11 May 2011 : Column 1238W
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of how many and what proportion of people eligible for but not receiving (a) pension credit, (b) incapacity benefit, (c) jobseeker's allowance and (d) council tax benefit are (i) living below the 60 per cent. relative poverty line and (ii) in each income decile. [53414]
Chris Grayling: The latest estimates of unclaimed benefits and take-up rates in Great Britain are available in the National Statistics report Income Related Benefits: Estimates of Take-Up in 2008-09 published at:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=irb
The total estimated numbers of entitled non-recipients (ENRs) of the income related benefits in question for 2008-09 are shown in the following table. The estimates are presented as ranges to account for uncertainty arising from sampling variation and bias in the data.
| Entitled non-recipients | |||
| Thousand | |||
|
|
|
Lower | Upper |
| Source: Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up 2008-09 | |||
It is not possible to present estimated numbers of ENRs according to their position in the income distribution since such estimates would not have been corrected for the sampling variation and bias described above. However, we are able to show the percentages of ENRs that fall into different categories.
The following table shows the proportion of ENRs who are in households below 60% of contemporary median income. These analyses have previously been published as National Statistics. Both the after housing cost and before housing cost measures are shown for 2008-09.
| Percentage | |||
| Benefit | (a) Pension credit | ( c ) Jobseekers allowance (income based) | (d) Council tax benefit |
| Source: Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up 2008-09 | |||
The following table shows the percentage of ENRs by decile of equivalised households income. Both the after housing cost and before housing cost measures are shown. The table is based on three years' data (2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09). Figures may not sum due to rounding.
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| Decile : | |||||||||||
|
|
Bottom | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Top | Total |
| Source: Derived from Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up 2008-09 combined with Households Below Average Income 2008-09 | |||||||||||
There is no estimate available of those who are entitled to but not receiving incapacity benefit and jobseekers allowance (contributions based) because it is not possible to identify cases that meet the conditions from survey data.
Industrial Health and Safety: Chandler’s Wharf
Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action the Health and Safety Executive has taken following the collapse of a crane at Chandler's Wharf in Liverpool on 6 July 2009; and if he will make a statement. [54913]
Chris Grayling: Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive have concluded their investigation into the incident and have initiated legal proceedings against two companies, Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd and Bingham Davies Ltd. They are due to appear in court on 19 May 2011.
Jobcentre Plus: Reorganisation
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the future (a) relationship and (b) status of Jobcentre Plus will be in relation to his Department after the reorganisation of senior management responsibilities within and between his Department and Jobcentre Plus; and what effect the reorganisation will have on (i) co-ordination, (ii) handling of individual constituency queries, (iii) the responsibility of Ministers within his Department and (iv) Jobcentre Plus management decision-making; and if he will make a statement. [54829]
Chris Grayling: The Government’s Welfare Reform Programme aims to transform the effectiveness of the regime for helping people find work. The Work Programme will put in place, starting next month, innovative support for the hardest to help, with, payment by results; and the plan for Universal Credit, ensuring work always pays, will bring together provision currently separated between DWP, HMRC and local government; covering both people in and out of work.
At the same time, the resources for the corporate centre of the Department will reduce by 40% over this Parliament.
In this context, the Department is reviewing its structure and senior management responsibilities, to ensure the reform programme and savings are delivered safely. An initial announcement has been made about the roles of the Executive Team, whose members report directly to the Permanent Secretary, which will come into effect on 1 October 2011.
Work is now under way to determine the rest of the organisational design, including the respective responsibilities of senior management of the front line and in the corporate centre. Further details will be announced once the work is further advanced. The Government are, of course, committed to ensuring that constituency queries continue to be handled effectively.
Jobseeker’s Allowance: Appeals
Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of jobseeker's allowance claimants in (a) Chesterfield constituency, (b) Derbyshire and (c) the UK were sanctioned in (i) the last 12 months and (ii) each of the last five years; how many such claimants appealed; and how many such appeals were successful. [52827]
Chris Grayling: The available information has been placed in the Library.
Medical Examinations: Complaints
Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints relating to employment and support allowance medical assessments conducted by Atos Healthcare were recorded by his Department in each quarter since October 2008; and what the most common complaints were. [53724]
Chris Grayling: Complaints statistics relating to employment and support allowance assessments are not held at a national level by the Department however the number of complaints received by Atos Healthcare since October 2008 is shown in the following table.
| ESA complaints quarter ending: | Number |
11 May 2011 : Column 1241W
During the most recent quarter ending February 2011, 118,854 ESA medical assessments were completed and 554 complaints received which equates to 0.47% of all assessments completed.
The most common complaint in the latest quarter relates to the content of the medical assessment—some 229 complaints or 0.19% of all ESA assessments completed. Content of assessment includes such issues as the taking of customer history and the assessment process.
Members: Correspondence
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to reply to the letter of 2 August 2010 from a constituent of the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston, Mr Charlie Donegan. [54388]
Chris Grayling: A reply was sent to the hon. Member on behalf of her constituent on 21 January 2011. A further reply was sent to Mr Donegan on 6 May 2011.
New Enterprise Allowance
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme to be rolled out in Islwyn constituency. [54408]
Chris Grayling: We have begun rolling out the new enterprise allowance and it will be available in Wales from the end of June 2011.
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people in Islwyn constituency who will be eligible for the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme. [54409]
Chris Grayling: Customers are eligible for new enterprise allowance after they have been on jobseeker's allowance for six months or more and until they are referred to the Work programme. In March 2011 there were 260 JSA claimants meeting this eligibility condition in Islwyn.
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to extend the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme to groups other than those who have been on jobseekers' allowance for more than six months. [54410]
Chris Grayling: Currently there are no plans to extend the New Enterprise Allowance to other groups however we will continue to monitor the position as rollout progresses.
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of new businesses to be created under the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme. [54411]
Chris Grayling: The New Enterprise Allowance is intended to help up to 40,000 unemployed people start up a business by 2013 as part of the Government's plans to promote growth and enterprise.
