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14 Oct 2010 : Column 388W—continued
Nigeria: Christianity
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to his Nigerian counterparts on reports of violence against Christians in Plateau State. [16846]
Mr Bellingham: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not made representations to his Nigerian counterpart on reports of violence against Christians in Plateau State. However, our high commission and the Department for International Development (DfiD) in Nigeria have supported non-governmental organisations in northern Nigeria to facilitate dialogue between Christian and Muslim communities, both of whom have suffered from appalling violence this year.
DfID and our high commission in Abuja are also exploring further ways in which they can help the process of reconciliation between religious and ethnic communities, and continue to impress on state and federal authorities the importance of bringing those responsible for crimes to justice. We encourage the Nigerian Government to fully consider the implementation of recommendations made in the recent report of the Presidential Committee on the Jos Crisis.
Nigeria: Elections
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on (a) the forthcoming elections in Nigeria and (b) steps being taken to ensure that those elections are free and fair. [16641]
Mr Bellingham: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Nigeria's preparations for elections in 2011 with his Nigerian counterpart H. Odein Ajumogobia on 28 September. Foreign Minister Ajumogobia gave his assurance of the Nigerian Government's commitment to delivering elections which meet global benchmarks, which he echoed in his joint video message with the Foreign Secretary following their meeting:
In my statement on 8 September:
I welcomed President Jonathan's commitment to credible elections and the appointment of the new Chair of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), underlining the need to press on with transparent arrangements to overhaul the voter register. The UK (through our high commission and Department for International Development programmes), alongside international partners, continues to provide assistance to INEC, the National Assembly, media, political party structures, civil society, police and the judiciary.
Philippines: Foreign Relations
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the state of UK relations with the Philippines Government; and if he will make a statement. [17336]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The UK enjoys excellent relations with the Philippines. I visited Manila in July this year, where I met with newly elected President Aquino, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Members of the Cabinet.
The UK is the largest EU source of foreign investment into the Philippines. We have been actively involved in efforts to bring about a lasting peace in Mindanao in the southern Philippines through our membership of an International Contact Group assisting the peace negotiations. In addition, the UK-based Filipino community of over 250,000 makes a hugely valuable contribution to the UK, particularly in the health and care sectors.
Trade Unions
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has paid to trade unions in each year since 1997; and what estimate he has made of the monetary value of facilities provided by his Department for use by trade unions in each year since 1997. [11673]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not make any payments to trade unions in the UK. Members of staff who belong to any trade union pay their own subscriptions, which are either deducted from their salaries and paid to the relevant union or paid directly by the staff in the form of direct debits.
The FCO provides office facilities to its union representatives and meets day-to-day running costs within the rules of public expenditure set out in FCO guidance. An accurate estimate of the monetary value of facilities provided since 1997 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Health
Back Pain: Medical Treatments
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in (a) North Yorkshire, (b) Darlington and (c) Cambridgeshire have received facet joint injections in the last 12 months. [17104]
Paul Burstow: The following table provides a count of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) where there was a main or secondary procedure or intervention of V54.4-injection around spinal facet of spine-at North Yorkshire and York, Darlington, and Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) of residence for 2008-09.
| Activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector | |
| PCT of residence | FCEs |
| Notes: 1. A FCE is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. The figures represent admitted patient care only. 2. Number of episodes with a (named) main or secondary procedure: The number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and four prior to 2002-03) procedure fields in a HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one procedure field of the record. More procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients under going a 'cataract operation' would tend to have at least two procedures-removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one-counted in a single episode. 3. HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 national health service trusts and PCTs in England, and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), the Information Centre for health and social care | |
Cancer
Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients aged (a) 49 years and under, (b) 50 to 59 years, (c) 60 to 69 years, (d) 70 to 79 years and (e) over 80 years were diagnosed with each type of cancer through the two-week referral pathway in (i) each cancer network, (ii) each primary care trust and (iii) England in each year since that pathway was established. [17166]
Paul Burstow: Any patient urgently referred for suspected cancer by their general practitioner (GP) will be subject to the two-week wait guarantee. Of these patients, any individual subsequently diagnosed with, and treated for, cancer in the English national health service should receive that treatment within 62 days. Statistics detailing the specific diagnoses or ages of these patients are not published due to the small numbers involved and the risk of disclosure of confidential information about patients.
In the most recent period for which statistics are available (Quarter 1 2010-11), 25,590 patients were treated for cancer following an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer.
These data were first published at an all cancer, all ages level by primary care trust (PCT) for the year 2009-10. Statistics for this period show that 97,166 patients from English PCTs were subsequently diagnosed with cancer and treated in the English NHS following an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer. A full breakdown of these data by PCT has been provided as follows and may also be found on the Department's website at:
Data are not published on a cancer network basis, these statistics are shown on either a PCT (commissioner) basis in annual datasets or on a trust (provider) basis quarterly. These organisations are the constituent parts of cancer networks.
Cancer: Drugs
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the likely effect of his proposed cancer drugs fund on patients with gastric cancer. [16704]
Mr Simon Burns: We have made no such assessment. Along with the additional funding for cancer drugs in England that is already in place, the Cancer Drugs Fund will, from April 2011, provide cancer patients in England with greater access to the clinically effective drugs their doctors think will help extend or improve their quality of life.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the regional variations in the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [16840]
Mr Simon Burns: General practitioners (GPs) gather data on the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through the Quality and Outcomes Framework. This means that data on recorded COPD prevalence are available for each GP practice, as well as for larger geographic areas such as primary care trust and strategic health authority. The raw data for 2008-09 are publicly available at:
The consultation document on a strategy for services for COPD in England contains an estimate of all COPD prevalence (including unrecorded prevalence), but this estimate has not currently been disaggregated by region.
