Wills: Regulation
David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what recent discussions he has had with the Law Society on changes to the system of regulation of the production of wills; [57156]
(2) whether he has any plans to change the regulation of the production of wills. [57157]
Mr Djanogly: I am aware that the Law Society supports making will writing a reserved legal activity and note with interest the research it has conducted. I hope and expect the Law Society will work closely with the Legal Services Board throughout the investigations into potential regulation of this activity that the oversight regulator is currently undertaking.
I have no plans to regulate will writers at present. However, The Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA) contains provisions which allow the Legal Services Board to recommend to me that a legal service such as will writing becomes a reserved legal activity, which would then be regulated.
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Since the Legal Services Board is currently investigating whether or not it would be in the interests of the legal consumer to regulate will writing, it is more appropriate for me to await the outcome of that investigation before making an assessment of next steps.
House of Commons Commission
Internet
Mr Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the House of Commons Commission will make available on the parliamentary (a) intranet and (b) website copies of the House of Commons Sessional Returns for sessions 1964-65 to 1996-97; and if he will make a statement. [56608]
John Thurso: There are no current plans to publish House of Commons Sessional Returns for Sessions 1964-65 to 1996-97 on either the parliamentary website or the intranet.
Transport
Biofuels
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the merits of undertaking a cross-Government review of policy on the sustainable biodiesel industry; and if he will make a statement. [57203]
Norman Baker: I have initiated a cross-departmental process to examine biofuel policy. In addition, work is under way across Whitehall to develop a UK Government strategy for sustainable bio-energy to meet GHG emissions targets, renewable energy and energy security goals cost-effectively. This work includes assessing feedstock supply for the biodiesel industry and other sectors.
Biofuels: Aviation
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on measures to incentivise the uptake of sustainable biofuels in aviation. [57353]
Norman Baker: The Government believe that sustainable biofuels have a role to play in reducing CO2 emissions from transport, particularly in sectors such as aviation where there are for the foreseeable future limited alternatives to fossil fuel. The Government are working with our European partners, the wider international community and industry to explore how to bring about a significant increase in the use of sustainable biofuels in aviation.
Crossrail: Rolling Stock
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many Crossrail carriages will be delivered in each year between 2010-11 and 2014-15; and how many full train length equivalent diagrams will be completed in each of those years; [46328]
(2) how many carriages are planned to be built for Crossrail in each year between 2010-11 and 2014-15; and what the projected costs are of such construction in each of those years; [46329]
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(3) how many Intercity Express programme carriages will be delivered in each year between 2010-11 and 2014-15; and how many full train length equivalent diagrams will be completed in each year; [46330]
(4) how many Intercity Express programme carriages will be built in each year between 2010-11 and 2014-15; and what the cost of such construction will be in each such year; [46331]
(5) how many rail carriages will be built during the comprehensive spending review period for (a) Crossrail, (b) Thameslink, (c) the Intercity Express programme and (d) other services; and which train operating companies will receive those carriages provided for other services; [46339]
(6) how many carriages will be built for the Thameslink project in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15; and what the cost to his Department of such construction will be in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14 and (v) 2014-15; [46340]
(7) how many Thameslink carriages will be delivered in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15; and how many full train length equivalent diagrams will be completed in each such year. [46341]
Mrs Villiers: The information is as follows:
In total around 600 new carriages will be provided for the Crossrail project with a requirement for approximately 57 diagrams, subject to finalisation of operational requirements. Notice of this procurement was published by Crossrail Ltd in the Official Journal of the European Union on 1 December 2010, and the invitation to tender for Crossrail rolling stock is planned to be published later in 2011. The delivery profile and costs of the rolling stock is commercially confidential and subject to negotiation with bidders and so it is not possible to give annual numbers (if any) of built and delivered units and their associated costs within the spending review period.
No trains will be built during the years 2010-11 to 2013-14. It is expected that 112 vehicles will be built during 2014-15 which will make 10 full train length equivalent diagrams. The Department for Transport is currently evaluating responses from two bidders to supply the rolling stock. The content of these bids is commercially confidential.
If the bid goes ahead as currently planned, the Department for Transport proposes to specify the number of trains that operators will require in daily service from 2016. These would be paid for by train operators on a daily basis. I would expect trains to be ready for use prior to the date they are required for passenger service, in order to provide time for appropriate testing and acceptance on to the network.
West Coast—106 vehicles will be built before the end of the spending review.
NXEA—120 vehicles will have been built by the end of the spending review.
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London Midland—69 vehicles will be built before the end of the spending review.
Chiltern—eight vehicles will be built before the end of the spending review.
TPE—It is expected 36 vehicles will be built, subject to agreement on the value for money.
Departmental Data Protection
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many contracts his Department holds which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; to which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each such contract is held; and how many people have their data stored overseas under each such contract. [55746]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has one contract which allows a contractor to store personal data of UK citizens overseas. That contract is between the Driving Standards Agency and Pearson Driving Assessments Ltd. More than one million records of candidates for the theory test are held in the United States.
Departmental Vacancies
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [51382]
Norman Baker: Vacancy rates are a factor of the turnover of staff, changing business needs and the time taken to fill vacancies. Given the limited usefulness of vacancy rates, relative to budgetary disciplines on programme and administrative spend, no rate has been assumed for Business Planning purposes for 2012 nor is it tracked by the Department.
The Department has had a recruitment freeze since May 2010 and has imposed strict controls to the process of filling vacancies externally. These are only considered for approval if they are deemed to be front line, safety or business critical, in line with Cabinet Office guidance.
Since May 2010 the number of full time equivalents in the Department has reduced by 7%.
Departmental Work Experience
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [52802]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport participated in the Cabinet Office Fast Stream Summer Diversity Internship programme offering six to nine week internships opportunities to graduates. We will be offering a minimum of three Summer Diversity Internships for undergraduates this summer.
These applicants are advised that they will have an opportunity to work at the heart of current affairs and key Government agendas, engage directly with the public, and help to provide high-quality services for people
24 May 2011 : Column 574W
from diverse communities and backgrounds. They will also be leading, building relationships, innovating and making key decisions that will stretch them intellectually throughout the programme.
Individuals looking to undertake a work experience placement are invited to complete a pro forma to identify why they are interested in a placement at the Department for Transport and what skills they are looking to gain through the placement. Work experience placements are generally short-term placements, most commonly for half-term and other holidays for:
Year 10 students (15 to 16 years)
College students (17 to 19 years) and
Undergraduates
In addition to encouraging short-term placements, the Department has in the past taken a number of steps to develop and encourage youth employment using the Local Employment Partnership initiative from the previous administration. Individuals are invited to attend an induction event to gain an understanding of the work of the Department, and are also given a job description outlining their role and responsibilities and documentation setting out their terms and conditions.
The Department for Transport does not offer opportunities for people to work as volunteers in the Department.
Driving: Alcohol
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated prior to his decision not to lower the level of alcohol in the blood at which driving impairment becomes an offence; and if he will make a statement. [53778]
Mike Penning: The Government's published response to the independent North review about drink and drug driving, particularly chapter two, outlines the considerations related to the decision not to change the prescribed alcohol limit for driving.
