working, local innovation and efficiency.

A copy of the Road Safety Statement will be placed in the House Libraries and will also be available on the government website: www.gov.uk.

[1] Motoring Services Strategy consultation, Department for Transport, published November 2015

 

Summary Agendas and Orders of Business Update (UK Parliament)

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Tuesday 5 January 2016

 

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee: latest update

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05-01-2016 09:40 AM GMT

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee holds pre-appointment hearing with Heather Hancock for Chair of Food Standards Agency

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United Kingdom Parliament Treasury Committee Homepage Update

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04-01-2016 05:35 PM GMT

Treasury Committee hears from Sir Charles Bean on work of UK's national statistics institute
04-01-2016 05:18 PM GMT

Treasury Committee hears from top banking representatives on EU membership costs and benefits for the UK
04-01-2016 10:30 AM GMT

Treasury Committee inquiry into the work of the Office for National Statistics

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Health Committee: latest update

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17-12-2015 03:30 PM GMT

Health Committee hearing into the appointment of Heather Hancock as next Chair of Food Standards Agency

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Latest committee inquiries

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04-01-2016 10:30 AM GMT

Treasury Committee inquiry into the work of the Office for National Statistics
17-12-2015 03:30 PM GMT

Health Committee hearing into the appointment of Heather Hancock as next Chair of Food Standards Agency

Today's Written Statements Update

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Mr George Osborne - HM Treasury

A meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council was held in Brussels on 8 December 2015. Ministers discussed the following items:

Financial Transaction Tax

The Member States that have agreed to participate in the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) provided an update on their progress. Estonia has stated it will not participate, reducing the number of Member States involved to 10. I reiterated that the UK would not participate in the Financial Transaction Tax and that the UK would oppose an FTT with extra-territorial effects that were detrimental to the interests of non-participating Member States, including through a renewed legal challenge if necessary.

Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB)

Following a presentation by the Presidency on the state of play regarding the CCCTB proposal, the Council held an exchange of views.

Completing the Banking Union

The Commission gave a presentation on its proposal for a European Deposit Insurance Scheme and its communication "Towards Completion of the Banking Union". This was followed by an exchange of views.

Current Legislative Proposals

The Presidency updated the Council on the state of play of financial services dossiers.

Implementation of the Banking Union

The Commission gave an update on several dossiers linked to the Banking Union: the Single Resolution Fund, the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive and the Deposit Guarantee Scheme Directive.

Fight against the financing of terrorism

After taking note of a Commission presentation on the next steps to reinforce the European framework in the fight against terrorism, the Council held an exchange of views.

Future of the Code of Conduct (Business Taxation)

The Council adopted conclusions on the future of the Code of Conduct group on business taxation.

Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS)

The Council adopted conclusions on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) in the EU context.

European Semester

The Commission presented its Annual Growth Survey, Alert Mechanism Report and draft Council Recommendation on the euro area. This was followed by an exchange of views.

Common position on flexibility in the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP)

The Chair of the Economic and Financial Committee provided a de-brief on the common position agreed with regards to flexibility in the SGP for short-term economic conditions, structural reforms and public investments. The Council took note of the agreement.

Statistics: EU Statistics and implementation of the European Statistics Code of Practice

The Council adopted conclusions on the annual statistical package following a Commission presentation on the implementation of the European Statistics code of best practices.

European Court of Auditors' annual report on the implantation of the budget for the EU for the financial year 2014

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) presented their report on the implementation of the 2014 budget followed by an exchange of views by the Council.

 

Latest news from Parliament

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05-01-2016 10:00 AM GMT

MPs to debate Report stage on 5 January 2016
 

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Today's Written Statements Update

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Mr David Lidington - Foreign and Commonwealth Office

My Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 14 December. The Foreign Affairs Council was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. I attended the General Affairs Council, which was chaired by the Luxembourg Presidency. The meetings were held in Brussels.

Foreign Affairs Council

A provisional report of the meeting and Conclusions adopted can be found at:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/fac/2015/12/14/

In her introductory remarks the HRVP shared her assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina following the 1st Stabilisation and Accession Council of 11 December. Ministers also heard an assessment of the situation in Burundi by the HRVP and the Belgium Minister of Foreign Affairs. The HRVP also touched on the successful outcome of the COP 21 conference in Paris and plans to schedule a discussion on climate diplomacy at a Foreign Affairs Council in the New Year.

Eastern Partners

Ministers had an exchange on political developments in the Eastern partner countries, with HRVP and Commissioner Hahn outlining the challenges regarding the Eastern partners. There was a general consensus behind the principle of developing differentiated approaches in line with the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy. A discussion is likely on Ukraine at the January Foreign Affairs Council.

