Private Rented Housing: Smoke Alarms
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will estimate the (a) number of jobs which would be created and (b) contribution to the economy of implementing proposals to make hard-wired smoke alarms mandatory in private rented dwellings. [51761]
Andrew Stunell: The Department has no data on the potential to create jobs and contribution to the economy of the implementation of this proposal.
There are around 3 million properties within the private rented sector. The Fire and Risk Management Journal suggests that the cost of installing a hard-wired, battery backup, interlinked system with three detectors would be in the region of £180 to £400. This would mean a cost to the sector of £540 million to £1.2 billion. The cost of ensuring enforcement would also need to be taken into consideration.
It is education about fire safety that provides the best value for money. The installation of properly maintained smoke alarms in every household is at the centre of efforts to reduce fire death in the home, as they provide important and vital early warning of fire and can help people to escape. The Fire Kills campaign has for some time conducted high profile campaigns promoting smoke alarms and maintenance messages.
Renewable Energy: Planning Permission
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 1.34 of The Plan for Growth, whether his policy on (a) a presumption in favour of sustainable development and (b) processing of planning applications and appeals within 12 months and fast-tracking of major infrastructure projects applies to (i) onshore wind and (ii) other renewable energy infrastructure. [52022]
Robert Neill: The presumption in favour of sustainable development will be part of the national planning policy framework, and so applies to development plan policies and decisions on planning applications. This includes those relating to onshore wind and most other forms of renewable energy. The proposal to process planning applications and appeals within 12 months will also apply to onshore wind and other renewable energy proposals, unless they are of such a scale that requires an application under the major infrastructure planning regime, in which case the fast-tracking of proposals using the major infrastructure process will apply.
Social Rented Housing
Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homes were available for (a) rent and (b) shared ownership sale by housing associations and housing trusts in (i) Milton Keynes and (ii) England on the most recent date for which figures are available. [51926]
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Andrew Stunell: Figures are collected at local authority district level for housing associations and housing trusts who are registered providers. The regulatory and statistical return managed by the Tenant Services Authority asks registered providers to report data on their stock.
The returns showed that as at 31 March 2010 registered housing associations and housing trusts owned approximately 7,215 homes in Milton Keynes for social rent. Of these, 447 units comprised housing specifically intended for older people, 320 comprised other supported housing and the remaining 6,448 were intended for households with general needs. Of these ‘general needs’ homes, 90 were vacant, of which 53 were available for letting. Information on vacancy in the stock of supported housing and housing for older people is not collected by local authority area.
The returns also showed that as at 31 March 2010 registered housing associations and housing trusts owned approximately 2,242,657 homes in England for social rent. Of these, approximately 315,777 units comprised housing specifically intended for older people, approximately 101,617 comprised other supported housing and the remaining 1,825,263 were intended for households with general needs. Of these ‘general needs’ homes, 27,946 were vacant, of which 12,101 were available for letting.
During the year to 31 March 2010 there were 356 low cost home ownership sales made by registered providers of their stock in Milton Keynes, and 13,721 across England.
Additionally, properties are made available for shared ownership by other providers, including through Section 106 agreements.
Additional affordable homes since April 2010 will count towards the affordable homes element of the new homes bonus, which provides a powerful incentive for local authorities to increase housing supply. Milton Keynes will receive a £350 premium per affordable home for the six years on top of the main part of the bonus, which, in total, is £2,513,998 for year one.
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the capacity of the social rented sector to offer alternative accommodation to tenants who need to move to smaller properties following the restriction of housing benefit to household size (a) nationally and (b) in each region. [52435]
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Grant Shapps [holding answer 26 April 2011]:An impact assessment was published by the Department for Work and Pensions. The DWP and my Department are working with local authorities, social landlords and other interested parties on implementation and associated issues ahead of the introduction of the proposed changes in 2013.
Tenancy Deposit Schemes
Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what estimate he has made of the total level of compensation paid to tenants by landlords for failure to comply with the deposit protection scheme in each year since its inception; [52526]
(2) how many tenants have applied for recompense from landlords for failure to comply with the requirements of the deposit protection scheme in each year since its inception; [52527]
(3) how many landlords have been found to be in breach of the deposit protection scheme in each year since its inception. [52528]
Grant Shapps: My Department does not hold this information.
Work and Pensions
Departmental Travel
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what date (a) he and (b) each other Minister in his Department last travelled by (i) London Underground and (ii) public bus services on Government business; how many times (A) he and (B) each other Minister in his Department has travelled by each such form of transport on Government business since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [50079]
Chris Grayling: Section 10 of the Ministerial Code provides guidance on travel for Ministers and makes it clear that Ministers must ensure that they always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.
The following information gives details of this Department's Ministers’ use of public transport:
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of his ministerial team have been issued with (a) an Oyster card and (b) a (i) monthly and (ii) annual travel card valid on London Transport and paid for by his Department for use while travelling on Government business. [50176]
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Chris Grayling: Section 10 of the Ministerial Code provides guidance on travel for Ministers and makes it clear that Ministers must ensure that they always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.
The Minister for Pensions, the hon. Member for Thornbury and Yate (Steve Webb) and I have Oyster cards paid for by this Department for use on Government business.
