As new technologies are deployed it is likely that costs will fall due to learning. The second table, as follows, sets out the estimated levelised costs for projects started in 2017 with the assumption that all technologies have reached ‘nth-of-a-kind’ status.
| Case 5: 10% discount rate, 2017 start at projected EPC prices, all NOAK | ||||||||||
| £/MWh | ||||||||||
| Levelised cost | Gas CCGT | Gas CCGT with CCS | ASC Coal | ASC Coal with CCS | Coal IGCC | Coal IGCC with CCS | Onshore wind | Offshore wind | Offshore wind R3 | Nuclear PWR |
8 Mar 2011 : Column 973W
8 Mar 2011 : Column 974W
| Source: Mott Macdonald (2010, UK Electricity Generation Costs Update, available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Statistics/Projections/71-uk-electricity-generation-costs-update-.pdf | ||||||||||
It should be noted that the estimates of levelised costs for different types of electricity generation are highly sensitive to the assumptions used for capital costs, fuel and EU ETS allowance prices, operating costs, load factor, and other drivers. Meaning that there is significant uncertainty around these estimates.
Energy: Hastings
Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households in the Hastings Borough Council area did not have a mains supply of (a) electricity and (b) gas in the latest period for which figures are available. [45251]
Charles Hendry: Data on the number of households by local authority without an electricity or gas mains supply are not available.
An estimate of the number of households off the gas grid at Government Office region can be derived using data from the English House Survey (EHS), produced by DCLG. In 2008, based on the EHS, there were around 467,000 households in the south-east that did not have a mains gas connection. The number of households without a mains electricity connection is too small to be reliably estimated from a sample survey such as the EHS.
Environment Protection
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department's definition of zero carbon applies to technologies which reduce greenhouse gas emissions by (a) 50 per cent., (b) 60 per cent., (c) 70 per cent., (d) 80 per cent., (e) 90 per cent., and (f) 100 per cent. [44333]
Grant Shapps: I have been asked to reply.
The Government have recently received a report from the independent Zero Carbon Hub on the levels of reductions in carbon emissions which can be achieved by technologies to be installed on or as part of a house as part of meeting the zero carbon standard. The Government are considering this report and we will set out our conclusions in due course.
EU Emissions Trading Scheme
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [44582]
Gregory Barker: The European Union emissions trading system continues to provide an effective means of reducing emissions from heavy industry across the EU. The cap set by the 2009 amending directive will reduce emissions from industry, covered by the scheme, by 21% (on 2005 levels) in 2020.
Nuclear Installations: Accidents
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what (a) coolant leaks and (b) fires have been recorded at each UK nuclear installation in each of the last five years. [45017]
Charles Hendry: The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE/NII) screens incident reports made by licensees to identify those which have had the potential to challenge a nuclear safety system. A search of the raw input data for such screening from January 2005 to the end of December 2010 has been undertaken for details of leaks and fires at nuclear installations.
A ‘coolant leak’ has been interpreted as being a loss of coolant, including clean coolant, from an item of plant into the working environment of the licensed site. Coolant itself has been interpreted as being water, carbon dioxide or hydrogen on a power station, and water elsewhere.
A ‘fire’ has been interpreted as being a situation where ignition of material has taken place on the licensed site or instances of smouldering where such ignition could not reasonably be ruled out given the information in the record.
8 Mar 2011 : Column 975W
| Fire | ||
| Date | Site | Incident |
8 Mar 2011 : Column 976W
Power Stations: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consideration he gave to the inclusion in the Energy Bill of provision for a power to make regulations to improve emissions performance standards for coal and gas-fired power stations. [44628]
Charles Hendry:
The Government committed to an Emissions Performance Standard in the Coalition programme for government and is taking this forward as part of the wider package of reforms in the Electricity
8 Mar 2011 : Column 977W
Market Reform project and consultation. The consultation has sought views on the proposed options for an EPS and the Government will publish its response in a White Paper later this year.
Single Key Low Carbon Investment Fund
Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of the Single Key Low Carbon Investment Fund will be spent on activity that was previously funded by the Marine Renewables Deployment Fund. [44771]
Gregory Barker: The single key low carbon investment funding was made available in Budget 2009 for financial years 2009-10 and 2010-11. It did not duplicate the Marine Renewables Deployment Fund, but it has supported marine technology development, i.e. £22.5 million over the two years on the Marine Renewable Proving Fund.
