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10 Nov 2010 : Column 367W—continued

CJD: Drugs

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department provides to health authorities on the use of pentosan polysulfate for the treatment of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; and if he will make a statement. [22818]

Anne Milton: The Department has issued no guidance on the use of pentosan polysulphate to treat variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). Pentosan polysulphate is not licensed for the treatment of vCJD, therefore its use for this purpose is a clinical decision.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the (a) number of doses prescribed and (b) cost to the public purse of provision of pentosan polysulfate in each of the last five years. [22819]


10 Nov 2010 : Column 368W

Mr Simon Burns: The information collected by the Department does not describe the use of medicines in terms of doses or indicate the medical condition being treated. The following table shows the number prescription items for pentosan polysulfate tablets, written in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man and dispensed in the community, in England, together with the corresponding physical quantity of tablets, measured in milligrams, and net ingredient cost (NIC).

Items ( Thousand ) Tablets ( Thousand ) Milligrams ( Thousand ) NIC (£000)

2005

0.3

45.4

4,247.6

63.0

2006

0.3

39.5

3,748.4

70.3

2007

0.2

31.6

2,968.9

72.0

2008

0.3

36.4

3,643.9

84.8

2009

0.3

34.8

3,476.8

155.2

Source:
Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system.

Use of this drug in hospitals is limited and only the topical form appears in the data. Figures cannot be given under the agreement with the data suppliers.

Departmental Redundancy

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of redundancies arising from the spending reductions proposed in the comprehensive spending review in respect of (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies. [21563]

Mr Simon Burns: The Government have announced that administration costs will reduce by a third in real terms across the public sector, including the health sector, and this was reaffirmed in the spending review.

This reduction in administration costs is expected to lead to some redundancies. However the number of redundancies will be closely affected by how the one-third reduction will be distributed across all organisations in the health sector, including primary care trusts, strategic health authorities, the Department and its arm's length bodies; and to what extent staff numbers and costs in all these bodies reduce through natural wastage or redeployments.

Therefore we cannot know for certain at this stage what number of redundancies will arise in each organisation across the health sector.

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of staff redundancy in each of the next four years. [21564]

Mr Simon Burns: The Government have announced that administration costs will reduce by a third in real terms across the public sector, including the health sector, and this was reaffirmed in the spending review.

This reduction in administration costs is expected to lead to some redundancies. However the number of redundancies will be closely affected by how the one-third reduction will be distributed across all organisations in the health sector, including primary care trusts, strategic health authorities, the Department and its arm's length
10 Nov 2010 : Column 369W
bodies; and to what extent staff numbers and costs in all these bodies reduce through natural wastage or redeployments.

We intend to set out estimates of the cost of redundancies associated with the reduction in administration and management costs in an impact assessment.

Doctors: Career Development

Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to (a) attract and (b) retain good quality junior doctors in the NHS during the spending review period. [22732]

Anne Milton: Management of recruitment to postgraduate medical training is co-ordinated nationally through the Medical Programme Board of Medical Education England in partnership with Royal Colleges, deaneries, lead employers, the United Kingdom Foundation Programme Office and the General Practice National Recruitment Office. These arrangements have proved successful with high fill rates high for most specialties. Medical training is highly competitive with large numbers of doctors competing for vacancies each year. Some trainees do leave training programmes for a variety of reasons, but there is no evidence that this is an increasing trend.

For the longer term, the Department has committed to publishing a consultation on proposals for education and training, based on the principles in the White Paper.

Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms will be put in place to ensure effective continuing training for doctors following the termination of primary care trusts. [22738]

Anne Milton: The Department has committed to publishing a consultation on proposals for education and training, based on the principles in the White Paper 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS'.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to allow naltrexone to be administered to prisoners for the purposes of treating substance abuse. [22646]

Paul Burstow: Naltrexone is formally permitted in all adult prisons for the treatment of adult prisoners. Guidance on its use was included in the clinical guidance issued by the Department in 2006: 'Clinical management of drug dependence in the adult prison setting including psychological treatment as a core part'. It is not licensed for treating young offenders.

Naltrexone is also supported for use in the community. Clinical guidelines were issued jointly by the Department and the devolved Administrations in 2007: 'Drug Misuse and dependence: UK Guidelines on Clinical Management'.

Copies of both guidelines have already been placed in the Library.

Health Services: Greater Manchester

Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the likely effect on the number of NHS (a) front-line staff and (b) junior
10 Nov 2010 : Column 370W
doctors working in Bolton, Bolton West and Greater Manchester areas of the outcomes of the comprehensive spending review. [22739]

Mr Simon Burns: The Government have already signalled their commitment to real year-on-year increases in funding and the need to protect front-line services.