Departmental Vacancies
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the staff vacancy rate in his Department was in 2010-11; and what vacancy rate has been assumed in his Department's budget for 2011-12. [51381]
Chris Grayling: The Department has a reducing headcount profile and a freeze on recruitment has been in place in the Department since May last year. Replacement of leavers is authorised only in exceptional circumstances and is subject to Chief Executive Officer and Permanent Secretary approval. All exceptions made to the freeze are reported to Ministers on a monthly basis.
The Department does not record a staff vacancy rate. Staff turnover rate is used as a key measure in workforce planning.
The turnover rate is used to monitor the pace at which staff leave as a proportion of the total number of staff in the Department. Turnover is expressed as an annual percentage rate.
In February 2011 the annual departmental turnover rate for permanent staff was 3.81 %. This rate excludes all staff on fixed-term contracts. Since April last year there has been a slight upward trend in the turnover rate and our current planning assumption is that it will rise from its current rate to 4.00% during 2011-12.
Employment: Sickness Absence
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the terms of reference are of the review of sickness absence at work announced by his Department on 17 February 2011. [50934]
Chris Grayling: The independent review of sickness absence in Great Britain was announced by the Prime Minister on 17 February 2011. Its terms of reference can be found at:
www.dwp.gov.uk/sickness-absence-review
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions who will be consulted as part of the review of sickness absence at work announced by his Department on 17 February 2011. [50935]
Chris Grayling: The independent review of sickness absence in Great Britain has begun to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including:
trade unions;
employers and those representing employers groups;
health care professionals and health care representative groups;
industry professionals including insurers and providers of occupational health and vocational rehabilitation services;
the public sector and public sector employers; and
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other Governments Departments and the devolved Administrations.
The review has also established a web presence at:
www.dwp.gov.uk/sickness-absence-review
and welcomes contributions from all interested individuals or groups, who should email:
sickness.absencereview@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
with contributions to the review.
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the review of sickness absence at work announced by his Department on 17 February 2011 to report. [50936]
Chris Grayling: The independent review of sickness absence in Great Britain is expected to report in autumn 2011.
Harrington Review
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress is being made on implementing the recommendations of the Harrington review into workplace capability assessments; and if he will make a statement. [51532]
Chris Grayling: We are committed to taking forward the review’s recommendations so that we can make the system fairer and more effective.
Many of these changes are already in place and we will implement the remainder by the summer to coincide with the first work capability assessments of incapacity benefits claimants taking part in the full nationwide reassessment.
Housing Benefit
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what data his Department will need in order to carry out the review of changes to housing benefit committed to in the Government's response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee's Second Report of 2010-11, on housing benefit; how he will measure the effects of housing benefit changes on overcrowding; and if he will make a statement. [52187]
Steve Webb: The Department has conducted a procurement exercise with leading research organisations for the independent review of the impact of the housing benefit measures.
We anticipate that it will consider the effects of housing benefit changes on overcrowding in the private sector and include fieldwork with different types of households in a range of areas across Great Britain.
Housing: Finance
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what criteria his Department used to determine the allocation of discretionary housing payments to local authorities in England for 2011-12; and how much has been allocated to each. [49484]
Steve Webb:
The formula that has been used to allocate the original £20 million of discretionary housing payments (DHP) is the same as that used in previous
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years. Each authority's allocation is based on the mid-point between its DHP spend for the latest year for which we have reliable data and its contribution for that year.
The remaining £10 million has been allocated based upon the Department's estimates of the total gross reduction in housing benefit entitlement in each local authority. The overall allocation has been adjusted following discussions with the local authority associations to ensure that no local authority is allocated less in 2011-12 than it was in 2010-11.
All local authorities were advised of their individual allocation on 2 February 2011:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/s2-2011.pdf
Incapacity Benefit: Sunderland
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether any workplace capability assessments have been conducted on existing incapacity benefit claimants in the Sunderland area in place of personal capability assessments to date. [51626]
Chris Grayling: Reassessing all those on incapacity benefits is a significant task and we are undertaking it in a staged way in order to manage risks and learn from experience.
The process began on 11 October 2010 with a trial which was restricted to cases in the Aberdeen and Burnley areas.
The next step, from 28 February 2011, was an introductory phase involving small numbers of cases nationally—the first work capability assessments (WCAs) from this phase are due to commence from 11 April 2011 and this may include small numbers of cases from Sunderland.
Full roll-out of national reassessment began on 4 April 2011. To date this exercise has not generated any WCAs.
Independent Living Fund
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 14 March 2011, Official Report, column 125W, on the Independent Living Fund, when his Department plans to launch its consultation on the Independent Living Fund; whom it plans to consult; and what issues it plans to consult on. [51533]
Maria Miller: Our consultation on how we can best support the needs of the 21,000 users of the Independent Living Fund (ILF) beyond the end of this Parliament will take place following the report of the independent Commission on Funding of Care and Support.
We have committed to consulting with disabled people, the current users of the ILF, local authorities, the devolved Administrations and other interested parties.
The Government are committed to delivering genuine choice and control for disabled people through further personalisation and localisation of care and support; we will consult how the needs of the 21,000 can be best met in line with those objectives.
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NHS: Swimming Pools
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost to his Department was of maintaining the swimming pool at the NHS premises at Quarry house in Leeds in the last financial year for which figures are available. [52347]
Chris Grayling: The Department of Health shares Quarry house in Leeds with the Department for Work and Pensions, which is responsible for the property.
