Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 2 December 2010
Northern Ireland
Departmental Grants
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what grants have been awarded by his Department in 2010-11 to date; what grants he plans to award in each of the next two years; what the monetary value is of each such grant; and to which organisations such grants are made. [27213]
Mr Paterson: My Department has not awarded any grants in the current financial year and does not intend to award any grants in each of the next two financial years.
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the monetary value of grants awarded by his Department was in 2009-10; and how much he expects to award in grants in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12. [27217]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available for the period prior to the completion of devolution of policing and justice powers on 12 April 2010.
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) does not intend to award any grants in 2010-11 or 2011-12.
Departmental Sponsorship
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what expenditure (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies incurred on sponsorship in each year since 1997 for which figures are available. [27522]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution of policing and justice powers on 12 April 2010.
Since 12 April, the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and its NDPB have not incurred any expenditure on sponsorship.
UN Food and Agriculture Organisation
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the compliance of (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's criteria for sourcing sustainable timber. [27845]
Mr Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has no requirement to source timber. Any procurement undertaken by the Department is carried out under central Government guidelines.
Leader of the House
Departmental Conferences
Robert Halfon: To ask the Leader of the House what steps he has taken since his appointment to reduce expenditure on conferences from budgets within his responsibility. [28369]
Sir George Young: The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons has no budget allocation for this type of expenditure for the financial year 2010-11.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Lammy: To ask the Leader of the House when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Tottenham of 5 November 2010. [28661]
Sir George Young: I replied to the right hon. Gentleman's letter on 1 December 2010.
House of Commons Commission
Parliamentary Archives: Publications
Mr Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will place in the Library a copy of each publication produced by the Parliamentary Archives in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [28007]
John Thurso: The recent publications of the Parliamentary Archives are not formally deposited in the Library of either House, but are instead freely available to Members and the public from the Archives' searchroom on the second floor of the House of Lords and also on the parliamentary website at:
The forthcoming book Victoria Tower Treasures will be available to purchase from the Parliamentary Bookshop or the Archives' searchroom from 13 December 2010.
Mr Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what accessions have been made to the Parliamentary Archives in each of the last 11 years; what guidance is issued about the type of material accepted by the Parliamentary Archives; and if he will make a statement. [28011]
John Thurso: A list of accessions can be found at the back of each Parliamentary Archives' Annual Report from 1999 to 2007-08 on the parliamentary website, here:
A consolidated list of these accessions including 2008-09, plus a list of accessions for 2009-10, will be deposited in the Library of the House of Commons.
The Parliamentary Archives "Collection and Acquisition Policy" is available from the Archives' searchroom on the second floor of the House of Lords, and on the parliamentary website, here:
Parliamentary Archives: Visits
Mr Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many people visited the Parliamentary Archives in each year since 2006-07; and if he will make a statement. [28133]
John Thurso: Visits to the searchroom by members of the public researching for family history, local history, academic and educational work, media, legal and other business purposes were:
| Number | |
This figure does not include numbers attending on group tours.
Transport
Cycling Proficiency
1. Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department plans to take to promote cycling proficiency; and if he will make a statement. [27880]
Norman Baker: We have already announced Bikeability will be supported for the remainder of this Parliament. In 2010-11 £11 million is available to fund up to 275,000 'Bikeability' Level 2 cycle-training places for children. £500,000 is available for bursaries to train new cycle training instructors.
We expect to announce details of funding for Bikeability training the next four years very shortly.
Concessionary Travel
10. Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the future age of eligibility for the national concessionary travel scheme. [27892]
Norman Baker: The eligible age for concessionary travel for both men and women is linked to the state pension age for women. As the pensionable age for women increases from 60 to 65, so too will the age of eligibility for concessionary travel. The age of eligibility will increase in line with any future changes to the state pension age for women, a policy initiated by the last Government.
Road Safety
17. Mark Pawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of road traffic accidents involving young people. [27899]
Mike Penning: In September 2010 we issued road safety teaching materials for secondary schools. I have also announced several changes to the driving tests to help young people prepare better to drive safely on their own. The Driving Standards Agency is also promoting a Foundation Course in Safe Road Use. The general improvements in road safety have also benefited young people. The UK has the safest roads in the world and we have seen large reductions in child deaths and injuries, which mean we are now among the best performing EU countries on children's casualties.
I am considering whether additional measures might be added to these changes.
High Speed 1
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the sale of High Speed 1; and if he will make a statement. [27889]
Mr Philip Hammond: The sale of HS1 Ltd.-the High Speed 1 concessionaire-was completed on 18 November 2010. The purchaser is a consortium comprising Borealis Infrastructure Management and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan. The acquisition value was just under £2.1 billion.
Railways: North West
Dr Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the future of rail connections between Preston and Merseyside; and if he will make a statement. [27887]
Mrs Villiers: On 25 November 2010, the Secretary of State for Transport confirmed the Government's plans on electrification in the North West. We expect Network Rail to have completed this project by 2016, allowing electric trains to run between Liverpool and Preston and onwards to Blackpool.
