The question of how many young people in Peterborough constituency and North West Cambridgeshire constituency received EMA is a matter for the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) who operate the education maintenance allowance for the Department for Education. Peter Lauener, the YPLA’s chief executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Libraries.
Letter from Peter Lauener, dated 16 March 2011:
I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question PQ46957.
The Department of Education has responded to you regarding the first part of your question. I have been asked to provide a reply to the latter part of your question regarding how many children in each local authority ward in Peterborough and North West Cambridgeshire constituency have received Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).
Information on the number of young people who have received Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is available for upper tier local authorities but not by constituency or by local authority ward.
EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year. As at 28/02/2011 EMA take-up for the 2010/2011 academic year for the City of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire local authority was 2,719 and 4,917 respectively.
EMA take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 is available on the YPLA website, at the following address:
http://ema.ypla.gov.uk/resources/research/takeup/
Members: Correspondence
Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Folkestone and Hythe of 9 February 2011 on the pupil premium. [46964]
Tim Loughton [holding answer 15 March 2011]: My noble Friend Lord Hill of Oareford replied to my hon. Friend on 16 March 2011.
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Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) on what date (a) officials in his Department first identified and (b) he was first made aware of the difficulties in the operation of the IT system for monitoring and answering parliamentary questions and letters from hon. Members; [48045]
(2) what consideration his Department gave to informing (a) Mr Speaker’s office, (b) the Leader of the House's office, (c) the Table Office and (d) hon. Members of the effects on the time taken to respond to questions and letters from hon. Members of the difficulties his Department has encountered in the operation of the IT system for monitoring and answering such material. [48046]
Mr Gibb: On 4 February a technical failure occurred within the Department’s IT system that supports the processing of parliamentary questions. This system does not monitor letters from hon. Members. We were advised following initial investigations that the problem would be rectified within a few days and given this initial advice we did not inform Parliament. On further investigation the scale of the problem was far greater than originally anticipated, taking three weeks to be resolved. The Department did not intend to mislead Parliament, however given the eventual scale of the issue we accept that we should have informed Parliament of this situation. Since the House returned on 28 February the Department has answered over 600 questions.
Runaway Children
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress has been made on the implementation of the Young Runaways Action Plan. [44130]
Tim Loughton: The Young Runaways Action Plan, published in June 2008, was produced by the previous Government. It subsequently published ‘statutory guidance on children who run away and go missing from home or care’. in July 2009. Under the previous system of Public Service Agreements and National Indicators, NI 71 recorded self-evaluation scores by local authorities on measures to monitor and respond to cases of children missing from home or care. The most recent data published for NI 71 was in September 2010 and can be found on the Department for Education website here:
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d000958/index.shtml
Schools: Administration
Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to reduce the administrative burden upon school staff. [47474]
Mr Gibb:
The Government are committed to reducing the administrative burden on school staff. We have already announced that: the time consuming self-evaluation
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form will be removed; the inspection framework will be streamlined; all data collections from schools are being reviewed; and have included measures in the Education Bill to remove unnecessary regulations. In addition, we are taking action to significantly reduce the volume of guidance and advice issued to schools and have adopted a new approach to ensure guidance is clear and concise. These changes are just the start of an ongoing programme of work and our intention is to work with local authorities and other Government Departments to reduce the administrative burden further.
Schools: Governing Bodies
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on measures to increase the number of people applying to become governors of schools in disadvantaged areas. [36832]
Mr Gibb: The School Governors’ One Stop Shop (SGOSS) is a private company with charitable status which is funded by the Department to recruit and place governor volunteers from the business world in schools with vacancies. SGOSS works with local authorities and schools across England and, while it focuses on areas with high vacancy rates, any school or local authority can approach it for help to fill vacancies. Its services are free of charge to schools and local authorities.
The Department is also working with the Education and Employment Taskforce to promote school governance as a volunteering opportunity to companies. Governor volunteers will bring with them a range of skills acquired in the workplace, which will be particularly helpful to governing bodies in all areas, including those which are disadvantaged.
Schools: Roads
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many primary schools did not have a road safety officer in the latest period for which figures are available; [45754]
(2) at how many primary schools one or more access points from the street is not lit by public street lighting; [45879]
(3) how many primary schools in England are situated on roads where the speed limit is the national speed limit. [45880]
Mr Gibb: This information is not held centrally.
Schools: Sports
Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much School Sport Partnership grant was allocated to Hastings and Rother in (a) 2007, (b) 2008, (c) 2009 and (d) 2010. [33698]
Tim Loughton: The information is set out in the table.
| £ | |||||
|
|
School sport partnership grant | Coaching | Swimming | FE sport co-ordinators | Total |
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| (1) Anticipated. | |||||
Squatting
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 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. [47619]
Tim Loughton: None of the Departments buildings were occupied by squatters during the year 2006 to 2010.
Written Questions: Government Responses
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to answer question 37084, tabled on 25 January 2011 for named day answer on 31 January 2011, on a free schools event. [40788]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 14 February 2011]: A response was issued to the hon. Member’s question on 9 March 2011, Official Report, columns 1117-118W.
Science: Females
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to encourage girls to choose science, technology, engineering or mathematics at GCSE level. [46039]
Mr Gibb: The Government are funding a number of initiatives to encourage the greater participation of girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM subjects) at GCSE, A Level and beyond. These include:
Commissioning the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM), and the National Strategies to look at ways to help widen participation in mathematics with a particular focus on engaging more girls (including reviewing the ways in which schools approach how mathematics is delivered);
Identifying resources that will engage girls more in these subjects;
Establishing the Stimulating Physics network to provide support at regional level to widen participation in A level physics; and
The network of Science Learning Centres disseminating best practice from their Girls into Physics action research programme.
