New Deal Schemes and Future Jobs Fund
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Glasgow, (b) Scotland and (c) Great Britain participated in (i) New Deal programmes, (ii) the Flexible New Deal and (iii) the Future Jobs Fund in each of the last four financial years. [47016]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is as follows:
The number of people who participated in New Deal programmes within Great Britain, Scotland and Glasgow over the last four financial years is detailed within the following tables:
| Table 1: New Deal starters (spells) in Great Britain by year (April to March) | ||||||
| Caseload (thousand) | ||||||
| Great Britain | New Deal for Young People | New Deal for 25 plus | New Deal for Lone Parents | New Deal for Disabled People | New Deal for 50 plus (1) | New Deal for Partners (1) |
| Table 2: New Deal starters (spells) in Scotland by year (April to March) | ||||||
| Caseload (thousand) | ||||||
| Scotland | New Deal for Young People | New Deal for 25 plus | New Deal for Lone Parents | New Deal for Disabled People | New Deal for 50 plus (1) | New Deal for Partners (1) |
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| Table 3: New Deal starters (spells) in Glasgow Local Authority by year (April-March) | ||||||
| Caseload (thousand) | ||||||
| Glasgow local authority | New Deal for Young People | New Deal for 25 plus | New Deal for Lone Parents | New Deal for Disabled People | New Deal for 50 plus (1) | New Deal for Partners (1) |
| (1) Time series information is given as total number of spells on New Deal. A single claimant may have more than one spell on New Deal. The exception to this is ND50+ and ND for Partners where spells information is not available so individual level data are used instead. Total Starters on the New Deal (individuals) and Total Starters (spells)—where available—is also given. Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10; ‘—’ indicates nil or negligible, ‘n/a’ indicates information not available. 2. Latest data are to August 2010. 3. The latest New Deal figures will be affected by the introduction of the new Jobseekers Regime and Flexible New Deal (gradual implementation started from April 2009). More information is readily available on the employment programme statistics landing page: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/FND_tabtool_information.pdf 4. Starters on New Deals: The New Deal for Young People pilots began in January 1998 and full national roll-out occurred in April 1998. The New Deal for 25 plus programme was introduced in July 1998. The New Deal for Lone Parents was introduced in October 1998. Data on New Deal for Disabled People are available from July 2001 (programme was introduced in 1999). Data on New Deal 50 plus are available from January 2004 (Jobs) January 2004 (Starts, Leavers) (programme was introduced in April 2000). Data for New Deal for Partners are available from April 2004 (programme started in May 1999). 5. Employment Zones operate in Glasgow. Starters (spells) in the financial years 2006-07 to 2009-10 were respectively 5.73 thousand (2006-07); 5.77 thousand (2007-08), 5.55 thousand (2008-09) and 6.30 thousand (2009-10). Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate | ||||||
Since its inception in October 2009, there have been 75,310 people in Great Britain who have participated in the Future Jobs Fund. This includes 7,740 people in Scotland and 1,090 people in Glasgow constituencies(1).
(1) Glasgow constituencies include: Glasgow Central, Glasgow East, Glasgow North, Glasgow North East, Glasgow North West, Glasgow South and Glasgow South West.
Notes:
1. Data source—DWP LMS opportunities evaluation database November2010.
2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
The total number of starts to Flexible New Deal in Great Britain between October 2009 and August 2010 was 278,500. The number of starts in Scotland(1) covering the same period is 20,100. Lower geographical breakdowns are not available.
(1) Contract Package Area is a geographical area designated by the Department of Work and Pensions for the delivery of FND provision by contracted providers. Scottish provision is defined here as ‘Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders, Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire, Ayrshire, Dumfries, Galloway and Inverclyde’.
Notes:
1. Sources: DWP Statistical Summary and Delivery Directorate Report.
2. Data Source: Provider, Referrals and Payment (PRaP) management information system.
3. Starts figures do not include starts from second or subsequent referrals to the same provider.
4. Please see FND information note available on the following website for further information and definitions:
http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=ddfnd
Pensions: Financial Assistance Scheme
Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Financial Assistance Scheme values for the Norman Longley Pension scheme will be made available to members of that scheme. [46445]
Steve Webb: The Financial Assistance scheme provides assistance to members of qualifying pension schemes that began to wind up underfunded between 1997 and (generally) 2005. Final calculations can only be done when the scheme has completed the wind-up process, but members reaching normal pension age are paid initial payments on account on the basis of the best information available to the Scheme Manager.
