House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 20 Mar 2003 (pt 18)

20 Mar 2003 : Column 931W—continued

Violence at Work

Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures have been introduced to reduce violence at work. [103560]

Mr. Nicholas Brown: The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) is committed to tackling the problem of work-related violence. In March 2000, HSC agreed a three-year programme to help reduce the number of incidents of violence at work. So far the programme has resulted in the publication of new guidance specifically aimed at small businesses; the development of new National Occupational Standards on work-related violence; a programme of inspections in the health care sector; new research to establish good practice for lone workers; and a major conference run jointly by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the TUC to help raise awareness of violence in the workplace.

HSE has published general guidance for employers to help them tackle work-related violence, in accordance with their duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. HSE has also published sector-specific guidance covering health services, education, retail, banks and building societies.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Accountancy Services

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost to his Department was for accountancy services in 2002. [101565]

Mr. Leslie: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. Between that date and the end of 2002 the amount spent on accountancy services was £359,000.

Departmental Costs

Mr. Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how many people are employed in (a) the devolution and English regions division and (b) the international and policy division of the central policy group; what the cost of each was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [99887]

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Mr. Leslie: The Devolution and Constitution Division and the International and Central Policy Divisions form part of the Central Strategy and Resources Directorate in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. A total of 24 people are employed and are based in 26 Whitehall. From July 2001 to June 2002 they formed the Deputy Prime Minister's Central Policy Group in the Cabinet Office. The Devolution and Constitution Division oversees the relationship between the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations; the International and Central Policy Division works across the Department on a range of international, regional and domestic policies, and a number of corporate issues, and provides advice to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and other Ministers and officials.

In their current form the divisions have only been in operation since the creation of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in May 2002. Therefore there are no comparative figures yet available which cover a full financial year.

Firefighters' Dispute

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Fire Brigades Union on the effects of fire strikes on the training and readiness of HM Armed Forces for military operations. [103999]

Mr. Raynsford: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has met the Fire Brigades Union on a number occasions to discuss a variety of topics since the dispute began. He has made it clear that, while the Armed Forces have been, and continue to be, able to provide emergency cover, this has had an impact on their usual duties.

Government Initiatives

Mr. Maude: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which central government schemes and initiatives since 1997 have required the formation of partnerships with local government to implement them. [103730]

Mr. Leslie: The Government are committed to working in partnership with local government in the development and implementation of policy, a principle enshrined in the Framework for Partnership agreed with the Local Government Association. Accordingly, partnerships with authorities of many different kinds have been involved in the implementation of a wide range of Government policies. The specific information requested could, however, be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Industrial Action

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many working days were lost owing to industrial action by staff in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in 2002. [101507]

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Mr. Leslie: There have been no working days lost by staff in 2002 as a result of industrial action in either the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, its agencies or non-departmental public bodies

Local Government Grant Settlement

Harry Cohen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 6 March 2003, Official Report, column 1202W, on the local government grant settlement, if he will list the specific and special grants to which he refers; which of them are ringfenced; what amount in cash terms is available for distribution to (a) local authorities and (b) other organisations for each; when he plans for bids to be submitted to him for a share of each grant; and if he will make a statement. [103323]

Mr. Raynsford: The following table gives up-to-date details of specific and special grants announced for 2003–04. Some grants are bid for and successful bids

20 Mar 2003 : Column 934W

receive allocations. The majority are allocated to all qualifying authorities by a formula or on an agreed basis. The definition of ring-fencing was updated last year to reflect the types of grant which now exist. Some grants previously classified as ring-fenced are not now classified in this way. The key distinction made remains that ring-fenced grants are those which restrict local authority spending. For completeness the following list includes all special grants inside Aggregate External Finance. Further details of classifications are in an annex to the freedoms and flexibilities announcement of 26 November. Under the terms of the freedoms and flexibilities announcement, from 2003–04, the majority of the grants in the following table are unfenced for excellent performers. Exceptions include those grants which must be passed to schools, and the supporting people grant, where in view of the legislative requirements, different arrangements are in place for removing ring-fencing for excellent performers.

