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25 Jan 2011 : Column 248W—continued
| 2003/04 | 2004/05 | |||||||
| Subject area | Leeds Trinity and All Saints | Robert Gordon University | Edinburgh Napier University | Scottish Agricultural College | Leeds Trinity and All Saints | Edinburgh Napier University | Scottish Agricultural College | University of Buckingham |
Runcorn
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the local economic effects of the closure of his Department's offices in Runcorn; if he will place in the Library the cost benefit review conducted by his Department on that closure; and what the cost to the public purse was of reviewing the implications of closing his Department's offices in Runcorn. [35631]
Mr Hayes [holding answer 24 January 2011]: The Permanent Secretary has commissioned a review of BIS presence on two sites, of which Castle View House in Runcorn is one: and Mowden Hall, Darlington the other. The review will consider business, personnel and financial aspects.
The review is still in progress and no decisions on the future of either site have yet been taken, so it would be premature to go into further detail.
All staff affected have been involved in the review process along with the trade unions, who have been consulted throughout.
Students: Loans
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the average level of graduate debt of those graduating in each of the (a) last five years and (b) next five years. [35213]
Mr Willetts: The average level of debt accumulated by borrowers who graduated (or otherwise left their course) in the last five years is shown as follows. Figures come from table 3(iii) of the Official Statistics: "Income Contingent repayments by repayment cohort and tax year 2000/01 to 2008/09 inclusive (provisional)" available on the Student Loans Company website at:
| Graduation/withdrawal year | Debt (including repayments made and accrued interest) (£) |
The average level of debt currently forecasted for graduates in the next five years is shown in the following table. Forecasts are estimates subject to changes as we learn more about how higher education institutions and students behave under the new system. From 2013 onwards these figures will include some students who will enter higher education under the proposed new fee system.
| Graduation year | Debt (including accrued interest) (£) |
Summertime
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what assessment his Department has made of the potential effects on businesses of moving clocks forward by one hour in England and Wales, but not in Scotland; [35620]
(2) what recent representations he has received from representatives of the Lighter Later campaign. [35621]
Mr Davey: The Government are aware of a range of arguments regarding the effect of moving the clocks forward by one hour on business and other areas of activity throughout the UK including representations from the 'Lighter Later' campaign. However, as the Prime Minister has made clear the Government could not support any change in this area unless there was consensus throughout the UK. The Government believe having two time zones in a relatively small country would prove detrimental to business and families alike.
Technology: China
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the Chinese government on (a) technology sharing agreements with and (b) technology transfer to China. [35073]
Mr Prisk: There were discussions about high technology exports during the recent visit of Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang in January, during which a number of UK technologies were showcased. However our current understanding is that there are no bilateral technology sharing agreements either in place or under preparation with China.
The UK Intellectual Property Office do have co-operation agreements in place on the subject of IP protection and enforcement.
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking in respect of market development for unmanned aircraft systems in the UK; and what the role is of Scotland's aerospace and military assets including the Hebrides Range in such work. [36149]
Mr Prisk: This Department recognises the potential opportunities in the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) market and is working with business to assist in its efforts to develop capability in this area. This has included support through major research programmes called ASTRAEA I and ASTRAEA II. These are intended to enhance the UK's technology capability on UAS, in particular in sense and avoid technology.
We are also working with the Civil Aviation Authority on the process to certify UAS to operate in unregulated airspace. This will help stimulate the development in the UK of technology for potential civil applications, such as agriculture, maintenance, geographical survey, coastguard. ASTRAEA II, currently underway, is being delivered through the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) with around £14 million of public support.
This Department is aware that the Hebrides Range Task Force (HRTF) is exploring opportunities for the Hebrides Range to support the development of civil UAS technology. My officials have met the HRTF and provided advice on the potential to do this and are willing to help raise business awareness of the potential of the range. My officials also highlighted to the HRTF the opportunities to work with other UK ranges, eg. Parc Aberporth, to help develop an offering attractive to businesses willing to do work in this area.