As the administration of the FAS is the responsibility of the PPF, I have asked the Chief Executive of the PPF to write to the hon. Member directly about the current position of this scheme.
Personal Income
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average income was of those in the (a) bottom 90% (b) top five to 10% (c) top 1% to 5%. and (d) top 1% of income in each of the last 30 years. [47654]
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Chris Grayling:
Available data is given in the following tables. Estimates of median equivalised household disposable incomes are available in the households below average income (HBAI) series. This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD
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equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. Data for the top 1% has not been provided due to the volatility of the data at the top end of the income distribution.
| Table 1: Median weekly equivalised disposable household income for the bottom 90%, the top 5% to 10% and top 1 to 5% of the income distribution, before housing costs, 1979 to 2008-09, in 2008-09 prices | |||
| £ | |||
|
|
Bottom 90% | Top 5% to 10% | Top 1% to 5% |
| Table 2: Median weekly equivalised disposable household income for the bottom 90% the top five to 10% and top 1% to 5% of the income distribution, after housing costs, 1979 to 2008-09, in 2008-09 prices | |||
| £ | |||
| Year | Bottom 90% | Top 5% to 10% | Top 1% to 5% |
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| Notes: 1. These statistics are based on households below average income. 2. The reference period for households below average income figures are single financial years. 3. Data is sourced from the Family Resources Survey, with earlier data sourced from the Family Expenditure Survey. 4. FES figures are for the United Kingdom, FRS figures are for Great Britain up to 2001-02, and for the United Kingdom from 2002-03. The reference period for FRS figures is single financial years. FES figures are two combined calendar years from 1990-91-1992-93 and two financial years combined for 1993-95. 5. Small changes should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. In particular results for the top 10% of reported incomes are particularly vulnerable to sampling error and income measurement issues. 6. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication 'households below average income' series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or 'equivalised') for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living, equivalised using Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development equivalisation factors. 7. Median incomes have been provided as well as mean incomes because the income distribution is skewed with some outliers with high incomes. 8. Weekly incomes have been rounded to the nearest pound sterling. 9. Figures have been presented on a before housing cost and an after housing cost basis. For before housing costs, housing costs (such as rent, water rates, mortgage interest payments, structural insurance payments and ground rent and service charges) are not deducted from income, while for after housing costs they are. Source: Households Below Average Income, DWP | |||
Poverty: Children
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the funding of child poverty pilots after March 2011. [41897]
Maria Miller: The previous Government funded nine child poverty pilots to test a range of approaches to tackling child poverty. Funding for the pilots was agreed until March 2011. There are no plans to provide central funding beyond this, although pilot areas may decide to continue to fund pilot activities fully or partially themselves.
The pilots are being evaluated. In most cases early or interim evaluation reports are available on the DFE and DWP websites. Final evaluation reports will be published in late spring 2011. An interim synthesis report summarising the content of the suite of child poverty pilots and early learning will be published shortly.
Information from the pilots is being considered in the drafting of the national child poverty strategy and by local areas in producing their child poverty needs assessments and strategies.
Remploy: Durham
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the future of the Remploy factory in Spennymoor; and if he will make a statement. [47872]
Maria Miller: The coalition Government confirmed as part of the spending review that Remploy's operational budget for the five year modernisation plan from 20080-09 to 2012-13 remains protected at £555 million. An independent review of the support the Government provides to disabled people who want to work, including the support provided by Remploy, will be published in the summer.
Remploy have recently offered voluntary redundancies in their factory business. This is a decision made by Remploy management to help the continuing operation of the businesses within that budget and to help ensure all employees have meaningful work. Remploy will ensure the voluntary redundancy programme does not adversely impact on continuing operations of their businesses and that no factory will close.
