Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Home Department
Departmental Public Expenditure
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) resource and (b) capital funding for her Department will be in (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13, (iii) 2013-14 and (iv) 2014-15; and for each such year what the real-terms change will be compared to 2010-11. [24005]
Mrs May [holding answer 15 November 2010]: The following table sets out the Home Office's resource and capital funding and the real-terms change compared to 2010-11.
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
| (1) The headline resource figures in the spending review announcement excluded a technical accounting element of Department's budgets referred to as the resource ring-fence that mostly covers costs for depreciation. For completeness both the headline resource numbers and resource ring-fence figures have been included in the table. (2) Total resource is higher than the sum of resource non ring-fence and resource ring-fence due to rounding to one decimal point. | |||||
Deportation: Offenders
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals who have been convicted and imprisoned for offences relating to human trafficking were deported to their country of origin in the last five years. [25660]
Damian Green [holding answer 22 November 2010]: Between January 2008 and June 2010, the UK Border Agency has removed or deported approximately 13,350 foreign nationals referred by the Prison Service. Of these less than 1% had a recorded latest primary offence of human trafficking (or similar). This figure is based on internal management information and should therefore be treated as provisional and subject to change. Reliable data on offence types are not available prior to 2008.
Data on the total number of foreign nationals convicted or imprisoned for offences relating to human trafficking are held by the Ministry of Justice and not the UK Border Agency.
Human Trafficking
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the inter-departmental ministerial group on trafficking will next meet; and what will be discussed at that meeting. [25618]
Damian Green: The Government recognise the importance of monitoring the progress of anti-trafficking efforts in the UK and our international obligations.
A date is being sought for the next meeting of the inter-departmental ministerial group in the near future. Discussions at the group will reflect ongoing developments in trafficking policy.
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to publish her Department's strategy on human trafficking. [25730]
Damian Green: We plan to publish the strategy on tackling human trafficking in spring 2011 alongside the strategy on organised crime.
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the UK Human Trafficking Centre has a business plan. [25798]
Damian Green: The UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) became part of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) on 1 April 2010.
All of SOCA's activities, including on human trafficking, are covered in its annual plan which is published at the start of each financial year.
Illegal Immigrants
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many raids for immigration purposes have been conducted (a) in total and (b) between the hours of 3.00 am and 7.00 am in each of the last 24 months. [25396]
Damian Green [holding answer 19 November 2010]: The following table shows the total number of enforcement visits to business premises and private addresses conducted by the UK Border Agency in each month from November 2008 to October 2010, the number of those visits conducted between 03.00 hrs and 07.00 hrs, and the percentage of the overall number that the latter represent (the majority of such operations in fact take place between 06.00 hrs and 07.00 hrs). All data are sourced from management information tools and are not quality assured under national statistics protocols. The figures provided do not constitute part of national statistics and should be treated as provisional.
The timing of each enforcement visit will be dependent upon the type of visit to be conducted. For example, visits to private addresses will not normally be conducted either very late at night or very early in the morning; however, visits to business premises are approached with more flexibility. All visits are subject to prior risk assessment and required to be proportionate to the legitimate aims of the UK Border Agency's operations.
| Month | (a) All visits | (b) Visits between 03 . 00 and 07 . 00 | % |
| Notes: 1. All data are sourced from management information tools and are not quality assured under National Statistics protocols. The figures provided do not constitute part of National Statistics and should be treated as provisional. 2. The timing of each enforcement visit will be dependent upon the type of visit to be conducted. For example, visits to private addresses will not normally be conducted either very late at night or very early in the morning; however, visits to business premises are approached with more flexibility. All visits are subject to prior risk assessment and required to be proportionate to the legitimate aims of the UK Border Agency's operations. | |||
Immigration Controls
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what dates Ministers in her Department have met representatives from the (a) CBI, (b) British Chambers of Commerce and (c) Federation of Small Businesses to discuss the Government's proposed immigration cap since 11 May 2010; [24603]
(2) on what dates Ministers in her Department have met the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to discuss the Government's proposed immigration cap. [24604]
Mrs May [holding answer 16 November 2010]: I met representatives from the CBI on 21 September 2010 and 10 November 2010, and the Minister for Immigration met a representative of the British Chambers of Commerce on 26 May 2010 to discuss our proposals for limiting non-EU economic migration. My officials have met the CBI, the British Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses to discuss these proposals.
I have met with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on several occasions to discuss proposals for limiting non-EU economic migration.
In addition to this, the Minister for Immigration has met with the Minister for Universities and Science to discuss these proposals on a number of occasions.
Marriage of Convenience
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the incidence of sham marriages being used as an opportunity for entry into the UK in the latest period for which figures are available; and what plans she has to reduce that incidence. [25678]
Damian Green: It is not possible to estimate the number of sham marriages taking place in the UK for the purpose of attempting to gain the right to live and work in the UK.
Civil Registrars are legally obligated under s24 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1999 to report any prospective marriages or civil partnerships they believe may be being contracted for the purposes of circumventing immigration control to the UK Border Agency (UKBA). UKBA holds data on the number of s24 reports of suspicious marriages made by civil registrars but these are allegations and not proof of a sham marriage. S24 reports also do not cover marriages taking place in the Anglican Church in England and Wales, where the clergy are not under the same legal obligation, or those identified by UK Border Agency case workers.
To the end of September 2010 665 s24 reports have been received in UKBA. This reflects an increase on the total 2009 figure of 561 but this increase reflects the raising of awareness among registrars that our work to tackle the problem has generated, rather than a rise in the number of sham marriages.
We are working closely with both the civil registration authorities and the Anglican Church in England and Wales who are all committed to helping us tackle the problem of sham marriage. We are providing training and awareness sessions and working to develop closer links between register offices and dioceses at a local level as early detection is key to preventing foreign nationals gaining an immigration advantage from a sham marriage.
