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8 Sep 2010 : Column 580W—continued
Drugs: Crime
Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were (a) prosecuted for and (b) convicted of an offence of involvement in illegal drug trafficking or usage in each year since 2006. [13639]
Mr Blunt: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for drug trafficking and possession of illegal drugs, England and Wales 2006 to 2008 (latest available), is given in the table.
Data for 2009 are planned for publication on 21 October 2010.
Fines: Magistrates Courts
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the monetary value was of outstanding fines imposed by Bexley Magistrates Court in each of the last three years; and what the monetary value was of fines written off in that period. [12543]
Mr Djanogly: HMCS systems do not identify the value of fines for individual courts as the accounting is managed in centralised units. To identify the value outstanding and written off for individual courts would incur a disproportionate cost as it would require a manual search of all court records.
Bexley is within the central and south area of the London Local Criminal Justice Board area so set out in the following table are the amounts outstanding and written off in the last three years.
The value of outstanding balance includes the amount owed for fines imposed in the magistrates and crown courts plus compensation, victims surcharge, costs and the value of unpaid fixed penalty notices that are transferred to HMCS for enforcement as a fine. The outstanding balance has risen through the application of a strict policy that only allows fines to be written off in certain circumstances. The outstanding balance includes fines imposed a number of years ago during the period when fines could not be cancelled (2004 to 2006) and fines which are being paid by instalments. Some of the balance outstanding could be as much as 10 years old.
Fines can be either administratively cancelled or legally cancelled. Amounts written off can relate to fines that were imposed in either the current or any previous year.
| Central and south London | |||
| £ | |||
| Amount outstanding | Legally cancelled | Administratively cancelled | |
Magistrates Courts: Surrey
Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many representations he has received from (a) residents of Surrey and (b) magistrates in Surrey on the closure of Woking Magistrates Court; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each such representation. [12761]
Mr Djanogly: The consultation period extends until 15 September. We will share the number of responses received and a summary of them when the Lord Chancellor publishes his decision for each area.
As of 26 August the Department had received 142 formal responses to the consultation on the provision of court services in Kent Surrey and Sussex.
Prisoners: Pay
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what guidance his Department provides prisons on the (a) level and (b) means of calculation of remuneration paid to prisoners for work undertaken whilst in prison; [12411]
(2) what activities are classified as work for the purposes of the remuneration paid to prisoners. [12412]
Mr Blunt: Guidance on prisoners' pay is set out in Prison Service Order 4460 (Prisoners' Pay), a copy of which has been placed in the House Library. The order sets out minimum rates of prisoner pay and requires prison governors and directors of contracted prisons to devise local pay schemes that pay either the minimum or above the minimum rate of pay and that reflect regime priorities.
The purpose of paying prisoners is to encourage their constructive participation in the regime of the establishment. Prisoners are remunerated if they participate in purposeful activity which is defined as undertaking work, induction, education, training or offending behaviour programmes.
Prisons: Finance
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what the cost to the public purse has been of the provision of each private finance initiative prison since its opening; [12909]
(2) what the operating cost has been of each private finance initiative prison since its opening. [12910]
Mr Blunt: It is not possible to provide a complete answer to the hon. Member's question in relation to providing operating costs for these PFI contracts (since their opening), as centralised detailed historical data is not available for all periods in question, and to investigate further would incur significant disproportionate costs.
There are nine private finance initiative prison (PFI) contracts currently in place for England and Wales. The table that follows provides an annual net present valve (NPV) calculated for the winning bidder. It should be noted that there is no direct relationship in the table between the current estimated annual value of the contract for 2010-11 and the original NPV for the whole of life contract.