The Department has appointed respiratory clinical leads in each of the 10 strategic health authorities in the United Kingdom and they have been provided with some benchmarking data. Part of the responsibility of
these posts is to champion the reduction of any regional variation through local action, leading to improved patient outcomes at reduced cost to the national health service.
Dementia: Drugs
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence review of dementia drugs assesses all available data and treatment options for the management of behavioural symptoms in dementia to ensure that clinicians and carers have clear guidance on (a) how to reduce the number of prescriptions for antipsychotic drugs and (b) managing behavioural symptoms; and if he will make a statement. [16728]
Mr Simon Burns: This is a matter for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as an independent body. NICE is currently updating its existing guidance on the use of donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and further information is available at:
In developing its technology appraisal guidance, NICE routinely takes the latest available evidence into account, including comparisons with alternative treatment options.
In addition, NICE and the Social Care Institute for Excellence published a joint clinical guideline on dementia in November 2006 that provides guidance on the management of behavioural symptoms and the use of antipsychotic drugs. NICE expects to consider whether this guidance needs to be reviewed in November 2011.
Dementia: Health Services
Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much funding he expects his Department to allocate for dementia services (a) nationally, (b) in Hertfordshire and (c) in East and North Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement; [15820]
(2) how much has been spent on dementia services in (a) Hertfordshire and (b) East and North Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust in each of the last five years. [15821]
Paul Burstow: The Department currently allocates revenue funding directly to primary care trusts (PCTs). In 2010-11, an additional £90 million was included in PCT allocations to support the delivery of the National Dementia Strategy.
PCT allocations are not broken down by policy area. PCTs make decisions on investment in healthcare for their communities, taking into account both local and national priorities. However, in the revised NHS Operating Framework issued by the Department in June 2010, the coalition Government indicated their greater priority for dementia by requiring PCTs and their partners to publish how they are implementing the National Dementia Strategy to increase local accountability for prioritisation.
The amount of funding spent on dementia services is not separately identified within the audited summarisation schedules held by the Department of Health. PCT revenue allocations from 2006-07 to 2010-11 to East and North Hertfordshire PCT and West Hertfordshire PCT are set out in the following table. PCT revenue allocations post 2010-11 will be announced later this year.
| Allocation (£000) | ||
| East and North Hertfordshire PCT | West Hertfordshire PCT | |
| Notes: 1. Allocations are not always comparable between years because of changes to baseline funding. 2. The 2006-07 allocations and 2007-08 were made to 303 PCTs. The number of PCTs was reduced from 303 to 152 on 1 October 2006. Where the new PCT was a merger of two or more former PCTs, the allocations for the new PCTs are the sum of allocations for the former PCTs. In the few places where former PCTs divided between two or more new PCTs allocations have been estimated for the new PCTs. | ||
In future, responsibility for the allocation of resources will transfer to the NHS Commissioning Board. The board will calculate practice-level budgets and allocate these directly to general practitioner (GP) consortia in late 2012 for 2013-14 on the basis of ensuring all areas secure equal access to NHS services relative to the burden of disease and disability. GP consortia will be responsible for managing the combined commissioning budgets of their member GP practices, and using these resources to improve healthcare and health outcomes.
Dementia: Hertfordshire
Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to take steps to assist dementia patients in East and North Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust. [16094]
Paul Burstow: This is an issue for Hertfordshire primary care trust (PCT), which is best placed to understand the needs and pressures specific to the local area. However, £150 million has been made available to PCTs- £60 million in 2009-10 and £90 million in 2010-11-to implement the National Dementia Strategy.
This investment has been made alongside the publication by the Department of a new National Dementia Strategy Implementation plan to support the work of PCTs and local authorities in implementing the strategy. Information will also be available in November from a national audit of dementia services. This will allow people to assess how their local services compare with other areas, and the extent to which the strategy is being implemented in their locality.
The Revision to the Operating Framework for the National Health Service in England 2010-11 set out that NHS organisations should be working with partners on implementing the National Dementia Strategy and should publish their implementation plans in order to increase local accountability for prioritisation.
Diabetes: Health Services
John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) men and (b) women in each age group with each type of diabetes were admitted to hospital as an emergency for treatment for (i) diabetic ketoacidosis and (ii) hypoglycaemic emergency in the last five years. [16701]
Paul Burstow: The tables with the information have been placed in the Library.
The tables show emergency hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis or hypoglycaemic coma between 2004-05 and 200-09, the latest year for which data are available, broken down by 20 year age, gender and type of diabetes.
John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost of a hospital admission for hypoglycaemic emergency for a patient with type 1 diabetes was in the latest period for which figures are available. [16703]
Paul Burstow: The Department does not hold information on the average cost of a hospital admission for hypoglycaemic emergency for a patient with type 1 diabetes as reference costs do not distinguish between the two types. However, the average unit cost of diabetes (including both type 1 and type 2) with hypoglycaemic disorders in England in 2008-09 was £1,060.
John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual average cost to the public purse is of treatment of a patient with type 1 diabetes with (a) multiple daily injections and (b) insulin pump therapy. [16700]
Paul Burstow: The Department does not hold information on the average cost of treatment of a patient with type 1 diabetes for multiple daily injections or insulin pump therapy. Guidance is available from National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence in Technology Appraisal TA151, which includes a costing template for use in local implementation.