Roads: Accidents
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic (a) fatalities, (b) injuries and (c) accidents have occurred on the A1307 between Haverhill and Cambridge in each year since 1996. [28220]
Mike Penning: The number of reported (a) fatalities, (b) injuries and (c) personal injury road accidents on the A1307 (at the junction with A143 Wratting Road Haverhill) and the A1307 (at the junction with A603 Lensfield Road Cambridge) is given in the following table:
| Fatalities | Injuries | Accidents | |
Rolling Stock: Procurement
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the number of railway carriages on the Wharfedale and Airedale lines. [27885]
Mike Penning: Following my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport's statement on 25 November 2010, Official Report, columns 52-54WS, regarding railway investment, I can confirm that the Department for Transport has already re-started discussions with Northern Trains with a view to providing an increased number of carriages on the Wharfedale and Airedale lines, as well as other areas of the franchise. We intend to make an announcement next year.
Communities and Local Government
Departmental Reviews
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what departmental policy reviews his Department has undertaken since 6 May 2010; on what date each such review (a) was announced and (b) is expected to publish its findings; what estimate he has made of the cost of each such review; who has been appointed to lead each such review; to what remuneration each review leader is entitled; how many (i) full-time equivalent civil servants and (ii) seconded staff are working on each such review; from which organisations such staff have been seconded; and how much on average such seconded staff will be paid for their work on the review. [21889]
Robert Neill: The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House.
Fire Services
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects the Fire Futures Review to conclude; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of that review. [27958]
Robert Neill: The Fire Futures strategic review of the Fire and Rescue Service is a sector led project on fire and rescue provision in England.
The report will be presented to me by the sector shortly and a copy published on the departmental website thereafter. A copy will also be made available for the Library of the House.
No estimate of the costs of Fire Futures has been undertaken, but the review places no additional costs on the public purse as all resources have been given freely by the sector or provided from within DCLG existing staffing resources.
Fire Services: Finance
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding from central Government grants was allocated to each fire service in each of the last five years; and how much such funding he plans to allocate in each year of the spending review period. [28085]
Robert Neill: The amount of central Government grants paid to each single purpose fire and rescue authority in England from 2005-06 to 2009-10 is set out in the following table.
We will announce our proposals for the local government finance settlement for 2011-12 in the usual manner in due course.
The figures for other local authorities providing a fire service are not available as the formula grant is an unhypothecated grant.
The definition of central Government grant used here is the sum of formula grant (revenue support grant and redistributed non-domestic rates), specific grants inside Aggregate External Finance (i.e. revenue grants paid for council's core services) and from 2008-09 it also includes area based grant.
Comparison across years may not be valid owing to changing local authority responsibilities and changes to funding methodology.
Fire Services: Manpower
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has made an estimate of the frontline firefighter staffing levels required by each fire service. [27928]
Robert Neill: Decisions on operational issues such as firefighter staffing levels are taken by individual fire and rescue authorities as part of the Integrated Risk Management Planning process.
The Government are committed to enabling local authorities and local communities to make appropriate decisions at the local level. Fire and rescue authorities are required by the Fire and Rescue Service National Framework to have in place and maintain an Integrated Risk Management Plan which reflects local need and sets out plans to tackle effectively both existing and potential risks to communities. Each fire and rescue authority's Management Plan enables that individual authority to decide how best to provide fire and rescue-related services, including prevention and protection as well as response, with resources being allocated on the basis of the evaluation of risk and where the risks are greatest.
Local requirements are thus determined by local people according to local circumstances.
For those reasons, no formal estimate or scrutiny of the frontline firefighter staffing levels required by each individual fire and rescue service has been made by central Government.
Local Government Finance: Somerset
Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the likely effects on his Department's funding for Bath and North East Somerset Council of the combined application of damping and freezing ring-fenced grants and moving into formula grant in 2011-12; what funding his Department provided for the Council in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; what funding it expects to provide in 2011-12; what methodology his Department used to determine such figures in respect of each such year; and if he will make a statement. [26554]
Robert Neill [holding answer 25 November 2010]: Funding provided for Bath and North East Somerset council by the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2009-10 and 2010-11 is detailed in the following table:
| £ million | ||
| Specific and area based grants( 1) | Formula grant | |
| (1) Does not include national non-domestic rates outturn adjustment amounts. (2) Includes grants due to be paid throughout the financial year. | ||
Methodologies used to determine formula grant and special and specific grants from the Department for Communities and Local Government are available on the Department website at the following addresses:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/local governmentfinance/areabasedgrant/
We will announce our proposals for the local government finance settlement for 2011-12 in the usual manner in due course.
Mortgages
Mr Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what discussions he has had with the Financial Services Authority on its assessment of the effect on house prices of the introduction of its mortgage market proposals; and if he will make a statement; [27538]
(2) whether he has assessed the effect on the (a) housing market and (b) supply of new homes of the mortgage market review proposals made by the Financial Services Authority; and if he will make a statement; [27542]
(3) whether he has discussed with the Council of Mortgage Lenders the likely effect on the housing market of the Financial Services Authority's proposals for responsible lending. [27543]
Grant Shapps: The new Government are committed to supporting aspiration to home ownership and share the underlying objective of the Mortgage Market Review to create a stable, sustainable market for all participants. We must avoid the boom and bust that the property market has experienced in the last decade.
We want to see a regulatory framework that supports access to home ownership and new housing supply while preventing repossessions.