Warm Front Scheme
Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the average time taken to pay grants under the Warm Front scheme. [44754]
Gregory Barker: The Warm Front scheme installs insulation and heating measures for eligible applicants up to a grant maximum of £3,500 or £6,000 where oil central heating is recommended. The grant is not paid directly to the applicant. The average time taken to install measures under the scheme is shown in the following table:
| 2010-11 (1) | |
|
|
Days |
|
Average waiting times for insulation installations recorded in working days |
|
|
Average waiting times for heating installations recorded in working days |
|
| (1)Up to 31 January 2011 | |
Wind Power: Manufacturing Industries
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects to announce the first successful bidders for his Department’s programme to support the establishment of offshore wind manufacturing at port sites. [44305]
Charles Hendry: The timing of any announcements will depend upon when decisions are made to award funding. The funding, which is available from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2015, requires an application to be made under the Grant for Business Investment scheme, which applies to assisted areas in England. Applications for support under this scheme are made on a confidential basis and the case is considered by the independent Industrial Development Advisory Board which will submit advice to DECC Ministers, who will make the decisions on funding.
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many for bids for his Department’s programme to support the establishment of offshore wind manufacturing at port sites his Department has received from each region of England to date; and what the monetary value is of each. [44306]
8 Mar 2011 : Column 978W
Charles Hendry: Applications for funds to support the establishment of offshore wind manufacturing infrastructure at port sites in assisted areas in England must be made through the Grant for Business Investment scheme. Bids for support under this scheme are made on a confidential basis. Information on grant offers for sums greater than £75,000 is normally published following the payment of the first instalment of the grant, including the name and location of the recipient of the grant and the size of the grant offered.
Health
Cancer Services: Women
19. Jane Ellison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve NHS cancer services for women. [44497]
21. Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve NHS cancer services for women. [44499]
22. Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve NHS cancer services for women. [44500]
Paul Burstow: Our cancer strategy sets out plans to improve cancer services for all, including women. We are extending and modernising breast and cervical screening and improving access to testing for ovarian cancer. NICE are developing quality standards on breast and ovarian cancer, and we will collect data on secondary breast cancer.
Local Democratic Accountability
20. Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he is making in introducing local democratic accountability for NHS services. [44498]
Paul Burstow: We have heard from a huge number of councils and their partners who are pressing ahead with establishing shadow health and well-being boards. Councillors, clinicians, and local communities have told us that by working together through the boards they can and will improve health and care outcomes for local communities.
Accident and Emergency Departments: Bexley
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the number of blue light emergency cases arising in the London borough of Bexley which were taken to (a) Queen Mary's hospital, Sidcup, (b) Queen Elizabeth hospital, Woolwich and (c) Darent Valley hospital, Dartford in the last three years for which figures are available. [44128]
Mr Simon Burns: Ambulance trusts are asked to report on the total number of emergency patient journeys to Type one and Type two accident and emergency (A&E) destinations, this information is reported via the KA34 as part of the annual ambulance data collection.
Type one A and E services are described as a consultant-led 24 hour service with full resuscitation facilities. Type two A and E services are a consultant-led single specialty accident and emergency service (e.g. ophthalmology,
8 Mar 2011 : Column 979W
dental). However, the KA34 data collection will not provide a split in terms of which hospital patients were taken to.
The KA34 data collection can be viewed on the NHS Information Centre website at:
www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/audits-and-performance/ambulance
Departmental Domestic Visits
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospitals (a) he and (b) each other Minister in his Department has visited since May 2010. [44321]
Mr Simon Burns: The requested information is shown as follows:
Since May 2010, the Secretary of State for Health (Mr Lansley) has visited:
Leeds General Infirmary
Enfield Hospital
Bridlington and District Hospital
Scarborough District General Hospital
Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital
Burnley General Hospital
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
The Royal Marsden Foundation Trust
Milton Keynes Hospital Foundation
Stafford Hospital
Whiston Hospital, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Fairfield Independent Hospital
Liverpool Broadgreen University Hospital
Royal Sussex Country Hospital
Whitehaven and West Cumberland Hospital
Bristol Hospital
University College London Hospital
Glenfield Hospital, Leicester
Maidstone Hospital
Queen Mary’s Hospital Sidcup
Chelsea and Westminster
Kings College Hospital
Hillingdon Hospital
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Guys and St Thomas’s Hospital
Sheffield Children’s Hospital
St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Colchester General Hospital
Since May 2010, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Earl Howe) has visited:
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Barnet hospital, Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Since May 2010, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Anne Milton) has visited:
University Hospital, Lewisham
Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
8 Mar 2011 : Column 980W
Royal Surrey County Hospital
Royal London-Barts and the London NHS Trust
William Harvey Hospital, Ashford
King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust
Leatherhead Central Surrey Health Community Hospital
Since May 2010, the Minister of State (Paul Burstow) has visited:
St Charles Hospital, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
The Royal Marsden Hospital
Northampton General Hospital
Broadmoor Hospital West London Mental Health NHS Trust
The Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
The Royal Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust
Royal Oldham Hospital
University Hospital Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Since May 2010, the Minister of State (Mr Burns) has visited:
Newark Hospital, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust
Great Ormond Street for Children NHS Trust
Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital NHS Trust
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust
Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Ministers may have visited hospital premises to attend particular events but these were not specified hospital visits and therefore have not been included in this answer.