The current estimated value of the contracts is a forecast of their net value and is included for information. It should be noted that there are a number of changeable factors that affect the annual cost of running each of the prisons set out above, e.g. population levels, service requirements and variations in RPI to which the contracts are subject.
| Name of Prison | Location | 25 year contract which ends: | Main service provider | Original opening net present value (NPV) (£ million) | Current estimated annual value 2010-11 (£) |
| (1) Over 25 years. | |||||
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the construction cost was of each private finance initiative prison opened since 1996. [12911]
Mr Blunt: The following table shows the construction cost of each private finance initiative (PFI) prison built since 1996.
| Prison | Opening date | Construction cost (£ million) |
Additionally, the contract for a new PFI prison at Belmarsh West (South East London) was signed on 30 June 2010 and construction has started. The estimated construction cost is £97 million.
Prisons: Trade Unions
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he next expects to meet representatives of Prison Service trade unions. [12007]
Mr Blunt: I met with representatives of the POA, PCS and the Prison Service Joint Industrial Council on 6 September and representatives of the Prison Governors' Association on 8 September.
Taxis
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department and its predecessors spent on taxi fares in each year since 1997. [12977]
Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) accounting systems do not record expenditure on taxis separately from other forms of travel and subsistence. This is also true of the Ministry's predecessor departments, the former Department for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor's Department. It would incur disproportionate costs to examine thousands of individual expense claims and Government Procurement Card records held locally to isolate expenditure on taxis.
Some information is available for central functions within the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and the former Office of Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR) for the period 2005-06 to 2007-08 from Home Office systems. As accounting records were migrated to MoJ's systems in November/December 2008, expenditure for 2007-08 is not for the full year.
| National Offender Management Services Centre | |
| £000 (rounded) | |
| Office for Criminal Justice Reform | |
| £000 (rounded) | |
All travel by Ministry of Justice staff members and Ministers is completed in line with the published rules for official travel and subsistence within the staff handbook. The rules are in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Civil Service Management Code.
The MoJ's policy on staff use of taxis states that staff
"may only claim reimbursement of taxi fares where there is no other suitable form of public transport or if you have heavy luggage to transport or where the saving in official time is important"
Unpaid Fines
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the monetary value was of outstanding fines imposed by (a) Keighley magistrates' court and (b) Bradford Magistrates' Court in each of the last three years; and what the monetary value was of fines written off in that period. [12401]
Mr Djanogly: HMCS systems do not identify the value of fines for individual courts as the accounting is managed in centralised units. To identify the value outstanding and written off for individual courts would incur a disproportionate cost as it would require a manual search of all court records.
Keighley and Bradford are both within the West Yorkshire Local Criminal Justice Board Area so set out in the table are the amounts outstanding and written off in the last three years.
The value of outstanding balance includes the amount owed for fines imposed in the magistrates and crown courts plus compensation, victims surcharge, costs and the value of unpaid fixed penalty notices that are transferred to HMCS for enforcement as a fine. The outstanding balance has risen through the application of a strict policy that only allows fines to be written off in certain circumstances. The outstanding balance includes fines imposed a number of years ago during the period when fines could not be cancelled (2004-06) and fines which are being paid by instalments. Some of the balance outstanding could be as much as 10 years old.
Fines can be either administratively cancelled or legally cancelled. Amounts written off can relate to fines that were imposed in either the current or any previous year.
| West Yorkshire | |||
| £ | |||
| Amount outstanding | Legally cancelled | Administratively cancelled | |
Scotland
Departmental Responsibilities
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings with external parties he held in the week beginning 20 July 2010. [13607]
Michael Moore: In the week beginning 20 July 2010, I met with a wide range of external parties, from a cross-section of sectors.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which meetings he was due to hold did not take place in the week beginning 20 July 2010. [13608]
Michael Moore: Meetings may occasionally have to be postponed for a variety of reasons and rescheduled as soon as practical for all parties. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.
Horse Racing
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on the contribution of horseracing in Scotland to the Scottish economy; and if he will meet Friends of Scottish Racing to discuss this matter. [13632]
Michael Moore: I have not yet had the opportunity to discuss the contribution of horseracing in Scotland to the Scottish economy with the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport.
