Citizens Advice Bureaux: Finance
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which organisations his Department consulted in developing its policy on future funding of citizens advice bureaux in accordance with paragraph 2.4 of the Compact between Government and civil society organisations; what feedback his Department has given to the consultees in accordance with paragraph 2.5 of the Compact; and what assessment he has made of the effect of that policy on local efforts to inspire and encourage social action and to empower communities in accordance with paragraph 2.2 of the Compact. [44447]
Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills supports the Citizens Advice Service in England and Wales and in Scotland through grant-in-aid funding to the umbrella organisations and that funding is being maintained in 2011/12. However, funding for local citizens advice bureaux is not a matter for central Government but for local authorities who are better able to determine the structure and level of funding of advice services in their area which meets local needs.
Local spending decisions are, and will continue to be, for local authorities. However, the Government do not expect local authorities to respond to this freedom by passing on disproportionate cuts to other service providers, especially the voluntary sector. Local authorities should work through funding changes with the voluntary sector, and have due regard to their local compact.
Electoral Reform Services
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary value was of contracts his Department placed with Electoral Reform Services in each year since 2005. [44214]
Mr Davey: Central records show that the value of contracts placed with Electoral Reform Services in each financial year by the Department and its predecessors since 2005 has been:
7 Mar 2011 : Column 824W
|
|
£ |
Gangmasters: Licensing
Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department plans to end licensing for employment agencies and gangmasters operating in the sectors covered by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority. [41680]
Mr Paice: I have been asked to reply.
The Government have no plans to end licensing of labour providers in the sectors regulated by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.
Higher Education: Finance
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the University Modernisation Fund; and if he will make a statement. [44715]
Mr Willetts: The University Modernisation Fund provided teaching grants in the 2010/11 academic year for an extra 10,000 student places. Under the rules of the scheme, teaching costs for subsequent years would be met from efficiencies within those institutions taking up the places, rather than from Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) grant. In addition, £20 million was invested in projects to increase the take-up and effectiveness of shared services in the sector. Although all of the additional places were taken up and projects are in place to utilise the shared services element of the fund, it is too early to make an assessment of its effectiveness.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much has been allocated to the University Modernisation Fund in (a) each of the last five years and (b) each of the next four years; and if he will make a statement. [44716]
Mr Willetts: The University Modernisation Fund announced in the budget of March 2010 was intended to provide funding for 2010-11 only. The emergency Budget in June 2010 set the level of funding at £152 million.
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many universities were awarded New University Challenge funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England in the latest period for which figures are available. [44879]
Mr Willetts:
The New University Challenge was a policy of the previous Government. No universities have received funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for this policy and HEFCE did not receive specific allocations to spend on this policy. In the forthcoming Higher Education White
7 Mar 2011 : Column 825W
Paper, the Government will set out reforms which will reduce barriers to new providers and better enable student choice to determine the nature and place of delivery of higher education.
Holiday Leave
Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he has taken to provide information to small employers on statutory holiday entitlement. [43663]
Mr Davey: Information and guidance about statutory annual leave entitlements is available to employees on the Business Link website, which is designed to be helpful to businesses of all sizes. This site also has an interactive tool to assist with the calculation of annual leave provisions. Information is also available from ACAS online and through their helpline and on the Direct.gov website.
Insolvency
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people have been declared insolvent in each (a) region and (b) constituency since May 2010. [44860]
Mr Davey: Regional insolvency figures are only compiled annually, and data for 2010 will not be available until summer 2011.
The latest publication down to local authority level covers all types of individual insolvency in England and Wales from 2000 to 2009 and can be found on the Insolvency Service website at:
http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/otherinformation/statistics/regionalstatisticsmenu.htm
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Local Enterprise Partnerships: East of England
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Library a copy of bids submitted by the Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership as at 21 January 2011 under the auspices of the Regional Growth Fund; and if he will make a statement. [44441]
Mr Prisk: It is not possible to place copies of bids in the Libraries of the House as the information has been provided to us in confidence and the Department would like to respect this confidentiality. However, a summary of bids received in Round 1 of the Regional Growth Fund is available on the BIS website:
www.bis.gov.uk/RGF
Neurology: Research
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding from the public purse has been allocated to research into neuroscience in each of the last five years; and how much such funding will be allocated in each year of the Comprehensive Spending Review period. [44725]
Mr Willetts: Both the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) fund research into aspects of neurosciences. Each council is a non-departmental public body which receives its grant in aid from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The total annual spend for BBSRC research relevant to neuroscience for the past five years is detailed in the following table.
| Total annual spend | |||||
| £ million | |||||
|
|
2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 |
| (1) Includes funding through the following mechanisms: responsive mode, initiatives, fellowships to HEIs and BBSRC institutes and core strategic funding to BBSRC institutes. | |||||
BBSRC does not have fixed allocations for neuroscience funding. Future funding of neuroscience research by BBSRC is dependent on the quality and strategic relevance of grant applications. Funding will be allocated over the next four years in relation to relevance to BBSRC's strategic priorities and BBSRC's four-year spending review settlement. A smaller part of that neuroscience research historically funded by BBSRC now falls within BBSRC's current strategic priorities. It is likely, therefore, that there will be a reduction in BBSRC funding over the next spending review period for neuroscience research that is considered to fall outside BBSRC's strategic priorities. A precise level of funding for future neuroscience funding cannot be stated since, until BBSRC has received applications and their relevance and quality has been assessed, it will be difficult to determine, but as a broad estimate, not an allocation, which is all that is possible at this stage, BBSRC believe that their total neuroscience funding might run at approximately £36 million/year.
The total annual spend for MRC research relevant to neuroscience and mental health for the past five years is detailed in the following table.
| Total annual spend | |||||
| £ million | |||||
|
|
2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 |
|
MRC funding for research relevant to neuroscience and mental health |
|||||
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The MRC's Delivery Plan for the spending review period 2011/12 to 2014/15 outlines plans to increase funding in research into mental health, neurodegeneration, and addiction. The MRC therefore expects to see an increase in funding for neuroscience, but the exact level of funding will be dependent on the quality and strategic relevance of grant applications received.