In addition, the STEM Ambassadors programme arranges for over 20,000 individuals drawn from more than 1,500 employers to volunteer their time and expertise to help schools and colleges, acting as role models and enhancing and enriching their pupils' understanding of, and enthusiasm for, STEM subjects. Almost 50% of the current STEM Ambassadors are female.
In 2010, more girls than boys were entered for GCSE Mathematics, and AS and A Level Biology.
Work and Pensions
Child Benefit
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether parents of children aged under 12 years who cease to be eligible for child benefit as a result of their partner being a higher rate income tax payer will be eligible for carers credit. [44656]
Steve Webb: The withdrawal of child benefit from families containing a higher rate taxpayer will not affect national insurance credits for state pension entitlement.
Child Maintenance: Fees and Charges
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research his Department has undertaken into the potential effect on vulnerable groups of a charging regime for child support. [47156]
Maria Miller: The Government will develop detailed proposals in relation to charging criteria and these will be outlined in draft regulations later in the year. Impact assessments accompanying the draft regulations will set out the estimated effects on volumes and individuals who will be affected by the proposed new charges.
Child: Maintenance
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the introduction of private voluntary agreements to collect child maintenance payments on the number of resident parents using such agreements. [43390]
Maria Miller: Family-based arrangements are already possible and while some parents use them, research suggests around half of parents currently using the statutory child maintenance scheme would want to make family based arrangements if given support to do so. The coalition Government want to support more families to be able to collaborate and come to family-based arrangements which in general are better for children, as both parents continue to be actively involved in their children’s lives.
The recent child maintenance Green Paper “Strengthening Families, promoting parental responsibility: the future of child maintenance” also recognises that some parents may need support in reaching these arrangements. The intention is to integrate the information and support available to separating and separated parents, with the aim of supporting more parents as they look to agree family-based arrangements.
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what charges will be levied under the planned charging regime for the future child support scheme against a (a) parent with care and (b) non-resident parent in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance who has been unable to agree a voluntary family-based agreement. [46062]
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Maria Miller: The Government want to encourage parents to take responsibility for their children’s financial support after parental separation and to facilitate co-parenting and ongoing involvement of both parents in their children’s lives. The majority of parents currently using the statutory service have indicated they would make a family-based arrangement if given support to do so.
The Green Paper consultation document “Strengthening families, promoting parental responsibility: the future of child maintenance” recently published by the Government outlines proposals for the reform of the child maintenance system in more detail. Chapter two of the consultation document outlines the Government’s proposals for charging. Financial decisions on this aspect of policy will be made once the consultation has concluded.
The consultation closes on 7 April 2011 and can be viewed at:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/strengthening-families.pdf
Crisis Loans
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions during their operation the number of social fund crisis loans available to an individual over a 12-month period has been capped. [47307]
Steve Webb: Social fund crisis loans for living expenses will be capped at the level of three within a 12-month rolling period from 4 April 2011.
A pilot was conducted between 27 April 2009 and 31 March 2010 in South West region and 8 June 2009 and 31 March 2010 in the East Midlands where the number of social fund crisis loans for living expenses were capped at three within a rolling 12-month period.
The Department collected management information on this pilot but it is not robust enough to be used as a response to a parliamentary question.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the likely effect of his decision on the (a) level and (b) availability of crisis fund loans on the number of loans taken out by people on low incomes from high-cost or illegal lenders. [47339]
Steve Webb: As outlined in my written ministerial statement of 3 March 2011, we have had to take urgent action to bring spending on crisis loans back under control and ensure we can continue to meet genuine need, including through budgeting loans.
We have no information on which to make an assessment in respect of crisis loans. However, without corrective action the funding shortfall for crisis loans would have to be met from the budgeting loan scheme which evidence suggests is an important alternative to illegal lending for the poorest in society.
Crisis Loans: Barking and Dagenham
Margaret Hodge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the Jobcentre Plus Social Fund budget areas covering the London borough of Barking and Dagenham have received (a)
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crisis loans,
(b)
community care grants,
(c)
funeral payments,
(d)
budgeting loans and
(e)
maternity grants in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [47242]
Steve Webb: We are unable to report on social fund awards at the London borough level however the London borough of Barking and Dagenham is part of the North and North East London Social Fund budget area level. Awards in this area are as follows:
| Initial awards in London Social Fund Budget area March 2010 and 2011 | |
|
|
Number |
| Notes: 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics and there are some issues with the data, for example, they do not include applications which were processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the Social Fund Computer System. 2. These are initial awards and do not include awards made on review other than for Funeral Payments and Sure Start Maternity Grant which do include awards made on appeal. 3. Figures have been rounded. Source: DWP Policy, Budget and Management Information System (PBMIS) | |
Departmental Public Appointments
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which public bodies sponsored by his 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. [47112]
Chris Grayling: 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.
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
Public Bodies Reform Programme
Lisa Nandy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10W, on the public bodies reform programme, what estimate he has made of the savings to his Department net of costs incurred in the assumption of additional departmental responsibilities to accrue from (a) the abolition of
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three public bodies within his Department's area of responsibility,
(b)
the merger of one such body and
(c)
the change in function of two such bodies. [48143]
[Official Report, 26 April 2011, Vol. 527, c. 1-2MC.]Chris Grayling: On 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10W, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), issued a written ministerial statement updating Parliament on progress on public bodies reform. That statement also announced that Departments estimate cumulative administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion will flow from public bodies over the spending review period.