Disability
Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to respond to the report by Professor Jim Mansell on "Raising our sights: services for adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities". [16781]
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he plans to respond to Professor Jim Mansell's report on "Raising our sights: services for adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities"; [16849]
(2) what assessment he has made of the recommendations made in Professor Jim Mansell's report on "Raising our sights: services for adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities"; [16850]
(3) when he plans to respond to the recommendations of the report "Raising our sights: services for adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities". [17628]
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to respond to the report commissioned by his Department on "Raising our sights: services for adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities". [17176]
Paul Burstow: We expect to give a formal departmental response by the end of the year.
Departmental officials are currently examining the detailed recommendations set out in the report and how these support our objectives to improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities who have complex needs and their families. The elements of good service and good practice examples included in this report sit very clearly within the programme of work which Government are leading to support independent living for people with learning disabilities and to support local service planning and commissioning to meet identified needs in their locality.
Epilepsy: Health Services
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the delivery of epilepsy services following the planned ending of primary care trusts in 2013. [16713]
Paul Burstow: The White Paper will devolve power and responsibility for commissioning services for epilepsy to general practitioners (GPs). The establishment of an independent and accountable NHS Commissioning Board will allocate and account for national health service resources, leading on quality improvement and promoting patient involvement and choice.
The board will also set commissioning guidelines and approaches that promote joint working between health and social care. The National Service Framework for Long-term neurological Services itself, and the outcomes statements, provides a framework for NHS commissioners to commission and develop services for people with neurological conditions.
Commissioning by GP consortia will enable the redesign of care pathways to reflect the needs of their patients, which ultimately will lead to the more effective management of long-term conditions such as epilepsy.
Additionally, Quality Standards will be based on relevant National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines, and address the often-voiced concern of patient groups that commissioners do not commission in line with NICE clinical guidelines.
Health Services: Cooperatives
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make it his policy to support local authorities in developing mutual organisations for social care direct payments; [17081]
(2) if he will bring forward proposals to ensure that all service users and carers have access to a local direct payments mutual organisations. [17082]
Paul Burstow: The Government's vision for adult social care, to be published in November 2010, will set out an enhanced role for the voluntary and community sector in providing services.
The Government recognise that in order for a person to live a fulfilling and independent life, they must be able to control the care and support they need.
Personalisation is key to achieving this, and we want to see an increase in the number of people in receipt of personal budgets.
Mutual organisations have a vital role to play in supporting people to make use of personal budgets.
Health Services: Disadvantaged
Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will put in place mechanisms to ensure the NHS better meets the needs of the most disadvantaged people; and if he will make a statement. [16305]
Anne Milton: The Government have made it clear that tackling health inequalities is a priority. Everyone should have the same opportunities to lead a healthy life, no matter where they live, or who they are. The national health service has a critical role to play in reducing the health inequalities that effect disadvantaged people, and the White Paper, "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS", published on 12 July 2010, would create an explicit NHS duty on tackling inequalities in access to NHS healthcare and the outcomes for that care. Our aim is to create an NHS that is much more responsive to patients, putting them at the heart of everything it does, and that reduces inequalities in care.
The White Paper also sets out plans for the new public health service that would have an important role in reducing these inequalities. The public health budget would be ring-fenced and allocated to reflect relative population health outcomes, with a new "health premium" to promote action to reduce health inequalities. We would therefore create a service that both recognises the impact of deprivation and rewards improvement, providing further incentives to reduce inequalities in health. We expect to publish a White Paper on public health later this year, outlining the Government's plans for establishing the new public health service, and also mapping a cross-Government strategy on public health.
Hospitals: Food
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of food supplied to hospitals under contracts negotiated by NHS Supply Chain was domestically produced in the latest period for which figures are available. [16858]
Mr Simon Burns: The latest figure available is for 2008-09 and this shows that 64.5% of food supplied to hospitals under contracts negotiated by NHS Supply Chain was domestically produced.
Mentally Ill: Community Care
Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms are in place under the Mental Health Act 2007 to enable community mental health teams to offer early preventive treatment to individuals with mental disorders who may pose a danger to the safety of themselves or others. [17027]
Paul Burstow: The Mental Health Act 1983 (which was amended by the Mental Health Act 2007) is primarily concerned with the legal framework for the compulsory care and treatment of people with mental disorders, rather than with the provision of services. There is nothing in the Act specifically to enable mental health services to provide early preventive treatment to individuals. Such services are, however, widely provided by the national health service, not least through dedicated early intervention teams for younger people experiencing a first episode of psychosis. Prevention is one of a number of key themes we are addressing in the preparation of the Government's new mental health strategy.
NHS: Manpower
Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) nurses, (b) clinical staff, (c) non-clinical staff and (d) managerial posts remain unfilled as a result of the NHS recruitment freeze. [16629]
Mr Simon Burns: There is no current freeze on national health service recruitment. It is for each NHS organisation to take its own decisions about recruitment policies.
NHS: Public Participation
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that the work of LINk groups continues after March 2011. [16730]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department's consultation papers on the future of the national health service, including 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS', 'Liberating the NHS: Commissioning for Patients' and 'Liberating the NHS: Local Democratic Legitimacy in Health' set out proposals to establish HealthWatch, at both a national and local level, in England from April 2012. In those documents it was made clear that the proposals envisaged that local HealthWatch organisations would evolve from the current system of local involvement networks (LINks). The consultation period for these documents has now closed and the Government are considering their response.
The duty on local authorities to ensure LINk activities are carried on in their area, as set out in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act, 2007 (Part 14), will remain in place until any legislation to establish HealthWatch, proposed in the consultation, is approved by Parliament.
Psychiatry: Regulation
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the future regulation of psychotherapists. [16670]
Anne Milton: The Government are currently considering their overall strategy in relation to professional regulation, including the regulation of psychotherapists and counsellors. No final decisions have been made.