Making highly skilled, professional staff redundant does not make the best use of limited national health service resources-nor does it benefit patients. Therefore, it should be considered only when all other options have been exhausted.

It is local health care organisations, with their knowledge of the health care needs of their local populations, that are best placed to determine the work force required to deliver safe patient care within their available resources.

Khat

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the health effects of the use of khat. [22816]

Anne Milton: In March 2005 the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) was asked to assess the extent of the harm posed by khat use in the United Kingdom, to the individual, their communities and to society as a whole.

The ACMD reported in January 2006.

In October of this year, the Government asked the ACMD to undertake a comprehensive review of the available evidence, to update its assessment and provide the Government with advice.

Kidney Dialysis

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts provide kidney dialysis; and how many NHS patients have received dialysis treatment in the last 12 months. [22927]

Mr Simon Burns: Information is not available in the format requested. Kidney dialysis is a specialised service which is commissioned by regional specialised commissioning groups on behalf of primary care trusts. Dialysis services are provided by 52 renal units in England and their satellites and may be provided at home for suitable patients. There is a list of the United Kingdom renal units on the Renal Association website at:

and the UK Renal Registry publishes an annual report which includes data on incidence and prevalence of people on dialysis. In December 2008, the latest date for which figures are available, 20,913 patients were receiving dialysis in England.

Mental Health Services: Prisons

Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services are available in prisons for the purposes of offering employment support to prisoners with mental health disorders; and what steps he plans to take to ensure the NHS Outcomes Framework
10 Nov 2010 : Column 371W
encourages prison health services to support more ex-offenders into paid employment following their release from prison. [22658]

Mr Blunt: I have been asked to reply.

There is considerable employment support work undertaken to help prisoners across the NOMS estate. Much of this is undertaken in partnership with the Department for Business Innovation and Skills as well as the Department of Work and Pensions. This support applies to all prisoners and takes into account individual's circumstances-including mental health issues.

NOMS is a co-financing organisation and can draw down European funding. The first round of this funding-which lasts until December 2011 has a target that 46% of participants should have a learning disability/difficulties and offenders with these issues will continue to be given prominence in delivery during round 2 (January 2011 to December 2014) although the target will be regional and not national. There is no specific mental health provision in round 1 for participants with mental health issues, although there may be specific support contained in delivery plans from providers in round 2.

The Government will publish their response to the NHS Outcomes Framework consultation shortly. However, the primary purpose of the NHS Outcomes Framework will be to focus on health outcomes, delivered by the national health service through treatment and health care.

Neuromuscular Diseases: Health Services

Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has for the delivery of specialist neuromuscular services under the proposed national commissioning board; [22716]

(2) what steps he plans to take to ensure that neuromuscular services improve during the period in which his proposals for the reform of the NHS are implemented; [22717]

(3) what plans he has for the future of the NHS regional specialised commissioning groups; and if he will make a statement; [22718]

(4) what guidelines his Department has issued to NHS regional specialised commissioning groups on investment in specialist neuromuscular services for the purposes of reducing the level of unplanned emergency admissions to hospital for people with neuromuscular conditions. [22719]

Paul Burstow: The White Paper sets out our future intentions for the commissioning of specialised services. It proposes that specialised services, including some for people with neuromuscular conditions, will in future be commissioned by the NHS Commissioning Board.

The White Paper makes it clear that general practitioner (GP) consortia will work closely with secondary care, community partners and other health and care professionals to design joined-up services that are responsive to patients and the public. 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 neuromuscular conditions.


10 Nov 2010 : Column 372W

The future plans for specialised commissioning groups are currently under consideration as part of the White Paper consultation. The consultation closed on 11 October and we are currently analysing the responses. We will respond to the consultation in due course.

No guidelines have been issued to specialised commissioning groups for the purposes of reducing unplanned emergency admissions to hospital for people with neuromuscular conditions.

NHS: Redundancy

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make an estimate of the likely cost to the NHS of staff redundancy as a result of the spending reductions proposed in the comprehensive spending review. [21577]

Mr Simon Burns: The Government have announced that administration costs will reduce by a third in real terms across the public sector, including the health sector, and this was reaffirmed in the spending review.

This reduction in administration costs is expected to lead to some redundancies. However the number of redundancies will be closely affected by how the one-third reduction will be distributed across all organisations in the health sector, including primary care trusts, strategic health authorities, the Department and its arm's length bodies; and to what extent staff numbers and costs in all these bodies reduce through natural wastage or redeployments.

