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12 July 2010 : Column 526W—continued
Jobseeker's Allowance: Greater London
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in (a) Hampstead and Kilburn constituency and (b) the London Borough of (i) Camden and (ii) Brent. [6551]
Chris Grayling: In April 2010 there were 170 lone parents claiming jobseeker's allowance in Hampstead and Kilburn, 345 in Camden, and 475 in Brent.
The figures have been rounded to the nearest five.
Jobseeker's Allowance: Lewisham
Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the number of lone parents in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in Lewisham East constituency. [6593]
Chris Grayling: In April 2010 there were 205 lone parents claiming jobseeker's allowance in Lewisham East.
The figure has been rounded to the nearest five.
Lone Parents: Bishop Auckland
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has made a recent estimate of the number of lone parents in (a) Bishop Auckland and (b) Blackpool North and Cleveleys constituency. [5233]
Maria Miller: In 2008, there were estimated to be 2,200 lone parents in Bishop Auckland, and 2,900 lone parents in Blackpool North and Cleveleys. These figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. The estimates are based on the Household Annual Population Survey (HAPS). The latest available wave for the HAPS is 2008. It is important to note that as with any sample survey estimates from the HAPS are subject to a margin of uncertainty as different samples give different results. At the constituency level the group in question is very specific and the estimates are based on very small sample sizes. Therefore, the margin of uncertainty is very large for these estimates and the figures are deemed unreliable and would not be used by the Department for Work and Pensions for practical purposes.
Lone Parents: Greater Manchester
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents there are in Stretford and Urmston constituency. [5853]
Maria Miller:
In 2008, there were estimated to be 3,100 lone parents in Stretford and Urmston. This figure has been rounded to the nearest 100. The estimate is based on the Household Annual Population Survey (HAPS). The latest available wave for the HAPS is 2008. In 2008 parliamentary constituency boundaries were different. The information given reflects the population in the current boundaries as closely as possible. It is important to note that as with any sample survey, estimates from the HAPS are subject to a margin of uncertainty as different samples give different results. At the constituency level the group in question is very specific and the estimate is based on very small sample
sizes. Therefore, the margin of uncertainty is very large for this estimate and the figure is deemed unreliable and would not be used by the Department for Work and Pensions for practical purposes.
Lone Parents: Houghton and Sunderland South
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents there are in Houghton and Sunderland South constituency. [5899]
Maria Miller: In 2008, there were estimated to be 3,300 lone parents in Houghton and Sunderland South. This figure has been rounded to the nearest 100. The estimate is based on the Household Annual Population Survey (HAPS). The latest available wave for the HAPS is 2008. In 2008 parliamentary constituency boundaries were different. The information given reflects the population in the current boundaries as closely as possible. It is important to note that as with any sample survey, estimates from the HAPS are subject to a margin of uncertainty as different samples give different results. At the constituency level the group in question is very specific and the estimate is based on very small sample sizes. Therefore, the margin of uncertainty is very large for this estimate and the figure is deemed unreliable and would not be used by the Department for Work and Pensions for practical purposes.
Lone Parents: Hull
Diana R. Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents there are in Kingston upon Hull North constituency. [6529]
Maria Miller: In 2008, there were estimated to be 3,800 lone parents in Kingston upon Hull North. This figure has been rounded to the nearest 100. The estimate is based on the Household Annual Population Survey (HAPS). The latest available wave for the HAPS is 2008. In 2008 parliamentary constituency boundaries were different. The information given reflects the population in the current boundaries as closely as possible. It is important to note that as with any sample survey, estimates from the HAPS are subject to a margin of uncertainty as different samples give different results. At the constituency level the group in question is very specific and the estimate is based on very small sample sizes. Therefore, the margin of uncertainty is very large for this estimate and the figure is deemed unreliable and would not be used by the Department for Work and Pensions for practical purposes.
Medical Examinations
Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 15 June 2010, Official Report, columns 364-5W, what the differences are between the medical service standards referred to and the contractual standards of the agreement between his Department and the medical services contractor. [7815]
Chris Grayling: There are no differences between Medical Services standards and the contractual standards. Medical Services standards are specified in the contract between Atos Healthcare and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Pension Protection Fund
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the deficit was of the Pension Protection Fund on the latest date for which figures are available. [6764]
Steve Webb: The last audited figure, published in the Pension Protection Fund's 2008-09 Annual Report and Accounts (page 16), reported that it had a funding ratio of 88%, with a deficit of £1,230 million.
At the time of publication, in November 2009, the PPF said
"The lack of big claims and improvements in the investment markets since March mean we estimate that, by the end of September, our deficit had fallen back below the £1 billion mark and our funding ratio had returned to more than 90%".
The Pension Protection Fund's 2009-10 Annual Report and Accounts will be presented to Parliament later this year.
Pensioners
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners receive (a) the basic state pension and (b) pension credit in Wakefield constituency. [6771]
Steve Webb: The information available is in the following table.
| Parliamentary constituency: Wakefield | |
| Number | |
| Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. State Pension figures are for the total state pension caseload. Around 1% of State Pension recipients are not in receipt of the basic State Pension, but are receiving additional State Pension only or graduated retirement benefit only. 3. Basic State Pension only figures are not available by current 2010 parliamentary constituencies. 4. Pension credit household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves or on behalf of themselves and a partner. Individual beneficiaries are the number of claimants in addition to the number of partners for whom they are claiming. 5. Parliamentary constituencies are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. Source: DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100% data as at November 2009 | |
Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners receive (a) the basic state pension and (b) pension credit in Cynon Valley constituency. [6776]
Steve Webb: The information available is in the following table.
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners receive (a) the basic state pension and (b) pension credit in Birmingham, Erdington constituency. [6946]
Steve Webb: The information available is in the table.
| Birmingham, Erdington p arliamentary constituency | |
| Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. State pension figures are for the total state pension caseload. Around 1% of state pension recipients are not in receipt of the basic state pension, but are receiving additional state pension only or graduated retirement benefit only. 3. Basic state pension only figures are not available by current 2010 parliamentary constituencies. 4. Pension credit household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves or on behalf of themselves and a partner. Individual beneficiaries are the number of claimants in addition to the number of partners for whom they are claiming. 5. Parliamentary constituencies are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. Source: DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100% data as at November 2009. | |
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners receive (a) the basic state pension and (b) pension credit. [7188]
Steve Webb: The information available is in the table.