The Government believe the Financial Service's Authority's changes must be proportionate and avoid unnecessary prescription on the mortgage industry.
My officials have worked closely with the Financial Services Authority and the Council of Mortgage Lenders on these proposals and will continue to do so. I have discussions with Treasury Ministers on a range of issues relating to my ministerial brief.
Mr Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on financial assistance to first-time homebuyers who commit a large proportion of their income in mortgage payments in order to get on to the property ladder. [27601]
Grant Shapps: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Poole (Mr Syms) on 1 December 2010, Official Report, column 848W.
Mr Marcus Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the likely effect on (a) the housing market and (b) levels of home ownership of the Financial Services Authority's proposals on the mortgage market. [27991]
Grant Shapps: The new Government are committed to supporting aspiration to home ownership and share the underlying objective of the Mortgage Market Review to create a stable, sustainable market for all participants. We must avoid the boom and bust that the property market has experienced in the last decade.
We want to see a regulatory framework that supports access to home ownership and new housing supply while preventing repossessions.
The Government believe the Financial Service's Authority's changes must be proportionate and avoid unnecessary prescription on the mortgage industry.
My officials have worked closely with the Financial Services Authority and the Council of Mortgage Lenders on these proposals and will continue to do so. I have discussions with Treasury Ministers on a range of issues relating to my ministerial brief.
Public Expenditure
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) whether his Department plans to agree a budget settlement with local authorities for the whole of the spending review period; [27715]
(2) what arrangements his Department is making to provide information to local authorities on likely changes to their funding over the period of the comprehensive spending review in order to allow strategic budgetary planning. [27779]
Robert Neill: We will announce our proposals for the local government finance settlement for 2011-12 in the usual manner in due course.
Social Rented Housing
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average rent for social housing in Bolton as a proportion of local market rents in the latest period for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the average rent for social housing in England as a proportion of market rents in the latest period for which figures are available. [28450]
Grant Shapps: Data on local authority average weekly rents by district in 2009-10 are available from the Department's website via the following link:
Data on average weekly RSL rents by district as at 31 March 2010 are available from the Department's website via the following link:
Estimating market rents of social sector properties is not straightforward and different approaches can be taken. One example is in research carried out by Professor Steve Wilcox for DCLG where an assessment of regional social rents in comparison to market levels is made in terms of the capital value of the property, rental yield and housing association management and maintenance costs:
Our new delivery model for affordable housing will allow housing associations to set rents of up to 80% of market rent on some properties. The development of the delivery model will include specifying how market rents for housing association properties will be determined. We are working up our policy on the new delivery model at present and will publish more details early next year.
Scotland
STV Independent Producer Status
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Department for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on the decision not to grant STV independent producer status. [28243]
David Mundell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15 November 2010, Official Report, column 530W.
Alternative Vote: Referendum
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Interim Electoral Management Board in Scotland on the proposed joint ballot for the referendum on the alternative vote and elections to the Scottish Parliament in 2010. [27687]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State has been in contact with the board on this matter. I have discussed it with the convener and will be having further discussions with her later this month.
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings he has had with the First Minister on holding the referendum on the alternative vote system on the same day as the Scottish Parliament elections. [27871]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State last met the First Minister on 16 September, where they discussed a range of matters of importance to Scotland.
Asylum: Glasgow
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the UK Border Agency on the recent cancellation of a contract with Glasgow city council to house and support asylum seekers in Glasgow. [28240]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland and I are in regular contact with ministerial colleagues in the Home Office on matters related to immigration and asylum. In addition, senior officials in the Scotland Office have regular discussions with the UK Border Agency's Director for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the leader of Glasgow city council on the recent cancellation of a UK Border Agency contract with that council to house and support asylum seekers in Glasgow. [28239]
David Mundell: Both I and the Secretary of State for Scotland have had meetings with Councillor Gordon Matheson, the leader of Glasgow city council, most recently on 4 November, and discussed a range of matters of importance to Glasgow.
Clyde Naval Base
Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had on the likely effect on the number of people employed at HMNB Clyde of the planned reduction in members of (a) the Civilian Ministry of Defence and (b) Royal Navy personnel. [27955]
David Mundell:
In the discussions the Secretary of State for Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore) has had with the Secretary of State for Defence, the
right hon. Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox) it has been clear that it is still too early to judge the effects on specific locations of the planned reductions in the number of service and civilian personnel. He will discuss these issues again before his visit to HMNB Clyde early in 2011.
Departmental Official Visits
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he (a) last visited and (b) next plans to visit Glasgow East constituency. [27768]
Michael Moore: I have made a number of visits to Glasgow since my appointment and plan further such visits.
Domestic Violence: Housing Benefit
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with (a) Scottish Women's Aid and (b) Glasgow East Women's Aid on the likely effects on victims of domestic abuse living in refuge accommodation in Scotland of proposed changes in housing benefit arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [27770]
Michael Moore: I have not had the opportunity to discuss the proposed changes in housing benefits arrangements with Scottish Women's Aid or Glasgow East Women's Aid.