Social Fund
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the monetary value was of loans and grants from the Social Fund on (a) white goods and (b) bedding in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10; and how many recipients there were in each such category. [47871]
Steve Webb: The information is not available as for budgeting loans applicants are not asked to record in detail what they require the loan for. Quality assured data for community care grants spending is not available. For crisis loans we are not able to separate out all white goods and could only provide spend on cookers and washing machines. Other white goods are not captured on the system for example refrigeration equipment and so we cannot report on these goods as any figures given would be incomplete. The available information is given in the table.
| Crisis loan gross expenditure on bedding in Great Britain | |
|
|
£ million |
| Note: 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, it does not include applications which were processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the Social Fund Computer System by end of relevant finance year. Source: Department for Work and Pensions Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System | |
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Social Security Benefits
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to his Department’s impact assessment on the proposed benefit cap, how many people he expects to (a) have benefits capped and (b) lose benefits in each (i) region and (ii) local authority area under his proposals. [46400]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available as sample sizes are too small to yield reliable results for areas smaller than the overall impacts for Great Britain.
If the benefit cap were applied in full we estimate that around 50,000 households in Great Britain will have their benefits reduced by the policy. We are looking at ways of easing the transition for families and providing assistance in hard cases.
The benefit cap supports our plans to make work pay as when someone in a household enters work and begins to receive working tax credit they will be exempt from the new measure.
We are putting in place the Work Programme, the biggest single welfare-to-work programme this country has ever seen, which will give unemployed people unprecedented levels of personal support to get them into the workplace.
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to his Department’s impact assessment on the proposed benefit cap, what proportion of those who are to lose benefit under his proposals he expects to take up work. [46402]
Chris Grayling: No assessment has been made of the likely number of people who will take up work as a result of the household cap on total benefit income.
We are putting in place the Work Programme, the biggest single welfare-to-work programme this country has ever seen, which will give unemployed people unprecedented levels of personal support to get them into the workplace.
The benefit cap supports our plans to make work pay as when someone in a household enters work and begins to receive working tax credit they will be exempt from the new measure.
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to his Department’s impact assessment on welfare services and housing benefit, what safeguards he plans to establish to prevent the inappropriate disclosure of customer information. [46404]
Steve Webb: Every organisation that processes personal information is subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Act. Data controllers must ensure that any processing of personal data for which they are responsible complies with the Act. Failure to do so risks enforcement action, even prosecution, and compensation claims from individuals.
Any information supplied for the purpose of providing welfare services under provisions in the Welfare Reform Bill will be subject to the offence provision that is also set out in the Bill. This makes it a criminal offence for a
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person to disclose information unlawfully, and mirrors the provisions that already apply in respect of social security information supplied to local authorities for housing and council tax benefit purposes.
DWP has a range of measures in place to protect social security data that are currently supplied to local authorities for the administration of housing and council tax benefits. All authorities sign up to a Memorandum of Understanding, which governs the policy through which authorities access and use DWP customer data, and all information supplied electronically is sent securely via the Government Secure Network.
All individuals with access to information are required to meet HMG Recruitment policies and sign confidentiality agreements with DWP. To provide further assurance DWP conducts risk-based checks to verify that accesses to customer information are in line with guidance.
Where it is established customer information has been inappropriately disclosed individuals can face disciplinary action or prosecution. Proceedings may be taken against an authority or its officers if it can be shown that negligence contributed to inappropriate disclosure.
DWP maintains absolute discretion to withdraw access granted to an individual who has inappropriately disclosed customer information. This situation may apply to an authority as a whole if it is considered it has not complied with the conditions set out in the Memorandum of Understanding.
DWP plans to extend these practices to cover the proposed sharing of data in relation to welfare services and housing benefit.
Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many customers whose benefit entitlement was revised as a result of the trial reassessments of customers receiving incapacity benefit and income support in north east Scotland appealed against that decision; and what the outcome was of those appeals. [37628]
Maria Miller: The Department published early findings from this trial on the 10 February. These provisional findings covered the number of customers disallowed employment and support allowance and showed that 1,347 decisions had been made. Of these, the awards of 399 individuals did not qualify for conversion to employment and support allowance (30%).
It is too early to provide final statistical information on appeals volumes and outcomes as not all customers have completed their reassessment journey and the number of customers who appeal will be subject to change as the trial continues to progress.
More detailed statistical information will be published later this year once the trial is complete.