Social Security Benefits
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the likely effects of changes to the benefits system on people in Scotland; and if he will visit carers in East Lothian to discuss this matter with them. [13631]
Michael Moore: I have had a number of discussions on these issues with ministerial colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. As I said previously in my response to PQ 12562 on 6 September 2010, Official Report, column 12W, the Spending Review Framework document issued by HM Treasury on 8 June 2010 states that the Government will look closely at the effects of their decisions on different groups in society, especially the least well off, across the United Kingdom.
Transport
Aviation: Security
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications for UK air transport safety and security of the abolition of his Department's Transport Security and Contingencies team (TRANSEC); and what estimate he has made of the effect on the public purse of the transfer of TRANSEC's responsibilities to the Home Office. [14096]
Mrs Villiers: No decision has been taken to abolish TRANSEC. The cost of all Department for Transport activity is under review in the comprehensive spending review.
M5: Gloucestershire
Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on installing traffic lights at junction 12 of the M5 as part of the section 106 undertaking in respect of the Hunt's Grove development. [13396]
Mike Penning: Work to improve M5 junction 12 including the installation of traffic signals to improve traffic flows began on 6 September. The scheme also includes remodelling the roundabouts at that junction. To minimise delays to traffic these works will be carried out overnight and will take approximately 14 weeks to complete. The scheme is being funded by contributions from three developers as well as the Highways Agency.
Motorways: Ashton under Lyne
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times (a) the grass has been cut and (b) litter has been collected from the (i) roundabout on junction 24 of the M60 and (ii) area surrounding junction 2 on the M67 in the latest period for which figures are available. [13722]
Mike Penning: Since January 2010, the Highways Agency has cut the grass where required for safety reasons, at Junction 24 of the M60, on one occasion. Along the entire length of the M67, including Junction 2, the agency has twice cut the grass where required for safety reasons, within that period.
Since January 2010, the agency has undertaken 11 litter clearance exercises at Junction 24 of the M60. Within that period, seven litter clearance exercises have been undertaken along the entire length of the M67, including junction 2.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the frequency of grass cutting and litter collection is on the area surrounding junction 2 on the M67. [13723]
Mike Penning: The frequency of grass cutting is determined by regular inspections to ensure that the grass is kept at a level that will not affect visibility for motorists. The Highways Agency continually monitors the entire length of the M67, including junction 2, and cuts the grass on its land as and when required. This continual monitoring also determines the timing of the agency's litter clearance exercises along the M67.
Railways: Gloucester
Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what proportion of passenger rail services (a) departing from and (b) arriving at Gloucester railway station were on time in each year since 1997; [13402]
(2) how many passenger rail services called at Gloucester railway station in each year since 1997. [13403]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport does not hold the information requested.
Network Rail is responsible for performance data for the rail industry. My hon. Friend may wish to contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for such information:
Iain Coucher
Chief Executive
Network Rail
Kings Place
90 York Way
London, N1 9AG
Railways: Kent
Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what public consultation his Department plans to undertake on the timetable specification for the next Integrated Kent Franchise. [13841]
Mrs Villiers: The current Integrated Kent Franchise is operated by Southeastern and is due to end in March 2014. The Department for Transport would normally consult on the contents of a new franchise around 18 months before a replacement franchise is due to commence.
It should be noted that the Department is currently consulting on amendments to the franchising system, which may alter the process that will be employed in future.
Railways: Lincoln
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with Network Rail on its proposed closure of Lincoln high street level crossing for up to 40 minutes an hour between 0800 and 1900 daily. [13635]
Mrs Villiers: Department for Transport Ministers and officials communicate regularly with Network Rail. The operation of Lincoln high street level crossing is an operational matter for Network Rail.
Network Rail advises that the possible proposed additional down-time of the level crossing derives from a scheme involving upgrades at various locations on the joint line from Werrington Junction, near Peterborough, to Doncaster via Spalding, Lincoln and Gainsborough Lea road. This route forms a major part of the Strategic Freight Network programme and works in conjunction with the Felixstowe to Nuneaton project and other grade separation schemes to free up capacity for passenger services on the network.