We intend to set out estimates of the cost of redundancies associated with the reduction in administration and management costs in an impact assessment.

NHS: Voluntary Organisations

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role he expects voluntary sector organisations to play in the future of the NHS. [22518]

Paul Burstow: Voluntary organisations will continue to make a vital contribution to health and care, not only as the providers of services but also as advocates, partners in the co-design of services and involving and engaging local communities.

Voluntary organisations have valuable expertise, insight and experience that can improve local public services, often for the most excluded people in our communities. The voluntary sector is well placed to support commissioners in developing needs assessments and commissioning guidelines.

Current examples of voluntary sector involvement include Mumsnet who have been particularly valuable in helping to shape maternity services and Turning Point on the Connected Care Audit.

The Department is exploring a range of options to ensure that we can maximise the potential contribution of the voluntary sector. We plan to ensure that commissioners and providers across health care, public health and social care are able to harness the potential role of voluntary sector organisations in communities-helping to build strong and resilient communities as part of the big society.


10 Nov 2010 : Column 373W

Commissioning consortia will be able to decide which commissioning activities they undertake for themselves and where they will choose to buy in expertise and support from external organisations, including from voluntary sector organisations. Voluntary organisations could potentially strengthen the process of public and patient engagement and needs assessment through their knowledge and understanding of local people's needs.

As part of the reforms, we aim to free up provision of health care, so that in most sectors of care, any willing provider can provide services that meet national health service standards within NHS prices, giving patients greater choice and ensuring effective competition stimulates innovation, improves quality and increases productivity. We will look across government and public procurement to make sure that charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises have maximum opportunities to offer health and care services.

We are committed to promoting continuous improvement in the quality of services for patients and greater opportunities for the involvement of voluntary providers in offering more responsive and personalised services.

We are aware that this period of transition will be worrying for voluntary organisations. We are keen, therefore, that primary care trusts (PCTs) engage with all of their stakeholders during this transition period. This includes working in close partnership with all organisations that they hold funding agreements with through both grant and contract arrangements, recognising the principles of the Compact.

It is vitally important that we do not lose vital local services that achieve high quality outcomes and we will therefore work with PCT's in the transition to the new arrangements with the NHS Commissioning Board and general practitioner commissioning consortia, as they develop, to ensure that the sector's contribution to improved health, public health and social care is recognised.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made on the phasing out of prescription charges for patients with long-term conditions following the outcome of the comprehensive spending review; and if he will make a statement. [23095]

Mr Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave on 25 October 2010, Official Report, column 126W, to the hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright).

Social Services: West Sussex

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will meet West Sussex county council's cabinet members for adults' services and future finance and resources to discuss the likely effects of demographic changes in West Sussex on (a) the provision of and (b) eligibility for adult social care in that area. [22560]

Paul Burstow: The spending review recognises the importance of social care in protecting most vulnerable in society. In recognition of the pressures on the social care system in a challenging local government settlement, the coalition Government have allocated an additional £2 billion by 2014-15 to support the delivery of social
10 Nov 2010 : Column 374W
care. This means, with an ambitious programme of efficiency, that there is enough funding available both to protect people's access to services and deliver new approaches to improve quality and outcomes.

We have achieved this by:

I recently attended the National Children and Adult Social Care Conference where I met with 11 members and directors of Adult Social Care to discuss the impact of the Government's decision to prioritise social care in the spending review.

Pressures on my diary mean that I am unable to accept the request for a meeting, but if the hon. Member or representatives from West Sussex county council have any questions about the spending review settlement, I would welcome correspondence on this matter.

Business, Innovation and Skills

Apprentices

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 18 October 2010, Official Report, columns 595-6W, on apprentices, if he will publish the feedback provided by the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network since 2006; and what steps (a) current Ministers, (b) previous Ministers and (c) the Skills Funding Agency and its predecessor organisations have taken as a result of advice from the Network. [23045]

Mr Hayes: The primary role of the Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network (AAN) is to promote greater employer engagement with apprenticeships. I welcome the contribution which the AAN gives to the apprenticeship programme, both as our eyes and ears in respect of the quality of apprenticeships and the delivery system; and as ambassadors to encourage others to offer apprenticeships.

In this time of fiscal restraint, it is both important and powerful to have such blue chip businesses and business leaders championing apprenticeships to employers, and therefore the role of the AAN becomes increasingly important. The AAN has provided valuable advice and feedback to Ministers and others since its creation in 2006. Issues covered have included:


10 Nov 2010 : Column 375W

This is achieved through Ministers attending AAN meetings at which employer engagement and policy issues are discussed, Ministers and senior officials speaking at events hosted by members, correspondence and meetings on specific issues and the AAN responding to BIS and other consultation exercises. The feedback of the AAN helps to ensure that the programme is fit for purpose, that numbers increase and quality continues to improve.