Departmental Manpower
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in his Department were in the civil service redeployment pool on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many of these had been in the redeployment pool for more than six months at that date. [44351]
Mr Simon Burns: The information about the numbers of permanent departmental staff by grade who are displaced and in the redeployment pool as of 2 March 2011 is presented in the following table. The table also shows numbers who have been displaced and in the redeployment pool for over six months.
These staff are also able to access posts from within the wider civil service and have priority access to advertised roles on the civil service website, which is dedicated solely for surplus staff who are permanent civil servants.
| Grade | Total number of persons in the redeployment pool on 2 March 2011 | Total number of displaced persons in the redeployment pool over six months |
8 Mar 2011 : Column 981W
| (1) Five or less | ||
Departmental Procurement
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to contract out any services from his Department; and if he will make a statement. [44325]
8 Mar 2011 : Column 982W
Mr Simon Burns: As part of its general aim to seek efficiency savings to release funding to front line services the Department is looking to achieve value for money in designing the delivery of its functions and operations. This includes reviewing options for outsourcing when evaluating best value.
Departmental Regulation
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many regulations sponsored by his Department have been (a) introduced and (b) revoked since 24 November 2010. [44363]
Mr Simon Burns: The information requested is in the following tables.
8 Mar 2011 : Column 983W
8 Mar 2011 : Column 984W
8 Mar 2011 : Column 985W
Disability Aids
Claire Perry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many crutches were provided by the NHS in each of the last two years in each primary care trust area; what the cost was of such provision in each such year for each such trust; and how many crutches were returned after use in each such year in each such trust area. [44102]
Paul Burstow: This information is not held centrally.
Electoral Reform Services
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the monetary value was of contracts his Department placed with Electoral Reform Services in each year since 2005. [44219]
Mr Simon Burns: A search of the Department's central procurements database shows that the Department received goods and services from Electoral Reform Services on only one occasion since 2005. An amount of £150 excluding VAT was receipted in the financial year 2008-09.
Food Standards Agency
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what roles and responsibilities were carried out by the Food Standards Agency prior to 20 July 2010; and which are now carried out by (a) his Department, (b) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (c) the Food Standards Agency. [44687]
Anne Milton: On 20 July 2010, the Department announced plans to transfer some functions undertaken by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to either the Department of Health or to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Policy work for England on the following functions transferred on 1 October 2010 from the FSA to Department of Health:
lead on nutritional labelling and related European Union negotiations;
health claims, dietetic food and food supplements;
out of home calorie labelling;
reformulation to reduce salt, saturated fat and sugar levels in food and reducing portion size (including in catering);
nutrition surveys and nutrition research; and
scientific advice and secretariat to Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.
Policy work for England on the following functions transferred on 20 July 2010 from the FSA to DEFRA:
food labelling, where this does not relate to food safety or nutrition;
food composition standards and labelling, where unrelated to food safety; and
leading on EU negotiations for all non-safety aspects of food labelling, except for nutrition.
The FSA retains a clearly defined departmental function on its core remit of food safety. It also retains responsibility for nutrition and labelling policy in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
8 Mar 2011 : Column 986W
General Practitioners
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the evidential basis was for his policy on limiting management expenditure for GP consortia; and what plans he has for the future frequency of reviews of the limit. [44320]
Mr Simon Burns: Our view is that management is both an overhead on front-line services and a critical investment in ensuring that those services operate in an optimal manner, achieving better quality for patients and better value for the taxpayer. Administration costs have increased dramatically in recent years and cost controls will be essential in reducing the total cost of national health service administration from £5.1 billion in 2010-11 to £3.7 billion by 2014-15.
The expectation is that general practitioner consortia will have an allowance for running costs that could be in the range of £25 to £35 per head of population by 2014-15. We will not determine the exact amount until further work has been undertaken with pathfinders. This work will explore the optimal balance between ensuring sufficient investment in organisational sustainability with maximising resources for front-line services. Before this, during their development phase, the running costs will be locally agreed within the running cost envelope for each region.
General Practitioners: Kent
Mr Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent progress he has made on the introduction of GP commissioning in (a) Gravesham constituency and (b) West Kent. [44488]
Mr Simon Burns: Two groups within the national health service West Kent area have been awarded general practitioner consortia pathfinder status. The Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley pathfinder was announced as part of the first wave in December 2010 and the Maidstone and Malling pathfinder as part of the second wave in January 2011. These and all the pathfinders across the country are playing an increasing role in commissioning care for patients in their areas, and their learning will inform our future arrangements for commissioning.