Network Rail understands that proposals to increase freight capacity through Lincoln will have an impact on the level crossing. The company has been working closely with Lincolnshire county council, and will continue to work with all parties to achieve a suitable solution. I note that the hon. Member has been in touch with Network Rail on this issue.
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department discussed with East Coast Trains its decision not to operate a direct rail route between Lincoln and London seven times per day; and whether the decision has temporary or permanent effect. [13636]
Mrs Villiers: The decision to provide one new through service between Lincoln and London in the May 2011 timetable rather than the seven originally proposed was taken following discussions with the train operator.
The forthcoming refranchising of intercity East Coast train services will provide an opportunity for potential train operators to review the number of through services between Lincoln and London that might be provided in the future.
Railways: North West
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with Network Rail on rail services in the North West; and if he will make a statement. [13079]
Mrs Villiers: The Secretary of State regularly meets with stakeholders from across the rail industry, including Network Rail. Such discussions may include reference to rail services in the north-west.
As Minister of State, I met with Network Rail during a visit to Manchester in July. Topics discussed included the Northern Hub study and Network Rail's proposals for improvements to Manchester Victoria station.
I refer the hon. Member to my previous answers on north-west rail services on 7 June 2010, Official Report, columns 38-39W and 24 June 2010, Official Report, columns 299-300W.
Railways: Theft
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to prevent the theft of metals from the railway network. [14061]
Mrs Villiers: Metal theft is a crime which hits the railway particularly hard and causes levels of disruption out of all proportion to the value of the material stolen. That is why the British Transport Police, as the national police force for the railway, is in the forefront of efforts to tackle the problem.
The British Transport Police hosted a national conference on the subject in Leeds last July bringing together police forces, Network Rail, the scrap metal industry and others with an interest to consider further measures to deal with cable and other metal theft. The approach is to target the thieves and the scrap yards where they seek to sell their stolen material.
Roads: Accidents
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what target he has set for a reduction in the number of road casualties over the next five years. [12972]
Mike Penning: The UK already has some of the safest roads in the world, but the coalition is considering how to make them even safer and whether this will include targets going forward.
Roads: Lincoln
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet a delegation of local representatives to discuss the prospects for the Lincoln Eastern Bypass project. [13637]
Norman Baker: I will be happy to meet a delegation led by the hon. Member. Please write to my office at the Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham street, London SW1P 4DR to arrange a suitable date and time.
Travel: Concessions
Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to provide special grant payments to travel concession authorities to fund the national concessionary travel scheme beyond March 2011. [13671]
Norman Baker: The special grant funding provided to Travel Concession Authorities by the Department for Transport following the introduction of the England-wide scheme in 2008 covered the period from 2008-09 through to 2010-11. The Department for Communities and Local Government is currently consulting on the distribution of formula grant funding to local authorities from April 2011 onwards. The proposals set out in that consultation include transferring the concessionary travel special grant into formula grant. Final decisions on the future funding route for the concessionary travel scheme will be taken as part of the spending review.
Treasury
Departmental Internet
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Minister in his Department authorised the launch of the Spending Challenge website. [13873]
Justine Greening: The Spending Challenge website was launched by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 9 July on his constituent, Mr A Burny. [13882]
Mr Hoban: I have replied to the hon. Member.
Mr Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 26 July on his constituent, Mr J Dewhurst. [13883]
Justine Greening: The hon. Member's correspondence was transferred to the Department for Work and Pensions which will reply directly.
Wales
Fast Jet Training
13. Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on fast jet training in Wales. [13145]
Mrs Gillan: I have had discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on a number of defence issues affecting Wales.
The Government are in the final stages of the Strategic Defence and Security Review which includes all aspects of defence. Final decisions will be made by the National Security Council in the autumn. As part of this review, I have arranged to speak with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in the coming days to discuss the possible effects of the review on defence projects in Wales, including fast jet training.