Squatting
Mike Weatherley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many buildings on his Department's estate were occupied by squatters in each year between 2006 and 2010; and on how many occasions
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his Department sought interim possession orders to remove squatters from such buildings in each of those years. [47660]
Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions has a twenty year private finance initiative contract with Telereal Trillium for the provision of fully serviced accommodation in return for a unitary charge. Under the terms of the contract accommodation is handed back to Telereal Trillium when it is vacated by the Department. The Department does not keep records of what happens to properties once they have been handed back.
There are no records of any properties in use by the Department having been occupied by squatters between 2006 and 2010.
Universal Credit
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many families currently receiving child tax credit would be excluded from universal credit by the proposed capital rules; and whether their entitlement will be protected in the period of transition. [46504]
Chris Grayling: Transitional protection will ensure that current recipients of child tax credits will not be cash losers from the introduction of universal credit, provided their circumstances remain the same.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish his Department's estimates of the combined effects of (a) the proposed universal credit and (b) other announced changes in welfare benefits on model benefit recipients. [46506]
Chris Grayling: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the latest universal credit impact assessment which is available on the Department for Work and Pensions website. The impact assessment includes analysis of the budget constraints for model benefit recipients in 2014-15. These include the impact of the universal credit and other announced changes in welfare benefits.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether self-employed persons will be eligible for universal credit payments. [46725]
Chris Grayling: Those in self-employment may be entitled to financial support from universal credit, like other employees, depending on their income and providing they meet the conditions of entitlement.
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost in 2011 prices of guaranteeing transitional protection to notional losers from the introduction of universal credit in (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16. [47751]
Chris Grayling:
The Government have made a commitment that there will be no cash losers as a result of the move to universal credit. At the point of change a comparison will be made between amount received in tax credits and/or benefits and the household entitlement under universal credit. If the universal credit entitlement
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is less, and no other circumstances have changed, a cash amount will be paid in order to make up the difference.
This money is included within the universal credit spending envelope. Estimates on a year-by-year basis during the transition period are not available.
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what definition of change of circumstances will apply to determine whether claimants have transitional protection for universal credit after 2014. [47752]
Chris Grayling: The Government have made public our intention to provide transitional protection to any claimants who might receive less under the new system compared to their current entitlement. We are in the process of finalising the details in respect of this protection and will provide further information as soon as possible.
Universal Credit: Council Tax Benefits
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to integrate the payments of universal credit and council tax benefit in the next four years. [47017]
Chris Grayling: In developing its plans for a new system for localised council tax support delivered by local authorities, the Government have been clear that the changes should support the positive work incentives that will be introduced through the Government's plans on universal credit. Full consultation on the new system for localised support with council tax in relation to England will be undertaken in due course, led by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The Department for Communities and Local Government will also lead on discussing the devolved implications with the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Winter Fuel Payments: Berkshire
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims for winter fuel payments were made by households in (a) Reading West constituency, (b) Reading and (c) Berkshire in each of the last 10 years. [46595]
Steve Webb: Most winter fuel payments are paid automatically without the need to claim. The information that is available is in the following tables.
| Number of households receiving a winter fuel payment in Reading West parliamentary constituency | |
|
|
Number |
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18 Mar 2011 : Column 756W
| Number of households receiving a winter fuel payment by unitary authorities in Berkshire. | ||||||
|
|
Bracknell Forest | West Berkshire | Reading | Slough | Windsor and Maidenhead | Wokingham |
| Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five up to 2004-05 and from 2006-07 onwards to the nearest 10. 2. Figures for 2009-10 are based on May 2010 parliamentary constituency boundaries. 3. Household figures for 2005-06 have been withdrawn pending a review of the figures. The revised figures will be placed in the Commons Library shortly. 4. Household figures are not available prior to 2002-03. 5. The latest figures for winter fuel payments are published at: http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=wfp Source: IFD Information Centre, 100% sample | ||||||
Work Capability Assessment
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to ensure Atos Healthcare has in place champions with additional expertise in mental, cognitive and intellectual conditions, as recommended by the Harrington Review of the work capability assessment; and when he expects such champions to be in place. [47314]
Chris Grayling: We are committed to taking forward the review's recommendations so that we can make the system fairer and more effective. We are working to improve the awareness and capability of both Atos health care professionals regarding mental health issues, introducing mental, cognitive and intellectual ‘champions’ into assessment centres to improve the assessment of these functions.