I anticipate net overall administrative savings from structural reforms over the spending review period of £0.141 million. Overall administrative reductions from reform of all departmental public bodies are currently estimated to be £17.95 million over the spending review period.
Disability Living Allowance
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) with reference to paragraph 6 of his Department’s impact assessment on reform of disability living allowance, what estimate he has made of the savings to accrue from (a) a facility to regularly review all awards and (b) the establishment of rates of allowance based on (i) ability to carry out daily life activities and (ii) ability to get around in each year to 2015-16; [46391]
(2) with reference to paragraph 6 of his Department’s impact assessment on reform of disability living allowance, what estimate he has made of the potential savings which will arise from a move away from automatic entitlement in each year to 2015-16; [46393]
(3) with reference to paragraph 6 of his Department’s impact assessment on reform of disability living allowance, what estimate he has made of the potential savings to the public purse from (a) the new assessment process and (b) the deferred eligibility periods proposed by his Department in each year to 2015-16; [46394]
(4) with reference to paragraph 16 of his Department’s impact assessment on reform of disability living allowance, what estimate he has made of the cash savings arising from the application of his policy to the persons in each (a) care rate and (b) mobility rate band in each year to 2014-15; [46395]
(5) with reference to his Department’s impact assessment on reform of disability living allowance, what estimate he has made of the potential savings of implementation of the policy if present entitlement conditions continue for (a) one year, (b) 18 months, (c) 24 months and (d) 36 months; [46396]
(6) with reference to his Department’s impact assessment on reform of disability living allowance, what estimate he has made of the number of claimants of disability living allowance in each income decile who will have their allowance reduced in each year to 2015-16; [46397]
(7) what estimate he has made of the potential change in (a) the average disability living allowance payment and (b) the number of claimants of the allowance as a result of his proposed reforms in each year to 2014-15. [46407]
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Maria Miller: Support in personal independence payment will be focused on those who face barriers to independent living. The assessment is being developed and at this stage, therefore, an assessment is not available of the impact changes could have on existing disability living allowance, or future recipients. We are working with disabled people and organisations who represent them on the detailed design and delivery of personal independence payment and the outcomes from this work will be reflected in updates to the impact assessment for this change. We have already announced that personal independence payment will be a non taxable, non means-tested benefit payable to people in and out of work.
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to his Department’s impact assessment on reform of disability living allowance, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the disability living allowance budget which was spent on claims which were fraudulent in the latest period for which figures are available. [46392]
Chris Grayling: The estimated level of fraud in disability living allowance for the period October 2008 to September 2009 is 0.5% (£60 million). The estimate is based on a national benefit review of disability living allowance which was carried out in 2004-05.
The latest estimates of fraud and error in the benefits system can be found at:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd2/fem/fem_oct08_sep09.pdf
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by what means disability living allowance assessments will take into account the needs of patients with (a) sickle cell disease, (b) thalassaemia, (c) multiple sclerosis, (d) mental health conditions and (e) other fluctuating conditions; and if he will make a statement. [46896]
Maria Miller: The Government published the consultation document ‘Disability Living Allowance Reform’ on 6 December 2010, which was followed by the publication of the Welfare Reform Bill on 16 February 2011. Both outlined proposals to replace disability living allowance for working age claimants with a new benefit—personal independence payment.
The assessment for personal independence payment is being developed in collaboration with an independent group of specialists in health, social care and disability, including disabled people. We are designing the assessment to target support on those disabled people who are most impacted by their health condition or impairment, regardless of the nature of that impairment. As such we intend it to take account of physical, sensory, mental, intellectual and cognitive impairments, including variable and fluctuating conditions.
We are considering the most appropriate delivery model for the personal independence payment assessment and no decisions have yet been taken. We will continue to work with disabled people and their organisations on the details of our reforms, including the detail of the assessment criteria and its operation, to ensure that we get them right.
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Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Totnes, (b) the South West and (c) England receive the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance. [47529]
Maria Miller: The information is as follows:
| Disability living allowance recipients with higher rate mobility component in Totnes parliamentary constituency, the South West and England , August 2010 | |
|
|
Number |
| Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest ten. 2. Totals show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and excludes cases where the payment has been suspended. 3. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament 2010. Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate, 100% WPLS. | |
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the Social Security Advisory Committee’s response to the consultation on his proposed changes to disability living allowance. [47808]
Maria Miller: The consultation on DLA reform ran from 6 December 2010 to 18 February 2011. We received over 5,000 individual responses and 500 responses from organisations, including the response from the Social Security Advisory Committee.
We are considering the responses at the moment and plan to publish the Government response shortly.
Disability Living Allowance: Autism
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to ensure that the proposed changes to disability living allowance do not have an adverse effect on claimants diagnosed with autism. [47786]
Maria Miller: The Government propose to replace disability living allowance with personal independence payment in 2013-14. We are still considering the most appropriate delivery model for the personal independence payment assessment and no decisions have yet been taken, including how it will apply to existing DLA recipients. We know it is essential that the assessment accurately captures the needs of disabled people with autistic spectrum disorders and this is something that the development group is considering. For example, they believe that the new assessment should explicitly take account of the impact of a health condition or impairment, including autistic spectrum disorders, on an individual’s ability to communicate. This would set it apart from the current DLA assessment. We also recognise the importance of providing adequate training and guidance for assessors and of ensuring that the assessment process is appropriate to individual’s circumstances, including individuals with autistic spectrum disorders.
