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Written Answers to Questions
Friday 17 June 2011
Attorney-General
Departmental Regulation
Gordon Banks: To ask the Attorney-General (1) what the name is of each regulatory measure revoked by the Law Officers' Departments between 1 March and 31 May 2011; and what estimate he has made of the potential annual saving to those affected by each revocation; [60488]
(2) what regulations the Law Officers' Departments introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011; and what the estimated costs of implementation were for those affected in each case. [60395]
The Solicitor-General: The Law Officers' Departments have not revoked or introduced any regulations during 2011.
EU Law
Julian Smith: To ask the Attorney-General for what European directives in force on 1 April 2010 his Departments are responsible; and what European directives for which his Departments are responsible have come into force since 1 April 2010. [60683]
The Solicitor-General: The Law Officers' Departments have no responsibility for any EU Directives.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Arms Trade: Libya
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what licences have been granted for the export of weapons or military hardware to Libya since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [59424]
Mr Prisk: This information is published in the Annual and Quarterly Reports on Strategic Export Controls. These reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or revoked, by destination, including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. They are available to view on the Strategic Export Controls: Reports and Statistics website at:
https://www.exportcontroldb.berr.gov.uk/eng/fox
Currently this includes information up to 31 December 2010. Information covering 1 January 2011 to 31 March will be published in July this year.
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Banks: Regulation
Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, columns 217-8W, on banks: regulation, what options for further action he has considered in relation to banks that fail to meet lending targets as set out by Project Merlin. [59801]
Mr Prisk: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear before the Commons Liaison Committee on 17 May, and as the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable) said again before the BIS Select Committee on 8 June, the first step should be to try to make Project Merlin work in the way that was intended. Although these are early days, we want to see significant improvement over the next few months. We will monitor the banks' performance extremely closely and, in particular, look at the issue of discouraged demand.
If the banks fail to meet their side of the agreement we reserve the right to revisit our side of the agreement, including with regard to new levies on profits and bonuses.
In the meantime, we will continue to put pressure on the banks to improve relationships with their small business customers starting with exploring options to push for greater transparency on how they assess and price risks.
I have also written to the banks to ask them to outline precisely how the incentives for their senior managers are linked to small and medium enterprise lending.
Business: Billing
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department has taken to strengthen the Prompt Payment Code. [58354]
Mr Prisk: The Prompt Payment Code is a voluntary code developed and managed by the Institute of Credit Management (ICM). We encourage all public sector bodies and private sector businesses to become signatories to the code.
Government believe that it is important that the public sector sets a strong example. So central Government Departments now aim to pay 80% of undisputed invoices within five days. To ensure the benefits of prompt payment to main contractors are felt through the supply chain and benefit smaller businesses, all Departments have included a clause in their contracts that requires main contractors to pay their suppliers within 30 days.
The wider public sector is also performing better than ever before. The Forum of Private Business surveyed all UK local authorities and reported that the average payment time is 18 days in England and that 42% of invoices are now being paid within 10 days.
The full list of signatories to the code can be found on the Institute of Credit Management website at:
http://www.promptpaymentcode.org.uk/
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Business: Industrial Health and Safety
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the merits of (a) requiring low-risk and high-risk business to meet different levels of health and safety regulation and (b) tailoring legislation and enforcement to the risk level of the work place; and if he will make a statement. [58870]
Mr Prisk: Businesses in the same sector and often of similar sizes are normally subject to the same baseline standards of regulation regardless of the risk they might pose. This is because most regulatory requirements are of general application, which means that they apply to their addressees equally. This is necessary to ensure consistency and a level-playing field across the regulatory landscape.
However, while similar businesses may be required to meet the same levels of regulation, the enforcement of the regulation may, and should, be varied according to risk. The Regulators' Compliance Code (issued under the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006) gives statutory effect to these principles. The Code requires regulators to ensure that all aspects of their regulatory activity are informed by risk.
The Government agrees that legislation and enforcement should reflect levels of risk and how well these are controlled. To that end, we have commissioned an independent review of health and safety legislation, led by Professor Lofstedt. We plan to reform Britain's health and safety system and ensure we reduce unnecessary burdens on business while maintaining standards of protection.
The following support the drive to reduce burdens:
In March 2010, the Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling), announced that leading risk management specialist Professor Ragnar E Lofstedt would chair a review of all health and safety regulation, with a view to simplifying the rules and easing the unnecessary burdens on business. The review is due to report in the autumn.
We continue to simplify legislation and provide better targeted guidance for businesses so that they do not waste time on unnecessary bureaucracy. Example risk assessments for low risk workplaces are published on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website at:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/casestudies/index.htm
and HSE has just completed its public consultation on amending the law to reduce the number of ‘lost-time' accident reports businesses need to make—see the following website:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2011/hse-riddor.htm
Inspection and investigation activities are targeted at those who create the most serious risks. HSE has no plans to proactively inspect low risk workplaces which would be counter to the principles of proportionate enforcement—see HSE's Enforcement Policy Statement at the following website:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse41.pdf
Construction: Contracts
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations he has received on (a) payment terms and (b) payment periods imposed on sub-contractors by contractors in the construction industry. [58819]
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Mr Prisk: The Department has received a number of representations on payment terms and payment periods from firms in the construction industry. Typically these raise the following issues:
Main contractors not paying subcontractors for lengthy periods, up to 120 days;
Main contractors withholding retentions from subcontractors;
Main contractors reducing the contractually agreed price of work done by up to 25% on completion;
Main contractors not paying subcontractors at all.
Electronic Commerce
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department provides to UK firms seeking to improve their internet marketing. [58353]
Mr Prisk: The Government's online channel to all businesses providing information and advice, and information on internet marketing, is available through:
www.businesslink.gov.uk
This includes information on how to develop and generate information from an e-marketing plan, search engine optimisation and how to measure online marketing activity.
Environmental Protection
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had to discuss the green economy roadmap since January 2011; and who was present at each such meeting. [56529]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 19 May 2011]: The Roadmap to a Green Economy was discussed at a formal meeting of the Green Economy Council on 16 February. The meeting was attended by the following:
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills; Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change; Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Minister of State for Business and Enterprise; Lord Henley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Tom Crotty, Ineos; Joe Greenwell, Ford; Stephen Leonard, IBM; Andy Reynolds-Smith, GKN; Dan Labbad, and EMEA Lease; Heidi Mottram OBE, Northumbrian Water; Ian Goodfellow, Shanks Plc; Neil Bentley, CBI; Frances O'Grady, TUC; Paul Noon, Prospect; Ian Goldsmith, Tata Steel; Nick Bunker, Kraft; David Frost CBE, British Chambers of Commerce; Peter Young, Aldersgate Group; Neil Schofield, Bosch; Dr Mark Lawson-Statham, Intelligent Energy; Shaun Mays, Climate Change Capital; Mike Rolls, Siemens; Phil Bentley, Centrica; and officials from the three Departments.