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the regulation of counselling and psychotherapy in respect of a (a) basic standard of training and (b) compulsory code of conduct. [16911]
Anne Milton: Since May, the Department has received at least 216 pieces of correspondence regarding the regulation of psychotherapists and counsellors by the Health Professions Council. It is unclear how many of these pieces of correspondence may have been written about basic standards of training or compulsory code of conduct.
Home Department
Animal Welfare
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were carried out in Wales in 2009; [16533]
(2) how many procedures carried out on animals in Wales under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 involved (a) New World primates and (b) Old World primates in 2009; and what the primary purpose of those procedures were; [16543]
(3) what the (a) primary purpose and (b) field of research was of each procedure carried out on animals in Wales under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 involving (i) fish, (ii) pigs and (iii) genetically modified animals in 2009; and for what reason there was an increase in the number of procedures carried out on (A) fish, (B) pigs and (C) genetically-modified animals in Wales in 2009 compared to the previous year; [16544]
(4) what proportion of procedures regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 carried out in Wales were conducted without anaesthesia in 2009; [16549]
(5) how many (a) mice, (b) rats, (c) guinea pigs, (d) hamsters, (e) rabbits, (f) horses and other equids, (g) sheep, (h) pigs, (i) birds, (j) amphibians, (k) reptiles, ( l ) fish, (m) cats, (n) dogs, (o) New World primates and (p) Old World primates were used in procedures conducted in Wales and regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 2009; [16550]
(6) how many individual animals were used in procedures regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Wales in 2009; [16551]
(7) how many regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 conducted in Wales involved (a) cats, (b) dogs, (c) rabbits, (d) horses and other equids, (e) New World primates and (f) Old World primates which (i) were genetically modified and (ii) had a harmful genetic defect in 2009; [16552]
(8) what proportion of regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 conducted in Wales were carried out for (a) fundamental and applied studies other than toxicology and (b) toxicity tests or other safety and efficacy evaluation in 2009; [16553]
(9) what proportion of regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 conducted in Wales were performed in (a) public health laboratories, (b) universities and medical schools, (c) NHS hospitals, (d) Government departments, (e) other public bodies, (f) non-profit making organisations and (g) commercial organisations in 2009; [16554]
(10) how many (a) genetically modified animals and (b) animals with a harmful genetic defect were used in regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 conducted in Wales in 2009. [16555]
Lynne Featherstone: My hon. Friend tabled 10 questions regarding the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals for Wales in 2009. While figures for Great Britain are published annually, the latest being on 27 July 2010, it would take significant work to run the systems specifically to obtain data for Wales and then to check that none of the data was disclosive or breached any confidentiality guarantees given to respondents. For this reason, I will write to my hon. Friend separately when we have had sufficient time to compile and check the information you requested. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many infringements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Wales were recorded in 2009; and how many resulted in a prosecution. [16545]
Lynne Featherstone: There were no recorded infringements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 at designated establishments in Wales during 2009.
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sites in Wales were designated as a (a) supplying, (b) breeding and (c) scientific procedure establishment under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 at the end of 2009. [16547]
Lynne Featherstone: As at 31 December 2009 in Wales there were one supplying, two breeding and eight user establishments designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. An establishment can be a user, breeder and supplier.
Animal Welfare: Licences
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many project licences for work in Wales were granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 2009; and how many such licences were in force at the end of 2009. [16546]
Lynne Featherstone: During 2009, 13 project licences were granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Wales. On 31 December 2009 there were 76 project licences in force in Wales.
Roger Williams:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the project licences granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and in force in Wales at the end of 2009 were in the (a) mild, (b) moderate, (c) substantial and (d) unclassified severity banding. [16548]
Lynne Featherstone: During 2009, in Wales, 59% of the project licences granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were in the mild severity banding, 41% in moderate, there were none in substantial or unclassified.
Immigration
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals who at the time of their application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK were resident in the Peterborough City Council area were granted such leave in the latest period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [16864]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency is unable to provide definitive data on the applicants address at the time of application. The information provided is therefore the applicants last known address.
The following table lists applications made for indefinite leave from April 2009 to March 2010 for applicants living in the Peterborough city council area. It also shows the number of these applicants that were subsequently granted.
| Number | ||
| Applications made | Applications granted | |
| Note: This is internal management information and is subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. | ||
Immigration: Appeals
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the UK Border Agency has made a request to the Tribunals Service to re-send appeal determination notifications from the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and its predecessors in the last 12 months. [16778]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency does not hold information on the number of occasions it has made a request to the Tribunals Service to re-send appeal determination notifications from the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and its predecessors in the last 12 months.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North of 2 September to the Minister of State on a constituent, ref: K2160664 and CTS M12547/10. [17323]
Damian Green: A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 12 October 2010.
Migration Impact Fund
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the provision of further funding to the Migration Impact Fund. [17052]
Damian Green: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced on 22 June that the Migration Impacts Fund would be coming to an end on 1 October 2010.
Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006: Convictions
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been (a) charged and (b) convicted under the provisions of the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006. [16847]
The Solicitor-General: I have been asked to reply.
The Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006, which came into force on 1 October 2007, inserted into Part III of the Public Order Act 1986 offences relating to stirring up hatred against persons on religious grounds. Prosecutions for this offence require the consent of the Attorney-General.
Since 1 October 2007 only one person has been charged with any offence of stirring up religious hatred, and that person (Anthony Bamber) was acquitted on 21 June 2010.
Rape: Finance
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding her Department provided to sexual abuse and rape counselling services in (a) England and (b) Wales in the latest period for which figures are available; and on what date each such payment was made. [17107]
Lynne Featherstone: The coalition has committed to giving rape crisis centres stable, long-term funding and to building new centres where they are needed.