Champions are already in place in the incapacity benefits reassessment trial areas of Burnley and Aberdeen. We are working with Atos Healthcare to ensure that champions will start to be in place more widely in time for the national roll-out of the incapacity benefits reassessment programme.
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether Atos Healthcare is subject to a financial penalty in the event that a claimant is found to have been incorrectly deemed fit for work following an appeal. [47547]
Chris Grayling: In the event that a customer is found to have been incorrectly deemed fit for work following an appeal, Atos Healthcare is not subject to a financial penalty. The decision of fitness for work is made by the DWP Decision Maker.
In addition to the examining Healthcare Professional’s report, the Decision Maker will take account of all available evidence. This evidence will often include a report from the certifying General Practitioner, as well as the customer’s own responses on the Benefit questionnaire.
When the customer makes an appeal, an independent tribunal panel decides whether the Decision Maker’s determination is correct. The Appeal Tribunal will consider all the evidence afresh, as well as any additional evidence that has since been submitted by the customer, and which was not available originally to the Decision Maker. The examination report therefore will be only one of the factors before the Tribunal.
Consequently, the presumption cannot be made that, when a Tribunal overturns a decision, it was due to short-comings in the examination report used in the decision making process.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Squatting
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many buildings on her Department’s estate were occupied by squatters in each year between 2006 and 2010; and on how many occasions her Department sought interim possession orders to remove squatters from such buildings in each of those years. [47663]
Energy and Climate Change
Earthquakes: Japan
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects the Chief Nuclear Inspector to complete his report on the implications of the recent situation in Japan and the lessons to be learned. [47674]
Charles Hendry: In the light of the events in Japan the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has called on the Chief Nuclear Inspector, Dr. Mike Weightman for a thorough report on the implications of the situation in Japan and the lessons to be learned. This will be prepared in close co-operation internationally with other nuclear regulators, with an interim report in May and a final report within six months.
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It is essential that we understand the full facts and their implications, both for existing nuclear reactors and any new programme, as safety is always our primary concern.
EU Energy Policy
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what (a) matters were discussed and (b) decisions were taken at the special meeting of EU member state energy ministers, nuclear safety regulators and operators and vendors of nuclear power plants convened by the European Energy Commissioner on 15 March 2011 in Brussels. [47868]
Charles Hendry: At the EU meeting in Brussels there was a general consensus that a measure to “stress test” European Union nuclear power stations would be sensible and prudent. Work still needs to be done in collaboration with member states to formulate the exact nature of this “stress test”.
The UK supports a process to “stress test” its nuclear installations through establishing the lessons to be learned from the events in Japan, establishing any areas for improvement and ensuring the changes are implemented.
Nuclear Power Stations: Emergencies
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will assess the adequacy of plans for UK nuclear power plants to respond to a natural disaster. [47509]
Charles Hendry: The operators of nuclear power plants in the UK are required to put in place adequate arrangements and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive, the industry safety regulator, the safety of activities on their sites. This involves complying with the rigorous conditions of their nuclear site licence and other relevant safety regulation. That includes the legal requirement to have detailed emergency plans which would be put into effect for serious accidents.
In the light of the events in Japan the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has called on the Chief Nuclear Inspector, Dr. Mike Weightman for a thorough report on the implications of the situation in Japan and the lessons to be learned. This will be prepared in close co-operation internationally with other nuclear regulators, with an interim report in May and a final report within six months.
It is essential that we understand the full facts and their implications, both for existing nuclear reactors and any new programme, as safety is always our primary concern.
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has assessed the likelihood of the occurrence of (a) an 8.9 Richter scale earthquake and (b) a subsequent tsunami in proximity of any UK nuclear power installation; and if he will make a statement. [47542]
Charles Hendry:
The Government takes the incident in Japan extremely seriously, A range of natural external hazards, including seismic activity are defined and accounted for in the safety case for all nuclear installations. However,
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there is no evidence to expect a similar scale earthquake and associated tsunami in the UK. The earthquake in Japan was 65,000 greater than the largest earthquake which has occurred in the UK.