New Businesses
Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when his Department plans to review the Technology Strategy Board rules on research contracts with start-up businesses and micro-businesses. [44571]
Mr Willetts: The Technology Strategy Board only issues research and development contracts in relation to the Small Business Research Initiative scheme and the terms and conditions of these contracts are determined by public procurement rules.
The Technology Strategy Board also issues grant offer letters to businesses under activities such as Collaborative R and D and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) which operate within state aid rules and are consistent with the terms and conditions designed and operated by the then DTI, which previously delivered such interventions. However, the Technology Strategy Board operates these interventions flexibly, recognising the dynamics of the sector at which they are targeted resulting in for example, a feasibility studies scheme to enable small and micro companies to buy in expertise from universities in the area of the creative industries; and shorter term, flexible KTPs focused on smaller companies not requiring a more in depth, longer term project.
The Technology Strategy Board will be the subject of a formal five-yearly review in 2012 which will assess its performance including its ability to engage with a range of businesses.
Post Offices: Closures
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many sub-post office branches closed (a) in total and (b) in each local authority area in the East of England in each year since 1997. [44237]
Mr Davey: The information requested is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the managing director of the Post Office Ltd, to respond directly to my hon. Friend and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Public Holidays
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the economy of the replacement of the May Day bank holiday by a bank holiday in October. [44148]
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Mr Davey [holding answer 4 March 2011]: The Government have made no assessment yet of the effects of the replacement of the May Day bank holiday with a bank holiday in October for any sector.
In the recent Tourism Strategy, DCMS has announced plans to conduct a full consultation and impact assessment on possibly moving the May Day bank holiday. Further details on the consultation will be published in due course.
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects of the replacement of the May Day bank holiday by a bank holiday in October on the (a) horticultural and (b) do-it-yourself retail sectors. [44149]
Mr Davey: [holding answer 4 March 2011]: The Government have made no assessment yet of the effects of the replacement of the May Day bank holiday with a bank holiday in October for any sector.
In the recent Tourism Strategy, DCMS has announced plans to conduct a full consultation and impact assessment on possibly moving the May Day bank holiday. Further details on the consultation will be published in due course.
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received on the replacement of the May Day bank holiday by a bank holiday in October. [44170]
Mr Davey [holding answer 4 March 2011]: The Government regularly receives representations requesting additional bank holidays or for existing ones to be moved to a new date.
In the recent Tourism Strategy DCMS has announced plans to conduct a full consultation and impact assessment on possibly moving the May Day bank holiday. Further details on the consultation will be published in due course.
Students: Finance
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of students normally resident in the Suffolk local education authority area applied for (a) student loans and (b) grants for the (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10 and (iii) 2010-11 academic years. [44203]
Mr Willetts: It is not possible to provide the proportions requested because figures for higher education courses in further education colleges are not available at local authority level.
The number of full-time students, residing in the local authority of Suffolk when they applied for financial support, who were awarded student loans or grants in academic years 2008/09 to 2010/11 is shown in Table 1. Figures for academic year 2010/11 are provisional and subject to change; final figures will be published in November 2011.
| Table 1: Students awarded student loans or grants who were living in Suffolk local authority when they applied for financial support | |||
| Academic years | |||
| Type of financial support | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 (1) |
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7 Mar 2011 : Column 830W
| (1) Provisional. (2) This includes maintenance and tuition fee loans (3) This includes Higher Education grants, Special Support grants, Maintenance grants, Tuition Fee grants, Disabled Student allowances, Travel grants, Childcare grants, Dependants grants, Parental Learning allowances and Adult Dependant grants. Source: Student Loans Company | |||
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Access to Learning Fund; and if he will make a statement. [44717]
Mr Willetts: The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is a discretionary fund that provides additional support for higher education students facing financial hardship. The Government have provided an ALF budget of £40 million for academic year 2010/11. ALF is administered by individual higher education institutions and further education colleges, which make their own decisions about how best to target their allocation, taking into account their student population and their knowledge of local circumstances. In the academic year 2009-10 (the most recent year for which we have data) the ALF was used to help around 89,000 full or part-time students.
Summertime
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has assessed the likely effect on faith communities of proposed changes to daylight saving hours. [44645]
Mr Davey: The Government are aware of a range of arguments regarding the effect of moving the clocks forward by one hour on families including faith communities. As the Prime Minister has made it clear that the Government could not support any change in this area unless there was consensus throughout the UK.
Transport
Air Travel Trust Fund
Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Air Travel Trust Fund to next report a surplus. [43144]
Mrs Villiers: The Air Travel Trust Fund meets the cost of refunds and repatriation arising from the insolvency of travel companies which are covered by the Air Travel Organisers License (ATOL) scheme. The deficit of the Fund was reported as £31.8m in the Funds' annual accounts for the year ending 31 March 2010.
One of the objectives of the reforms to the ATOL scheme, which I announced to the House on 3 February 2011, is to reduce the Fund's deficit and return it to financial sustainability. It is expected that the Fund’s will be in surplus within 3 years of the reforms being implemented. The precise timing depends on a number of factors, including the frequency and cost of travel company insolvencies.
ATOL Scheme
Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what timescale he has set for the completion of reform of the ATOL scheme. [43145]
Mrs Villiers: On the 3 February 2011, I announced the Government's ‘in principle' decision to reform the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) scheme. A public consultation on the details of the reform, including draft secondary legislation, is planned for spring 2011. Implementation of the new secondary legislation is aimed for late 2011 or early 2012. The Government is also considering the use of primary legislation to complete further ATOL reforms, although no decision on this has yet been taken.
Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether including click-through arrangements in the ATOL scheme would require primary legislation. [43146]
Mrs Villiers: On 3 February 2011, I announced to the House the Government's ‘in principle' decision to reform the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) scheme to ensure consumers are protected in the changing holiday market. Subject to consultation, the intention is for the reforms to be implemented by new secondary legislation in late 2011 or early 2012.
These reforms should mean that Flight Plus holidays organised by a ‘click through arrangement' by travel agents or tour operators are protected under the ATOL scheme. The Government is currently considering the case for new primary legislation that would be needed to bring all holidays organised by ‘click through arrangements', including those sold by airlines, into the ATOL scheme.
