Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 19 January 2011
Transport
Aviation: Freight
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department plans to lift the temporary restrictions on the transportation of toner cartridges by air. [33401]
Mrs Villiers: There have been several changes to Government aviation security regulations in respect of ink and toner cartridges since the Yemen cargo security incident in late October 2010.
Current measures require that printing equipment with ink or toner cartridges fitted inside, and where the cartridge weighs more than 500g, are not to be carried in air cargo or mail into, from or via the UK unless they originate from a UK validated known consignor. These measures will be in place for six months from 10 December 2010, after which we expect to implement new longer term measures to be agreed with European colleagues.
All other restrictions on printer cartridges were lifted on 10 December 2010.
Bus Services: Disability Awareness Training
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals for mandatory disability awareness training for all bus drivers. [34639]
Norman Baker: Disability awareness training is an optional part of the Certificate of Professional Competence which professional bus drivers are legally required to hold.
It is expected that under the proposed EU regulation on bus and coach passenger rights that operators would be required to ensure their personnel, including drivers, dealing directly with the travelling public have disability awareness training. Negotiation of that regulation should conclude in the next few months.
Parking: Disability
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to increase penalties for able-bodied drivers who park in designated disabled parking bays; and if he will make a statement. [31801]
Norman Baker: Local authorities have powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to designate by order a parking place reserved for a disabled badge holder. If an able-bodied driver parks in such a bay he is liable to receive a penalty charge notice or fixed penalty notice. If he is displaying a Blue Badge and the badge holder is not part of the trip he is also liable to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. Penalties for parking contraventions are kept under review.
Photography: Finance
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on photography since the beginning of May 2010. [30799]
Norman Baker [holding answer 15 December 2010]: The Department for Transport and its seven agencies have spent a total of £60,107 on photography since May 2010, the majority of which (£45,752) was commissioned by the Highways Agency before the current marketing freeze, and which included maintenance of a web-based photographic library now discontinued. Approximately 67% (£40,037) of the total amount was commissioned prior to May 2010.
Culture, Media and Sport
Government Art Collection
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what (a) discussions he held with and (b) submissions his Department made to HM Treasury as part of the comprehensive spending review process over the valuation of the Government Art Collection; and if he will make a statement. [33814]
Mr Vaizey: No discussions were held or submissions made.
Olympic Games 2012
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what (a) correspondence, (b) telephone calls and (c) meetings he has had with the (i) Mayor of London and (ii) Greater London authority on the future use of the Olympic stadium since 1 October 2010; [33900]
(2) what (a) correspondence, (b) telephone calls and (c) meetings he has had with the Olympic Park Legacy Company since 1 October 2010 on the future use of the Olympic stadium; [33901]
(3) what (a) correspondence, (b) telephone calls and (c) meetings he has had with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Communities and Local Government since 1 October 2010 on the future of the Olympic stadium and its effect on other areas of London. [33902]
Hugh Robertson: As a Founder Member of the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC), the Department has frequent contact with OPLC and the other Founder Members (the Mayor of London and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) on a range of issues, including the future of the Olympic stadium
Public Libraries: Opening Hours
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what information his Department holds on the number of local authority libraries where (a) closure and (b) a reduction in opening hours is proposed. [34151]
Mr Vaizey: Local authorities are not obliged to consult the Secretary of State about plans for their library service. In addition to information provided directly to the Department by a small number of authorities we continue to monitor proposals being made about changes to library services across England through coverage in the media, information from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and incoming correspondence.
Swimming
Mr Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the outcome was of his Department's consideration of a dual model for teaching swimming as an (a) healthy life skill and (b) competitive sport. [30886]
Hugh Robertson [holding answer 14 December 2010]: While it is for the Department for Education to comment on schools based teaching, broadly speaking swimming is taught as a life skill to begin with in schools.
DCMS funding, through Sport England and UK Sport, is then focused on encouraging people of all ages to participate in sport and to support the most talented to excel; this includes swimming.
Television: Licensing
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will take steps to ensure that members of the armed forces with televisions at a home address and a base address are only required to purchase one TV licence; and if he will make a statement. [33803]
Mr Vaizey: The interpretation and application of the legislation on TV licensing is a matter for the BBC and how legislation applies to military accommodation is shown on the TV Licensing website:
The website also points out that personnel posted overseas may be entitled to a part-refund of the licence fee.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Global Marine Reserves
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the establishment of global marine reserves. [34090]
Richard Benyon: The Government recognise the crucial role that marine protected areas (MPAs) play in conserving the world's marine environment. That is why we are committed domestically and internationally to taking forward the identification and protection of MPAs. Domestically, I am committed to substantially completing an ecologically coherent network of MPAs by the end of 2012.
The UK was instrumental in the ground-breaking work which saw the first six MPAs in areas beyond national jurisdiction designated in the North Atlantic, which was agreed at the OSPAR ministerial meeting in September 2010. We will continue to play a key role through the relevant international organisations with
respect to global marine environmental protection, especially the establishment of MPAs. This is essential if we are to meet the 2020 target agreed at the recent Convention for Biological Diversity Conference of Parties 10 in Nagoya, of
"at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscape and seascapes".
Nappies: Waste Disposal
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment her Department has made of the contribution that reusable nappies can make to waste prevention. [34213]
Richard Benyon: Based on data from the Environment Agency's 2006 report 'An updated lifecycle assessment study for disposable and reusable nappies', which provided data on the average weight of a disposable nappy, and population estimates for England from the Office for National Statistics, approximately 575 thousand tonnes of children's disposable nappies were sent to landfill in England in 2009. This is equivalent to approximately 1% of the total amount of waste sent to landfill that year.
While the use of reusable nappies could help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, this does not necessarily mean that switching to reusable nappies will be of net benefit to the environment. The aforementioned Environment Agency report considered a range of environmental impacts linked with the use of different types of nappy (e.g. waste generation, water and energy consumption). The report showed that the relative benefits of reusable nappies are largely determined by how they are laundered and dried. Therefore, it is not clear whether disposable or reusable nappies are better for the environment overall.
The Government believe that parents should decide which type of nappy is most suitable for their own circumstances.
Steart Project
Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Environment Agency on the Steart Project in Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency since her appointment. [34514]
Richard Benyon: I discussed the Steart Project with the Environment Agency on 10 January, prior to the adjournment debate that my hon. Friend secured on 12 January. There have been no other discussions between the Environment Agency and current DEFRA Ministers on the subject.