Pensioners: Bristol
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Bristol East constituency receive (a) the basic state pension and (b) pension credit. [7235]
Steve Webb: The information available is in the table.
| Bristol East parliamentary constituency | |
| Notes: 1. Case load figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. State pension figures are for the total state pension case load. Around 1% of state pension recipients are not in receipt of the basic state pension, but are receiving additional state pension only or graduated retirement benefit only. 3. Basic state pension only figures are not available by current 2010 parliamentary constituencies. 4. Pension credit household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves or on behalf of themselves and a partner. Individual beneficiaries are the number of claimants in addition to the number of partners for whom they are claiming. 5. Parliamentary constituencies are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. Source: DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100% data as at November 2009 | |
Pensions: Public Sector
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects his Department's review into public sector pensions to (a) commence and (b) be completed; what remuneration will be provided to Mr John Hutton for undertaking the review; what secretarial support he will be provided with; and if he will make a statement. [5771]
Danny Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
The Independent Public Service Pensions Commission was launched on 20 June. Details of the terms of reference and initial call for evidence can be found on the Treasury website under Independent Reviews at:
The Independent Commission is due to report in time for Budget 2011.
It has been agreed that John Hutton will be paid £4,000 per month for a minimum of three days per week while conducting the review which is expected to last for a nine-month period and travel and subsistence expenses will paid in line with Treasury policy. The team to support the commission's work is not yet fully established, but John Hutton does have access to a business support manager to assist with secretarial duties.
Rents
Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the level of (a) 50th percentile rents in 2010-11 and ( b) 30th percentile rents in 2011-12 for (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five bedroom properties in Lewisham East constituency. [6587]
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the level of (a) 50th percentile rents in 2010-11 and (b) 30th percentile rents in 2011-12 for (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five bedroom properties in Hampstead and Kilburn constituency. [6552]
Mr Gauke: I have been asked to reply.
I refer the hon. Members to the answer given to the hon. Member for West Lancashire (Rosie Cooper) on 6 July 2010, Official Report, columns 184-85W.
Social Security Benefits
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were in receipt of (a) disability living allowance, (b) incapacity benefit and (c) employment and support allowance in (i) Ashfield, (ii) Argyll and Bute and (iii) Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency on the most recent date for which figures are available. [6645]
Chris Grayling: The information is provided as follows:
| Employment support allowance claimants, incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and disability living allowance: November 2009 | |||
| Parliamentary constituency | |||
| Ashfield | Argyll and Bute | Na h-Eileanan an Iar | |
| Notes: 1. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied. 3. Case load for DLA show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. 5. IB/SDA 'Claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a national insurance credit, ie 'credits only cases'. Source: DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100% data. | |||
Social Security Benefits: Disability
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Great Yarmouth constituency are in receipt of (a) incapacity benefit, (b) employment support allowance and (c) disability living allowance. [6169]
Chris Grayling: The information is provided as follows:
| Employment support allowance claimants, incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and disability living allowance: November 2009 | |
| Great Yarmouth parliamentary constituency | |
| Notes: 1. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied. 3. Caseload for DLA show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. 5. IB/SDA 'Claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a National Insurance Credit, i.e. 'credits only cases' Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study | |
Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are in receipt of (a) disability living allowance and (b) employment support allowance in Cynon Valley constituency. [6770]
Chris Grayling: The information is as follows:
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the future of the Independent Living Fund. [7077]
Maria Miller: We will be considering the future position of the Independent Living Fund in the context of the spending review and our commitment to review the role and spending of all non-departmental public bodies.
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether all Independent Living Fund funding approved before the change to the eligibility criteria will be disbursed. [7078]
Maria Miller: The priority of the Independent Living Fund is to support people who are already users of the fund. The Independent Living Fund will be able to honour its commitments to all existing users and to proceed with all the cases where it has already made an offer of new funding.
Social Security Benefits: Overpayments
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate has been made of the level of overpayment of (a) disability living allowance, (b) attendance allowance, (c) child maintenance, (d) maternity grant, (e) pension credit, (f) cold weather payment, (g) housing benefit, (h) council tax benefit, (i) employment and support allowance, (j) carer's allowance and (k) bereavement benefits in each of the last five years. [6332]
Steve Webb: National Statistics estimating the level of fraud and error in the benefit system are published every six months covering a rolling 12-month period.
The percentage levels of overpayment in each of the past five years, for the benefits which are measured, are set out in the following table.
| Estimated level of overpayment due to fraud and error: 2005-06 to 2009-10 | |||||
| Percentage | |||||
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10( 1) | |
| (1) The 2009-10 figure is a preliminary estimate (2) For housing benefit and pension Credit the fraud and error estimates are obtained from continuous measurement exercises. (3) Disability living allowance (DLA) and carer's allowance (CA) are estimated from "one off" exercises covering a financial year, called National Benefit Reviews. DLA was last measured for 2004-05 and CA was last measured in 1996-97. Source: Fraud and Error in the Benefit System: October 2008 to September 2009 | |||||
Attendance allowance, maternity grant, cold weather payment, council tax benefit, employment and support allowance and bereavement benefits are all unreviewed benefits. The rate of fraud and error on unreviewed
benefits is estimated in a broad fashion, but the figures are not published separately. Where suitable proxies exist, percentage-of-expenditure results from reviewed benefits that are similar are used. Where such proxies are not available, the average of all measured benefits is used.
Child maintenance in Great Britain is the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. The Commission is a Crown non-departmental public body.
Treasury
Energy: Subsidies
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) which official in his Department is responsible for global energy subsidy reform policy; [6631]
(2) what steps he plans to take to implement the recommendations of the Joint Report of the International Energy Authority, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Bank on implementation of the G20 decision to reform energy subsidies. [6633]
Justine Greening: At the G20 summit in Pittsburgh leaders asked a number of international organisations to provide a joint report including analysis of the scope of energy subsidies and suggestions for the implementation of their commitment to phase out and rationalise inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, while providing targeted support for the poorest.
At the recent G20 summit in Toronto leaders noted with appreciation the joint report provided by the international organisations. They also encouraged continued and full implementation of country-specific strategies to rationalise and phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption, taking into account vulnerable groups and their development needs.
Work by HM Treasury on global energy subsidies is led from within its International and Finance Directorate. Tom Scholar, the Second Permanent Secretary, is responsible for this directorate.
Bank Levy
Mr Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the effect on the amount of corporation tax revenue to the Exchequer from the financial services sector which will result from the reduction in the corporation tax rate from 2011-12 to 2014-15 announced in the June 2010 Budget. [7910]
Mr Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Holborn and St Pancras (Frank Dobson) on 1 July 2010, Official Report, columns 610-11W.