Entering into a sham marriage does not automatically entitle a foreign national to the right to live and work in the UK and all couples must provide comprehensive evidence to UKBA that they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship for any leave to be granted. All couples are subject to the same robust case working processes and we are working to strengthen these further. UK Border Agency has the power to refuse to grant leave if it is suspected that a marriage has taken place solely for immigration purposes and we have the power to revoke leave granted as a result of a sham marriage.
Migration
Mr Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of progress since May 2010 towards her objective for reduction of net migration; and if she will make a statement. [23090]
Damian Green:
The Government are committed to reducing net migration to the tens of thousands. On 28 June we launched a 12 week consultation with businesses and other interested sectors on our plans for implementing annual limits. At the same time, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary commissioned the independent
Migration Advisory Committee to advise the Government on the level at which the first annual limit should be set. We will announce the findings in due course.
We also introduced interim limits on 19 July to prevent a surge in applications, following the announcement of the limits consultation. This would have led to an increase in net migration, undermining the purpose of the limit. The limit included a very modest reduction in numbers, just 5% below the equivalent period in 2009-10.
In addition, we are reviewing other routes of non-EU migration (students, settlement, family etc) as action on these too will be needed, and we will be applying transitional measures to new EU accession states.
Police: Accountability
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there will be a requirement on candidates or parties taking part in the proposed elections for police commissioners to register with the Electoral Commission. [24647]
Mrs May [holding answer 17 November 2010]: We are in discussions with the Electoral Commission as part of the ongoing development of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections policy.
Police: Administration
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many stop forms were completed by Kent police in (a) Dartford constituency and (b) North Kent police area in each of the last five years. [25211]
Nick Herbert: Information on the specific number of forms filled in is not reported to the Home Office, but data on the number of stops and searches and stop and accounts reported to the Home Office by police forces are provided in the table.
The data reported to the Home Office are not broken down below police force area level, therefore information for Dartford constituency and North Kent police area is not available.
| Stops and searches in Kent police force area, 2004-05 to 2008-09 | |||
| Number | |||
| Stop and account( 1) | Stop and search( 2) | Total | |
| (1) Requirements to record stop and account came in on 1 April 2005-06. (2) Includes stops and searches under section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act and section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. (3) Data for stop and account for 2008-09 are provisional. | |||
UK Border Agency: Northern Ireland
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 16 November 2010, Official Report, column 518, on UK Border Agency: Northern Ireland, how many such staff at each grade were employed in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and how many such staff were resident in Northern Ireland. [25899]
Damian Green: The number of staff at each grade, who were, or are, employed in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years is shown in the following table: these staff are all resident in Northern Ireland.
| UK Border Agency staff in Northern Ireland | |||
| FTE | |||
| 31 March each year | |||
| Grade | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Note: The figures shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) civil servants and are grouped by the generic grade equivalent. | |||
Scotland
Banknotes
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will assess the merits of bringing forward proposals for a legal requirement for shops and businesses in England to accept Scottish banknotes. [24393]
Michael Moore: The right of certain Scottish and Northern Irish banks to issue banknotes was confirmed in part 6 of the Banking Act 2009. I am meeting experts from both the banking and the commercial sectors in order to investigate what practical steps may be taken to increase the recognition of Scottish notes throughout the United Kingdom, including among the makers of automated payment machines. This will stimulate a wider awareness throughout the UK of the designs and status of their notes.
Church Commissioners
Departmental Written Questions
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, how many and what proportion of questions tabled to the Second Church Estates Commissioner for written answer on a named day were answered substantively before or on the day named for answer (a) in Session 2009-10 and (b) since May 2010; how many such questions tabled between May 2010 and 12 November 2010 had not received a substantive answer by 18 November 2010; and what estimate he has made of the average cost to the Church Commissioners of answering a question for written answer on a named day on the day named for answer in the latest period for which figures are available. [25979]
Tony Baldry: To the best of my knowledge all named day written questions to the Church Commissioners have been answered on or before the named day during 2009-10. There are no named day written questions still awaiting a response. No estimate has been made of the average cost to the Church Commissioners of answering named day written questions.
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, how many and what proportion of questions tabled to the Second Church Estates Commissioner for ordinary written answer (a) in Session 2009-10 and (b) since May 2010 were answered within (i) seven days and (ii) 14 days of tabling; how many such questions tabled between May 2010 and 12 November 2010 remained unanswered by 18 November 2010; and what estimate he has made of the average cost to the Church Commissioners of answering a question for ordinary written answer within seven days of tabling in the latest period for which figures are available. [25980]
Tony Baldry: To the best of my knowledge all written questions to the Church Commissioners during 2009-10 have been answered in no more than seven days. No estimate has been made of the average cost to the Church Commissioners of answering written questions. Since taking office as Second Church Estates Commissioner in June 2010 I have received 24 written and oral questions. My predecessor answered 120 written and oral questions for the period January 2009 until June 2010.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Biofuels
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she has on the emissions of (a) particulates, (b) volatile organic compounds and (c) nitrogen oxide arising from the thermal treatment of biomass in the process of making it suitable for combustion. [25379]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not hold information on the emission of these pollutants from the treatment of biomass in the process of making it suitable for combustion.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what reports she has received on the incidence of blue haze arising from thermal treatment of biomass in the process of making it suitable for combustion within the UK. [25380]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA is not aware of any reports on the incidence of blue haze arising from thermal treatment of biomass in the process of making it suitable for combustion within the UK.
Conservation Credit Scheme
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Conservation Credit Scheme in respect of fishing for cod and whiting in the North Sea. [25911]
Richard Benyon:
DEFRA has been monitoring the operation of the Conservation Credit Scheme with considerable interest, since its introduction. It has made real progress in terms of joint working between industry, Government, scientists and environmental interests. Officials from DEFRA are invited as observers. For the future, we will want to ensure that the arrangements deliver
their conservation goals, while at the same time, continuing to assess how we might further develop this approach in other parts of the UK.