Officials from BIS, DECC and DEFRA have held meetings with a range of stakeholders to gather evidence and views to feed into the Roadmap.
Environmental Protection: Liverpool
Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he has taken to encourage the growth of the green economy in the Liverpool city region. [58159]
Mr Prisk: The Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has identified the low carbon economy as one of its four key priorities and will work with Government on business opportunities. Liverpool will also be eligible to apply for the establishment of a new Technology and Innovation Centre focusing on offshore renewable energy in a national competition.
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The BIS LEP Capacity Fund has awarded the LEP £45,000 to help aid local partners in identifying the actions needed to drive their priorities forward and to better understand their business environment.
The Regional Growth Fund has allocated a project to stimulate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) growth in Liverpool through media advocacy to the Liverpool Echo. Grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 will be distributed to SMEs (including those in the Low Carbon Economy) together with coaching and mentoring.
In addition, 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.
EU Law
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent meetings he has had with (a) the European Commission and (b) his EU counterparts on the level of EU regulation. [60731]
Mr Davey: I frequently meet with both European Commission Members and my EU counterparts on a wide range of issues, including to press the case for reducing EU burdens on business. The most recent occasion was at the Competitiveness Council on 30 May, which agreed to reduce the regulatory burden on micro-entities by exempting them from certain accounting rules.
Executives: Females
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent progress he has made in implementing the recommendations of the report of Lord Davies on women on boards. [60730]
Mr Davey: Implementation has started across the body of Lord Davies of Abersoch's recommendations aimed at increasing the number of women reaching the boardrooms of UK plc, the majority of which are directed at industry.
The executive search community have joined forces to develop a voluntary code of conduct for the sector to abide by and the Financial Reporting Council is currently consulting on changes to the Corporate Governance Code.
The Department for Business will be consulting on greater disclosure in respect of women on boards as part of its work to strengthen narrative reporting. In addition, company chairmen will be encouraged to sign a charter supporting Lord Davies' recommendations.
In October Lord Davies will reconvene his steering board to assess the progress to date and a six monthly progress report will be produced.
Iron and Steel: Industry
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his Department's policy is on support for the steel pipe industry; and if he will make a statement. [59535]
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Mr Prisk: We recognise the vital role that the UK steel pipe industry plays in the supply chain in the UK, supplying steel to a range of key industries which underpin many parts of manufacturing. High technology industries like oil, gas and chemicals require high value continually improving steel pipe products.
We work closely with the steel industry, including the steel pipe sector, to minimise unnecessary regulatory burdens by involving the sector in discussions on regulatory policy and other issues that impact on them, for example on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, energy costs and supply, climate change and environmental protection. Our aim is to avoid unintended consequences and harness the sector's many creative ideas for alternative, lighter touch approaches.
Any Government support for the steel pipe industry needs to meet the requirements in the EC state aid rules which only permit support for research and development (R and D), environmental protection and training within specified limits.
For example, the steel pipe industry has opportunities to participate in collaborative R and D projects funded by the Technology Strategy Board and the EU Research Fund for Coal and Steel.
In addition, UK Trade and Investment has an ongoing and active programme of support for the UK manufacturing sector, including the steel industry, in partnership with numerous stakeholders. This includes organising UK groups at overseas trade shows, leading targeted trade missions and bringing potential buyers and decision-makers to the UK to see our manufacturing capability first-hand.
Manufacturing Advisory Service: West Midlands
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for future funding of the manufacturing advisory service, west midlands, following the closure of advantage west midlands. [58367]
Mr Prisk: Following the closure of the regional development agencies network from March 2012, the delivery of the manufacturing advisory service (MAS) will be undertaken by a single national provider and is fully funded through to the end of this Parliament.
Motor Vehicles: Industry
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his Department's policy is on support for the motor industry; and if he will make a statement. [59315]
Mr Prisk: We have adopted a positive, proactive approach and are working closely with key UK auto companies through the Automotive Council to stimulate new technologies and build stronger supply chains. Automobile manufacturers are bringing production and supply chain contracts back to the UK as evidenced by the recent announcements of new investments by Nissan and BMW. We are determined to help the industry succeed, for example, by setting up the High Value Manufacturing Technology and Innovation Centre, expanding the number of apprenticeships and reducing our rates of corporate tax.
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One North East: Assets
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the opportunity costs of the sale on the open market of the assets held by One North East; and if he will make a statement. [59638]
Mr Prisk: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 431W.
Railways: East Midlands
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what assessment he has made of the importance of the rail technology industry to (a) the east midlands and (b) Derby; [58771]
(2) what assessment he has made of the (a) industrial, (b) economic and (c) social impact on (i) the east midlands and (ii) Derby of (A) a contraction and (B) an expansion in the rail technology industry. [58772]
Mr Prisk: We have made no such assessments. However, information on the capability of the rail supply chain and the enablers and barriers to the efficient operation of that supply chain was submitted to the Sir Roy McNulty review examining value-for-money in the railway industry. The McNulty report entitled “Realising the Potential of GB Rail” was published on 19 May and includes a range of recommendations to improve value for money in the rail industry including with regard to supply chain management. The Government are now considering how the recommendations will feed into wider proposals for reform of the rail industry before the end of the year.
In addition, the east midlands development agency, and the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chambers, supported a report—“Planes, trains and automobiles”—commissioned by Derby city council and published in December 2009 that looked at the importance of these sectors to the region.
Trade Promotion
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information on foreign markets his Department provides to UK companies. [58352]
Mr Prisk: UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Government Department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy.
UKTI provides expert trade advice and practical support to UK-based companies wishing to access overseas markets. Support includes market specific information and is provided in the UK and in-market through UKTI's extensive network of specialists in the UK and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world.
Specific services include market research, details of overseas business opportunities, participation in trade missions and seminars, opportunities to exhibit at key trade events and access to major buyers, governments and specific supply chains in overseas markets.
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The UKTI website gives initial access to information on UKTI services, including how to contact a local international trade adviser or country-specific contact:
www.ukti.gov.uk
Cabinet Office
Departmental Regulation
Gordon Banks: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what regulations his Department introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011; and what the estimated costs of implementation were for those affected in each case. [60396]
Mr Maude: No regulations were introduced by the Cabinet Office during the period between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the name is of each regulatory measure revoked by his Department between 1 March and 31 May 2011; and what estimate he has made of the potential annual saving to those affected by each revocation. [60501]
Mr Maude: No regulatory measures were revoked by the Cabinet Office during the period between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011.