Funding provided to sexual abuse and rape counselling services in England
The Department of Health and the Home Office Ministers have agreed to provide £3.2 million to improve Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) service provision for victims of sexual assault for 2010-11. The first resource payments are being administered through the Department of Health and grant agreements for capital funding have been issued by the Home Office. First payments of capital funding will be made in October.
43 independent sexual violence adviser (ISVA) posts have been part funded in England by the Home Office in 2010-11. A total of £860,000 was allocated for this purpose in July 2010.
The Home office has also made £150,000 available to third sector organisations to support their work with the specialist sector. £75,000 was paid to Rape Crisis in September 2010 and a payment will shortly be made to the Survivors Trust.
Funding provided to sexual abuse and rape counselling services in Wales
he Home Office has allocated £55,293 in total for Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in Wales in the financial year 2010-1. This consists of £25,520 resource and £29,773 capital for SARC funding. The Home Office is due to make this payment later in October.
Terrorism: Deportation
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons convicted of terrorist offences were awaiting deportation on the latest date for which figures are available; to which countries; and for how long following the date of conviction each has been awaiting deportation. [15560]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency seeks to deport foreign national offenders who meet the following criteria for deportation:
A court recommendation.
For non-EEA nationals-a custodial sentence of 12 months or more either in one sentence, or as an aggregate of two or three sentences over a period of five years or a custodial sentence of any length for a drug offence (an offence other than possession only).
For EEA nationals-a custodial sentence of 12 months or more for an offence involving drugs, violent or sexual crimes or a custodial sentence of 24 months or more for other offences.
Deportation action may also be taken even where these criteria are not met if this is deemed to be conducive to the public good for other reasons.
At the point where no barriers to removal exist-including where any custodial sentence has been served and where there is no outstanding appeal-the UK Border Agency will set a direction to remove. According to provisional management information on 10 September 2010 approximately 150 foreign national prisoners who meet the relevant deportation criteria had removal directions set against them. Of these none had a primary criminal offence recorded as being terrorist-related.
As there were no terrorist related offences we are unable to provide information as to which country the individual was from or how long following the date of conviction each has been awaiting deportation.
International Development
Food: Prices
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the effects on developing countries of food speculation. [16841]
Mr O'Brien: We have not had any formal discussions with our EU counterparts on the effects of food speculation on developing countries. But our view is that speculation is unlikely to have played a significant and damaging role in recent food price volatility.
Our view is supported by the European Commission who have also concluded that:
"the balance of available evidence does not support the speculative bubble theory"
in the 2007-08 food price spike. Similarly, a recent OECD report finds that:
"index funds did not cause a bubble in commodity futures prices".
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with the head of the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria on the donor replenishment meeting. [16993]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: I met Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, on 17 August and again in the margins of the MDG Summit in New York. We discussed the Multilateral Aid Review, which will look at core funding provided by the Department for International Development (DFID) to multilateral agencies. The review will include an assessment of the relevance of the Global Fund to the UK's objectives on poverty reduction and its ability to deliver results on the ground. The results of the Multilateral Aid Review will be an important element in any future funding decisions in respect of the fund. I also spoke with Michel Kazatchkine in London on 27 September at the viewing of the UN Foundation's documentary 'A New Picture of Health'.
At the recent Global Fund replenishment conference DFID reaffirmed our £1 billion pledge from 2008 to 2015, subject to the results of the Multilateral Aid Review.
Overseas Aid
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms he has put in place to provide for contributions to be made to international agencies by his Department whilst its Multilateral Aid Review is ongoing. [16992]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The outcome of the Multilateral Aid Review will be published early next year. Interim decisions on funding for multilateral partners need to balance the requirements to minimise disruption to the work of our partners and ensure consistency with the results of the review. My Department is in contact with our partner institutions to discuss whether financing decisions can be delayed for a short period without adversely affecting their work on the ground. Where this is not possible, or where a delay in an announcement of UK funding may delay negotiations with other donors, I will make an earlier decision, informed by the evidence and analysis already gathered during the review.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he plans to retain the target of spending 0.7% of gross national income on official development assistance from the year 2013; and whether he plans to bring forward legislation to provide for such targets. [16994]
Northern Ireland
Departmental Manpower
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officials his Department has appointed on fixed-term contracts since 7 May 2010. [16797]
Mr Paterson: Since 7 May 2010 there have not been any appointments on fixed-term contracts.
Departmental Work Experience
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many interns his Department has engaged in the last 12 months; and how many were (a) unpaid, (b) remunerated with expenses only and (c) paid a salary. [17206]
Mr Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has not engaged any interns in the last 12 months.
Scotland
Departmental Carbon Emissions
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has made an estimate of the change in the level of carbon dioxide emissions from his Department since May 2010; and what steps he plans to take to meet his Department's target of reducing such emissions by 10 per cent. by May 2011. [16816]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office has estimated the change in the level of carbon dioxide emissions from its estate for the period between May and July 2010 in accordance with the 10% reduction campaign criteria announced by the Prime Minister on 14 May 2010. Compared with the same period last year, a reduction of in excess of 10% has been achieved by introducing a wide range of energy saving initiatives.
Departmental Drinking Water
Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department has spent on bottled water in each year since 2008. [16871]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office spend on bottled water is as follows:
| Cost (£) | |
These figures do not include any bottled water obtained for ministerial hospitality events, as this is subsumed within the supplier's invoice and not recorded separately.
