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28 Apr 2009 : Column 1268W—continued
Graduates: Unemployment
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what recent estimate he has made of the percentage of qualified (a) law and (b) medical graduates who are unemployed. [271009]
Mr. Lammy: The following table gives the proportion of all Medical and Dentistry and Law first degree graduates who are employed, ILO unemployed (International Labour Organisation definition) and economically inactive respectively.
Focusing just on recent graduates we find that, six months after graduating 99.7 per cent. of Medical, Dentistry and Veterinary Science graduates are either in employment or further study; for Law graduates it is 96.3 per cent. These are taken from the HESA Employment Performance Indicators for the UK, available at:
Higher Education: Admissions
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (1) if he will recalculate the higher education initial participation rate for each year between 1999-2000 and 2005-06 using the same methodology as that used to produce the figures for 2007-08 issued on 31 March 2009; [270338]
(2) what discussions his Department had with (a) higher education institutions, (b) bodies representing higher education institutions and (c) the UK Statistics Authority prior to the methodological change made to the calculation of the higher education initial participation rate for 2007-08. [270339]
Mr. Lammy:
The Statistical First Release published on 31 March estimated the Higher Education Initial Participation rate using a new methodology. The new
method checks that an entrant aged 18 to 30 has not had more than six months’ previous experience of higher education using data matched back over 12 years (10 years for FE colleges). As the SFR explained, 2007/08 is the first year that this has been possible using 12 years of matched data. However, in order to provide some time series comparison, and to demonstrate the impact of this change, the 2006/07 figure was also re-calculated using one fewer year of matching, as it was estimated that the missing twelfth year would make little difference to the rounded figure.
The figures published in the SFR provide a robust basis for monitoring progress in future years. Earlier years’ figures based on the old methodology were also given. Estimates for earlier years using the new methodology would be progressively less accurate, since fewer years’ data are available to check for previous experience of higher education, and so they were not included in the SFR. However, it is possible to calculate such estimates with an assessment of the possible scale of the bias. Additional estimates for earlier years, alongside information on how to interpret them and compare them to the existing published trend, will be added as an appendix to the published SFR on 15 May.
Following National Statistics procedures, the SFR release is timed to allow a minimum of time between production and release of the HEIPR, and prior access to the unpublished statistics is restricted. The change to the methodology was developed at a late stage in the publication process to resolve emerging concerns about the quality of the data. DIUS analysts consulted with HEFCE statisticians prior to release to confirm the robustness of the old and new methodologies. Given the fact that a robust alternative methodology was implementable in the time available, a decision was made by analysts to publish within the pre-announced timescale. In the interest of transparency, clear descriptions for the new methodology were shown within the SFR and figures for 2006/07 based on both the old and new methodologies were also provided.
Student Wastage: Higher Education
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what estimate he has made of the proportion of students first educated at secondary level in (a) the state sector and (b) independent schools who did not complete the first year of a university undergraduate degree course in the latest period for which information is available. [271010]
Mr. Lammy: The latest figures derived from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Performance Indicators are shown in the following table.
| Non-continuation( 1) rates for young entrants( 2) to full-time first degree courses by type of school attended for the academic year 2005-06 | ||
| Previous school type | Number of young entrants | Non-continuation rate (percentage) |
| (1) Non-continuation rates provide the percentage of students who enter an HEI in the academic year who are no longer in an HEI in the following academic year and have not qualified. (2) There are 24,900 students who do not continue their education and for whom it was not possible to identify a previous school type. The rate of discontinuation for these students was 12 per cent. | ||
Students: Fees and Charges
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the Government’s plans are for the future of the cap on tuition fees. [271082]
Mr. Lammy: Our position remains that the first three years of the system of variable fees introduced in 2006 will be reviewed by an independent commission. We expect that commission to begin its work later this year, following the publication of our Framework for the future development of higher education.
Training: Speech Therapy
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department is taking to finance and maintain levels of enrolment on higher education courses for speech and language therapists. [271078]
Ann Keen: I have been asked to reply.
Within the overall resources allocated, it is a matter for each strategic health authority (SHA) to determine their own priorities including how much is spent on pre-registration training commissions for speech and language therapists. Under the current service level agreement with SHAs each SHA is expected to provide for investment in training commissions based on long-term workforce need and local financial plans.
Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Broadband: Rural Areas
Anne Milton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has to improve the telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas to extend the provision of high speed broadband. [Official Report, 14 May 2009, Vol. 492, c. 15MC.][270209]
Mr. McFadden: The Budget confirmed the Government’s plans to deliver a Universal Service for broadband up to 2 Mbps by 2012. This will allow virtually everyone to benefit from broadband services. The Budget also underlines the Government’s commitment to helping business take full advantage of the opportunities offered in this area by announcing a review of Ofcom’s powers and duties to ensure it can strike the right balance between supporting competition and encouraging investment. The Universal Service and Next Generation Access are also key aspects of the Digital Britain report, which will be published shortly.
The Government will also be carrying out research on broadband ‘Not spots’ under the cross-Government paper “Delivering Digital Inclusion—An Action Plan for Consultation” with the objective of putting information into the hands of local communities to enable them to manage the risks, and realise the opportunities of Next Generation Access locally and regionally, where they identify a need and want to activate their own solutions. This will also cover the devolved Administrations of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Business: Carbon Emissions
Dr. Stoate: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what (a) practical support and (b) funding opportunities are available to small and medium-sized businesses seeking to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide they emit. [270277]
Joan Ruddock: I have been asked to reply.