Emergencies
Mr Bone: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent assessment he has made of the Government's preparedness for civil emergencies. [59936]
Mr Maude: Departments are responsible for ensuring that they and their sponsored sectors have robust contingency plans in place to respond to civil emergencies. The Civil Contingencies Secretariat works closely with them providing support and assistance as necessary. Where gaps are identified, resources are directed to address them on a risk assessed basis. I believe that these arrangements provide a sound basis for emergency preparedness and response within central Government. This has been demonstrated in effective central Government response to a number of recent civil emergencies.
Energy: Prices
Mr Weir: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will request the Office for National Statistics to prepare and publish an index of domestic prices (a) in total and (b) separately for (i) gas and (ii) electricity for each year since 2007. [60407]
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 16 June 2011 :
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if the ONS could produce an overall index for domestic prices and also separate indices for gas and electricity for every year since 2007 [PQ60407].
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ONS produces two main measures of consumer inflation, the consumer prices index (CPI) and the retail prices index (RPI). The CPI measures inflation for the UK as a whole whilst the RPI inflation measure covers the vast majority of the UK household sector. The information requested on both bases is given below.
| Table 1: CPI and RPI: annual inflation rates for all items, gas and electricity | ||||||
| CPI | RPI | |||||
|
|
Total | Gas | Electricity | Total | Gas | Electricity |
You may be interested to know that these data are updated every month and along with further details about the CPI and RPI can be found at:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk==868
Government Departments: Disciplinary Proceedings
Caroline Flint: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions the Cabinet Secretary has exercised his responsibilities in respect of Civil Service staff disciplinary matters since May 2010. [60428]
Mr Maude: For reasons of confidentiality and trust between an employer and its employees, it would not be appropriate to comment on whether or not the Cabinet Secretary has exercised his responsibilities in respect of civil service staff disciplinary matters.
Pay
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the pay gap between women and men in the (a) public and (b) private sector in (i) Wales, (ii) England and (iii) Northern Ireland. [60640]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate has been made of the pay gap between women and men in the (a) public and (b) private sector in (i) Wales, (ii) England and (iii) Northern Ireland. [60640].
ONS's estimates of gender pay gap are based on median hourly earnings excluding overtime and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. The median is the value below which 50 per cent of employees fall. It is ONS's preferred measure of average earnings as it is less affected by a relatively small number of very high earners and the skewed distribution of earnings. It therefore gives a better indication of typical earnings than the mean.
The table presents the information requested on this basis for April 2010, the latest period for which figures are available.
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| Gender pay gap for employee jobs (1) in the public and private sector for Wales, England and Northern Ireland, 2010 | |||
| Percentage pay difference (women/men) | |||
|
|
Full-time | Part-time | All |
| (1 )Median hourly earnings excluding overtime. Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. As at April 2010. 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% * CV of male part-time hourly pay excluding overtime >5% and <=10% ** CV of male part-time hourly pay excluding overtime >10% and <=20%. Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics. | |||
Public Sector: Manpower
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of public sector jobs in (a) Wales, (b) England and (c) Northern Ireland were held by (i) women and (ii) men on the most recent date for which figures are available. [60639]
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 June 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what percentage of public sector jobs in (a) Wales, (b) England and (c) Northern Ireland were held by (i) women and (ii) men on the most recent date for which figures are available. (060639)
Public sector employment statistics for local areas by gender can be calculated from the Annual Population Survey (APS). Table 1 provides the information requested for the most recent APS period, October 2009 to September 2010.
| Table 1: Percentage of public sector jobs in Wales, England and Northern Ireland, held by males and females. October 2009-September 2010 | ||
| Proportions (percentage) | ||
|
|
Male | Female |
| Source: Annual Population Survey | ||
As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
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Communities and Local Government
Crown Relocations
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many contracts his Department holds with Crown Relocations; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value of each such contract is. [58649]
Robert Neill: The Department holds no contracts with Crown Relocations.
Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on how many occasions he has intervened in staff disciplinary matters in his Department since May 2010. [56224]
Robert Neill: None. Staff discipline in the Department is a matter for officials, in line with departmental procedures and the terms of the staff handbook.
Departmental Legal Costs
Mr Raynsford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department spent on external legal advice in (a) February, (b) March, (c) April and (d) May 2011. [59339]
Robert Neill: Details of all expenditure over £500 are published, each month, on the Department's website. Information regarding February, March and April 2011 may be viewed via the following links. The information for May 2011 has yet to be published. It is likely this will be available during July 2011. Please note that legal advice is coded under "Legal Consultancy" and "Legal Fees".
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/spendingdataapr11
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/spendingdatamar11
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/spendingdatafeb11
As I indicated in a previous answer to the right hon. Member, this compares to a comparable spend of £4.8 million in 2009-10.
Departmental Travel
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department has spent on ministerial travel by (a) ministerial car, (b) train, (c) bus, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private aircraft since May 2010. [50221]
Robert Neill:
The amounts are as follows (for the period May 2010 to March 2011): ministerial car, £277,690; train, £8,060; and commercial aircraft, £1,109 (including fees and taxes). A further £431 was spent on Oyster
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cards which may be used for rail or bus travel. There has been no expenditure on private aircraft.
To provide a comparison, the Department's records show that the following amounts were spent on ministerial travel during the financial year 2009-10: ministerial car, £488,276; train, £18,517(1); commercial aircraft, £4,503(1 )(including fees and taxes). There was no expenditure on private aircraft. Amounts spent on bus travel are not recorded.
Section 10 of the Ministerial Code provides guidance on travel for Ministers and makes clear that Ministers must ensure that they always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.
(1 )This excludes travel made prior to July 2009. The Department changed travel supplier in July 2009 and additional information for the period prior to July 2009 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent on travel in respect of (a) each of his Department's executive agencies and (b) the chief executive of each such agency since May 2010. [56186]
Robert Neill: Between 1 May 2010 and 30 April 2011 the Department's Executive Agencies have spent the following amounts:
| £ | ||
| DCLG's Executive Agencies | (a) travel | (b) Chief executive's travel |
As context, the Department's Executive Agencies spent the following between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010.
| £ | ||
| DCLG's Executive Agencies | (a) travel | (b) Chief executive's travel |
| (1) Data include expenditure on both travel and subsistence as spend on travel alone could be made available only at disproportionate cost. | ||
Direct Access Platforms
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what information his Department holds on the number of days on which direct access platforms are unavailable due to servicing issues; [60607]
(2) how many fire authorities use external servicing for direct access platforms; and what information his Department holds on the costs of such services. [60606]
Robert Neill: My Department does not hold such information centrally. The use and maintenance of equipment is a matter for individual fire and rescue authorities.
