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15 Oct 2009 : Column 1044W—continued
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many payments in respect of disputed claims made under the coal health compensation scheme have been made to each of the 50 solicitors' firms which have made the highest number of such claims. [292008]
Mr. Kidney: The following table shows the number of payments made for claims with a Schedule 20 Dispute or a Formal Dispute under the terms of the Claims Handling Agreements that were submitted by the top 50 claimants' representatives (by claim volume) as at 4 October 2009.
| Claimants' representatives | Location | COPD disputed claim | COPD disputed claims costs count |
Energy Supply: Meters
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his most recent estimate is of the (a) average and (b) maximum premium paid by customers for using pre-payment meters for domestic (i) gas and (ii) electricity supply. [289644]
Mr. Kidney: The most recent figures on tariffs are those for October 2009. The new rules outlawing undue price discrimination came into force in September.
According to the latest available figures prices for an average consumer using 3,300 kWh of electricity per year, indicate an average annual differential of £10 (pre-payment compared with standard credit) and a maximum differential of £38, if prompt payment discounts on standard credit are included. If they are not, these figures are -£5 and £7 respectively.
For an average consumer using 20,500 kWh of gas per year, October 2009 prices indicate an average annual differential of £22 and a maximum differential of £73 if prompt payment discounts are included. Without prompt payment discounts, these figures are -£5 and £58 respectively.
The "minus" figures indicate that in some cases prices for pre-payment meters are lower than those for some standard credit customers.
The average dual fuel pre-payment customer now pays £4 less than the average standard credit dual fuel customer. This compares to a figure of £41 more in July 2008.
Ofgem produces estimates of domestic household energy bills, and these reflect current prices as at October 2009 prices. The maximum and average differentials given here mean the difference between standard credit and pre-payment tariffs available to consumers by a
single supplier within one region. Figures for standard credit are complicated by the fact that some suppliers offer a discount to standard credit consumers who pay promptly, so we have noted these variants.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Charlie Whelan
Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what matters were discussed at the meeting between the Secretary of State and Charlie Whelan on 29 January 2009. [292178]
Mr. McFadden: My noble Friend the Secretary of State met Mr. Charlie Whelan on 15 January (not on 29 January) in the course of his official duties. They discussed employment issues.
Further Education: Finance
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to give further education colleges greater financial freedom to enable them to make flexible use of funding streams; and if he will make a statement. [293104]
Kevin Brennan: Following consultation in January 2007, the Learning and Skills Council introduced two main funding routes for adult training (Adult Learner Responsive and Employer Responsive). This rationalised the larger number of funding streams that were previously in place and provided colleges and providers with increased ability to move funds between programmes.
We continue to listen to feedback from the sector as part of assessing the impact of introducing the new funding models in 2008/09 academic year. A key aspect of the funding system is ensuring that the full range of adult learners are able to access programmes that meet their needs especially where they are less able to articulate these needs.
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