Business: Government Assistance
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to increase access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises. [7102]
Mr Gauke: The Chancellor announced immediate steps to increase access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Emergency Budget. This included:
an extension to the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, which was increased by £200 million for this year to support additional lending for SMEs of up to £700 million until 31 March 2011;
a commitment to the Growth Capital Fund, which will provide growth capital in the range of £2 million to £10 million to growing SMEs; and
the launch of a new Enterprise Capital Fund, which will provide £37.5 million in equity finance to SMEs with high growth potential.
Small and medium-sized enterprises will also benefit from other announcements in the Budget, including the reduction in the corporation tax rate for smaller companies to 20%.
To underscore the Government's commitment to ensuring that all viable businesses have access to the finance they need over the long term, the Budget also announced the publication of a Green Paper on business finance. This will consider the broad range of finance options facing businesses of different sizes and invite views on priorities and future approaches to enhancing businesses' access to appropriate sources of finance.
Child Tax Credit
Liz Kendall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households with annual incomes of over (a) £15,000 and (b) £30,000 in (i) England, (ii) Leicester and (iii) Leicester West constituency are in receipt of child tax credits. [7096]
Mr Gauke: Analysis of the number of households with incomes over £15,000 and £30,000 in England, Leicester and Leicester West constituency is shown in the following table. This information is based on provisional information of families receiving tax credits as at April 2010.
| Number of families by household income | ||
| £15,000 to £30,000 | Over £30,000 | |
Further details about the snapshot data used for this analysis can be found in the HMRC snapshot publication "Child and Working Tax Credits. Geographical Analysis, April 2010". This is available at:
Climate Change Levy
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reform the Climate Change Levy to provide a price floor for carbon. [7384]
Justine Greening: As announced in the Budget, the Government will publish proposals in the autumn to reform the climate change levy to provide more certainty and support to the carbon price. Subject to that consultation, the Government will bring forward relevant legislation in Finance Bill 2011.
Departmental Buildings
John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many buildings his Department occupies in (a) London and (b) the UK. [6854]
Justine Greening: HM Treasury occupies two buildings in the UK, one of which is in London.
Departmental Equality
Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department has spent (a) in total and (b) on staff costs on promoting equality and diversity in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and how many people are employed by his Department for this purpose. [5918]
Justine Greening: The information covering the Treasury Group work managing diversity and equality obligations is set out in the following table. The figures include funding for reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities as required by the Disability Discrimination Act.
| £ | |
In addition, one full-time equivalent member of Treasury staff is employed to work explicitly on equality and diversity issues.
The Treasury's Single Equality Scheme is available online at:
and sets out how the Department will meet the requirements of the equality duties in its policy formulation and as an employer.
Employment
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish each assessment made by his Department of the effects of implementation of the proposals in his Budget Statement on (a) public sector employment and (b) private sector employment in the UK in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14, (v) 2014-15 and (vi) 2015-16; and if he will make a statement; [5677]
(2) what estimate his Department has made of the effects of the proposals in the June 2010 Budget on the number of jobs in the (a) public and (b) private sector in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2015-16; and if he will make a statement. [6205]
Danny Alexander: To continue with the previous fiscal plans would put the recovery at risk. By acting now, the Government have reduced the risk of adverse market conditions, which would mean higher interest rates for all, stifling recovery and making the challenges ahead even harder.
The OBR released further information on its employment forecast on 30 June 2010. The OBR forecasts show that total employment is expected to rise by 1.3 million by 2015-16.
The OBR forecast release can be found on the following webpage:
Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation
Sajid Javid: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 26 May 2010, Official Report, columns 51-2WS, on Equitable Life, what progress he has made on his plans to make fair and transparent payments to Equitable Life policyholders through an independently designed payment scheme; and if he will make a statement. [5171]
Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what timetable has been set for making payments to former Equitable Life policy holders; and when he expects the first such payment to be made. [6753]
Mr Hoban: Later this month, the Government will provide a detailed update on the steps towards implementing an independently designed payments scheme. This will be alongside Sir John Chadwick's report on relative losses suffered by Equitable Life policyholders as a consequence of the findings of maladministration and injustice made by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
European Parliament: Finance
Mr Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of the (a) size of the budget of the European Parliament in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011 and (b) the annual (A) nominal and (B) percentage change in the size of the budget in each of the last five years; what proportion of the budget heading 5 (administration) of the European Union budget is accounted for by the European Parliament budget; and if he will take steps in the Council of Ministers to reduce the costs of the European Parliament. [7942]
Justine Greening: The UK contribution faces upward pressure due to the 2005 abatement giveaway worth around €2 billion per annum by 2012.
Each year, the European Parliament (EP) budget accounts for around 20% of Heading 5 (administration) of the EU budget. The following table contains detailed data on the EP budget.
The European Parliament budget in 2010 represented just under a fifth of total spend under Heading 5. At a time when European voters are experiencing the effects of tough fiscal consolidation measures, the European Parliament needs to ensure that it is delivering maximum value for money for every euro it receives.
The UK was one of only a few member states to reject an amendment to the 2010 EU budget, increasing the European Parliament's budget this year by 9.4 million euros.
The EP budget for 2011 has not yet been agreed, so it is not possible to give data on the EP budget for that year. However, the Government believe that the proposal in the Commission's draft budget for 2011 of €8,255 million spend on administration overall is too high and must be reduced. The Government are arguing that payments in
the 2011 EU budget should remain at cash levels equivalent to the 2010 budget. Further, we will continue to engage with counterparts across the EU to build support where
possible to end the wasteful dual sitting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg and Brussels.
| € million | ||||||||||||
| 2010 | % change | 2009( 1) | % change | 2008 | % change | 2007 | % change | 2006 | % change | 2005 | % change | |
| (1) European Parliament numbers from 2005-07 are source: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/budget/www/index-en.htm | ||||||||||||
Gift Aid
Dr Huppert: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effects on (a) charities and (b) Exchequer revenue of allowing gift aid arrangements to apply in full to donations made by higher rate tax payers. [7780]
Justine Greening: HM Revenue and Customs estimate that £1,007 million in gift aid repayments and transitional relief were made to charities in 2009-10. Higher rate relief, available to donors who are higher rate income tax payers, on gift aid donations to charities totalled £310 million in 2009-10.
Independent research commissioned by HMRC in 2009 suggested that approximately 80% of all higher rate relief available on donations is claimed.