Legislative Powers: National Assembly
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the Government will make it their policy to support the granting of additional legislative powers to the National Assembly for Wales. [13146]
Mrs Gillan: It is for the people of Wales to decide whether the National Assembly for Wales gains further legislative powers. The Government are committed to holding a referendum by the end of the first quarter of next year. We will not prejudge the outcome.
Women and Equalities
Age: Discrimination
James Wharton: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what recent representations she has received on whether increases in travel insurance premiums from the age of retirement constitute age discrimination; and if she will make a statement. [12500]
Lynne Featherstone: Since taking office in May 2010 I have received one letter on whether increases in travel insurance premiums from the age of retirement constitute age discrimination.
The Government remain committed to ending harmful age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services. Given the fast-changing demographics as people live longer, it is even more important to ensure that older people are treated fairly when accessing products such as travel insurance.
A ban on age discrimination in the provisions of goods, facilities and services is contained in the Equality Act 2010. The Government are currently considering how these provisions can be implemented in the best way for business.
Departmental Consultants
Alun Cairns: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what the (a) average and (b) highest daily rate paid to consultants by the Government Equalities Office was in each of the last five years. [13067]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office is unable to provide data about daily rates as this information is not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Since its creation on 12 October 2007 the Government Equalities Office has spent the following amounts on consultancy.
| Financial year | Consultancy spend (£) | Number of consultancies | Average cost of consultancy (£) |
| (1) From 12 October 2007 (2) As at 31 July 2010 | |||
Departmental Official Hospitality
Ian Austin: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how much the Government Equalities Office spent on hospitality for events hosted by each Minister in (a) May and (b) June 2010. [10122]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office spent £1,803 on the provision of hospitality at a ministerial event in June 2010. There was no expenditure on hospitality in May.
Equalities and Human Rights Commission
Philip Davies: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many complaints of (a) sex, (b) race and (c) disability discrimination at work have been made by staff of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission in each of the last four years. [12372]
Lynne Featherstone: The Equality and Human Rights Commission is independent and manages its own affairs; the following is based on information it has provided.
The following table details the number of complaints received by the Commission since its inception in 2007 in the format of grievances and employment tribunal claim forms (ET1).
| Year of complaint | Race | Disability | Sex | Sex and disability | Sex and race | Sex, disability and race | Total |
Work and Pensions
Departmental Allowances
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department and its predecessor spent on (a) reimbursement of staff expenses and (b) the 10 largest staff expense reimbursement claims in each year since 1997. [13047]
Chris Grayling: DWP spent the following on:
(a) reimbursement of staff expenses in each of the years since 2005-06.
| Total amount reimbursed in staff expenses (£ million) | Reimbursed expenses as percentage of paybill | |
| Note s : 1. The figures above cover staff travel costs, including rail, air, car hire and staff subsistence and incidental costs. 2. Information prior to 2005-06 is not available. | ||
(b) On the 10 largest claims, that information would be available only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Billing
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010. [13301]
Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions became a signatory to the Prompt Payment Code in March 2009 and set a target to pay 90% of correct invoices within 10 days of receipt. This target applies to all invoices paid by the Department and its agencies. The target has been met consistently since the signing of the Code.
The percentage of all supplier payments made within 10 days of receipt of an invoice for July is 97%.
I will let the hon. Member have the information on August's figures as soon as possible.
Departmental Pensions
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of pension contributions incurred by (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which he is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) each of the English regions and (D) Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2010-11. [12445]
Steve Webb: Such information that is available is in the following table.
| £ million | ||||
| Year ending | ||||
| Pension contributions costs by: | 31 March 2011 | 31 March 2010 | 31 March 2009 | 31 March 2008 |
| Source: Published Accounts. | ||||
The table details employer contributions to the Principal Civil Service Pension scheme made by the Department, Executive Agencies and Crown Non-Departmental Public Bodies per the published accounts for the three years ended 31 March 2010, and forecast information for the year ended 31 March 2011. Please note that the forecast information is based on actuals for the four months ended 31 July 2010, extrapolated for the remainder of the year.