The AAN has also commissioned work in two important areas to inform the policy debate; the net benefit to employer investment in apprenticeships (IER 2008) and a comparative international study of apprenticeships (CEP, 2010). These reports, alongside details of the AAN's work and membership, minutes of meetings, consultation responses, letters and speeches are all published on the AAN website: www.employersforapprentices.gov.uk. I am happy for this to include correspondence between myself and the AAN in the future.

CJD: Research

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills for what research projects into Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease the Medical Research Council has provided funding in each of the last three years; and what the outcomes of those projects were. [22954]


10 Nov 2010 : Column 376W

Mr Willetts: The Medical Research Council (MRC) has funded basic research into transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) since the late 1970s. The MRC continues to fund research across the spectrum from basic biological studies through to applied clinical research.

In the last three years, MRC expenditure on TSE was as follows:

Much of this research is conducted by the MRC Prion Unit, an international centre of excellence focussing principally on human prion disease, as well as through other TSE researchers working in universities throughout the UK. As this research is still ongoing, it is too early to report on outcomes. MRC welcomes proposals in all areas of TSE research and particularly in the development of new diagnostic tests and therapeutics. In addition, MRC encourages TSE research that may also inform on the basic mechanisms of other neurodegenerative disorders.

A list of the relevant research projects that have received MRC funding, between 2007/8 and 2009/10 is below. Further information on these projects, as well as other research supported by the MRC can be found at:


10 Nov 2010 : Column 377W

10 Nov 2010 : Column 378W
Reference Principal investigator Research organisation Research project

G0301136

Professor V H Perry

University of Southampton

Prion strains and behaviour

G0501636

Dr V 0 Connor

University of Southampton

Molecular and cellular basis of synaptic dysfunction in the ME7 model of prion disease (TSE highlight)

G0600953

Professor J Ironside

University of Edinburgh

The NCJDSU Tissue Resource: support for continued banking activities

G0700640

Professor J Manson

BBSRC Roslin Institute

Assessing the risk of transmission of vCJD via blood transfusion and identifying potential for diagnosis and prevention

G0700877

Dr S Tabrizi

Institute of Neurology

Cellular mechanisms of prion-mediated neurodegeneration

G0701068

Mrs C F Farquhar

University of Edinburgh

Refining the clinical use of pentosan polysulphate for TSEs: animal models of intravenous infection and intervention

G9824728

Professor N Hooper

University of Leeds

Amyloid precursor protein and prion protein: cellular functions, processing and roles in neurodegeneration

G0802189

Professor N M Hooper

University of Leeds

Alzheimers and prion diseases: cellular and genetic mechanisms of neurodegeneration

G0900580

Professor J Ironside

University of Edinburgh

The NCJDSU Tissue Resource: support for continued banking activities

U105260794

Professor S M Bird

MRC Biostatistics Unit

Transmissible disease epidemiology and statistical science in public health, criminal justice and performance monitoring

U122886350

Professor J Collinge

MRC Clinical Trials Unit

Communicable diseases - human prion disease and malaria

U123160651

Dr S Mead

MRC Prion Unit

Human molecular genetics and bioinformatics

U123160652

Dr S E Lloyd

MRC Prion Unit

Prion genetic modifiers in the mouse

U123160653

Dr E A Asante

MRC Prion Unit

Transgenic modelling of human prion diseases, intermammalian transmission barriers and assessing candidate therapeutics

U123160654

Professor G Mallucci

MRC Prion Unit

Normal cellular function of PrP: study of PrP null mice and conditional gene expression studies

U123160655

Dr J Wadsworth

MRC Prion Unit

Molecular and phenotypic analysis of human prion strains

U123160656

Professor A R Clarke

MRC Prion Unit

Structural studies of prion proteins and their ligand interactions

U123160657

Professor M Alpers

MRC Prion Unit

Kuru Field Studies in Papua New Guinea

U123170362

Dr G S Jackson

MRC Prion Unit

Molecular diagnostic strategies in prion disease

U123182016

Dr P Klein

MRC Prion Unit

Cellular mechanisms of prion propagation

U123192748

Professor J Collinge

MRC Prion Unit

Prion kinetics, toxicity and synthesis and its wider relevance

U132692719

Professor G Mallucci

MRC Toxicology Unit

In vivo models of disease and toxicity in the nervous system


EU Grants and Loans

George Eustice: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on future arrangements for the administration of payments out of EU Structural Funds. [22538]

Mr Prisk [holding answer 9 November 2010]: To date I have not had any direct discussions with my EU counterparts on future arrangements for the administration of payments out of EU structural funds. In England, the Department for Work and Pensions has operational responsibility for the European social fund and the Department for Communities and Local Government has operational responsibility for the European regional development fund.