Health: Disadvantaged
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of potential links between income inequality and (a) life expectancy, (b) infant mortality and (c) obesity. [44091]
Anne Milton: The Department commissioned Professor Sir Michael Marmot of University College London to undertake a strategic review of health inequalities post 2010. His review report—“Fair Society, Healthy Lives” which reported in February 2010—explored the links between health and income inequalities and the health outcomes around life expectancy, infant mortality and obesity.
The review noted that the relationship between income inequality and health outcomes is well established and differences in health outcomes are the result of wider social factors. Its assessment of the evidence showed
8 Mar 2011 : Column 987W
that life expectancy across all groups has improved, but the gap between different social classes remains, rooted in disadvantage. Infant mortality rates are at an historic low level, but differences remain between occupational, social and ethnic groups. Obesity in adults has steadily increased in all social groups but there is a clear social gradient between more deprived and less deprived groups.
The Government accept the analysis in the review and have adopted the Marmot review’s life course approach across the social determinants of health in the “Healthy Lives, Healthy People” (Cm 7985) White Paper, which has stressed the need to improve the health of the poorest fastest. Future progress on these health outcomes will be monitored through the Public Health Outcomes Framework, currently out for consultation.
A copy of the Public Health Outcomes Framework consultation document has already been placed in the Library.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of potential links between income inequality and health inequalities. [44092]
Anne Milton: The Department commissioned Professor Sir Michael Marmot of University College London to undertake a strategic review of health inequalities post 2010. His review report—“Fair Society, Healthy Lives” which reported in February 2010—explored the links between health inequalities and the social determinants of health, including income inequality.
The review’s assessment of the evidence shows that: the relationship between income inequality and health outcomes is well established; some groups are at a higher risk of having a low income, such as disabled adults and people with mental health problems; and, that income inequality is not just about material deprivation but about evidence of inequality in wider society.
The Government accept the analysis in the review and recognise that reducing health inequalities is a matter of fairness and social justice. The Government have adopted the Marmot review’s life course approach across the social determinants of health in the “Healthy Lives, Healthy People” (Cm 7985) White Paper which has stressed the need to improve the health of the poorest fastest.
Health: Equality
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce health inequalities. [44590]
Anne Milton: The White Paper, ‘Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS’, set out proposals for the establishment of an independent NHS Commissioning Board and a new NHS Outcomes Framework to help tackle health inequalities, promote equality, and act as a catalyst for driving up quality across all national health service services.
The Health and Social Care Bill 2011 proposes introducing new legal duties for the Secretary of State, the NHS Commissioning Board and general practice commissioning consortia to have regard to addressing health inequalities.
8 Mar 2011 : Column 988W
Action to tackle health inequalities is also at the centre of our approach to public health. The public health White Paper, ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People’, emphasises the important role that Public Health England (the proposed new public health service) would have in tackling health inequalities. The public health budget would be ring-fenced and allocated to reflect relative population health needs, with a new “health premium” to promote action to reduce health inequalities.
The public health White Paper also responds to the report of the independent review, chaired by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, to explore the impact of the wider social determinants of health and advise on future action to reduce health inequalities in England. The White Paper adopts the review's life course framework, ensuring a focus for tackling the wider social determinants of health as part of a commitment to help people live longer, healthier, lives and improve the health of the poorest fastest.
Hospitals: Food
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department takes to ensure that NHS hospital food meets the nutritional standards set by his Department for (a) all patients and (b) elderly patients; and if he will make a statement. [44428]
Mr Simon Burns: National health service organisations are responsible for compiling their own menus and making decisions about the food served to patients. In April 2010, nutritional care was made one of the key registration requirements for all organisations providing health care. As such, all hospitals are expected to adhere to the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) ‘Essential standards of Quality and Safety’. This relates to all patients and there is no specific requirement regarding the elderly.
Alongside the regulations, the CQC has produced a range of ‘outcomes’, which indicate that an organisation is likely to be meeting the relevant regulation. In terms of nutritional needs, the outcome guidance states that people who use services should be supported to ensure adequate nutrition and hydration.
CQC assesses how trusts comply with these legal requirements and it has the power to impose a range of sanctions where breaches are found. At our request, CQC is also carrying out unannounced inspections led by experienced and senior nurses. We have asked CQC to publish a report on these inspections, which will depict the level of care being provided to older patients and the actions that hospitals can take to improve this care.
Hospitals: Waiting Lists
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what legal advice he received prior to removing the duty of the NHS to enforce the statutory maximum 18 week waiting time between GP referral and treatment. [44239]
Mr Simon Burns:
No duty has been removed. The ‘Revision to the Operating Framework for the NHS in England 2010/11’, published on 21 June 2010, set out
8 Mar 2011 : Column 989W
that the Department will no longer performance-manage the national health service against the 18 week maximum waiting times target.