Tuna
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) retailers and (b) the Food and Drink Federation on the sale in the UK of tuna caught using purse seine nets. [34091]
Richard Benyon: I have had no discussions with retailers or the Food and Drink Federation on the sale in the UK of tuna caught using purse seine nets.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the practice of catching tuna using purse seine nets. [34157]
Richard Benyon: The use of purse seine nets is a legal fishing method and there are no plans, as far as I am aware, to ban this fishing method within the EU. However, in order to ensure that the use of such methods in fishing is sustainable some regional fisheries management organisations have ensured, that where scientific advice requires it, there are seasonal closures in tuna fisheries for this method of fishing. I support such measures to make fisheries more sustainable.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the European Commission on the use of purse seine nets in the catching of tuna. [34207]
Richard Benyon: I have had no discussions with the European Commission on the specific issue of the use of purse seine nets in the catching of tuna. However, the UK plays an active part in discussions in the EU and regional fisheries management organisations, such as the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, on the management of tuna stocks and is at the forefront of calls for stocks to be sustainably and responsibly managed.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the amount of tuna sold by retailers in England caught using purse seine nets in each of the last five years. [34222]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not hold statistics on the method of capture used in the tuna sold by retailers in the UK. Therefore, no such estimate has been made by the Department.
Waste Disposal: Recycling
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to encourage (a) waste prevention and (b) recycling. [34215]
Richard Benyon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Chris Heaton-Harris) on 11 January 2011, Official Report, column 246W.
House of Commons Commission
Department of Chamber and Committee Services: Ethnic Groups
Keith Vaz: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many people employed as Clerks in the Department of Chamber and Committee Services of the House of Commons are from an ethnic minority. [34382]
John Thurso: Following the post-Tebbit restructuring of the House Service, there is no longer a clear definition of "Clerk" in the Department of Chamber and Committee Services (DCCS). There are 100 people within the DCCS who are in the pool of staff liable to be circulated into posts traditionally held by Clerks. Of these, five are on secondment to the House from other organisations and are therefore not employed by the House.
Of the remaining 95 people, 86 have voluntarily supplied information on their ethnic origin. Fewer than five of them have declared themselves to be non-white.
Home Department
Asylum
Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to address the situation of failed asylum claimants who are neither legally settled nor under notice of removal. [33642]
Damian Green: All failed asylum seekers are put under notice of removal when they are informed that their application has been refused. If an applicant fails to leave voluntarily their removal from the UK may be enforced by the UK Border Agency.
Mr Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect of the withdrawal of the policy document entitled Guidance on R(S) Policydealing with Failed Asylum Claims Which May Have Lost the Benefit of an ELR Policy as a Result of Delay; and what estimate she has made of the number of cases which will be affected by the withdrawal of the policy guidance. [34532]
Damian Green: The Case Resolution Directorate (CRD) is nearing the end of its programme to review the backlog of unresolved asylum cases, and remains on track to complete the legacy programme by summer 2011. Individuals who previously fitted the criteria of the R(S) policy would have fallen within one of CRD's priorities, namely those who may qualify to be allowed to stay in the UK. It is expected that the vast majority of such cases will have already been concluded. However, an accurate estimate of the numbers potentially affected by the withdrawal of the policy was not obtained, as this would have involved the manual checking of all CRD remaining cases, which could have delayed their completion.
All representations made on the basis of the R(S) policy prior to its withdrawal on 20 December 2010 will still be considered against the R(S) policy. Any representations made on the basis of R(S) after the withdrawal of the policy will be considered on a case by case basis. The small number of individuals who would have qualified on the basis of R(S) but whose cases have not yet been concluded are still likely to qualify for leave under existing immigration rules and policy.
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of colleges on the UK Border Agency's sponsors list are inspected each year by officials of the UK Border Agency. [33733]
Damian Green: Since the opening of the Tier 4 register each sponsor has been visited at least once by UK Border Agency officials. Information on the number of visits to individual educational establishments is not collated centrally and information on the precise number of visits per year could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
European Gendarmerie Force
Mr Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether personnel of the European Gendarmerie Force have been deployed in the UK. [34682]
James Brokenshire: There have been no European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) personnel deployed in the UK and the Government currently sees no circumstances in which it would consent to an EGF operation in the UK.
The EGF is a multinational initiative of six countries (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Romania) aimed at improving crisis management capability in sensitive areas and supporting peacekeeping missions around the world. The UK does not participate in this initiative.
Human Trafficking: EU Action
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with the Prime Minister on the EU Directive on human trafficking. [34473]
Damian Green: I have regular discussions with the Prime Minister and other Ministers on Home Office business. Formal cross-Government consideration of the Directive took place last June, when the decision was made not to opt in to the Directive at the outset, but to review our position on adoption by other member states.
National Identity Register
Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what security standards are to be applied in the destruction of the National Identity Register; [34136]
(2) what arrangements she has made for the secure destruction of the National Identity Register; [34137]
(3) what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of destroying the National Identity Register. [34138]
Damian Green [holding answer 17 January 2011]: The standards and process being applied for the destruction of the information held on the National Identity Register (NIR) are set out in paper 'CWIC-NIR Destruction and Equipment Decommissioning' which was placed in the House of Lords Library on 1 November:
Library reference DEP2010-1917.
Destruction will be carried out by a CESG accredited and approved supplier, securely and in accordance with established secure destruction policy, procedures and guidelines. These include compliance with the HMS IA
Standard No. 5-Secure Sanitisation of Protectively Marked Sensitive Information. The destruction of the NIR data will involve the physical equipment holding that data being both degaussed and physically shredded. It is estimated that cancelling ID cards and the NIR will realise net savings of £86 million over the next four years. The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) will incur some one-off expenditure and asset write-offs during 2010-11, including the secure destruction of the NIR. The net costs in 2010-11 will be near to £5 million. We estimate up to £400,000 will be incurred to dismantle systems and securely destroy personal data.
Prisoners: Voting Rights
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has discussed with the Secretary of State for Justice the eligibility of prisoners to vote in elections for police and crime commissioners. [23850]
Mrs May [holding answer 12 November 2010]: Prisoners will not be eligible to vote in Police and Crime Commissioner elections. The Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform, my hon. Friend the Member for Forest of Dean (Mr Harper), announced in his written ministerial statement on 20 December 2010, Official Report, columns 150-151WS, prisoners' right to vote will be restricted to parliamentary and European elections, and only then in specific circumstances.
Visas: Females
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward proposals to provide a permanent funded scheme to enable vulnerable women in the UK on spousal visas who are subject to the no recourse to public funds rule, to access refuge accommodation for a specified period of time, in order to enable them to make applications for leave to remain. [34675]
Damian Green: A Home Office pilot project for victims of domestic violence with no recourse to public funds commenced in November 2009 and on 16 July 2010, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) announced an extension to the project until the end of March 2011.