Departmental Grants
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to which organisations her Department has (a) made grants in 2010-11 and (b) allocated grants for (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and what the monetary value of each such grant is. [26111]
Richard Benyon: The information is as follows:
(a) Tables setting out the value of grants paid to date and to which organisations in 2010-11 will be placed in the House of Commons Library by the end of December.
(b) (i) The information in regard to allocated grants for 2010-11 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
(ii) Following the spending review, my Department is currently considering budget allocations for 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the monetary value of grants awarded by her Department was in 2009-10; and how much she expects to award in grants in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12. [26114]
Richard Benyon: Tables setting out the monetary value of grants awarded in 2009-10 will be placed in the House of Commons Library by the end of December.
The value of grants to be awarded in 2010-11 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Following the spending review, my Department is currently considering budget allocations for 2011-12.
Departmental Services: Post Office
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what services provided by her Department and its predecessors were the subject of a contract with Post Office Ltd in 1997-98 and have subsequently become the subject of a contract with another supplier; and what the monetary value was of each such contract in (a) 1997-98 and (b) the latest period for which figures are available in each case. [24923]
Richard Benyon: The Department was formed in 2001. To identify information prior to this date would incur disproportionate cost.
The Department does not keep central or local records of where the provision of goods/services has been subject to a change of supplier. To identify such changes over the period since 1997-98 would incur disproportionate cost.
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which services of her Department and its predecessors have been the subject of a contract awarded in a tender process in which Post Office Ltd submitted a bid since 1997-98. [24924]
Richard Benyon: The Department was formed in 2001. The data requested of all unsuccessful bidders to tender and quotation processes are not held centrally or locally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Dogs: Breeding
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will (a) promote a public education and awareness campaign concerning genetic health problems in pure-bred dogs and (b) publish her estimate of the cost to the public purse of dealing with consequential health problems in such dogs; and if she will make a statement. [22427]
Mr Paice: We have no current plans to promote a public education and awareness campaign concerning genetic health problems in pure-bred dogs. We will be looking to the recently created and independent Dog Advisory Council to consider how best to promote public awareness of genetic health problems in dogs.
I am not aware that genetic health problems in dogs generate significant costs to the public purse as most of the costs are met by individual owners.
Fencing: Suffolk
Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of fencing contractors in Suffolk are licensed by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority. [25460]
Mr Paice: This information is not available. The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) has responsibility for publishing a register of licensed gangmasters. This lists all gangmasters who have applied for and been granted a licence and is open to public view. The GLA does not collect information about the specific activity that a gangmaster may carry out within a particular sector.
Floods: Insurance
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she received from the insurance industry on flood risk. [25226]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA is working closely with the insurance industry on flood risk management. We continue to make progress on the current Statement of Principles between the Government and insurers on flood risk management.
At the Flood summit in September key representatives from the insurance industry, the National Flood Forum, the Environment Agency and local government agreed on a roadmap towards 2013, when the current Statement of Principles between the Government and insurers on flood risk management expires. It was agreed that flood insurance should remain widely available.
Three working groups will be now be formed to continue the dialogue on flood insurance and risk reduction and put in place a roadmap to take us beyond 2013.
Inland Waterways
Karen Bradley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she plans to take to ensure that the charitable body which succeeds British Waterways attracts sufficient funding
to enable it to maintain and operate its waterways network to a fit-for-purpose standard; and if she will make a statement. [25034]
Richard Benyon: Making British Waterways a charitable company gives users and communities more responsibility for governance of the waterways, and new opportunities for growing income and volunteering, making efficiencies and forming supportive partnerships. The Government will also give the new charity the best start it can afford, with the transfer of the property portfolio and a long-term contract. The move should, therefore, improve the long- term financial sustainability of the waterways.
Local Authorities: Freedom of Information
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many separate requests for data from local authorities her Department made in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [25314]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not record this information centrally, and it would cost a disproportionate amount to collect it from across the Department. The Government are currently reviewing the data requirements placed on local authorities with the aim of reducing them and making them transparent. This will result in a single comprehensive list of all the data that local government is expected to provide to central Government, including that required by DEFRA, from April 2011.
Mackerel
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has made an assessment of the effects of climate change on (a) sea temperature and (b) the movements of mackerel. [25238]
Richard Benyon: The last set of UK climate projections, published in summer 2009, provided a wide range of information on the effects of future climate change on the marine environment, including coastal waters and shelf seas. As well as sea temperature, the projections cover sea level rise, and changes in storm surges, offshore waves, salinity, and shelf currents:
The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership, in which DEFRA is a partner, contributed to these projections and to the climate change chapter in Charting Progress 2, published in summer 2010
by UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy. The 'Ocean Processes' feeder report for Charting Progress 2 includes a detailed assessment of current observations of changing sea temperatures in UK waters.
The most recent report card from the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership, also published in summer 2010
provides the most comprehensive assessment of marine climate change impacts to date. One of the impacts that has been described in this report is the shifting distribution of mackerel. Fisheries scientists at CEFAS and Marine
Scotland have stated there is still much uncertainty around whether or not this is a transient phenomenon associated with observed cold seawater temperatures off Norway in the winter of 2009-10, whether this simply reflects a spreading out of the mackerel population to new areas because the mackerel stock is currently large and densely distributed, or whether it reflects a long-term shift in migration routes. The impact and consequences that such changes might have on the effectiveness of fishery closure areas and allocation of quotas between countries in the long-term also remain uncertain.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to secure a settlement between the UK, Iceland and the Faroe Islands on mackerel quotas. [25236]
Richard Benyon: Ministers and officials are working hard to help secure agreement on future management of North Atlantic mackerel. The Government have made strong representations, including to the EU Fisheries Commissioner, as well as to the Icelandic and Faroese Governments, to underline the importance of reaching agreement that safeguards the long-term sustainability of both the fish stock and our industry. DEFRA is working closely with industry and with colleagues in devolved Administrations to help find a way forward. Officials have been involved in two rounds of Coastal States talks and will be participating in further talks planned for 25 and 26 November.