Both I and departmental officials have met with the National Autistic Society to discuss our reform proposals and to seek their views on how the new benefit can best support those with autism. We agree with many of the
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points raised in the National Autistic Society’s recent report on DLA reform, “Who benefits?”, and we are looking closely at how these recommendations can be incorporated into its design. We are keen to continue to work with disabled people and their organisations as the detail of the assessment criteria and its operation is developed and tested.
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to exempt those diagnosed with autism from compulsory disability living allowance personal interviews. [47830]
Maria Miller: The Government propose to replace disability living allowance with personal independence payment in 2013-14. We are still considering the most appropriate delivery model for the personal independence payment assessment and no decisions have yet been taken, including how it will apply to existing DLA recipients. However, we believe that advice from a suitably trained and approved individual, for example a healthcare professional, will be an important part of ensuring that the assessment is more objective and consistent. In most cases, we expect this to involve a face-to-face consultation to enable an in-depth look at an individual’s circumstances.
We know it is essential that the assessment accurately captures the needs of disabled people with autistic spectrum disorders and this is something that the development group is considering. For example, they believe that the new assessment should explicitly take account of the impact of a health condition or impairment, including autistic spectrum disorders, on an individual’s ability to communicate. This would set it apart from the current DLA assessment. We also recognise the importance of ensuring that the assessment process is appropriate to individual’s circumstances, including individuals with autistic spectrum disorders. Both I and departmental officials have met with the National Autistic Society to discuss our reform proposals and to seek their views on how the new benefit can best support those with autism. We will continue to work with disabled people and their organisations as the detail of the assessment criteria and its operation is developed and tested.
Disability Living Allowance: Expenditure
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the likely change in expenditure as a result of extending the qualifying period for disability living allowance from three months to six months. [37195]
Maria Miller: On 6 December we launched a consultation on the reform of disability living allowance with the key proposal of a new benefit, to be known as personal independence payment, which will be introduced from 2013. The consultation proposed that personal independence payment will have a six-month qualifying period and a six-month prospective test. The consultation closed on 18 February.
Extending the qualifying period to six months will be implemented alongside the new assessment which is still being developed. Any change in expenditure will, therefore, be dependent on both these factors.
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Disability Living Allowance: Fraud
Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the level of fraudulent disability living allowance claims as a proportion of total claims in the latest period for which figures are available. [42734]
Maria Miller: The estimated level of fraud in disability living allowance for the period October 2008 to September 2009 is 0.5% (£60 million). The estimate is based on a National Benefit Review of Disability Living Allowance which was carried out in 2004-05.
The latest estimates of fraud and error in the benefits system can be found at:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd2/fem/fem_oct08_sep09.pdf
No estimates are available of payments made in error where eligibility has ceased.
Disability Living Allowance: West Midlands
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Coventry and (b) the West Midlands receive the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance. [47377]
Maria Miller: The information requested is as follows:
| Disability living allowance recipients with higher rate mobility component in Coventry local authority and West Midlands—August 2010 | |
|
|
Total |
| Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Totals show the number of people in receipt of an allowance and excludes cases where the payment has been suspended. 3. These figures are published at: http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate, 100% WPLS | |
Employment and Support Allowance: Barking and Dagenham
Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham have been in receipt of contributory-based employment and support allowance (work related activity group) for 12 months or longer. [47243]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is as follows:
| Number of people in receipt of contributory-based Employment and Support Allowance (Work Related Activity Group) in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham, August 2010 | ||
| Work Related Activity Group | All | Duration 12 months or more |
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| Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Benefit type: The type of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is defined as pay status at the caseload date—this may differ to the status at the start or end of the claim. 3. ESA replaced incapacity benefit and income support paid on the grounds of incapacity for new claims from 27 October 2008. 4. Phase/stage of ESA claim is only available from February 2010 onwards. The phase is derived from payment details held on the source system. Source: DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study | ||
Social Security Benefits Cancer
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what requirements he plans to put in place for people receiving (a) oral chemotherapy and (b) radiotherapy treatment for cancer to (i) undergo medical assessments and (ii) participate in work-related activities in order to receive benefits under the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill; and if he will make a statement. [46439]
Chris Grayling: We are determined that the social security system should support people who are diagnosed with cancer in the most sensitive, fair and appropriate way. We have no interest in making it harder for those who cannot work to claim benefits.
We have taken positive steps to improve the work capability assessment (WCA) so that it is fairer and more effective for individuals diagnosed with cancer. The current system allows individuals undergoing certain types of chemotherapy to have automatic entry to the support group. In June we announced changes, coming into force later this month, extending this entitlement to people awaiting or between courses of these types of chemotherapy.
Meanwhile, Professor Malcolm Harrington, as part of his second independent review, has asked Macmillan Cancer Support to consider whether further improvements are needed, including whether people receiving oral chemotherapy should be placed directly into the support group. We look forward to receiving Macmillan’s and Professor Harrington’s recommendations for any further improvements.
Employment Schemes: Procurement
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures will be in place to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises that win Work Programme contracts are not put at a financial disadvantage as a result of the time taken for payments to be made under the payment-by-results scheme. [48020]
Chris Grayling:
In order to drive the best value for money for the taxpayer we are using a Prime Provider model to deliver the Work programme. The Prime Providers will be underpinned by smaller, specialist sub contractors to ensure the individual needs of all customers are met
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at a local level. It is at this sub contractor level where we would expect to see small and medium-sized enterprises.