The Government provide a range of support to help small and medium businesses reduce their carbon emissions. These include:
(a) Practical support, in particular through the Government-funded Carbon Trust (CT), which provides advice via its website, specific web tools, publications, an advice line and face-to-face surveys for smaller business; and advice through Business Link (www.businesslink.gov.uk), and the regional development agencies. We are working to improve ease of access to this support via Business Link as part of the Solutions for Business programme.
(b) The Carbon Trust administers two schemes which provide financial support for small and medium-sized businesses to make energy efficient investments: an interest free loan scheme for investments in energy efficient equipment, and the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme which provides businesses that invest in designated energy efficient equipment with enhanced tax relief. The Chancellor announced an additional £100 million of investment for the loan scheme in the April 2009 Budget.
Business: Government Assistance
Anne Main: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) how much has been spent from the Capital for Enterprise Fund; [260551]
(2) how many businesses have received assistance from the Capital for Enterprise Fund. [260552]
Ian Pearson: The Capital for Enterprise Fund (CfEF) is targeted at small businesses who have exhausted their traditional borrowing capacity. The CfEF will provide £75 million of equity to these businesses.
As at 25 March 2009, there have been 1,013 inquires to the Capital for Enterprise Fund registration helpline with 311 businesses seriously exploring whether the fund may be of benefit to them. 253 businesses have registered their interest in the fund and out of these 51 businesses have met the eligibility criteria and have supplied all the required information (business plans and accounts) with the amount of potential funding required being £44.5 million.
Fund mangers have been appointed (Aberdeen Assets and Octopus Investments) and have shortlisted five advanced investment propositions with strong potential for deal flow using CfEF, totalling over £5 million. These are currently going through due diligence and we would expect initial investments shortly.
Capital for Enterprise Fund
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many businesses he estimates will have debt transferred to equity under the Capital for Enterprise Fund in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011. [252241]
Ian Pearson: The Capital for Enterprise Fund (CfEF) is targeted at small businesses who have exhausted their traditional borrowing capacity. The CfEF will provide £75 million of equity to these businesses.
As at 25 March 2009, there have been 1,013 inquires to the Capital for Enterprise Fund registration helpline with 311 businesses seriously exploring whether the fund may be of benefit to them. 253 businesses have registered their interest in the fund and out of these 51 businesses have met the eligibility criteria and have supplied all the required information (business plans and accounts) with the amount of potential funding required being £44.5 million.
Fund mangers have been appointed (Aberdeen Assets and Octopus Investments) and have shortlisted five advanced investment propositions with strong potential for deal flow using CfEF, totalling over £5 million. These are currently going through due diligence and we would expect initial investments shortly.
Civil Servants
Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the (a) job title, (b) main responsibilities, (c) Civil Service pay band and (d) annual salary of (i) Gez Sagar, (ii) Will Parkes, (iii) Peter Power, (iv) Stephen Adams and (v) Fiona Cookson are; whether each receives any payments from other sources; and whether the post filled by each was advertised externally. [270996]
Mr. McFadden [holding answer 24 April 2009]: Gez Sagar is a communications consultant working on a project to coordinate economic communications across Government Departments. Stephen Adams is employed on a one year fixed term contract as Strategy and Policy Adviser to the Secretary of State. Fiona Cookson has been appointed deputy head of news. Peter Power is Press Secretary to the Secretary of State seconded to the civil service on a one year fixed term from the European Commission. We do not release details of individual salaries. The EC makes good Peter Power's salary to EC level. No one else named receives payment from any other source. All have been appointed in accordance with the Civil Service (Amendment) (No 2) Order in Council 2008 which regulates recruitment into the Civil Service.
Will Parkes is not a BERR employee but is seconded into Government on a two month fixed term placement to share knowledge end expertise of the private sector.
These are all civil servant not special adviser posts.
Construction: Government Assistance
Jeff Ennis: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) what estimate he has made of the proportion of businesses in the construction and building industries that could be eligible for assistance under the Government's loan guarantee scheme; [262157]
(2) whether there are any restrictions on businesses in the construction and building industries applying for assistance under the Government's loan guarantee scheme. [262158]
Ian Pearson: The enterprise finance guarantee is intended to be available to the widest range of viable small and medium sized businesses with a turnover of under £25 million as possible. No estimates were made in relation to potential effects on specific sectors.
The EFG sector restrictions were recently reviewed and an overview of the main restrictions has been published on the BERR website. There remain sector restrictions on the owning and dealing in real estate.
Departmental ICT
Jenny Willott: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many (a) printers and (b) multi-function devices with printing functions were in use in each division of his Department and its predecessor in each of the last five years; how many such devices had a function enabling two-sided printing; and if he will make a statement. [269604]
Mr. McFadden: Over the last five years the Department has significantly rationalised its printer estate in parallel with reducing the number of buildings it occupies. The majority of printers are located in shared ICT bays rather than by division to ensure optimum use. All have duplex printing facilities. The number of printers in current use is 688, of which 95 have multi function facilities. Greater use of multi function printers will be considered at the next contractual refresh point under the Department's PFI agreement with Fujitsu who supply the printers.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many and what proportion of IT products in each category procured for each division of his Department were compliant with the Government's Buy Sustainable-Quick Win standard in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [269627]
Mr. McFadden: As IT services in BERR are provided under a PFI agreement put in place before the introduction of the Buy Sustainable-Quick Win standard it is not possible to provide the information as requested. However, IT equipment provided under the contract is Energy Star, Blue Angel and WEEE compliant.
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