Insolvency: Football
John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been written off in tax revenue by the Exchequer in cases where Football Association football clubs have gone into administration in each of the last three years. [7890]
Mr Gauke: The information is not readily available centrally and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
Loans: Sheffield Forgemasters
Mr Betts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made an estimate of the effect on gross domestic product of withdrawing the £80 million loan from Sheffield Forgemasters. [6374]
Danny Alexander: HM Treasury does not normally hold the detailed information required to provide an estimate of the effect of such projects on gross domestic product.
Mr Betts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made an estimate on the effect on the balance of payments of withdrawing the £80 million loan to Sheffield Forgemasters. [6376]
Danny Alexander: HM Treasury does not hold the detailed information required to provide an estimate of the net effect of such projects on the balance of payments.
Office for Budget Responsibility: Public Appointments
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who will undertake the responsibilities for the Office for Budget Responsibility discharged by Sir Alan Budd until a successor is appointed; and if he will make a statement. [7864]
Justine Greening: Sir Alan Budd is stepping down as chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) when his contract expires on 13 August 2010. Geoffrey Dicks and Graham Parker will continue to serve as interim members of the Budget Responsibility Committee until a permanent chair of the OBR has been appointed and they will be discharging the OBR's responsibilities.
Pregnant Women: Grants
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many health in pregnancy grants were made to people in (a) Ashfield, (b) Argyll and Bute and (c) Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency in 2009-10. [6642]
Mr Gauke: This information is available only at disproportionate cost.
Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the effects on (a) expectant mothers and (b) the welfare of newborn children of the abolition of the health in pregnancy grant. [6665]
Justine Greening: The health in pregnancy grant will be available to all pregnant women until 1 January 2011 and therefore women who were pregnant at the time of the Budget announcement will receive this payment.
The Government's priority is to make sure that the measures they takes are fair. Therefore they have significantly increased the child element of child tax credits to ensure that the impact of the measures taken within the Emergency Budget will not have a measurable impact on child poverty rates within the next two years.
Public Expenditure
Mr Byrne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual (a) capital, (b) non-cash resource and (c) near cash resource departmental underspend of each Government department in fiscal year 2009-10. [6811]
Danny Alexander: Provisional outturn of departmental capital, near-cash resource and non-cash resource expenditure against final DEL provision for the financial year 2009-10 will be reported in the forthcoming Public Expenditure Provisional Outturn White Paper (PEOWP).
Yvette Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether equality impact assessments will be used in determining the areas of his Department's budget in respect of which spending will be reduced. [7097]
Justine Greening: The Treasury will ensure the relevant equality considerations are taken in to account in the context of its own departmental budget in compliance with our obligations under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Public Expenditure: Wales
Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 5 July 2010, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, on public spending control, what assessment he has made of the implications for Wales of the savings announced. [7080]
Danny Alexander: The changes announced on 5 July 2010, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, do not have any additional impact on the savings announced for Wales.
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to footnote 1 of Table 9.2 of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses, July 2010, how much the (a) end year flexibility and (b) reserve claims are for Wales. [7939]
Danny Alexander: End year flexibility drawdown for Wales totalled £331.3 million in 2009-10. The Welsh Assembly Government did not have any reserve claims in 2009-10 although they drew capital expenditure of £90.7 million forward from 2010-11.
Public Finance
Mr Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what projects of each department have been included in the review of major spending projects approved by the previous administration between 1 January 2010 and the general election; and how much was planned to be spent under each. [6304]
Danny Alexander: On 17 June I announced the outcome of a review of 217 projects that had been approved by the previous Government between 1 January 2010 and the general election. 12 projects were cancelled as they did not demonstrate value for money, were unaffordable or did not reflect the Government's priorities, and a further 12 projects were suspended as more detailed work is needed as part of the spending review process.
Details of projects cancelled or suspended, including the spending that had been approved for each project, have been deposited with the Libraries of the House of Commons and the House of Lords (deposit number DEP2010 1320)(1). A comprehensive list of all the remaining projects neither cancelled nor suspended has also been deposited with Parliaments Libraries (deposit number DEP2010 1327)(2).
(1) Paper laid in the Libraries of the House of Commons and House of Lords listing projects cancelled or suspended can be found at
(2) Paper laid in the Libraries of the House of Commons and House of Lords listing projects neither cancelled nor suspended can be found at
Public Sector: Pensions
Helen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what remuneration will be provided to Mr John Hutton for conducting the review of public sector pensions. [4288]
Danny Alexander: The Independent Public Service Pensions Commission was launched on 20 June. Details of the terms of reference and initial call for evidence can be found on the Treasury website under Independent Reviews at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/indreview_ johnhutton_pensions.htm
The Independent Commission is due to report in time for Budget 2011.
It has been agreed that John Hutton will be paid £4,000 per month for a minimum of three days per week while conducting the review which is expected to last for a nine-month period and travel and subsistence expenses will paid in line with Treasury policy. The team to support the commission's work is not yet fully established, but John Hutton does have access to a business support manager to assist with secretarial duties.
Rents
Ann McKechin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the level of (a) 50th percentile rents in 2010-11 and (b ) 30th percentile rents in 2011-12 for (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five bedroom properties in (A) Glasgow North and (B) Ealing Central and Acton constituency. [6145]
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the level of (a) 50th percentile rents in 2010-11 and (b) 30th percentile rent in 2011-12 for (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five bedroom properties in (A) Ashfield, (B) Argyll and Bute and (C) Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency. [6640]
Mr Gauke: I refer the hon. Members to the answer given to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman) on 6 July 2010, Official Report, column 184-5W.
The Glasgow North, Argyll and Bute, and Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituencies are a matter for the devolved Administration.
Jack Dromey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of (a) 50th percentile rents in 2010-11 and (b) 30th percentile rents for (i), one, (ii), two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five bedroom properties in Birmingham Erdington constituency in 2011-12. [6934]
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the (a) 50th percentile rent in 2010-11 and (b) 30th percentile rents in 2011-12 for properties of (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five bedrooms in Bristol East constituency. [7241]
Mr Gauke: I refer the hon. Members to the answer given to the hon. Member for West Lancashire (Rosie Cooper) on 6 July 2010, Official Report, columns 184-85W.