Information has only been included for entities included in the Resource Accounting boundary. The corporate centre figures are not published separately but are included in the departmental figures.
Departmental Public Consultation
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to increase the involvement of young members of the public in the making of decisions that affect them by (a) Ministers in his Department, (b) officials in his Department and (c) public bodies which fall within his Department's area of responsibility. [12269]
Chris Grayling: Securing the opinions of young people is essential to the Department for Work and Pensions and its Ministers.
We encourage the involvement, not only of young people, but of all groups in society, in our policy-making processes. We highlight major consultations as widely as possible, notifying them to a wide variety of interested parties through relevant media, and produce them in a number of formats to promote ease of access.
We work routinely with a wide variety of stakeholders and, through our various consultative forums, DWP and its agencies endeavour to involve a full range of customer organisations that represent the interests of all our customers, including young people. For example:
Our Equality Schemes Customer Reference Group was formed to help the Department involve customers specifically on equality issues and to act as a consultation group. It provides insight across the range of the Department's policies and services through the personal experience of the representatives. A protected characteristic of its remit is age and a young representative has been specifically recruited to be a regular member of the group.
Equality 2025 is a high-level advisory group of disabled people which offers Ministers and senior Government officials strategic advice at the very early stages of policy development and in-depth examinations of existing policy areas on issues that affect disabled people. The group has members who have experience in dealing with issues that affect young people, and includes two young disabled people.
Under the auspices of the European year for combating poverty, DWP is funding a project in conjunction with the EU which involves the voices of young people. The project is being managed by Save the Children and is called Inspiring Change. The project supports young people to run 'change' projects to the benefit of their communities, while learning new skills.
DWP regularly uses customer insight research techniques to gain a better understanding of their customers. This has included recently seeking the views of young people as part of a cross-section of customers on a variety of topics including the barriers homeless and people with mental health problems experience in joining the labour market, their experience in claiming benefits including Social Fund and the design of future service delivery models.
Children and young people are a priority customer group within the Pension Disability and Carers Service. In recognition of this, the Family Carers Group was established. This is a forum which provides a focus on issues specific to children and young people claiming disability living allowance and provides a mechanism for consultation on service delivery issues impacting on them.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department contributed to each carer's charity it funds in each of the last 12 months. [13675]
Maria Miller: The Department for Work and Pensions and its agencies do not ordinarily directly fund charities. The Department does, however, work closely with charities and voluntary organisations to help people access the services and benefits to which they are entitled.
The Department also encourages a wide range of providers from the voluntary and charitable sectors-alongside providers in the private and public sectors-to contract with it to deliver employment programmes. It is not possible, however, to identify payments made to charitable organisations except at disproportionate cost; the Department's payment systems identify the individual recipients, but do not show the status of those recipients i.e. whether they are private, public, charitable or voluntary sector organisations.
Housing Benefit: West Midlands
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people in (a) Coventry South constituency and (b) the west midlands who would be affected by implementation of his proposed changes to housing benefit. [13663]
Steve Webb: The information is not available at the constituency level.
The Department published a document on "Impacts of Housing Benefit proposals: Changes to the Local Housing Allowance to be introduced in 2011-12" on 23 July, which includes analysis at the local authority level. A copy of the document has been placed in the Library.
Mr Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the average change in the amount of benefit received by
each claimant in (a) Coventry South constituency and (b) the West Midlands arising from his proposed reforms. [13664]
Chris Grayling: We are committed to reforming the benefits system to make work pay and are seeking views on a range of options set out in the consultation paper "21st Century Welfare" (Cm 7913).
The financial implications of any change will depend on the detailed design of the chosen option. We do not aim to reduce the levels of support for people in the most vulnerable circumstances; but these reforms must ensure that benefits are well targeted and go to those who need them most, backed up by the right help to get into work.