Nature Conservation: Birds
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department is taking steps to improve the protection of endangered species of wild birds. [25005]
Richard Benyon: All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which implements the EC wild birds directive in Great Britain. This provides a powerful framework for the conservation of wild birds, their eggs, nests and habitats. In addition to this protection, raptor persecution is currently one of the UK's wildlife crime priorities.
A number of bird species are listed as priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and also under section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. This list sets out the species of principal importance in England for the purpose of conserving biodiversity and guides decision-makers such as public bodies. Agri-environment schemes also contribute to the conservation of wild birds by enabling farmers to provide suitable habitat and nesting areas for farmland birds.
Trade in endangered species of wild birds is controlled by the convention on international trade in endangered species, an international agreement between governments whose aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
The UK is a signatory to the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and has played a key role in its development and implementation. This is one of the key agreements under the convention on migratory
species to tackle threats faced by migratory waterbirds. The AEWA covers 255 species of waterbirds that are ecologically dependent on wetlands for at least part of their annual cycle, with over 100 of these species regularly occurring in the UK.
Renewable Energy: Finance
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the likely effects of the abolition of regional development agencies on the disbursement of grants to the anaerobic digestion industry. [25241]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA will ensure that delivery arrangements for the Rural Development Programme for England continue to be in place following the abolition of the regional development agencies. This will minimise disruption for potential beneficiaries, and will be based on the Department taking a stronger national lead for the remainder of the programme period to 2013. Assistance for small-scale anaerobic digestion projects will continue to be eligible for support under the programme.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses. [25225]
Richard Benyon: The United Kingdom has not signed the 1997 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses. Since the time for signing has passed, the process now would be for accession rather than ratification.
The UK has no immediate plans to accede to the Convention.
Prime Minister
Sergei Magnitsky
Mr MacShane: To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with the Government of Russia the death in custody of Sergei Magnitsky during his forthcoming visit to Moscow. [25265]
The Prime Minister: The Government remains very concerned by Mr Magnitsky's case. We are awaiting the conclusion of the official investigation into this case announced by President Medvedev in November 2009. A date for my visit to Moscow has not yet been set.
Northern Ireland
Tobacco: Smuggling
Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with (a) the Northern Ireland Executive and (b) the government of the Republic of Ireland on (i) tobacco smuggling and (ii) links between tobacco smuggling and terrorist groups; and if he will make a statement. [25223]
Mr Paterson: Tobacco smuggling falls under the responsibilities of the devolved Administration in Northern Ireland. Operational responsibility for the detection and seizure of illicit cigarettes and tobacco lies with HMRC and UKBA in partnership with the PSNI who also work in conjunction with An Gardaí Síochána and other agencies on both sides of the border on tackling this issue.
The Secretary of State meets regularly with the Northern Ireland Justice Minister and with his counterparts in the Republic of Ireland to discuss as necessary matters relating to security in Northern Ireland.
Education
Building Schools for the Future Programme
Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when and by what means his Department informed Leicester city council that it was required to make savings of up to 40 per cent. in respect of its Building Schools for the Future programme funding. [20444]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 1 November 2010]: The Department for Education has asked Partnerships for Schools (PfS) to work with local authorities and private sector companies to identify savings in projects which are continuing within the Building Schools for the Future programme. On Thursday 21 October, PfS telephoned a number of local authorities, including the city of Leicester, about the identification of savings. This follows the Secretary of State's announcement of 5 July, in which, referring to ongoing BSF projects, he said that he would
"continue to look at the scope for savings in all these projects."
We have not set a target for the level of savings to be realised for Leicester or for any other local authority. There will be different options for each local authority as to how savings could be made. We will work through these options with local areas over coming weeks.
Building Schools for the Future Programme: Telford
David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether funding for the Building Schools for the Future programme project in Telford and Wrekin has been reduced since July 2010; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the funding profile for that project. [21229]
Mr Gibb: No changes have yet been made to the funding for Telford and Wrekin's Building Schools for the Future programme. However, we have asked local authorities and private sector companies to identify savings in projects which are continuing within the Building Schools for the Future programme. This follows the Secretary of State's announcement of 5 July, in which, referring to ongoing BSF projects, he said that he would
"continue to look at the scope for savings in all these projects."
Any revisions to funding allocation models will not be finalised until we have worked with the local authorities to agree how their schemes can be taken forward to achieve best value for money.
Education Maintenance Allowance: Advertising
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department spent on advertising the availability of education maintenance allowance between May 2005 and May 2010. [20678]
Mr Gibb: This is a matter for the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) who operate the education maintenance allowance for the Department for Education. Peter Lauener the YPLA's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Tamworth with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Education Maintenance Allowance: Lewisham
Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many people resident in Lewisham, Deptford constituency have received the education maintenance allowance in each year since its inception; what the average value of the allowance was; and what expenditure his Department made on the provision of such allowances to residents of (a) Lewisham, Deptford constituency and (b) the London borough of Lewisham in each such year. [21092]
Mr Gibb: This is a matter for the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) who operate the education maintenance allowance for the Department for Education. Peter Lauener the YPLA's chief executive, will write to the right hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Joan Ruddock) with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries.