Higher Education: Admissions

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) applicants and (b) successful applicants from each socio-economic group there were for places on undergraduate degree courses to study (i) medicine, (ii) accounting, (iii) law, (iv) veterinary medicine, (v) engineering and (vi) dentistry at universities in England in each year since 2001. [22143]

Mr Willetts: The latest information, which has been provided by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), is given in the table. The National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC) was introduced in 2002. UCAS have not released NS-SEC data for 2009 entry. Final figures for 2010 entry will be available in January 2011.


10 Nov 2010 : Column 379W

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10 Nov 2010 : Column 381W

10 Nov 2010 : Column 382W
UK domiciled applicants and accepted applicants to institutions in England by subject and National Statistics Socio-Economic Classification (NS-SEC), years of entry 2002 to 2008
2002 2003 2004 2005
Subject NS-SEC Applicants Accepted a pplicants Applicants Accepted a pplicants Applicants Accepted a pplicants Applicants Accepted a pplicants

A1-Pre-clinical medicine

1. Higher managerial and professional occupations

3,486

2,093

4,107

2,198

4,710

2,266

4,788

2,067

2. Lower managerial and professional occupations

2,347

1,219

3,057

1,403

3,647

1,471

3,769

1,353

3. Intermediate occupations

924

513

1,123

534

1,388

554

1,432

533

4. Small employers and own account workers

374

166

447

220

552

205

569

211

5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations

160

79

246

102

316

108

267

89

6. Semi-routine occupations

619

269

727

303

1,049

386

1,192

363

7. Routine occupations

225

97

260

107

301

86

295

84

Unknown

1,302

561

2,091

747

2,414

679

3,547

996

A2-Pre-clinical dentistry

1. Higher managerial and professional occupations

467

215

485

205

544

215

646

251

2. Lower managerial and professional occupations

395

177

432

167

483

173

525

192

3. Intermediate occupations

170

59

183

69

196

69

261

99

4. Small employers and own account workers

104

35

124

39

137

35

138

48

5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations

51

18

55

20

59

14

65

16

6. Semi-routine occupations

123

56

150

54

186

51

222

72

7. Routine occupations

54

20

39

7

71

24

68

12

Unknown

209

60

274

79

337

73

572

147

D1-Pre-clinical veterinary medicine

1. Higher managerial and professional occupations

520

203

506

205

423

219

343

193

2. Lower managerial and professional occupations

430

149

410

159

375

162

322

155

3. Intermediate occupations

179

42

159

55

160

73

119

60

4. Small employers and own account workers

114

30

103

41

94

37

94

41

5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations

68

19

60

20

59

29

59

22

6. Semi-routine occupations

102

17

111

27

95

33

99

38

7. Routine occupations

39

6

42

9

38

8

37

13

Unknown

113

42

152

41

135

53

243

113

H-Engineering

1. Higher managerial and professional occupations

5,950

2,576

5,603

2,408

5,492

2,460

5,251

2,352

2. Lower managerial and professional occupations

7,327

3,011

6,749

2,738

6,411

2,648

6,255

2,701

3. Intermediate occupations

3,685

1,534

3,092

1,269

3,147

1,342

3,018

1,281

4. Small employers and own account workers

1,890

722

1,775

664

1,667

630

1,638

669

5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations

1,502

655

1,613

685

1,456

592

1,361

585

6. Semi-routine occupations

3,739

1,462

3,396

1,405

3,089

1,272

3,244

1,336

7. Routine occupations

1,505

613

1,354

486

1,284

491

1,279

500

Unknown

4,915

2,612

5,117

2,736

4,690

2,574

6,184

3,180

M-Law

1. Higher managerial and professional occupations

4,480

2,416

4,848

2,563

4,850

2,463

4,084

2,183

2. Lower managerial and professional occupations

6,029

3,072

6,950

3,393

7,195

3,386

6,509

3,171

3. Intermediate occupations

2,972

1,504

3,255

1,631

3,520

1,699

3,294

1,583

4. Small employers and own account workers

1,478

701

1,671

765

1,773

831

1,668

761

5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations

909

430

1,079

489

1,112

510

1,044

517

6. Semi-routine occupations

2,428

1,184

2,888

1,292

2,943

1,387

3,146

1,456

7. Routine occupations

1,226

533

1,385

626

1,528

691

1,544

670

Unknown

3,656

2,185

4,448

2,526

4,831

2,699

6,580

3,648

N4-Accounting

1. Higher managerial and professional occupations

1,052

454

938

401

1,042

446

945

399

2. Lower managerial and professional occupations

1,521

674

1,461

684

1,639

678

1,574

720

3. Intermediate occupations

903

451

912

420

931

420

884

412

4. Small employers and own account workers

479

193

471

212

549

242

560

246

5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations

305

144

315

141

333

150

335

148

6. Semi-routine occupations

838

378

873

449

924

407

997

462

7. Routine occupations

436

196

440

200

492

228

504

232

Unknown

1,199

755

1,375

871

1,645

894

2,028

1,164

Total

72,999

34,600

77,351

35,865

80,312

36,163

83,598

37,544



10 Nov 2010 : Column 383W

10 Nov 2010 : Column 384W

10 Nov 2010 : Column 385W

10 Nov 2010 : Column 386W
2006 2007 2008
Subject NS-SEC Applicants Accepted a pplicants Applicants Accepted a pplicants Applicants Accepted a pplicants