Details of Specific and Special Grant

Specific/Special Grant Department Ring-fenced? Bids? Amount available to local authorities in 2003–04 unless otherwise stated (millions)

Education

Standards Fund DfES Yes No 1,339

Excellence in Cities DfES No No 219

School Standards DfES No No 800

Teachers' Pay Reform DfES Yes No 745

Childcare DfES Yes No 230

Leadership Incentive DfES Yes No 175

Intervention in Failing LEAs DfES Yes No 5

London Budget Support Grant DfES Yes No 11.29

Personal Social Services

Carers DH Yes No 100

Training Support Programme DH Yes Biddable Element—£13 million (deadline 25 April) 57

National Training Strategy DH Yes No 25

Preserved Rights DH No No 509

Performance Fund DH Yes No 100

Children's Services DH Yes No 557

Human Resources Development Strategy DH Yes No 10

Access & Systems Capacity DH Yes No 170

Care Direct DH Yes No 5

Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services DH Yes No 51

Young People's Substance Misuse Planning DH Yes No 5

Teenage Pregnancy Local Implementation DH Yes No 24

Deferred Payments DH Yes No 40

Mental Health DH Yes No 134

AIDS Support DH Yes No 17

Police

Crime Fighting Fund HO Yes No 238

Outer London Pay Lead HO Yes No 10

Rural Policing Fund HO Yes No 28

Police Negotiating Board HO Yes Yes 36

DNA Grant HO Yes Yes 9

Basic Command Units HO Yes No 47

London & South East Allowance HO Yes No 20

London Travel HO Yes No 3

Community Support Officers HO Yes Yes 39

Officer Retention Over 30 Years HO Yes Yes 1

Special Constables HO Yes Part 8

Occupational Health HO Yes No 5

Street Crime Initiative HO Yes Part 25

Reform Deal HO Yes Yes 8

Non Emergency Number HO Yes No 3

National Intelligence Model HO Yes Yes 2

Counter Terrorism HO Yes Yes 58

Airwaves Communication Project HO Yes No 58

Environment Protective and Cultural Services

Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit Administration DWP No No 321

Supporting People ODPM Yes No 1,400

Civil Defence CO Yes No 19

Waste Re-Cycling Challenge DEFRA Yes No 40

Personalised Travel Pilots DfT Yes Local Traffic Authorities, Passenger Transport Executives, Transport for London, BAA Heathrow invited to bid for funding in July 2002 0.586

Roadside Vehicle Testing DfT Yes Yes, bids accepted at any time 4

Travel Plan Bursaries DfT Yes No 3

Probation Loan Charges DfT Yes No 3

Neighbourhood Wardens ODPM Yes Yes, every 2½ years, although annual review/performance management takes place 21 (20 per cent. to otherorganisations—housingassociations, charitablegroups, police)

Planning Delivery Grant ODPM No No 50 (46.9 to local authorities,3.1 to regional planningbodies)

Magistrates Courts LCD Yes No 330

Rural Bus Subsidy DfT Yes No 50

Rural Bus Challenge DfT Yes Yes, most bids for funding in 2003–04 have been accepted in January 2003 and in earlier years of the competition, the future of this scheme has yet to be decided. 20

Urban Bus Challenge DfT Yes Yes, most bids for funding in 2003–04 have been accepted in November 2002 and in earlier years of the competition, the future of this scheme has yet to be decided 20