Aviation
Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received from the aviation industry on the effects of Government policy on that sector. [43281]
Mrs Villiers: The Secretary of State for Transport, the right hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), receives regular representations from a wide range of organisations on matters relating to Government aviation policy.
We are committed to producing a sustainable framework for UK aviation which supports economic growth and addresses aviation’s environmental impacts. During the policy development process, we will open a dialogue with a variety of stakeholders to seek their views and to draw on the expertise of those who best understand the benefits and impacts of aviation.
7 Mar 2011 : Column 831W
Aviation: Pilots
Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the maximum amount of time airline pilots should be expected to fly in 24 hours. [43765]
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the maximum amount of time airline pilots should be expected to fly in one day. [43899]
Mrs Villiers: I refer my hon. Friends to my answer of 28 February 2011, Official Report, column 176, given to the hon. Member for North Down (Lady Hermon).
Aviation: Security
Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce a personnel advanced screening system at UK airports; and if he will make a statement. [41407]
Mrs Villiers: There are no plans to introduce a personnel advanced screening system at UK airports.
One of the basic tenets of aviation security in the UK is that everyone entering the security restricted area of an airport, including staff, is subject to security screening. The Department specifies the standards that must be met, and the methods that may be used, by industry in respect of the screening of passengers and staff. All security measures are kept under review.
Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned on the threat to airport and airline security from air crew. [41510]
Mrs Villiers: The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) is responsible for assessing the threat to UK aviation interests from international terrorism. JTAC has assessed the full range of threats to civil aviation, but I cannot comment on individual assessments.
When making their assessment of the risk of an attack, Department for Transport officials take into account information on threat vulnerabilities and potential impacts of attack.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to bring forward proposals to enable UK airports to determine their own security procedures for air crew. [43900]
Mrs Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 2 March 2011, Official Report, column 460W, given to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Stephen Lloyd).
7 Mar 2011 : Column 832W
Aviation: Working Hours
Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely effects on safety of the European Aviation Safety Agency’s plans to reform flight time limitations. [41406]
Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effects on the safety of UK air travel of the European Aviation Safety Agency’s proposals for flight time limitations. [41509]
Mrs Villiers: I refer my hon. Friends to my answer given to the hon. Member for Coventry South (Mr Cunningham) of 7 February 2011, Official Report, column 51W.
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess any potential risk to UK air travel posed by the European Aviation Safety Agency's plans to reform flight time limitations. [42062]
Mrs Villiers: I refer my hon. Friends to my answer of 17 February, Official Report, column 966W.
Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Finance
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what capital expenditure his Department incurred on the Dartford Crossing in 2010-11; and what such expenditure it expects to incur in each of the next four financial years; [42270]
(2) what estimate he has made of the revenue generated by tolls at the Dartford Crossing in (a) 2010-11 and (b) each of the next four financial years. [42269]
Mike Penning [holding answer 28 February 2011]: Details of income and expenditure for the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing charging scheme are published annually, with accounts for the year to 31 March 2010 published on 31 January 2011. Accounts for 2010-11 will be published in due course.
Copies of the 2009-10 accounts are available from the Library of the House and from the following link:
http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc1011/hc07/0711/0711.asp
The Department for Transport made clear in its spending review announcement that investment at Dartford is a priority, and that subject to consultation, it intends to increase the levels of road user charges in 2011 and 2012 to allow for future investment, including the implementation of free-flow charging technology, and to help fund proposals for a new, additional crossing.
Detailed impacts of such investment on future revenue and capital expenditure will be set out as details of such measures are announced.
Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the effect on revenue generated of suspending tolls at the Dartford Crossing in periods of severe congestion. [42271]
7 Mar 2011 : Column 833W
Mike Penning [holding answer 28 February 2011]: The Highways Agency is developing an operational protocol to suspend the road user charges at the Dartford Crossing during emergency incidents or when congestion is particularly severe.
The revenue implications from use of the protocol are dependent on the number of occasions where traffic conditions are such that charges are suspended, and the duration of charge suspension period.
We aim to publish details and introduce the use of the protocol as soon as it is possible to do so this year.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) actual and (b) full-time equivalent staff have left his Department's employ since May 2010. [42296]
Norman Baker:
The central Department and its seven executive agencies identified the following number of
7 Mar 2011 : Column 834W
(a)
actual and
(b)
full-time equivalent staff to have left the Department's employ since May 2010. The total includes both permanent and non-permanent employees.
(a) The number of actual staff who have left the Department since May 2010 is 1,264 (453 of whom from the central Department).
(b) The number of full-time equivalent staff who have left the Department since May 2010 is 1,162 (439 of whom from the central Department).
Departmental Regulation
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many regulations sponsored by his Department have been (a) introduced and (b) revoked since 7 December 2010. [44361]
Mike Penning: The Department has introduced 19 regulations since 7 December 2010 and the full listing is listed here, correct to 23 February 2011. Of these 19, four revoked or replaced existing legislation.
Driving Standards Agency
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what effect the outcome of the comprehensive spending review will have on the review of the Driving Standards Agency; and if he will make a statement. [44520]
Mike Penning: The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is a trading fund and recovers most of its costs through user charges for its services, such as the driving test.
DSA sometimes receives loans from Department for Transport to undertake specific activities and receives funding for the prevention of fraud, both of which are reviewed on an annual basis.
There has not yet been any direct effect on the Agency from the comprehensive spending review.
Great Western Railway: Electrification
Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce plans for the electrification of the main railway line into Wales. [43737]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 3 March 2011]: On 1 March, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Transport, announced plans for electrification of the Great Western Main Line to Bristol and Cardiff and the delivery of a new fleet of intercity trains.
7 Mar 2011 : Column 835W
I expect passengers from South Wales to enjoy the benefits of this significant investment from 2016 onwards with the full service from the end of 2017.
Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the full business case on which he based his decision to extend the electrification of the Great Western Line from Didcot to Cardiff, including (a) the case for extension to Swansea and (b) the case for electrification between Bath and Bristol. [44646]
Mrs Villiers: I am prepared to deposit in the Library of the House details of the business case work which assisted the Department for Transport in determining the further extension of electrification of the Great Western Main Line. Other factors, including affordability and operational aspects, have also been considered as part of the decision making process.