Employment Schemes: Scotland
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Department for Work and Pensions on the likely effects on Scotland of the timetable for implementing the Government's decision to end employment zones. [28241]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland and I are in regular contact with ministerial colleagues on the effects on Scotland of the development and implementation of the Work programme, which will be launched next year. The Government want to ensure that as many people benefit from the Work programme as soon as possible, and will launch the Work programme as soon as providers are ready to start delivery in each contract package area. It is not sustainable to run two sets of contracts simultaneously and we have started running down existing contracts in a way that is sensible and affordable. We expect the Work programme to be in place nationwide from summer 2011, and will ensure that nobody is left unsupported in the meantime.
Foreign Workers: Scotland
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the likely effects on Scotland of the Government's proposed cap on the number of non-EU migrants. [28242]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland and I have been in regular contact with the Home Secretary on how changes in immigration policy will affect Scotland.
Fuel Poverty: Scotland
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he had with ministerial colleagues on the effect of energy price increases on the level of fuel poverty in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [28001]
David Mundell: Fuel poverty measures in Scotland are a matter for the Scottish Ministers. The UK Government welcome the announcement of Ofgem's review of the effectiveness of its recent consumer protection and competition measures. The Department for Energy and Climate Change is in discussion with the Scottish Government about how the powers in the Energy Security and Green Economy Bill to implement the Green Deal in Scotland can best support the Scottish Government's fuel poverty targets. The Bill is to be launched this month.
Higher Education
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to discuss student finance in respect of cross-border students since his appointment. [27870]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland and I have been in regular contact with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on a range of matters important to Scotland, including student finance.
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from universities in Scotland on student funding in respect of cross-border students. [27869]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not received any representations from universities in Scotland about student funding in relation to cross-border students.
Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had on the likely effects of the planned reduction in spending on higher education on (a) higher education institutions in Scotland and (b) Clydebank College. [27956]
David Mundell: Policy and funding responsibility for further and higher education in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Government. It is for Scottish Ministers to consider the effects of their decisions on spending on higher education institutions and colleges in Scotland.
Housing Benefit: Scotland
Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions on the likely effects of the implementation of proposed changes to housing benefit arrangement on people living in (a) social and (b) private rented housing in Scotland. [27957]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore) has had a number of discussions on the proposed changes to housing benefit with a range of people.
Postal Services: Scotland
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the effect on postal services in Scotland of the Government's plans for Royal Mail; and if he will make a statement. [28003]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore) has regular exchanges with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable) on a range of issues.
The Government are committed to securing the long term future of the Royal Mail and the Post Office-and to preserving the universal postal service for everyone in the UK. These twin objectives are at the heart of the Postal Services Bill.
Remploy: Scotland
Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had in the (a) review of Remploy in Scotland and (b) likely effects of the outcomes of that review on the Remploy Frontline Textiles facility in Clydebank. [27954]
David Mundell: As part of the Government's commitment to increase the transparency and accountability of all public services we plan to substantially reform a large number of public bodies. The functions of Remploy are being reviewed as part of the reform process and are still under consideration.
Royal Mail
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he most recently met representatives of (a) sub-postmasters and (b) Royal Mail employees to discuss the Government's future plans for Royal Mail. [28002]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore) recently met with representatives of Royal Mail Group when a range of issues including the Post Office network in Scotland was discussed.
Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2010
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Leader of the House on the timing of the laying of the draft Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2010. [27692]
David Mundell: Neither the Secretary of State for Scotland nor I have had discussions with the Leader of the House on the timing of the laying of the draft Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2010. The draft order was laid before Parliament on 25 October.
Tourism: Scotland
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the likely effects on the tourism industry in Scotland of the proposed increase in the rate of value added tax. [27767]
David Mundell: The VAT rise is part of the Government's credible plan to tackle the largest deficit in peacetime history. Difficult decisions are necessary, but we are creating the conditions needed for all businesses to grow. This will benefit the Scottish economy and a VAT rise is preferable to even steeper spending cuts that would damage our ability to grow the economy. In an international context, at 20%, the UK VAT rate will still be below the EU average.
UN Food and Agriculture Organisation
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the compliance of his Department with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's criteria for sourcing sustainable timber. [27848]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office's building contractors routinely use timber from sustainable sources.
Universities: Scotland
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings he has had with representatives of universities in Scotland in the last four months. [27868]
David Mundell: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 3 November 2010, Official Report, column 804W and 16 November 2010, Official Report, column 658W.
Voluntary Organisations: Public Expenditure
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent meetings he has had with (a) voluntary, (b) disability and (c) charity organisations in Scotland to discuss the effects of the outcomes of the comprehensive spending review. [27610]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore) is in contact with a number of organisations in Scotland to discuss the effects of the outcomes of the spending review. The spending review sets out how the Government will carry out Britain's unavoidable plan to reduce the largest deficit in peacetime history. Alongside growth, the Government have prioritised fairness, including reforming the welfare system to put it on a sustainable long term footing, while providing sustained routes out of poverty for the poorest.
Women's Aid: Scotland
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he (a) last visited and (b) next plans to visit (i) Scottish Women's Aid and (ii) Glasgow East Women's Aid. [27769]
Michael Moore: I have not yet had the opportunity to visit Scottish Women's Aid or Glasgow East Women's Aid.