DWP occupies its properties, including Quarry house, under the terms of a 20-year private finance initiative contract entered into in 1998 and pays an all-inclusive unitary charge. Maintenance of the swimming pool is included within the contract. The cost is not separately identifiable The pool and associated leisure centre are franchised to a separate service provider which charges for access by DWP and DH staff and a number of external public groups.
Nurses
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether staff in his Department and the public bodies for which it is responsible have direct access to nurse-based medical advice as part of his Department's absence management policy. [51716]
Chris Grayling: Managers employed by the Department for Work and Pensions and the public bodies for which it is responsible may, when necessary, refer employees to a nurse-based occupational health service. This service is delivered predominantly by telephone and provides advice about reducing the adverse effects of a health condition on the employee's work performance or about helping the employee quickly to return to work from sick leave.
Sick Leave
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what targets he has set for the reduction of rates of sickness and unauthorised absence in his Department and the public bodies for which it is responsible. [51717]
Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions has a target to reduce sickness absence to 7.7 days per employee per year, or lower, by 31 March 2012. We have consistently reduced sickness absence from a level of 11.1 days per employee per year in 2007 to 8.1 days per employee per year currently and will strive for further improvement.
We aim to meet the target through an ongoing programme to help employees maintain good health, such as providing stress counselling, and by appropriate use of occupational health services to rehabilitate staff who do take sick leave. If, following the provision of all reasonable help, an employee is unable to maintain a satisfactory attendance record, we will take administrative action. Where necessary, this will include dismissal or retirement.
We have not set a target for other types of unauthorised leave because the vast majority of unauthorised leave, when it occurs, relates to strike action. The Department's aspiration is to avoid strikes.
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Winter Fuel Payments
Mr Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will assess the potential savings to the Exchequer of means testing the winter fuel allowance so that no one with an income of more than £35,000 is entitled to claim the benefit. [51506]
Steve Webb: Winter fuel payment eligibility covers those who have reached women's 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.
If entitlement to winter fuel payments were restricted to those in households with annual net income of £35,000 or less before housing costs, it is estimated that the total winter fuel payment bill for Great Britain would reduce by £270 million per year in 2011-12 prices.
In 2011-12, winter fuel payment expenditure is forecast to be £2.124 billion. As such, the saving represented by restricting it to those in households with annual net income of £35,000 or less before housing costs, would be 13%.
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. The costings assume those who would be eligible for winter fuel payments under the current system in a household with net income above £35,000 per annum in 2011-12 no longer receive winter fuel payments. It assumes that all other households are unaffected.
4. Savings to winter fuel payment expenditure use the 2011-12 expenditure forecasts that are consistent with the Budget 2011 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 have been used to calculate the proportion of expenditure which goes to households above the income level as specified.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Apprentices
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of apprenticeship starts for those aged (a) 16 to 18, (b) 19 to 25 and (c) over 25 years were undertaken by individuals who were already employees of the employer offering the apprenticeship in the last quarter for which figures are available. [51719]
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Mr Hayes: Information on the number of apprenticeships started by individuals already in the employment of the employer offering the apprenticeship is not available.
Table 1 shows the number of apprenticeship starts in England by age for the second quarter of 2010/11 (provisional), the latest quarter for which data is available.
| Table 1: Apprenticeship programme starts by age, between November 2010 and January 2011 (Provisional). | ||
| Apprenticeship starts (Provisional) | ||
| Age | Count | Percentage |
| Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. 2. Age is based on age at the start of the programme. Source: Individualised Learner Record | ||
Information on the number of apprenticeship starts is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 31 March 2011:
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprenticeship starts there were in each employment sector in each of the last 12 quarters for which figures are available. [51751]
Mr Hayes: Tables 1 to 4 show apprenticeship starts by sector subject area for each of the last 12 quarters for which data are available.
| Table 1: Apprenticeship programme starts by sector subject area and quarter, 2007/08 | ||
| 2007/08 | ||
| Sector subject area | February 2008 to April 2008 | May 2008 to July 2008 |
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| Table 2: Apprenticeship programme starts by sector subject area and quarter, 2008/09 | |||||
| 2008/09 | |||||
| Sector subject area | August 2008 to October 2008 | November 2008 to January 2009 | February 2009 to April 2009 | May 2009 to July 2009 | Total |
| Table 3: Apprenticeship programme starts by sector subject area and quarter 2009/10 | |||||
| 2009/10 | |||||
| Sector subject area | August 2009 to October 2010 | November 2009 to January 2010 | February 2010 to April 2010 | May 2010 to July 2010 | Total |
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| Table 4: Apprenticeship programme starts by sector subject area and quarter, 2010/11 | ||
| Provisional 2010/11 (August to January) | ||
| Sector subject area | August 2010 to October 2010 (provisional) | November 2010 to January 2011 (provisional) |
| Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Provisional estimates for 2010/11 are not directly comparable with figures for earlier years. Source: Individualised Learner Record | ||
Information on the number of apprenticeship starts is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 31 March:
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current
Arms Trade: Libya
Sir John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the oral statement by the Prime Minister of 21 March 2011, Official Report, column 707, on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, and the answers from the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise of 9 March 2011, Official Report, column 1173W and 31 March 2011, Official Report, columns 475-6W, on arms trade: exports, how many (a) single and (b) open licences for Libya remain unrevoked; and what (i) equipment and (ii) services are covered by those licences. [52149]
Mr Prisk: There are eight standard individual export licences (SIELs) that remain unrevoked for Libya.