Southeastern Trains: Cancellations
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford of 14 February 2011, Official Report, columns 638-40W, on Southeastern, how many rail services operated by Southeastern have been cancelled in each month of the current franchise agreement. [43566]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 2 March 2011]: The requested information is available only for the four- week rail industry reporting periods, and is as follows:
| Southeastern cancellations | |
| Reporting period | Trains cancelled |
7 Mar 2011 : Column 836W
| Note: Period 10 2010-11 (12 December 2010 to 9 January 2011) are the latest data available. There are 13 rail periods in a year, usually four weeks in length. | |
Railway Stations: Public Service Announcements
Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which public service announcements are required at railway stations. [44460]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 4 March 2011]: There is a requirement for public security announcements to be made at rail stations as part of the National Rail Security Programme. Under this programme, announcements are set at a level proportionate to the prevailing threat and vulnerability, and are kept under constant review.
The Department for Transport's code of practice ‘Accessible Train Station Design for Disabled People, Version 2’, issued in September 2010, sets out various requirements concerning the making of announcements. The number of announcements made will vary depending on the level of service at any given station.
Railways: Construction
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely frequency of replacement of track sections on High Speed Two. [43442]
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Mr Philip Hammond: I refer my hon. Friend to the Infrastructure Maintenance Strategy section of the Technical Appendix, available at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/hs2ltd/
Railways: Fares
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the revenue to accrue to (a) train operating companies and (b) his Department attributable to the increase in rail fares by the retail prices index in the next four financial years. [42733]
Mrs Villiers: The retail prices index is part of the ongoing formula for capping rail fares and is taken into account automatically in the levels of premia/subsidy through the franchise agreements with each train operator. Separately, the Government are about to engage with the industry in negotiations on the effect on subsidy/premia of the change in the cap on regulated fares from RPI+1 to RPI+3 for the three years from Jan 2012 to Jan 2014. It would prejudice these discussions to make further details public.
Sea Rescue
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what private finance initiative contracts exist in respect of coastguard services in Scotland; and what the monetary value is of such contracts. [45001]
Mike Penning: No private finance initiative contracts exist in respect of coastguard services in Scotland.
Shipping
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the registered tonnage of the merchant fleet under the UK flag was on the most recent date for which figures are available; and what the average tonnage per ship of the UK Flag Registry is. [44736]
Mike Penning: As of 28 February 2011, the registered tonnage of UK registered merchant ships 100 gross tons (GT) and over was 17,030,315 GT.
There were 1,489 ships, giving an average tonnage per ship of 11,437 GT.
Shipping and Aviation: Carbon Emissions
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to reduce carbon dioxide emissions attributable to (a) shipping and (b) aviation. [42861]
Norman Baker: The Government recognises the importance of addressing CO2 emissions from shipping and aviation and we are taking a broad range of measures to reduce these.
The Government is playing an active role in the International Maritime Organisation's work on technical, operational and market based measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from shipping on a global basis, and has submitted a proposal for an emissions trading system to cap shipping emissions in an efficient and cost-effective way. The UK is also working with the European
7 Mar 2011 : Column 838W
Commission and other Member States to develop a proposal for effective regional action in the event that no international measure has been agreed by the end of 2011.
Since coming to power, the Government has cancelled plans for a third runway at Heathrow and has made clear that it will refuse permission for additional runways at Gatwick and Stansted. The Government has also stated its intention to create a sustainable framework for aviation in the UK, which supports economic growth and addresses aviation's environmental impacts. The Government will issue a scoping document in March 2011 setting out strategic directions on aviation policy.
In the meantime, at a European level the UK is fully on-track to implement the Aviation EU Emissions Trading System from the beginning of 2012, and continues to push internationally for more ambitious global action through the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Bermuda
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Bermuda. [43826]
Mr Bellingham: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has no immediate plans to visit Bermuda. However, I hope to visit Bermuda later this year.
Departmental Relocation
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will bring forward proposals to relocate (a) staff and (b) offices of his Department to Brighton; and if he will make a statement. [43479]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no plans to relocate staff or offices to Brighton. Like other Departments, we liaise closely with the Government Property Unit to determine the level of operational demand for working space in the UK, and to ensure value for money.
Côte d'Ivoire: British Nationals Abroad
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the safety of British nationals resident in Côte d'Ivoire. [43829]
Mr Bellingham: We advise against all travel to Côte d'Ivoire. British nationals have since December 2010 been advised to leave the country by commercial means if it is safe to do so. Our Political Counsellor in Abidjan is in close contact through the consular warden network with those British nationals who have not heeded this advice. This conduit allows us to communicate updates on the security situation and any further changes to our travel advice.
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We continue to liaise with colleagues in other Departments and international partners to ensure that our information is accurate and our contingency plans are up to date. The safety of British nationals in Côte d'Ivoire is our foremost priority.
Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Witham of 27 October 2010, Official Report, columns 339-40W, on departmental disciplinary proceedings, how many UK-based officials working in (a) the UK and (b) overseas posts were dismissed on disciplinary grounds in the last five years; and what the overseas post was in each case. [44156]
Alistair Burt: There were fewer than five dismissals in total, on disciplinary grounds, in each of the last five years for UK-based Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff working in both the UK and at our overseas posts. For reasons of confidentiality, and to avoid the possibility of revealing the identities of individual staff, the FCO, in line with Cabinet Office guidance, does not disclose more detailed information when overall numbers amount to fewer than five.
Egypt
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official visits Ministers from his Department have made to Egypt since 1997; and for what purpose. [43981]
Alistair Burt: Previous visits to Egypt by Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers since 1997 include:
Lord Green, February 2011 as part of the recent delegation led by the Prime Minister
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Hague), November 2010
The Member for Bury South (Mr Lewis), January 2010
Bill Rammell (former Member for Harlow), May 2009
Lord Malloch-Brown, November 2007, 30 June-1 July 2008 and November 2008
The right hon. Member for South Shields (David Miliband), November 2007
Ministers take part in regular meetings and overseas visits to discuss a range of matters with interlocutors.