Free Schools: Greater London
Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which organisations have expressed an interest in providing a free school in the London borough of Waltham Forest. [14559]
Mr Gibb: The Department does not hold, collect or receive expressions of interest about free schools. To date, three organisations have submitted proposals to establish free schools within the London borough of Waltham Forest.
Free Schools: Road Traffic
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take to ensure that plans for the establishment of free schools take local road traffic conditions into account. [20846]
Mr Gibb: The Department is working with the Department for Communities and Local Government which is currently consulting on changes to the planning system to make it easier for free schools to be set up in buildings with a range of existing uses. The consultation, which closes on 10 December, seeks views on transport and traffic conditions among other issues.
Free Schools: Teachers
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his Department's policy is on authorising free schools to employ as (a) teachers and (b) head teachers people who do not hold an official teaching qualification or a national professional qualification for headship. [20741]
Mr Gibb: Innovation, diversity and flexibility are at the heart of the Free Schools policy. We want the dynamism that characterises the best independent schools to drive up standards in the State sector. In this spirit we will not be setting overly prescriptive requirements in relation to qualifications: instead we will expect business cases to demonstrate how Governing Bodies intend to guarantee the highest quality of teaching and leadership in their schools. Free Schools are legally Academies, and as in Academies generally head teachers are not required to hold the National Professional Qualification for Headship. No school will be allowed to proceed unless its proposals for quality teaching are soundly based. Ensuring each Free School's unique educational vision is translated into the classroom will require talented people with a diverse range of experience.
GCSE
Charlotte Leslie:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what proportion of pupils at secondary
schools with (a) fewer than 800, (b) 800 to 1,000 and (c) more than 1,000 pupils attained five GCSEs, including English and mathematics at A* to C grades in each year since 2000; [17918]
(2) what proportion of pupils at (a) stand alone secondary schools and (b) secondary departments of all-through schools attained five GCSEs at A* to C grades in each year since 2000; [17919]
(3) what proportion of pupils at secondary schools with (a) fewer than 800 pupils, (b) 800 to 1,000 pupils and (c) more than 1,000 pupils attained five GCSEs at A* to C grades in each year since 2000. [18224]
Mr Gibb: In the tables, figures from 2000-04 have been based on pupils aged 15 at the start of the academic year. Figures from 2005-10 have been based on pupils reaching the end of Key Stage 4.
The percentage of pupils achieving the equivalent of five or more GCSEs at grade A*-C is given in the following table:
| Percentage | |||||
| School age ranges( 1) | Number of pupils on roll | ||||
| Stand-alone secondary schools | All-through schools | 0-799 | 800-1,000 | 1,001 + | |
The percentage of pupils achieving the equivalent of five or more GCSEs at grade A*-C including English and maths GCSEs is given in the following table:
| Percentage | |||||
| School age ranges( 1) | Number of pupils on roll | ||||
| Stand-alone secondary schools | All-through schools | 0-799 | 800-1,000 | 1,001 + | |
| (1) Both all-through and stand-alone schools must have an upper age limit of 16-18. The lower limit of all-through schools must be 3-5 while that for stand-alone schools must be 11. (2) The provisional figures for 2010 include accredited International GCSEs (iGCSE). In order to better capture the attainment of pupils in the Independent sector, iGCSEs that were not accredited at the beginning of the period of study but have since been accredited have been counted. Source: The Secondary School and College Performance Tables | |||||
GCSE: Standards
Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools performed below the National Challenge threshold for English and mathematics GCSE results in 2010. [20045]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 28 October 2010]: This information will be published in the secondary school performance tables in January 2011.
Pockets of Deprivation: Finance
Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding each local authority received through the Pockets of Deprivation element of the Dedicated Schools Grant in each year since 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [21423]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 4 November 2010]: £40.91 million was included in the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for each year of the spending period of 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 for pockets of deprivation. The notional allocations for the local authorities who qualified for this funding can be found on the summary sheet of the final DSG allocations for 2008-09 which is available on the Department's website at:
Schools: Buildings
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what estimate his Department made of the number of modular buildings which were used as classrooms in (a) 1980 and (b) 1997; [17025]
(2) what estimate he made of the number of classrooms which were in use in (a) 1980 and (b) 1997. [17026]
Mr Gibb: No estimates have been made by the Department of the number of classrooms or the number of modular buildings used as classrooms in 1980 and 1997.
Schools: Discipline
Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take to ensure discipline in the classroom and promote good behaviour; and what timetable he has set for the implementation of such a policy. [11971]
Mr Gibb:
It is this Government's intention to give heads and teachers the powers they need to ensure discipline in the classroom and promote good behaviour. In a statement to the House on 7 July I announced that
we will take steps to strengthen teachers' powers to search pupils; clarify their powers to use force; and remove the requirement to give 24-hours written notice when giving pupils detentions. We will also give teachers the strongest possible protection from false accusations. I refer the hon. Member to my written statement of 7 July 2010, Official Report, column 11WS. The full text of my statement can be viewed online at:
We will announce further proposals later this year and take forward any necessary primary legislation at the earliest opportunity.
Schools: Finance
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have been supported by Creative Partnership funding in each of the last three years. [20164]
Mr Vaizey: I have been asked to reply.