Revenue and Customs: Northern Ireland
Mr Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what premises at each location in Northern Ireland are (a) owned and (b) leased by HM Revenue and Customs. [7171]
Mr Gauke: The majority of HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) premises in Northern Ireland, along with the rest of its estate, were included in the 2001 Strategic Transfer of the Estate to the Private Sector (STEPS) outsourcing deal with Mapeley. HMRC occupies these premises under the terms of the contract with Mapeley rather than by the terms of a traditional lease. HMRC also occupies premises in Northern Ireland by way of sharing arrangements with other Government Departments and holds two premises by way of a traditional lease.
HMRC Revenue and Customs (HMRC) retains ownership of one property in Northern Ireland, Custom House in Belfast. However as part of the STEPS deal, Mapeley have been granted a long lease of the property, and HMRC now occupies the premises under the terms of the STEPS contract and not as the freehold owner.
Details of HMRC's holdings of premises at each location in Northern Ireland are given in the following table.
| Location | Premises name | HMRC holding |
Self-Employed Contributions: Fraud
Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of the loss of revenue to the Exchequer from people falsely claiming to be self-employed (a) in total and (b) in the construction industry in the latest period for which figures are available. [6606]
Mr Gauke: The loss of revenue to the Exchequer from people falsely claiming to be self-employed is not known. However information is available from the Construction Industry Scheme for individuals working in the construction industry. The loss of revenue to the Exchequer for people falsely claiming to be self-employed in the construction industry is estimated to be around £350 million using 2009-10 tax and national insurance rates.
Tax Avoidance
Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what definition of the terms (a) tax avoidance and (b) tax efficiency his Department uses. [7667]
Mr Gauke: The Government have not published a definition of avoidance. However it is widely understood to entail taking a view of the tax treatment of a transaction that is tenable but has tax consequences that were not intended by the legislature. This does not prevent taxpayers organising their affairs in an efficient manner, consistent with the intentions of the legislation. Tackling tax avoidance is essential and we make every effort to do so.
The Government consider the economic efficiency of tax measures as part of the tax policy-making process.
Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take (a) to reduce the levels of tax avoidance and (b) to close tax loopholes. [7668]
Mr Gauke: The Government are committed to tackling tax avoidance and will continue to take necessary steps to protect the Exchequer and maintain fairness in the tax system.
The Emergency Budget set out the Government's intention to build in sustainable defences against avoidance opportunities when undertaking policy reform and by reviewing areas of the tax system in which repeated changes have been necessary to close loopholes.
Chapter 2 of Budget document also announced a number of specific measures to counter tax avoidance.
Taxation
Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the additional tax the Exchequer will recover from all individuals with incomes (a) below the personal allowance threshold set in the Budget, (b) above the personal allowance level but below the 40 per cent. tax threshold, (c) above the 40 per cent. threshold but below the 50 per cent. threshold and (d) above the 50 per cent. threshold as a result of (i) the proposed rise in the rate of value added tax and (ii) other tax measures in each year from 2010-11 to 2014-15. [6922]
Mr Gauke: The Government have provided analysis of Budget measures to be in place by 2012-13 in Annex A of the Red Book and the total yield for each measure is provided in Table 2.1. The combined impacts of tax, tax credits and benefit changes have been assessed by household expenditure and income as set out in Annex A of the Red Book. Analysis of VAT at an individual level could be misleading as although goods and services are purchased by an individual they may be utilised by other individuals within the household. The Government therefore believe that analysis at a household level is the most appropriate. It is not possible to provide the total additional tax paid by individuals in the different income tax bands of all other tax measures.
Taxation: Banks
Mr Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistical forecast his Department has made of the effect on revenues to the Exchequer of the bank levy announced in the June 2010 Budget. [7909]
Mr Hoban: The estimated impact on the Exchequer of the bank levy and the analysis underpinning these estimates are set out in the following Budget 2010 document:
Taxation: Environment Protection
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of the revenue to accrue to the Exchequer attributable to green taxes in 2011-12 as a result of the proposals in the Budget of (a) March and (b) June 2010. [6407]
Justine Greening: The total percentage of revenue raised by environment taxes, as a proportion of all taxes in the March 2010 Budget, was 0.4%. The total percentage of revenue raised by environment taxes, as a proportion of all taxes in the June 2010 Budget, was also 0.4%.
Landfill tax, aggregates levy, climate change levy have been included in this estimate. EU Emissions Trading Scheme revenues have also been included as the receipts have been provisionally scored as tax revenues in the Budget, and the policy objective is primarily environmental.
The Government are committed to playing their part in moving to a low carbon economy. This transition will change the shape of industry, growth and jobs. The recent Budget announced the Government's:
intention to consult in the autumn on changes to climate change levy in order to support the carbon price;
commitment to make proposals post-spending review to create a Green Investment Bank; and
confirmed plans to legislate in this parliamentary session to create a Green Deal for home energy efficiency.
Taxation: Gaming Machines
Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to announce the results of his Department's consultation on the replacement of amusement machine licence duty by a gross profit tax regime for gaming machines. [6754]
Justine Greening: The consultation on whether to move the taxation of gaming machines from the current system of Amusement Machine Licence Duty and VAT, to a gross profits tax, ended in October 2009.
This has raised a number of issues, which are under discussion with gambling stakeholders.
Taxation: Self-Assessment
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long on average it takes to obtain a tax return form following an initial request; what steps he is taking to reduce that time; and if he will make a statement. [7557]
Mr Gauke: The majority of self assessment tax returns and 'Notice to Complete a Tax Return' (SA316) are automatically issued in April each year. Paper tax returns generated at other times take an average of one week to reach the customer. Self assessment tax returns along with supplementary pages and guidance are available on the HM Revenue and Customs website.
The majority of self assessment tax returns are filed electronically.
Taxation: Sheffield Forgemasters
Mr Betts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made an estimate of the effect on tax revenues of withdrawing the £80 million loan to Sheffield Forgemasters. [6375]
Danny Alexander: Neither HM Treasury nor HM Revenue and Customs hold the detailed information required to provide an estimate of the effect of such projects on all tax revenues.
Indirect effects of spending measures on tax revenues are not usually accounted for in Budget scorecard costings and the public finances only include such impacts if they are substantial and certain enough to affect the macroeconomic forecasts.
VAT: Charities
Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many registered charities are registered for value added tax in (a) Wrexham, (b) Wales and (c) the UK. [7827]
Mr Gauke: This information is not available.
HM Revenue and Customs does not categorise separately VAT registrations belonging to charities.
VAT: Fuel Poverty
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects on those living in fuel poverty of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax; and if he will make a statement. [7746]
Mr Gauke: There was no change in the budget to the rate of VAT on domestic fuel and power, which continues to be 5%.