The provider payment model for the Work programme has been extensively tested and assured to ensure that it is commercially and financially viable for potential suppliers. The payment model is largely outcome-based with a job outcome payment paid once the customer has been in employment for 13 or 26 weeks depending on customer group, and sustainment payments paid monthly thereafter for continued employment. During the first three years of the contracts the Department will also be paying an attachment fee to providers. The attachment fee is specifically designed to help providers with cash flow in the early years of the contracts, before being withdrawn as the programme matures and they start to receive greater remuneration from outcome-based payments.
Within the standard terms and conditions of contract for the Work programme, the Department has committed to pay all providers within 30 calendar days of notification. The Prime Contractor will be entitled to receive interest after 30 calendar days on any payment that is not made when properly due.
In addition, the Department has sought to strengthen the hand of smaller organisations in their dealings with our Prime Providers, and I believe that the systems we are putting in place will mean a more level playing field. In particular our ‘Merlin Standard’ will ensure that smaller organisations are treated fairly in their dealings with primes and that supply chains remain robust and healthy.
EU Agenda for New Skills and Jobs
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on the comprehensive review of health and safety legislation by 2014 proposed in the EU agenda for new skills and jobs; what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of conducting the review; and if he will make a statement. [47012]
Chris Grayling: The European Commission has yet to announce the scope and nature of its proposed review of EU health and safety legislation. Consequently, it is not yet possible to provide a meaningful or accurate estimate of how much it would cost. The Government will work to ensure that any future proposals respect the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, and are accompanied by a full impact assessment. Provided these principles are respected, in principle, a review of EU legislation in this field could provide the opportunity and evidence for removing obsolete or inefficient laws. In particular it could be used to examine which EU health and safety rules for low risk businesses are overly prescriptive, which are disproportionate and which seek unnecessarily to eliminate risk instead of managing it. These aims would be consistent with the recommendations in “Common Sense, Common Safety”, which the Government accepted in October 2010.
Family Breakdown
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to reduce the incidence of family breakdown since his appointment. [48121]
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Maria Miller: A Social Justice Cabinet Committee has been established chaired by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which seeks to tackle the underlying factors that trap people at the bottom of the social ladder, one of these factors being family breakdown. I am also looking at international models to see if there is best practice in this area which could usefully be integrated into our proposals for Great Britain.
Our programme for government made clear our commitment to supporting and strengthening families. Where relationship breakdown is unavoidable our approach is the same—we will support strong families including those that are separating or separated to work together to reach agreements that are in the best interests of their children. In the recently published Green Paper ‘Strengthening families, promoting parental responsibility: the future of child maintenance’:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/strengthening-families.pdf
we outline our proposals for the reform of child maintenance. These include encouraging parents to work collaboratively to fulfil their responsibilities and, where child maintenance is involved, to make family-based child maintenance arrangements wherever possible as these will facilitate co-parenting and the ongoing involvement of both parents in children's lives.
My Department is also working closely with the Department for Education and the Ministry of Justice with the aim of joining up support to separating and separated parents so they receive the help they need to work together and make post-separation arrangements that are in their children's best interests.
Free Movement of Labour
Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has to provide assistance to local authorities on the abolition of transitional arrangements for A8 workers; and whether his Department plans to provide guidance on this issue. [46272]
Chris Grayling: The Department operates a dedicated email enquiry point to provide assistance to local authorities on such matters.
Detailed guidance on the benefit position of A8 nationals from 1 May 2011 will be made available to local authorities shortly. In addition, we have been working with Homeless Link who published guidance on A8 rough sleepers earlier this month.
Housing Benefit: Affordable Housing
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research he has commissioned on the availability of affordable homes in (a) Bristol East constituency, (b) Bristol, (c) the South West and (d) nationally following implementation of his proposed changes to local housing allowances. [46713]
Steve Webb:
The Department is in the process of a procurement exercise with leading research organisations for the evaluation and monitoring of the impact of the housing benefit measures. The precise form of the evaluation will depend upon the outcome of negotiations with the successful contractor, but we anticipate that it will
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consider the availability of affordable homes and include fieldwork examining the effects on different types of households in a range of areas across Great Britain.
Housing Benefit: Berkshire
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have claimed housing benefit in (a) Reading West constituency, (b) Reading and (c) Berkshire in each of the last 10 years. [46632]
Steve Webb: The information requested for Reading West constituency is not available.
A copy of the available information on HB recipients by local authority has been placed in the Library.
Means-tested Benefits: Peterborough
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children in each electoral ward of the Peterborough city council area lived in households in receipt of means-tested benefits in the latest period for which figures are available. [47664]
Maria Miller: There were 7,295 children aged 15 and under in Peterborough living in households where a parent or guardian is in receipt of income support, jobseeker’s allowance or pension credit in May 2008.
The following table shows the number of children aged 15 and under in each electoral ward of the Peterborough city council area living in households where a parent or guardian is in receipt of income support, jobseeker's allowance or pension credit in May 2008.
| Ward name | Total children aged 15 and under |
| Source: DWP Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, HMRC Child Benefit administrative data. | |
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New Deal Schemes
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons there was a reduction in the number of flexible new deal starts between May and November 2010. [46502]
Chris Grayling: The reduction in the number of flexible new deal starts between May and November 2010 reflects two factors:
starts were due to reduce over this period as the stock of jobseeker’s allowance customers who had to wait for FND to begin reduced;
starts fell more due to a fall in the number of people who claimed jobseeker’s allowance, and so in due course, the numbers who became eligible for the provision.