National Parks and Broads DEFRA Yes No 25

Capital

PFI ODPM No No 340

Neighbourhood Renewal Fund ODPM No No 400

Unallocated

GLA General Grant ODPM No No 35

LPSA Reward ODPM No No 21

Specific/Special Grant	Department	Ring-fenced?	Bids?	Amount available to local authorities in 2003–04 unless otherwise stated (millions)
Education
Standards Fund	DfES	Yes	No	1,339
Excellence in Cities	DfES	No	No	219
School Standards	DfES	No	No	800
Teachers' Pay Reform	DfES	Yes	No	745
Childcare	DfES	Yes	No	230
Leadership Incentive	DfES	Yes	No	175
Intervention in Failing LEAs	DfES	Yes	No	5
London Budget Support Grant	DfES	Yes	No	11.29

Personal Social Services
Carers	DH	Yes	No	100
Training Support Programme	DH	Yes	Biddable Element—£13 million (deadline 25 April)	57
National Training Strategy	DH	Yes	No	25
Preserved Rights	DH	No	No	509
Performance Fund	DH	Yes	No	100
Children's Services	DH	Yes	No	557
Human Resources Development Strategy	DH	Yes	No	10
Access & Systems Capacity	DH	Yes	No	170
Care Direct	DH	Yes	No	5
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services	DH	Yes	No	51
Young People's Substance Misuse Planning	DH	Yes	No	5
Teenage Pregnancy Local Implementation	DH	Yes	No	24
Deferred Payments	DH	Yes	No	40
Mental Health	DH	Yes	No	134
AIDS Support	DH	Yes	No	17

Police
Crime Fighting Fund	HO	Yes	No	238
Outer London Pay Lead	HO	Yes	No	10
Rural Policing Fund	HO	Yes	No	28
Police Negotiating Board	HO	Yes	Yes	36
DNA Grant	HO	Yes	Yes	9
Basic Command Units	HO	Yes	No	47
London & South East Allowance	HO	Yes	No	20
London Travel	HO	Yes	No	3
Community Support Officers	HO	Yes	Yes	39
Officer Retention Over 30 Years	HO	Yes	Yes	1
Special Constables	HO	Yes	Part	8
Occupational Health	HO	Yes	No	5
Street Crime Initiative	HO	Yes	Part	25
Reform Deal	HO	Yes	Yes	8
Non Emergency Number	HO	Yes	No	3
National Intelligence Model	HO	Yes	Yes	2
Counter Terrorism	HO	Yes	Yes	58
Airwaves Communication Project	HO	Yes	No	58
Environment Protective and Cultural Services
Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit Administration	DWP	No	No	321
Supporting People	ODPM	Yes	No	1,400
Civil Defence	CO	Yes	No	19
Waste Re-Cycling Challenge	DEFRA	Yes	No	40
Personalised Travel Pilots	DfT	Yes	Local Traffic Authorities, Passenger Transport Executives, Transport for London, BAA Heathrow invited to bid for funding in July 2002	0.586
Roadside Vehicle Testing	DfT	Yes	Yes, bids accepted at any time	4
Travel Plan Bursaries	DfT	Yes	No	3
Probation Loan Charges	DfT	Yes	No	3
Neighbourhood Wardens	ODPM	Yes	Yes, every 2½ years, although annual review/performance management takes place	21 (20 per cent. to otherorganisations—housingassociations, charitablegroups, police)
Planning Delivery Grant	ODPM	No	No	50 (46.9 to local authorities,3.1 to regional planningbodies)
Magistrates Courts	LCD	Yes	No	330
Rural Bus Subsidy	DfT	Yes	No	50
Rural Bus Challenge	DfT	Yes	Yes, most bids for funding in 2003–04 have been accepted in January 2003 and in earlier years of the competition, the future of this scheme has yet to be decided.	20
Urban Bus Challenge	DfT	Yes	Yes, most bids for funding in 2003–04 have been accepted in November 2002 and in earlier years of the competition, the future of this scheme has yet to be decided	20
National Parks and Broads	DEFRA	Yes	No	25

Capital
PFI	ODPM	No	No	340
Neighbourhood Renewal Fund	ODPM	No	No	400

Unallocated
GLA General Grant	ODPM	No	No	35
LPSA Reward	ODPM	No	No	21

20 Mar 2003 : Column 935W

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