In the light of the events in Japan my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has called on the Chief Nuclear Inspector, Dr. Mike Weightman for a thorough report on the implications of the situation in Japan and the lessons to be learned. This will be prepared in close cooperation internationally with other nuclear regulators, with an interim report in May and a final report within six months.
It is essential that we understand the full facts and their implications, both for existing nuclear reactors and any new programme, as safety is always our primary concern.
Nuclear Power Stations: Safety
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has requested the chief nuclear safety inspector to conduct a review of the measures in place to mitigate a loss of coolant accident, in respect of (a) operating and (b) planned nuclear power plants in the UK; and what advice he has sought on the implications for the UK nuclear power programme of the nuclear accidents in Japan. [47869]
Charles Hendry: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has asked the Chief Nuclear Inspector, Dr Mike Weightman, to provide a report to the Government on the implications of the unprecedented events in Japan and the lessons to be learned for the UK nuclear industry.
He has asked for an interim report by mid May 2011 and a final report within six months. The reports will be shared widely and made public.
The detailed scope of Dr Weightman's report will be confirmed as information from Japan becomes clearer. The report will be conducted in close co-operation with the international nuclear community including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Japanese authorities and other regulators to carefully establish the lessons to be learned and will include existing nuclear installations in the UK and the proposed new reactor programme.
Wind Power: Manufacturing Industries
Dr Phillip Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will consider the merits of proposals to (a) consolidate and (b) license potential port sites for support for wind farm construction to wind farm contractors for use as staging areas for the construction, installation and operation of wind farms. [47648]
Charles Hendry: The development of the offshore wind sector has significant potential for employment and economic growth at UK coastal locations, and the Department has committed up to £60 million to support offshore wind manufacturing infrastructure at port sites, to meet the needs of offshore wind manufacturers looking to locate new facilities in England.
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However it is for manufacturers, developers and operators, not Government, to decide where the best locations for their activities are from a business perspective.
Treasury
Bank Services: Fees and Charges
Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to prevent excessive bank and financial transaction charges on unauthorised overdrafts. [47508]
Mr Hoban: The Government have committed in the coalition agreement to introduce stronger consumer protections including measures to end unfair bank and financial transaction charges. This commitment is being taken forward as part of the joint Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and HM Treasury Consumer Credit and Personal Insolvency Review. Following a call for evidence, the Government are now considering the available evidence and will come forwards with specific proposals in due course.
Departmental Business Plans
Stella Creasy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Secretaries of State the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has met to discuss (a) implementation of the departmental business plans and (b) instances when actions stated in such plans as due for completion have not been completed by the due date since November 2010; and on what date each such meeting took place. [45357]
Danny Alexander [holding answer 10 March 2011]:I will meet Secretaries of State with the Minister for Government Policy, the right hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr Letwin), on a quarterly basis to discuss business plans. The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and I meet regularly to discuss a wide range of issues, including business plans.
Departmental Public Appointments
Fiona Mactaggart:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which public bodies sponsored by his
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Department
(a)
have been and
(b)
are to be closed, merged or reorganised following his appointment; and how many (i) women and (ii) men who are public appointees at each body will no longer hold such an appointment in consequence. [47105]
Mr Hoban: The coalition Government are committed to increasing the accountability of public bodies, and this involves reducing their number and their cost to the taxpayer. The proposals for the majority of bodies across all Departments was announced and published on 14 October 2010. An updated list reflecting changes since October 2010 has been published on the Cabinet Office website this month. In addition, the Government are consulting on plans to put in place successor arrangements for the Financial Services Authority as part of a new approach to financial regulation. The consultation may be found on the Treasury website.
Summary information on public appointments is published annually by the Cabinet Office. This includes data on gender. Copies of the most recent report can be downloaded from:
www.civilservice.gov.uk/ndpb
Devolution
Mr Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of (a) Scottish and (b) Welsh devolution in each year since 1999; and if he will make a statement. [47704]
Danny Alexander: There has been no cost to the UK Government. It is an accepted principle that the devolved administrations meet all the costs associated with devolution from within their existing budgets.