Work and Pensions
Christmas Bonus: Expenditure
Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of the £10 Christmas bonus for the latest year in which figures are available. [33817]
Chris Grayling: Great Britain Christmas bonus expenditure is shown in the following table and can also be found at the following URL:
| Expenditure 2009-10 | |
| Nominal terms (£ million) | |
| Note : Figures rounded to nearest £ million Source: DWP Statistical and Accounting Data | |
Departmental Communication
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he has undertaken to reduce jargon and promote plain English in departmental communications. [35788]
Chris Grayling: The Department puts customer needs at the heart of all its activity. To that end, we try to ensure that the content of all our communications does not contain jargon and meets plain English requirements. Some of the content can be complex due to the subject matter and, where this is the case, it is written as simply as possible.
Our online information, available to customers on Directgov, is published by an accredited editor. The accreditation process includes demonstrating the ability to write content using plain English conventions. Feedback about the online information can be left by customers using a comment function, available throughout the Directgov site.
DWP leaflets are produced by teams that have had plain English training. All new public information leaflets are tested, prior to their launch, with customers and receive accreditation by an external plain English supplier. Feedback on the leaflets is also encouraged and can be provided in a range of ways.
The main benefit claim forms are produced by people that are trained specifically in the use of plain English and forms design. Additionally a proportion of our forms are independently accredited for plain English. Complex terms, where used, are explained in the form.
The Department is in the process of improving the 130 to 140 million letters sent annually to customers. These are generated by our computer systems and research has shown that some of our customers find the content difficult to understand. We have recently improved approximately 20 million of these letters and customers should start receiving these in the first half of 2011. We will then review and rewrite the remaining letters.
Departmental Public Appointments
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many (a) women and (b) men have been appointed to public duties by his Department since May 2010; [35400]
(2) what public appointments he has made since his appointment; and to what payments each person so appointed is entitled. [35422]
Chris Grayling: Since 12 May 2010, three Secretary of State public appointments have been made. These are set out in the following table:
In addition, information on the gender of those serving on the boards of public bodies is published annually. Information for the 2010-11 period will be published in due course.
Industrial Health and Safety
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for implementation of the recommendations of Lord Young's review of health and safety law and practice; and if he will make a statement. [35483]
Chris Grayling: The Government have welcomed Lord Young's recommendations and Departments and agencies are taking forward implementation on the basis set out in annex M of his report "Common Sense, Common Safety".
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is taking forward recommendations within its remit and is on track with delivery to the timetable set by Lord Young.
Jobcentre Plus: Redundancy
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff posts were lost in Jobcentre Plus offices in (a) West Lothian and (b) Scotland in each month of 2010. [34997]
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 asking how many staff posts have been lost in Jobcentre Plus offices in a) West Lothian; and b) Scotland in 2010. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The way changes in staffing levels can be identified on a monthly basis is by comparing the staffing position at the end of each month. The information in the Annex below show the staffing levels in full time equivalents for each month. This is up to September 2010 which represents the latest published data.
Since January 2010, staffing levels across Jobcentre Plus have been on a reducing trend. This is due to a reduction in workloads in Jobcentre Plus; staff leaving through natural turnover; staff on fixed term appointments reaching the end of their contracts; and the impact of the wider recruitment freeze which applies across all Government departments.
| Annex: West Lothian comprises Bathgate, Broxburn and Livingston Jobcentres and Bathgate Benefits Centre | ||
| Month | Staffing | Change in staffing levels from previous month |
| (1) No change. | ||
| Scotland | ||
| Month | Staffing | Change in staffing levels from previous month |
| (1) No change. | ||
Jobcentre Plus: Telephone Calls
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the saving was to (a) his Department and (b) Jobcentre Plus from the use of non-geographical telephone numbers in the financial year (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10; and what estimate he has made of the likely saving for 2010-11. [29339]
Chris Grayling: From January 2008, there have been no revenue sharing numbers in use in the Department for Work and Pensions. Although some 08 numbers are still in use they do not attract any payback and have not done so since December 2007. As a result, there have been no savings from the use of non-geographical telephone numbers in the financial years 2008-09 and 2009-10, and there will be no savings in 2010-11.