However, as the ‘NHS Operating Framework for 2011-12’ sets out, patients continue to have rights to access services within maximum waiting times under the NHS constitution and commissioners should ensure that performance does not deteriorate and where possible improves during 2011-12.
Human Papilloma Virus: Vaccination
Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) conducted into the effectiveness of introducing a dual purpose quadrivalent human papilloma virus vaccine against genital warts and cervical cancer. [44783]
Anne Milton: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) considered the cost-effectiveness of a human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination programme against cervical cancer, which included assessment of the impact of vaccination on genital warts. A summary of the evidence considered is set out in the JCVI statement on HPV vaccines that is published at:
www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@ab/documents/digitalasset/dh_094739.pdf
A copy of the JCVI statement has already been placed in the Library. The cost-effectiveness study produced by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) used by the JCVI was published in the British Medical Journal in July 2008:
www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a769.full
In 2010, the Department commissioned an update to the cost-effectiveness study. This study is taking into account new data on the potential protection provided by the HPV vaccines against cancer and non-cancer diseases, including genital warts. The study, which has not yet been published by the HPA, will support the next procurement exercise for the HPV immunisation programme in 2011.
8 Mar 2011 : Column 990W
Influenza: Deaths
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many deaths resulting from H1N1 influenza in the winters of (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11 were (i) attributed to H1N1 alone and (ii) involved other underlying symptoms; [44883]
(2) how many deaths were attributed to (a) seasonal and (b) H1N1 influenza in each year since 2001. [44884]
Anne Milton: The number of deaths attributed to seasonal influenza in each year since 2001 is given in table 1. These data are available on the Health Protection Agency (HPA) website(1). To calculate this data, the HPA uses data on deaths collected by the Office for National Statistics to estimate the number of excess deaths during the flu (winter) season as a proxy for influenza related deaths, recognising that other factors (for example hypothermia) may also play a contributory role.
(1) ( )This table is available on HPA website at:
www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/InfectiousDiseases/Influenza/1010EpidemiologicalreportofpandemicH1N12009inUK
| Table 1: Excess deaths in winter | ||||
| Season | Excess | 95% confidence interval | Total number of deaths/season | % deaths in excess |
| (1) No excess detected | ||||
In the United Kingdom, cases of the H1N1 “swine flu” have occurred from April 2009 to May 2010 (the swine flu pandemic period) and the period May 2010 onwards including winter 2010-11. Deaths associated with this virus during these periods are summarised in table 2.
Two parallel systems for collecting information on individual fatal cases operated during the swine flu pandemic period, one by the chief medical officer's (CMO's) office and the other by the HPA. The reports from the two systems were reconciled. CMO's confidential inquiry involved reporting of confirmed fatal cases through the NHS. The HPA's system involved identification of deaths through reconciliation of data from a range of surveillance sources (e.g. influenza laboratory reports, death certificates, reports from local HPA teams).
8 Mar 2011 : Column 991W
Since May 2010, the ascertainment of fatal influenza cases has been similar to the HPA approach used during the pandemic.
The HPA have further information on 446 of the fatal cases due to the H1N1 “swine flu” virus. This further information shows that 316 of the 446 cases (71%) were in a CMO-defined clinical risk group.
National Blood Service
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions (a) he, (b) other Ministers in his Department and (c) departmental officials have had on the future of the National Blood Service since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [44322]
Anne Milton: Ministers and officials discussed and agreed the recommendations for the future of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), of which the National Blood Service is part, as set out in the report of the arm's length bodies review (July 2010). The report has already been placed in the Library.
It was agreed that NHSBT would stay within the arm's length body sector but that an in-depth review would be commissioned into opportunities to make it more commercially effective. Representatives from relevant Department policy teams, the Welsh Assembly Government and NHSBT are contributing to the review. The review, which is at an early stage, will not consider changes to any functions or services that could risk destabilising the current national donor system, particularly the interface with donors. Any possible options that are identified will be considered very carefully before a final decision is made by Ministers.
NHS: Private Sector
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of emergency treatment required by patients being treated in private hospitals in the last 24 months; and how much of this has been recouped by the NHS to date. [44380]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has neither an estimate nor relevant information. It would be the responsibility of local national health service bodies to seek to recoup any costs arising from patients' prior treatment in another setting.
Nutrition: Health Services
Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what nutritional training primary care practitioners receive; and what role his Department plays in providing information in respect of best practice nutritional advice to primary care practitioners. [44413]
Anne Milton:
The content of curriculum and quality and standard of training for health care professions is the responsibility of the appropriate professional regulatory body. However, the Department has supported the development of post-graduate training and a post-graduate Diploma in Paediatric Nutrition for medical practitioners, including general practitioners, which is currently being run by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. Dieticians
8 Mar 2011 : Column 992W
and nurses, in particular, receive nutritional training and are actively involved in setting and monitoring standards of nutritional care. Training in nutrition is delivered during both pre and post registration nursing education.