Analysis of the impact of indirect taxes, of which the increase in the standard rate of VAT is the most significant change, is provided in Annex A of the Red Book on both an income decile and expenditure decile basis.
Welfare State: Reform
Dr Pugh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the net full-year effect on the Exchequer is of changes to social security benefits announced in the June 2010 Budget. [7677]
Mr Gauke: Table 2.1 of the June 2010 Budget provides a breakdown of the direct fiscal impacts of the social security policy decisions, and Table C14 shows the combined net direct and indirect effects of all the Budget policy decisions on the social security forecast, together with other forecasting changes since the pre-Budget forecast. Chapter C also sets out the Office for Budget Responsibility's approach to forecasting the indirect economic and fiscal impacts of the Budget policy decisions.
Welfare Tax Credits
Ann Clwyd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in receipt of tax credits have an annual income of over £30,000 in Cynon Valley constituency. [6775]
Mary Creagh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in receipt of tax credits have an annual income of over £30,000 in Wakefield constituency. [6774]
Jack Dromey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in receipt of tax credits have an annual income of over £30,000 in Birmingham Erdington constituency. [6935]
Mr Gauke: Analysis of the number of households with incomes over £30,000 in the aforementioned constituencies is shown in the following table. This information is based on provisional information of families receiving tax credits as at April 2010.
| Constituency | Number of households with income over £30,000 |
Further details about the snapshot data used for this analysis can be found in the HMRC snapshot publication "Child and Working Tax Credits. Geographical Analysis, April 2010". This is available at:
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in Coventry South and in receipt of tax credits have an annual income of over £30,000. [7101]
Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in receipt of tax credits in Clwyd South constituency have an income of over £30,000. [6992]
Mark Lancaster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in Milton Keynes North constituency in receipt of tax credits have an annual income of over £30,000. [7065]
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in receipt of tax credits in Bristol East constituency have an income of over £30,000. [7234]
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in receipt of tax credits in East Lothian constituency have an income of over £30,000. [7186]
Mr Gauke: Analysis of the number of households with incomes over £30,000 in the aforementioned constituencies is shown in the following table. This information is based on provisional information of families receiving tax credits as at April 2010.
| Constituency | Number of households with Income over £30,000 |
Further details about the snapshot data used for this analysis can be found in the HMRC snapshot publication 'Child and Working Tax Credits. Geographical Analysis, April 2010'. This is available at:
Ms Buck: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of households in each UK region are in receipt of tax credits and have an annual income above £30,000. [7743]
Mr Gauke: The information requested is in the following table:
| Percentage of households in receipt of tax credits with household income over £30,000 | |
| UK region | Percentage |
This analysis is based on provisional information on families receiving tax credits as at April 2010. Further details about these data can be found in the HMRC snapshot publication 'Child and Working Tax Credits. Geographical Analysis, April 2010'. This is available at:
Welfare Tax Credits: Birmingham
Jack Dromey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Birmingham Erdington constituency are in receipt of (a) disability living allowance and (b) incapacity benefit. [6936]
Maria Miller: I have been asked to reply.
The information is in the following table.
| Disability living allowance and incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance claimants: November 2009. Parliamentary constituency Birmingham, Erdington | |
| Number | |
| Notes: 1. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied. 3. Caseload for DLA show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. Source: DWP Information Directorate 100 percent WPLS | |
Welfare Tax Credits: Greater London
Ms Buck: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in receipt of tax credits in each London constituency have an annual income above £30,000. [7742]
Mr Gauke: This information is published in the HMRC publication 'Household Income distribution of Tax Credits families by Westminster Constituency-April 2010'.
A copy has been placed in the Library of the House and will be published on HMRC's website shortly.
Working Tax Credit
Mr Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect the changes to the tax credits announced in the June 2010 Budget will have on the childcare element of the working tax credit. [7062]
Mr Gauke: No changes to the child care element of the working tax credit were made at the June Budget 2010.
The reforms that were made at June Budget 2010 do not have a direct impact on the child care element of the working tax credit. The size and nature of the changes to tax credit awards following the reforms will be the same for households of equivalent income and size whether they are claiming the child care element of the working tax credit or not.
Working Tax Credit: Birmingham
Jack Dromey:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Birmingham Erdington constituency in the annual income band of (a) £10,000 to £20,000, (b) £21,000 to £30,000, (c) £31,000 to £40,000, (d)
£41,000 to £50,000, (e) £51,000 to £60,000 and (f) £60,000 or more are in receipt of tax credits. [6933]
Mr Gauke: The information requested is shown in the following table. This information is based on provisional information of families receiving tax credits as at April 2010.
| Families in receipt of tax credits by income band in the Birmingham Erdington constituency | |
| Household income | Number |
Further details about the data used for this analysis can be found in the HMRC snapshot publication "Child and Working Tax Credits. Geographical Analysis, April 2010". This is available at:
Home Department
Counter-terrorism: Birmingham
Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether the (a) automatic number plate recognition and (b) CCTV equipment installed in Sparkbrook, Moseley, King's Heath and Washwood Heath under Project Champion had the facility for (i) facial recognition and (ii) monitoring of conversations; [3858]
(2) what the location is of each (a) automatic number plate recognition and (b) CCTV device installed in (i) Sparkbrook, (ii) Moseley, (iii) King's Heath and (iv) Washwood Heath for the purposes of Project Champion; and whether each such device was located with the purpose of monitoring a specific individual or individuals. [3859]
James Brokenshire: The equipment under Project Champion, whether ANPR or CCTV, does not have either facial recognition or audio monitoring facilities.
The locations of the cameras installed under Project Champion are provided in maps (marked with stars) of Hall Green and Washwood Heath constituencies which have been placed in the Libraries of the House. It should be noted that there are a number of locations starred on the map where there are multiple cameras in the same place.
ANPR provides a tactical option to disrupt, deter and detect criminal activity and, by doing so, helps to increase public confidence in the police. The technology automatically reads vehicle registration marks (VRMs) allowing these details to be compared against database records. Therefore, ANPR does not "track" every journey but relies on intelligence-led policing and flags VRMs which are linked to criminality and allows the police to focus on those engaged in unlawful activity; law-abiding road users go unhindered by ANPR technology.
ANPR systems are used by the police, government agencies and commercial companies including petrol forecourts, shopping centres and car parks. The system design and intended use of Project Champion ANPR capability is consistent with policy, practice and guidance from ACPO, NPIA and extensive evaluation studies including former Police Standards Unit work on behalf of Home Office.