International Pension Centre: Translation Services
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the International Pension Centre spent on translation and interpretation in each of the last five financial years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [12424]
Steve Webb: The information is in the following table.
| Financial year | Amount (£) |
| Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Source: Oracle Application Desktop Integrator (ADI) reports for each of the financial years. | |
Jobcentre Plus: Telephone Services
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the geographic direct dial phone number for the Jobcentre Plus area benefits office at James Watt Way, Crawley is; and what estimate he has made of the annual cost to benefit claimants of directing them to use 0845 phone numbers to contact area benefit offices. [13660]
Steve Webb: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what the geographic direct dial phone number for the Jobcentre Plus area benefits office at James Watt Way, Crawley is; and what estimate he has made of the annual cost to benefit claimants of directing them to use 0845 phone numbers to contact area benefit offices. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) telephony strategy is to rationalise the numbers we publish for our customers so that they are clearly directed to the service they require. Jobcentre Plus contact centres operate a virtual telephony network where calls are directed to the next available advisor with the appropriate skills to answer customers' enquiries. Disclosure of
the geographic number you requested would compromise this strategy and would lead to a reduced service to our customers.
Additionally, releasing geographic numbers behind the 0845 service lines would result in additional costs to Jobcentre Plus as we would not be able to manage calls as effectively. Jobcentre Plus would also lose key call management information essential to the planning and allocation of staff resources.
It is free to call DWP 0800 numbers from BT landlines and agreements are in place to ensure that it is free to call via nine of the UK's largest mobile phone operators, representing 95% of the mobile market. The 0845 numbers are not part of the agreement because they are for enquiries that typically take less time to resolve. DWP strives to achieve the right balance between meeting customer needs and using taxpayers' money effectively.
Calls from landlines to 0845 numbers vary according to provider and are subject to periodic change. The rate is set based on the customer's personal contract arrangements. For example, BT, the largest landline provider, does not charge for 0845 calls where the customer has a Call Plan and the call is made within the call plan times. BT accounts for two-thirds of landline provision and our recent research shows that over 75% of our customers contact us using landlines.
As the cost to the customer of calling our 0845 numbers is dependant upon their method of calling and their personal call plans it is not possible to determine the cost of calls to the Department's 0845 telephone numbers.
Pensioners: Leeds
Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to reduce the level of pensioner poverty in (a) Leeds North West constituency and (b) Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement. [13641]
Steve Webb: We will restore the earnings link for the basic state pension from April 2011, with a "triple guarantee" that the basic state pension will increase by the highest of earnings, prices or 2.5%. In the event that the basic state pension is increased by more than earnings in 2011, the Government's intention is that the majority of pension credit recipients will benefit from the full cash value of this increase.
We want to ensure that older people receive the help that they are entitled to. We will be conducting a research study later this year into the feasibility of using existing data to help to improve the take-up of pension credit.
We will help prevent people from falling into poverty in later life by simplifying the rules and regulations relating to pensions to help reinvigorate occupational pensions. We will encourage companies to offer high-quality pensions to all employees and will work with businesses and the industry to support auto enrolment.
Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Leeds North West constituency receive (a) the basic state pension and (b) pension credit. [13642]
Steve Webb: The information requested for those in receipt of the state pension and pension credit in Leeds North West constituency as at February 2010 has been placed in the Library.
Pensioners: Poverty
Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners were lifted out of poverty between 1997 and May 2010. [12298]
Steve Webb: Estimates of the number and proportion of pensioners living in poverty are published in the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. HBAI uses household income adjusted (or 'equivalised') for household size and composition, to provide a proxy for standard of living.
Figures for 1997-98 cover Great Britain only, as Northern Ireland data did not become available until the following year. The latest available data cover 2008-09.
Relative poverty for pensioners is defined as households with income below 60% of contemporary median equivalised income after housing costs.
In 1997-98, there were around 2.9 million pensioners in relative poverty in Great Britain, which equates to around 29% of all pensioners. The 2008-09 UK figures show that around 1.8 million pensioners were in relative poverty, equating to around 16%.
Estimates of the number of pensioners who have been lifted out of poverty are not available, as each year different households are surveyed to produce low income statistics in the Households Below Average Income series. However, information is available about the net change over the period requested. Between 1997-98 and 2008-09, the number of pensioners with incomes below 60% of the contemporary median income reduced by around 1.2 million in Great Britain.