Iran: Warships
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the passage of Iranian warships through the Suez Canal; whether he has had discussions with his (a) Egyptian and (b) Israeli counterpart on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [R] [43819]
Alistair Burt: I am aware of the recent passage of Iranian navy vessels through the Suez Canal. Iran was trying to provoke a reaction through a symbolic but superficial act. But it knows, and others in the region recognise, that there are real limits to its power and influence. We continue to discuss Iran with a wide range of international partners including Israel and Egypt.
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Libya
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the quality of intelligence assessments by his Department relating to Libya. [43908]
Alistair Burt: The policy of successive governments has been not to comment on matters relating to intelligence or national security.
Libya: British Nationals Abroad
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department first discussed with the Ministry of Defence the provision of assistance for the evacuation of UK citizens from Libya. [43701]
Mr Hague [holding answer 3 March 2011]:The Foreign and Commonwealth Office works closely with the Ministry of Defence on consular contingency planning. The two Departments have been in close and regular contact since the beginning of the crisis in Libya, including on the role of the Ministry of Defence in the provision of assistance for the evacuation of UK citizens from Libya.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he first received information that commercial carriers were cancelling flights to and from Libya as a result of the recent unrest in that country. [43702]
Mr Hague [holding answer 3 March 2011]:On 20 February, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London contacted British Airways, which confirmed that they had no plans to suspend their scheduled services to Tripoli. Both sides agreed to stay in close contact, particularly should that change. In the evening of 21 February British Airways informed the FCO that they were now cancelling their flights to and from Libya, on safety and security grounds. BMI took the decision to suspend their scheduled service on the morning of 22 February, also on safety and security grounds, and promptly informed us, though at the time it was a decision taken a day at a time. Our embassy in Tripoli had also been in regular contact with both airlines on the ground. Tripoli airport remained open and operating with scheduled flights continuing on 22 February by a range of other airlines.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aircraft have been used for each evacuation of British nationals from abroad in 2011. [43703]
Mr Hague
[holding answer 3 March 2011]:Since Monday 21 February the British Government have arranged 17 flights to help British Nationals leave Libya. Nine flights were organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including three to provide onward travel to the UK, and one that had initially been chartered by BP. Eight were operated by the Ministry of Defence. A range of civil and military aircraft were used, including BAe 146s, Boeing 737s and C130s. In addition, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office assisted British nationals who wanted to leave Libya by facilitating
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commercial flights and arranging seats for British nationals on flights organised by other countries. Previously in 2011, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had also chartered two flights to take British nationals out of Cairo, supplementing commercially available options.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) British and (b) non-British nationals have been evacuated from Libya on RAF aircraft to date. [43886]
Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to my written ministerial statement of 3 March 2011, Official Report, columns 35-36WS, on Libya: Consular Response in which I updated the House on the efforts the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made to help British nationals depart Libya.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the terms of reference are for his Department's review of aircraft evacuation procedures; how it will report; and by what date he expects it to report. [44402]
Mr Hague [holding answer 4 March 2011]: The Prime Minister and I have both told the House that there are lessons we will wish to learn from this evacuation. I have therefore commissioned a review, with the aim of examining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s arrangements for leading the evacuation of British nationals in a crisis. The review will consider the contingency arrangements that the FCO in London and all Posts have in place, and the triggers and procedures for moving to a crisis footing and mounting civilian and military evacuation operations.
The review will consult widely across Government, with the airline industry, major multinationals with British staff in high risk locations, private security companies, the Association of British Travel Agencies and other key travel industry figures, the Red Cross and other emergency management organisations, and our international partners.
The review will be completed and presented to FCO Ministers as soon as practically possible.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date and at what time his Department first placed the order for the charter aircraft to evacuate British nationals from Libya which was subsequently delayed at Gatwick Airport. [44403]
Mr Hague:
[holding answer 4 March 2011]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) was in discussions with brokers throughout 21 February about charter options. I took the decision to authorise FCO charters at 10 pm that evening. The FCO then placed the order with the brokers and, following intense discussions, flight options were confirmed with them at 11.52 pm the same evening. The aircraft operator and FCO staff on the ground advised that landing permissions were taking up to 48 hours to process. This first charter flight was therefore arranged to depart from Gatwick airport at 9 am on 23 February. Despite strenuous efforts by the operator and by embassy staff on the ground, and like a number of other countries, we were unable to secure
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landing permission on 22 February. By mid-morning on 23 February, a few countries had taken the risk of flying to Tripoli without prior landing permission, seeking landing permission from the control tower instead. No sanctions had been taken against them. We therefore informed the operator and requested them to fly in on this basis. The operator agreed. However, at this point it became apparent that the charter plane had developed a technical fault, preventing it from taking off. This fault was repaired as quickly as possible and the plane departed London Gatwick on the evening of 23 February.
Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of UK nationals evacuated from Tripoli on flights organised by other governments since 15 February 2011. [44409]
Alistair Burt: Our records show that other Governments, including those of other EU member states, have helped over 150 British nationals to leave Libya.
Libya: Foreign Nationals
Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many non-UK nationals have been evacuated from Tripoli on flights arranged by his Department since 15 February 2011. [44408]
Alistair Burt: Approximately 180 non-UK nationals have been evacuated from Tripoli on Foreign and Commonwealth Office chartered flights.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when he plans to reply to the letter of 1 February 2011 from the hon. Member for Walsall North on a constituent whose daughter is in Pakistan; [44852]
(2) what steps he plans to take to ensure that the hon. Member for Walsall North receives a reply to his letter of 1 February 2011 regarding a constituent whose daughter is in Pakistan, UKBA CTS reference: M2320/11. [44853]
Mr Lidington: The Minister for South Asia, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), replied to the hon. Member for Walsall North’s letter on 28 February 2011.
New Zealand: Earthquakes
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance has been provided to New Zealand following the recent earthquake in Christchurch. [44956]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Officials from our high commission in Wellington, led by our high commissioner, were quickly deployed to Christchurch to liaise with the New Zealand authorities and provide consular assistance to British nationals. In response to a request from the New Zealand Government, we immediately sent a self-sufficient search and rescue team of 63 experts drawn from the British emergency fire and rescue services.