Personal Independence Payment: Autism
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to ensure that a person with autism who undergoes an assessment for the proposed personal independence payment will have the appropriate support to attend an assessment. [47039]
Maria Miller: We are considering the delivery model for the personal independence payment assessment and no decisions have yet been taken. We recognise the importance of ensuring that the assessment process is appropriate to individual's circumstances, including individuals with autistic spectrum disorders. We are clear that if an individual is able to bring someone who knows them well with them to a face-to-face consultation, and wishes to do so, this will be welcomed. It will of course be essential to ensure that we get the processes right and we will be keen to work with disabled people and their organisations as we further develop these.
Post Office Card Account
Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by what date he expects a direct debit payment facility on the Post Office card account to have been enabled. [47814]
Steve Webb: The Government remain committed to giving Post Office card account holders the chance to benefit from direct debit discounts. However, this does not necessarily mean adding a direct debit facility to the Post Office card account itself.
We are awaiting the outcome of new research, exploring the options for all consumers to have the opportunity to benefit from direct debit discounts.
Officials from all interested Departments are working closely to steer the direction of the research. This will explore the possibilities for a commercially viable business model for a new account, which would be designed to meet the needs of low income consumers by supporting positive financial management, smoothing expenditure and enabling access to better value services and products.
Private Pensions
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of people in the UK with private pensions which provide an income of between £17,500 and £30,000 per year. [46760]
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Steve Webb: Estimates from the Family Resources Survey show that in 2008-09 there were 700,000 people in the UK in receipt of private pension income of between £17,500 and £30,000 per year.
Notes:
1. The Family Resources Survey is a nationally representative sample of approximately 25,000 households in the United Kingdom. Data for 2008-09 was collected between April 2008 and March 2009.
2. The figures from the Family Resources Survey are based on a sample of households which have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors which align the Family Resources Survey to Government office region population by age and sex. Estimates are subject to sampling error and remaining non-response error.
3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand adults.
Source:
DWP analysis of 2008-09 Family Resources Survey.
Public Expenditure
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of people in (a) Glasgow North East constituency, (b) Glasgow, (c) Scotland and (d) Great Britain who will be affected by the change in the under-occupancy rules affecting 25 to 35-year-olds over the period of the comprehensive spending review; and if he will estimate the average change to their annual incomes. [46930]
Steve Webb: It is estimated that in Great Britain by the end of the comprehensive spending review period 88,000 people aged 25 to 34 who would otherwise have received the one bedroom rate of local housing allowance may instead be assessed at the shared accommodation rate. On average their annual housing benefit award will be around £2,500 lower in 2014-15 than it would have been if assessed at the one bedroom rate.
Estimates of the local and regional effects will be published when the relevant regulations are laid later this year.
Note:
The figure of £2,500 is rounded to nearest £500.
Social Security Benefits: Families
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under what criteria working families would be exempted from the proposed overall benefit cap. [46281]
Chris Grayling: As the spending review announced, households which contain a member who is in receipt of working tax credit will be exempt from the cap. We are still considering the precise criteria for an equivalent exemption under universal credit.
In addition, war widows and war widowers and households that contain a member who is in receipt of disability living allowance or constant attendance allowance will be exempt from the benefit cap.
We are looking at ways of easing the transition for families and providing assistance in hard cases.
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Social Security Benefits: Autism
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on requiring (a) knowledge and (b) understanding of autism spectrum disorder in (i) the training of assessors and (ii) the conduct of assessments for work capability assessments. [47155]
Chris Grayling: All Atos health care professionals (HCP’s) who carry out assessments for employment and support allowance receive training on autistic spectrum disorders. As part of induction training they are issued with evidence-based protocols on mental health conditions which include information on autistic spectrum disorders. In addition, the training for all registered nurses and physiotherapists includes cases with role players where autistic spectrum disorder is the principal diagnosis.
Following this, all HCP’s are required to engage in a programme of continuing medical education and Atos, in conjunction with the DWP, have developed a number of training modules specifically on autistic spectrum disorders as part of this.
Social Security Benefits: EU Nationals
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the potential implications for the UK of the EU agenda for new skills and jobs proposals for the future of social security systems; whether such proposals will entail (a) costs to the public purse and (b) transfers of powers from the UK; and if he will make a statement. [46851]
Chris Grayling: The Commission Communication “An Agenda for New Skills and Jobs” makes no specific proposals in relation to social security beyond calling for an awareness campaign on the EU social security coordination rules so that citizens understand their rights when moving within Europe. This campaign has been designed by the European Commission and does not involve any direct costs to the public purse or transfer of powers from the UK. Furthermore, the campaign does not change in any way conditions for receiving social security benefits, and the UK already has in place strict controls on access to non-contributory benefits for migrants.
The Communication also refers to social security as one of four components of the policy concept of “flexicurity”. This was defined by Council Principles in December 2007. The term is applied to a range of measures within national competence under the long-running European Employment Strategy, now incorporated into Europe 2020, which allows for coordination between member states. Flexicurity seeks to improve the flexibility of labour markets while providing adequate security of employment. The UK is one of the leading models in this regard and we are promoting our approaches to welfare reform with other countries so that across the EU more people are in employment.
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the implications for the UK of EU proposals to maximise the potential contribution of migration to full employment; and if he will make a statement. [46852]
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Chris Grayling: The European Commission report “An Agenda for New Skills and Jobs” was published on 23 November 2010. My Department has not made a specific assessment of the implications of this report. It acknowledges that the main responsibility for policy in this area rests with member states and none of the proposals it makes imply any change to existing rules on EU migration.