The response has been published on the Department for Transport website at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drivinglaws/govtresponse/
High Speed Two Railway Line
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons Rail Package 2 was not considered as the comparator to High Speed Two for the London to West Midlands phase. [55448]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 13 May 2011]: The Government's current consultation on high speed rail discusses strategic options for a national high speed rail network. To support the consultation, Atkins was commissioned to develop and review strategic alternatives to a national high speed rail network, which were published in its report of February 2011 entitled 'High Speed Rail Strategic Alternatives Study: Strategic Alternatives to the Proposed Y Network'.
In contrast, Atkins' Rail Package 2, which focused only on enhancements to the West Coast Main Line, was developed as a potential alternative to a London to West Midlands high speed rail line alone.
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To satisfy the scope of the Government's current consultation, it is clearly necessary to compare strategic options for an entire network rather than its component parts. Rail Package 2 does not, on its own, comprise an alternative to an entire network. However, it has been included as a component within the broader scenarios set out in the more recent strategic alternatives study.
The following are document links, for reference:
High Speed Two Strategic Alternatives Study: Strategic Outline Case, March 2010:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110131042819/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/alternativestudy/pdf/strategicoutline.pdf
London to West Midlands Rail Alternatives—Update of Economic Appraisal, March 2011:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/proposedroute/apprupdate/
Network Strategic Alternatives Scenarios
High Speed Rail Strategic Alternatives Study: Strategic Alternatives to the Proposed Y Network, February 2011:
http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/sites/highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/files/hsr-strategic-alternative.pdf
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had with Hillingdon Outdoor Sailing Base on proposals to construct part of the High Speed Two network through their facility; and if he will make a statement. [55620]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 13 May 2011]: My officials have corresponded with the Principal of Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre, who wrote to me in January. I understand that HS2 Ltd have also had discussions and correspondence with representatives of the Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre.
I understand the concerns people have about the impact of the proposed route of any new high speed line on the Colne Valley area where the Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre is located. If a decision is taken to go ahead with a new high speed line, HS2 Ltd would carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment before any work began, and would consider mitigation where practical to minimise effects upon the ecology and water habitat and to maintain recreational amenity.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received on proposals to build part of the High Speed Two network through Hillingdon Outdoor Sailing Base; and if he will make a statement. [55621]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 13 May 2011]: I have received two letters regarding the high speed rail proposals and the Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre.
Motor Vehicles: Insurance
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 11 May 2011, Official Report, column 1211W, on roads: accidents, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of uninsured drivers. [56787]
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Mike Penning: The Government have introduced the continuous insurance enforcement scheme which will come into force in late June, which means that all vehicles must be covered by insurance unless they are declared off the road by a valid statutory off-road notification (SORN).
Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on the effect on car insurance premiums of use of a vehicle to undertake voluntary work. [57009]
Mike Penning: I have not received any recent representations. The cost of insurance for those who undertake voluntary work is occasionally raised with the Department.
Motorways: Repairs and Maintenance
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on resurfacing motorways in the last five years. [55328]
Mike Penning: The Highways Agency does not separately record or report the cost of resurfacing motorways. However, the annual accounts for the HA over the past five years has reported the following in terms of expenditure on maintenance:
|
|
£ million |
Expenditure figures have been adjusted to account for spend relating to roads trunked or detrunked in the financial year.
The expenditure figures provided are for maintenance on the strategic road network managed and maintained by the Highways Agency. This includes renewal of the road surface and repairs to structures, as well as routine maintenance such as gully clearing, white lining, cleaning and winter maintenance, but not those associated with our private finance initiative contracts.
To disaggregate the cost of resurfacing motorways only would be a very lengthy exercise, and as such could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Railways
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has for new non-high speed train lines in England. [55330]
Mrs Villiers: The existing rail network already links most sizeable areas of population and our plans focus on providing additional capacity to meeting rising demand. In some cases this involves adding new rolling stock and in others building additional lines may be appropriate.
The new Ordsall curve is planned to open in central Manchester in 2016 and the new Crossrail line running under central London is planned to open from 2018.
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Railways: Snow and Ice
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will establish a system of accountability for the Department for Transport and the Office of Rail Regulation to hold (a) Network Rail and (b) train operating companies to account on the implementation of contingency timetables during severe weather conditions. [56168]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 17 May 2011]: Provisions contained in franchise agreements enable appropriate remedial action as required by the Department, in the event that the operator fails to fulfil its contractual requirements with regard to the operation of temporary or contingency timetables.
The Office of Rail Regulation monitors Network Rail's operational activities. If it considers that Network Rail is falling short of its Network Licence obligations, it may take appropriate enforcement action.
Road Traffic
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department plans to commence its development of measures to reduce road congestion caused by incidents. [56114]
Mike Penning: I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statement of 19 May 2011, Official Report, columns 39-40WS.
Roads: Finance
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the delivery of his Department's investment programme for the strategic road network to (a) begin and (b) be completed. [56026]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport set out its plans for investment in the strategic road network for this spending review period in October 2010, in “Investment in Highways Transport Schemes”:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/network/strategic/highwaystransportschemes/
Eight major schemes are currently under construction and a timetable for construction for a further 14 schemes was announced in April 2011:
http://www.highways.gov.uk/news/pressrelease.aspx7pressreleaseid=419138
All the schemes prioritised for investment within this spending review are scheduled for completion by 2016-17, subject to successful completion of the necessary statutory processes, continuing value for money and affordability.
Roads: Safety
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to paragraph 5.9 of the Strategic Framework for Road Safety, 11 May 2011, what his target date is for finalising the additional requirements for type approving drugs-testing devices for use at the roadside. [57228]
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Mike Penning: The responsibility for the type approval of drug screening devices rests with the Home Office and not the Department for Transport. We expect the Home Office to have a final specification for a roadside drug testing device available shortly.
Speed Limits
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential effects of the new police framework for speeding on the level of (a) fatal, (b) serious injury and (c) minor injury accidents; and if he will make a statement. [53779]
Mike Penning: I have not specifically assessed the effects on accidents of the Association of Chief Police Officers' (ACPO) advice to police forces about the circumstances when education should be used as an alternative to prosecution for speeding.
However I endorse the use of education as an alternative to prosecution in a wider set of circumstances, on the basis of previous assessments of its effectiveness. This includes the findings of roads research report number 66 ‘Effective Interventions for Speeding Motorists’ (March 2006), which considered the methods of re-educating speeding motorists and was published on the Department for Transport website, at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme2/
Speed Limits: Cameras
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department expects to publish the speed camera data it has collected from local authorities. [56024]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport is not collecting speed camera data from local authorities to publish the data itself.
I have previously announced that local authorities and the police will have to publish full information about speed cameras.
Officials have been working with local authority officials and the police, in order to advise me about the appropriate requirements for publication of this information. As set out in the DfT Business Plan, an updated version of which was published on 13 May, we expect to issue guidance to local authorities by the end of June.