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Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding he plans to provide to Manchester City Council to increase the periodicity of refuse collection. [58869]
Robert Neill: As set out in the Waste Review the Government will be working with local councils to increase the frequency and quality of rubbish collections and make it easier to recycle, and to tackle measures which encourage councils specifically to cut the scope of collections.
The Government understand that the public have a reasonable expectation that household waste collection services should be weekly, particularly for smelly waste.
Waste services are a matter for local authorities to develop fit for purpose local solutions. However the Government believe that better procurement and joint working can improve the efficiency of collections while improving the frontline service for the public in an affordable and practical manner.
My Department has already moved to remove Audit Commission guidance and inspections which marked down councils who do not adopt fortnightly rubbish collections; and to abolish local area agreements imposed by Whitehall which created perverse incentives to downgrade waste collection services.
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The Government will also work to monitor service levels to understand whether and how they are changing, keeping the quality, affordability and frequency of household waste collections under review.
We will also be examining the scope for financial incentives to support weekly collections in all their forms.
Fire Services
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to support fire authorities in reducing the time fire stations are off the run. [60412]
Robert Neill: The operational running and maintenance of fire stations are a matter for individual fire and rescue authorities under Integrated Risk Management Planning.
Fire Services: Emergency Calls
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) genuine and (b) malicious fire emergency calls have been received in London in each year since 2004. [59482]
Robert Neill: The numbers of genuine and malicious fire emergency calls received by London Fire Brigade in each year since 2004 are shown in the table.
| Total emergency calls and malicious false alarms calls to London Fire Brigade 2004-05 (1 ) to 2009-10 | ||||||
|
|
2004-05 (1) | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
| (1) Data for malicious/other emergency calls not held centrally prior to 2005-06. Source: London Fire Brigade. | ||||||
Government Procurement Card
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether Ministers in his Department have been authorised to spend money via Government Procurement Cards since the introduction of the facility. [59216]
Robert Neill: Ministers are accountable for all expenditure by the Department.
No Ministers in the Department hold Government Procurement Cards. Ministerial private offices retain a small number of cards for expenditure in connection with official business.
My Department is committed to greater transparency over the use of the Government Procurement Card than under the last administration, and has strengthened checks and balances to ensure protection of taxpayers' money.
IBM
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many contracts his Department holds with IBM; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value of each such contract is. [58695]
Robert Neill: The Department holds no contracts with IBM.
Land: Peterborough
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what sites in (a) Peterborough and (b) North West Cambridgeshire constituency will be included in the Home and Communities Agency's development and land disposal strategy; and if he will make a statement. [59649]
Grant Shapps: The Homes and Communities Agency's land disposal strategy sets out the principles that will be applied when disposing of any assets held by the Agency. A full list of those assets is available on the Agency's website including any sites owned in Peterborough and the local authority areas that fall within the North West Cambridgeshire constituency.
http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/land-and-property-assets
Leasehold: Peverel Group
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the potential effect on regulations governing leasehold of the entry into administration of the Peverel Group. [58834]
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Andrew Stunell: I cannot comment on the situation regarding the Peverel Group and the holding companies that have been placed into administration. The entry of any company into administration does not affect the legislation governing the sector.
Residents' service charges should not be at risk in such situations as they are deemed by law to be held in trust and should not be used to pay creditors.
Companies in the Peverel Group which belong either to the Association of Residential Managing Agents or the Association of Retirement Housing Managers are required to adhere to the two Codes of Management Practice approved by the Secretary of State.
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Planning Permission: Appeals
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning appeals have been submitted because of non-determination by each local planning authority in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) England in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [59095]
Robert Neill [holding answer 10 June 2011]:The following table shows the numbers of appeals submitted because of non-determination by all planning authorities as a total in England and individually by each planning authority in Gloucestershire in each of the last five financial years.
| Appeals submitted because of non-determination | |||||||
| Period | England | Cheltenham | Cotswold | Forest of Dean | Gloucester | Stroud | Tewkesbury |
| (1) This figure includes 24 separate appeals relating to the removal of conditions attached to an outline planning permission granted in the previous year. | |||||||
Serco
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many contracts his Department holds with SERCO; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value of each such contract is. [58658]
Robert Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government holds a contract with Serco for the IT system and for the operational and support services of the development, implementation and maintenance of the Homeowners Mortgage Support scheme. The contract was for two years and is due to finish at the end of June 2011. The costs to this date are approximately £588,376 (excluding VAT).
Travellers: Planning Permission
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to ensure that Traveller and Gypsy groups do not receive preferential treatment in securing planning permission for the retrospective construction of residential dwellings in open countryside. [60465]
Robert Neill: The Government wants to see fair play in the planning system with everyone being treated equally and even-handedly. It is important that local authorities plan for the needs of their communities, including Travellers, but we will not tolerate abuse of the planning system by anyone. The Localism Bill sets out proposals to limit the opportunities for retrospective planning applications, in relation to any form of unauthorised development.
We are currently consulting on changes to planning policy on Travellers which proposes to increase protection of green belt and the open countryside.
We have also brought forward a number of measures in the Localism Bill that strengthen the powers that local authorities have to enforce against breaches of planning control.
Waste Disposal: Finance
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has any plans to provide additional funding as part of (a) the 2011-12 local government financial settlement and (b) future local government financial settlements to assist with costs of refuse collection and disposal. [59806]
Robert Neill: As set out in the Waste Review the Government will be working with local councils to increase the frequency and quality of rubbish collections and make it easier to recycle, and to tackle measures which encourage councils specifically to cut the scope of collections.
The Government understand that the public have a reasonable expectation that household waste collections services should be weekly, particularly for smelly waste.
Waste services are a matter for local authorities to develop fit for purpose local solutions. However the Government believe that better procurement and joint working can improve the efficiency of collections while improving the frontline service for the public in an affordable and practical manner.
My Department has already moved to remove Audit Commission guidance and inspections which marked down councils who do not adopt fortnightly rubbish collections; and to abolish local area agreements imposed by Whitehall which created perverse incentives to downgrade waste collection services.
The Government will also work to monitor service levels to understand whether and how they are changing, keeping the quality, affordability and frequency of household waste collections under review.
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We will also be examining the scope for financial incentives to support weekly collections in all their forms.