A1-Pre-clinical medicine

1. Higher managerial and professional occupations

4,754

2,215

4,506

2,141

4,492

2,110

2. Lower managerial and professional occupations

3,446

1,272

3,387

1,270

3,445

1,300

3. Intermediate occupations

1,446

546

1,386

510

1,484

570

4. Small employers and own account workers

523

191

560

200

537

184

5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations

263

94

289

100

284

110

6. Semi-routine occupations

1,151

355

1,296

361

1,435

500

7. Routine occupations

322

93

299

89

372

114

Unknown

3,592

1,000

3,397

930

2,609

784

A2-Pre-clinical dentistry

1. Higher managerial and professional occupations

646

247

701

283

731

288

2. Lower managerial and professional occupations

524

167

545

162

565

168

3. Intermediate occupations

246

84

259

102

288

103

4. Small employers and own account workers

140

42

169

57

153

40

5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations

71

24

73

17

54

18

6. Semi-routine occupations

240

73

287

71

285

86

7. Routine occupations

88

22

89

22

76

20

Unknown

566

147

582

157

488

129

D1-Pre-clinical veterinary medicine

1. Higher managerial and professional occupations

331

212

403

224

475

201

2. Lower managerial and professional occupations

288

151

383

175

422

136

3. Intermediate occupations

129

71

168

70

207

82

4. Small employers and own account workers

113

57

107

42

144

50

5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations

40

17

53

18

55

17

6. Semi-routine occupations

82

37

141

53

157

60

7. Routine occupations

40

13

57

16

68

26

Unknown

245

108

310

117

249

71

H-Engineering

1. Higher managerial and professional occupations

4,784

2,175

5,145

2,306

4,858

2,397

2. Lower managerial and professional occupations

5,983

2,443

6,052

2,563

5,798

2,663

3. Intermediate occupations

2,720

1,145

2,801

1,197

2,735

1,273

4. Small employers and own account workers

1,573

634

1,576

617

1,519

690

5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations

1,208

510

1,291

513

1,268

589

6. Semi-routine occupations

2,703

1,121

2,988

1,222

3,073

1,408

7. Routine occupations

1,070

428

1,261

500

1,193

525

Unknown

5,719

3,043

5,657

3,029

5,617

3,335

M-Law

1. Higher managerial and professional occupations

3,931

2,124

3,987

2,234

3,825

2,289

2. Lower managerial and professional occupations

5,824

2,949

6,096

3,117

5,821

3,261

3. Intermediate occupations

2,816

1,387

2,932

1,470

3,051

1,663

4. Small employers and own account workers

1,765

851

1,841

916

1,673

929

5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations

971

457

961

473

868

450

6. Semi-routine occupations

2,889

1,362

2,906

1,416

3,273

1,751

7. Routine occupations

1,355

635

1,467

690

1,520

808

Unknown

6,034

3,540

6,052

3,767

5,980

4,146

N4-Accounting

1. Higher managerial and professional occupations

945

390

1,030

408

1,012

373

2. Lower managerial and professional occupations

1,520

645

1,647

645

1,655

685

3. Intermediate occupations

844

366

905

386

951

401

4. Small employers and own account workers

626

251

591

237

647

248

5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations

296

131

324

128

309

119

6. Semi-routine occupations

992

458

1,106

471

1,159

507

7. Routine occupations

490

227

538

225

550

222

Unknown

2,001

1,147

2,119

1,210

2,075

1,277

Total

78,345

35,657

80,720

36,927

79,505

39,176

Notes: 1. "Applicants" covers applicants who have made one or more applications to the specified subject. 2. Applicants applying to medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine courses can submit up to four applications. Those applying to other subjects in 2008 could submit up to five applications; in 2007 and earlier years they could submit up to six applications. 3. UCAS uses the Standard Occupational Classification 2000 and assigns socio-economic status based on an applicant's parental occupation (or the occupation of the person contributing the highest income to the household if the applicant is aged 21 years or over), and uses a simplified version of the National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC) since UCAS does not collect employment status or size of organisation from applicants. Provision of this information is voluntary and it is not passed to institutions until after the selection process. Socio-economic status data are available only for home (UK-domiciled) applicants. UCAS is not releasing NS-SEC data for 2009. Source: UCAS.

Higher Education: Student Numbers

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of students who had been educated in (a) Wansbeck constituency, (b) Northumberland and (c) the UK who were at university in the last 12 months. [22926]