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2010, Official Report, column 30W, on speed limits: cameras, whether the fixed gantry cameras are (a) switched off and (b) used for any enforcement purposes when no temporary speed limits are in force on the M1. [57198]
Mike Penning: The fixed gantry spot speed enforcement cameras for the M1 motorway between junctions 25 and 28 are still undergoing testing and commissioning and are not as yet operational. These cameras which enforce the variable mandatory speed limits displayed on gantries and will be fully operational this summer.
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The Highways Agency has introduced safety cameras on the M1 between junctions 25 and 28 as part of the Controlled Motorway scheme to increase compliance when speed limits are varied from the national speed limit.
When no restrictions are in place normal motorway regulations and enforcement regimes will apply. The enforcement of speed limits, whether using the safety cameras provided as part of this controlled motorway scheme or traditional methods, is undertaken by the police, in this case Nottinghamshire police.
Thameslink Railway Line
Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the answer to the then hon. Member for Bedford of 7 April 2010, Official Report, column 1364W, on the Thameslink railway line: rolling stock, what assessment he has made of the merits of building new train maintenance depots for Thameslink stations at different locations; and what his Department's policy is on the proposal to build a depot at Hornsey. [55726]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport undertook a detailed assessment which considered a range of criteria, such as land availability and operational constraints at a number of locations, when determining the most appropriate sites for the Thameslink depots.
The Department proposes to build one of the new depots at Hornsey, subject to securing the necessary planning approvals.
Tolls
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress his Department has made on developing the (a) scope and (b) objectives of a road user charging system. [56047]
Mike Penning: We are committed to introducing a new system of lorry road user charging which will ensure that all heavy goods vehicles over 12 tonnes, whether UK or foreign-registered, contribute to the cost of maintaining our roads. This will provide a fairer deal for UK operators. We are currently finalising the details of the proposed scheme and intend to consult later in the year.
The Government have ruled out the introduction of a wider national road user charging scheme during this Parliament, or any preparations for the introduction of such a scheme in the next Parliament.
Transport: Snow and Ice
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the Independent Review Panel on Winter Resilience; and how many times he has met the Panel since December 2010. [56038]
Norman Baker
[holding answer 17 May 2011]: The Secretary of State met the Winter Resilience Panel on 7 October 2010 in advance of the publication of the Final Report on 22 October. He also met with David Quarmby CBE, chair of the Panel, on 17 December in advance of the publication of his Audit on 21 December.
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The publication of these reports completed the terms of the Winter Panel's appointments and no further meetings have been held.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Ai Weiwei
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Prime Minister has made to his Chinese counterpart on the detention of Ai Weiwei; and if he will make a statement. [57226]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Prime Minister and other Government Ministers have raised our concerns about human rights issues including the detention of Ai Weiwei in contacts with their Chinese counterparts.
We will continue to monitor developments in Mr Ai’s case closely and look for further opportunities to raise our concerns.
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Chinese Government on the detention of Ai Weiwei; and if he will make a statement. [57227]
Mr Jeremy Browne: On 4 April 2011 the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs made a public statement outlining our concerns about the detention of Ai Weiwei. His statement called on the Chinese Government to clarify Mr Ai's situation and expressed the hope that he would be released immediately. The Secretary of State and I also raised the case with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying when she visited London on 12 May 2011.
On 11 April 2011 my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister raised the case of Ai Weiwei and expressed his concern about other detained dissidents with the Shanghai Party Secretary and Politiburo Standing Committee member, Yu Zhengsheng. I wrote to the Chinese ambassador regarding Mr Ai's case and other human rights issues on 3 May 2011.
We will continue to monitor developments in Mr Ai's case closely and look for further opportunities to raise our concerns.
Antarctic Treaty
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had on the protection and continuation of the Antarctic treaty. [57223]
Alistair Burt: The UK is committed to the indefinite application of the Antarctic treaty and its protocol on environmental protection. This year’s Antarctic treaty consultative meeting will be held in Buenos Aires from 20 June to 1 July and will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the treaty on 23 June. The UK will work with other treaty parties to use this opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to the Antarctic treaty and the environmental protocol.
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Central Africa: Armed Conflict
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the state of relations between regional armies in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan; and what assessment he has made of the commercial interests of the military in those countries from operating in conflict afflicted areas. [56710]
Alistair Burt: We have no evidence of notable animosity or distrust between the armies of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR), and South Sudan. CAR was not involved in the Congo wars, and South Sudan played only a limited role supporting the anti-Mobuto forces. All three countries face the joint threat of the Lord's Resistance Army and are discussing cooperative operational responses.
We are not aware of any particular commercial interests for the armies of South Sudan and CAR from operating in conflict afflicted areas. Individual elements of the Congolese army (FARDC) have been involved in commercial dealings in the conflict zones of eastern DRC including through informal taxation of the mining sector. We consider the demilitarisation of mining in the east of DRC as a key element of creating a sustainable peace in this volatile region and creating a platform for growth in the future. We are working closely with the World Bank and others to encourage the Government to move forward with comprehensive reforms of the mining sector.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the effectiveness of measures by the African Union to co-ordinate a regional mission to prevent attacks on civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan by members of the Lord's Resistance Army. [56773]
Alistair Burt: The Government will continue to support all efforts to find a sustainable solution to the problems caused by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). We believe that an essential part of a solution will be to minimise and eradicate the threat that the LRA continues to pose to civilian populations throughout the region. As an active member of the International Working Group (IWG) on the LRA, and through our work with partners at the UN Security Council, we are working to better coordinate the international response.
The African Union (AU) is in close contact with the IWG and is co-ordinating with countries in the region and local UN Peacekeeping Operations to provide better protection for civilians who are at risk from the LRA. In particular, the AU is currently planning for a regional, AU-led strategy to combat the LRA, and will likely be seeking funding from the EU via their EU-Africa Peace Facility (EU-APF).
As a major contributor to the EU-APF, the UK will continue to encourage this dialogue between the AU, the EU and other members of the IWG and to urge partners to consider supporting appropriate proposals that will increase the effectiveness of the existing regional effort to pursue the remaining LRA units.
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Crown Relocations
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many contracts his Department holds with Crown Relocations; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value of each contract is. [56234]
Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office holds one contract with Crown Relocations. It is for the movement of heavy baggage to and from our network of over 260 overseas posts. This covers approximately 1,500 moves per year, 80% are from UK to post and back and 20% is the movement from post to post. The value is approximately £7 million per annum.
David Houtan Kian
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making on behalf of David Houtan Kian, sentenced to imprisonment in Iran as a result of his legal activities on behalf of Sakineh Ashtiani; and if he will raise the case with (a) his EU counterparts and (b) other international bodies. [56746]
Alistair Burt [holding answer 23 May 2011]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has seen media reports to suggest that Mr Javid Houtan Kian has been sentenced to seven years in prison, with a further four year suspended sentence on charges of endangering Iran’s national security and propaganda against the state. Reports also indicate the charge of espionage is still under consideration. We are working to verify this information with international partners, but if true, we completely condemn these sentences as it would appear Mr Kian has been targeted simply for defending his client to the best of his ability. The harassment he and his family have been subject to is entirely unacceptable and should cease. We raised our concerns about his case, and the ongoing case of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, most recently on 18 May with the Iranian embassy in London.
Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on special advisers' travel by (a) Government car, (b) private hire car, (c) train, (d) bus, (e) commercial aircraft and (f) private aircraft since May 2010. [56106]
Mr Lidington: Excluding when they accompanied the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on ministerial visits overseas, his special advisers have incurred no travel costs.
Accompanying my right hon. Friend on official ministerial visits overseas, a breakdown of travel costs for Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) special advisers since May 2010 is as follows:
(a) Government car—None
(b) Private hire car—£1,546.86
(c) Train (including Europe)—£3,394.49
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(d) Bus—None
(e) Commercial aircraft £52,151.15
(f) Private aircraft—travel for my right hon. Friend and his team travelling on private aircraft is not costed on an individual basis, but for the group as a whole.
The total cost of FCO ministerial and private office travel (including special advisers) is published on a quarterly basis.
Departmental Pensions
Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of his Department's budget he expects to be spent on staff pensions in each of the next five years. [54564]
Alistair Burt: Pension benefits for UK based Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff are provided through arrangements under the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme. Therefore the budget for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not include expenditure for paying pensions.
Details of the level of social security and other pension costs to the Department are published annually within our Resource Accounts which are available on the Department's website. Information on costs for the last financial year (2010-11) is expected to be available in June 2011.
The proportion of the Department's budget to be spent on employer contributions or UK staff in each of the next five years will be determined by whatever changes are agreed to the Principal Civil Service scheme following the recommendations in the Hutton review.
Egypt: Internet
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Egypt on the treatment of dissident bloggers. [56326]
Mr Hague: I visited Egypt on 1-2 May. In my meeting with the head of the Supreme Council of the armed forces, Field Marshal Tantawi, I raised our concern about the use of military courts to enforce the emergency law in proceedings against civilians. Field Marshal Tantawi assured me that work would be undertaken to repeal the emergency law.
Following the sentencing of the blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad, our ambassador in Cairo raised our concerns about Sanad's case, and the detentions of protesters and military trials, with the Egyptian Interior Minister on 14 April. The Minister gave his assurance that respect for human rights would be instituted throughout the Ministry of Interior.
Embassies: Buildings
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost of damage to British embassy buildings in the countries of north Africa and the middle east attributable to uprisings since January 2011. [54482]
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Mr Lidington: Significant damage to British embassy buildings as a result of the north Africa and middle east uprisings has been limited to Libya. The building housing the British ambassador's residence and the British embassy in Tripoli was attacked by a mob on 30 April 2011 and largely destroyed by fire. The residence building, an embassy amenity building and several staff houses were looted with many official and staff personal assets stolen.
The full extent of our losses is still being assessed. We are currently considering the options available to recover these losses.
Internet
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps his Department has undertaken to support human rights activists and others to access the internet in countries where such access is restricted. [56324]
Mr Hague: The UK is committed to supporting human rights defenders around the world. This includes support to those who are seeking to exercise their right to freedom of expression on the Internet. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and posts overseas work closely with EU partners and others on a range of initiatives tailored to specific local needs to support human rights defenders.
The UK is committed to supporting freedom of expression on the internet and will continue to encourage states that restrict access to online media to uphold their international human rights commitments. We will also continue to publicly support those who seek to exercise their right to freedom of expression, including through the use of new media.
Libya: Foreign Relations
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government is maintaining any contact with the Gadaffi Government in Libya. [57002]
Alistair Burt: We no longer maintain an Embassy in tripoli nor have direct contact with the Gaddafi Government there, but we continue to maintain limited operational contact with the Libyan embassy in London. We have used these links to make clear to the regime that it must comply in full with UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973, desist from further violence and withdraw military forces to barracks.
Libya: Oil
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are in place to ensure that proceeds from the sale of oil in Libya are not used to support the Gaddafi Government. [56308]
Mr Hague: The Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC), which has a virtual monopoly on exports and imports of crude oil and petroleum products from the regime-controlled parts of Libya, is subject to an asset freeze under UN Security Council Resolution 1973. These sanctions cover imports and exports of oil and petroleum products by the NOC and its subsidiaries, and any payments for such shipments.
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Middle East: Demonstrations
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on recent Nakba Day protests. [57109]
Alistair Burt: Nakba day demonstrations took place in many countries across the middle east on the weekend of 13-15 May 2011. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs issued a statement on 15 May 2011 expressing his concerns and regret:
“I am deeply concerned by the violence on Israel’s borders today and saddened by the loss of life. I call on all parties to exercise restraint and ensure that civilian life is protected. These developments make clearer than ever that a lasting and comprehensive resolution to the conflicts in the region is urgently needed and will only be achieved through negotiation.”
Palestinians: Borders
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Egyptian counterpart on the decision to open the Rafah border crossing to Gaza. [56334]
Mr Hague: Despite the expressed wish of the Egyptian Government to relax the border controls with Gaza, there has been no change to the operation of the Rafah border crossing since it was re-opened after the revolution. The Egyptian authorities continue to apply strictly the categories of those who are permitted to travel, including those requiring hospital treatment in Egypt, university students, residency holders and foreign passports holders.
During my visit to Egypt on 2 May, I asked the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Nabil al-Arabi, about Egypt's stated intention to relax the Rafah crossing controls in the context of concerns about security in Egypt. Mr al-Arabi explained that the Egyptian Government was committed to alleviating the suffering of people in Gaza and, in that context, intended to reopen fully the Rafah crossing as soon as was possible. However, the modalities of doing so were taking longer than they had originally expected.
Syria: Demonstrations
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of protests in (a) Syria and (b) Libya since March 2010; what discussions he has had at the UN in each case; what recent (i) discussions he has had with and (ii) representations he has received from the Arab League in each case; and if he will make a statement. [55247]
Alistair Burt:
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has briefed the House regularly on developments in Libya. There have been continuing discussion of the issue in the United Nations, including UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973. Throughout the crisis the Secretary of State maintained contact with the Arab League, including through personal discussions with the League's Secretary-General. On 12 March the Arab League became the first organisation to call for the establishment of a No-Fly Zone over Libya. It has continued to take an active role in international efforts and attended the London Conference on Libya
24 May 2011 : Column 586W
on 29 March and is represented at the Contact Group on Libya, which met most recently on 5 May in Rome.
We are extremely concerned by ongoing violence and repression in Syria. We continue to see a violent response to protests following Friday prayers, leading to the deaths of many innocent people. President Assad should order his authorities to show restraint and to respond to the legitimate demands of his people with immediate and genuine reform, not with brutal repression. The UN Security Council discussed Syria on 27 April. There was broad condemnation of Syrian behaviour. We continue to explore our options in consultation with UN and EU partners. We have lobbied Arab League countries to encourage them to make statements condemning the repression and violence in Syria. We strongly urge the Syrian Government to allow international humanitarian organisations access to all parts of Syria, in particular the city of Deraa, in order to prevent further humanitarian suffering.
Uganda: Violence
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to President Museveni and the Government of Uganda on the recent use of force against protesters in that country. [57010]
Alistair Burt [holding answer 23 May 2011]: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), has directly raised the UK’s concerns over the Ugandan authorities’ handling of the ongoing opposition protests with Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa. Our high commission in Kampala, along with other EU member state missions, has raised our concerns directly with President Museveni. Our high commission has also raised concerns with the Ugandan Prime Minister and inspector general of police.
The UK and its partners have urged the Ugandan authorities to respect their people’s constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful exercise of the freedoms of speech and assembly, and that the police should respond proportionally to instances of unrest among demonstrators.
Treasury
Banks: Pay
Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the effects on income inequality of bonuses paid to bankers. [57164]
Mr Hoban: Due to data limitations it is not possible to provide a robust estimate of the effects of bankers' bonuses on income inequality.
The Government have been clear that the banks must act responsibly in setting their bonuses and continues to take robust action to tackle unacceptable remuneration.
As a result of the Government's discussions, the total remuneration paid by the four largest UK banks to their UK-based staff was lower in 2010 than it was in 2009, and lower than it would have been otherwise. The Remuneration Committee Chair of each bank has written to the Financial Services Authority to confirm that this commitment has been met.
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Climate Change: EU Action
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what agreements on climate finance were made at the Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting on 17 May 2011. [57364]
Justine Greening: The EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 17 May 2011 adopted Council Conclusions on international climate finance.
The conclusions endorsed the EU' Fast Start finance report which confirms that the EU mobilised €2.34 billion of Fast Start finance in 2010. The conclusions concurred with the UN High Level Advisory Group on Climate. Finance (AGF) report that it will be challenging but feasible to meet the goal for developed countries to jointly mobilise $100 billion per year by 2020, and outlined elements that will be important to deliver this finance.
The full text of the conclusions can be found at:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ecofin/122061.pdf
Guardian's Allowance: Grandparents
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to extend the qualification criteria for guardian's allowance to include grandparents who become guardians of children who are not orphaned. [57256]
Justine Greening: The Government have no current plans to change the eligibility criteria for guardian's allowance. Where grandparents have the primary responsibility for bringing up their grandchildren, they are entitled to financial support, namely child benefit and child tax credit, on the same terms as a parent would be. Child benefit and child tax credit guarantee support for the first child of over £4,000 a year for grandparents on very low incomes.
Public Sector: Pensions
Jim McGovern: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what considerations he took into account when proposing the rate of increase in contributions for (a) the Local Government Pension Scheme and (b) the Judges’ Pension Scheme. [56852]
Danny Alexander: The interim report of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission, chaired by Lord Hutton of Furness, found that the value of public service pensions been increasing following dramatic increase in life expectancy at retirement. Current pensioners are expected to spend over 40% of their adult lives in retirement, compared to 30% for pensioners in the 1950s. Most of these extra costs have fallen to employers and taxpayers.
Spending review 2010 announced progressive changes to the level of employee contributions to public service pensions that lead to savings of £2.8 billion a year from the unfunded pension schemes by 2014-15, to be phased in from 2012-13, excluding the armed forces. This is equivalent to 3.2 percentage point increase on average.
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No decisions have been taken on individual schemes—this is subject of discussions with trade unions and other work force representatives.
VAT: Channel Islands
Mr MacShane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the effect on VAT revenues of the import of beauty products supplied to the UK from the Channel Islands in fulfilment of internet orders. [56924]
Mr Gauke: The Government have received representations from this trade sector, along with other trade sectors in the UK who are impacted by shipments from the Channel Islands benefiting from the low value consignment relief (LVCR).
Mr MacShane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Channel Islands authorities on the revenue foregone by the Exchequer on taxation on beauty products ordered from the Channel Islands over the internet. [56926]
Mr Gauke: Following the announcement in the March Budget of the Government’s intention to reduce the value threshold, my officials have been in further contact with the authorities in Jersey and Guernsey concerning the impact and operation of low value consignment relief.
Work and Pensions
Departmental CCTV
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many CCTV cameras are installed in and around his Department's premises; and how much such cameras (a) cost to install and (b) cost to operate in the latest period for which figures are available. [56841]
Chris Grayling: The Department has a contract for the provision of fully fitted and serviced accommodation for which it pays an all inclusive unitary charge. The scope of the services includes the provision of accommodation and services in over 900 buildings including security and associated equipment
CCTV is deployed following a security risk assessment and has been installed at 767 sites across the Department's estate. The number of cameras at each site varies according to the assessment, but the exact number of cameras can be determined only at disproportionate cost.
The cost of installing and operating CCTV is included in the unitary charge and can be disaggregated only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Data Protection
Eric Ollerenshaw:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many contracts his Department holds which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; to which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for
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each such contract is held; and how many people have their data stored overseas under each such contract. [55731]
Chris Grayling: All relevant departmental contracts are explicit that suppliers and partners may not transfer or store data overseas without specific agreement from the Department.
A formal and rigorous approval route, fully consistent with provisions of Cabinet Office instructions and Data Protection Act requirements is operated by DWP in the evaluation of any off shoring proposals made to the Department. This includes, and references, relevant EEA and Safe Harbor regulations.
Some business data are stored outside of the UK. Information required from Government Procurement Card (GPC) holders is mainly business information with very limited personal data. This is stored in the UK and USA dictated by processing arrangements. In the case of DWP, this relates to 3,396 GPC users.
The DWP TNT (Courier) contractual arrangement includes a small number of international courier accounts for the International Pension Centre—that require a track and trace service from dispatch through to the customer's address overseas. TNT systems will only record the customer name and delivery addresses and in some circumstances a contact telephone number. This information is held by receiving depots overseas for a period of six months. All international couriers use name and address detail for service delivery.
Due to the nature of the service used, any data stored are solely dependent on service users and therefore it is not possible to confirm in which countries the data for each such consignment are held. TNT has confirmed that currently 308 customer names and addresses are held.
Disability Living Allowance: Care Homes
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his timetable is for changes to the mobility component of disability living allowance for those living in care homes. [43700]
Maria Miller: Officials in the Department for Work and Pensions are reviewing existing evidence and gathering more to determine the extent to which there are overlaps in provision for mobility needs of people in residential care homes. Our aim is to reduce overlaps in public spending not disabled people's ability to get out and about. When the work is complete we will make a final decision on the way forward.
Any changes to the mobility component for people living in care homes will be made as part of the wider reform of disability living allowance and its replacement with personal independence payment in 2013.
Employment Schemes: Older Workers
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to assist older jobseekers in finding employment. [57110]
Chris Grayling:
We have given Jobcentre staff more flexibility to help customers of all ages find and keep jobs. We are rolling out a number of new measures
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aimed at getting Britain working, including work clubs to help jobseekers share skills or experiences and the new enterprise allowance to assist those considering self-employment. Jobcentre staff will discuss possible options with older jobseekers. From this summer, the Work programme will provide personalised support for people who are unemployed for longer or who need early intensive support.
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to assist older people in employment who wish to change careers. [57111]
Chris Grayling: Jobcentre Plus has job vacancy services which are freely available for people of all ages to use, including those who are already in employment. Any employed person who contacts Jobcentre Plus for advice about a career change will be advised about the job vacancy service. They will also be signposted to the Next Step service, which is a free, impartial and confidential government-funded service for adults in England who are looking for advice about careers, skills and work choices. Careers Scotland and Careers Wales provides similar support for people in those countries. These services are available to employed and unemployed people of all ages.
Housing Benefit
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance and communications tool kit for local authorities on the promotion of early intervention and the provision of assistance to existing customers referred to in the local Housing Impact Assessment published in December 2010. [40572]
Steve Webb: As part of our work with local authorities on communications, we have provided a number of products including model letters to landlords and existing customers, an implementation tasksheet, and model leaflets. These products can be branded in a way local authorities choose. We have also issued a specific DWP branded leaflet and poster. Before April 2011, we revised the Local Housing Allowance guidance manual and the Discretionary Housing Payments guide. These products will be placed in the library and they are available on the DWP website:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/local%2Dauthority%2Dstaff/housing%2Dbenefit/
During March and April 2011, we held a series of four conferences in England, Scotland and Wales for housing benefit managers, to help communicate the local housing allowance changes effectively. Over the next few months, we will be providing further support and guidance including a series of visits by officials to local authorities to identify any issues and promote best practice.
The Government will continue to work closely with the 380 local authorities to ensure that the full range of options for customers facing a shortfall in their rent as a consequence of the housing benefit reforms is publicised, and that people are encouraged to consider all available options in good time.
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Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to issue a consultation paper on the payment of housing costs for people living in supported and sheltered housing classified as exempt accommodation. [52751]
Steve Webb: We expect to publish the consultation this spring.
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on housing benefit in each year since 2009-10; and what proportion of the budget for welfare services, excluding pensions, was spent on housing benefit in each year since 1997. [53499]
Steve Webb: The information is in the following table.
| Housing benefit expenditure as a share of total benefit expenditure, 1997-98 to 2009-10 | |||
| £ million | |||
|
|
Housing benefit | Total benefit expenditure excluding state pension | Housing benefit proportion (percentage) |
| Notes: 1. Outturn information for 2010-11 is not yet available. 2. Housing benefit expenditure as a proportion of total benefit expenditure excluding state pension jumps significantly in 2003-04 as total benefit expenditure reduces with the transfer of child benefit to HM Revenue and Customs. 3. Benefit expenditure tables are published on the internet at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/index.php?page=expenditure Source: DWP statistical and accounting data | |||
Industrial Health and Safety
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has had recent discussions with representatives of the Health and Safety Commission on the Health and Safety Executive's Incident Selection Criteria Guidance section 5.0; and if he will make a statement. [56300]
Chris Grayling: The Health and Safety Executive's incident selection criteria are designed so that serious incidents are considered for possible investigation thereby making effective use of investigation resource. Any decision to investigate a specific incident is an operational decision.
Jobcentre Plus
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the ratio of unemployed people to Jobcentre Plus staff (a) on the most recent date for which figures are available and (b) in May 2012. [57194]
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Chris Grayling: As at December 2010, the latest point for which staffing levels have been published, there was a ratio of 19 claimant unemployed people for each member of total Jobcentre Plus staffing. However we are unable to provide a ratio of unemployed people to Jobcentre Plus staff for May 2012, as this information is currently not available in the format requested. The spending review 2010 announced that DWP would deliver 26% savings in real terms from its core budget over the four year period to 2015. Jobcentre Plus will contribute to these savings by driving up efficiency in the way it works through more use of its online services and implementing ideas that help improve processes and productivity.
Jobcentre Plus: Clydebank
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effects of the closure of the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank on the provision of client services in that area. [56733]
Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what assessment .has been made of the effects of the closure of the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank on the provision of client services in that area. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Clydebank Contact Centre is part of the virtual network within Jobcentre Plus' Contact Centre Directorate. Within this network, calls are directed to the next available advisor with the appropriate skills to answer customers' enquiries. This means that Clydebank Contact Centre deals with calls from all over the UK, rather than just the local area. Therefore, there should be no impact on client services within the area.
Clydebank currently handles calls for a number of different services, including new claims to Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support enquiries, services to employers who wish to notify vacancies including by e-mail and fax, and customers looking for work. All these services are also provided by other contact centres within the network.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of disposal of the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank; [56734]
(2) how much funding his Department has allocated for investment in the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank in each of the last six years. [56738]
Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of disposal of the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank and how much funding his Department has allocated for investment in the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank in each of the last six years This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
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DWP does not own its own estate. The Department signed a 20 year Private Finance Initiative contract with Telereal Trillium in 1998 for the provision of fully fitted and serviced accommodation for which the Department pays an all inclusive unitary charge. As such the closure of the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank will reduce the overall cost of the contract and any costs incurred in the disposal will be recouped within an approved period.
The contract with Telereal Trillium means that our estates partner is responsible for maintaining all of our sites to the required standard. There has been no other capital investment in the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank in the last six years.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support and guidance his Department is offering to staff at the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank following the decision to close the centre. [56735]
Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what support and guidance his Department is offering to staff at the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank following the decision to close the centre. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
DWP realises that the announcements which we made on 13th May regarding the closure of 22 benefit and contact centres will be unsettling to all staff. The line managers of staff at Clydebank Contact Centre will be available to support them, both now and throughout the next few months. Our immediate priority is to understand individual circumstances, and so we are currently arranging for each member of staff to have a one-to-one discussion with their line manager to discuss the closure and how it might affect them and to talk about their personal circumstances. Managers will also be there to answer or deal with any questions or concerns that they may have. Where the manager does not have the information to answer the question, we have introduced an issues escalation process. Managers in Clydebank contact centre are currently undertaking training to help them fulfil their role in supporting their teams through this challenging time.
In addition, staff who are union members may also want to speak to their Trade Union representative. We did arrange for a Trade Union representative to be on site on 13th May and to have time to talk to members of staff.
If staff would prefer to speak with someone from outside the Department, our Employee Assistance provider, Right Corecare, is available 24 hours a day. Our contract with Right Corecare provides unlimited, confidential access to their helplines on 0800 652 3304.
In addition, managers will have regular communications with staff and will keep them informed of any developments as they occur. We will also use the full range of our existing communications channels, including our intranet pages and events such as Your Call, which is a live audio conference event where people in Jobcentre Plus can speak directly to me and my Jobcentre Plus Board members to get answers to their questions.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department plans any compulsory redundancies in respect of staff at the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank. [56736]
Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
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The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking whether his Department plans any compulsory redundancies in respect of staff at the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
DWP will always take all possible steps, including redeploying people into other jobs, to avoid compulsory redundancy. This applies to Clydebank Contact Centre, which is due to close within the next 12 months. The Department has an excellent track record in securing alternative roles for its people and would not want to use public money for exits unless absolutely necessary. Our plans to enlarge some other sites, our robust workforce planning and workforce management arrangements will alt help us towards avoiding a situation where compulsory redundancy is necessary in Clydebank Contact Centre or any Jobcentre Plus sites listed for closure. However, we cannot guarantee this.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff at the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank he expects to be redeployed to other locations. [56737]
Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many staff at the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank will be redeployed to other locations. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Our first consideration will be to redeploy as many staff as we can to other sites which are within the area. For example, near Clydebank, Jobcentre Plus also has contact centres in Paisley and Springburn. In addition, we have benefit centres in Glasgow and Clydebank, as well as a number of Jobcentres across the area.
The 128 permanent staff in Clydebank will all receive an offer of redeployment within Jobcentre Plus, either locally or further afield. Most will be within our usual mobility rules, but if those opportunities are further away we will help staff with travel costs. I cannot provide you with a firm estimate of the number of staff who will take up this offer of redeployment until we have had one to one discussions with every individual member of staff, to understand their personal circumstances.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many clients have been dealt with at the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank in each of the last five years. [56739]
Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many clients have been dealt with at the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank in each of the last five years. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Clydebank Contact Centre is part of the virtual network within Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre Directorate. Within this network, calls are directed to the next available advisor with the appropriate skills to answer customers' enquiries. This means that Clydebank Contact Centre deals with calls from all over the UK, rather than just the local area. Therefore, there should be no impact on client services within the area.
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Clydebank Contact Centre made:
807,493 customer contacts in 2006/2007;
785,062 customer contacts in 2007/2008;
860,855 customer contacts in 2008/2009;
552,908 customer contacts in 2009/2010; and
519,866 customer contacts in 2010/2011.
The term ‘customer contact’ covers all customers and employers who contact us via the telephone, fax and online, and all outbound calls to customers.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff were employed at the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank in each of the last six years. [56740]
Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many staff were employed at the Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre in Clydebank in each of the last six years. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Clydebank Contact Centre had a headcount of:
140 staff (126.37 whole time equivalent) in March 2007;
132 staff (119.34 whole time equivalent) in March 2008;
152 staff (141.12 whole time equivalent) in March 2009;
196 staff (181.41 whole time equivalent) in March 2010, and
133 staff (117.66 whole time equivalent) in March 2011.
We do not hold any data for March 2006. Our staffing data system only became available in March 2007. Prior to this date we are unable to analyse and interpret the data sufficiently to get accurate information.
Jobcentre Plus: Scotland
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has to transfer services from Jobcentre Plus contact centres and benefit centres in Scotland to other areas of the UK. [56741]
Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what plans his Department has to transfer services from Jobcentre Plus Contact Centres and benefit centres in Scotland to other areas of the UK. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Clydebank Contact Centre is part of the virtual network within Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre Directorate. Within this network, calls are directed to the next available advisor with the appropriate skills to answer customers' enquiries. Therefore the transfer of services will occur via the virtual network.
Internally Jobcentre Plus is currently developing site by site plans for the movement of benefit work from the sites affected by our site rationalisation plans that were announced on 13th May. As yet, no decisions have been made on work movements, either within Scotland, or to other areas of the UK.
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Jobseeker’s Allowance: Work Experience
Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will bring forward proposals to enable people who take up internships to claim jobseeker's allowance. [56416]
Chris Grayling: People undertaking an unpaid internship can already receive jobseeker's allowance as long as they can continue to meet the conditions of entitlement. The duration and content of the internship must be agreed between the customer, the employer and the Jobcentre Plus adviser before the start of the internship. People undertaking paid internships over 16 hours a week are not entitled to jobseeker’s allowance.
In addition, under a new scheme that I announced in January, young people will also be allowed to undertake work experience for up to eight weeks while remaining on jobseeker’s allowance, instead of the previous two. This gives young people the chance to get valuable experience in a business, which will make a real difference to their confidence, their employability and their prospects.
Mortgages: Government Assistance
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of recipients of disability living allowance who receive more support for mortgage interest support each year than the cost of their mortgage in the last year for which figures are available; and what the average monetary value was of such excess support. [56806]
Steve Webb: We do not have information on the contractual mortgage interest rates that apply to specific individuals or groups within the support for mortgage interest caseload, so cannot give the number of recipients of disability living allowance who receive more support for mortgage interest support each year than the cost of their mortgage.
There is no business need for the Department to collect information on claimants' contractual interest rates because we use a standard rate of interest to calculate support for mortgage interest.
National Insurance Contributions
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will estimate the change in the level of national insurance payments made by (a) employers and (b) employees in respect of employees who are members of contracted-out pension schemes in each year to 2030 (i) under current proposals and (ii) under an accelerated timetable for achieving a flat-rate state second pension by 2020; [57272]
(2) if he will estimate the level of national insurance payments which will be foregone from (a) employer and (b) employee contributions through the contracting-out regime in each year to 2030 (i) under existing arrangements and (ii) under an accelerated timetable for achieving a flat-rate state second pension by 2020. [57273]
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Steve Webb: The following table contains forecasts of the total value of the contracted-out rebate on (a) employer and (b) employee national insurance contributions paid on the earnings of contracted-out employees. Forecasts are presented under (i) the current arrangements, and (ii) an accelerated timetable for flat-rating the state second pension.
Forecasts are only available until 2015-16. The Office for Budget Responsibility will be publishing a report on long-term expenditure in July, which will be based on new long-term economic forecasts. Forecasts of the contracted-out rebate up to 2030-31 will then be available.
Under the accelerated timetable for flat-rating the state second pension, we assume that the upper accrual point is gradually reduced to the level of the low earnings threshold, beginning in 2013-14 and ending in 2020-21 with a completely flat-rate pension.
Forecasts are not available for total national insurance contributions paid on the earnings of contracted-out employees.
Figures are in £ billion in cash terms, and are for the UK.
| Forecasts of the total value of the contracted-out rebate to 2015/16 under: (i) existing arrangements; and (ii) an accelerated timetable for flat-rating the state second pension—United Kingdom, £ billion cash terms | |||||
| Contracted-out rebate, £ billion cash terms | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 |
| Notes: 1. Figures are presented in £ billions and are rounded to the nearest £0.1 billion. 2. Forecasts assume rebate rates for contracted-out defined benefit scheme members of 1.4% on employee contributions and 3.4 per cent on employer contributions from 2012-13 onwards. These are the rates that have been set by the Government for the period 2012-13 to 2016-17. See The Social Security (Reduced Rates of Class 1 Contributions, Rebates and Minimum Contributions) Order 2011, available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1036/contents/made 3. Contracting out on a defined contribution basis is to be abolished from 2012-13 onwards. 4. Forecasts are based on Government Actuary's Department assumptions about future contracted-out defined benefit scheme membership. 5. Options for reform of the state pension system are put forward in: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2011/state-pension-21st-century.shtml Source: DWP, forecasts produced using the Government Actuary's Department's national insurance contribution forecasting model | |||||
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New Enterprise Allowance
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 12 May 2011, Official Report, columns 1291-2W, on enterprise zones, how many responses his Department has received from local entrepreneur mentors to his invitation to deliver the mentor support element of the new enterprise allowance. [56786]
Chris Grayling: The deadline for applications to help deliver the mentoring support element of the new enterprise allowance in Wales closed on 12 May. We are now in the process of assessing the applications received. Details of the successful applicants will be published on the new enterprise allowance page of the Department's website in due course.
New Enterprise Allowance: Wales
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has allocated to the establishment of the New Enterprise Allowance in Wales. [56724]
Chris Grayling: Funding for the new enterprise allowance in Wales, as elsewhere, will be dependent upon the numbers of customers who take-up the new enterprise allowance including those referred to the mentoring service, claiming the weekly allowance and successfully applying for the loan. There is not therefore a fixed proportion of money allocated to the operation of the NEA, but we would expect expenditure to be broadly in line with the proportion of eligible JSA claimants in Wales.
Pensioners: Benefits
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of paying means-tested benefits to pensioners in each year to 2030; and what the equivalent figures would be if the basic state pension were raised to £140 in 2011 and then uprated in line with current proposals each year. [57271]
Steve Webb: The following tables show estimates of expenditure on the pensioner means-tested benefits until 2015-16; the first table is in nominal terms, the second in 2011-12 prices. The Office for Budget Responsibility will be publishing a report on long-term expenditure in July, which will cover the period up to 2030.
| Expenditure £ million nominal terms | ||||||
| Estimate | Forecast | |||||
|
|
2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 |
|
Council tax benefit total over pension credit qualifying age |
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In relation to the second part of the question, the Government are currently consulting on proposals for state pension reform. The consultation document seeks views on the appropriate level of means-tested benefits for future pensioners.
Pensioners: British Nationals Abroad
Mr Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department takes to protect the pension rights of UK citizens who have lived in, but not worked in, other EU countries. [56657]
Chris Grayling: An individual's entitlement to retirement pension is based on the national insurance contributions (NICs) they have paid throughout their working life. Recipients need to have paid a full contribution record ranging from 30 to 44 full years of NICs, depending on their gender and date of birth.
If a person has lived in another EU country, but not worked or contributed towards a state retirement pension they may not have built up any entitlement there. In addition, they may not have achieved a full contribution record for a UK retirement pension. However, the rights they have already acquired in the UK will be preserved, and in due course they are entitled to receive the proportion of the retirement pension they have accrued even if they are not resident in the UK. In those circumstances they can increase their UK contribution record, if they wish to do so, by purchasing additional years of contributions in order to receive the maximum state retirement pension.
Additional protection is available to some UK citizens who live abroad and who notify HMRC. If they are over 35-years-old and do not already have 30 qualifying contribution years, they will be issued with deficiency notices advising them that they can pay voluntary NICs to make the year a qualifying year. A comprehensive explanation about voluntary NICs, and the conditions attached to payment from abroad, is available on HMRC's website:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/osc.htm
Poverty: Children
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the level of child poverty in (a) the London borough of Bexley and (b) London. [57355]
Maria Miller: Estimates of the number and proportion of children living in poverty are published in the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. HBAI uses household income adjusted (or 'equivalised') for household size and composition, to provide a proxy for standard of living.
As they are based on survey data, child poverty estimates published in HBAI only allow breakdowns to Government Office Region and analysis by local authority (LA) is not possible. However, figures for London are set out in Table 1. The latest available Government Office Region data covers 2007/08 to 2009/10.
| Table 1: Number and percentage of children living in relative poverty before housing costs (BHC) in London | |
|
|
2007 - 08 to 2009 - 10 |
| Notes: 1. These statistics are based on households below average income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 3. The reference period for households below average income figures are single financial years. Three survey years have been combined as regional single year estimates are subject to volatility. 4. Numbers of children in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest 100,000, while proportions have been rounded to the nearest percentage point. 5. These statistics are based on incomes before housing costs. 6. Relative poverty is defined as children living in households with less than 60% of contemporary median household income. 7. These statistics are publicly available in the households below average income report on the DWP website: http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=hbai Source: Households below average income, DWP | |
Social Security Benefits
Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households subject to the household benefit cap he expects will have (a) one and (b) more than one household member in work at the point at which the cap is introduced. [56486]
Chris Grayling: We have announced that when the benefit cap is introduced all households which include a member who is entitled to working tax credit will be exempt from its impact.
The estimated number of households affected by the introduction of the benefit cap where (a) one and (b)
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more than one household member is working but for insufficient hours to qualify for working tax credit is negligible.
Analysis of the benefit cap is based on a very small sample using survey data, therefore, any assessment of those households affected by the benefit cap is subject to uncertainty.
State Retirement Pensions
Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department has carried out an equalities impact assessment on the proposals to accelerate the timetable for the increase in the state pension age. [57387]
Steve Webb: The White Paper “A sustainable State Pension: when the State Pension age will increase to 66”, published in November 2010, contains an equality impact assessment of the proposed changes to the state pension age. The impact assessment has subsequently been republished twice, on the introduction of the Pensions Bill in the Lords and in the Commons. A copy of the latest version has been placed in the Library.
Winter Fuel Payments: Expenditure
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to publish information on expenditure on winter fuel payments for 2010-11. [57173]
Steve Webb: Winter fuel payments outturn expenditure for 2010-11 will be published in the Department' for Work and Pensions resource accounts publication on the 18 July 2011.
Cabinet Office
Departmental Co-ordination
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent steps he has taken to develop more efficient and co-ordinated working practices across Government Departments. [57084]
Mr Maude [holding answer 23 May 2011]:The Efficiency and Reform Group has been set up to create a new corporate centre to drive reform and co-ordinate actions across Departments. It is introducing a more unified approach to common processes across Government in order to deliver a step change in efficiency in areas such as civil service HR, ICT, commercial and procurement, estates and other support functions.
Recently, for example, it has published the Government's ICT strategy, which will deliver better public services for less cost. A common ICT infrastructure will allow for the sharing and re-use of our ICT assets across organisational boundaries. This will save millions by reducing duplication and waste, and improve the way we deliver and use ICT. Our new centralised procurement model will reform how Government buys common goods and services, through centrally managing the procurement of certain categories of spend such as energy, office solutions and travel. ERG has implemented controls on Government spending, requiring central approval for
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certain categories of spend to ensure a co-ordinated approach across Departments and to prevent non-essential expenditure.
ERG has already been effective in supporting Departments to achieve savings, which are expected to have reached over £3 billion in 2010-11.
Electoral Register
Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the difference was in the number of registered electors in each constituency between 2009 and 2010; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for any differences. [57192]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply to the hon. Member. A copy of their response will be placed in the Library.
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 what the difference was in the number of registered electors in each constituency between 2009 and 2010; and what assessment has been made of the reasons for any differences (57192).
Table 1 shows the difference in the number of registered parliamentary electors between 2009 and 2010 for each parliamentary constituency in the UK.
The Government has not made an assessment of the reasons for the difference in registered electors in individual constituencies. However, the Electoral Commission will be conducting research on the completeness and accuracy of electoral registers as part of the introduction of individual electoral registration.