Departmental Freedom of Information
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps his Department is taking to improve its level of compliance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [16998]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office endeavours to handle all FOI requests in accordance with statutory requirements and good practice. Internal procedures have been reviewed to ensure that all requests are answered as quickly as possible; all relevant staff have been briefed on the Information Commissioner's recent report; and the Scotland Office senior management team monitors performance on a monthly basis. For the most recent quarter, the Scotland Office exceeded 86% within 20 working days, which is above the Information Commissioner's acceptable level of performance.
Devolution: Scotland
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with CBI (a) Scotland and (b) UK on the effects on PAYE schemes administered from England and Wales of the implementation of the recommendations of the Calman Commission. [16824]
Michael Moore: I have frequent discussions with representatives from CBI Scotland on a range of issues. The Director of CBI Scotland was one of the Calman Commissioners and CBI Scotland are now represented on the Implementation Group referred to in the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury's answer to written question 16400 on 11 October 2010, Official Report, column 235. When this group first met, both the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and I invited all participants to liaise closely with the Government as the work to implement the recommendations of the Calman Commission progresses.
Future Jobs Fund: Scotland
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the evidential basis for the value for money of the Future Jobs Fund in Scotland. [17322]
Michael Moore: I have had a number of discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and will continue to engage with him going forward.
Transport
Bicycles
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has made a recent assessment of the number of bicycles which may be carried on trains operated by each train operator; and whether he plans to take steps to increase that number. [16897]
Mrs Villiers:
It is a commercial consideration for the individual train operating companies to provide storage space for cycles on their trains. It is not for the Department
for Transport to dictate how many cycle spaces an operator should provide, but we do encourage train operators to accommodate folding bicycles at all times.
We are also noting the progress of the Station Travel Plan pilot project being run by the rail industry to encourage rail passengers to use more sustainable forms of transport, including cycling, to travel to and from stations.
Bus Services: Rural Areas
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on ensuring continued access to bus services for rural communities. [17200]
Norman Baker: It is local authorities that are best placed to ensure that rural communities are able to access jobs and essential services-by bus, by flexible services such as dial-a-ride, or by bringing services directly to the door. They have a statutory duty to produce local transport plans, which we believe remain the best way for authorities to plan transport strategy and delivery.
In areas where frequent public transport services are not commercially viable, the voluntary and community sector have a large role to play in delivering long-term sustainable alternatives. The Government are committed to supporting partnership working between local authorities, commercial providers and the voluntary sector that delivers tailor-made local services.
Rather than prescribing one method from Whitehall, we will therefore provide greater funding freedoms and flexibilities at a local level. As part of this approach, the Government recently announced a Local Sustainable Transport Fund which will support local transport and encourage more sustainable travel solutions based on local need.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much of his Department's expenditure supported the work of charities and voluntary organisations in the latest period for which figures are available (a) directly and (b) indirectly. [17100]
Norman Baker: I regret that the information requested cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Complaints
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has received from driving licence holders who claim to have had categories deleted from their driving licence on renewal or replacement in each year since 2007. [17045]
Mike Penning: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency only holds statistics on complaints received through its formal procedures since July 2007.
The number of complaints received from drivers claiming that entitlement is missing from their driving licence in each year since then is:
2007: 18
2008: 109
2009: 150
2010: 33.
When an individual makes multiple complaints about the same issue, each complaint is recorded separately. The figures represent the number of complaints received rather than the number of individuals making a complaint.
Highways Agency: Vehicles
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many traffic officer vehicles the Highways Agency leased in the latest period for which figures are available; and from which companies those vehicles were leased. [17311]
Mike Penning: The Highways Agency has leased 207 vehicles within the last 12 months. All vehicles are leased from Lex Autolease, Windsor House, Castlebrook Business Park, Hollins Brook Way, Bury, BL9 8RT.
Humber Bridge
Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much interest has been charged on the original loan to build the Humber Bridge since it was taken out. [17161]
Norman Baker: The Humber Bridge Board has paid a net amount of £247 million in interest between 1981-82 and 2009-10. A total of £502 million has been paid in interest, less £255 million which was paid by Government in grants between 1991-92 and 1997-98, to enable the interest to be paid.
Motor Sports
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Minister in his Department has policy responsibility for the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988 which are required to be suspended to enable rallying to take place on public roads; which division of his Department handles policy on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [17373]
Mike Penning: I am the Minister who has policy responsibility for these provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988, sections 12, 13 and 13A. Under this Act, motor racing on the public highway is prohibited. However, competitions and trials (other than a race or trial of speed) may be held in accordance with the Motor Vehicles (Competition and Trials) Regulations 1969. A small number of on-road race events in Great Britain have over the years been authorised by individual private Acts of Parliament.
The Department for Transport Road User Safety division handles policy on this issue.
Railway Stations: Birmingham
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Access for All scheme at Northfield station in Birmingham to be (a) started and (b) completed. [16595]
Mrs Villiers:
Based on the most recent project data supplied by Network Rail, building work on the Access for All scheme at Northfield station is scheduled to
start in August 2011 and finish by September 2012. The scheme is currently at design stage and the anticipated final cost of the project is circa £2,531,000.
Railways: Birmingham
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate his Department has made of the public expenditure required for the development of the proposed London to Birmingham High Speed 2 rail line in each year from 2010 to 2015. [16899]
Mr Philip Hammond: The Department for Transport has estimated that £21 million will be required in expenditure during the current financial year (2010-11) for the development of the high speed rail proposals. This expenditure relates largely to development of and public consultation on the proposed London to Birmingham line, but also includes work on options for an extended network serving Manchester and Leeds.
In addition, the Department has estimated that £50 million will be required to fund the purchase of properties under the HS2 Exceptional Hardship Scheme over the period August 2010 to December 2011.