The Creative Partnership programme is run by Creativity Culture and Education (CCE) with funding from Arts Council England. CCE has provided data on the number of primary and secondary schools which have completed Creative Partnership projects in academic years 2008/09 and 2009/10 and the number currently working with Creative Partnerships for 2010/11, which is set out in the table:
| Academic year | Primary schools | Secondary schools |
Secondary Education
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what the average contextual value added score has been for (a) stand alone secondary schools and (b) secondary departments in all-through schools in each year since 2000; [17917]
(2) what the contextual value added score is for secondary schools with (a) fewer than 800 pupils, (b) 800 to 1,000 pupils and (c) more than 1,000 pupils in each year since 2000. [18010]
Mr Gibb: Contextual value added was introduced into the Achievement and Attainment Tables in 2006 to replace the value added model. The following tables show the average contextual value added score for the years 2006 to 2009 for maintained mainstream schools. The number of schools used in the calculation is given in brackets.
| School age ranges( 1) | ||||||||
| Stand alone secondary schools | All through schools (secondary department) | |||||||
| CVA score | Number | Lower 95% confidence limit | Upper 95% confidence limit | CVA score | Number | Lower 95% confidence limit | Upper 95% confidence limit | |
| Number of pupils on roll: | ||||||||
| 1-799 | 800-1,000 | |||||||
| CVA score | Number | Lower 95% confidence limit | Upper 95% confidence limit | CVA score | Number | Lower 95% confidence limit | Upper 95% confidence limit | |
| Number of pupils on role: | ||||
| 1,001 or more | ||||
| CVA score | Number | Lower 95% confidence limit | Upper 95% confidence limit | |
| (1) Both all-through and stand-alone schools must have an upper age limit of 16-18. The lower age limit of all-through schools must be 3-5 while that for stand-alone schools must be 11. Note: For contextual value Added scores it is standard practice to give the upper and lower confidence limits. If 1000 lies within the range of the confidence limits, the CVA score is not showing significantly positive or negative value added. Source: The Secondary School Achievement and Attainment Tables | ||||
Schools: Standards
Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to provide support for underperforming schools. [20044]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 28 October 2010]: The forthcoming Schools White Paper will set out the detail of our approach to reducing underperformance in our school system. We believe that the way to secure sustainable improvement is to give responsibility to schools and for schools to learn from other schools. Our aim will be to challenge and support schools in a robust and clear manner. Central to our approach, especially in tackling the most significant areas of underperformance, will be our Academies programme, and schools working together to share best practice.
We have also allocated £110 million to establish an education endowment fund (EEF) designed to raise standards in underperforming schools. The EEF will distribute money to local authorities, academy sponsors, charities and other groups that bring forward innovative proposals to improve performance in our most challenging schools.
Transport
Bus Services: Concessions
Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has plans for mutual recognition of concessionary bus passes across the UK; and whether he has had discussions with the devolved administrations on this matter. [25633]
Norman Baker: There are no immediate plans to introduce mutual recognition of concessionary bus passes across the UK. Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area so the arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ from those in England. The Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 contains a power to allow, through future regulations, for mutual recognition of bus passes across the UK. Regular discussions take place at official level with the devolved Administrations. Various technical and resource issues would need to be resolved before mutual recognition could be pursued.
Bus Services: Finance
Mr Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to (a) undertake and (b) publish an equality impact assessment in relation to the change in the level of funding for the Bus Service Operators Grant. [22984]
Norman Baker: An equality impact assessment in relation to the change in the level of funding for the Bus Service Operators Grant has been undertaken and will be published on the Department's website by the end of November.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 2 November 2010, Official Report, column 702W, on bus services: finance, what the key assumptions are in respect of (a) fares and (b) the effect on the level of service of the reduction in Bus Service Operators Grants. [23724]
Norman Baker: We have used analysis published in recent impact assessments on the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) which suggests that removing BSOG in its entirety would have, on average, increased fares by around 7% and reduced service levels by around 7% outside London. After considering this analysis, the Government decided to limit reduction in BSOG to 20%.
To help estimate sub-national impacts we have used the Department's new National Bus Model. The key assumptions used in the model are in the main taken from the Transport Research Laboratory report 'The demand for public transport: a practical guide'. They include assumptions of how demand for bus travel changes in response to changes in bus fares, service levels, GDP and car ownership.
Crayford Station
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has received a new application for funding from Southeastern Railway to provide step-free access at Crayford Station. [24766]
Norman Baker: We have been unable to commission any bids for Access for All Small Schemes funding while the comprehensive spending review was ongoing, although we hope to have further funding available for access improvements in due course.
However, in response to a letter from me the managing director of Southeastern Railways has indicated his intension to install a lockable side gate and Oyster validator on Platform 2 which will allow Bexley council to upgrade the footpath linking the station to the roadway to provide step free access.
Cycling England: Cost-effectiveness
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has undertaken a cost-benefit assessment of Cycling England's programmes. [24457]
Norman Baker: Cycling England was established in 2005 with a remit to "Get More People Cycling, More Safely, More Often". Over the period 2008-09 to 2010-11 Department for Transport (DfT) invested around £140 million in programmes to deliver this objective. Cycling England's role was to advise on how best to spend these funds and to oversee the delivery of the projects.
Analysis of results of the first three years of funding, of which DfT contributed £7.5 million, for the initial six Cycling Demonstration Towns has provided a benefit cost ratio in the range 2.6 to 3.5, and a 27% increase in cycle trips as shown by automatic cycle counters.
Current programmes that continue to the end of March 2011 are yet to be evaluated.
Freight: Grants
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the Freight Facilities Grant. [21319]
Mike Penning: The Freight Facilities Grant scheme remains suspended while the Department reviews its capital programme budgets following the settlement agreed in the comprehensive spending review. Further details on the future of the scheme will be made public shortly.
High Speed Rail Network
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to make capacity on the proposed high speed rail network available to rail freight. [23184]
Mr Philip Hammond: None. HS2 is proposed as a dedicated high speed passenger line. However, capacity released on existing lines could be used for additional freight and other services.
Southeastern Railway Franchise
Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the application of a cap on fare rises on train services provided by Southeastern under its franchise agreement which enable a different rate of fare rises to that applied by other franchisees; and if he will make a statement. [25177]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 19 November 2010]: The Southeastern Franchise Agreement agreed by the last Government specified that from 2007-11, regulated fares on the network would be capped at RPI +3%. There are no plans to alter this requirement during 2011.