It is also for local national health service organisations to devise their own nutrition policies and procedures to meet local needs. We have provided guidance nationally on food and drink through the Essence of Care benchmarking programme, together with information and guidance to Health Professionals on Maternal and Child Health, Healthy Start, the 5 A DAY Programme and the Obesity Care Pathway.
Obesity
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the relative ranking of the UK in international comparator tables on levels of obesity. [44599]
Anne Milton: In 2010 the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ranked the United Kingdom the fourth in the world for obesity prevalence after the United States of America, Mexico, and New Zealand. Data on obesity prevalence can be found in OECD Health Data 2010, this information is available at:
www.oecd.org/document/16/0,3746,en_2649_34631_2085200_1_1_1_1,00.html
Out-of-Area Treatment
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what protocols govern the funding of out-of-area treatments for NHS patients. [44902]
Mr Simon Burns: Under the current commissioning arrangements, “Who Pays? Establishing the Responsible Commissioner” sets out the principles for determining which primary care trust would be responsible for funding the treatment of patients. A copy has been placed in the Library.
“Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS” set out our proposals for transforming the quality of decision-making to local consortia of general practitioner (GP) practices supported by an independent NHS Commissioning Board. A copy has already been placed in the Library. We propose that GP Consortia will be the responsible commissioner for any patients registered with their constituent practices.
Patients
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the future of statutory rights for patients; and if he will make a statement. [44319]
Mr Simon Burns: The Government are upholding the NHS constitution, which sets out legal rights for patients, public and staff. Under the Health Act 2009, all providers and commissioners of national health service-funded services are required to have regard to the constitution in performing their functions; the current Health and Social Care Bill would extend this duty to the new NHS Commissioning Board and commissioning consortia.
8 Mar 2011 : Column 993W
Pregnant Women: Stress
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effect of maternal stress levels during pregnancy on the mental health of (i) the foetus and (ii) the subsequent (A) infant and (B) adult. [44407]
Mr Simon Burns: The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government support medical and clinical research. The MRC is a non-departmental public body which receives its grant in aid from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The MRC supports a broad portfolio of research relating to maternal health and its impact on children including a number of research projects, which aim to investigate the effects of maternal stress in pregnancy. Further information can be found on the MRC's online research portfolio at:
www.mrc.ac.uk/ResearchPortfolio/index.htm
In addition, the MRC supports a number of population-based cohort studies that provide the infrastructure to enable important questions about the impact of maternal health to be addressed.
Social Services
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of the number of local authorities which (a) have changed their eligibility criteria for social care in 2010-11 and (b) are planning to do so in 2011-12. [44492]
Paul Burstow: Councils are currently setting their budgets for 2011-12. The Government have committed an extra £530 million through the local government formula grant and £648 million in direct cash support from the national health service for social care, as well as £150 million for re-ablement. It is for councils to make decisions about eligibility and access to social care.
Tobacco
Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the health effects on young people of second hand smoke in confined spaces; and whether his Department plans to take steps to protect children from exposure to second hand smoke in cars; [44921]
(2) what research his Department has (a) evaluated and (b) commissioned on the effects on tobacco smuggling of point of sale display bans; and when he plans to take a decision on the implementation of a tobacco display ban; [44922]
(3) with reference to the Public Health White Paper, what consideration he has given to the recommendations of the Inquiry on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of tobacco control by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health; and if he will make a statement; [44923]
(4) whether his Department has made an assessment of the health effects of the use of smokeless tobacco products in the south Asian community; whether he plans to make provision in respect of such effects in the forthcoming tobacco control plan; and if he will make a statement. [44927]
8 Mar 2011 : Column 994W
Anne Milton: We announced in the Public Health White Paper “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our strategy for public health in England”, published on 30 November 2010, that we would be publishing a new Tobacco Control Plan. This will give details of how the Government will set about reducing the morbidity and mortality that result from smoking, niche tobacco use and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke.
Alongside the Tobacco Control Plan, we will publish a summary of the research evidence into the impact of smokefree legislation in England, including the health effects of secondhand smoke in confined spaces.
The Tobacco Control Plan will be informed by all relevant available research evidence, including the health effects of secondhand tobacco smoke on young people, tobacco smuggling and use of smokeless tobacco products. It will also take into account the recommendations of the Inquiry on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of tobacco control by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Careers Advice
Mrs Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to provide independent and impartial careers guidance for pupils aged 13 to 16 years as part of his proposals for an all-age careers service. [36923]
Mr Gibb: I have been asked to reply.
