Dominic Raab: We are deeply concerned about reports of civilian deaths after an attack on a detention centre in Dhamar province in Yemen on 1 September. Our thoughts are with those who have been affected. The UK takes alleged violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) extremely seriously. Whenever the UK receives reports of alleged violations of IHL, we routinely seek information from all...
Dominic Raab: The Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria provide a thorough risk assessment framework and require us to consider the possible impact of providing equipment and its capabilities. We will not issue any export licences for Saudi Arabia that are inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria, including Criterion 2(c): whether there is a clear risk that the goods might be used...
Dominic Raab: The UK regularly presses the Coalition on the importance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and of conducting thorough and conclusive investigations into alleged violations of IHL. We welcome the release of over 100 statements by the Coalition Joint Incident Assessment Team from investigations into alleged breaches of IHL in Yemen. We welcome the improvements in the quantity and...
Dominic Raab: The UK takes alleged violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) extremely seriously. Whenever the UK receives reports of alleged violations of IHL, we routinely seek information from all credible sources, including from Non-Governmental Organisations and international organisations. The Government is not opposing calls for international independent investigation, but foremost, we...
Dominic Raab: The Government is deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. We fully support the peace process led by the UN Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths, and urge the parties to engage constructively with this process. A political settlement is the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen and to address the worsening humanitarian crisis. The UK supports the...
Dominic Raab: The Zimbabwean economy faces severe challenges and the economic situation remains fragile. Our Embassy in Harare monitors developments closely, encouraging the government of Zimbabwe to implement the Staff Monitored Programme announced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 31 May and protect the poorest. Following the re-introduction of the Zimbabwe dollar the Zimbabwe National...
Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of foreign national offenders have successfully appealed a deportation order under Article (a) 3, (b) 6 and (c) 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, in each year since 2010.
Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the Government plans to publish the outcome of its consultation entitled Planning reform: supporting the high street and increasing the delivery of new homes.
Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to respond to the Green Paper on modernising consumer markets.
Dominic Raab: National planning policy continues to emphasise the role of planning in protecting and enhancing our natural environment, and helping to improve biodiversity. The National Planning Policy Framework is being revised, and during the recent consultation we received many responses regarding the importance of biodiversity and other environmental issues. We have considered all the consultation...
Dominic Raab: Primary legislation gives local authorities the power to borrow in sterling, from any lender, without prior government consent, subject only to assuring themselves that their borrowing is affordable.
Dominic Raab: Of the 166 local authorities with a Housing Revenue Account, 104 are in an area of high affordability pressure and are eligible to bid for the additional borrowing programme (63 per cent). A list of eligible authorities is contained in the bidding prospectus.
Dominic Raab: On 26 June the Secretary of State invited local authorities in high affordability pressure areas to bid for the £1 billion additional borrowing programme. The prospectus inviting bids sets out which local authorities are eligible to bid. Chester and Cheshire West Borough Council is not eligible to bid as it does not meet the definition of affordability pressure as set out in the prospectus.
Dominic Raab: The metric that is used to assess whether a local authority is in an area of high affordability pressure is whether it has a difference of £50, or more, per week between average social and private rents at the local authority level. As this data is only available at the local authority level, bids can not be accepted in respect of geographic areas that are smaller than local authority areas.
Dominic Raab: Local authorities have strong and effective powers to deal with poor quality unsafe accommodation and they have a statutory duty to keep housing conditions in their areas under review. They should take enforcement action against owners of buildings in their areas that are not acting responsibly in respect of hazards, and we encourage them to use these powers to the fullest to ensure residents...
Dominic Raab: As of 14 June 2018, from the results of Building Research Establishment large-scale system tests and the information provided to us by local authorities we know of 297 private sector residential buildings with cladding systems that are unlikely to meet current Building Regulations guidance. Local authorities have told us about plans for remediating 72 buildings. Of these, 21 buildings have...
Dominic Raab: For the first time, the Government has proposed that the new National Planning Policy Framework set out that a local authority, before planning to alter a Green Belt boundary, should show that it has examined all other reasonable options for addressing its identified development needs: making as much use as possible of brownfield and under-used land; optimising density; and discussing with...
Dominic Raab: Holding answer received on 03 July 2018 Contributions from development towards local infrastructure are collected primarily through two mechanisms, Section 106 planning obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Local authorities can use both mechanisms to help fund public health infrastructure. Local planning authorities should work closely with healthcare...
Dominic Raab: There are a number of innovative social housing projects in the South West, with social housing providers actively working with SMEs, leveraging small sites to increase delivery and offering custom build affordable housing. The Government is continuing to support the delivery of social housing in the South West and across the country. We are providing over £9 billion funding for the...
Dominic Raab: Holding answer received on 25 June 2018 The Housing and Planning Act 2016 introduced changes to local authority tenancies by making it mandatory for most new council tenancies to be for a fixed term. Regulations and statutory guidance are necessary to implement the fixed term tenancy provisions in the Housing and Planning Act and the next steps will be set out in due course.