These licences were for the temporary export of goods for exhibition purposes. It is a condition of the licence that the goods must be returned to the UK within 12 months of issue. If we were to revoke the licences, the condition that the goods must be returned to the UK would no longer hold.
The goods permitted for export by these licences are as follows:
gun mountings, machine guns (one), sniper rifles (one), weapon cleaning equipment, weapon sights;
components for assault rifles, components for machine guns, training small arms ammunition;
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assault rifles (three), assault rifles (four), semi-automatic pistols (four), sniper rifles (two);
accessories for military small arms training equipment, components for military small arms training equipment, military small arms training equipment, software for the use of military small arms training equipment;
components for military small arms training equipment, military small arms training equipment, software for the use of military small arms training equipment;
all-wheel drive vehicles with ballistic protection, military utility vehicles;
components for military improvised explosive device decoying/detection/disposal/jamming equipment, military improvised explosive device decoying/detection/disposal/jamming equipment;
software enabling equipment to function as forward observer/target recognition training equipment, software for the simulation of military operation scenarios.
There is also one open individual export licence (OIEL) where Libya is a permitted destination. This licence permits the export of improvised explosive device disposal equipment.
Licences for the export of dual use goods to Libya for use by private companies also remain extant.
Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the licence granted to BAE Systems for the export of Tactica armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia included conditions that (1) they should be used only for defensive purposes inside Saudi Arabia; [51702]
(2) machine guns should not be fitted to them. [51703]
Mr Prisk: There was no such condition attached to the export licence.
Companies: North East England
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many publicly-quoted companies with headquarters in the North East there were in each of the last five years. [51966]
Mr Davey: Companies House does not hold any information on companies broken down by regions. Neither could it identify which public limited companies were also quoted companies. Also, Companies House holds information only on companies' registered offices, which are not necessarily their headquarters.
Debts: Advisory Services
Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many of the 129 debt management firms cautioned by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in September 2010, and which have not had their consumer credit licence revoked, are still not in compliance with OFT guidance on debt management; [51924]
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that debt management firms cautioned by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in September 2010 and which still hold a consumer credit licence are not operating within OFT guidance; and if he will make a statement. [51925]
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Mr Davey: Following publication of the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) compliance review findings report in September 2010 and its warning to 129 debt management firms, 42 debt firms have surrendered their licences, action has been taken to revoke licences in 10 cases (two companies have subsequently surrendered their licences), four are under further investigation and 75 further cases are currently in the process of being reviewed.
The review process is ongoing and the OFT will be in contact with each of the 75 businesses to discuss its analysis. Those which fail to meet compliance standards may also find themselves subject to licensing action, and where enforcement action is taken, the OFT will announce this in the usual way.
Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on measures to prevent debt management firms from contravening the debt management guidance issued by the Office of Fair Trading. [52011]
Mr Davey: All who provide debt management services are required to be licensed under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has a duty to ensure that applicants for licences are fit to engage in the activities for which they wish to be licensed, and to monitor the continuing fitness of those to whom licences have been granted. Where the OFT has evidence of unfair practices, action can be taken to refuse or revoke or place conditions on the consumer credit licence of those concerned.
The OFT’s Debt Management Guidance sets out minimum standards for debt management companies in the marketing of their services, pre-contract contact, the provision of pre-contract information, contract terms, advice and the nature of the debt management service provided. The OFT takes enforcement action where it has evidence that licensees are acting in breach of this guidance. As part of the OFT’s compliance strategy for this sector, it will also issue a revised version of the guidance for consultation in the summer, which will provide additional clarification on unfair practices.
Chief Scientific Advisers
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for the future of the role of Chief Scientific Adviser to his Department. [50150]
Mr Willetts [holding answer 31 March 2011]: The current Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is Professor Brian Collins, whose contract ends in May 2011.
The future of the role of the BIS Chief Scientific Adviser is currently being discussed within the Department and with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser as part of a broader consideration of the Department’s science and engineering capability. The post is expected to be advertised shortly.
Departmental Conditions of Employment
Chris Ruane:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of his Department's adherence to each of the
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principles of good employment practice set out in the Cabinet Office publication “Principles of Good Employment Practice”. [42624]
Mr Davey: No formal assessment has yet been undertaken of how the Department has adhered to the Cabinet Office publication “Principles of Good Employment Practice”, given their relatively recent launch on 13 December 2010. However, processes and controls are in place to ensure that the principles are complied with on an ongoing basis by the following means:
The principles have been disseminated across the Department's network of agencies and non-departmental public bodies for consideration in procurement activities.
Tender documents which are issued by the Department follow the Cabinet Office best practice guidance.
The Department reviews its procurement procedures and documentation regularly to ensure continuing compliance with Cabinet Office guidance.
The Department uses outcome based specifications wherever appropriate. Procurement staff seek opportunities where appropriate to promote skills training, qualifications and apprenticeships in contracts.