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Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many local entrepreneur mentors are supporting the New Enterprise Allowance in Wales; and whether any minimum level of expertise or qualifications is required to be recognised as a local entrepreneur mentor. [54923]
Chris Grayling: The new enterprise allowance will be available in Wales from the end of June 2011. We are currently inviting applications from organisations interested in delivering the mentoring support element of the new enterprise allowance.
We expect new enterprise allowance mentors to have the business experience and soft skills needed to support our customers to prepare for self employment and develop a viable business plan that demonstrates potential for growth.
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the New Enterprise Allowance scheme to be introduced in Aberconwy constituency. [54928]
Chris Grayling: We have begun rolling out the New Enterprise Allowance and it will be available in Wales from the end of June 2011.
Personal Injury: Compensation Recovery Unit
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit in respect of each type of personal injury claim in each of the last three years; and how many cases this represents for each case type. [54456]
Chris Grayling: The information is in the following tables:
| Amount and volume of claims recovered 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 | ||
| Case type | Amount recovered (£ million) | Volumes |
| Amount and volume of claims recovered 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 | ||
| Case type | Amount recovered (£ million ) | Volumes |
| Amount and volume of claims recovered 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 | ||
| Case type | Amount recovered (£ million ) | Volumes |
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| Notes: 1. The figures represent the total volume of claims for the recovered amount. An individual may have made a claim for more than one case type, for example an individual may have made a claim for both motor and employer liability. This will be recorded as two case types. 2. The breakdown of recoveries and the case types that they represent are not available in the public domain in this format. Source: The figures provided are from Shared Services Compensation Recovery Unit computer system and are subject to rounding. The figures are Management Information collected for the purpose of routine administration, and therefore have not been subjected to the rigorous quality assurance that is applied to DWP official statistics. | ||
Social Security Benefits
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the effects of the cap on benefit entitlement on the (a) level of child poverty, (b) ability of local authorities to carry out their homelessness duties and (c) level of additional burdens on local authority child protection functions. [53714]
Maria Miller: Work is for most people the best way out of poverty. The benefit cap will restrict the total amount of welfare a household can receive to broadly the level of the average earned income after tax for working households. By doing this the policy will improve work incentives for those on benefits and sit alongside the other measures announced in the spending review to make the system fair and affordable.
Any measurement of the effect on child poverty will be driven by individual behavioural response to the policy. We are putting in place the Work programme, the biggest single welfare-to-work programme this country has ever seen, which will give unemployed people unprecedented levels of personal support to get them into the workplace. The benefit cap supports our plans
11 May 2011 : Column 1244W
to make work pay as when someone in a household enters work and begins to receive working tax credit they will be exempt from the new measure.
The ability of local authorities to carry out their homelessness duties or the level of additional burdens on local authority child protection functions does not form part of the Department's assessment.
Social Security Benefits: Fraud
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of benefit fraud committed in respect of each benefit which was attributable to identity fraud in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [53476]
Chris Grayling: The information is not available for all benefits.
The latest official statistics "Fraud and Error in the Benefit System (April 2009—March 2010)" show that £4 million of jobseeker's allowance expenditure was overpaid, due to identity fraud in that period, (0.1% of expenditure). Figures for income support and pension credit showed nil expenditure loss as a result of identity fraud over that period.
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the sums not paid out by his Department for each benefit as a result of detection of benefit fraud in each year since 1997. [53515]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
Social Security Benefits: Overpayments
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individual cases of customer overpayment debt there have been in each year since 2006; what the total monetary value was of customer overpayment debts in this period; what proportion of such debts are over 10 years old; and what the cost of administering such debts has been. [53366]
Chris Grayling: The information is in the following tables:
| New debt caused by customer error or fraud | Stock of customer error and fraud debt at 31 March | Volume of debts>10 yrs old (1) (as a percentage of all debts held) | Recovery of debts caused by customer error or fraud | |||
|
|
Volume | Value (£ million) | £ million | Volume | Percentage | £ million |
| Cost (£ million) (2) | ||
|
|
Pre-recovery | Recovery |
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| n/a = Not available (1) Volumes of debts over 10 years old relates to all customer error and fraud debt held on system at 31 March in each year. The percentage figure relates to the proportion of those against all debts held in the debt stock. Data prior to 2008 is not available. (2) Costs relate to the total cost of the Department's debt recovery organisation, not just that which relates the administration of customer fraud and error debt. Note: Costs split between pre-recovery and recovery not available 2006-07 to 2008-09. Source: The figures provided are from Shared Services Debt Manager via Business Objects computer system and are subject to rounding. The figures are Management Information (MI) collected for the purpose of routine administration, and therefore have not been subjected to the rigorous quality assurance that is applied to DWP official statistics. | ||
In 2010-11 an additional £3.5 million was spent as part of a spend to save initiative to facilitate additional recovery.
Social Security Benefits
David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 733W, on social security benefits, how much his Department paid in (a) attendance allowance, (b) bereavement benefits, (c) carer's allowance, (d) disability living allowance, (e) employment and support allowance, (f) incapacity benefit, (g) income support, (h) jobseeker's allowance, (i) pension credit, (j) severe disablement allowance and (k) winter fuel payments in the last year for which figures are available. [55069]
Chris Grayling: The requested benefit expenditure information was published on the internet on 21 April 2011 and a copy has been placed in the Library.
The information can currently be found at the following internet address:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/alltables_budget2010.xls
Unemployment: Young People
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of young people between 16 and 25 years were not in work, training or education in each local authority area in England and Wales in each year since 2007. [53422]
Mr Hayes: I have been asked to reply.
Table 1 shows the number and percentage of people aged(1) 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training (NEET) in local authorities (LA) in England from 2007 to 2009, the latest year for which data are available and will be placed in the Libraries of the House. These estimates are from the Annual Population Survey.
