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9 Mar 2006 : Column 1727W—continued
Debt Management
Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding the Government provide to advice agencies for debt management programmes and support; and if he will make a statement. [57240]
Mr. Sutcliffe: Free, impartial debt advice helps consumers regain control of their finances, staves off over-indebtedness and improves consumers' financial capability. The Government are working closely with the sector to increase capacity and improve co-ordination among advice agencies, with a particular focus on ensuring that financially excluded and vulnerable consumers are able to access timely and appropriate advice.
DTI administers the £45 million Face-To-Face Debt Advice Project, funded through the Financial Inclusion Fund. Bids by advice agencies are currently being evaluated with the aim of announcing successful organisations in April. DTI also contributes £1 million
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per annum to National Debtline and has supported the development of the Debt Advice Helpline (pilot launched in February 2006). Other Government Departments also provide funding for debt advice, for example the Legal Services Commission is administering the Financial Inclusion Fund £6 million project piloting debt advice outreach approaches.
Departmental Staff
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people were employed by the (a) Postal Services Commission, (b) Office of Fair Trading, (c) Insolvency Service, (d) Patent Office Agency, (e) Companies House, (f) Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, (g) Office of Gas and Electricity Market, (h) National Weights and Measures Laboratory, (i) Department of Trade and Industry, (j) Small Business Service and (k) Employment Tribunal Service in each region in each of the last 12 months for which data are available; and how many and what percentage of posts were vacant in each month. [51165]
Alan Johnson: The information is as follows.
The employment figures requested are published in Civil Service Statistics. Table A covers staff numbers both on a F.T.E. (full time equivalent) and a headcount basis. Civil Service Statistics are available in the Library and at the following address on the Cabinet Office Statistics website:
Note:
The Postal Services Commission is based in one office in London.
Note:
The National Weights and Measures Laboratory are based in one office in London
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(33)No figures available.
Note:
Vacancy figures are only collated for the Department of Trade and Industry as a whole. A regional analysis of vacancies could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.
(34)No figures available.
Note:
Vacancy figures are only collated for the Small Business Service as a whole. A regional analysis of vacancies could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Vacancy information on the remaining bodies is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Energy
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the potential of (a) clean coal technologies, (b) renewables, (c) nuclear and (d) other forms of energy to contribute to the Government's plans to generate cleaner energy. [57048]
Malcolm Wicks:
The Government recognise the potential of clean coal, renewables, nuclear and other low carbon technologies to contribute to the drive to generate cleaner energy.
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The Government are currently carrying out an energy review, which will look at the potential role of a variety of low carbon technologies in helping the UK meet its medium and long term energy policy goals. However, the Government have made clear that there is no one single solution to the challenge of climate change and meeting our other Energy White Paper goals.
Fuel Prices
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the likely average household fuel bill in December 2006. [56707]
Malcolm Wicks: Following the price increases announced by some energy suppliers in February 2006, energywatch have estimated the typical standard credit energy bill will be £527 for gas and £342 for electricity, giving a total bill of £869.
Actual December 2006 bills will be affected by a number of factors, including the number of customers switching supplier and/or payment methods and future tariff changes from the energy suppliers.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the EU's Competition Commissioner on changes in fuel prices and the competitiveness of energy suppliers in theUK. [56708]
Malcolm Wicks: My right hon. Friend's the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Chancellor of the Exchequer wrote to Neelie Kroes, the European Competition Commissioner for Competition in December to support a request from Sir John Mogg, head of OFGEM, for an immediate investigation into possible links between the lack of competition in EU energy markets and recent price volatility in the UK gas market.
Commissioner Kroes agreed to undertake the investigation and we expect the results very soon.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on consumers of rising fuel prices. [56709]
Malcolm Wicks: Despite the energy price increases that have taken place since 2004, UK gas and electricity prices remain below the median price of the EU15 member states. Expenditure stood at an average level of around 3 per cent. of household income in 2004–05, the most recent date available. However, it is important that all consumers ensure that, while properly heating their homes, they minimise their energy expenditure. They can do this by choosing the most appropriate supplier and tariff, paying by the cheapest appropriate payment method (usually direct debit), and taking energy efficiency measures.
Rising energy prices have a disproportionately large effect on low-income customers. Analysis of overall effects of changes in fuel prices and incomes, excluding consideration of energy efficiency improvements, suggest that the total number of vulnerable households in fuel poverty is likely to rise by around 1 million households in England between 2003 and 2006. Our fuel poverty programmes help the most vulnerable in society to lower their energy bills by providing heating and insulation
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measures and Benefit Entitlement Checks. Government has made available an additional £300 million over 2005–08 to supplement these programmes in the light of rising energy prices. The industry's Home Heat Helpline also provides advice and assistance.
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