Counter Terrorism

Ministers reaffirmed the relevance of the February Council Conclusions in shaping EU external counter terrorism action. HRVP made clear that the EU's policy framework was valid and the focus must be on prioritisation and implementation. The Foreign Secretary underlined that national security was the responsibility of Member States, but actions should be coordinated to maximise effectiveness.

Informal lunch with Turkish Foreign Minister

Ministers had an informal exchange of views with the Turkish Foreign Minister focusing on regional issues and counter terrorism cooperation. A High Level Dialogue meeting, with the participation of the HRVP and the Commission, will be held in Ankara in January 2016.

Libya

Ministers heard a briefing by the UNSRSG Kobler on the Libyan political dialogue and the outcomes of the Rome conference. Ministers reconfirmed their support to the UN-led process, including the formation of a Government of National Accord in Libya and pledging economic and security support to help stabilise the country.

Ministers agreed without discussion a number of measures:

  • The Council adopted conclusions on the European Neighbourhood Policy.
  • The Council adopted conclusions on Iraq.
  • The Council adopted conclusions on the special report entitled 'EU support for the fight against torture and the abolition of the death penalty.
  • The Council adopted conclusions on the 2015 Annual report on the EU's development and external assistance policies and their implementation in 2014.
  • The Council adopted conclusions on the special report entitled 'The ACP Investment Facility: does it provide added value?'
  • The Council set a new financial reference amount of €43.65m to cover expenditure related to the EU police mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL Afghanistan) from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016.
  • The Council decided to lodge an appeal against the judgement of the EU General Court annulling Council Decision 2012/497/EU on the conclusion of an agreement between the EU and Morocco concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products, insofar as it applies to the territory of Western Sahara.

General Affairs Council

A provisional report of the meeting and Conclusions adopted can be found at:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/gac/2015/12/15/

The General Affairs Council (GAC) on 15 December focussed on: the Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better Regulation; the 18-month programme of the Council; preparation of draft conclusions for the European Council on 17 and 18 December 2015; the Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process; and the European Semester.

Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better Regulation (IIA)

The GAC discussed the preliminary agreed text of the Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better Regulation, circulated by the Luxembourg Presidency on 8 December. I welcomed the focus on impact assessments, SMEs and the 'Think Small First' principle, and the consultation of national experts on delegated acts. I registered that the UK was not in a position to endorse the political agreement, due to our outstanding parliamentary scrutiny on the dossier.

18-month programme of the Council

The GAC endorsed the 18-month programme of the Council for the period from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2017, drawn up by the Dutch, Slovak and Maltese EU Presidencies.

Preparation of the December European Council

The GAC prepared the agenda for the 17 December European Council, which the Prime Minister attended. The December European Council discussed migration, the fight against terrorism, Economic and Monetary Union, the Internal Market, Energy Union and the UK's EU renegotiation. The European Council also considered external relations issues, including Syria and Libya.

At the GAC, I emphasised that the Prime Minister was looking forward to a substantial discussion on the UK's EU renegotiation at the December European Council.

Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process

The UK continues to be a strong supporter of conditions-based EU enlargement, which has helped bring peace, prosperity and stability across the continent of Europe. We continue to support the future EU membership of all of the Western Balkans and Turkey, provided EU aspirant countries meet all the requirements of membership before accession.

I broadly welcomed the Enlargement Conclusions and congratulated Commissioner Hahn for his engagement in the region. I made clear that I would have liked to have seen in the Conclusions a stronger commitment for the EU institutions to do more on strategic communications in the Western Balkans.

I expressed my concerns about the 10 December decision by the Republika Srpska (RS) Government to suspend cooperation with the State-level judicial and law enforcement authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). I set out that political obstacles needed to be removed, including threats of unconstitutional referenda, which challenged the Dayton Agreement and its core structures. I also expressed concern about the ongoing political situation in Kosovo and highlighted the importance of Kosovo having a clearer EU perspective.

2016 European Semester Annual Growth Review

The Commission presented the 2016 Annual Growth Survey (AGS) to the GAC which focuses on the key themes in President Junker's Investment Plan. The Commission proposed to pursue an integrated approach to economic and social policy in 2016, centred around three pillars: boosting investment, pursuing structural reforms to modernise European economies and pursuing fiscal responsibility. The UK supports the Commission's headline priorities for promoting jobs and growth.

 

High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill Select Committee (Commons): latest update

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17-12-2015 12:00 AM GMT

Today's Written Statements Update

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George Freeman - Department of Health

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lord Prior of Brampton) made the following Written Statement on 21 December 2015.

I am announcing today the level of payment due from members of the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) in 2016 to keep health service spend on branded medicines within the levels agreed under the Scheme. The PPRS payment percentage for 2016 will be 7.80%.