New Enterprise Allowance
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what timetable he has set for the roll-out of the new enterprise allowance to (a) targeted areas and (b) the rest of the UK; [33498]
(2) which elements of the new enterprise allowance will be introduced in Merseyside from January 2011; [33500]
(3) what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of the extension of the new enterprise allowance scheme. [33393]
Chris Grayling: We plan to trailblaze the new enterprise allowance (NEA) in Merseyside from the end of January, before rolling it out into other target areas from April and then nationally from autumn this year.
In Merseyside, we plan to introduce the business mentoring and low cost loan elements of the NEA. A weekly allowance will also be available.
The cost of supporting up to 40,000 new businesses under the new enterprise allowance is estimated to be around £80 million. The costs of the NEA, including its expansion, will be met from with the spending review settlement.
Post Office Card Accounts
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people in (a) Reading West constituency and (b) Berkshire who have Post Office card accounts. [35826]
Steve Webb: The information is not available in the format requested as data held relate to benefit accounts rather than people. Customers may be in receipt of more than one benefit, pension or allowance which could be paid into one Post Office card account.
The number of benefit and pension accounts paid into a Post Office card account (POCA) in Reading West constituency and the other constituencies that fall within the county of Berkshire is detailed in the following table:
| Berkshire constituencies | Number |
| Note: Figures are rounded and relate to accounts live and in payment as at May 2010. Source: DWP Information Directorate. | |
Social Security Benefits: Fraud
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to paragraph 23 of his Department's White paper on Universal Credits: welfare that works, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the annual sum wrongly paid in benefits which was attributable to (a) fraud and (b) error; and what estimate he has made of the proportion of the amount so paid in error which is attributable to (i) claimant and (ii) official error in respect of benefits paid by (A) his Department, (B) local authorities and (C) HM Revenue and Customs. [34296]
Chris Grayling: The proportion of the annual sum wrongly paid in benefits attributed to fraud and error is shown in the following tables:
| Amount and proportion of benefits and tax credits wrongly paid due to fraud and error | ||
| £ billion | Percentage | |
| (1) Indicates a brace | ||
| Amount and proportion of benefits and tax credits due to error by organisation | ||
| £ billion | Percentage | |
| Notes: 1. DWP and local authority figures are for 2009-10. 2. Tax credit figures are for 2008-09. 3. There is no administrative error available for tax credits. 4. The total of DWP fraud and error is actually £3.1 billion due to rounding. | ||
Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he last met representatives of the General Medical Council to discuss medical assessments to determine the suitability of benefit payments. [34374]
Chris Grayling: Officials from the Health, Work and Wellbeing Directorate of the Department for Work and Pensions met with representatives of the General Medical Council to discuss issues relating to consent and confidentiality for claims to benefit on 9 December 2008.
In addition, Ministers have had several meetings with Professor Malcolm Harrington, Professor Emeritus at the university of Birmingham and a highly respected occupational physician, who recently led a wide-ranging independent review of the WCA.
Unemployment: Reading West
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of children living in workless households in Reading West constituency in each year from 1997. [35848]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your question asking what estimate has been made of the number of children living in workless households in Reading West constituency in each year from 1997. (35848)
Estimates of the number of children living in workless households are derived from the Annual Population Survey (APS) household datasets. These are currently available for 2004 to 2009. However, the sample size for this survey is too small to provide reliable estimates for the Reading West constituency.