Please note that these estimates are subject to large sampling variability and should therefore be treated with caution and viewed in conjunction with their Confidence Intervals(2) (CIs), which give an indication of how accurate an estimate is. For example, the confidence interval for England of +/- 0.4% means that the true NEET percentage could lie up to 0.4 percentage points above or below the point estimate (between 14.0% and 14.8%).
(1) Age used is the respondents' academic age, which is their age at the preceding 31 August.
(2) Confidence intervals quoted are 95% confidence intervals.
Universal Credit
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in considering the options for child care support under universal credit, what analysis his Department has undertaken of the potential effects of levels of support on (a) lone parents, (b) parents of children aged under three years, (c) parents of school-age children, (d) families with two or more children and (e) child care providers. [52510]
Maria Miller: The Government have announced that support for child care costs will be provided in universal credit by an additional element, but said they will take further advice before deciding what rates to set.
We are looking at different options, and have said that we will be discussing them with stakeholders over the coming weeks. The impact on different groups, in terms of levels of child care support and work incentives, and in the context of other provision and support available, will be considered as part of this. We are working closely with the Department for Education to take account of the impact on child care provision of different options.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what IT contracts he has awarded for implementation of universal credit; what the name is of each successful bidder; how many bids his Department received for each such contract; what the monetary value is of each contract; what the expected timescale is for completing the work; and what outputs are expected. [53346]
Chris Grayling: We have obtained Contingency Funding Approval from HM Treasury to progress with design and development work ahead of Royal Assent of the Welfare Reform Bill.
The service providers involved in the IT delivery for Universal Credit are currently: Accenture, Hewlett Packard and BT plus input from Agile specialists Emergn. These contracts have been awarded under existing departmental frameworks for IT Development. These contracts will provide the delivery of the IT components for Universal Credit.
The monetary value of the contracts are commercially restricted under the terms of the framework agreements.
The expected time scale for completion of the IT development is spring 2013 for live pathfinders and autumn 2013 for full availability of Universal Credit, pending consideration of transition models.
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Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how he proposes to monitor the distribution of income within the household following the introduction of universal credit, as proposed in his Department's Equality Impact Assessment of the Welfare Reform Bill: Universal Credit. [54192]
Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to monitoring and evaluating its policies and universal credit will be no exception—it is considered good practice in informing policy delivery and design.
We are currently considering our approach to monitoring and evaluation of universal credit, including the distribution of income within households, and will consider customer experiences of universal credit and its effects.
The equality impact assessment for the White Paper ‘Universal Credit: Welfare that Works’ [Cm 7957] and the equality impact assessment published when the Welfare Reform Bill was introduced into Parliament outline a number of sources of evidence that the Department will use to monitor the universal credit. These might include administrative datasets, survey data, qualitative research and feedback, and internal management information. We will also continue to draw upon research conducted by academics and stakeholders.
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how he proposes to ensure that notifications of entitlement and awards are clear under universal credit both on initial qualification for universal credit and after the taper has been applied on one occasion or more, as proposed in the Equality Impact Assessment of the Welfare Reform Bill: Universal Credit. [54193]
Chris Grayling: We are committed to involving customers in the design of universal credit. We have already had conversations with them to find out what information they would find helpful and how they would prefer the information to be presented and this feedback will influence the design of notifications, whether on-line or via other channels, to ensure they are easy to understand.
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the earnings rules will be for individuals on contributory benefits in a couple entitled to universal credit. [54195]
Chris Grayling: As set out in the White Paper, the earnings rules for universal credit will be based on a single taper to withdraw support as earnings rise and a new approach to earnings disregards. The Government are still considering the level of the taper and disregards but the intention is that there will be only one disregard per couple.
We also stated in the White Paper “Universal Credit: welfare that works” that the earnings rules for contributory jobseeker’s allowance and contributory employment and support allowance would be aligned with the universal credit earnings rules. For a couple who are entitled to UC, the effect will be that the universal credit rules will always determine the way that earnings affect the couple’s overall entitlement.
Welfare State: Reform
Mr Byrne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to his Department's impact assessment on conditionality measures in the Welfare
11 May 2011 : Column 1248W
Reform Bill, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of proposed conditionality measures on levels of child poverty. [46384]
Maria Miller: For most people, work is the best route out of poverty. We believe that it is important that people who can take up paid employment are given help and encouragement to do so. Conditionality has an important role to play to help prevent parents from becoming distanced from the labour market, and therefore is reducing child poverty levels.
For example, as set out in the recent impact assessment entitled ‘Conditionality Measures in the 2011 Welfare Reform Bill’, it is estimated that increased conditionality for lone parents with a youngest child aged five and six will result in 20,000 to 25,000 extra lone parents in work, which in turn could help reduce child poverty. Compared to a child of a lone parent who is not working, a child of a lone parent who works part-time is over 2.5 times less likely to be living in poverty. A child of a lone parent who works full-time is over four times less likely to be living in poverty(1).
We have estimated that universal credit will have a substantial positive impact on poverty and could lift as many as 350,000 children out of relative income poverty. This is a combined impact of all measurable universal credit factors, and does not identify the specific impact of the conditionality or sanctions.
(1) Households Below Average Income 2008/09. Comparisons based on 60% of median income Before Housing Costs.
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the contribution of the Minister for Employment to the Public Bill Committee on the Welfare Reform Bill of 5 April 2011, Official Report, column 378, what terms of reference he has set for the consideration by the Social Security Advisory Committee of the provision of free school meals within universal credit; what resources have been allocated to the committee to undertake this work; when he expects the committee to report its findings; whether these findings will be published; whether he plans to seek advice on these findings from the Social Justice Committee; and if he will make a statement. [53824]
Chris Grayling: Ministers will shortly be asking the Social Security Advisory Committee to carry out an independent review of passported benefits and the links with universal credit and we will produce a written ministerial statement with the terms of reference shortly.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Arms Trade
Sir John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will publish the categories of transfers or sales of arms or components of arms by the Government or its agencies to (a) other governments, (b) organisations and (c) individuals overseas which are not published either on Government websites or on the United Nations or EU arms registers. [52055]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 26 April 2011]: Transfers or sales of arms by the Government or its agencies to other Governments, organisations or individuals overseas are already published in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls.