Public expenditure in future years is subject to the outcome of the 2010 spending review.
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons his Department has not published an environmental impact assessment for the proposed London to Birmingham High Speed 2 route through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; and if he will make a statement. [16901]
Mr Philip Hammond: Subject to the outcome of public consultation, the necessary powers to construct any new high speed rail line would be sought through a hybrid Bill. It would be as part of the hybrid Bill process that an environmental impact assessment would be produced to satisfy the requirements of the EU's Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.
However, a full appraisal of sustainability will be published in order to inform public consultation prior to the forthcoming consultation on proposals for a high speed line between London and the West Midlands. This will set out the environmental and local impacts of that route, including those in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Railways: Sanitation
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with train operating companies the effects on (a) people with Crohn's disease, (b) elderly people, (c) parents with babies under the age of one year and (d) children under five years of the operation of trains which run without toilet facilities on journeys of (i) one and (ii) one and a half hours. [17587]
Mrs Villiers:
The rolling stock that is deployed on the rail network is a matter for the individual train operating companies. It is for them to decide what rolling stock is deployed on particular routes and services, and what
facilities that rolling stock contains. As part of these considerations they will need to judge the impact of any changes to rolling stock on all their passengers.
The Department for Transport is currently consulting on reforms to the franchising system. One of the proposals under consideration is whether to use passenger satisfaction measures as part of the means by which franchise performance is assessed. If a decision is made to go ahead with passenger satisfaction metrics as part of future franchise obligations, passenger perceptions and views about facilities such as stations and toilets may have an impact on the performance of train operators against these new measures.
Rapid Transit Systems: Bedfordshire
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any private funding has been provided for the Luton Dunstable Guided Busway. [17372]
Norman Baker: Luton borough council has secured £3.4 million in private sector contributions towards the cost of the Luton Dunstable Guided Busway.
Roads Schemes
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether local authorities are entitled to reclaim from Government any money spent on the planning process for road schemes cancelled by his Department. [16715]
Norman Baker: The Secretary of State suspended the previous guidance on local authority major schemes on 10 June 2010. The written ministerial statement of 10 June 2010, Official Report, column 35WS, that announced this made it clear that the Department for Transport does not accept any liability for development or preparatory costs incurred to date or which may be incurred going forward while funding remains uncertain.
The Department will announce new arrangements for local authority major schemes as soon as possible following the conclusion of the spending review.
Roads: Telephones
Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the roll-out of emergency roadside telephones with a T-loop and text facilities for the deaf and hard of hearing. [17351]
Mike Penning: The roll-out of emergency roadside telephones with T-loop and text facilities is 80% complete. It is anticipated that the installation programme will be completed in June 2011. All new and old versions of the emergency roadside telephones have a T-loop facility.
Severn Bridges Tolls
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has made a recent assessment of the effects on the economy of Wales of the Severn Bridges tolls. [17090]
Mike Penning:
There has been no recent assessment of the effects on the economy of Wales of the Severn Bridges tolls. However, both the Welsh Affairs Committee and the Welsh Assembly Government are undertaking
separate reviews of the effects of the Severn Bridges tolls on the economy of Wales. Both are due to report back with their findings next year. I will consider the findings of these reports.
Treasury
Credit: Interest Rates
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the variation between the interest rates offered by loan and credit companies, with particular reference to those offered to applicants with poor credit histories; [16913]
(2) what recent representations he has received on the (a) regulation of and (b) variation in interest rates offered by loan and credit companies. [16914]
Mr Davey: I have been asked to reply.
The Government are keen to encourage responsible lending and borrowing on fair terms. I have held discussions with ministerial colleagues and received informal representations from both lenders and consumer groups on a range of consumer credit issues, including the interest rates charged by lenders.
In July I announced a joint BIS-HM Treasury review of consumer credit and personal insolvency. The Government believe that this is the right time for a properly targeted review of certain aspects of the credit and debt market, including high cost credit and the levels of interest rates charged for credit and store cards. BIS has just published a call for evidence that seeks to help us better to understand the key issues and ensure we are concentrating the review on the priorities for consumers and lenders.
Financial Services: EU Action
Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what negotiating position his Department adopted in discussions on the EU framework for financial supervision agreed in the Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement. [17392]
Mr Hoban: The new European framework has the potential to fundamentally improve the quality and consistency of supervision, ensure more effective rulemaking with the framework provided by directives and enforcement, and better identify risks in the financial system.
The framework ensures that day-to-day supervision of financial institutions will remain at the national level and establishes that the new European Supervisory Authorities cannot take decisions that impinge on member states' fiscal responsibilities. It also ensures that the new authorities have requirements for high standards of governance, transparency and accountability.
The Government support the new framework and welcome the decision to base the European banking authority in London, recognising the UK's importance as Europe's global financial centre.
Goldman Sachs: Fines
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will transfer into the first account of the Green Investment Bank the proceeds of the £20 million fine imposed in September 2010 on Goldman Sachs by the Financial Services Authority for failure to inform the financial regulator of details of an international staff transfer. [16280]
Mr Hoban: The matter concerned is the responsibility of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), whose day-to-day operations are independent from Government control and influence. However, I understand that any financial penalties that the FSA levies are not treated as a benefit to the FSA but are instead rebated to fee-payers in the subsequent financial year.
The Government are considering a wide range of options for the scope and structure of the Green Investment Bank and will put forward detailed proposals following the spending review.