The Department's standard terms and conditions contain clauses covering discrimination, disability and race equality. Should a breach of these conditions occur, the Department has the ultimate option to terminate the contract.
Departmental Contracts
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what contracts his Department and its associated public bodies signed with Lockheed Martin in each of the last 10 years; and for what purposes each such contract was let. [50691]
Mr Davey: The Department and its predecessors have let no contracts with Lockheed Martin in the last 10 years.
Details of contracts let by associated public bodies are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Correspondence
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to provide a substantive response to the letter to his Department from the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross of 13 October 2010 on the case of Christopher Shepherd. [51785]
Mr Davey: I responded to the letter of 13 October from my hon. Friend for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross on 13 October 2010 on 6 April 2011.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what public sector job reduction targets have been set for his Department and its non-departmental public bodies for each of the next 24 months; and what steps he plans to take to meet such targets. [51531]
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Mr Davey: The Government have not set targets for a reduction in the number of posts in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills or its non-departmental public bodies.
Work force implications of the spending review settlement will depend on internal budget allocations and subsequent management decisions.
It is anticipated that we will need to reduce staff numbers across the core Department by around 275 people in 2011-12.
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the job title is of each member of staff in each division of his Department and paid through his Department’s payroll who (a) is on loan from another Government Department and (b) has shared responsibilities with another Government Department. [51584]
Mr Davey: There are 72 people on the Department’s payroll who are on loan from other Government Departments. Records are not held centrally on job titles but the following table shows this broken down by grade.
| Grade | Number of people loan in—payroll |
In addition to the above, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) has 49 military staff on loan from the MOD who are on MOD payroll but UKTI refunds the costs.
In terms of shared responsibilities with other Government Departments, the current staffing is set out in the following table.
| Shared responsibilities | Current staffing |
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Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff from his Department are on loan to other Government Departments. [51585]
Mr Davey: There are currently 186 employees on loan out to other Government Departments, of which 60 are staff from UK Trade and Investment.
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what units of his Department in place on the date of his appointment are shared with other Government Departments; how many staff at each grade from Executive Officer to Grade 3 are assigned to each such unit; and which Departments meet the staff costs of each member of staff in such units. [51624]
Mr Davey: The information on shared units based in BIS is provided in the following table, detailing the shared units in place in May 2010, current staffing and details of which Department meets staff costs.
| Joint unit in place May 2010 | Current staffing | Department which meets staff costs |
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In addition, BIS and the FCO work jointly in support of UK Trade and Investment, a non-ministerial Government Department. UK Trade and Investment draws people from both BIS and the FCO to achieve its objectives.
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the (a) job title is and (b) responsibilities are of each member of staff seconded to his Department from the private sector; from which company each is seconded; and who is responsible for meeting the staff costs of each secondee. [51627]
Mr Davey: The information is as follows:
| Job title/Responsibilities | Company |
With the exception of Imperial College London, all salaries are paid for by the parent organisation and re-imbursed by BIS.
The data are based on information held on the department's internal IT management systems.
Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many officials in his Department are provided with mobile communication devices; and how much his Department spent on mobile telephones and related data services in the last year for which figures are available. [51414]
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Mr Davey: There were 741 BlackBerrys in use in this Department in January 2010. The numbers varied during the year and there were 722 BlackBerrys in use at 1 January 2011. A total of £221,000 was spent on UK and overseas phone charges and data services during 2010.
There are currently 676 mobile phones issued to BIS staff. In 2010 the Department spent £138,000 on mobile phones. This includes the purchase of new handsets and line rental for existing services.
Departmental Procurement
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the cost to the public purse was of the (a) procurement and (b) outsourcing function of (i) his Department and (ii) each (A) agency, (B) non-departmental public body and (C) non-ministerial Department for which he is responsible in the last financial year for which figures are available. [43963]
Mr Davey: The cost of the procurement function for the Department in financial year 2010-11 was £531,907. There is no function within the Department solely dedicated to outsourcing.
The cost of the procurement functions of BIS Agencies, NDPBs and non-ministerial Departments for financial year 2009-10 is detailed in the second Back Office Benchmarking Survey, commissioned by the Cabinet Office in April 2010. This can be found at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/back-office-benchmark-information-200910
The cost of outsourcing functions was not included within the Back Office Benchmarking Survey. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
I have asked chief executives of the executive agencies to respond directly to my hon. Friend.
Further information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 1 March 2011:
I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 28 February 2011, UIN 43963 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Companies House is a Trading Fund and all of its costs, including those of the procurement and outsourcing functions, are met through the fees charged for its services. Therefore, there is no cost to the public purse.
Letter from Peter Mason, dated 17 March 2011:
I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (formerly National Weights and Measures Laboratory) to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 28 February 2011 reference 2010/4259 to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, asking what the cost to the public purse was of the (a) procurement function and (b) outsourcing function of (i) his Department and (ii) each (A) agency, (B) non-departmental public body and (C) non-Ministerial Department for which he is responsible in the last financial year for which figures are available.
The cost of the Agency’s own procurement capability in the narrow sense in which that is normally understood was £45,271 for 2009/10. In addition, £251,372 was spent in 2009/10 on supplier and contract management in respect of various long tenure science and facilities management contracts. The costs are estimated proportions of staff costs and do not include overhead costs.
The Agency does not maintain any outsourcing function.