Energy and Climate Change
Carbon Emissions
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assumptions he has made in respect of global carbon prices in 2030. [28021]
Gregory Barker: DECC calculates carbon values to be used across Government in the assessment of the costs and benefits of energy and climate change policies:
The approach used to calculate the global 2030 carbon value is based on the abatement cost in 2030 required to achieve a global emission trajectory that is likely to limit dangerous climate change to less than two degrees centigrade. Based on this approach, our current analysis suggest a central carbon value in 2030 of £70/tCO2e (in 2009 prices).
Energy Supply: Costs
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward proposals to enable Ofgem to require major energy providers to disclose the price they pay for energy supplies. [27105]
Charles Hendry: Currently we have no plans to bring forward the proposals the hon. Member asks about. Following their probe into energy retail markets, Ofgem introduced new rules requiring the big six energy suppliers to publish segmental reports including details of the revenues, costs and profits of their generation and supply of electricity and supply of gas. These reports contain details of each supplier's total fuel costs and volumes.
The reports for each supplier can be found online at:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/RetMkts/ensuppro/Documents1/location%20of%20these%20accounting% 20statements%20on%20each%20suppliers%20website.pdf
In addition, we support Ofgem's recently announced review into the effectiveness of the retail energy market. This will, among other things, scrutinise these segmental reports to see if further action is needed to protect consumers. This announcement is available online at:
Heating: Fluorocarbons
Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he made of the level of consumption of fluorocarbons attributable to the recharging of heat pumps (a) nationally and (b) on the Government estate in the latest year for which figures are available. [27949]
Gregory Barker:
A DECC/DEFRA recent review of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) consumption and emissions forecasting estimated that 0.05 kilo tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalence of HFCs was emitted from ground
source heat pumps in the UK in 2008, based on 3,500 installed heat pumps. No estimates are available for the proportion of these emissions that are from the Government estate. The review emphasises that these estimates are very small in relation to HFCs emissions from other sectors.
Nuclear Power Stations: Construction
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with energy providers to draw on their international experience to assist the on-schedule delivery of new nuclear builds in the UK. [27121]
Charles Hendry: I have regular discussions with the energy providers and it is clear that it is in their interest to draw on their experience of new build nuclear around the world to assist with delivery in the UK.
At the last Nuclear Development Forum on 28 October I also announced the publication of an Engineering the Future report "Nuclear Lessons Learned"(1) which highlights the lessons learnt from design and construction experience, and those learnt from reflection during operation. It highlights good practice and interventions that have worked well and will help all project stakeholders to utilise efficiencies and understand and limit risk, and to minimise potential overruns and delays, which are both expensive and reduce public confidence.
(1 )Available from:
Renewable Energy
Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2010, Official Report, column 648W, on renewable energy, what definition of the term hermetically sealed he uses. [28075]
Gregory Barker: Hermetically sealed suggests a system that is impervious to air or gas, i.e. a gas tight heat pump where in normal operation the risk of refrigerant leakage is very small. In such systems the refrigerant flows around pipe work that is continuous, with few mechanical joints.
Renewable Energy: Finance
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many representations his Department has received from domestic users of onsite renewable energy techniques who (a) installed technology with the assistance of and (b) received support from his Department before July 2009. [27608]
Gregory Barker: The Department does not hold the information in the form requested and the details could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Sheffield Forgemasters
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings he has had with Sheffield Forgemasters since 1 September 2010; and if he will make a statement. [27122]
Charles Hendry: Neither I nor my officials have had any meetings with the company since 1 September 2010 and none have been requested.
As the Secretary of State for Business stated in his written ministerial statement to the House on the 27 July this year:
"The Government's decision to cancel the £80 million loan for a new 15,000 tonne press that had been conditionally offered to Sheffield Forgemasters by the last government was taken on the grounds of affordability. Sheffield Forgemasters is a great British company with a dedicated, highly-skilled workforce and a strong senior management team. The Government's decision is no reflection on the company's staff, directors or this particular project".
International Development
Developing Countries: HIV Infection
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) whether his Department has plans to encourage the integration of (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment services for HIV and tuberculosis in international programmes to reduce their incidence; and if he will make a statement; [27952]
(2) what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of international programmes to reduce the number of people living with HIV who die from tuberculosis. [27953]
Mr O'Brien: The UK Government will continue to support programmes that focus on both HIV and tuberculosis (TB), and on strengthening underlying health systems in order to improve the way health services diagnose and treat illnesses, including TB and TB-HIV co-infection.
The Department for International Development (DFID) is currently reviewing all its bilateral and multilateral aid programmes to ensure UK aid is effective, represents value for money and accelerates progress towards all the millennium development goals. As set out in DFID's Business Plan 2011-15, we will specify our objectives on restricting the spread of diseases like TB, HIV, and malaria by May 2011.
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the effect of HIV/tuberculosis co-infection on maternal and child mortality; and what plans he has to address this issue in his Department's Maternal Health Business Plan. [28088]
Mr O'Brien: HIV and tuberculosis (TB) co-infection is a risk factor for maternal and newborn mortality and child survival. The UK Government believe the interaction is most effectively tackled by prevention strategies as well as strengthening health systems and services overall. We believe it is important to support an integrated approach to health services delivery, including TB and HIV screening as part of routine antenatal and postpartum care.