Through the Education Bill, schools will be placed under a duty to secure access to independent, impartial careers guidance for all pupils aged 13 to 16, and will be free to decide how to do so based on the needs of their pupils. This recognises the important role of schools in ensuring their pupils have access to appropriate support, working in partnership with expert careers advisers.
Citizens Advice Bureaux and Law Centres: Closures
Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of (a) citizens advice bureaux and (b) law centres likely to close in (i) Bolton, (ii) Greater Manchester and (iii) England as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review. [44845]
Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has a wider interest in the network of local citizens advice bureaux (CAB), but funding is a matter for local authorities, not BIS. BIS has no locus over the future of law centres, on which the Ministry of Justice lead.
The Government are aware that the local authority in Bolton has no anticipated plans to cut funding to Bolton CAB. As far as the rest of Greater Manchester is concerned a large number of local authorities have yet to finalise their budgets but both Bury and Tameside bureaux are not anticipating any cut in funding. Rochdale and Oldham local authorities are looking at moving to a commissioning process and bureaux in those areas will have the opportunity to bid for funding on that basis.
8 Mar 2011 : Column 995W
The Government do not as yet have a full picture of funding of bureaux across England as many local authorities have yet to decide on budgets but BIS is working closely with Citizens Advice, the umbrella body, to assess the full impact.
Employment: EU Action
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the Commission Communication on An Agenda for new skills and jobs: A European contribution towards full employment, COM(2010) 682 final; what estimate he has made of the cost to the UK of implementing each measure recommended in the Communication; and whether the implementation of any measure recommended in the Communication would involve a transfer of powers from the UK to the EU. [44417]
Mr Davey: The EU New Skills and Jobs agenda does not contain any specific legislative measures, but presents a work programme in the areas of skills and employment. Details of this are set out in the Explanatory Memorandum submitted on 16 December. The Government have made clear that national competence and the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality must be respected. Should specific proposals emerge on skills and employment, we will work to ensure this is the case and that proposals are accompanied by a full impact assessment.
Financial Services: Low Incomes
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the financial services industry on improving access to work opportunities for people from low-income backgrounds; and if he will make a statement. [43494]
Mr Hayes: The Minister for Universities and Science, my right hon. Friend the Member for Havant (Mr Willetts), meets regularly with representatives of the financial services industry and related professional bodies in a variety of forums, including the Graduate Employer's Forum and the Gateways to the Professions Collaborative Forum (which he chairs), encouraging them to take action to widen access to professional careers.
Late last year, he met a representative of the New City Initiative, a group of companies in the independent asset management sector, to discuss their proposal to provide work placements for undergraduates from disadvantaged backgrounds. We welcome this proposal and my officials have been discussing with the New City Initiative ways of supporting it.
And as part of the Growth Review, my officials have met a range of representatives from the professional and business services sector. The Government's commitment to driving social mobility has formed part of those discussions.
Fossil Fuels
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 17 February 2011, Official Report, column 981W, on fossil fuels, what definition of clean fossil fuel energy production his Department uses. [43329]
8 Mar 2011 : Column 996W
Mr Davey: The definition used by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is that ‘dirty’ fossil fuel power generation means unabated coal-fired power stations. It would therefore consider any other form of fossil fuel power generation to be clean.
Higher Education: Admissions
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 14 February 2011, Official Report, column 568W, on higher education: admissions, when he plans to provide further information about the National Scholarship Scheme. [44978]
Mr Willetts: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 February 2011, Official Report, column 568W. More detailed operational guidance to help institutions develop their own arrangements will be available shortly from the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Higher Education: Anti-Semitism
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what recent reports he has received on incidents of Israeli students at universities in (a) London and (b) England being targeted by Islamic extremists; and if he will make a statement; [41710]
(2) what recent (a) meetings he has had with and (b) representations he has received from (i) the Israeli ambassador to Great Britain and (ii) the Government of Israel on (A) the security of Israeli students attending university in the United Kingdom, (B) anti-Semitism against Israeli students on campus and (C) the targeting of Israeli students by Islamic extremists; and if he will make a statement. [41711]
Mr Willetts: I have received no reports of incidents of Israeli students attending universities in London, or more widely in England, being targeted by Islamic extremists. I have also had no formal representations from, or held meetings with, the Israeli Government or Israeli ambassador to Great Britain about these issues.
However, the broader issue of the treatment of Jewish students was one of a number of subjects I discussed with Alon Roth-Snir, the deputy ambassador of Israel to the UK, at a recent dinner engagement on UK-Israel trade relations. I have also discussed this matter, the experiences of Jewish students in the UK, at a meeting held last October with John Mann MP, the Community Security Trust, the Union of Jewish Students, Universities UK and the Equality Challenge Unit.
There is no place for racism of any form, including anti-Semitism, in higher education. Universities have access to a strong legislative framework and guidance to help them deal effectively with instances of intolerance, racism and harassment in their institutions. Government would expect them to vigorously tackle these issues when they arise and has supported institutions with key guidance on promoting good campus relations in the sector.