With regard to CCTV, I am advised that no device was located with the purpose of monitoring a specific individual or individuals. The system design and intended use of Project Champion CCTV capability is consistent with existing force policy, including advice contained in the CCTV Privacy Masking Guide issued by the British Security Industry Association.
It is important to note that on 5 July 2010 West Midlands police announced that a number of cameras installed under Project Champion would be removed, and that the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit would no longer have any involvement with the scheme. This follows an earlier announcement in June that the activation of the cameras would be suspended, pending a full public consultation later this summer.
This Government will never compromise the safety and security of the British public but neither will we sacrifice their civil liberties for their security. The Government sees a need to re-examine the balance between liberty and security and, as part of this broader agenda, is looking closely at the regulatory framework for both CCTV and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems. Work is currently under way with a view to bringing forward proposals as soon as possible.
Dorset Police: Promotion
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to prevent Dorset constabulary promoting police officers shortly before their due retirement date. [6019]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 5 July 2010]: For promotions below chief officer level the decision as to which officers are promoted rests with the chief officer of the individual police force concerned. To support this decision, each police force is responsible for developing and implementing a fair and equitable promotion process that clearly identifies the best candidates available for the force to promote into its leadership positions.
The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) oversees the national processes in place to identify police officers who have the skills required to be good leaders at the rank of sergeant and inspector. The Senior Police National Assessment Centre is the promotion process to assistant chief constable, and police authorities appoint chief officers.
Police officers nearing the end of their service are eligible to apply for, and if successful, be selected for promotion. To do otherwise could disadvantage the individual and potentially deprive the service of a person of quality. Such a decision may also breach age discrimination legislation.
The Home Secretary has announced a full review of the remuneration and conditions of service for police officers and staff.
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many pages of guidance the UK Border Agency has issued to licensed sponsors in the last 24 months; [5120]
(2) how many institutions have had their licences revoked since the roll-out of tier 4 of the points-based immigration system; and how many of these were (a) Highly Trusted Sponsors, (b) accredited by the British Council and (c) inspected by Ofsted. [5121]
Damian Green: In the last two years the UK Border Agency has issued 1,501 pages of guidance to licensed sponsors covering tiers 2, 4 and 5. This will include reissue of guidance on specific tiers. At present the tier 2 and 5 guidance stands at 83 pages and the tier 4 guidance at 70 pages.
As at 30 June 2010, 47 sponsors have had their tier 4 licence revoked since 31 March 2009. Of these none held a Highly Trusted Sponsor licence, five were accredited by the British Council and none was inspected by Ofsted.
Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal migrants identified in the last 12 months, who initially entered the UK through the student visa system, had been sponsored by Highly Trusted Sponsors. [5123]
Damian Green: The number of illegal migrants identified in the last 12 months, who initially entered through the student visa system and who are now being sponsored by a Highly Trusted Sponsor is nil. The Highly Trusted Sponsor scheme came into force on 6 April 2010.
Immigration Controls: English Language
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the UK Border Agency plans to take to publicise the new English language requirement for those making immigration applications as spouses and partners. [4799]
Damian Green: On 9 June 2010, Official Report, column 11WS, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced a new language requirement for those seeking entry to the UK as either a spouse or civil partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, unmarried partner or same sex partner of a British citizen or someone who is present and settled in the UK.
The announcement on 9 June received extensive publicity both in the UK and overseas. Information about the new policy for those making immigration applications is currently available on the UK Border Agency website. A further publicity campaign is planned.
Police: Demonstrations
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance her Department issues to local police forces on the policing of marches and demonstrations by (a) the English Defence League and (b) the British National Party; and if she will make a statement. [4882]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 1 July 2010]: The Home Office has not issued guidance as the policing of marches and demonstrations is an operational matter for chief officers. The police have a range of powers to deal with any criminal activity that takes place at a demonstration. The police are committed to using their powers to ensure local communities and property are protected and I understand that a number of individuals have been arrested and charged at previous demonstrations. Local police forces do work closely with local community leaders in planning the policing of such demonstrations, and ACPO have provided good practice advice for these events.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Business: Billing
Mr Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he has taken to reduce the number of late payments to small businesses. [7014]
Mr Prisk: UK payment data as reported by Experian show that the time taken for payments to suppliers across the economy in May 2010 was 0.5 days faster than the level recorded in May 2008. This welcome improvement has been underpinned by action to drive down public sector payment times, to encourage and promote best practice in the private sector and to improve access for businesses to best practice on managing cash flow.
The public sector is now paying suppliers faster than ever before. For the private sector, Experian calculate that Prompt Payment Code signatories now represent over 60% of UK supply chain value and there have been over 165,000 downloads of the Managing Cash Flow guides:
Experian analysis of invoices submitted to four FTSE100 companies showed that many invoices were submitted deficient or late or both. We also know that over half of UK business transactions are not covered by pre-agreed payment terms and that nine out of ten suppliers fail to credit check their customers regularly. Supporting UK business to better manage cash flow and customer relationships can therefore make a huge impact upon payment times and we are working with the UK's leading finance and business representative organisations to improve awareness.
Business: Females
Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment his Department has made of the effect on the economy of increasing the number of women setting up businesses. [6816]
Mr Prisk: Estimates based on the latest available data indicate that an increase in the number of majority women-led businesses by 100,000 would lead to an additional £7 billion of annual output in the economy.
Business: Government Assistance
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in (a) Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill constituency, (b) North Lanarkshire local authority area and (c) Scotland have participated in the Working Capital Scheme since its inception. [7165]
Mr Prisk: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Stirling (Mrs McGuire) on 30 June 2010, Official Report, column 564W.
Copyright
Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to bring forward legislation to provide for (a) an orphan works exception, (b) a format shifting exception and (c) extended collective licensing. [5090]
Mr Davey: The Government are considering, but have not yet reached a view, on what further work is needed on copyright, and the form such work would take.