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Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 3 March 2011:
Thank you for your parliamentary question asking the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the cost to the public purse was of the (a) procurement and (b) outsourcing function of the Skills Funding Agency (the Agency) in the last financial year for which figures are available.
Please be advised that the latest figures available are for the period 2009-10 which relate to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the Agency’s predecessor.
The cost of the procurement function for the LSC in 2009-10 was £511,569 (in accordance with the 10 June benchmarking return).The LSC did not have an ‘outsourcing function’ or any functions that have been outsourced.
Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 17 March 2011:
The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question what the cost to the public purse was of the (a) procurement and (b) outsourcing function of (i) his Department and (ii) each (A) agency, (B) non-departmental public body and (C) non-Ministerial Department for which he is responsible in the last financial year for which figures are available.
The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills at the current time has:
(a) The procurement function for the Insolvency Service is located within its Change and Workplace Services Directorate. Salary costs for the Procurement Team in financial year 2009-2010 totalled £125,374.27, inclusive of National Insurance and superannuation costs.
In the same period, Travel and Subsistence costs for this area of the Service totalled £2192.30.
(b) Spend on an external contractor for a defined procurement activity totalled £101,494 in this period. The Insolvency Service does not outsource its procurement function routinely.
Letter from John Alty, dated 31 March 2011:
I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 28(th) February 2011, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The Intellectual Property Office spent £288,000 in 2009/10 on procurement. This follows the Operational Efficiency Programme definition and represents around 0.5% of the Office expenditure.
There were no outsourcing function costs in 2009/10.
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many procurement projects with a monetary value greater than (a) £10 million, (b) £50 million and (c) £100 million (i) his Department and (ii) each non-departmental public body and agency for which he is responsible was engaged upon in the latest period for which figures are available. [45545]
Mr Davey: The Department is engaged in two applicable procurement projects in the current financial year.
The first is for Business Coaching for Growth. This is a new programme to help up to 10,000 SMEs a year to overcome the barriers they face in achieving their high growth potential. The estimated value of the contract is £173 million.
The second is for the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS). MAS is designed to help manufacturers, primarily small and medium enterprises, to increase productivity and competitiveness. The estimated value of the contract is £40 million to £50 million.
The Department undertook no procurement projects of (a) £10 million, (b) £50 million or (c)£100 million in financial year 2010-11.
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I have asked the chief executives of the executive agencies to respond directly to my hon. Friend.
Further information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Letter from John Alty, dated 8 March 2011:
I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 07.03.2011, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The Intellectual Property Office has had no procurement projects with a monetary value greater that (a) £10 million, (b) £50 million or (c) £100 million.
The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question regarding how many procurement projects with a monetary value greater than (a) £10 million, (b) £50 million and (c) £100 million (i) his Department and (ii) each non-departmental public body and agency for which he is responsible was engaged upon in the latest period for which figures are available.
The Insolvency Service is an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and is able to provide figures for the financial year 2009/10:
a) The Insolvency Service advertised a requirement for legal services providers in the third quarter of 2009. This was awarded in the second quarter of 2010. No volume of work is guaranteed to the successful responders to this tender; however, the potential value of work under this contract has been estimated at £20 million, over the three year life of the contract.
b) Nil
c) Nil
Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 9 March 2011:
Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, asking how many procurement projects with a monetary value greater than (a) £10 million, (b) £50 million and (c) £100 million was the Skills Funding Agency (the Agency) engaged upon in the latest period for which figures are available.
Please be advised that, for the period 2009/10, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the predecessor to the Agency, had the following number of procurement projects:
|
|
Number |
For the period 2010/11, the Agency has the following number of procurement projects to date:
|
|
Number |
Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 11 March 2011:
I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 7 March 2011, UIN45545 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Companies House is not engaged in any procurement projects within these thresholds
Letter from Peter Mason, dated 9 March 2011:
I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (formerly National Weights and Measures Laboratory) to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 7 March 2011 reference 2010/4400 to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, asking how many procurement projects with a monetary value greater than (a) £10 million, (b) £50 million and (c) £100 million (i) his Department and (ii) each
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non-departmental public body and agency for which he is responsible was engaged upon in the latest period for which figures are available.
The National Measurement Office has not engaged in any procurement projects within these monetary limits in 2009/10 or 2010/11 financial years.
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which procurement projects engaged upon by (a) his Department and (b) each non-departmental public body and agency for which he is responsible had a designated senior responsible owner in the latest period for which figures are available; and on what date that officer was appointed in each such case. [45546]
Mr Davey: The Department's current procurement projects involving advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and the date of appointment of senior responsible owner for each are;
| Project title | SRO Appointment date | OJEU advert date |
I have asked chief executives of the executive agencies to respond directly to my hon. Friend. Further information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 9 March 2011:
Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, asking which procurement projects engaged upon by the Skills Funding Agency (the Agency) had a designated senior responsible owner in the latest period for which figures are available and on what date they were appointed in each such case.
Please be advised that the Agency has three senior responsible officers for procurement projects in the following areas: Learner Provision, Information Management and Goods and Services.
They are full-time employees, who carry out this role as part of their wider role and portfolio of responsibilities and were appointed at the start of the Skills Funding Agency on 1 April 2010.