Higher Education: Business
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage partnerships between universities and businesses; and if he will make a statement. [44987]
8 Mar 2011 : Column 997W
Mr Willetts: Government have a range of measures to encourage partnerships between universities and businesses including: encouraging universities through Research Council's Pathways to Impact; HEFCE's Research Excellence Framework and Higher Education Innovation Funding; and ongoing collaboration between the Research Councils and the Technology Strategy Board. The Research Councils will also work closely with the TSB providing support for the science that will underpin the Technology Innovation Centres.
Higher Education: Fees and Charges
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with the Office for Budget Responsibility on the effects on economic forecasts of average university tuition fee levels exceeding £7,500; and if he will make a statement. [44714]
Mr Willetts [holding answer 7 March 2011]: For their November Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the Office for Budget Responsibility scrutinised and certified the estimates for loan outlay provided by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. This involved discussion at official level about the key assumptions behind loan outlay, including the level of average fees charged; the loan take-up rate; and the growth in overall student numbers.
Higher Education: Finance
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department holds information on the provenance of major donations to universities in England; and if he will make a statement. [44120]
Mr Willetts: The Department does not hold information on the provenance of major donations to universities in England.
Universities are autonomous institutions. As a charity, a university will set its own standards for the acceptance of donations subject to guidance from the Charity Commission.
Higher Education: Overseas Students
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the likely change in the level of income from overseas students for each (a) university and (b) further education college as a result of changes to immigration rules in 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [44985]
Damian Green: I have been asked to reply.
A consultation on the student immigration system closed on 31 January. The consultation sought the views of all respondents on the effect of the proposals. The impact assessment and results of the consultation will be published in due course.
Institute for Learning
Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the Institute for Learning shares information with his Department on the take-up of continuing professional development by staff employed in further education. [44186]
8 Mar 2011 : Column 998W
Mr Hayes: The Institute for Learning (IfL) provides this Department with information about the take-up of continuing professional development (CPD) by further education staff teaching staff. IfL published an annual a review of CPD; the latest one covering 2009-10 is now available.
Intellectual Property: Reform
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions his Department has had with organisations on the reform of intellectual property law in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [44874]
Mr Davey [holding answer 7 March 2011]: Ministers and officials within the Department have regular and frequent discussions with a large number of organisations seeking changes, both major and minor, to intellectual property law.
Internet: Regulation
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will discuss with the Office of Fair Trading its policy on search neutrality on the internet. [44903]
Mr Davey: Competition authorities’ responsibilities are about protecting competition and consumer interests with regard to the provision and use of internet search facilities. As a result of a number of complaints, the European Commission announced on 30 November 2010, that it had initiated three separate antitrust investigations into competing vertical search service providers covering the whole of the EU. These investigations are a matter solely for the European Commission. The Commission’s announcements can be found at the following link:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm?fuseaction=dsp_result
Job Creation: North West England
Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had on job creation and apprenticeships in the North West; and if he will make a statement. [43569]
Mr Hayes [holding answer 2 March 2011]: I recently met colleges and employers in the North West. I discussed apprenticeships among other subjects when I visited the region earlier this year.
The primary objective of the Apprenticeships Programme is skills training rather than job creation, but many employers do use apprenticeships as a recruitment tool.
Employers in the North West region offer more apprenticeship places than any other English region. Over 47,000 people started an apprenticeship in the North West in 2009/10, an increase of over 10,000 places compared with 2008/09.
As a result of activity during apprenticeships week, which took place in February, the North West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network now has 33 members. The network, which is managed by the National Apprenticeship Service is an elite team of business leaders who act as advocates for apprenticeships in the region.
8 Mar 2011 : Column 999W
There were also a number of announcements about activity in the North West during apprenticeships week. For example, Jaguar Land Rover announced a new World Class Manufacturing Programme to take on 1,500 apprentices in their Halewood plant on Merseyside.
Neurology
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much the Biological Sciences Research Council gave to neuroscience research in each of the last five years; and how much it plans to give in each of the next five years. [44596]
Mr Willetts: The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the leading funding agency for academic research in the non-clinical life sciences in the UK. BBSRC 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.
| BBSRC funding for research relevant to neuroscience (1) | |
|
|
Total annual spend (£ million) |
| (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. As currently only a small part of neuroscience is within BBSRC's strategic priorities, it is likely that there will be a reduction in BBSRC funding over the next spending review period for neuroscience research that is outside our strategic priorities. An estimate, not an allocation, which is all that is possible at this stage until BBSRC has received applications for funding and dependent on their relevance and quality, is that this might amount to a reduction of £4 million/year, i.e. total neuroscience funding might run at approximately £36 million/year.