Next year will be the final one in which Southeastern has a different fares regime to most other parts of the network. From 2012, RPI+3 will become the standard formula for prices regulated by the Department for Transport, including Southeastern.
Motorways: Speed Limits
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are used to determine the imposition of a 50 miles per hour speed limit on motorways. [24157]
Mike Penning: Current motorway standards do not necessitate permanent 50 mph speed limits. Some older motorways designed in the 1960s, and some motorways in urban areas, which do not meet the current visibility requirements or which have sub-standard geometric features, have had lower speed limits introduced appropriate to the visibility and geometry to improve safety. The principal criterion used to determine the speed limit is forward visibility.
National advice on setting temporary speed limits for road works is given in Traffic Signs Manual, chapter 8, section D3.7. This identifies appropriate speed limits based on the relative risk to road users posed by the barriers, cones etc which are used to provide protection to road workers. This risk is normally the same whether road workers are present or not and speed limits therefore need to be in place even when workers are not on-site. The Highways Agency produced additional advice in July 2007 (Chief Highways Engineer Memo 203/07) on how to apply temporary speed limits at road works using the risk based approach in chapter 8. This advice applies to the motorway network in England; the application of this advice on other motorways is the responsibility of the relevant highway authority.
Preston-Colne Railway Line
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the level of usage of the Preston-Colne rail line. [25908]
Mrs Villiers: The Secretary of State has not made a recent assessment of the passenger usage of the Preston to Colne line. It is for each train operator to undertake passenger counts on the routes it operates so train capacity can be best matched to passenger demand.
Railways: Complaints
Julian Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints he received on the
way in which (a) East Coast Mainline, (b) Grand Central, (c) Northern Rail, and (d) Transpennine Express communicate with their customers in the latest period for which figures are available. [25531]
Mrs Villiers: For the most recent quarterly period the Department for Transport has received six complaints concerning East Coast Mainline, nil for Grand Central, five for Northern Rail and one for Transpennine Express, about the way in which the operators commutate with their customers.
Railways: Freight
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on effective criteria for assessing the environmental effects of transporting goods. [23292]
Mike Penning: None. However, I have announced my intention to support freight industry led measures to reduce the environmental effects of transporting goods. The Department for Transport is working with industry to identify the most effective measures. The work includes an evaluation of environmental benefits.
Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department's review of the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation will include consideration of the use of biomethane as a fuel for transport. [25240]
Norman Baker: Biomethane is already eligible to receive certificates under the renewable transport fuel obligation, which sets annual targets for biofuel use in the UK. Currently biomethane counts for 0.03% of UK renewable transport fuels.
The renewable energy directive (RED) requires the UK to source 10% of transport energy from renewable sources by 2020. We will be consulting on measures to implement the RED shortly. Fuels made from wastes and residues, including biomethane, will count twice towards the RED 10% target.
Roads: Accidents
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential combined effect of reductions in the level of the road safety grant and of the ending of funding from his Department for speed cameras on the level of road traffic (a) accidents and (b) deaths. [24463]
Mike Penning: No such assessment has been made.
The Government continue to provide substantial funding for local authorities. The Government are clear that local government needs increased flexibility to take decisions locally to deliver the solutions that suit them best. Through lifting restrictions on how local government spends its money by removing ring-fences, local authorities are now free to determine their priorities and to make decisions about where savings are found. I would expect
that road safety will remain a priority for them. Fixed camera operation remains an option for local authorities who remain free to invest in new cameras using their own resources.
Transport: Finance
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding he has allocated to each scheme in the supported group of local transport schemes; and (a) how much in total has been allocated to this group and (b) was formerly allocated through regional funding allocations. [23115]
Norman Baker: We have not allocated a specific sum of money to individual schemes in the supported pool nor to the pool in total. The total of the most recently requested or approved Department for Transport capital contribution for all the schemes in the supported pool, as identified in the previous regional funding allocations, is around £408 million. We estimate that no more than £325 million of this would fall in the spending review period. We have invited the promoting local authorities to explore how costs may be reduced and additional funding contributions sought before making a best and final funding bid to the Department. Decisions on the funding for individual schemes will be made in January 2011.
Work and Pensions
Employment Schemes
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether people participating in the work programme will have access to skills training. [24617]
Chris Grayling: The Work Programme is being designed as a 'black box' programme: we are not specifying what support providers should offer, but we will expect them to find the most effective means of getting each individual referred back to work. This support may include the provision of skills training.
Where it can be demonstrated that a customer has a skills need that is preventing them from getting work, they will also have access to skills provision offered by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what integrated back-to-work support will be provided to jobseekers under the work programme. [24618]
Chris Grayling: The Work Programme will be a 'black box' programme: providers will be free to design support according to the needs of the individuals referred to them and to local circumstances. We believe this will be more effective than a 'one-size-fits-all' programme prescribed by central Government.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how mentors for the work programme will be recruited. [24620]
Chris Grayling: The Work Programme will be a 'black box' programme: providers will be free to design support based on the needs of individuals and target the right support at the right time.
As such, it will be up to providers, working with local partners, to decide whether they wish to use mentor services to help support people into work, and it will be up to them how they are recruited.
However, a key element of the New Enterprise Allowance will be to provide customers with access to voluntary business mentors who will provide guidance and support as they develop their business idea through to the early stages of trading.
Delivery options have yet to be finalised and agreed, but we envisage a role for Jobcentre Plus working alongside the voluntary and enterprise sectors to create new partnerships to build a network of mentors and ensure unemployed people can get the business support they need.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his contribution of 11 November 2010, Official Report, column 444, on welfare reform, whether (a) single regional contracts will be issued for the proposed work programme or (b) the proposed work programme in each area will involve both private and voluntary sector organisations. [24659]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is as follows:
(a) The Department will ensure there are at least two providers delivering Work Programme services across each contract package area. This will ensure there is ongoing competition between providers to drive up performance. Each regional 'lot' will contain up to two contract-package-areas.