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In addition, the New Zealand Government have accepted our offer of support in the process of Disaster Victim Identification. A 10-man team, specially tailored to support the New Zealand authorities, is in Christchurch and providing essential support and expertise in helping to identify any potential British victims and bolster the New Zealand authorities in their wider identification process.
North Africa: British Nationals Abroad
Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British nationals were evacuated from (a) Tunisia, (b) Egypt and (c) Libya by other EU member states during the recent political events in those countries; and if he will make a statement. [44174]
Alistair Burt [holding answer 4 March 2011]:We co-operate closely with a range of international partners on consular crisis response. Our records show that other governments, including those of other EU member states, have helped over 150 British nationals to leave Libya. It is likely that additional British nationals were evacuated by their employers or our international partners without formal notification to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. British nationals left Egypt through a variety of different means, including flights organised by other nations.
North Africa: EU Nationals
Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many non-British European citizens have been evacuated from (a) Tunisia, (b) Egypt and (c) Libya using his Department’s resources during the recent events in those countries; and if he will make a statement. [44175]
Alistair Burt [holding answer 4 March 2011]:Our officials and armed forces have helped over 1,800 foreign nationals to leave Libya and Egypt. We did not mount an official evacuation from Tunisia. In the case of Egypt, the two charters organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) from Cairo also brought out a number of EU citizens. In the case of Libya, nearly 30 EU citizens were among those evacuated on the FCO chartered flights from Tripoli and approximately 200 further EU citizens were evacuated by UK military transport.
North Korea: South Korea
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take in conjunction with his international counterparts to deal with the security situation between North Korea and South Korea. [44473]
Mr Jeremy Browne:
We regularly discuss the situation with both North and South Korea. The Prime Minister has been in close touch with President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea, and spoke to him following the attacks last year. In addition, senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials regularly meet North Korean counterparts to relay our message that North Korea faces increasing isolation unless it changes course.
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We actively support a process which involves building trust and confidence between North and South Korea. We are monitoring the situation closely, and stand ready to help advance talks.
Pakistan: Religious Freedom
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make urgent representations to the government of Pakistan on the killing of the Minister responsible for religious minorities in that country and treatment of those who oppose blasphemy laws in that country. [44472]
Alistair Burt: The assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti was an appalling and cowardly act, striking at the heart of democracy and freedom of expression in Pakistan. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble Friend Baroness Warsi and I have made public statements condemning his murder, and the Prime Minister has written to President Zardari to express his condolences and his support for the Government of Pakistan's effort to strengthen democracy. We continue to make clear the need to ensure that the blasphemy laws are not misused including against minorities. We continue to support the case for reform of those laws.
Sudan: British Nationals Abroad
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the risk to UK nationals in the Abyei region of Sudan. [44294]
Mr Bellingham: The increase in violence in Abyei over the last few days is very concerning. Our assessment of the security situation in Abyei had already led us to advise against all but essential travel to Abyei. There are currently very few UK nationals in Abyei and we ask all UK nationals visiting Sudan to register with our embassy via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Tunisia
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) dates and (b) purposes were of each visit to Tunisia by Ministers in his Department since 1997. [43929]
Alistair Burt: I visited Tunisia between 28 and 30 November 2010.
Previous visits by Foreign and Commonwealth Ministers since 1997 include:
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, February 2011
Bill Rammell (former Member for Harlow), February 2009
The right hon. Member for South Shields (David Miliband), February 2008
The right hon. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, January 2005 and September 2003
The right hon. Member for Neath (Mr Hain), April 2000
Derek Fatchett (former Member for Leeds Central), May 1998.
The purpose of my visit was to support UK objectives in a range of areas including the safety of British nationals travelling to Tunisia, trade, counter-terrorism, regional stability and political reform.
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Turks and Caicos Islands
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for permanent residence certificates the Turks and Caicos Islands Government has received in each of the last five years. [43890]
Mr Bellingham: The Immigration Department of the Turks and Caicos Islands is not able to provide accurate statistics for the number of applications for permanent residence certificates received over the past five years.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government is currently carrying out extensive reforms within the Immigration Department. This includes the work of registering and responding to applications received in the last five years, including those which were not dealt with under the previous administration.
I understand that approximately 2,000 applications for permanent residence certificates were received between 2006 and 2010.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he expects the embargo on new permanent residency applications in the Turks and Caicos Islands to be lifted. [43976]
Mr Bellingham: The Turks and Caicos Islands Government are currently carrying out extensive reforms within the Immigration Department. This includes the work of registering and responding to applications received in the last five years, including those which were not dealt with under the previous Administration.
The Government understand that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government will shortly announce a timetable for lifting the moratorium and accepting new applications.
Yemen: British Nationals Abroad
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the safety of British nationals resident in Yemen. [43830]
Alistair Burt: I have spoken regularly with ministerial colleagues in the Department for International Development (DfID), the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Home Office on developing events in Yemen. We are watching events closely and urge an immediate halt to the violence.
In consultation with DfID, MOD and Home Office, we will continue to work closely together to ensure the safety of British nationals in Yemen. We urge all British nationals in Yemen to ensure they maintain regular contact with our embassy in Sana'a.
Yemen: Foreign Policy
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on Yemen; and if he will make a statement. [44337]
Alistair Burt [holding answer 4 March 2011]: The Government, along with the international community, assess that the Government of Yemen needs to take urgent action to tackle its economic, security and political challenges. The Government support a comprehensive approach to helping Yemen overcome these challenges.
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Bilaterally, the Government are committed to a united, prosperous and stable Yemen. We are one of the largest bilateral donors to Yemen. Our aid programme aims to address the most immediate causes of poverty, conflict and instability, and to create a more favourable environment for sustained development, through projects which focus on support for basic service delivery, more accountable and responsive state institutions, and economic opportunity.
Multilaterally, the UK takes a leading role in the Friends of Yemen, a group which co-ordinates the efforts of the international community to assist the Government of Yemen. The next meeting of the group is scheduled for 22-23 March in Riyadh. The meeting should assess progress against agreed objectives from the last meeting in September 2010 and to discuss certain key themes:
Political inclusion through the process of the National Dialogue with a view to the holding of free and fair parliamentary elections;
Clearly identified development objectives set out in a Development Plan for Poverty Reduction and supported by an appropriate funding mechanism;
Action to address threats to internal security and resolve underlying political grievances.