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Environment Protection: Coventry
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to promote low carbon alternatives in businesses in Coventry. [54907]
Mr Prisk: UK businesses will lead the way in putting the economy on a low-carbon, resource efficient path. The Government's Roadmap to a Green Economy, to be published later this year, will provide businesses across the UK with the longer-term clarity they have been seeking on how we will help them bring about the transition.
Coventry will be covered by a new Local Enterprise Partnership for Coventry and Warwickshire. Government will share information and work with the Partnership on low carbon opportunities. From October 2012, small businesses will be able to improve the energy efficiency of their properties at no upfront cost through the Government's Green Deal scheme.
Further Education: Manchester
Mr Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what payments his Department and its agencies have made to (a) Manchester College, (b) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (c) City College, Manchester since 1997; and for what purpose in each case. [54807]
Mr Hayes: Since 2003, the Department and its predecessors have made 24 payments to the Manchester College totalling £83,290. All of these payments related to course fees for various members of staff undertaking formal CIPD qualifications.
No payments have been recorded to Manchester College for Arts and Technology or City College, Manchester.
Figures prior to 2003 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service, Companies House, the National Measurement Office, the Intellectual Property Office, UK Space Agency and the Skills Funding Agency and they will respond directly to my hon. Friend.
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question, what payments his Department and its agencies have made to (a) Manchester College, (b) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (c) City College, Manchester since 1997; and for what purpose in each case.
The Insolvency Service, an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills made the following payments for member(s) of staff who were training for CIPD Flexible Learning Programmes since 1997.
|
|
£ |
11 May 2011 : Column 1250W
(c) City College, Manchester—No Payments were made.
Letter from Peter Mason, dated 5 May 2011:
I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (formerly National Weights and Measures Laboratory) to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 4 May 2011 reference 2010/5285 to the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, asking what payments his Department and its agencies have had made to (a) Manchester College, (b) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (b) City College, Manchester since 1997; and for what purpose in each case.
The National Measurement Office has not made any payments to the above organisations since 1997.
Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 9 May 2011:
In response to your Parliamentary Question asking about what payments the Agency has made to: (i) Manchester College, (ii) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (iii) City College, Manchester since 1997 and for what purpose in each case, I wish to inform you that the organisations listed above have now all merged into The Manchester College.
The attached spreadsheet provides a breakdown of all the payments.
| College Funding Summary | ||||
| Revenue | ||||
| £000 | ||||
| College | Year | Further education (1) | Higher education | Total |
| (1) Further education incorporates, Youth, Adult, Employer, OLASS and other funding (2) Finance record for the college not received. Allocations data used (3) HE and other departmental funding not separately identified Source: College finance records | ||||
11 May 2011 : Column 1251W
| Capital | ||
| College | Year | Capital (£000) |
Letter from David Williams, dated 5 May 2011:
Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills asking what payments his Department and its agencies have made to (a) Manchester College, (b) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (c) City College, Manchester since 1997; and for what purpose in each case. (54807)
The UK Space Agency has made no payments to Manchester College, Manchester College for Arts and Technology or the City College, Manchester during this period.
Letter from John Alty, dated 6 May 2011:
I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 4th May 2011, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The IPO has paid one invoice to Manchester College since 2005 (no earlier information available) for £2850 for the provision of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) training undertaken in 2009.
Letter from Tim Moss, dated 6 May 2011:
I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 4 May 2011, UIN54807 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Companies House has never made any payments to Manchester College, Manchester College for Arts and Technology or City College, Manchester at all.
Marketing: Creative Industries
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to support the international marketing and promotion of the creative industries. [54490]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 9 May 2011]: The UK has one of the largest creative sectors in the world, contributing £17.3 billion in exports. UK Trade and Investment, working in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and industry partners will raise awareness of the UK's creative offer and use major showcasing events in the UK and overseas and trade missions to maximise the export and investment potential for this important area of the economy.
Postal Services
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many pieces of correspondence his Department received (a) supporting and (b) against privatisation of the Royal Mail in the last 12 months; [55233]
(2) how many pieces of correspondence his Department received (a) supporting and (b) against post office branch closures in the last 12 months. [55234]
Mr Davey:
The Department receives large amounts of correspondence covering a wide range of topics relating to Royal Mail and the Post Office network. Many of these will have expressed views on Royal Mail privatisation or on the future of the Post Office network,
11 May 2011 : Column 1252W
but due to the broad nature of much of the correspondence it is not possible to categorise simply as for or against the Government's policy.
Prisoners: Education
Mr Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what contracts (a) his Department and its predecessors and (b) its agencies have had with (i) Manchester College, (ii) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (iii) City College, Manchester for the provision of education in prisons since 1997. [54806]
Mr Hayes: Prior to 2005, contracts for the provision of education in prisons were let by Her Majesty's Prison Service, then an Executive Agency of the Home Office. Since 2005, contracts for the provision of education in public sector prisons in England have been let by the Learning and Skills Council and, latterly, the Skills Funding Agency and the Young People's Learning Agency. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and its predecessors have let no contracts to the Manchester College, the Manchester College for Arts and Technology or City College, Manchester for the provision of education in prisons.
I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service, Companies House, the National Measurement Office, the Intellectual Property Office, UK Space Agency and the Skills Funding Agency and they will respond directly to my hon. Friend.
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question what, contracts (a) his Department and its predecessors and (b) its agencies have had with (i) Manchester College, (ii) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (Hi) City College, Manchester for the provision of education in prisons since 1997.
The Insolvency Service, an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has had no contracts with (a) Manchester College, (b) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (c) City College, Manchester for the provision of education in prisons since 1997.
Letter from Peter Mason, dated 5 May 2011:
I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (formerly National Weights and Measures Laboratory) to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 4 May 2011 reference 2010/5284 to the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, asking what contracts (a) his Department and its predecessors and (b) its agencies have had with (i) Manchester College, (ii) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (iii) City College, Manchester for the provision of education in prisons since 1997.