Copyright Tribunal
Mr Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the Second Special Report of the Science and Technology Committee, Session 2007-08, HC 637, when he plans to complete the proposed reforms to the Copyright Tribunal. [6404]
Mr Davey: The Government note the significant changes which have been made to the Copyright Tribunal since the Select Committee report was published. These include the introduction of new rules of procedure; the appointment of lay members with commercial experience; and a new secretariat. The Government hope that these changes, which were welcomed by users, will make the tribunal a more accessible, cheaper and faster forum in which to resolve disputes.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 5 July 2010, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, on public spending control, what the breakdown by (a) budget area and (b) local authority area is of the £265 million reduction in expenditure to be made from his Department. [7031]
Mr Davey: BIS expects to make savings of £265 million from the following programmes in financial year 2010-11.
| Programme | Savings (£ million) | |
| (1 )Indicates a brace. | ||
The Department has made no assessment of how these savings are broken down at a local authority or regional level. The nature of the programmes affected renders any such assessment impractical.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 5 July 2010, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, on public spending control, under which budgetary headings he expects his Department to make savings of £265 million in fiscal year 2010-11. [7519]
Mr Davey: BIS expects to make savings of £265 million from the following programmes in financial year 2010-11: Sheffield Forgemasters; the Automotive Assistance Programme; Working Capital Scheme and Trade Credit Insurance.
Departmental Reorganisation
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to relocate officials working in his Department from central London to Bassetlaw. [6569]
Mr Davey: The location of public sector activity and plans for the Government's estate will be considered alongside other public spending issues over the course of the spending review.
EU Law
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the cost to his Department of compliance with regulations arising from EU obligations in the last 12 months. [6869]
Mr Davey: Like any employer, the Department has to act in accordance with a wide variety of regulation, ranging from for instance health and safety law to employment law. However, it is not standard accounting practice to distinguish regulatory compliance costs from overall running costs, whether of EU origin or domestic.
There is therefore no pre-existing breakdown of the costs imposed on it by EU regulations upon which the Department can draw to produce an estimate of such compliance. To produce such an estimate would be a major undertaking, and would involve disproportionate expenditure. By way of comparison, the administrative burdens measurement exercise, which provided an indicative estimate of administrative burdens across the UK economy, cost in excess of £10 million to undertake.
Flexible Working
Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps have been taken to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees; what progress has been made on plans for the proposed consultation with businesses on this issue; and what timetable is planned for implementation of the proposal. [7906]
Mr Davey: I intend to consult on my plans to extend to the right to request flexible working to all employees later in the year.
The result of this consultation will inform the timetable for implementation going forward. I shall of course work closely with colleagues in Northern Ireland as my plans develop.
Post Codes: Databases
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what cost-benefit analysis his Department has undertaken in respect of providing free public access to the Post Code Address File. [7783]
Mr Davey: None. The PAF is owned and maintained by Royal Mail who are responsible for the costs involved in maintaining the data. Royal Mail is a business operating at arm's length from Government and competing with private sector postal operators. It is therefore appropriate for Royal Mail to be compensated for the use of the PAF data by third parties.
Post Offices
Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will undertake a review of the performance of Post Office Ltd in delivering outreach services for the purposes of increasing its effectiveness, with particular reference to services in Wangford in Suffolk. [7261]
Mr Davey: I have asked David Smith, the managing director of Post Office Ltd, to respond directly to my hon. Friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which of the services offered in a post office branch are not offered by a post office essentials service. [7767]
Mr Davey: I have asked David Smith, the Managing Director of Post Office Ltd, to respond directly to the hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.
Post Offices: Public Consultation
Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) whether Post Office Ltd is required to publish all responses from public consultations on (a) services, (b) closures, (c) premises moves and (d) other changes; and if he will make a statement; [7290]
(2) if he will make it his policy that Post Office Ltd should not start preparatory work on a premises move which is subject to an ongoing public consultation. [7291]
Mr Davey: I have asked David Smith, the Managing Director of Post Office Ltd, to respond directly to my hon. Friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Public Houses
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department holds on the number of pubs which are linked to pub companies; what recent assessment he has made of the level of competitiveness of such pubs; and if he will make a statement. [6731]
Mr Davey: This Department does not collect information on the ownership of pubs. Such information is available in commercially produced reports. This Department has not made any recent assessments into the level of competitiveness within the sector. However, the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee and the Office of Fair Trading have recently looked into a range of competition issues impacting on the sector.
Research and Development Tax Credit
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary value was of tax incentives provided for research and development in each year from 2005-06 to 2009-10; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of such incentives; and if he will make a statement. [6462]
Mr Gauke: I have been asked to reply.
The numbers and costs of R and D tax credit claims are published as National Statistics on the HMRC website at:
The most recent figures, published on 18 December 2009, cover financial years up to 2007-08. Figures for 2008-09 are scheduled to be published in October 2010; those for 2009-10 are not available.
As part of the plans for corporate tax reform, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced at the Emergency Budget that the Government will consult with business in autumn 2010 to review the taxation of intellectual property, the support R and D tax credits provide for innovation and the proposals of the Dyson review.
Science: Higher Education
Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the infrastructure capacity of local colleges to enable them to deliver the practical component of applied science programmes for students of external university degree programmes. [6898]
Mr Hayes: Universities are responsible for the facilities and delivery of all their higher education courses including those delivered in a further education college. However, where the college is directly funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) it is also eligible for capital funding from that source.
HE courses delivered in FE colleges are subject to external scrutiny by the Quality Assurance Agency acting on behalf of HEFCE to ensure they meet the appropriate academic standards and that there is accountability for public funds.
Further education capital investment is managed by the Skills Funding Agency who will assess all Skills Funding Agency projects to ensure proposed projects fit the educational case on which the projects intend to support.
Education
School League Tables
19. Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to change arrangements for school league tables; and if he will make a statement. [6974]
Mr Gibb: We will reform the annual school performance tables to ensure that a sharper and more authoritative set of data will be available to all parents in the future. We want the tables to demonstrate the standards that schools are achieving and the progress that pupils of all abilities are making. As part of our commitment to transparency, we will also publish a much wider range of data that the Department currently holds on schools.
School Discipline
20. Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to improve standards of discipline in schools. [6975]
Mr Gibb: It is this Government's intention to give heads and teachers the powers they need to ensure discipline in the classroom and promote good behaviour. In a statement to the House on 7 July 2010, Official Report, columns 11-12WS, I announced that we will take steps to strengthen teachers' powers to search pupils; issue shorter and clearer guidance on the use of force; and remove the requirement to give 24 hours' written notice when giving pupils detentions. We will also give teachers the strongest possible protection from false accusations.
Children of Armed Forces Personnel
21. Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he plans to improve access to school places for children of armed forces personnel; and if he will make a statement. [6976]
Michael Gove: The Government recognise the enormous contribution made by the armed forces, and are determined to support them. Fair access to school places is regulated by a statutory School Admissions Code, which already provides some priority for services children. I will consider whether the code needs to be amended and make an announcement in due course.
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