Issues which the report considers include barriers to employment created by discrimination and non-recognition of skills. These can adversely affect the employment prospects of UK nationals seeking work in other EU countries as well as those of EU nationals who would like to work in the UK.
The UK Government have stated their intention to reduce migration levels over the lifetime of this Parliament. An annual limit on the number of non-EU workers will be introduced in April 2011 to ensure only those with the skills the country needs can come to the UK from outside the EU to work.
Universal Credit
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the evidential basis is for his estimate that universal credit will lead to a reduction of 300,000 in the number of workless households. [46505]
Chris Grayling: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the latest universal credit impact assessment available on the Department for Work and Pensions website.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make an assessment of the costs and benefits of splitting payments under the universal credit to partners in two person couples with children. [47001]
Maria Miller: Under universal credit, couples living in the same household will make a joint claim for the benefit payment and we assume that ordinarily the payment will be made as a single sum to the household. In recognition of the fact that different households organise their finances and budget in different ways, we are allowing couples to decide between them whether the money goes to a joint bank account or to one or other of them.
However, there may be exceptional cases that require alternative arrangements and the Government intend to retain power to arrange payments to couples to offer safeguards. We are considering the circumstances for and details of these alternative arrangements, and work is ongoing. For example, where there is proven abuse of the money by one partner, the Government already have and will retain the power to direct payments to the other partner, or there may be instances where it is more appropriate to divide the payment.
Universal Credit: Disability
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether (a) statutory sick pay and (b) employment and support allowance claimed for the first six months of an illness be treated as earnings when calculating earnings disregard for the purposes of his proposed universal credit. [48015]
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Maria Miller: There are no grounds for treating employment support allowance as earnings.
It may be logical to treat payments such as statutory sick pay in the same way as earnings as they are paid by employers. Final decisions have not yet been made.
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether any extra support offered to disabled people in receipt of universal credit will be available to those who (a) live alone and (b) do not have a carer. [48016]
Maria Miller: The Government’s aim for universal credit is to simplify the current complex array of overlapping premiums to ensure that disabled people benefit from improved work incentives as well as supporting those in greatest need. The aim is that universal credit will include additional amounts that correspond to the two components currently payable in employment and support allowance.
Winter Fuel Payments
Mr Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the annual effect on his Department’s expenditure of removing the entitlement to winter fuel allowance from persons with an annual income of more than (a) £50,000 and (b) £100,000. [47124]
Steve Webb: Winter fuel payment eligibility covers those who are over female state pension age (including men who have yet to reach the male state pension age of 65) and are ordinarily resident in the UK.
Information on winter fuel payment eligibility and households with higher annual incomes is available from data collected in the Family Resources Survey.
(a) If entitlement to winter fuel payments were restricted to those in households with annual net Before Housing Costs income of £50,000 or less, it is estimated that the total winter fuel payment bill for Great Britain would reduce by £110 million per year.
(b) If entitlement to winter fuel payments were restricted to those in households with annual net before housing costs income of £100,000 or less, it is estimated that the total winter fuel payment bill for Great Britain would reduce by £20 million per year.
In 2011/12, winter fuel payment expenditure is forecast to be £2.082 billion. As such, the saving represented by restricting to those in households with annual net before housing costs income of £50,000 or less represents 5% of these payments, while restricting to those with £100,000 or less represents 1%.
Notes:
1. Information on household income and eligibility for winter fuel payments are available from the Family Resources Survey, for which 2008-09 is the latest year available.
2. Estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. For this reason savings are rounded to the nearest £10 million.
3. For the purpose of this question, net household incomes before housing costs have been used. This includes net earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. Incomes are net of income tax, national insurance and council tax. In practice, the level of savings may vary due to how this would be implemented.
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4. Savings to winter fuel payment expenditure use the 2011-12 expenditure forecasts and are therefore based on a £200 payment to households containing someone aged over female state pension age, with an additional £100 payment to households containing someone aged 80 or over. There are additional rules determining how much households containing more than one eligible individual and individuals in receipt of certain benefits receive. These additional rules are also included in the calculations. Family Resources Survey data has been used to calculate the proportion of expenditure which goes to the high income households as specified.
Work Capability Assessment
Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department has engaged Unum in the (a) design and (b) administration of the (i) work capability assessment and (ii) appeals process. [46816]
Chris Grayling: The work capability assessment was developed in 2008 with the assistance of technical working groups. As you may be aware, the Government consult widely with stakeholders and sources of public and private sector expertise, to ensure that its policies are evidence-based. Two Unum employees, a doctor and an occupational therapist, were invited to join the technical working group that carried out the review of the personal capability assessment. As with all members of the technical working group they were appointed as recognised experts in benefit assessment and in supporting return to work for people with disability.
I can confirm that since the initial review of the personal capability assessment as part of the technical working groups, that representatives of the company, Unum, have not been involved in either the administration or review of the work capability assessment.
The Department of Work and Pension has also not engaged with Unum in the design or administration of the appeals process.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Business: Ethics
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects to publish the Government’s corporate responsibility strategy. [47122]
Mr Davey: The Government believe that all businesses can play a part in tackling the social, environmental and economic challenges we face—and benefit commercially in the process—by minimising the negative social and environmental impacts of their activities and maximising the positive. Encouraging responsible behaviour by business through the alignment of market incentives with positive social outcomes is relevant in a broad range of policy areas across government.
The Prime Minister recently launched the Every Business Commits agenda, calling on businesses to help create a more sustainable and community-centred approach to doing business.
More broadly the Government are focused on influencing the development of international policy on corporate responsibility, including through engagement with the European Commission, and work to update the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
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There are no current plans to publish a specific document setting the Government’s strategy for corporate responsibility.
Business: North East England
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on how many occasions his Department has consulted representatives of small businesses in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency on the effects of proposed new regulations since his appointment. [47588]
Mr Prisk: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has launched 34 written consultations since May 2010. These are available for viewing on the Department's Internet site at:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/Consultations
BIS seeks views on these from businesses from all regions and of all sizes, including those of small businesses. The specific information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Business Regulation
Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the progress of implementation of the Government's one-in, one-out policy in respect of domestic legislation affecting business and the third sector. [47375]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 18 March 2011]: The one-in, one-out policy took effect from autumn 2011. It applies to domestic regulation and the Government plan to release a Statement of Regulation shortly. The Statement of Regulation will detail the classification of regulation due to come into effect in the first half of 2011 as either an In, Out or net zero measure. To ensure the analysis underpinning the regulatory measures is accurate, all measures are independently validated by the Regulatory Policy Committee.
Business: Rural Areas
Mrs Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to reduce the burden of administration on rural businesses. [42588]
Mr Prisk: Rural economies have a greater reliance on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and this means it is especially important that the administrative burden is proportionate and fair if they are to thrive.
All Ministers in Government are committed to this. Rural businesses will benefit from a number of initiatives I am taking, such as amending the Companies Act to bring small company audit rules in line with the EU minimum in 2012, saving UK companies up to £40 million in unnecessary audit fees.
In addition, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have commissioned research to reduce the regulatory burdens on very small businesses by examining how environmental regulation impacts on micro businesses, including those in rural areas, and how it can be designed in ways that minimises the burden while still achieving environmental outcomes.
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Departmental Public Bodies
Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, on the public bodies reform programme, what estimate he has made of the savings to his Department net of costs incurred in the assumption of additional departmental responsibilities to accrue from (a) the abolition of 22 public bodies within his Department's area of responsibility, (b) the merger of five such bodies and (c) the change in function of one such body. [48136]
Mr Davey: On 16 March 2011 the Minister for the Cabinet Office issued a written ministerial statement updating Parliament on progress on public bodies reform. That statement also announced that Departments estimate that cumulative administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion will flow from public bodies over the spending review period.
I anticipate cumulative administrative budget savings from those public bodies sponsored by BIS which are undergoing structural reforms to be £737 million over the spending review period, with additional costs of transition including redundancies to be funded from the Department's programme budgets. Overall administrative cost reductions from all of BIS's public bodies are estimated to be £882 million over the spending review period.
Regulation
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what regulations his Department introduced between 9 and 28 February 2011. [47148]
Mr Prisk: Between 9 February and 28 February 2011 BIS introduced seven regulations. These are:
The Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Companies, Overseas Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships) (Amendment) Regulations 2011;
The Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Limited Partnerships) (Amendment) Regulations 2011;
The Registrar of Companies (Fees) (European Economic Interest Grouping) (Amendment) Regulations 2011;
The Patents County Court (Financial Limits) Order 2011;
The Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations 2011;
The Student Fees (Amounts) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011;
The Export Control (Amendment) Order 2011.
Foundation Courses: Universities
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which universities in England offer foundation degrees; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of such degrees in increasing access to university education. [47451]
Mr Willetts: Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency Student Record show that 42,330 entrants were registered on foundation degree courses with 97 English higher education institutions (HEIs) in academic year 2009/10, as shown in the following table.
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With almost 100,000 students studying foundation degrees in 2009/10, such courses are now a significant part of the higher education landscape, alongside long-established HE qualifications such as the Higher National Diploma. These qualifications play a key role in helping to equip the current and the future work force with the associate professional and technician-level skills that will play an important role in delivering economic growth.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England produces an annual report on foundation degree key statistics, describing the key characteristics of courses and students. The latest report showed that of those students registered at an HEI, and gaining their foundation degree award in 2007/08, 59% of students who studied full-time and 42% of those who studied part-time went on to study for an honours degree the following year.
| Foundation degree entrants (1) by higher education institution—English higher education institutions academic year 2009/10 | |
| Higher education institution | Entrants |
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| (1) Covers entrants of all domiciles to both full-time and part-time foundation degree courses. Note: Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded to the nearest five. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record. | |
Higher Education
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many university spin-offs were established by each higher education institution in each of the last five years; and how many such spin-offs were active three years after their establishment. [47432]
Mr Willetts: Data on the number of university spin-offs are collected by the Higher Education-Business and Community Interaction survey (HE-BCI), which is currently conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
Table 1 shows (a) the number of formal university spin-offs and (b) the number of formal university spin-offs still active after three years, for each UK higher education institution (HEI).
| Table 1: Number of spin-offs, by higher education institution, 2005-06 to 2009-10 (1, 2, 3) | ||||||||||
| (a) Formal spin-offs established | (b) Formal spin-offs still active after three years | |||||||||
| Institution | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
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| (1) Spin-offs include those with some HEI ownership. (2) 2005/06 to 2007/08 data collected by HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England); 2008/09 to 2009/10 by HESA. (3) HEI’s not listed had no spin-offs recorded in the last five years. Source: Higher Education-Business and Community Interaction survey (HE-BCI). | ||||||||||