Mr Willetts: Figures for higher education enrolments who were educated in Wansbeck constituency, Northumberland county and the UK are not available. As an alternative, figures for enrolments to higher education institutions who were resident in Wansbeck constituency, Northumberland local authority and the UK have been provided in the table as an alternative.

The latest available information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) relates to the 2008/09 academic year. Figures for the 2009/10 academic year will be available in January 2011. The Department has recently received updated postcode information; therefore figures in the answer may not match those previously published. Figures exclude students studying higher education level courses at further education colleges.

Undergraduate enrolments( 1) from Wansbeck parliamentary constituency( 2) , Northumberland local authority( 2) , and the UK-UK higher education institutions academic year 2008/09
Area Undergraduate enrolments

Wansbeck

2,075

Northumberland

8,570

UK

1,673,655

(1) Enrolments cover students in all years of study, not just first year students.
(2 )Excludes enrolments whose parliamentary constituency or local authority could not be established due to missing or invalid postcode information.
Note:
Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded to the nearest five.
Source:
Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Innovation

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what powers and responsibilities the Technology Strategy Board will have in relation to his proposed innovation centres. [23242]

Mr Willetts: The overall network of centres will be established and overseen by the Technology Strategy Board but individual centres will have a high degree of autonomy so they can respond to business needs.

The Technology Strategy Board will work with industry, stakeholders, and the wider Government to identify the priority areas and governance structure for the elite network of Technology and Innovation Centres by April 2011.

National Apprenticeship Service

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills who the (a) Chief Executive and (b) Chairman of the National Apprenticeship Service is; how long each has been in post; how much each is paid, including any pension contributions from the employer; and in which publications and on which websites each post was advertised when it was last vacant. [22734]

Mr Hayes: Simon Waugh was appointed to the role of chief executive of the newly formed National Apprenticeship Service in January 2009. The role was advertised in the Sunday Times and on the Times Online, and by the recruitment consultants, Gatenby Sanderson. The role was created in 2009 and Simon has been the only person to hold this position. In the summer of 2010, my Department agreed to Simon becoming executive chairman. Prior to this, the role of chairman of the National Apprenticeship Service did not exist.

The National Apprenticeship Service is embedded in the Skills Funding Agency which was created on 1 April 2010. Salary information for all Skills Funding Agency
10 Nov 2010 : Column 387W
and National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) senior civil servants, including Simon Waugh's are available on the Skills Funding Agency website

National Scholarship Fund

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how he expects the National Scholarship Fund to operate; and who he expects to be eligible for awards from the Fund. [22675]

Mr Willetts [holding answer 8 November 2010]: All universities that want to charge a higher graduate contribution than the £6,000 threshold will be obliged to participate in the National Scholarships programme. We will consult students and university organisations on the details. We will look to increase the leverage of Government funding by getting matched contributions from universities. Our current preference is for universities to offer scholarships to targeted students-including the principal beneficiaries of the pupil premium-that would mean at least their first year is free. Other attractive ideas include expanding the model of a foundation year for young people with high potential but lower qualifications.

Regional Growth Fund

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the Local Growth White Paper, Cm 7961, what timescale he has set for the establishment of growth hubs. [22650]

Mr Prisk: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will set out its plans for business improvement, including growth hubs, in more detail shortly.

Science: Finance

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the sum in private sector funding likely to be attracted by each £1 in science funding from the public purse over the comprehensive spending review period. [23060]

Mr Willetts: The Government does not have an explicit estimate of the amount of private sector funding attracted by £1 of public spending on science-with the significant degrees of uncertainty involved, such an estimate is likely to be unreliable.