Culture, Media and Sport
Broadband
Mr Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) when he plans to announce the allocation of funds for broadband projects in Scotland; and if he will make a statement; [59842]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effects of the implementation of his proposals for the provision of high speed broadband on the growth of rural enterprises; [59843]
(3) what recent discussions he has had with (a) Members of the Scottish Parliament and (b) Broadband Delivery UK on the process of devolving responsibility for high speed broadband provision; and if he will make a statement; [59844]
(4) what steps his Department plans to take in relation to local authorities who do not meet targets for the provision of high speed broadband by 2015; and if he will make a statement; [59845]
(5) what steps his Department plans to take to ensure universal access to high speed broadband. [59846]
Mr Vaizey: As I said on 27 May when announcing the locations of the next wave of projects to receive Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) funding, I intend to announce allocations for all three devolved administrations and English county councils in the near future. My officials are working with the Scottish Government and the other devolved administrations on their broadband plans. I have not had any recent discussions on broadband with Members of the Scottish Parliament.
The impact of broadband on business growth is well documented in publicly available studies. I have not made any new assessment of the impact of broadband on growth of rural enterprises.
We will be working with the Scottish Government and the other devolved administrations, as well as English county councils and other local authorities, to ensure that their local broadband plans are capable of meeting our ambition of having 90% of the population with access to superfast broadband in every local area with the rest having access to a service of at least 2 Mbps by 2015. The devolved administrations and English local authorities are showing a high degree of interest in broadband rollout.
The Government's broadband strategy was published in December 2010 in a document entitled “Britain's Superfast Broadband Future”, which can be accessed on the broadband pages of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website:
www.culture.gov.uk
This sets out the policy and regulatory interventions planned which are aimed at facilitating private sector rollout of broadband networks in addition to outlining
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the approach we are taking to using the £530 million of public funds available to support broadband rollout up to 2015.
Broadcasting Programmes: Urban Areas
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether Ofcom provides guidance to broadcasters on the depiction of specific cities. [59526]
Mr Vaizey: The matter raised is an operational one for the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, my officials spoke to Ofcom, who advised:
Ofcom issues no specific guidance on how cities should be depicted. However, the Fairness provisions of Ofcom's Broadcasting Code contain practices that broadcasters should follow when dealing with individuals or organisations participating in or otherwise directly affected by programmes as broadcast. These provisions state that broadcasters must avoid unjust or unfair treatment of individuals or organisations, and this will include cities where appropriate.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what strategic framework his Department has developed for the delivery of its core functions during the comprehensive spending review period. [59733]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: The Department's Business Plan provides the strategic framework for the delivery of its core functions during the spending review period. This can be found at the following link:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/7545.aspx
Progress against the Plan is set out in the Structural Reform Plan monthly updates and the forthcoming Quarterly Data Summary, to be published on the Department's website.
Gambling
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2011, Official Report, columns 349-50W, on gambling, what funding his Department provided for research, education and treatment of problem gambling in each year since 2005; and if he will estimate the level of funding for such activities from industry in each of those years. [58428]
John Penrose: For each of the years between 2006-07 and 2010-11 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) provided grant in aid to the Gambling Commission to be used for gambling research, primarily the British Gambling Prevalence Surveys for 2007 and 2010, but did not fund education and treatment. In 2005-06, when the Gambling Commission took on the responsibilities of its predecessor, the Gaming Board for Great Britain, a small proportion of the grant in aid received from DCMS was spent on gambling research but a detailed breakdown can be provided only at disproportionate cost. The following table sets out the Department's provision for gambling research and industry contributions to research, education and treatment.
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| £ million | ||
|
|
Industry funding (1) | Grant in aid |
| (1) Funding to RIGT (Responsibility in Gambling Trust) and Great (The Great Foundation) for research, education and treatment. (2) Not available. (3) Provisional figure. | ||
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2011, Official Report, column 349W, on gambling, if he will place in the Library a copy of the written representation from the Association of British Bookmakers. [58429]
John Penrose: It is not the Department's usual practice to publish correspondence other than when it is in response to public consultation.
Prisons: Television
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will review the exemption from the television licence fee for prisoners with in-cell televisions. [59435]
Mr Vaizey: There are no plans to review the Crown exemption from the television licensing requirements of the Communications Act 2003. The interpretation and application of the legislation on TV licensing is the responsibility of the BBC.
Public Libraries: Closures
Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with local authorities on the use of surplus books arising from the closure of public libraries. [59690]
Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport has a statutory duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to ensure that public library authorities in England provide a “comprehensive and efficient” library service in accordance with their statutory duties under the 1964 Act. The manner in which the “comprehensive and efficient” library service is managed and delivered, including decisions relating to the use or disposal of surplus stock, is for local authorities to determine. I have had no discussions with local authorities on this issue.
Religious Buildings: East of England
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to support the architectural heritage of ecclesiastical buildings in (a) Peterborough and (b) the East of England; and if he will make a statement. [59500]
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John Penrose: The Government supports the architectural heritage of ecclesiastical buildings in Peterborough and the East of England in a number of ways.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport operates the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme which makes a contribution towards the VAT incurred in making repairs to the listed places of worship of any faith or denomination.
In partnership with the Church Commissioners, the Department funds the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) which cares for the most significant Church of England churches no longer needed for regular worship. In the 2010-11 financial year, CCT spent £97,000 on repairing and maintaining its churches in the Diocese of Peterborough and £500,000 in total on churches in East Anglia.
The running and maintenance of relevant English Heritage and Heritage Lottery Fund schemes are their responsibility. I have therefore asked their chief executives to consider the question raised by the hon. Member for Peterborough and to write to him direct. Copies of their replies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Telecommunications
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) how many hon. Members have contacted his Department in relation to video relay services in the last (a) six and (b) 12 months; [59496]
(2) how many items of correspondence his Department received from hon. Members on video relay services in the last (a) six and (b) 12 months. [59497]
Mr Vaizey: The Department has received approximately 180 items of correspondence on this subject from hon. Members over the last 12 months. Over 95% of these have been received in the last six months.
In addition, there have been seven parliamentary questions tabled by hon. Members regarding video relay services, all within the last six months.
Telecommunications: Hearing Impairment
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what representations he has received from members of the deaf community on relay services in the last 12 months. [59256]
Mr Vaizey: The Department has received approximately 200 items of correspondence on this subject over the last 12 months. Of these, around 180 have been from hon. Members on behalf of constituent members of the deaf community, and 20 have been from members of the public and deaf community directly. I have also met a constituent personally to discuss the issue, and have had meetings with a number of voluntary organisations who are members of the eAccessibility Forum to discuss their concerns around access to relay services for the deaf community in the UK.
Michael Connarty:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Cabinet Office,
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(b)
10 Downing Street
, (c)
the Government Equalities Office,
(d)
the Department for Work and Pensions,
(e)
the Ministry of Justice and
(f)
HM Treasury on access to telecommunications for users of British Sign Language. [59498]
Mr Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has held four EU Framework Implementation workshops over the last 12 months, with officials in (a) Cabinet Office, (c) the Government Equalities Office, (d) the Department for Work and Pensions, (e) the Ministry of Justice and (f) HM Treasury, to discuss the issue of access to telecommunications for users of British Sign Language (BSL) under the UK's implementation of the EU framework review under Article 23a of the universal service directive which states that disabled and older people should have equivalent access to services and products.