Devolution: Scotland
Mr Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding of each type the Exchequer has allocated to Scotland in each year since 1999. [47680]
Danny Alexander: The Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) publishes allocated budgets to the devolved Administrations. The latest data from PESA 2010 from financial years 2004-05 to 2014-15 are set out in the following table. Earlier data for years prior to 2004-05 are published in earlier editions of PESA though not necessarily on a fully consistent basis.
| Outturn years | |||||||||||
| £ million | |||||||||||
| Budget type | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
| Source data: Years 2004-05 to 2010-11, PESA 2010, tables 1.3 and 1.6 Years 2011-12 to 2014-15, 2010 Spending Review document, tables 1 and 2. | |||||||||||
Financial Services
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what timetable he has set for the proposed legislation to establish arrangements for the body to succeed the Financial Services Authority. [48063]
Mr Hoban: The Government will publish a White Paper later in the spring that will include a draft Bill for parliamentary pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS). The Government expect that the Bill will be formally introduced to Parliament in mid-2011 and will receive Royal Assent in mid-2012, although the timetabling of PLS and legislation is a matter for Parliament.
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Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish his response to his Department’s consultation on financial regulation. [48065]
Mr Hoban: The Government published a summary of responses to their initial consultation on financial regulation in November 2010.
The Government will publish a White Paper later in the spring that will include their response to the further consultation (“A new approach to financial regulation: building a stronger system”) launched in February.
Financial Services: Pay
Ed Balls: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to secure European agreement on implementing rules on transparency in the payment of bonuses over £1 million in the financial services sector. [39518]
Mr Hoban [holding answer 10 February 2011]:The Chancellor has called on counterparts in the European Union to urgently consider proposals to strengthen remuneration disclosure. While there is a range of views among the international community, there is support for an internationally consistent approach to remuneration disclosure.
Remuneration disclosure continues to be discussed as part of the Government’s dialogue with other jurisdictions and we continue to argue for proposals to strengthen remuneration disclosure, including of executive pay in the financial services sector.
As a result of the Government’s domestic negotiations, the four largest UK banks have committed that the total remuneration paid in 2010 will be lower than it was in 2009, and lower than it would have been otherwise. The Remuneration Committee Chair of each bank will write to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to confirm that the commitment has been met. These banks have also committed to world-leading pay disclosure arrangements which, when taken together with the FSA’s sector wide regime, make the UK’s disclosure arrangements the toughest of any major financial centre.
First-time Buyers: Government Assistance
Jonathan Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on assistance for first-time buyers; and if he will make a statement. [47566]
Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials have discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with the previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of such discussions.
Betfair
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made an estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of the decision by Betfair to relocate offshore. [47553]
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Mr Hoban: HM Revenue and Customs are not able to publish individual taxpayers' information due to taxpayer confidentiality.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Tax Credit Office, Preston plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North of 14 February 2010 on a constituent, ref. 2011/02 001420. [47649]
Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs replied to the hon. Member's letter of 14 February 2011 on 25 February 2011.
NHS: Redundancy Pay
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many NHS foundation trusts reported at least one special severance payment form examination to his Department in the last year for which figures are available; [47402]
(2) pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2011, Official Report, column 961W, on NHS: redundancy pay, what were the 10 highest value special severance payments examined by his Department regarding NHS foundation trusts in the last year for which figures are available; [47405]
(3) how many special severance payments were examined by his Department regarding NHS foundation trusts in the last year for which figures are available. [47406]
Danny Alexander [holding answer 17 March 2011]: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Squatting
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many buildings on his Department’s estate were occupied by squatters in each year between 2006 and 2010; and on how many occasions his Department sought interim possession orders to remove squatters from such buildings in each of those years. [47662]
Mr Hoban: There have not been any cases of squatters occupying the buildings on the Department’s estate between 2006 and 2010.
Taxation: Financial Services
Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax was paid on profits by private equity firms in each of the last 10 years. [42246]
Mr Hoban [holding answer 28 February 2011]:HM Revenue and Customs do not currently publish statistics of tax paid on profits by private equity firms. Historical financial sector corporation tax receipts, which will include private equity firms, are published regularly in Table 11.1 on the HMRC National Statistics website. The latest update is available here:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/table11_1.pdf