The Department for International Development (DFID) is currently reviewing all its bilateral and multilateral aid programmes to ensure UK aid is effective, represents value for money and accelerates progress towards all the millennium development goals.
The Framework for Action for Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health will be published by the end of the year and we will specify our objectives on restricting the spread of diseases like TB, HIV, and malaria by May 2011.
Food: Prices
Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effect on (a) food prices and (b) food security in developing countries of financial speculation on agricultural commodities; and if he will make a statement. [28458]
Mr O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 29 November 2010, Official Report, column 617W, on Developing Countries: Food.
Work and Pensions
Access to Work Programme
Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance he has issued to Access to Work advisers in the last 12 months; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each such item of guidance. [23319]
Maria Miller: Guidance for Access to Work advisers is regularly reviewed and updated. In the last 12 months there have been six updates of the Access to Work guidance product. I have made arrangements for each version to be placed in the Library.
Access to Work Programme: North East
Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) the North East and (b) Gateshead borough participated in the Access to Work programme in each year since 2007-08. [22078]
Maria Miller: The following table the number of individuals helped on the Access to Work programme each year since April 2007 and up to 30 June 2010(1):
| Area | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | Q1 2010-11 |
| (1) Source-Access to Work database. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. | ||||
Atos
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what criteria are used to determine geographic location of each testing centre used by Atos under its contract with his Department. [27661]
Chris Grayling: The Department is committed to provide a network of medical assessment centres that ensure no customer is required to travel more than 90 minutes by public transport to attend a centre. Atos Healthcare operate a network of over 100 centres and their precise location and size takes into account convenience of public transport and local demand for assessment services, as well as the need to keep customer journey times below 90 minutes.
Biocidal Products: EU Law
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of products offered for sale in the UK which are prohibited under the terms of the EU Biocidal Products Directive in the latest period for which figures are available. [23054]
Chris Grayling: There are currently a large number of biocidal products that are legally on the UK market without an authorisation under the Biocidal Products Directive (BPD). These products contain active substances that are still being reviewed under the BPD for their potential future inclusion in annex I. Once these reviews are completed, individual products will be assessed and authorised; however, whilst the reviews are taking place the products can continue to be placed onto the market without the need for an authorisation under the directive. The review process began in 2000 but is still in its early stages with decisions reached only on the inclusion of around 40 substances in annex I of the BPD.
Where industry has chosen not to support an active substance in the BPD, or exceptionally, where a substance has been assessed and found not to meet the criteria for inclusion (sufficient safety and effectiveness) an EU-level 'non-inclusion' decision is taken and a date is set by which the substance has to be taken off the market. The main tranche of active substances required to be withdrawn under the BPD had to be taken off the market by 1 September 2006, though since then a number of other active substances have been subject to non-inclusion decisions where companies have failed to support them. The latest of these was voted on in February 2010, and requires 14 substance/product type combinations to be taken off the market by 1 November 2011.
Whenever the Helath and Safety Executive has been made aware of products containing substances that are no longer on the market for this reason, it has taken appropriate action by passing the relevant information on to the appropriate enforcing authorities, usually the local trading standards authority.
Complaints: Atos
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) formal complaints and (b) representations containing complaints his Department has received in respect of its contract with Atos in the last 24 months. [27659]
Chris Grayling: The Department does not collate data to enable the reporting of the total number of complaints it receives regarding the medical services contract with Atos Healthcare. However the number of complaints received directly by Atos Healthcare from customers over the last 24 months is in the following table together with the percentage of complaints to examinations completed in that quarter.
| Period | Number of complaints received | Percentage of assessments resulting in a complaint |
Departmental Sick Leave
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2010, Official Report, column 832W, on departmental sick leave, what information he holds on types of absence other than sickness absence in respect of (a) his Department and (b) its agencies. [27306]
Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions collates information on a range of absences provided for by legislation and our terms and conditions of employment.
The different absences recorded by the Department are shown as follows.
| Absence category | Paid or unpaid | Examples of the information collected |
|
Length of time taken as unpaid leave outside statutory period | ||
Disability Living Allowance: Gwent
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Islwyn constituency were in receipt of disability living allowance in each year since 1997. [27316]
Maria Miller: The information is reproduced in the following table.
| Number of disability living allowance recipients in Islwyn parliamentary constituency since May 1997 | |
| As at May: | Number |
| Notes: 1. Figures from May 1997 to May 2001 are taken from 5% sample data. They have been uprated to be consistent with WPLS data and are rounded to the nearest 100. Figures from May 2002 onwards are taken from WPLS 100% data and are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Figures show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 3. Constituencies used for May 2010 are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. Prior to this, the constituencies used are for May 2005. 4.These figures are published at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?paqe=tabtool and in the House of Commons Library. Source: DWP Information Directorate: 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) | |
Disabled: Public Expenditure
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department has set targets for the number of disabled people it employs in each year of the spending review period. [26809]
Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions has targets in place for the number of disabled people it employs. The current targets were set for the period to March 2011 in line with 'Promoting Equality, Valuing Diversity-A Strategy for the Civil Service'. The Department will be reviewing the position beyond March 2011 shortly.