Letter from Stephen Speed, dated March 2011:
The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question as to which procurement projects engaged upon by (a) his Department and (b) each non-departmental public body and agency for which he is responsible had a designated senior responsible owner in the latest period for which figures are available; and on what date they were appointed in each such case.
The Insolvency Service is an executive agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. In the financial year 2009 -10 The Insolvency Service was engaged upon two procurement projects, with a senior responsible owner (SRO) designated for each. These SROs were appointed on 13 August 2007 and 26 August 2009 respectively.
Letter from Peter Mason, dated 10 March 2011:
I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (formerly National Weights and Measures Laboratory) to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 7 March 2011 reference 2010/4402 to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, asking which procurement projects engaged
27 Apr 2011 : Column 483W
upon by (a) his Department and (b) each non-departmental public body and agency for which he is responsible had a designated senior responsible owner in the latest period for which figures are available; and on what date they were appointed in each such case.
NMO has no current projects which have a senior responsible owner.
Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 16 March 2011:
I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 7 March 2011, UIN45546 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
All procurement projects engaged upon by Companies House have designated senior responsible owners, and these owners are appointed on the date the project is initiated. We are currently engaged on two procurement projects: the tendering of our external Contact Centre and a Career Development System Project. The senior responsible owners were appointed on 22 June 200 and 1 November 2010 respectively.
Letter from John Alty, dated 31 March 2011:
I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 7th March 2011, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Procurement projects engaged by the Intellectual Property Office which had a designated senior responsible owner in the latest period for which figures are available are as follows:
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Modernisation of Trademarks Registry IT Systems and Processes (‘TM10’) |
|
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Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) (closed) |
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Redundancy
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills for which agencies and non-departmental public bodies his Department was responsible on the date of his appointment; which such bodies have subsequently been (a) closed and (b) identified for closure; what provision for redundancy costs has been made in respect of each such body in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and what estimate he has made of the likely savings to the Exchequer from closures of such bodies over the comprehensive spending review period. [51618]
Mr Davey: On the date of his appointment, the Secretary of State was responsible for:
Companies House; the Insolvency Service; the Intellectual Property Office; the National Measurement Office; the Skills Funding Agency.
Non-departmental public bodies ( NDP B s )
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS); the British Hallmarking Council; Capital for Enterprise; the Competition Commission; the Competition Service; the Construction Industry Training Board; Consumer Focus; the Design Council; the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board; the Film Industry Training Board; the Hearing Aid Council; the Higher Education Funding Council for England; the Local Better Regulation Office; the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the
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Arts; the Office for Fair Access; SITPRO Ltd; the Student Loans Company; the Technology Strategy Board; the UK Atomic Energy Authority; the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
Nine regional development agencies: Advantage West Midlands; East Midlands Development Agency; East of England Development Agency; London Development Agency; North West Development Agency; One North East; South East England Development Agency; South West of England Regional Development Agency; Yorkshire Forward.
Seven research councils: the Arts and Humanities Research Council; the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; the Economic and Social Research Council; the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; the Medical Research Council; the Natural Environment Research Council; the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
The Council for Science and Technology; the Industrial Development Advisory Board; the Low Pay Commission; the Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property Policy; the Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory Board; the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Advisory Board.
The Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Arbitration Tribunal; the Central Arbitration Committee; the Competition Appeal Tribunal; the Copyright Tribunal; the Insolvency Practitioners Tribunal; the Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property.
The following bodies have subsequently been closed:
The Hearing Aid Council; SITPRO Ltd; the Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property Policy; the Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory Board; the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Advisory Body.
In addition the Government have announced proposals, subject as necessary to further analysis, legislation and consultation, to close:
The Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Arbitration Tribunal; the Competition Service; Consumer Focus; the regional development agencies.
We are still in the process of considering provision for and treatment of redundancy costs for these bodies in each of 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13.
The following table sets out our best current estimates of the likely cumulative net administrative savings to the Exchequer from closures of BIS bodies over the spending review period. The savings are dependent upon factors such as the individual timetables for implementation—several of the proposed closures require the Public Bodies Bill and subsequent secondary legislation.
27 Apr 2011 : Column 485W
|
Closure of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Arbitration Tribunal |
Regulation
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which regulations sponsored by his Department (1) due to be commenced in the next three years are derived from legislation already enacted; [51586]
(2) implementing EU obligations due to be commenced in the next three years are derived from EU legislation already enacted. [51611]
Mr Prisk: I aim to implement policy using alternatives to regulation wherever possible. Where regulations are needed, the current domestic plans are published twice a year in a Statement of New Regulation, most recently on 7 April 2011. It is not practical to project beyond this with an acceptable level of certainty to be helpful to business, and we have not sought to do so. For example, all future plans are subject to the results of consultations and to the outcome of the red tape challenge.
Departmental Reorganisation
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what machinery of government changes relating to his Department there have been since 12 May 2010. [51582]
Mr Davey: I refer the right hon. Member to the two written ministerial statements given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 15 June 2010, Official Reports, column 48WS and 18 January 2011, Official Reports, column 36WS.
Departmental Vacancies
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the staff vacancy rate in his Department was in 2010-11; and what vacancy rate has been assumed in his Department’s budget for 2011-12. [51379]
Mr Davey: During 2010-11 the staff vacancy rate in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has been negligible. Frictional vacancies have been running at the rate of around 0.75%.