(b) For the Work Programme to be successful we expect that prime providers will need to work with a broad range of sub-contractors and local partners in order to deliver the personalised and localised services required in today's labour market. We would expect, though do not intend to require, that each provider will have a range of sub-contractors including organisations from the private and voluntary sector.
We are actively encouraging local partners to work with potential Work Programme providers in their areas in the development of bids that are responsive to local circumstances. The Framework specification places clear expectations on suppliers to engage with partners in developing and delivering proposals, and the Work Programme specification will further endorse the requirement for partnership engagement in the development of proposals and delivery of the programme.
We have also taken active steps to encourage the involvement of voluntary sector organisations in the delivery of the Work Programme, including events in London, Bristol, Port Talbot and Glasgow for voluntary sector organisations to hear about the programme and how they can get involved; an event hosted by the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, supported by the Department, which provided potential sub-contractors, particularly those from the voluntary sector or smaller organisations, with information on what being a sub-contractor would mean for them; and a round table event with key voluntary sector groups to ensure that they are fully informed on plans for the Work Programme.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his oral statement of 11 November 2010, Official Report, columns 438-40, on welfare reform, which existing programmes will be included in the work programme. [24660]
Chris Grayling: The Work Programme will support a wide range of customers-from jobseeker's allowance recipients who have been out of work for some time, to customers who may previously have been receiving incapacity benefits for many years.
Most current provision, including all legacy New Deal programmes, the Flexible New Deal and Pathways to Work will be replaced by the Work Programme by summer 2011.
Local Enterprise Partnerships
Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects a local enterprise partnership for Newcastle, Tyneside and Northumberland to be established. [24972]
Robert Neill: I have been asked to reply.
On 28 October, the Government published their Local Growth White Paper, which set out their approach to achieving local economic growth by shifting power to local levels and helping to create the right conditions for growth and recovery. This included announcing the first local enterprise partnerships which would proceed.
Government will work with the relevant local authority and business partners in Newcastle Tyneside and Northumberland and other parts of the country where no local enterprise partnership has been announced, in order to ensure future proposals allow all areas to progress, and I have asked my officials to engage directly with local partners. Government will welcome revised proposals from these places as they become ready.
Lone Parents: Personal Income
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many single income families with a household income between £43,875 and £50,000 reside in Wales. [17923]
Mr Gauke: I have been asked to reply.
The information requested is not available as HM Revenue and Customs does not collect data at such levels of detail.
Pension Funds: Trusts
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what recent assessment he has made of the level of understanding among pension fund trustees of their fiduciary duty to take into account environmental, social and governance issues where they are financially material; [25832]
(2) whether he has had discussions with the Pensions Regulator on the adequacy of guidance and training for pension fund trustees in respect of their fiduciary duty to take into account environmental, social and governance issues where they are financially relevant. [25833]
Steve Webb:
Trustees do not have a specific fiduciary duty to consider environmental, social and governance issues, but they are required by law to ensure that their scheme has a statement of investment principles to disclose its investment policies. This must include a declaration of the extent (if at all) to which social,
environmental, or ethical considerations are taken into account in the selection, retention, and realisation of investments.
It is therefore for trustees to decide how best to address social, environmental and ethical considerations while meeting their fiduciary duty to serve members' best interests.
The Pensions Regulator promotes trustee knowledge and understanding of the requirements and responsibilities of trustees through its trustee toolkit.
Ministers and officials regularly meet the Pensions Regulator to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the regulator and its responsibilities.
Social Security Benefits
Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the growth rate of social security spending on benefits and pensions, excluding tax credits in real terms in each year from 1980-81 to 2009-10. [24615]
Steve Webb: The information is in the table.
Social Security Benefits: Disability
Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in receipt of disability-related benefits do not receive disability living allowance. [23347]
Maria Miller: The information requested is provided in the following table:
The table shows the number of people claiming each disability benefit who are not in receipt of disability living allowance as of February 2010.
Disability living allowance is awarded to customers aged under 65 with mobility and/or care needs as a result of a disability or health condition, and is intended to cover some of the costs of these mobility or care needs. It is not an income-replacement benefit like employment and support allowance, and can be paid to customers who are in employment.
Incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance are income-replacement benefits payable to claimants who are unable to work as a result of their
disability or health condition. Incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance customers may not be entitled to disability living allowance if they do not have mobility or care needs.
Conversely, some disability living allowance customers may not be entitled to incapacity benefit or employment and support allowance, for example if they are able to work.
Attendance allowance is awarded to customers over 65 who need help with personal care or supervision to keep them safe. A customer cannot receive both disability living allowance and attendance allowance.
Social Security Benefits: Fraud
Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department plans to publish the report of the pilots of the use of voice risk analysis to detect benefit fraud. [25828]
Chris Grayling: A summary of the evaluation of the use of voice risk analysis was published on the DWP website on 18 October 2010. The full report will also be published on the website 24 November 2010 and a copy will be placed in the House of Commons Library.
Communities and Local Government
Carbon Monoxide: Alarms
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans his Department has to encourage registered social landlords to install carbon monoxide detectors in homes. [25429]
Andrew Stunell: The Department has no specific plans to encourage registered social housing providers to install carbon monoxide detectors in their properties. However, registered providers of social housing (formerly known as 'registered social landlords') are required to meet all statutory requirements that provide for the health and safety of the occupants in their properties. Compliance with this is monitored by the Tenant Services Authority through its regulatory standards framework. Current Health and Safety legislation does not require the installation of carbon monoxide alarms but does require the proper maintenance (and replacement if necessary) of gas boilers, flues etc, including annual gas safety checks.
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