Work and Pensions
Cold Weather Payments: Stockton on Tees
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the weather station area covering Stockton North constituency qualified for cold weather payment on the most recent date for which figures are available. [43519]
Steve Webb: The available information is given in the table.
| Estimated number of benefit units that received at least one cold weather payment for weather stations linked to postcode districts in Stockton North constituency | |
| Weather station | 2010-11 |
| Notes: 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National Statistics and there are some issues with the data, for example, figures given are estimates. Actuals are not available. Estimates for 2010-11 may be revised after the end of the cold weather payment season, but will still be estimates not actuals. 2. A cold weather payment is made to an eligible customer when the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0°C or below over seven consecutive days at the weather station linked to the customer's postcode. (When the temperature criterion is met, the weather station is said to trigger.) 3. Each of the weather stations is linked both to an area within Stockton North constituency and also to an area outside Stockton North constituency. Estimated numbers given are for the weather station as a whole, not for the part of Stockton North constituency linked to the weather station. 4. If there is a further trigger for any of the weather stations this winter, that will not change the estimates of the number of benefit units that received at least one cold weather payment in 2010-11. 5. Cold weather payments are made to benefit units. A benefit unit can be a single person or a couple and can include children. 6. Some benefit units received more than one payment in a year. 7. Estimated numbers have been rounded to the nearest 100. Sources: Postcode districts in the Stockton North constituency: analysis of National Statistics Postcode Directory. Postcode district to weather station links: Department for Work and Pensions records. Records of triggers and estimates of potential qualifiers by weather station: Department for Work and Pensions records. | |
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Departmental Food
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects his Department to meet the Government’s commitment to source food that meets British or equivalent standards of production. [43309]
Chris Grayling: The Department has a private finance initiative contract with Telereal Trillium for the provision of fully fitted and serviced accommodation. This includes the provision of catering, which is delivered by Eurest, a subcontractor to Telereal Trillium.
The majority of food sourced by the Department already meets the Government’s commitment to source food that meets British or equivalent standards of production. The commitment has not been met in the sourcing of pork which, while meeting EU standards, does not meet British or equivalent standards as it attracts a price premium. The Government’s commitment are subject to there being no overall increase in costs.
Disability Living Allowance
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with (a) local authorities and (b) managers of residential care homes on removal of the mobility component of disability living allowance for those in local authority-funded residential care homes; and if he will make a statement. [43133]
Maria Miller: In recent months, Ministers in the Department have met disabled people who are care home residents, their families and care home staff, as well as local authorities, disability organisations and other groups to discuss reform of disability living allowance, including reform of the mobility component.
In addition, disabled people and their representatives have had an opportunity to put forward their views in a DLA reform consultation document, which received over 5,000 responses from individuals and 500 responses from organisations.
We have taken account of the many representations we have had from disability organisations and other groups and are now reviewing mobility provision in care homes as part of our wider reform of DLA.
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to respond to his Department's consultation on the disability living allowance. [43150]
Maria Miller: The consultation on the reform of disability living allowance closed on 18 February. We received over 5,000 responses from individuals and over 500 from organisations. The Government plan to publish their response in the spring.
Disability: Mortgages
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether an equality impact assessment was undertaken in respect of proposals to reduce the support for mortgage interest rate for people participating in the home ownership for people with long-term disabilities scheme. [43788]
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Maria Miller: The change in the standard interest rate used to calculate support for mortgage interest applies to all customers who receive that help as part of their benefit.
The Department has published an equality impact assessment on the change, and this has included an assessment of the impact on disabled customers, including those participating in the home ownership for people with long-term disabilities scheme.
The document was published on the Department's website at:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/support-for-mortgage-interest.pdf
Employment and Support Allowance: Medical Examinations
Sandra Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason medical evidence is not sought from the GP of a claimant of employment and support allowance as part of the work capability assessment. [43524]
Maria Miller: Initial claims to employment and support allowance must be supported by appropriate evidence, which is usually in the form of a fit note provided by the claimant’s GP. In addition to this, processes are in place to ensure that further medical evidence may be requested from GPs when it is likely to help provide advice on benefit entitlement. Any evidence provided by a customer’s GP or consultant is very important and will be fully considered.
Employment: Young People
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what steps he plans to take to increase youth employment; [43813]
(2) if his Department will bring forward proposals for a successor scheme to replace the Youth Guarantee from April 2011. [43815]
Chris Grayling: The Government do not intend to introduce a successor scheme to replace the Young Person's Guarantee, but are determined to deal with the legacy of youth unemployment.
From summer 2011 the Work Programme will offer a flexible, personalised programme built around the needs of individuals, including young people. Jobseekers aged 18 to 24 will access the Work Programme after nine months of unemployment. Those young people with the most serious barriers to employment will access the programme from three months into their claim.
In addition to this, from April Jobcentre Plus advisers will have more discretion to work with young people to help them make the move into employment, and will be given greater freedom to determine what support will be provided to meet both customer and labour market need. This might include, for example, work experience, volunteering, an apprenticeship, a further education course or other training.
Funeral Payments
Iain Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will review his Department’s public literature on funeral payments to ensure that the information it contains is accurate and concise, but also comprehensive and readily understood. [42421]
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Steve Webb: The Department’s public literature is reviewed regularly to ensure that it meets the required standard for both usability and comprehension.
Officials have recently reviewed the Department’s literature on funeral payments for policy clarity and some minor amendments have been made to the funeral payment claim form SF200 which will be implemented in April 2011. The Department’s leaflets will also be reviewed by September 2011.
Incapacity Benefit
Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the cost of assessing and reassessing claimants' incapacity benefits through the work capability assessment in the latest period for which figures are available. [44719]
Chris Grayling:
A full appraisal of the expected costs and benefits of the reassessment of incapacity benefit claims was made in 2010 and is detailed in the "Impact Assessment of Employment and Support Allowance
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(Transitional Provisions, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) (Existing Awards) Regulations 2010".