For 2011-12 the Department is going through an organisational change process and will lose a number of posts. Therefore, although there will be a small number of frictional vacancies, we do not anticipate structural vacancies.
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Employment Agencies
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in the last year for which figures are available. [51403]
Mr Davey: During 2010/11, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills spent: (a) £81,842 on recruitment agency fees (this figure excludes agency fees for the supply of temporary staff. These are included in the overall fee paid to agencies and therefore not broken down); (b) £60,157 on outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) £1,871,865 on staff training for the period April to December 2010 (latest available figures).
Employment Tribunals Service
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what research his Department (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on (i) enforcement of existing rules by tribunals, (ii) the consistency of enforcement of rules between tribunals, (iii) case management training of chairs of tribunals in (A) the Tribunals Service and (B) other parts of the judiciary, (C) costs incurred by (1) applicant and (2) respondent parties in employment tribunals, (3) the cause of any delays in the employment tribunal system and (4) the effects of removing the cap on unfair dismissal claims prior to issuing its public consultation on resolving workplace disputes. [52416]
Mr Davey: The Government published an impact assessment alongside the “Resolving Workplace Disputes” consultation on 27 January. This set out the major evidence underpinning the proposals, and is available at:
www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/r/11-512-resolving-workplace-disputes-impact-assessment.pdf
On the specific areas, application of the employment tribunal (ET) rules of procedure is a matter of judicial discretion and will vary depending on the particulars of each case. In 2009 the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) jointly invited the former employment tribunal system steering board to consider whether there were issues of inconsistent application of practice and procedure across the system; we have published their report alongside the “Resolving Workplace Disputes” consultation and have included some of the recommendations made within the package of proposals we are consulting on. We have received comments from various stakeholders related to consistency, considered them in the context of developing our consultation proposals and will be evaluating those further as part of the continuing process.
This Department has not commissioned any research in relation to case management training of ET chairs. My officials hold regular discussions with the judiciary, facilitated through HM Court Service and the Tribunal Service /MoJ, as well as speaking to stakeholders more widely, on issues such as this.
As part of the impact assessment supporting the “Resolving Workplace Disputes” consultation, we estimated the average (median) unit costs to employers and claimants
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of employment tribunal hearings at £3,800 and £1,500 respectively. The estimates were based on information from the survey of employment tribunal applicants commissioned by this Department in 2008:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/10-756-findings-from-seta-2008
and include time spent by employees on the case and costs of legal representation.
We have not proposed removing the cap on unfair dismissal claims in the consultation.
English Language: Education
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood of 24 March 2011, Official Report, columns 1299-300W, on education: English language, on what date he plans to publish the assessment of the effects of changes on English for Speakers of Other Languages learners. [51694]
Mr Hayes: The equality impact assessment published alongside ‘Skills for Sustainable Growth’ (November 2010) found that, at the aggregate level, there are unlikely to be disproportionate impacts on protected groups. A separate assessment of how the changes may affect English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learners is currently being carried out by this Department. There is no specific date currently planned for publication of the assessment. I expect to be able to publish the assessment in due course.
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how much funding his Department has provided for English for Speakers of Other Languages courses in Ealing, Southall constituency in each of the last five years; [51872]
(2) how many individuals living in Ealing, Southall constituency have received financial support from Government to complete an English for Speakers of Other Languages course in each of the last five years; [51873]
(3) how many individuals under the age of 26 years living in Ealing, Southall constituency enrolled on an English for Speakers of Other Languages course in each of the last five years; [51874]
(4) how many women living in Ealing, Southall constituency enrolled on an English for Speakers of Other Languages course in each of the last five years [51875]
(5) how many individuals living in Ealing, Southall constituency were enrolled on an English for Speakers of Other Languages course in each of the last five years. [51876]
Mr Hayes: The following table shows the number of Government-funded learners in Ealing Southall constituency participating in an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course by age and gender from 2005/06, the earliest year for which we have comparable data, to 2009/10, the latest year for which full-year data are available.
27 Apr 2011 : Column 488W
| The number of learners participating on ESOL courses in Ealing Southall constituency by age and gender, 2005/06 to 2009/10 | ||||
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Age | Female | Male | Total ESOL participation |
| Notes: 1. These data cover participation in Learner Responsive, Apprenticeships, Train to Gain, Adult Safeguarded Learning and University for Industry provision. Further Education/Learner Responsive provision includes General Further Education Colleges including Tertiary, Sixth Form Colleges - Agricultural and Horticultural Colleges and Art and Design Colleges, Specialist Colleges and External Institutions. 2. Volumes are rounded to the nearest 10. 3. Figures for 2008/09 onwards are not directly comparable to earlier years as the introduction of demand-led funding has changed how data are collected and how funded learners are defined. More information on demand-led funding is available at: http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/datadictionary/businessdefinitions/Demand+Led+Funding.htm 4. Age is based on age at the start of the academic year. 5. Geography is based on learners’ home postcode. Source: Individualised Learner Record | ||||
Information on participation on ESOL courses is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 31 March:
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current
Information on historical ESOL funding at the local geography level is not available. However, the Skills Funding Agency publishes information on adult (19 years+) allocations made to individual colleges, providers and employers for each academic year available at the following link:
http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/providers/programmes/