In 2008 (the most recent year for which data is available) Government expenditure on research and development and higher education expenditure on research and development, together known as public sector expenditure on research and development, was equal to 0.162+0.469 or 0.631% of gross domestic product. Business expenditure on research and development, which includes financing from abroad, 1.097% of gross domestic product. Therefore for every £1 of public research and development expenditure in 2008 there was £1.74 of business research and development expenditure.


10 Nov 2010 : Column 388W

Skills Funding Agency: Manpower

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff are employed by the Skills Funding Agency specifically to work on communications and campaigns; and what recent discussions he has had with the Chief Executive of the Agency on this level of staffing. [22733]

Mr Hayes: Decisions about the number of staff within the Skills Funding Agency who work on communications and campaigns are an operational matter for Geoff Russell, the chief executive of the agency. I have therefore asked him to reply direct to my hon. Friend.

I have not had any recent discussions with the chief executive of Skills Funding on the number of Skills Funding Agency staff working in these areas. However, as is the case with all public bodies, the Skills Funding Agency is being streamlined. It is already making an 11% additional saving in 2010-11 and will be expected to make further significant savings to its administrative costs over the spending review period.

Students: Fees and Charges

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills who he plans to consult on options for mechanisms to enable early repayment of tuition fee loans; and if he will make a statement. [22676]

Mr Willetts [holding answer 8 November 2010]: The Government are committed to the progressive nature of the repayment system. It is therefore important that those on the highest incomes post graduation are not able unfairly to buy themselves out of this progressive system by paying off their loans early. We will consult on potential early repayment mechanisms-similar to those paid by people who pre-pay their mortgages. These mechanisms would need to ensure that graduates on modest incomes who strive to pay off their loans early through regular payments are not penalised. For example, a 5% levy might be charged on additional repayments each year over a specified amount such as £1,000 or £3,000. Alternatively, those on higher incomes (eg over £60,000) who made an additional repayment could be required to pay a 5% levy on this sum. We will consult with students, universities, higher education bodies and other experts.

Defence

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force personnel are deployed in Afghanistan in support of combat aircraft flying operations. [21839]

Nick Harvey [holding answer 4 November 2010]: The RAF currently has approximately 1,900 personnel deployed in Afghanistan. The specific number of RAF personnel supporting Tornado GR4 in Afghanistan is being withheld as the information could prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.


10 Nov 2010 : Column 389W

Afghanistan: Security Forces

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2010, Official Report, column 881W, on Afghanistan: security forces, if he will discuss with his Afghan counterpart the recruitment and desertion statistics for the Afghan police and army referred to in his Answer. [20589]

Dr Fox: I regularly talk to Defence Minister Wardak on a range of issues including the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

Working closely with the Government of Afghanistan, we continue to make progress in enhancing the capacity and capability of the ANSF, including on specific measures to improve recruitment and retention. However, these issues are ultimately matters for the Government of Afghanistan.

Air Force: Military Bases

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which (a) live fire and (b) practice weapons are permitted for use at (i) RAF Wainfleet, (ii) RAF Donna Nook, (iii) RAF Holbeach, (iv) RAF West Freugh, (v) RAF Tain and (vi) the Cape Wrath Range. [22950]

Mr Robathan: RAF Wainfleet was closed on 3 December 2009. Details of the live fire and practice weapons permitted for use at Defence Training Estate (DTE) Donna Nook, DTE Holbeach, MOD West Freugh, DTE Tain and DTE Cape Wrath are detailed as follows:

DTE Donna Nook

MOD West Freugh


10 Nov 2010 : Column 390W

DTE Tain

DTE Cape Wrath

Aircraft Carriers: Military Aircraft

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effects on the aeronautical industry of not proceeding with his Department's proposals for the short take-off and vertical landing aircraft variant for the new aircraft carriers. [21333]

Peter Luff [holding answer 2 November 2010]: The decision to purchase the Carrier Variant of the Joint Strike Fighter was made on operational grounds. It offers advantages in terms of interoperability with allies, range, and pay load and through life costs over the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant.

The industrial implications of the key strategic defence and security review choices were given careful consideration, but we have not made a specific assessment of the impact on the aeronautical industry of the decision to proceed with the Carrier Variant of the Joint Strike
10 Nov 2010 : Column 391W
Fighter, rather than the STOVL version. However, UK companies have a significant interest in the overall Joint Strike Fighter programme, including the carrier and Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) variants.


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