Notes:
1. These statistics are based on the Households Below Average Income series, sourced from the Family Resources Survey.
2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty.
3. The reference period for Households Below Average Income figures are single financial years.
4. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication "Households Below Average Income" (HBAI) series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or 'equivalised') for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.
5. For the Households Below Average Income series, incomes have been equivalised using Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) modified equivalisation factors.
6. Numbers of pensioners in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest 100,000, while proportions of pensioners in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest percentage point.
7. These statistics are based on incomes after housing costs.
Personal Accounts Delivery Authority: Travel
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the reasons are for the increase in expenditure on travel by the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority between 2007-08 and 2008-09. [13353]
Steve Webb: The main reason for the lower reported expenditure in 2007-08 is because this only covers the single month of March 2008, whereas the figures for 2008-09 represent 12 month's expenditure. The Personal Accounts Delivery Authority only started to account for its own expenditure from 1 March 2008, when it achieved grant-in-aid status. Prior to this, all its expenditure was accounted for and reported within DWP accounts.
The year 2008-09 also represented a period of growth for PADA, when teams were expanded in London, Newcastle and Leeds in preparation for the procurement
of services that will underpin the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). This period also necessitated a small number of overseas visits so that PADA could gain a better understanding of the scheme's administration and investment markets and how future NEST contracts for such services might be structured.
Social Security Benefits: Disqualification
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit claimants receiving only national insurance contribution credits received a benefit sanction in 2009-10. [13257]
Chris Grayling: The information is not available.
Social Security Benefits: Fraud
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Information Commissioner on the proposal for use of credit ratings agencies to monitor benefit recipients' spending; what assessment he has made of the compliance of the proposal with data protection legislation; and if he will make a statement. [13653]
Steve Webb: The Secretary of State has not met with the Information Commissioner to discuss the Department's proposal to make wider use of Credit Reference Agency data. DWP officials have, however, had an initial meeting with the Information Commissioner on this issue and a follow up meeting is planned for later in September.
As discussions on the Department's proposals are ongoing, the Information Commissioner has not yet made an assessment of compliance with data protection legislation.
State Retirement Pensions
Gordon Banks:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in receipt of the
full state retirement pension have accrued less than the full number of entitlement years by means of contributions or bought-back years. [13633]
Steve Webb: At the end of the 2008-09 tax year, there were 1.6 million individuals over state pension age in the UK and overseas whose full basic state pension entitlement depended on national insurance credits or home responsibilities protection awards.
Notes:
1. Figures exclude individuals for whom entitlement to full basic pension is derived wholly or in part from their former spouse's national insurance contributions.
2. The figure is for individuals reaching state pension age before 6 April 2009. These individuals are not affected by changes to the calculation of entitlement to the basic state pension for people reaching state pension age from 6 April 2010.
Source:
DWP, Information Directorate: Lifetime Labour Market Database 1% sample of the National Insurance Recording System.
Winter Fuel Payments
Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners were in receipt of the winter fuel payment on the date of each increase to the payment since its inception. [13534]
Steve Webb: The available information is in the tables.
| Rate of payment (£) | Numbers of individuals | |
| Rate of payment (aged up to 79 years) (£) | Rate of payment (aged 80+) (£) | Number of individuals (aged up to 79 years) | Number of individuals (aged 80+) | Total number of individuals | |
| Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. All figures are for GB. 3. 2008-09 is the latest year for which figures are available. Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% data | |||||
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what future rate of winter fuel payments he plans for people aged (a) 60 years or over and (b) 80 years or over. [14158]
Steve Webb: Households with someone born on or before 5 July 1950 will be eligible for a winter fuel payment in 2010-11. The payment for households with someone aged up to 79 years of age will be £250 and for households with someone aged 80 and over it will be £400.
Decisions for subsequent years are a matter for HM Treasury as part of the budget cycle.
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