The National Measurement Office has not had any contracts with the above organisations for the provision of education in prisons since 1997.
Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 6 May 2011:
Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, what contracts (a) his Department and its predecessors and (b) its agencies have had with (i) Manchester College, (ii) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (iii) City College, Manchester for the provision of education in prisons since 1997.
Prior to July 2005 education for offenders in public sector prisons in England was delivered by providers under contract to the Prison Service.
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A contract for £9,407,045 was let by the Learning and Skills Council for the delivery of offender learning in 6 Northwest prisons delivering the development phase of the learning and skills service (OLASS) in the academic year August 2005/July 2006.
Following and open and competitive tendering process OLASS was rolled out to all public prisons in England from August 2006. A contract was let by the Learning and Skills Council to City College Manchester for £41,671,020 for the 2006/07 academic year in 36 prisons.
In subsequent years the value of those contracts were as follows 07/08 £48,183,598, 08/09 £50,108,047. It is important to note that between August 2005 and July 2009 additional provision for the juvenile estate (those aged 15-17 yrs) were included in the contracts.
Following the dissolution of the LSC the responsibility for juvenile education transferred to the YPLA.
Following a further open and competitive tendering process the Learning and Skills Council let contract to The Manchester College for 70 prisons. The value of those contracts in 09/10 as £69,570,465 and in 20/11 was £72,812,708.
Letter from David Williams, dated 6 May 2011:
Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills asking what contracts (a) his Department and its predecessors and (b) its agencies have had with (i) Manchester College, (ii) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (iii) City College, Manchester for the provision of education in prisons since 1997. (54806)
The UK Space Agency has placed no contracts with Manchester College, Manchester College for Arts and Technology or the City College, Manchester during this period.
Letter from John Alty, dated 6 May 2011:
I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 4(th) May 2011, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The IPO has not had any contracts with the above institutions for the provision of education in prisons since 2005. No records are available prior to this date.
Letter from Tim Moss, dated 6 May 2011:
I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 4 May 2011, UIN54806 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Companies House has never had any contracts with Manchester College, Manchester College for Arts and Technology or City College, Manchester at all.
Startup Britain
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the cost to the public purse was of the establishment of Startup Britain. [53337]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 28 April 2011]: Startup Britain is a business-led initiative receiving no public funds. The Government whole-heartedly endorsed the campaign at its launch on 28 March and used the launch of Startup Britain to highlight its own strategy to make the UK the very best place in the world to start and grow a business. The public contribution to the cost of staging this event was £8,012.70.
Supermarkets: Competition
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to take steps to establish a groceries code adjudicator. [55080]
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Mr Davey: The draft Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill will be published for pre-legislative scrutiny shortly.
Culture, Media and Sport
Archaeology: Graduates
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the effects of reductions in humanities funding on employment prospects for graduates in archaeology and related subjects. [54851]
John Penrose: Ministers from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and Business, Innovations and Skills have had meetings about the effects of reductions in funding on higher education but not about the specifics of employability for graduates in archaeology or related subjects. Future funding will increasingly flow from graduate contributions—that was the principle behind Lord Browne's recommendations. Universities will be able to secure an equivalent flow of income if their course provision remains attractive to students. Universities must consider, therefore, how to structure their arts courses in ways that make them as attractive as possible to students.
Arts: Disadvantaged
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to improve access to the arts among disadvantaged groups. [54489]
Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 9 May 2011]: Arts Council England (ACE) is responsible for improving access to the arts among disadvantaged groups.
ACE has set out its commitment to the widest possible access for all of the country's communities in its 10 year manifesto ‘Achieving great art for everyone’. They are currently working on developing the practical actions required as an organisation to deliver this at regional, area and national levels.
ACE also publishes an Annual Equality Review which reviews performance in race, gender and disability equality areas. By 2012 they will voluntarily produce a single equality scheme covering all the protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010 legislation.
British Sky Broadcasting
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to announce his decision on News Corporation's proposed acquisition of BSkyB. [54309]
Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 5 May 2011]: I will announce my decision after I have carefully considered the representations I have received on the undertaking in lieu.
Broadband
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent progress he has made on the roll-out of fast speed broadband. [54488]
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Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 9 May 2011]: The Government set out their broadband strategy in ‘Britain's Superfast Broadband Future’ on 6 December 2010. At the same time I announced that the next £50 million of funding from Broadband Delivery UK would be made available for bids in spring 2011.
Since the publication of the strategy document BDUK has published guidance for local authorities on how to prepare local broadband plans and how to bid for the next wave of funds. The closing date for submission of bids was 18 April and I expect to announce the next locations to receive funding at the end of May.
In addition, £10 million of funding was announced in February 2011 in support of broadband roll-out in North Wales and the procurement processes for the pilot project in Cumbria began in April 2011. The procurement processes for the other pilot projects will begin shortly.
We have also held discussions with the industry on the series of policy interventions outlined in the strategy document encouraging infrastructure sharing in particular.
In the recent Budget, the Government announced that enterprise zones would have superfast broadband available to them. We will also be issuing guidance on measures designed to facilitate and reduce the costs of broadband roll-out—microtrenching and streetworks.
Departmental Pensions
Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of his Department's budget he expects to be spent on staff pensions in each of the next five years. [54558]
John Penrose: In the financial year 2010-11, the Department's spend on pension contributions was 7.6% of the overall administration budget.
The Department is not able to quantify the proportion of its administrative budget it expects to spend on staff pensions. It would be at a disproportionate cost to try and speculate on the numerous factors which would affect the proportion of budget spent.
All permanent staff of the Department are members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PSCPS) unless they have opted for a stakeholder pension scheme. The Department makes monthly contributions to PSCPS to meet the accrued liability for service worked by staff.
Departmental Work Experience
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what advice his Department provides to those wishing to (a) work as an intern, (b) undertake a work experience placement and (c) work as a volunteer in his Department. [52806]
John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not run a work placement scheme. However, we do participate in Cabinet Office run schemes that set up work placements for high calibre graduates and undergraduates from under-represented groups.
The Fast Stream Ethnic Minority Summer Development programme (SDP), and the Summer Placement scheme for Graduates with Disabilities (SPS), aims to address the under-representation of ethnic minorities and people with disabilities in the civil service, by offering them
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opportunities to experience working in Departments. Information regarding these schemes can be found on the fast steam website at the following link:
http://faststream.civilservice.gov.uk/Summer-Diversity-Internships/
Additionally, we recommend visiting our website using the following link:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/about_us/our_sponsored_bodies/963.aspx
which lists all of our sponsored bodies and other related organisations, who may have opportunities for work placements.
Heritage Funding: Bexley
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which places of worship in (a) the London borough of Bexley and (b) London have received funding from (i) English Heritage and (ii) the Heritage Lottery Fund since 1997. [53938]
John Penrose: The information requested is not held by the Department and relates to matters that are the responsibility of English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Accordingly, I have asked the chief executives of English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund to write direct to the hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford.
Copies of the replies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Heritage Funding: Religious Buildings
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of grants awarded by (a) English Heritage and (b) the Heritage Lottery Fund have been spent on places of worship in each year since 1997. [53942]
John Penrose: The information requested is not held by the Department and relates to matters that are the responsibility of English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Accordingly, I have asked the chief executives of English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund to write direct to the hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford.
Copies of the replies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Football Licensing Authority
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to (a) retain the expertise and (b) carry out the functions of the Football Licensing Authority. [54462]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: The Government intend to retain the functions and expertise of the Football Licensing Authority (or, if the Sports Grounds Safety Authority Bill is enacted, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority) but to transfer them to another body after 2012. We are currently seeking the necessary powers through the Public Bodies Bill and are considering which body would be an appropriate home for these important functions.
11 May 2011 : Column 1257W
Gambling
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with representatives of gambling authorities in overseas jurisdictions wishing to join the White List; and if he will make a statement. [54661]
John Penrose: Over the last year I have had discussions with the Jersey Gambling Commission and the Jersey Government about our review of the regulation of overseas based remote gambling and the possible implications for the White List.
Gaming Machines: Coastal Areas
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) if he will take steps to provide assistance to seaside arcades at risk of closure; and if he will make a statement; [54653]
(2) if he will estimate the number of seaside arcades operating gaming machines which will close in the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [54654]
John Penrose: Representations have been made by the amusement industry about the pressures being faced by seaside arcades operating gaming machines, but it is not possible from the information provided to estimate the number of businesses that might close in the next three years.
Coastal destinations and attractions can make an important contribution to the Government's tourism strategy and VisitEngland have been working with the British Resorts and Destinations Association and the industry to develop a Seaside Resorts Action Plan which will be released in the summer. The Government are also looking at how we can reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens and I have been reviewing the maximum stake limit and premises entitlements for category B3 gaming machines with a view to providing some level of assistance to the British amusement industry. I hope to make an announcement soon on the outcome of that review.
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to reply to the letter of 18 March 2011 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr P. Walsh. [54820]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: I responded to the letter of 18 March 2011 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 1 April 2010, which was emailed directly to his parliamentary office.
I will arrange for another copy of this letter to be emailed to the right hon. Member.
Television
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to announce the preferred bidder for the National TV Spine to support local television. [54461]
11 May 2011 : Column 1258W
Mr Jeremy Hunt: We have received over 130 responses to the Local Media Action Plan from the public and industry. We are currently analysing these consultation responses and will be publishing a statement, addressing the issues raised and outlining the next steps for local TV, in due course.
Justice
British Nationals Abroad: Terrorism
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) when he plans to implement the provisions of the Crime and Security Act 2010 related to compensation for victims of terrorism overseas; [55073]
(2) what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of implementing the provisions of the Crime and Security Act 2010 related to compensation for victims of terrorism overseas. [55074]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: The issue of compensation for victims of terrorism overseas is being considered alongside a review of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and wider victims' services about which the Government expect to make an announcement before the summer recess.
The provisions in the Crime and Security Act 2010 relate to a potential forward-looking compensation scheme, the cost of which would depend on the number and impact of future overseas terrorist attacks and the design of any scheme. It is not possible with any degree of accuracy to predict the cost of such a scheme.
Further Education: Manchester
Mr Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what payments his Department and its agencies have made to (a) Manchester College, (b) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (c) City College, Manchester since its inception; and for what purpose in each case. [54809]
Mr Blunt: Since the formation of the Ministry of Justice in May 2007 the Department and its executive agencies have spent the following with The Manchester College:
|
|
£ |
11 May 2011 : Column 1259W
The Manchester College for Arts and Technology and City College, Manchester, merged to become The Manchester College on 1 August 2008. As a result of the merger, all payments made since May 2007 are recorded as being made to The Manchester College.
It is not possible to provide a detailed list of the transactions and their purpose without incurring a disproportionate cost.
The Manchester College provides professional development training to Ministry of Justice and HMCTS staff who are undertaking accredited courses with the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) and Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
NOMS use The Manchester College to provide training services for prisoners and NOMS staff and services to improve employment prospects for offenders.
Information Commissioner
Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reasons the Office of the Information Commissioner is unable to assess cases more than 12 months after the incident has occurred. [54824]
Mr Djanogly: The Information Commissioner's Office may take account of any undue delay on the part of an applicant when deciding whether to investigate a complaint. The ICO considers the individual circumstances of requesters when making such decisions.
The ICO discharges its responsibilities independently of Government. It would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on the ICO's handling of any individual complaints.
Joint Enterprise
Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent representations he has received on the common law doctrine on joint enterprise. [54973]
Mr Blunt:
We have received a number of representations about joint enterprise law. These have included concerns that the law allows some gang members involved in the commission of offences to escape prosecution. Conversely, concerns have also been raised that other people have
11 May 2011 : Column 1260W
been convicted where their involvement in the activities of the group was not significant enough to warrant conviction for the offences in question.
Legal Aid: Domestic Violence
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the availability of legal aid for victims of domestic violence who do not seek an initial non-molestation order but are subsequently required to appear in court in respect of residence and related matters. [55034]
Mr Djanogly: The Government's consultation paper “Proposals for the reform of Legal Aid in England and Wales” proposed retaining legal aid for private law family cases (which include residence matters) where there is objective evidence of domestic violence. The consultation sought views on the circumstances which might provide such evidence. We are currently considering the responses to the consultation and will publish our response to consultation in due course.
Legal Aid: London
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his estimate is of the change on the level of legal aid expenditure in London as a result of the implementation of proposed reforms. [55072]
Mr Djanogly: The impact assessments published alongside the consultation paper detail the potential impacts of the proposals. However, these do not consider any specific geographic areas, and there is no intention to conduct such an assessment.
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was spent on legal aid in London in 2009-10. [55075]
Mr Djanogly: Legal aid expenditure in London in 2009-10 was £583 million.
London is determined by the location of the solicitor firm, except for Crown Court non-contracted cases, where the location of the court has been used. There are elements of spend, such as telephone advice, for which it is not possible to allocate a region. These are not therefore included.
Mediation
Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he has taken to (a) support and (b) promote the use of mediation services for disputes. [54890]
Mr Djanogly: The Government are committed to encouraging the public to resolve their issues out of court without recourse to public funds, using simpler, more informal remedies where they are appropriate.
A new Pre-Application Protocol for Family Mediation Information and Assessment meetings came into effect on 6 April, This will help to promote awareness and understanding of mediation and begin to harmonise the position between self-funding and publicly funded individuals.
11 May 2011 : Column 1261W
In 2009-10, we spent £14.4 million pounds on publicly funded family mediations. In our recent legal aid consultation paper we proposed that most family private law proceedings—other than cases where domestic violence or forced marriage is involved and child abduction cases—be removed from the scope of legal aid. Crucially, however, as we believe that supporting families at their most difficult moments is vitally important, it is proposed that free mediation for the types of dispute that previously were in scope will continue to those who are eligible. This will mean that those vulnerable people who need support will be able to benefit from mediation.
We also look forward to receiving the final recommendations from the independently-chaired Family Justice Review panel this autumn. This will help us to consider how the use of dispute resolution could be further encouraged across the family justice system.
As far as civil justice is concerned, on 29 March we issued a consultation document “Solving disputes in the county courts: creating a simpler, quicker and more proportionate system”, which seeks views on a range of proposals to reform the civil justice system, including greater use of mediation.
In particular, we are consulting on introducing automatic referral to mediation in small claims cases, and mediation information sessions in higher-value cases. This is to help people avoid the anxiety and expense of court where possible, although court will still be an option for those who mediation cannot help.
This builds on the current service offered by the courts, where over each of the past two years some 10,000 small claims have been mediated with nearly three-quarters reaching successful conclusion. The vast majority of these mediations take place over the telephone—saving people the time and expense of having to attend a court.
Prisoners: Self-harm
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what definition of self-harming the Prison Service uses; [55060]
(2) how many instances of self-harming were reported on the prison estate in (a) 1997-98 and (b) 2009-10; [55061]
(3) how many instances of self-harming were reported in each prison in England and Wales in (a) 1997-98 and (b) 2009-10. [55062]
Mr Blunt: Self-harm in prison custody is defined as
“any act where a prisoner deliberately harms themselves irrespective of the method, intent or severity of any injury”.
Annual numbers of self-harm incidents from 2004 to 2009 are publicly available on the Ministry of Justice website, as part of our Safety in Custody statistics. They can be accessed via the following link:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/safety-custody-self-harm-statistics-0710.xls
Table 12 lists incidents by prison, by year. The relevant information for 2010 is currently in process for publication later this year.
The Prison Service has recorded information on self-harm since the early 1990s but the focus was limited to the most serious incidents of self-harm. Since 2003, new procedures introduced the recording of all self-harm
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incidents, regardless of severity. This improvement resulted in a 60% increase in recording. Consequently, self-harm figures prior to 2004 are not comparable with those produced since.
Prisons: Manpower
Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the (a) operational staffing requirement and (b) number of staff in post was for each grade of staff employed at each prison directly operated by HM Prison Service on 31March 2011. [55003]
Mr Blunt: Information on the operational staffing requirement and staff in post for each grade of staff employed at each public sector Prison Service establishment on 31 March has been deposited in the House Library.
Social Security Benefits
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the costs incurred by parties in the case of Arathoon v. the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (C/2005/0126). [54119]
Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply.
The Department for Work and Pensions holds records relating to the case of Arathoon v. the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in the Court of Appeal. The Department's records indicate that £8,218.23 was spent on the legal proceedings. This includes the appellant's legal costs in the Court of Appeal, but does not include work done by the Department's staff.
Social Workers
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many independent social workers were appointed in care cases in each of the last three years. [55033]
Mr Djanogly: The information requested on the number of independent social workers appointed in care cases for each of the last three years is as follows:
|
|
2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| (1) Data in the county courts for 2008 cover the period April to December; data for January to March 2008 are not available. | |||
Deputy Prime Minister
Petitions: Electronic Government
Hazel Blears: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effect on the accountability and transparency of Government of the suspension of the facility to submit petitions through the Downing street website. [46998]
Mr Maude: I have been asked to reply
11 May 2011 : Column 1263W
No specific assessment of the effects of the suspension of the electronic petitions site that was available through the Downing street website on accountability and transparency has been made.
A new ePetitions website hosted by Directgov is planned to be available by the summer recess.
Voting Rights: Prisoners
Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has received notification of any proposal by the Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe to make a third party intervention under the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights in the case of Greens and MT v. UK pending judgment in the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. [51633]
Mr Harper: I understand that the Commissioner made no such intervention. The Government sought to refer the Greens and MT judgment against the UK to the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. We are disappointed with the Court's decision not to reconsider the judgment. We are considering the next steps.
International Development
Developing Countries: Maternity Services
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on the commitment made at the G8 summit in 2010 to produce an accountability report to track progress towards the maternal and child health pledges made in the Muskoka Declaration. [54837]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK strongly supports the reproductive, maternal, newborn and under-five health pledges made in the Muskoka Declaration. We welcome the G8 decision to produce an accountability report in 2011 that focuses on health and food security.
We are working with colleagues in the G8 Health Experts Group, the G8 Accountability Working Group, and the G8 Sherpa process to ensure that the 2011 Deauville Accountability Report assesses progress against all outstanding health commitments including those made at Muskoka in a clear, credible and transparent way.
It is important that individual countries clarify what they are committed to under the Muskoka Initiative and give an indication, as far as possible, of how they plan to fulfil their commitments.
Global School Partnerships
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department has provided to the London borough of Bexley for the Global School Partnerships scheme in the latest period for which figures are available. [54840]
Mr Andrew Mitchell:
Bexley council was awarded a £6,600 grant under the Global School Partnership (GSP) scheme to support 10 Bexley schools to link with 10
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schools in the Ikeja Province in Nigeria on 25 August 2010. £5,280 of this grant has been paid out to support the costs of six exchange visits. The remaining £1,320 will be paid out when Bexley council submits its final report in November 2011.
The GSP supports twinning between schools in the UK and those in the developing world. An independent assessment of the impact of GSP showed that pupils in the scheme have significantly higher knowledge of the challenges for developing countries and are more likely to have positive attitudes towards international development. DFID is currently completing a review of the use of aid funds in the UK to promote awareness of global poverty.
Cabinet Office
Departmental Manpower
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 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. [51530]
Mr Maude: The Government have not set targets for a reduction in the number of posts in the Cabinet Office or its non-departmental public bodies.
Work force implications of the spending review settlement will depend on internal budget allocations and subsequent management decisions. However, for the Cabinet Office overall, the Department is expecting to reduce headcount by around 20% over the spending review period, which represents a reduction of between 300 and 400 posts from a baseline of 1,800.
The Department expects much of this to be achieved through natural turnover. However, it has recently run a voluntary exit scheme which is expected to result in just under 200 exits. The Department has no current plans for further schemes.
Financial Ombudsman Service
Mr Buckland: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS); how many complaints are outstanding at the FOS; and how many such complaints have been waiting for a final decision for more than one month. [54021]
Mr Hoban: I have been asked to reply.
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is operationally independent of Government. In 2003 the FOS' public interest board committed to commissioning and publishing an independent external review every three years. The latest review, which is due this year, will be led by the National Audit Office and will report on the FOS' efficiency.
I understand that at the end of April the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) had 138,611 open cases and that 10,070 of these cases had been waiting over a month for a final decision from an ombudsman.
The number of cases referred for a final Ombudsman decision has increased by 50%. The FOS has been recruiting more ombudsmen to tackle this.
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Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he plans to reply to the letter of 11 March 2011 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms C. Dean. [54783]
Mr Hurd: The information requested fell within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I asked the authority to reply.
A reply was sent to the right hon. Member by the census director of the Office for National Statistics on 29 March.
Minimum Wage: Greater London
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people resident in each London borough receive the national minimum wage. [55221]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people resident in each London borough receive the national minimum wage. (55221)
Estimates for the number of jobs paid at the national minimum wage are not available from the Office for National Statistics. Estimates for the number of employee jobs paid below the national minimum wage are available, but only for all employee jobs by Government Office Region, which is the lowest geographical breakdown published by ONS. I attach a table showing the number of all employee jobs earning less than the national minimum wage for London and for the UK in April 2010, the latest period for which figures are available.
A guide to measuring low pay and associated articles can be found on the National Statistics website at:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=5837
| Estimates of jobs paid below the national minimum wage for London and the UK in April 2010 | ||
| 2010 | ||
|
|
Thousand | Per cent age |
| Guide to quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220. Key: * CV>5% and <=10% Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics 2010 | ||
Pensions: Complaints
Sajid Javid: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Pensions Regulator; how many complaints were outstanding at the Pensions Regulator on the latest date for which information is available; and how many such complaints had been waiting for a final decision for more than nine months. [54300]
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Steve Webb: I have been asked to reply.
The Pensions Regulator was set up in April 2005 with a new proactive and risk-based regulatory approach, placing greater emphasis on identifying and tackling real risks to members' benefits. There is ongoing assessment of the regulator's performance at both ministerial and official level. In addition, the regulator must submit an annual report on its activities to the Secretary of State, which is then laid before Parliament.
The independent Hampton Implementation Reviews of Regulatory Bodies look at how well regulators are following the Hampton principles of better regulation and assess the characteristics of effective sanctions, as defined by the Macrory Review. The Hampton Report on the Pensions Regulator, published on 29 January 2010, had extremely positive findings: the review team concluded that the Hampton principles were thoroughly embedded in the regulator's work, both at strategic and operational levels.
At 3 May, the latest date for which information is available, the regulator had two complaints outstanding. Both of these were within the regulator's 20-day deadline for responding. There were no complaints which had been outstanding for more than nine months.
Rural Areas
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the status is of the Commission for Rural Communities; and if he will make a statement. [53925]
Richard Benyon: I have been asked to reply.
The Cabinet Office is responsible for leading and co-ordinating the overall programme for Public Bodies reform, while Departments are responsible for decisions on individual bodies.
The Commission for Rural Communities is listed in Schedule 1 to the Public Bodies Bill as the Government are seeking a power to abolish the body subject to necessary legislative and consultative processes, and the consent of Parliament. Meanwhile, the Commission will continue to exercise its statutory functions.
I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement I made on 1 April 2011, Official Report, column 41-42WS, which describes the way the Commission will operate and its relationship with the new Rural Communities Policy Unit in DEFRA.