Universal Credit: Lone Parents
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the potential effects on lone parents of the introduction of a universal credit. [35022]
Chris Grayling: We expect lone parents particularly to benefit from the improved incentive to enter work under universal credit as well as the greater simplicity of the system. Figure 12 of the White Paper "Universal Credit: Welfare That Works" provides an example of how lone parents will be better off in work at any hours choice rather than constrained to certain hours points (ie 16 hours) as is the case in the current system.
We will be providing further analysis of the impact of universal credit, including the impact on lone parents, as part of the impact assessment which will accompany the forthcoming Welfare Reform Bill at the start of next month.
Vacancies
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance Jobcentre Plus provides to jobseekers who do not have an internet connection at home on how to access information on job vacancies. [34787]
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 Parliamentary Question about what guidance Jobcentre Plus provides to jobseekers who do not have an internet connection at home on how to access information on job vacancies. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
We recognise the upward trend of employers using online applications as their preferred method of recruitment, so we know it is becoming increasingly important for our customers to be able to search for and apply for jobs online.
In response and in recognition that not everyone has internet access at home, we have put in place measures to help people gain access to online vacancies through other means.
This includes signposting people in England to the UK online free-phone telephone number 0800 771234 (or other similar services in Scotland and Wales) to find their nearest UK online centre; and signposting directly to known local sources of access such as the local library.
Advisers will also highlight other means of access such as using smart phones to access the internet to look for jobs. We have developed a specific smart phone job search application available for I Phone and Google Android systems so customers with these handsets can have ready access to vacancies at the touch of a button.
To help further raise the profile of our own online services, we are also committed to the "Race on Line" initiative, part of which has seen the deployment of a Digital Champion in every local Jobcentre Plus office. Their role is to promote digital take up and to find what support is available locally for customers to get online through partner organisations and share this information with colleagues to help and encourage customers to get online.
Over and above helping people access vacancies online, we also signpost people to the Direct Gov job bank through Jobseeker Direct (our telephony based jobsearch and matching service) on 0845 606 0234 and Job Points in every Jobcentre Plus local office, both of which provide people with fast and easy access to thousands of jobs.
I hope this reply is helpful and assures you of our intent to make sure jobseekers get the help they need to look and apply for jobs.
Welfare State: Reform
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what mechanism he plans to put in place to measure the effects on vulnerable groups of the implementation of his proposals for welfare reform. [35235]
Chris Grayling: The Department will be drawing up plans for the evaluation of welfare reform measures and their impact on client groups. This will also include analysis of the delivery of the reforms and statistical data to look at their effect on meeting Government objectives.
Welfare to Work: Contracts
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) process and (b) requirements are for becoming an accredited provider for the Welfare to Work programme; and if he will make a statement. [35195]
Chris Grayling: All of the prime providers who are awarded Work Programme contracts will be required to undertake the new Merlin accreditation process within 12 months of their contract start date. This will ensure that there are robust and healthy supply chains and that smaller providers are treated fairly in their dealings with prime providers.
The accreditation process begins with a provider self-assessment against the published Merlin standard principles. This is followed by an independent expert evaluation including discussions with both the prime provider and a selection of their sub-contractors. Only those providers who demonstrate effective supply chain policies and practices will be awarded Merlin accreditation. The reports from each Merlin assessment will be publicly available via the Merlin web portal.
Winter Fuel Payments: Care Homes
John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners living in care homes received winter fuel payments in the latest period for which figures are available. [33646]
Steve Webb: The information requested is not available.
Remploy: Redundancy
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) on what date Ministers in his Department last met (a) Remploy, (b) trade unions and (c) officials of his Department to discuss the announcement of voluntary redundancies at Remploy factories; [35764]
(2) what steps his Department took to examine alternatives to voluntary redundancies at Remploy factories. [35767]
Maria Miller: Regular discussions take place between Ministers, officials, Remploy management and other key stakeholders to discuss issues relating to the company.
The offer of voluntary redundancies is a decision made by Remploy management to help the continuing operation of the businesses within that budget and to help ensure all employees have meaningful work.
I am always happy to receive representations from Remploy staff, management and unions.
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