The eAccessibility Forum has held four meetings over the last 12 months where the issue of access to telecommunications services for users of British Sign Language (BSL) has been presented and discussed by members from industry and the third sector. These meetings also included the following Departments (a) Cabinet Office, (c) the Government Equalities Office, (d) the Department for Work and Pensions, and (e) the Ministry of Justice. The eAccessibility Forum continues to work with Ofcom to look at Article 23a and what equivalence of service and products would look like for disabled and older people in the UK as well as supporting deaf, deaf/blind and hard of hearing telecoms users by pursuing the duty to promote the availability of terminal equipment suitable for disabled end users. This includes access to telecommunications equipment for users of British Sign Language (BSL).
The eAccessibility Action plan is a key tool to develop further government policy in this area, and to provide government, business and other organisations with the right tools to enable everyone to contribute to the UK digital economy.
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to extend access to telecommunications for users of British Sign Language to local communities following the publication of the Ofcom Relay Services Review. [59499]
Mr Vaizey: The Government strongly supported the introduction of Article 23a into the revised Universal Service Directive, and its clarification of powers for National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) to specify, where appropriate, requirements to be met by undertakings providing electronic networks and services in relation to equivalence in access and choice for disabled end-users. To implement these revisions the Government have effected changes to the Communications Act 2003 that enable Ofcom to specify, where appropriate, requirements to be met by undertakings providing publicly available electronic communication services.
Separately, and in line with their responsibilities to further the interests of citizens and consumers, Ofcom, the independent telecoms regulator, is currently undertaking a review of relay service provision in the UK. The objectives of this review are to assess whether current arrangements are adequate in delivering equivalence to voice telephony for hearing (including BSL users) and speech impaired end-users. This review will look at,
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among other things, the existing text relay service and additional relay services including video relay and captioned telephony. It will also include a cost benefit analysis of the different potential options. The Government believe this is an appropriate and sensible way forward. However, it would be inappropriate to speculate on the outcome of that review or attempt to influence its conclusions.
Telecommunications: Ofcom
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with Ofcom on the timetable for Ofcom's review of relay services. [59254]
Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport has not met with Ofcom to discuss the timetable for their review of relay services.
However, officials have met with Ofcom both to discuss implementation of the revised EU Electronic Communications Framework, and in particular Article 23a of the Universal Services Directive which provides new powers to Ofcom to act on the outcome of their current review; and more generally to discuss the Ofcom review of relay services. Some of these discussions have been in the context of the e-Accessibility Forum.
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what (a) reports, (b) consultations, (c) market research and (d) other publications Ofcom issued on relay services in each of the last 10 years. [59255]
Mr Vaizey: There are references to relay services in the following Ofcom publications, although there has not been an Ofcom review of, or consultation on, relay services during this time.
Universal Service Obligation consultation document (January 2005)
Universal Service Obligation statement and further consultation (June 2005)
Universal Service Obligation statement (March 2006)
Access and Inclusion consultation document (March 2009)
Universal Service Obligation: Deaf and hearing impaired consumers and text phone services (2004)
Feasibility of Additional Telephone Relay Services (2006)
Captioned Telephony—extension of 2006 research report (January 2008)
Voice telephony services for deaf people (July 2009)
Ofcom relay services (market research in support of current review of relay services) (February 2011).
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what meetings Ministers and officials in his Department have had with Ofcom on relay services in the last 12 months. [59257]
Mr Vaizey:
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has held four EU Framework Implementation stakeholder engagement events over the last twelve months. These were attended by officials from across Whitehall including officials from Cabinet Office, the Government Equalities Office, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Justice. These events were held to discuss, among aspects of implementation, the issue of access to telecommunications for users of British Sign
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Language (BSL) and implementation of the EU framework review including Article 23a of the universal service directive and its provisions which relate to access and choice for disabled and older people.
In addition, the eAccessibility Forum has held four meetings over the last 12 months where the issue of access to telecommunications services for users of British Sign Language (BSL) has been presented and discussed by members from industry and the third sector. These meetings also included representatives from the Cabinet Office, the Government Equalities Office, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Ministry of Justice. The eAccessibility Forum continues to work with Ofcom to look at Article 23a and what equivalence of service and products would look like for disabled and older people in the UK as well as supporting deaf, deaf/blind and hard of hearing telecoms users by pursuing the duty to promote the availability of terminal equipment suitable for disabled end users. This includes access to telecommunications equipment for users of British Sign Language (BSL).
The eAccessibility action plan is a key tool to develop further government policy in this area, and to provide government, business and other organisations with the right tools to enable everyone to contribute to the UK digital economy.
Defence
Arms Trade: Exports
Mr Bain:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department has provided for the
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export of weapons in each of the last two financial years. [59813]
Mr Gerald Howarth: Support to defence exports is a top priority. We are working closely with the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) and industry to increase the UK's share of the defence market.
The Ministry of Defence business plan set out our priorities to promote defence exports consistent with export control criteria; as part of a defence diplomacy programme to strengthen British influence and to help sustain high technology jobs in Britain's defence industry.
Every Minister travelling overseas is charged with the task of promoting Britain, including its defence exports. The Department has supported UKTI DSO export campaigns through demonstrations and engagement with potential overseas customer governments, including on Typhoon. Our Departmental Annual Report, which will be published in mid July, will include a section on defence exports.
Education
Pupil Exclusions
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils were excluded permanently from schools in (a) East Sussex, (b) Brighton and Hove, (c) Brighton, Kemptown constituency and (d) West Sussex in each of the last five years. [59122]
Mr Gibb: The requested information is shown in the tables.
| Maintained primary, state-funded secondary and special schools (1, 2, 3) . Number of permanent exclusions (4) 2004/05 to 2008/09. East Sussex, Brighton and Hove and West Sussex local authorities and Brighton Kemptown parliamentary constituency | ||||||
| Maintained primary, state-funded secondary and special schools | ||||||
| 2004/05 | 2005/0 6 | 2006/07 | ||||
|
|
Number of permanent exclusions | Percentage of school population (5) | Number of permanent exclusions | Percentage of school population (5) | Number of permanent exclusions | Percentage of school population (5) |
| Maintained primary, state-funded secondary and special schools | ||||
| 2007/08 | 2008/09 | |||
|
|
Number of permanent exclusions | Percentage of school population (5) | Number of permanent exclusions | Percentage of school population (5) |
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| (1) Includes middle schools as deemed (2) Includes city technology colleges and academies (including all-through academies). (3) Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. (4) Figures for the local authority are as confirmed by local authorities as part of a data checking exercise, figures for the constituency are as provided by schools. (5) The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of pupils (excluding dually registered pupils). (6) Less than 5, or a percentage based on less than 5. Note: Numbers have been rounded lo the nearest 10. Source: School Census |
Schools: First Aid
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the adequacy of teaching of emergency life support in schools; and if he will make a statement. [59128]
Mr Gibb: The July 2010 Ofsted report on personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education found that teaching was good or outstanding in over three quarters of the schools visited. It did not identify the teaching of emergency life support as an area of weakness.