In the document "Call to End Violence against Women and Girls" on 25 November, the Home Secretary confirmed her intention to ensure that women in the UK on spouse visas who are victims of domestic violence should receive support while their case for indefinite leave is considered and that the Home Office will continue to fund support while an effective and sustainable permanent solution is established.
Work on a longer-term solution is under way and information from the pilot so far will help inform these discussions.
Energy and Climate Change
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Compensation
Dr Whiteford:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of claimants to the Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease scheme in each (a) nation and (b) Parliamentary constituency who have died before receiving compensation. [34395]
Charles Hendry: The number of claimants who died before receiving compensation under chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) scheme broken down by country is shown in the following table as at 16 January 2011.
The number of claimants who died before receiving compensation under COPD Scheme broken down by Constituency will be made available in the Library of the House.
| Claimants who died before receiving compensation as at 16 January 2011 | |
| Claimant country( 1) | Number |
| (1) Based on parliamentary constituencies as at 2008 | |
Departmental Working Conditions
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department's policy is on (a) the space provided per employee, (b) home working and (c) hot desking; how many employees it has on average per desk; and how much space on average there is per employee. [34590]
Gregory Barker: The information is as follows:
(a) DECC policy on the space provided per employee;
The DECC policy is to meet or exceed the minimum requirements for space per employee as stated in the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
(b) DECC policy on home working
The DECC policy is all staff can work flexibly, including home working on a voluntary basis, subject to the individual constraints imposed by any particular post.
(c) DECC policy on hot desking
The DECC policy is all staff hot desk using a ratio of seven desks per 10 staff. There are exceptions for staff with a fixed desk as a result of reasonable adjustments to meet disability requirements, and for some senior staff.
(d) How many employees it has on average per desk?
DECC has on average 1.3 employees per desk.
(e) How much space on average there is per employee?
DECC has 7.9 sq m on average per employee.
Energy: Housing
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households in each income decile in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales, (d) the UK, (e) Glasgow and (f) Glasgow North East constituency will be eligible for the proposed warm homes discount; and what estimate he has made of the average annual level of support per household (i) in each income decile and (ii) overall. [34365]
Gregory Barker: The consultation on the structure of the warm home discount scheme, including eligibility, closed on the 14 January and a response will be published in due course.
In this initial proposal, the focus of the scheme would be on providing support to older, poorer pensioners through the core group, with support also available for other groups through the broader group and legacy spending. The consultation estimated that under this proposed structure, about two million households per year would be assisted.
In the consultation, Government have proposed eligibility criteria for the core group of poorer pensioners:
The latest published records from the Department for Work and Pensions, available via the DWP website at:
indicate the following numbers of current claimants of pension credit guarantee only or pension credit guarantee and Savings Credit in:
(a) England: 1.8 million
(b) Scotland: 216,000
(c) Wales: 132,000
(d) Great Britain: 2.2 million
(e) Glasgow city council: 37,950
(f) Glasgow North East: 6,940.
As set out in the consultation, we estimate that the vast majority of pensioners eligible for the qualifying benefits for the warm home discount core group would be in the lowest three income deciles. All those benefiting under the core group would receive a rebate of £130 in years one and two, £135 in year three and £140 in year four.
Additional households will receive support through the broader and legacy groups of the warm home discount by the final year of the scheme. These households will be found by energy suppliers, subject to their eligibility being approved by Ofgem.
The Government are currently reviewing the responses to the consultation on the warm home discount and will publish a response shortly. This will set out the structure of the scheme, including Government's final eligibility and delivery proposals for the core group and the resulting revised estimates of the numbers of people expected to be eligible.
Greg Mulholland:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households in (a) England and (b) Leeds North West constituency
have received support from the Community Energy Saving programme since 1 September 2009. [34524]
Gregory Barker: Figures for numbers of householders benefiting from the Community Energy Saving programme (CESP) will be available in May 2011 when Ofgem is required to provide an annual report to the Secretary of State.
These figures will include a breakdown at regional and city level. I will ensure the hon. Member receives a copy as soon as they are received.
Energy: Private Rented Housing
Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the likely costs in the private rented sector arising from failure to meet the requirements of the Green Deal. [34103]
Gregory Barker: From late 2012, the Green Deal will offer a range of innovative finance packages allowing private landlords to install energy efficiency measures in their properties at no upfront cost.
We would expect the private rented sector to respond positively to this opportunity. However, if the sector does not improve on a voluntarily basis, we plan to use proposed powers in the Energy Bill to require landlords to honour reasonable requests for energy efficiency improvements from 2015.
Landlords would be required to install all the measures for which there is a financial support package, such as the Green Deal, available. They would therefore not incur costs for installation of the measures under these legislative powers. Non-compliant landlords could be fined up to £5,000, though we expect non-compliance rates to be low.
Natural Gas: Storage
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the lowest recorded quantity of gas in stored reserves was in each year since 2006; and how many days' supply each figure represents based on (a) average winter temperatures and (b) the average daily temperature in December 2010. [33958]
Charles Hendry: Information about the quantity of gas in stored reserves, on a daily basis, is published by National Grid plc. Data going back to 8 November 2008 are in the "Operational Data: Data Item Explorer" section of National Grid's website:
Data on storage stock levels going back to 2006 are in the "Storage Monitor" section of National Grid's website:
Minimum aggregate stock levels (2006 to present) are presented in the following table, with a break down by long, medium, and short-range storage (LRS, MRS, SRS)(1):
(1) The sum of LRS, MRS, and SRS does not equate to the aggregate stock figure in this table, since the minimum stocks held in each did not occur on the same day.
| Gas year | Date occurred | Aggregate stocks mcm | LRS mcm | MRS mcm | SRS mcm |
| (1)( )Data up to and including 18 January 2011. | |||||
DECC does not undertake analysis of number of days' supply from storage based on average winter temperatures and average daily temperatures. The number of days of supply remaining from storage depends on a wide variety of factors. These include: the deliverability of each storage site; commercial incentives to withdraw gas, which are provided by the market; overall demand, which in turn is heavily influenced by weather conditions; and flows from other supply sources.
Radioactive Waste
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what proportion of the UK's high level radioactive waste is held at (a) Sellafield and (b) other nuclear facilities; [33309]
(2) what plans his Department has to locate (a) historic and (b) future high-level radioactive wastes at (i) Sellafield and (ii) West Cumbria. [33437]
Charles Hendry: High level radioactive waste (HLW) arises from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and all the UK's current HLW is located at Sellafield where reprocessing takes place.
In the absence of any proposals for reprocessing from industry, the Government's view is that any new nuclear power stations that might be built in the UK should proceed on the basis that spent fuel will not be reprocessed and that plans for, and financing of, waste management should also proceed on this basis. As a result, the Government have not considered, and have no plans for, management of HLW from any new nuclear power stations.
In terms of final HLW disposal, the Government have invited communities to enter discussions about potential involvement in a geological disposal facility siting process. So far, three local authorities in west Cumbria have 'expressed an interest' in the process and the invitation remains open for any other communities who might be interested in finding out more.
In terms of other nuclear materials, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's (NDA) draft strategy, which was subject to extensive consultation, identified the possibility of co-locating some spent fuels and intermediate level wastes at certain sites. The NDA's draft business plan, currently being consulted on, identifies two potential such projects; one for the potential movement of spent fuel from Dounreay for reprocessing at Sellafield and the second for the potential interim storage of spent fuel and related materials from a research reactor at Harwell. The amount of waste this could result in is considerably less than 1% of the current Sellafield inventory but it is important to stress that none of this is high level waste and no decisions have been taken. Before any
final decisions are taken the NDA will have to complete technical studies, develop a detailed business case and engage with local stakeholders.
Renewable Energy: Lowestoft
Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will assess the effect on the economy of Lowestoft of expenditure in the renewable energy sector. [34102]
Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change does not carry out analysis at town level as this would be a matter for the relevant local authority.
To meet our 2020 renewable energy target we will need to boost deployment across the UK. The required fivefold increase in the level of renewables in a decade will bring significant benefits, including creating outstanding opportunities for the UK economy. Analysis carried out in 2009 showed that this has the potential to create up to 500,000 jobs from the £100 billion of private sector investment.
Communities and Local Government
Building Regulations
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions has he had with the Construction Industry Council on (a) enforcement of current building regulations and (b) proposals to relax building controls; and if he will make a statement. [34119]
Andrew Stunell: My officials are in regular contact with the Construction Industry Council. A response was received from them in reply to our exercise last summer asking for views on how the building regulations can be improved, added to, or slimmed down and suggestions as to how we can deliver better levels of compliance. They also participated in a workshop on the 2013 Review of the Building Regulations held by my officials on 15 September 2010.
Community Development
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what definition his Department uses of land of community value. [34051]
Robert Neill: The Localism Bill does not provide a definition of land of community value. This issue will be dealt with in secondary legislation, which will contain the detail of the Community Right to Buy scheme. We will be consulting on this shortly, and welcome views.
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what consideration he has given to the application of private property rights to land of community value. [34052]
Robert Neill:
In developing the Community Right to Buy we have considered carefully the balance between the rights of property owners and the public interest in
retaining for community use those assets that are important to community life. The details of the scheme will be included in secondary legislation and will be the subject of a public consultation which will be issued shortly. Issues subject to the consultation and relevant to getting this balance right will include the length of the window of opportunity and the right of owners to appeal against a local authority's decision to list their asset.
Council Tax
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average change in council tax was (a) nationally and (b) in Brighton and Hove council area in each year since 1997. [34048]
Robert Neill: Details of the average change in Band D area council tax (including parish precepts) both for England and for Brighton and Hove council in each year since 1997 are shown in the following table.
These data are available on the Department for Communities and Local Government website at:
under 'Related Downloads'. Brighton and Hove unitary authority came into existence on 1 April 1997.
| Band D area council tax (including parish precepts) | ||||
| England | Brighton and Hove | |||
| £ | Percentage increase | £ | Percentage increase | |
Departmental Senior Civil Servants
Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) names and (b) salaries are of senior civil service staff who have (i) moved post within and (ii) left his Department since May 2010. [34298]
Robert Neill: The numbers of senior civil service (SCS) staff who have moved post within, and left the Department from 1 May 2010 to 31 December 2010 are shown in the following table. Please note that names and salaries (other than the Permanent Secretary which is already in the public domain) have not been included as this constitutes personal information.
| Number of SCS staff | |
| (1) Leavers include the previous Permanent Secretary (Sir Peter Housden) who had a salary between £175,000 and £179,999. (2) Two of these employees have moved twice within DCLG during this period. | |
Homelessness: Temporary Accommodation
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homeless households were in temporary accommodation in Stoke-on-Trent in each quarter since 2005. [34689]
Grant Shapps: The number of households in temporary accommodation, arranged by Stoke-on-Trent city council under homelessness legislation, at the end of each quarter since 2005 is given in the following table:
| H omeless households in temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter , Stoke- o n-Trent 2005 Q1 to 2010 Q3 | ||
| Number | ||
| Source: Quarterly PIE returns | ||
Stoke-on-Trent city council reported in 2006 Q4 that they had undertaken a comprehensive review of their homelessness and housing needs services and homelessness strategy in summer 2005 resulting in a reduction in the number of households in temporary accommodation the following year.
Information about local authorities' discharge of their duties under homelessness legislation is collected on quarterly PIE returns. Summary information about English local housing authorities' actions under the homelessness legislation (Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996) is collected at local authority level, and published by the Department in the quarterly Statistical Release on Statutory Homelessness, available both in the Library of the House and via the DCLG website:
Data collected includes the number of households accepted by local housing authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and therefore owed a main homelessness duty (to ensure that suitable accommodation is available). If a settled home is not immediately available, the authority must secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available and this information is also collected.
Housing: Carbon Emissions
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to discuss the development of skills and technology for zero-carbon homes with the (a) Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and (b) National Housing Federation. [33987]
Andrew Stunell: My Department continues to work closely with the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and other partners on the development of skills and technology for zero carbon homes. Recent examples include the Government's response to the consultation on "Meeting the Low Carbon Skills Challenge" which was published in December 2010, and the report by the construction innovation and growth team on "Low Carbon Construction" which was published in November 2010, to which the National Housing Federation also contributed.
We will continue to work with all relevant partners in the development and delivery of the zero carbon homes policy. The Zero Carbon Hub, which my Department supports, is taking forward a number of work streams which will help develop the skills and technologies needed for zero carbon homes. I would encourage organisations like the National Housing Federation to involve themselves in the work of the hub.
Housing: Construction
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will take steps to accelerate the construction of low-carbon buildings in North Swindon constituency; and if he will make a statement. [33978]
Grant Shapps: The Government are committed to achieving higher standards of sustainability in new housing and increasing the supply, but we will not impose a solution on a particular area about how new homes should be built. The Triangle development, in my hon. Friend's North Swindon constituency, is one example of a locally led eco-development, showing what is possible through good leadership.
I have recently reported on progress with our policy to enable all new homes to be zero carbon from 2016, and the Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove (Andrew Stunell) set out just before Christmas our plans for further work to deliver our commitment to increase the energy efficiency of new homes through Part L (conservation of fuel and power) of the building regulations.
These policies will contribute to accelerating the construction of low carbon housing in North Swindon, as elsewhere in England.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of new homes which are required to meet demand in (a) the West Midlands and (b) nationally. [33986]
Andrew Stunell: The latest household projections for England were published on 26 November 2010 and can be found on the DCLG website at:
The household projections are based on the ONS population projections and provide the household numbers that would result if the assumptions based on previous demographic trends in the population and household formation rates were to be realised in practice. The projections therefore provide an indication of the possible demographic demand for new homes. However, it should be noted that future demographic trends might not be in line with past ones, and other factors-such as income growth-will also affect effective demand.
The control over new house building is in the hands of local authorities and the community. The Government are committed to increasing housing supply and seeing more of the homes that people want, in the places that people want them, to meet Britain's housing need. The New Homes Bonus, announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Local Government (Grant Shapps) on 12 November 2010, will create a simple, powerful, transparent and permanent incentive to increase the supply of new homes and shift power back into the hands of individuals, communities and councils.
Housing: Empty Property
Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many domestic properties in Watford have been empty for more than a year. [34166]
Robert Neill [holding answer 17 January 2011]: In October 2010, Watford borough council reported there were 622 long-term empty dwellings in their area.
Long-term empties are regarded as those dwellings
"which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished".
Independent Living Centres
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on the future of centres for independent living. [33789]
Andrew Stunell: My Department is not responsible for the future of centres for independent living.
Local Government Finance
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local authorities have published online their expenditure on items over £500 to date. [33746]
Robert Neill: Our latest assessment is that at least 195 local authorities are publishing their spending data online.
Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department plans to maintain a record of the compliance of local authorities with transparency requirements; and if he will make a statement. [34083]
Robert Neill: My Department is compiling an online list of local authorities that are publishing information on spend over £500 to assist local accountability.
Local Government: Pay
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local authority chief executives have had a reduction in the level of their salary since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [34062]
Robert Neill: Information on local authority chief executive salaries is not held centrally. Our transparency reforms will ensure greater openness and local accountability on senior pay in local government.
We understand that a number of local authority chief executives have taken a pay cut, for instance media reports are that:
Kevin Lavery (CEO of Cornwall) has taken a 5% pay cut from his £200,000 salary;
Joanna Killian (CEO of Essex CC and Brentwood BC) has taken a 5% pay cut from her £237,000 salary;
Phil Norrey (CEO of Devon CC) has taken a 5% pay cut from his £157,000 salary;
Ged Fitzgerald (CEO of Liverpool CC) has taken a 3% pay cut from £203,500 to £197,500.
Tom Riordan (CEO of Leeds CC) has taken a 5% pay cut to just over £176,000.
This list is not comprehensive in any way. We would encourage more chief executives to follow this best practice.
Planning Permission: Appeals
Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions he has had on permitting local planning appeals to stop developments where they are considered inappropriate by the local community; and if he will make a statement. [34203]
Robert Neill: The Government's reforms to the planning system seek to avoid the need for appeals to the Planning Inspectorate by all parties. We are strengthening the ability of those with a legitimate interest to make their views heard and have them taken into account through neighbourhood planning and mandatory pre-application consultations with local interests for the largest schemes. We want to move to a more collaborative approach to planning. We are discussing the provisions of the Localism Bill with a wide range of interests. Our priority is to get our initial reforms in place.
Social Rented Housing: Waiting Lists
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many households in (a) the West Midlands and (b) nationally are on social housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement. [33985]
Andrew Stunell: The number of households registered on social housing waiting lists in each local authority, each statistical region, and in England, as at 1 April each year from 1997 to 2010, is published on the DCLG website in Table 600. The link for this table is given as follows:
Waste Disposal: Expenditure
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much each local authority spent on waste collection and management in the last year for which figures are available. [34214]
Robert Neill: I have today placed in the Library of the House a table that gives, by each local authority in England, the amount spent on waste collection and management for the financial year 2009-10.
Work and Pensions
Child Benefit
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent progress has been made on assessing the effects of the proposed changes to the administration of child benefit, with particular reference to the accrual of national insurance credits. [34351]
Steve Webb: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Bolton West (Julie Hilling) on 17 November 2010, Official Report, column 827W.
Cold Weather Payments
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will assess the adequacy of the use of coastal weather stations to assess cold weather payments for applicants who live inland, where temperatures may be lower than those on the coast. [34359]
Steve Webb: The cold weather payment scheme involves linking groups of postcodes areas to 91 Meteorological (Met) Office weather stations around the UK. The linkages are made by taking account of topography, the extent of built-up areas and the distance available from weather stations. Each postcode district is assigned to a station with the most similar climate in terms of mean winter temperature.
The cold weather payment scheme is reviewed annually after the end of each winter to assess the adequacy of all weather stations linkages. Expert advice is sought from the Met Office and changes made where appropriate before the start of the next winter period. As part of the next review we will consider the use of costal weather stations for applicants who live inland.
Construction: Safety
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has made a recent assessment of levels of health and safety awareness among construction businesses; and if he will make a statement. [34259]
Chris Grayling: The Health and Safety Executive's construction division regularly assess the level of health and safety awareness among construction businesses via a variety of mechanisms including its inspection programme, research and reviewing industry surveys. These show an improved awareness of health and safety across the industry but this is much less pronounced among small and medium-sized businesses.
Disability Living Allowance: Birmingham
Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals in Birmingham, Hall Green constituency he expects to be affected by the removal of the mobility component of disability living allowance from those in residential care homes. [33637]
Maria Miller: Estimate of numbers of disability living allowance claimants in residential care homes are available on a Government office region wide basis. We estimate approximately 80,000 people who claim DLA and live in residential care will be affected by this measure in Great Britain, of which approximately 7000 are resident in the West Midlands Government office region.
Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in receipt of disability living allowance are resident in Birmingham, Hall Green constituency. [33638]
Maria Miller: The information is reproduced in the following table.
| D isability living allowance recipients in Birmingham Hall Green parliamentary constituency-May 2010 | |
| Number | |
| Notes: 1. Figures 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. 4. These figures are published in the House of Commons Library and at: http://83.244.183.180/100pc/dla/ccparlc/ccsex/a_carate_r_ccparlc_c_ccsex_may10.html Source: DWP Information Directorate: 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) | |
Health and Safety Laws Review
Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what timetable he has set for implementation of the recommendations of Lord Young's Health and Safety Review. [32201]
Chris Grayling: The key implementation milestones for the recommendations of Lord Young's health and safety review are shown at annex M to his report "Common Sense, Common Safety", which was published on 15 October 2010. The milestones were agreed by Lord Young with the department or body responsible for taking forward each recommendation.
Incapacity Benefit
Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of people that claimed incapacity benefit in (i) Hastings, (ii) Hastings and Rye constituency, (iii) East Sussex and (iv) England in the latest period for which figures are available. [33697]
Maria Miller: The information requested is set out in the following table:
| Number of working age incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance claimants (IB/SDA), as a percentage of the working age population, in East Sussex, Hastings local authority, England, and Hastings and Rye parliamentary constituency-May 2010 | ||
| Caseload | Percentage of the working age population | |
| Notes: 1. Percentages are shown to one decimal place. 2. Percentages for England and East Sussex have been calculated using mid 2009 population estimates, percentages for Hastings and Rye parliamentary constituency have been calculated using mid 2007 experimental population estimates. 3. Population estimates used are for working age-males aged 16-64 and females aged 16-59. 4. East Sussex county includes: Hastings, Eastbourne, Lewes, Rother and Wealden local authorities. 5. Figures do not include Employment Support Allowance (ESA) which was introduced in October 2008 for new claimants. 6. State pension age: The age at which women reach state pension age will gradually increase from 60 to 65 between April 2010 and April 2020. This will introduce a small increase to the number of working age benefit recipients and a small reduction to the number of pension age recipients. This table has been prepared using males aged 16-64 and females aged 16-59 and will therefore not match published figures. Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% WPLS | ||
Jobcentre Plus: Employment
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what recent work Jobcentre Plus has undertaken with the Department for Communities and Local Government to assess local employment levels; [33391]
(2) what research Jobcentre Plus has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects of public sector expenditure reductions on employment levels in different parts of the UK. [33392]
Chris Grayling:
Jobcentre Plus has a good track record of dealing with fluctuations in local employment levels, tailoring its services to meet demand. This has been achieved by engaging across all Government
Departments including Department for Communities and Local Government to assess local employment levels. This engagement will continue in the future.
Jobcentre Plus: Rural Areas
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received on access to jobcentres in rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [33989]
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 what recent representations he has received on access to jobcentres in rural areas. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
In terms of previous representations, we have received the occasional letter from customers in rural locations but not in such numbers which would indicate that there is a specific problem.
I am acutely aware that customers in more rural locations face particular difficulties and we take care to consider these when delivering policies and processes. For example, where there is a need to see someone face-to-face, we will take the individual's circumstances into account. This may mean arranging the time of a work focused interview around the customers transport links, offering to undertake a work focused interview in the customer's home location or somewhere more mutually convenient and offer assistance with travel and child care costs where possible.
In addition to these services, where a journey by public transport would take the customer more than one hour (door to door) or result in an absence from home in excess of four hours, Jobcentre Plus would consider offering these customers the facility to make postal declarations rather than attend in person every fortnight.
Jobcentre Plus also deploys a number of Mobile Units to help deliver a range of advisory services to our rural communities. Over and above the use of these Mobile Units, Jobcentre Plus also has a presence in approximately 1500 outreach premises such as children's centres, community centres, libraries and youth centres. Services offered from these outreach locations range from open access to jobsearch activity through our external jobpoints to one-to-one work sessions for Jobcentre Plus priority customers. The extent of co-location can vary from a few hours each week to a full time presence. These decisions are taken by local managers in conjunction with partner organisations to meet local need.
New policies introduced by Jobcentre Plus are assessed to see whether they are likely to have any differential social, economic, environmental or geographical impacts. This ensures that customers in rural communities are not disproportionately disadvantaged by any new policies and procedures.
Poverty: Children
Pat Glass: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the number of children living in (a) absolute and (b) relative poverty in (i) North West Durham constituency, (ii) the North East and (iii) England. [32951]
Maria Miller: Estimates of the number and proportion of children living in poverty are published in the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. HBAI uses household income adjusted (or 'equivalised') for household size and composition, to provide a proxy for standard of living.
As they are based on survey data, child poverty estimates published in HBAI only allow breakdowns to Government office region and analysis by parliamentary constituency is not possible. However, figures for North East of England and England are set out in the table. The latest available Government office region data cover 2006-07 to 2008-09.
| Number and percentage of children living in (a) absolute poverty Before Housing Costs (BHC) and (b) relative poverty (BHC) in the North East of England and in England | ||
| 2006-07 to 2008-09 | Number (million) | Percentage |
| Notes: 1. These statistics are based on Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 3. The reference period for Households Below Average Income figures are single financial years. Three survey years have been combined as regional single year estimates are subject to volatility. 4. Number of children in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest 100,000, while proportions have been rounded to the nearest percentage point. 5. These statistics are based on incomes Before Housing Costs. 6. Each of the measures is defined as: Absolute poverty: children living in households with less than 60% of 1998-99 median household income held constant in real terms. Relative poverty: children living in households with less than 60% of contemporary median household income. Source: Households Below Average Income, DWP | ||
Poverty: Rural Areas
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the level of (a) family and (b) child poverty in rural communities in England in each of the next five years. [34199]
Maria Miller: The Government do not forecast how many families or children they expect to be in poverty each year because child poverty is dependent on a number of factors which are difficult to reliably predict.
HMT's published analysis shows that the measures that can be robustly assessed from the 2010 spending review and June Budget will not lead to an increase in child poverty over the next two years. This analysis is not carried out separately for rural communities.
The latest data available from the Households Below Average Incomes for 2008-09 show that in England, before housing costs, the proportion of children in relative poverty is 15% in rural areas compared to 23% in urban areas and the proportion of families in relative poverty is 16% in rural areas compared to 19% in urban areas.
Notes:
1. These statistics are based on Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). These use disposable household income, adjusted using modified
OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.
2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response.
3. The reference period for Households Below Average Income figures are single financial years.
4. Proportions of children and families in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest percentage point.
5. These statistics are based on incomes before housing costs.
6. Families are defined as a single adult or couple living as married and any dependent children, including same sex couples (civil partnerships and cohabitees) from January 2006. A household is made up of one or more families. Families can include individuals over state pension age.
7. The measure is defined as:
Relative poverty: children living in households with less than 60% of contemporary median household income.
Social Security Benefits: Aberdeen
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether any private partners have been engaged as part of the benefits reassessment trial programme in Aberdeen. [33506]
Chris Grayling: Atos Healthcare are involved in the IB reassessment trial as an existing private sector partner delivering health care services. Specifically they perform the work capability assessments (WCAs) for customers being reassessed.
Other private and voluntary organisations may also be involved in supporting customers back to work. This work focused provision under the 'Work Choice' arrangements aims to provide a range of tailored specialist services to respond to the individual needs of disabled people and employers. Access to external support is also available via the local authority, for example the Aberdeen Council for Voluntary Organisations (ACVO).
Social Security Benefits: Disability
Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of people claiming (a) disability living allowance and (b) attendance allowance receive awards for an indefinite period for each condition. [33649]
Maria Miller: The number of people claiming disability living allowance and attendance allowance and who have been awarded benefit for an indefinite period is in the following table:
| Benefit | Caseload | Number of indefinite awards | Proportion of indefinite awards (percentage) |
| Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 2. Caseload show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and excludes people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate. Figures are from 5% sample data. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 100. | |||
Social Security Benefits: Eligibility
Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the state is of infraction proceedings initiated against the UK by the European Commission in respect of the right to reside test. [33608]
Chris Grayling: The UK received a letter from the European Commission in June 2010 challenging the right to reside element of the habitual residence test for access to income related benefits.
We responded formally to the Commission's letter in July. In our view, the current rules are within the law and are right for the UK; and changing them now would not be in our interest. Our rules fully support the freedom of workers within the EU, while making sure that there are reasonable restrictions on access to social security for those who have never worked in the UK. This prevents unsustainable burdens being placed on our social security system.
We are engaged in constructive discussions with the European Commission, and continue to argue our case and work towards a favourable outcome. We have also successfully pushed for a wider debate among member states on access to non-contributory benefits for people moving within the EU.
Unemployment: Young People
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the cost to the Exchequer of long-term youth unemployment. [33396]
Chris Grayling: The Department has not specifically commissioned any research or undertaken evaluation specifically focusing on the cost to the Exchequer of long-term youth unemployment.
However, the Government recognise the need to help young people into work and the scarring effect of long-term unemployment. This is why from summer 2011 we are introducing a Work Programme, which young people will access and which will deliver personalised employment support tailored to an individual's needs. In addition we are making Jobcentre Plus more flexible to help young people to find the right support to make the transition into work, creating work experience opportunities, encouraging volunteering for all unemployed people and investing in training and apprenticeships.
Universal Credit
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) whether any recipients of carer's allowance will have a reduction in the level of their payments as a result of the introduction of the proposed universal credit; [34044]
(2) what his policy is on the inclusion of carer's allowance within his proposals for universal credit. [34045]
Maria Miller: The Government recognise that the UK's 6 million carers play an indispensable role in looking after family members who need support.
We are carefully considering whether changes to carer's allowance will be necessary to take account of the introduction of universal credit in order to provide clearer, more effective support for carers.
Voluntary Organisations: Finance
Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what funding has been allocated by his Department to voluntary sector organisations in pursuit of big society objectives since the Comprehensive spending review announcement. [32963]
Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions has not allocated any funding specifically for big society objectives since the spending review announcement in October 2010. The Department is committed to close working with voluntary sector organisations and the work programme, for example, will utilise best practice from both voluntary and private sector organisations to help people into employment.
Work Programme
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what evidence his Department evaluated to determine maximum payments to work programme providers for supporting different client groups. [33390]
Chris Grayling: The Department drew expertise and specialist knowledge from a wide range of sources when determining the maximum payments for customer groups under the Work Programme, including consulting with financiers and providers, seeking specialist advice from independent experts, and examining evidence from previous employment programmes such as Pathways to Work and the Flexible New Deal.
We are confident that the maximum prices reached will offer a challenging, but workable, model for providers to deliver against, and offer appropriate incentives for providers to offer support to all customer groups, including the hardest to help.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what forecast of annual unemployment among individuals aged 18 to 24 years his Department used to inform the Work Programme prospectus forecast of client caseloads for Work Programme providers. [33397]
Chris Grayling: The Department produces projections of customers likely to reach Work Programme referral points for business planning purposes, which are aligned to the overall independent claimant count forecasts published by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) as part of the autumn forecast.
These projections have been adjusted to take into account policy differences between the Work Programme and legacy employment programmes, and to include transitions from legacy programmes.
Young Person's Guarantee
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library an analysis of the £320 million of estimated savings to the public purse arising from the cancellation of the Young Person's Guarantee. [33398]
Chris Grayling: The £320 million savings announced on 24 May 2010 comprised of £290 million resulting from the closure of the future jobs fund to new bids.
At up to £6,500 per person the future jobs fund is five times more expensive than some other elements of the Young Person's Guarantee. Moreover the future jobs fund creates temporary, short term posts and the grants do not include any incentives to move people into permanent jobs.
A further £30 million was saved through the ending of the £1,000 recruitment subsidy to new claimants on 30 June 2010. The subsidy proved to be poor value for money at it had no tangible effect on reducing unemployment.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Brazil: HMS Clyde
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Brazilian Government on its decision not to allow HMS Clyde to dock in Rio de Janeiro. [34191]
Mr Jeremy Browne: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has discussed the issue with the Brazilian Foreign Minister.
The Government are disappointed by the Government of Brazil's decision to not grant diplomatic clearance for HMS Clyde on this occasion, but we respect Brazil's right to make such a decision.
The UK enjoys a close relationship with Brazil and we look forward to enhanced co-operation with President Rousseff's new government.
Departmental Manpower
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the most recent previous employment was of each senior member of staff who has been employed on a fixed-term contract in his Department since May 2010. [34690]
Alistair Burt: Under the Data Protection Principles in the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA), it is not possible to release details of the previous employment of members of staff of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff are employed on a fixed-term contract in his Department; and what the job title of each is. [34691]
Alistair Burt: According to our records, as of 18 January 2011 there are 37 staff currently employed on a fixed term contract, including interns. All these staff were appointed in accordance with the rules set out by the Civil Service Commissioners. More detailed information about the employment details of individuals is not normally disclosed.
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) total and (b) average annual salary was of staff employed on fixed-term contracts in his Department in the latest period for which figures are available. [34692]
Alistair Burt: According to our records as of 18 January 2011, the total gross basic salary of staff employed on fixed term contracts is approximately £2,161,856, which averages £58,428.54 per member of staff.
Foreign Relations
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the state of the UK's relations with (a) Cuba, (b) North Korea, (c) Venezuela, (d) Russia and (e) Iran; and if he will make a statement. [34049]
Mr Lidington: The UK favours a policy of principled engagement with Cuba as the best means of achieving our objectives, especially on human rights. We have good diplomatic relations and good co-operation in a number of areas of common interest, including trade, counter-narcotics, climate change and child protection. We do however remain committed to holding the Cuban Government to account to its international commitments in governance and human rights. We have pushed for an end to restrictions on the right to freedom of expression and assembly in Cuba and the release of all political prisoners, and will continue to do so.