Page 9 onwards of this document detailed the expected costs and benefits. All costs and benefits are presented as Net Present Values in 2009-10 prices, and include costs and benefits occurring between 2009-10 and 2013-14. The economic impact of the policy (Net Present Value) is £1,000 million (excluding one-off costs). Positive number represents benefits. This impact assessment covers just the impact of migration cases and not all ESA cases going forward.
Jobcentre Plus
Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in each region were referred for job training by Jobcentre Plus to a training provider in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what proportion this represented of the number of those on jobseeker’s allowance in each region. [39859]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is as follows:
| Number of referrals to contracted employment provision from April 2009 to March 2010 by region and the number of individuals who had an active claim for jobseeker’s allowance at any point between April 2009 and March 2010 | |||||
| Region | Referrals | Starts | JSA active claims | Referrals v Individuals (%) | Starts v Individuals (%) |
Jobcentre Plus: Glasgow
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what assessment he has made of the likely change in the level of provision of Jobcentre Plus in (a) Glasgow, (b) Scotland and (c) the United Kingdom in each of the next four financial years; [43716]
(2) whether he has set an objective for the level of efficiency savings to be achieved by the Jobcentre Plus network in (a) Glasgow, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK in each of the next four financial years. [43689]
Chris Grayling: As 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 questions asking what assessment has been made of the likely change in the level of provision of Jobcentre Plus in (a) Glasgow, (b) Scotland and (c) the United Kingdom in each of the next four financial years; and whether an objective has been set for the level of efficiency savings to be achieved by the Jobcentre Plus network in (a) Glasgow, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK in each of the next four financial years.
This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
By way of clarification, Jobcentre Plus does not provide services in Northern Ireland, therefore data is not available for the whole of the UK, but for Great Britain (GB) only. For this answer, GB is defined as England, Scotland and Wales.
Our financial plans for the next four years are at an early stage and are still being refined. Whilst we can provide information about the position at the GB level for Jobcentre Plus, we have not yet set efficiency targets below this level (i.e. for Scotland or Glasgow) for 2011/12.
The Spending Review, 2010 announced that DWP would deliver 26% savings in real terms from its core budget over the four year period to 2015. Jobcentre Plus will contribute to achieving this level of savings.
In 2011/12, we will do this by working more efficiently. For example, we will make much more use of our online services (e.g. Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) online). We are implementing ideas from our staff to make improvements in our processes and help improve productivity. We will also make savings in our back office and support functions. In our jobcentres, we will enable our personal advisers to work more flexibly to provide personalised support to customers and we will work more closely with external providers under the new Work Programme.
To help achieve the level of efficiencies required, we will be reviewing our Jobcentre network as part of an overall service delivery plan. We will look at which locations we will deliver
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services from and how best to do so, working with other local services such as councils, credit unions, and training providers to join up our services better and share premises where possible. In some cities, we have a number of jobcentres close to each other and it is sensible to look at opportunities to reduce our costs here. We are also reviewing our network of Contact Centres and Benefit Centres
Once we have developed our plans, including Equality Impact Assessments, we will share these with local stakeholders, including MPs, as part of our normal consultation arrangements for service delivery, before any decision is taken.
Jobcentre Plus expects its jobcentre network to remain one of the largest in government, with services still delivered in many small and rural towns as well as major cities.
Jobseeker's Allowance and Travel Concessions
Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what information he holds on schemes which allow those on jobseeker’s allowance to access discounted bus, train or tram fares; [43016]
(2) if he will bring forward proposals for a national scheme to enable those on jobseeker’s allowance to receive discounted public transport fares. [43017]
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.
Jobseeker's Allowance: Airdrie
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of the working age population of Airdrie and Shotts constituency is in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance. [44841]
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 March 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of the working age population of Airdrie and Shorts constituency are in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance. (044841)
Since August 2010 labour market statistics are no longer based on a working age definition. These statistics are now based on people aged 16-64 years.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles the number of claimants of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) from the Jobcentre Plus administrative system.
For January 2011 the number of people aged 16-64 years resident in Airdrie and Shotts constituency claiming JSA is 3,311 and the proportion is 6.0 per cent.
National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
Jobseeker's Allowance: Coventry
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many 16 to 24-year-olds in Coventry claimed jobseeker's allowance in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [43814]
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Chris Grayling: The information requested is in the following table.
| Jobseeker's allowance claimants aged 16-24 years in Coventry local authority area: January 2008 to January 2011 | |
|
|
Number |
| Notes: 1. Caseload data are rounded to the nearest five. 2. Data are published at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk Source: Count of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems (computer held cases only). | |
Maternity Payments
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many families in the Jobcentre Plus Social Fund budget areas covering Livingston constituency received the Sure Start maternity grant in 2009-10; and what the total monetary value was of such grants; [44710]
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(2) what estimate he has made of the number of low income families having a second or subsequent baby in the Jobcentre Plus Social Fund budget areas covering Livingston constituency who will not be eligible for the Sure Start maternity grant from 1 April 2011. [44711]
Steve Webb: The Jobcentre Plus Social Fund budget area covering Livingston constituency is Springburn Benefit Delivery Centre. In 2009-10, the number of Sure Start maternity grant awards made in Springburn Benefit Delivery Centre was 13,200 with a total monetary value of £6.7 million.
The number of awards made for a second or subsequent maternity in 2009-10 in Springburn Benefit Delivery Centre is estimated to be 52% of all awards, namely 6,900.
Notes:
1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National Statistics and there are some issues with the data, for example, the number of awards does not include awards processed clerically which had not been entered on to the Social Fund Computer System by the end of 2009-10.
2. The average award size is greater than £500 (the award for one baby) because of multiple births.
3. Both numbers have been rounded to the nearest 100.
4. The changes will take place from 11 April.
Sources:
1. Department for Work and Pensions Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System (for total number of awards in Springburn Benefit Delivery Centre and monetary values).
2. The estimate of 52% was obtained by analysing families in Great Britain with a child (or children) aged under one from the Department for Work and Pensions Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiries for August 2009. (This was considered the most appropriate available data at the time the analysis was done.)