The national PSHE framework currently includes teaching primary school pupils about basic emergency procedures and where to get help. The Ofsted report uses the Heartstart course in one primary school as a case study of effective practice. The course has been developed from the British Heart Foundation's Heartstart Programme and teaches young people the skills needed in a life threatening emergency which include making a 999 call, placing someone in the recovery position, or performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
At secondary level, pupils are currently taught to develop the skills to cope with emergency situations that require basic first aid procedures, including, at ages 15-16, resuscitation techniques. Ofsted inspectors commented on one school that had responded to views expressed in a school survey and introduced a first aid course for all pupils.
This assessment demonstrates that schools are well placed to take decisions about how best to teach pupils about important life skills, including the teaching of emergency life support.
Schools: Hearing Impairment
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding his Department provides for schools for the hearing impaired towards the costs of hiring interpreters. [58823]
Sarah Teather: The Department for Education does not provide specific funding for hiring interpreters, nor does it collect information about expenditure on particular services provided in schools. In 2010-11, local authority planned net expenditure on 979 maintained special schools, including 310 schools approved for the education of pupils with hearing impairments, was just under £1.642 billion.
Sixth Form Colleges
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many young people entered formal post-16 education in sixth forms in (a) 2000 and (b) 2009. [58911]
Mr Gibb: Data on participation in education post-16 are published in a Department for Education (DFE) Statistical First Release (SFR) entitled "Participation in Education, Training and Employment by 16-18 Year Olds in England".
The following table shows the numbers and proportions of the cohort of young people of academic age 16 (the vast majority of whom will be in their first year of post-compulsory education) who were participating in education, by institution type, in 2000 and 2009.
| Participation in education at academic age 16 by institution type, end 2000 and end 2009 | ||||
| 2000 | 2009 | |||
|
|
Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage |
| (1) Includes all pupils in maintained schools and maintained special schools and pupil referral units. (2) Includes all pupils in independent schools, non-maintained special schools. | ||||
Energy and Climate Change
Climate Change
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on (a) supporting and (b) funding innovative action on climate change by local authorities. [60257]
Gregory Barker: Local authorities are uniquely placed to provide leadership and vision on climate change action in their local communities. Many are enthusiastic about playing their part in meeting national carbon mitigation targets and have already set in place stretching ambitions and policies for emissions in their area—and are making a difference.
In order to help build capacity and support innovation DECC funded a £2.5 million Local Carbon Frameworks pilot programme in 2010-11 and we plan to publish the findings from that later this year. The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between DECC and
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the Local Government Group also supports robust, self regulated action on carbon reduction. And we are working with local government to ensure that all local authorities support the roll out of the Green Deal across their areas.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the abolition of National Indicator 186 on the number of local authorities taking action on climate change. [60258]
Gregory Barker: No assessment has been carried out. The data which were previously known as National Indicator 186 continue to be collected as part of our standard collection of national statistics. They are published at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/indicators/ni186/ni186.aspx
Climate Change: Exports
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has provided information to UK Trade and Investment on the effects on climate change of the businesses supported by UK Trade and Investment. [58194]
Gregory Barker: DECC has not provided information directly to UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) on the effects on climate change of the businesses supported by UKTI. However DECC does publish analysis of the contribution of individual sectors to climate change, which is available to UKTI in considering the impact of companies within these sectors.
Energy: Housing
Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises have access to the Green Deal market. [59996]
Gregory Barker: SMEs will play a significant part in the delivery of the Green Deal. If the Green Deal is to serve homeowners and businesses well, it is essential that there is a competitive market for all aspects of Green Deal delivery—as Green Deal providers, assessors, installers or product suppliers.
As such, we are designing the Green Deal framework to place the minimum administrative burdens on organisations as possible, while ensuring the necessary consumer protections are in place. For example, where possible we will build on existing accreditation schemes and improve established assessment methodologies that are already understood by industry.
This is an opportunity for SMEs as much as for large installers and each will need to find their unique selling point. Provided SMEs meet the required standards, they will be able to compete in this growing market.
We also wish to ensure Green Deal providers who are able to deliver cost-effectively have access to funding through the new Energy Company Obligation (ECO). This will enable all providers who reach the accreditation standards to compete fairly with energy companies' energy services arms. To this end, we are designing the
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ECO to operate as simply as possible so as not to inadvertently block the emergence of a diverse and dynamic market.
Energy: Manufacturing Industries
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what assessment he has made of the effects of energy policy on UK manufacturers; [58620]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effects of energy policy on small and medium-sized enterprises. [58621]
Charles Hendry: DECC's assessment of the impact of energy and climate change policies on gas and electricity prices and bills was published alongside the Annual Energy Statement (AES) in July 2010. The headline messages were that energy and climate change policies were:
Adding 6% to the average gas price and 20% to the average electricity price paid by medium-sized non-domestic users(1) in 2010, rising to 24% and 43%, respectively, in 2020.
Adding 5% to the average gas bill and 19% to the average electricity bill and 14% to the average energy (gas plus electricity) bill paid by medium-sized non-domestic users in 2010, rising to 20%, 29% and 26%, respectively, in 2020.
The above impacts are consistent with a wholesale gas price of around 70p/therm in 2020.(2 )Under a higher gas price scenario, the impact of the same policies on bills is estimated to be lower. For example, at a gas price of around 120p/therm in 2020, the impact of these policies is estimated to be 13% (instead of 26%) on the average energy bill faced by these users, compared to a bill in 2020 in the absence of these policies.
The largest component of energy bills is wholesale energy costs—based primarily on the price of natural gas. Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels will help reduce the exposure that energy consumers have to volatile movements in international fossil fuel prices, as well as making our energy supplies more secure.
The above estimates do not include the subsequent announcements that the Renewable Heat Incentive and the Carbon Capture and Storage demonstrations would be funded through general taxation rather than a levy on gas and electricity prices, the introduction of a Carbon Price Floor, or the potential impacts of the Government's Electricity Market Reform proposals.
An updated assessment, including these announced policy changes, will be published alongside the next AES and will include an assessment of the impacts of energy and climate change policies on gas and electricity prices and bills paid by illustrative large energy intensive industrial users.