International Assistance
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to lay before Parliament his Department's next report on Government activity at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. [16397]
Mr Hoban: The Government are fully committed to transparency and accountability with regard to their activities at the international financial institutions. The Treasure is reviewing options for reporting on the UK's relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and how best to engage Parliament in further debate on the UK's role within the IMF. The Secretary of State for Development is the UK's Governor to the World Bank and is therefore responsible for reporting on the UK's activities at the World Bank.
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter of 31 August from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on Mr B. James. [17676]
Mr Hoban: I have replied to the right hon. Member.
Northern Rock Foundation
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the policy of UK Financial Investments Ltd is on funding the Northern Rock Foundation after April 2011. [17084]
Mr Hoban: Northern Rock plc and Northern Rock (Asset Management) are managed at arm's length from Government, on commercial principles, by an experienced management team. The Government's shareholding in Northern Rock plc and Northern Rock (Asset Management) is then the responsibility of UK Financial Investments (UKFI), and a shareholder framework agreement has been published which sets out how UKFI operates its shareholder relationship with the company.
As with other business decisions, any future relationship with the foundation is a matter for the separate boards of Northern Rock plc and Northern Rock (Asset Management).
Work and Pensions
Disability Living Allowance: Medical Examinations
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what organisations he will consult on the development of the new medical assessment for eligibility for the disability living allowance; what the dates will be of the consultation; and when decisions will be announced. [13909]
Maria Miller: We recognise the importance of involving disabled people and their representatives, as well as healthcare and other professionals with relevant expertise, in the design of the new assessment for disability living allowance. To ensure that all organisations and individuals with an interest in this area have the opportunity to contribute their views we will hold a public consultation on the new assessment in autumn this year.
In addition to this broader consultation process, a disability living allowance assessment development group comprising disabled people and relevant health professionals and others with expertise in this area has been created to advise on the development of the new assessment.
Future Jobs Fund: Kilmarnock
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which organisations with registered business premises in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency have been approved to provide employment under the Future Jobs Fund. [17131]
Chris Grayling: The Department does not hold records of all the organisations that are providing employment through the Future Jobs Fund. Details of lead accountable bodies who have been successful in receiving FJF awards are available here:
Future Jobs Fund: West Lothian
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents of the West Lothian council area aged (a) 18 to 24 years and (b) over 24 years who had been out of work and claiming jobseeker's allowance for more than six months have found employment through the Future Jobs Fund since the fund was established. [15927]
Chris Grayling: The Young Person's Guarantee statistics were published on 11 August 2010 and are available here:
Statistics are available on the Future Jobs Fund which cover the period from October 2009 to May 2010. They show that there were 4,460 recorded Future Jobs Fund starts in the Scotland region. The information requested for West Lothian is not available.
Pensioners: Kilmarnock
Cathy Jamieson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has made a recent
estimate of the number of pensioners in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency who (a) receive the basic state pension, (b) receive pension credit and (c) are eligible for pension credit but do not claim it. [17133]
Steve Webb: The document "Caseloads for selected benefits by 2010 Parliamentary Constituencies February 2010" is available in the Library and includes figures for pension credit and state pension.
Estimates of eligibility and therefore those who are entitled to pension credit but have not claimed it are not available below the level of Great Britain.
The latest estimates of the take-up rates and the number of those entitled to but not receiving pension credit are published in the report "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2008-09" which can be accessed via the following link:
Social Security Benefits
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has made a recent estimate of the number of households in each parliamentary constituency who receive more than £500 per week in state benefits. [16767]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available at a parliamentary constituency level.
The information is available for Great Britain. Latest estimates show that in 2010-11 there are around 100,000 working age households in receipt of more than £500 a week in all benefits and tax credits, including disability living allowance. If disability living allowance is excluded then around 50,000 working age households are in receipt of more than £500 a week.
The Chancellor's announcement of a benefit cap was informed by high-level consideration of the broad impacts. We are now working up the more detailed design of the caps as part of the spending review. When we introduce legislation for the implementation of the caps, we shall publish an impact assessment.
Note:
All figures are rounded to the nearest 50,000.
Source:
DWP Policy Simulation Model, based on the 2008-09 Family Resources Survey data
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has made a recent estimate of the number of households in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK who receive more than £500 per week in state benefits. [16768]
Chris Grayling: The information requested for Scotland is not available as sample sizes are too small to yield reliable results.
The information is available for Great Britain. Latest estimates show that in 2010-11 there are around 100,000 working age households in receipt of more than £500 a week in all benefits and tax credits, including disability living allowance. If disability living allowance is excluded then around 50,000 working age households are in receipt of more than £500 a week.
The Chancellor's announcement of a benefit cap was informed by high-level consideration of the broad impacts. We are now working up the more detailed design of the caps as part of the spending review. When we introduce legislation for the implementation of the caps, we shall publish an impact assessment.
Note:
All figures are rounded to the nearest 50,000.
Source:
DWP Policy Simulation Model, based on the 2008/09 Family Resources Survey data
Winter Fuel Payments: Chester
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents of City of Chester constituency claim winter fuel allowance; and how many such residents are higher rate taxpayers. [17321]
Steve Webb: Most winter fuel payments are paid automatically without the need to claim them.
The latest available information on the number of individuals receiving winter fuel payments in the City of Chester constituency is available in the document "Winter Fuel Payment recipients 2009-2010 by Parliamentary Constituencies and Gender (All)". This is available in the House of Commons Library and on the internet at:
Information on whether the individuals are higher rate taxpayers is not available.
Winter Fuel Payments: Scotland
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the number of people in each parliamentary constituency in Scotland who are entitled to the winter fuel allowance. [17074]
Steve Webb: The information is available in the document "Winter Fuel Payment recipients 2009-10 by Parliamentary Constituencies and Gender (All)". This is available in the House of Commons Library and on the internet at:
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