On North Korea, we have a policy of engagement through respective embassies in both countries. This engagement offers the potential for change, and enables us to raise difficult issues, which is important particularly during times of heightened tension. We are also able to carry out a programme of humanitarian projects and English language teacher training. Relations are measured to reflect concerns about North Korea's nuclear programme and their poor human rights record.
On Russia, since my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and President Medvedev stressed their desire for a stronger, more positive relationship, there has been progress in developing commercial ties and some co-operation on foreign policy priorities. Our bilateral differences remain, and the UK will promote and protect its interests vigorously. For example, we remain deeply concerned about human rights and the rule of law in Russia, and we continue to raise this issue with the Russian Government, including through our bilateral human rights dialogue.
The UK enjoys cordial relations with Venezuela and we co-operate on areas of mutual interest including sustainable development and community policing. We follow developments in Venezuela closely. This includes the implications of new laws passed by the last Congress, particularly the Enabling Law, and the legislative programme of the new Congress.
As regards Iran, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the noble Lord Kilclooney on 11 January 2011 by my right hon. Friend Lord Howell, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA429.
Sierra Leone: Press Freedom
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the safety of foreign journalists in Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [34086]
Mr Bellingham: The safety of British nationals is the Government's first concern. We have no evidence that foreign journalists' safety is at greater or lesser risk than other foreign nationals visiting Sierra Leone. We encourage all British nationals intending to travel to Sierra Leone to read our travel advice which includes advice on safety and security. We support and encourage freedom of the press everywhere.
Sudan: Politics and Government
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the security situation around the boundary between northern and southern Sudan. [34555]
Mr Bellingham: Between 7 and 10 January 2011 there were reports of fighting in the Abyei region between the Misseriya and the Sudanese People's Liberation Army/Joint Integrated Police Units. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to President Kiir on 9 January and Vice President Taha on 13 January and urged them both to ensure restraint and calm between the parties.
International Development
Developing Countries: Education
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) whether expenditure by his Department on overseas students and refugees will be classified as official development assistance (a) this year and (b) in subsequent years; [34687]
(2) whether university scholarships provided by his Department for students from developing countries will be classified as official development assistance (a) this year and (b) in subsequent years. [34686]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: In 2011 the Department of International Development (DFID) will continue to provide support to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission to fund students from Commonwealth countries to come to study in the UK. This will be classified as official development assistance in line with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD's) definition. Funding for the programme in future years is still to be determined.
DFID does not provide any other support for overseas students. DFID does not provide direct support for refugees in the UK. Other UK Government spending on refugees will be classified as official development assistance in line with the OECD definition.
Developing Countries: Water
Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of his Department's (a) multilateral and (b) bilateral aid programmes were spent on water and sanitation in the last year for which figures are available. [33997]
Mr Duncan: Details of the Department for International Development's (DFID) expenditure are published annually in 'Statistics on International Development' (SID) which is available on the DFID website and in the Library of the House.
In 2009-10 3% (£106 million) of DFID's bilateral aid programme was spent on water and sanitation programmes. An estimated 4% (£88 million) of DFID's multilateral aid programme was spent by the relevant agencies on water and sanitation programmes in 2008-09. Final figures for 2009-10 are not available.
Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid his Department has provided for water and sanitation in (a) the Democratic Republic of Congo, (b) Afghanistan, (c) South Sudan and (d) Darfur in each year since 2000. [33999]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development's (DFID's) bilateral expenditure on water and sanitation in Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan between 2004-05 and 2009-10 is as follows. We are unable to provide information on expenditure prior to these dates or to break down expenditure in Sudan by region without incurring disproportionate cost.
| £ | |||
| Afghanistan | Democratic Republic of Congo | Sudan | |
| "n/a" = Data is not available without incurring disproportionate cost. | |||
Overseas Aid
Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on the use of the triwall aerial delivery system in humanitarian aid operations. [34216]
Mr Duncan: Triwall is a commercial company that has developed a way of dropping humanitarian supplies in cardboard boxes from aircraft. The Department for International Development (DFID) considers airdrops of supplies to be a last resort for food distribution because they risk supplies being grabbed by the strongest people in the population, and can even worsen the humanitarian plight of more vulnerable people.
DFID does not make airborne drops in humanitarian aid operations itself. Where DFID delivers relief supplies it does so with partner agencies, who normally distribute food at ground level. This method is easier to control, ensuring that those who are most vulnerable and need the supplies most receive them.
In particular circumstances, however, such as in violent conflict where isolated populations cannot be reached by land, airdrops can be an important tool. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) plays a leading role in such operations and has delivered 1 million tonnes of food in this way to Sudan, Angola and Somalia over the last 20 years.
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when his Department expects to publish its multilateral aid review. [34684]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: As set out in the Department for International Development's (DFID's) Business Plan 2011-15, the findings of the Multilateral Aid Review will be published by the end of February 2011.
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when his Department expects to publish its bilateral aid review. [34685]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: As set out in the Department for International Development's (DFID's) Business Plan 2011-15, the findings of the Bilateral Aid Review will be published by the end of February 2011.
Sri Lanka: Floods
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support his Department is providing to Sri Lanka following the floods in that country in January 2011. [34688]
Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what recent discussions he has had with his Sri Lankan counterpart on the provision of emergency food assistance to flood-affected people in the east of Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement; [34581]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effects of the recent floods in the east of Sri Lanka on redevelopment in the area. [34582]
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the World Food Programme on the provision of emergency food assistance to flood-affected people in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [34363]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The British high commission in Colombo is in close contact with the Sri Lankan authorities, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations over the impact of recent flooding in Sri Lanka and the response to it. Current assessments are that as many as 1,063,000 people have been affected, with about 50 deaths. 3,000 houses have been destroyed and 175,000 damaged. Of longer term concern is the likely damage that has taken place to the current rice harvest and the prospects for the next planting later this year.
We anticipate that an emergency appeal for assistance, coordinated by the United Nations, will be launched on Thursday 20 January. This appeal is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of the damage. The case for a direct contribution to the relief effort by the Department for International Development (DFID) can then be considered following a full assessment of how UK aid may most effectively meet critical needs.
The European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) has announced a contribution of €2 million towards the relief effort, the UK-funded element of which is approximately £230,000 (13.7%). The World Food Programme is closely involved in the relief effort, and will be among the recipients of this contribution by ECHO.
Trace the Tax Campaign
Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with (a) companies and (b) accounting boards on the Trace the Tax campaign. [34007]
Mr Duncan: Department of International Development (DFID) Ministers and officials often meet companies and other organisations and discuss a wide range of subjects.
A number of the issues to which the Trace the Tax campaign refers are currently being considered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD's) Tax and Development Task Force. DFID and Her Majesty's Treasury officials participate in the Task Force alongside companies, standards bodies, civil society organisations and developing country tax authorities.
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