| Department for Work and Pensions: disability representation at different civil service grades (June 2010) | ||
| Percentage | ||
| Employee grade | Disabled staff June 2010 | Target March 2011 |
| Notes: 1. The representation rate is calculated from the number of people who have chosen to declare their disability status. This is the method recommended by the Office for National Statistics. 2. Data are sourced from the Department's internal HR information systems. 3. Civil Service grades cover a diverse range of roles in different posts and functions. Senior Civil Service grade roles are at deputy director, director or director general level, Grade 6/Band G and Grade 7/Band F jobs can be described as senior management roles, SEO/Band E, HEO/Band D and EO/Band C roles are managerial grades, and AO/Band B and AA/Band A grades are administrative roles. | ||
Progress to June 2010 (the latest published figures) is set out in the table. Further information on the Department's progress to meet these targets is published in the Department's "Race, Disability and Gender Equality Schemes Annual Progress Report 2009-10". An electronic copy of this document is available on the Department's website.
Drugs: Nottingham
Mike Weatherley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many problem drug users
resident in (a) Nottingham, (b) Plymouth and (c) Wolverhampton received out-of-work benefits in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006, (iii) 2007, (iv) 2008 and (v) 2009. [25002]
Maria Miller: Drug and alcohol addiction is one of the most damaging root causes of poverty, and helping people who are trapped on benefits through drug and alcohol addiction so that they can recover and find employment is a top priority for the Government.
Information on the number of problem drug users receiving out-of-work benefits is not available for the geographical breakdown requested. However, we do have data on the number of claimants of disability benefits (incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance and (from February 2010) employment and support allowance) for whom the main disabling condition is listed as drug abuse. It should be noted that these figures refer to claimants whose problems relate to any drugs (including prescription drugs), as opposed to problem drug users (heroin and crack cocaine), and that, as people who do not report drug abuse as their main disabling condition are not captured, they represent a subset of all claimants of these benefits with a drug problem.
Details are set out in Table 1 as follows. Note that drug dependency does not of itself confer entitlement to disability benefits.
| Table 1: Incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance and (for May 2010) employment and support allowance claimants with main disabling condition of drug abuse, May 2005 to May 2010. | ||||
| May | Great Britain | Wolverhampton | Nottingham | Plymouth |
| Notes: 1. Data are rounded to the nearest 10 claimants. 2. These figures refer to claimants whose problems relate to any drugs (including prescription ones), as opposed to problem drug users (heroin and crack cocaine). 3. These figures represent a subset of all claimants of these benefits with a drug problem as people who do not report drug abuse as their main disabling condition are not captured. 4. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment and support allowance (ESA) for new claimants in October 2008, however information on medical condition is not available on ESA prior to February 2010. Therefore, the figures for May 2010 include ESA claimants but those for May 2009 do not. This should be taken into consideration when interpreting any trends over time. 5. Great Britain total includes a small number of cases resident abroad. Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS). | ||||
Employment and Support Allowance
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what additional support his Department will put in place to ensure that the needs of employment and support allowance claimants with long-term and fluctuating health conditions are recognised during work capability assessments. [26803]
Chris Grayling: The needs of customers with fluctuating and long term conditions are taken into account during the WCA. The assessment is not a snapshot of the effects of a customer's condition or conditions on one day but involves consideration of how those effects will change and fluctuate over time. The health care professionals who carry out the assessments are trained to take account of fluctuating conditions.
However, we are aware of concerns in this area, and are determined to ensure that the WCA accurately assesses individual's capability for work, and that we improve that accuracy continually over time.
A Department-led review of the WCA made recommendations that will improve the sensitivity of the WCA to fluctuating conditions and these changes will be implemented next April. In addition, Professor Harrington published an independent review of the WCA on 23 November 2010, and the Government have accepted his recommendations to make the assessment process more empathetic and less mechanistic. The next independent review, which is also being led by Professor Harrington, will look specifically at further improvements to the assessment in relation to fluctuating conditions.
Employment Schemes
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the Work programme. [24619]
Chris Grayling: The Work programme will be a black-box, outcome funded programme rewarding delivery partners from the benefit savings generated. Payments to delivery partners will be made for moving customers into work and keeping customers in work. As we will be paying by results after they have occurred, from the savings generated, the cost to the public purse will be driven by the level of performance achieved.
At this time we are in competitive tendering process for the Work programme. We expect organisations bidding for the Work programme to state in their bids the level of performance they expect to achieve and compete on the price they require. This will enable us to let contracts on the most advantageous economic terms. Until this process is complete indicating Government expectations of Work programme performance and so cost would prejudice our ability to generate optimum value for money for the taxpayer.
Employment: Colchester
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the jobs filled in Colchester constituency in October 2010 following advertisement of a vacancy via Jobcentre Plus were (a) part-time and (b) full-time. [27583]
Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about how many of the jobs filled in Colchester constituency in October 2010 following advertisement of a vacancy via Jobcentre Plus were (a) part-time and (b) full-time. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to Darra Singh as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. As Darra Singh is currently not available, I am replying in his absence.
Information about the number of vacancies handled by Jobcentre Plus in Colchester is in the table.
| Vacancy information for Colchester parliamentary constituency. October 2010 | ||
| Full-time( 2) vacancies | Part-time ( 2) vacancies | |
| (1) Includes self-employed vacancies. (2) Part-time vacancies are for jobs involving less than 30 hours work per week and full-time are for jobs involving 30 hours or more work per week. (3) Vacancy outflow. The count of vacancies that have either been filled by Jobcentre Plus or withdrawn during the specified month. Source: ONS Nomis | ||
EU Law
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many EU directives are pending transposition into domestic legislation by his Department; and what estimate he has made of the cost of each such transposition. [27510]
Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions currently has three EU directives pending transposition into domestic legislation:
Directive on equal treatment between men and women engaged in an activity in a self-employed capacity (2010/41/EU). The estimated cost of transposition is a maximum of £8.16 million per annum. Administrative costs have not yet been assessed.
Health and Safety Directive establishing a third List of Indicative Occupational Exposure Limit Values (2009/161/EU). The costs to business of transposition are likely to be minimal. Administrative costs are estimated at £287,000.
Health and Safety Directive implementing the framework agreement on preventing injuries from sharp instruments in the hospital and healthcare sector (2010/32/EU). An impact assessment of the costs to business has not yet been completed but costs are likely to be low. Administrative costs are estimated at £141,600.
Flexible New Deal Programme
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the payment arrangements for Flexible New Deal providers are for (a) initial referral onto the Flexible New Deal programme, (b) a 13 week sustainable outcome, (c) a 26 week sustainable outcome and (d) incidental payments, including travel or training allowances. [27321]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is as follows:
Payments to Flexible New Deal providers vary from contract to contract. There is no payment for an initial referral or start on FND, although providers are paid a monthly service fee based on customer volumes. Although there are no fixed prices for job outcomes, the original expectation when Flexible New Deal contracts were due to last five years was that service fees would equate to 26% of the total contract value over five years, short job outcome payments (13 weeks) to 47% and sustained job outcome payments (26 weeks) to 27%. Actual percentages will not be known until contract closure negotiations are completed.
(d) Incidental payments including travel or training allowances
FND participants may undertake periods of training in addition to a four week Mandatory Work Related Activity. Jobcentre Plus will pay a training allowance at the rate of the customer's current benefit for the duration of these activities. Incidental costs such as child care cost and travel expenses which providers disburse are included in the overall funding they receive from DWP as part of the overall contract price.
Football: World Cup 2010
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on entertainment activities related to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. [27356]
Chris Grayling: The Department has no record of any entertainment expenditure relating to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Housing Benefit
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effects of the implementation of the proposed changes to local housing allowance on the level of use of the provisions of section 20 of the Children Act 1989 in respect of accommodation for children in need. [26656]
Steve Webb: We are publishing an impact assessment along with the Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 2010 which give effect to our changes to the local housing allowance arrangements from April 2011.
There is no reason to believe that there should be an increase in the number of children with a housing need. We have a substantial package of financial and practical support in place, including up to nine months' transitional protection from a reduction in the local housing allowance rate. This will ensure that for the small number of households that do have to move, it will be managed in a careful way.
Incapacity Benefit
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incapacity benefit advisers Jobcentre Plus employs. [27297]
Maria Miller: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many Incapacity Benefits (IB) advisers Jobcentre Plus employs. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Jobcentre Plus stopped recording the number of IB advisers it employed at the end of the 2009/10 year. The Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), which was introduced in October 2008, replaced Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on incapacity grounds for new customers. As time progressed, it became increasingly difficult to differentiate between the IB and ESA advisers role. From the start of this year therefore, we agreed a single description for advisers involved in providing ESA advice. The latest published data at June 2010 shows Jobcentre Plus employed 896 full time equivalents on ESA advisory work.
This data is drawn from an internal Departmental system used to monitor staff deployment trends.
Incapacity Benefit: Gwent
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of adults of working age in Islwyn constituency claimed incapacity benefits in each year since 1997. [27318]
Maria Miller: The information requested is given in the following table:
| Working age claimants of incapacity benefits in Islwyn parliamentary constituency | |||||
| Incapacity benefit/severe disability allowance | Percentage of Islwyn working age population | Employment and support allowance | Percentage of Islwyn working age population | Working age population estimates( 1) | |
| (1) Please be aware that the population estimates used are experimental statistics and do not yet meet the quality standards of National Statistics. These are unrevised estimates and are not consistent with the latest mid-year population estimates by local authority. They are due to be revised early next year and will be published along with the estimates by parliamentary constituency for mid-2008 and mid-2009. Notes: 1. May 1997 to May 1999 figures are based on sample data and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation. 2. 5% sample figures are rounded to the nearest hundred, and 100% caseloads to the nearest ten. 3. 5% sample figures have been uprated using 5% proportions against 100% WPLS totals. 4. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008. 5. Published benefit data will reflect the 2010 parliamentary constituencies from May 2010 data (published November 2010) onwards. 6. Prior to May 2010, the Westminster parliamentary constituencies for 2005 have been used. 7. Population estimates are not available by parliamentary constituency for the following periods: 1997 to 2000-mid-2001 estimates used 2008 to 2010-mid-2007 estimates used. 8. State pension age began to increase from April 2010. 9. Working age has been defined here as for pre-April 2010. 10. Population estimates are unrounded. Source: 1997-1999 figures Information Directorate 5% samples. 2000 onwards DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100% data. Population Estimates-Office for National Statistics. | |||||
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