The PPRS allows patients access to the medicines they need while maintaining affordability for the NHS and providing stability for industry in support of the Government's innovation and growth agenda. There is an agreed, fixed limit on the majority of NHS spend on branded medicines with additional expenditure above this level paid for by the pharmaceutical companies. The agreed growth limit in both 2014 and 2015 was 0%. Annual growth will be limited to 1.8% in 2016, 1.8% in 2017 and 1.9% in 2018. Small companies with less than £5 million of sales a year to the health service are exempted.

The Government welcomes the pharmaceutical industry's agreement to increase its payments to the Department of Health in 2016 compared to the amount agreed in the amendment to the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) published in August 2015. This supports the Government's NHS funding commitment made at the Spending Review to deliver the Five Year Forward View. This represents a payment of monies that would have been due in 2017 and 2018 under the PPRS and will support industry and government efforts to improve patient access to new clinically and cost-effective medicines.

The Department has published a document setting out further details entitled "Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme 2014: revised forecasts and profile of payment percentages at December 2015". A copy is attached.

 

Commons Debate packs: latest update

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Monday, January 4, 2016
A Westminster Hall debate on healthcare in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre has been scheduled for 1630hrs on Wednesday 6 January 2016. The Member in charge of the debate is Kate Osamor.

Monday, January 4, 2016
This is a Debate Pack for the Westminster Hall debate initiated by Sarah Champion on 'Child prisoners and detainees in the Occupied Palestinian Territories' at 9.30 am on Wednesday 6 January 2016. Debate Packs are collections of parliamentary and other relevant material produced for most non-legislative debates in the Chamber and Westminster Hall, other than half-hour adjournment debates.

Recent Select Committee publications (UK Parliament)

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05-01-2016 12:00 AM GMT

House of Commons. International Development. HC 463
17-12-2015 12:00 AM GMT

House of Commons. High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill. HC 698

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United Kingdom Parliament POSTnotes Update

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Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Human activities interact with natural systems in complex ways; they can cause long-term damage to systems humans are dependent on. This POSTnote summarises a range of such pressures on the environment. It also identifies a number of trends and their effects on the UK.
 

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Commons Briefing Papers: latest update

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Tuesday, January 5, 2016
A House of Commons Library summary setting out the Government response to the winter floods 2015/16 in the north of England; calls for action from the opposition parties; and information for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Monday, January 4, 2016
This note outlines the introduction and purpose of the Market Abuse Directive and Regulation which has as its aim the prevention of insider dealing and the misuse of financially sensitive market information in the financial markets.

Monday, January 4, 2016
This Commons Library Briefing Paper provides an overview of the the rights of residents who live year-round on mobile home parks. The main focus of the paper is on mobile home owners in England but sections on Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are included.

Monday, January 4, 2016
This Commons Library Briefing paper provides background to, and explains the provisions in, the Mobile Homes Act 2013. The Act is aimed at improving conditions on permanent mobile home sites and strengthening the rights of mobile home owners on these sites.

Read the latest Committee news

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31-12-2015 12:49 PM GMT

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee hears from Environment Agency representatives on recent flooding

Latest news from the House of Commons

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05-01-2016 02:45 PM GMT

Foreign Office Minister to make statement in the Commons
05-01-2016 02:20 PM GMT

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to make a statement on flooding
05-01-2016 02:15 PM GMT

Home Secretary to make a statement in the Commons
05-01-2016 01:40 PM GMT

Prime Minister expected to make a statement at 3.30pm
05-01-2016 10:00 AM GMT

MPs to debate Report stage on 5 January 2016
31-12-2015 12:49 PM GMT

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee hears from Environment Agency representatives on recent flooding
 

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Works of Art (Speaker's Advisory Committee): latest update

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05-01-2016 11:13 AM GMT

King Edward the Confessor

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Parliament on Twitter

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United Kingdom Parliament Science and Technology Committee (Commons) Homepage Update

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05-01-2016 11:41 AM GMT

Committee asks for public and experts to scrutinise four Government-provided evidence papers

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Environmental Audit Committee: latest update

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05-01-2016 12:02 PM GMT

Environmental Audit Committee takes evidence for its inquiry into the assessment of EU/UK environmental policy

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United Kingdom Parliament House of Lords on Twitter Update

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Latest news from Parliament

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05-01-2016 02:45 PM GMT

Foreign Office Minister to make statement in the Commons
05-01-2016 02:20 PM GMT

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to make a statement on flooding
05-01-2016 02:15 PM GMT

Home Secretary to make a statement in the Commons
05-01-2016 01:40 PM GMT

Prime Minister expected to make a statement at 3.30pm
31-12-2015 12:49 PM GMT

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee hears from Environment Agency representatives on recent flooding
 

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Today's Written Statements Update

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Mr David Cameron - Prime Minister

This written ministerial statement confirms that Ministerial responsibility for fire and rescue policy will transfer from the Department for Communities and Local Government to the Home Office. This change will be effective from today, 5 January 2016.

 

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