In terms of other effects, energy and climate change policies are also helping UK businesses to become more energy efficient, to invest in low carbon innovation and to compete in the growing international market for low carbon products.
(1) Non-domestic energy consumers include industry, transport, public administration, commercial and agriculture. A medium-sized gas user is defined by an annual consumption of between 2,228MWh and 27,777MWh of gas. A medium-sized electricity user is defined by an annual consumption of between 2,000 and 19,999MWh of electricity (both based on Eurostat definitions). The midpoints of these ranges were used for our analysis.
(2) Real 2009 prices.
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Energy: Prices
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the effects on levels of fuel poverty of recent changes in domestic energy prices. [60375]
Gregory Barker: No formal assessments of the effects of recent changes in domestic energy prices on fuel poverty levels have yet been undertaken.
The recent changes in domestic energy prices on fuel poverty will lead to upward pressure on fuel poverty in 2011. Nevertheless, the true effect will be known only when we have full information on price changes from all suppliers and the English Housing Survey (EHS). The EHS provides vital information for calculating the level of fuel poverty, including the mix of domestic fuels used by households, the income of those living in the households and the energy efficiency of the housing stock. Each of the devolved Administrations manage equivalent surveys with the same range of information as fuel poverty is a devolved statistic.
However, an assessment of the likely impact of all changes for England will be made on 14 July 2011 when DECC will publish 2011 projections of fuel poverty for England.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to take to assess the effects on (a) payment method preference, (b) levels of debt and (c) levels of disconnections of domestic energy consumers of (i) recent and (ii) future energy prices; and what funding his Department has provided for energy efficiency advice and information for consumers in the latest period for which figures are available. [60406]
Charles Hendry: In order to meet its principal duty to protect the interests of consumers, Ofgem collects and monitors data on debt and disconnection and areas which affect vulnerable consumers, including payment method preference such as prepayment meters. It uses this information to help assess supplier performance and prioritise its future work.
In 2011-12, DECC is core grant funding the Energy Saving Trust with a total of £16.5 million. A large proportion of this is to provide energy efficiency advice and information for consumers.
Funding for the Warm Front Scheme in 2011-12 is £108 million. Under the Scheme, eligible applicants are provided with heating and insulation measures and energy efficiency advice.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with Ofgem on its response to recent changes in the cost of energy for domestic use; and if he will make a statement. [60410]
Charles Hendry: DECC Ministers and officials meet with Ofgem on a regular basis to discuss market issues.
Consumers deserve the best possible deal, which means rough and tough competition in the marketplace. We are cutting red tape for smaller suppliers to boost competition in retail markets, while Ofgem is tackling
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other barriers to effective competition (such as tariff complexity and low wholesale market liquidity) in its Retail Market Review. While greater competition should put pressure on prices consumers should also regularly evaluate the best deal on the market.
Government are also taking a range of actions to increase people's control over their energy bills through energy efficiency, including the Green Deal, and better information.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effects on levels of fuel poverty of recent changes in the level of utility prices; and if he will make a statement. [60539]
Gregory Barker: No formal assessments of the effects of recent changes in domestic energy prices on fuel poverty levels have yet been undertaken.
The recent changes in domestic energy prices on fuel poverty will lead to upward pressure on fuel poverty in 2011. Nevertheless, the true effect will only be known when we have full information on price changes from all suppliers and the English Housing Survey (EHS) data for 2011. The EHS provides vital information for calculating the level of fuel poverty, including the mix of domestic fuels used by households, the income of those living in the households and the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
However, an assessment of the likely impact of all changes will be made on 14 July 2011 when DECC will publish 2011 projections of fuel poverty for England.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with utility companies on changes in utility prices; and if he will make a statement. [60540]
Charles Hendry: DECC Ministers and officials meet with energy suppliers on a regular basis to discuss market issues.
Consumers deserve the best possible deal, which means rough and tough competition in the marketplace. We are cutting red tape for smaller suppliers to boost competition in retail markets, while Ofgem is tackling other barriers to effective competition (such as tariff complexity and low wholesale market liquidity) in its Retail Market Review. While greater competition should put pressure on prices consumers should also regularly evaluate the best deal on the market.
EU Structural Funds
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will make representations to the European Commission on the allocation of funding from EU Structural Funds. [60163]
Gregory Barker:
The Government's representations to the European Commission on funding from the EU structural funds, and indeed on all funding from the EU Budget, in both the annual budget and multi-annual financial framework process is led by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Government believe that funding for climate change should make-up a larger share of a
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smaller budget in the next multi-annual financial framework, and that climate change objectives should be funded through existing headings, including the EU structural funds. The Government will continue to make this case to the European Commission.
Fuel Poverty
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) how many households in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland were living in fuel poverty in each of the last five years; [60398]
(2) how many low-income households with children are classified as living in fuel poverty in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland; [60399]
(3) how many pensioner households are classified as living in fuel poverty in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland; [60400]
(4) how many households with individuals registered as disabled are classified as living in fuel poverty in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland; [60401]
(5) what information his Department holds on the number of Scottish households in fuel poverty in (a) the private rented sector, (b) local authority housing, (c) social housing and (d) owner-occupied housing in each of the last five years. [60402]
Gregory Barker: Fuel poverty is a devolved measurement and each country of the UK is responsible for measuring the number of fuel poor households in their own country.
The following table shows the number of fuel poor households in each year since 2005 for which they have been measured:
| Thousand | |||||
|
|
2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
2009 fuel poverty figures for England will be published on 14 July 2011. Figures for Wales and Northern Ireland are not produced every year.
Detailed numbers of fuel poor households shown in answer to other questions are derived from the most recent data available in each country.
In 2008, in England, there were around 394,000 fuel poor households with income in the lowest three decile groups that contained a child under the age of 16. Using a similar definition in Scotland, in 2009, there were around 46,000 low income households containing children that were fuel poor and around 29,000 corresponding households in Wales. Figures are not available for Northern Ireland.
In England in 2008, around 1.72 million fuel poor households contained somebody aged 60 or over. In Scotland, in 2009, around 497,000 fuel poor households contained somebody aged 60 or over. In Wales in 2008,
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around 183,000 fuel poor households contained somebody aged 60 or over. Figures are not available for Northern Ireland.
In England in 2008, around 1.29 million fuel poor households contained somebody who was long-term ill or disabled. The corresponding figure for Scotland in 2009 was around 309,000 and in Wales, in 2008, around 160,000 households. Figures are not available for Northern Ireland.
The Scottish Government hold information on the number of fuel poor households in Scotland by tenure. The Department has sourced the data from them and this is displayed as follows:
| Thousand | |||||
| Households | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |