Industrial Injuries
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints of high temperatures in the workplace the Health and Safety Executive received in each of the last six years. [57955]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is not collated centrally in a readily retrievable format and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Jobcentre Plus: Manpower
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether Jobcentre Plus offices have set any targets for the number of sanctions to be issued by each Jobcentre Plus officer. [53573]
Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the right hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking whether Jobcentre Plus offices have set any targets for the number of sanctions to be issued by each Jobcentre Plus officer. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
I can confirm that no such targets exist and that we have reinforced this message to our District Managers. Sanctions should only be made where people have not adhered to their jobseeker obligations. Ministers have been clear that conditionality is an important part of the Jobseeker's regime. Ministers are also, clear however that this should only be applied where appropriate.
I hope this information is helpful.
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Jobcentre Plus: Reorganisation
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 11 May 2011, Official Report, columns 1239-40W, on Jobcentre Plus: reorganisation, when he plans to make an announcement on the new managerial and organisational structure; and what assessment he has made of the effect of the new structure on (a) co-ordination, (b) handling of individual constituency queries, (c) the responsibility of Ministers within his Department and (d) Jobcentre Plus management decision making. [58413]
Chris Grayling: The answer of 11 May 2011 explained that the Department is reviewing its structure and senior management responsibilities so that our programme of reforms and efficiency savings is delivered effectively.
The Department’s executive team is therefore leading a programme of work to design the new managerial and organisational structure. This will support the delivery of efficient, coherent services to both pensioner and working age customers.
The Permanent Secretary will announce the senior civil service responsibilities in this new structure to departmental staff shortly.
The Department has considered the effect of the new structure on the co-ordination and handling of constituency queries, and is confident that these will continue to be handled effectively. The quality of decision making by Jobcentre Plus managers will also be unaffected.
If, in future, there are any changes to ministerial responsibilities, these will be appropriately communicated.
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Mr Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants of (a) jobseeker's allowance and (b) employment and support allowance in Scotland have been receiving benefits for more than 10 years. [60586]
Chris Grayling: The numbers of claimants for both jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance who have been receiving benefits for more than 10 years in Scotland are as follows. It should be noted that incapacity benefit was replaced by employment and support allowance from October 2008.
(a) 90 jobseeker's allowance claimants have been receiving benefits continuously for more than 10 years in Scotland.
(b) 105,750 incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance claimants have been receiving benefits continuously for more than 10 years in Scotland. Employment and support allowance was introduced in 2008 and therefore there are no claimants on this benefit who have been claiming for more than 10 years.
Note: Figures are sourced from the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study and have been rounded to nearest 10.
Jobseeker’s Allowance: Coventry
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants of (a) jobseeker's allowance and (b) employment and support allowance in Coventry have been receiving benefits for more than 10 years. [59968]
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Chris Grayling: Following are the numbers of claimants for both jobseeker’s allowance and employment and support allowance who have been receiving benefits for more than 10 years in Coventry. It should be noted that incapacity benefit was replaced by employment and support allowance from October 2008.
(a) No jobseeker’s allowance claimants have been receiving benefits for more than 10 years in Coventry.
(b) 4,960 incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance claimants have been receiving benefits for more than 10 years in Coventry. Employment and support allowance was introduced in 2008 and therefore there are no claimants on this benefit who have been claiming for more than 10 years.
Note:
Figures are sourced from the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study and have been rounded to nearest 10.
Life Expectancy
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 17 January 2011, Official Report, column 517W, on life expectancy, when he plans to place in the Library copies of the tables on healthy and disability-free life expectancy which his Department has commissioned from the Office for National Statistics. [60877]
Steve Webb: The reply to which the hon. Member refers states that the Department uses data published by the Office for National Statistics as the main source of information on life expectancy and on healthy and disability-free life expectancy. The only previously unpublished life expectancy data the Department commissioned from the Office for National Statistics relate to improvements in life expectancy of people in each social cohort. These were published in the impact assessment which accompanies the Pensions Bill (Annex A, pages 17 and 18).
Members: Correspondence
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to respond to the urgent request from the constituent of the hon. Member for Edinburgh West, Roderick Bowie-MacDonald. [58559]
Chris Grayling: A letter dated 23 March 2011 was received on 8 April 2011 and the Acting Chief Executive of the Pension, Disability and Carers Service replied on 11 April 2011.
Office for Nuclear Regulation
Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on the transfer of ministerial responsibility for the Office for Nuclear Regulation; and if he will make a statement. [59340]
Chris Grayling: Ministers of the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Energy and Climate Change met in November 2010 to discuss the establishment of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). There have been no further meetings on this issue since then.
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As an agency of the Health and Safety Executive, sponsorship of the ONR rests with the Department for Work and Pensions. The Government announced, on 8 February 2011, their intention to bring forward legislation to establish the ONR as an independent statutory body outside of the HSE. There are no plans to change existing sponsorship arrangements, which ensure the necessary separation between the nuclear regulator and the body responsible for the promotion of nuclear energy.
Poverty: Children
Mr Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to reduce child poverty in Scotland. [60584]
Maria Miller: As set out in the Coalition document, the Government are committed to eradicating child poverty in the UK by 2020. We published our strategy for doing so in April. It sets out a new approach to tackling poverty and securing social justice aimed at transforming lives and tackling the causes of poverty. At its heart are the principles of work, fairness, responsibility and support for the most vulnerable. It draws together our radical programme of reform of welfare and education, increasing children's life chances, with a greater concentration on early intervention and on whole-family and whole-life measures. Our strategy establishes a UK-wide framework for tackling child poverty and builds on strategies developed by the devolved Administrations, including that published by the Scottish Government in March this year.
Shared Housing: Bradford
Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment his Department has made of the availability of shared accommodation in Bradford. [57991]
Steve Webb: No assessment has been made of the supply of shared accommodation in Bradford.
Unemployed People: Support Fund
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2011, Official Report, columns 499-500W, on Travel to Interview, how much was granted through (a) the Travel to Interview Scheme and (b) each other scheme being replaced by the Flexible Support Fund in each year since 2005. [58420]
Chris Grayling: The Flexible Support Fund has replaced the following employment programmes: New Deal for Lone Parents; New Deal for Partners; Deprived Areas Fund; Advisor Discretion Fund; Customer Services Director's Flexible Fund; Rapid Response, Work Trials; allowances and expenses for clients undertaking basic skills training; Travel to Interview Scheme. The total spend on these programmes since 2005-06 is shown in the following table.
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Work Capability Assessment
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which version of the Work Capability Assessment will be applied to (a) new claimants who applied for employment and support allowance (i) before and (ii) on or after 28 March 2011 and (b) incapacity benefit recipients who were sent an IB50 form (A) before and (B) on or after 28 March 2011. [60819]
Chris Grayling: Changes to the work capability assessment (WCA) came into force through regulations on 28 March 2011. The assessment and the ESA50 questionnaire were updated to reflect these changes. Individuals receiving a new ESA50 questionnaire (reflecting the new regulations) will have a determination made under the new regulations. The new ESA50 form began being issued to claimants from 14 March 2011.
The IB50 form ceased being sent to recipients of incapacity benefit during January 2011.
Defence
Aircraft Carriers
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers are designed to allow for the operation of fixed-wing carrier on-board delivery aircraft. [60223]
Peter Luff: The Queen Elizabeth (QE) class aircraft carriers are optimised around an air group consisting of the Joint Strike Fighter and Merlin helicopter, with a number of other aircraft designated as ‘secondary aircraft’ which could be operated from the carrier—but with varying degrees of operational limitation.
Following the decision to convert at least one of the carriers to carry the more capable carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, the list of secondary aircraft is being updated to reflect the change in aircraft launch and recovery equipment. While some fixed-wing aircraft are included within this list, we have not yet made any decisions as to whether there is a requirement for a specific onboard delivery aircraft, and if so, which aircraft or helicopter would undertake such a role.
Armed Services: Greater London
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new recruits to each of the armed services were recorded as domiciled in each London borough in financial year 2009-10. [59944]
Mr Robathan: This information is not held in the format requested. However, the following table provides the number of recruits, in financial year 2009-10, through London-based careers offices or with educational links to London. While this will give an indication of the numbers recruited from London it does not provide a comprehensive picture of where individuals actually reside as they may not always apply to join the services through their nearest career office or may choose other means by which to apply.
| Service | Officers and other ranks recruited through London-based establishments in financial year 2009-10 |
Royal Navy and Royal Marines Officers, included in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines total, are primarily recruited via regional officer careers liaison centres, each of which covers a large area of the UK. The
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recruitment data for army officers, included in the Army total, are based on data related to the location of the schools and universities from which officers are recruited together with the small number recruited via careers offices.
Departmental Procurement
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department has made in encouraging small businesses to bid for Government contracts. [60181]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the contribution made by small businesses who often bring the agility and innovation we need in responding to demanding and urgent military requirements. For this reason, our consultation Green Paper, ‘Equipment, Support and Technology for UK Defence and Security’, published last December, specifically sought views and ideas for encouraging small businesses to participate and a number of specific steps will be set out in a White Paper later this year.
In the meantime, we encourage small businesses to bid for MOD contracts by advertising our requirements over £10,000 on the Government’s new ‘Contracts Finder’ electronic portal and we are working to simplify the bidding and contracting processes. We are also working with our major prime contractors with a view to improving small business access to sub-contract opportunities.
EU Law
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what European directives in force on 1 April 2010 his Department is responsible; and what European directives for which his Department is responsible have come into force since 1 April 2010. [60688]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence is responsible for transposing one EU Directive into domestic law, namely the Defence and Security Directive (2009/81/EC). This concerns the co-ordination of procedures for the award of certain works contracts, supply contracts and service contracts by contracting authorities or entities in the fields of Defence and Security. This directive came into force on 21 August 2009 under the previous Government.
Ex-servicemen: Alcoholism
Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the number of veterans who left the forces (a) in the last two years, (b) between two and five years ago, (c) between five and 10 years ago and (d) more than 10 years ago who are diagnosed with alcohol abuse. [60155]
Mr Robathan: No information is held that would enable such an estimate to be made.
Ex-servicemen: Prisoners
Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has undertaken on the characteristics of veterans in prison. [60226]
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Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the joint statement I made with the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Mr Blunt), in the House on 15 September 2010, Official Report, column 40WS, on the findings of a study by Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA), which is the major piece of research my Department has undertaken on the characteristics of veterans in prison.
Ex-servicemen: Suicide
Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department holds on the number of veterans who committed suicide in each of the last 20 years. [60156]
Mr Robathan: Information on the total number of veterans who committed suicide in each of the last 20 years is not held. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) currently publish data of detailed causes of the mortality, including suicide, of veterans of the 1990-91 operation in the Gulf, together with comparative data for a matched cohort of personnel who did not deploy. The latest data, produced by Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA), were released on 31 March 2011.
The MOD also commissioned research from Manchester university to investigate the level of suicide among those leaving the UK armed forces, over the period 1996 to 2005, and to make comparisons with matched personnel remaining in service and the general population. This work was published in March 2009.
Copies of both reports will be placed in the Library of the House.
The MOD is currently undertaking research into the causes of death, including suicide, among those who served in the Falklands campaign. This research, which is expected to be completed by the end of March 2012, will assist us in continuing to develop our support for our former personnel and those leaving the services. The MOD is also undertaking a similar study on veterans of operations Telic and Herrick. This will monitor the causes of death, including suicide, and cancer morbidity of all serving members of the armed forces from 2003 until the end of operations in Afghanistan. The intention is to run the study for the lifetime of the cohort; therefore the population will include both serving and discharged personnel.
Gulf States: Royal Military Academy
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what officer training co-operation with Gulf State forces is being undertaken at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. [60081]
Nick Harvey: Currently the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst has 25 officer cadets under training from those states that border the Arabian Gulf.
Overseas officer cadets are sponsored to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst via official agreements between the UK Ministry of Defence, in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as necessary, and the relevant national authority.
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Merlin Helicopters
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the RAF Merlin Mark 3 will be transferred to the Royal Navy. [60876]
Mr Robathan: We intend to upgrade and transfer our current fleet of Merlin Mk 3/3a helicopters to the Royal Navy: the first upgraded helicopters will enter service with the Commando Helicopter Force in time to replace the Sea King Mk 4 helicopters, which are planned to be withdrawn from service in 2016.
Nuclear Submarines
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the cost to the public purse will be of designing the US-UK Common Missile Compartment for the Trident replacement submarine in the period from 2011 to 2016; [60025]
(2) what proportion of the cost of the design of the US-UK Common Missile Compartment will be met by the public purse; and if he will make a statement; [60026]
(3) when he expects a decision to be made on the construction location of the US-UK Common Missile Compartment for the Trident replacement submarine; and if he will make a statement. [60027]
Mr Robathan: The cost to the UK Government of US-UK Common Missile Compartment activities over financial years 2011-12 to 2015-16 is estimated at £103 million. The UK has agreed to pay 12.5% of all non-recurring expenditure on design activities.
A decision on where the UK's Common Missile Compartment will be built is planned to be made during 2012. That decision could be made, however, anytime up until the first quarter of 2014 without any adverse impact on the overall successor programme.
RAF Leuchars
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of the geographical location of RAF Leuchars on the (a) combat radius, (b) maximum range and (c) ferry range of aircraft stationed at the base in the execution of the bases' (i) Quick Reaction Alert (North) duties and (ii) other duties in relation to National Security Strategy priorities; and if he will make a statement. [59616]
Nick Harvey: The geographical location of bases is an important factor in the RAF’s future basing strategy. This takes into account requirements for both operational and training flying and addresses combat radius and reaction time for Quick Reaction Alert commitments.
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the most recent assessment of the performance of RAF Leuchars in relation to the execution of its Quick Reaction Alert duties took place. [59617]
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Nick Harvey: The most recent assessment of the performance of the RAF Leuchars Quick Reaction Alert Force took place on 9 May 2011.
Royal Irish Regiment
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations he has received on his decision on a homecoming parade for the Royal Irish Regiment in Belfast. [60631]
Mr Robathan: The Department has received fewer than 20 representations on the subject of a homecoming parade for the Royal Irish Regiment in Belfast.
Discussions with officials from Belfast city council continue with the aim of agreeing an appropriate way to recognise the contribution of the 1(st) Battalion Irish Guards and The Royal Irish Regiment during their last tour in Afghanistan.
The Department acknowledges the importance for the general public to have an opportunity to show their appreciation and support for our service personnel; both units will have participated in a full and engaging post operational tour programme by the end of this year, including events in Northern Ireland.
World War One: Anniversaries
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to mark the 100th anniversary of the commencement of the First World War in 2014. [60943]
Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my noble Friend, Lord Astor of Hever, to the noble Lord, Lord Faulkner of Worcester, in another place on 22 March 2011, Official Report,House of Lords, column 594.
Education
Academies: Sussex
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of progress on the academies programme in (a) Brighton, Kemptown constituency, (b) Brighton and Hove, (c) East Sussex and (d) West Sussex. [59151]
Mr Gibb: As of 9 June 2011, no schools in the Brighton Kemptown constituency have registered an interest in becoming an academy. Two schools have registered an interest in Brighton and Hove, 27 in East Sussex and 19 in West Sussex. Of these, Ringmer community college in East Sussex has applied and been issued an Academy Order. Hazelwick school, Medmerry Primary School, Southwater Infant school, Southwater Junior school and Warden Park school in West Sussex have applied; all but Warden Park School have been issued Academy Orders.
Brighton Aldridge community academy in Brighton and Hove, along with Eastbourne academy in East Sussex, and Midhurst Rother college, Shoreham academy, Sir Robert Woodard academy and The Littlehampton academy in West Sussex have all opened as sponsored academies.
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In addition, Portslade community college in Brighton and Hove; Fitsham Valley school, The Grove and Hillcrest school in East Sussex; and Heyworth Primary school, Manhood community college and The Regis school in West Sussex are planned to open as sponsored academies during the 2011/12 academic year.
Full details of schools that have formally applied for academy status, as well as a list of academies that have opened in the academic year 2010/11 can be found on the Department for Education academies website at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/typesofschools/academies/a0069811/schools-submitting-applications-and-academies-that-have-opened-in-201011
Children: West Midlands
David Wright:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children were looked after in
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each local authority area in the west midlands in each year since 2008-09. [59659]
Tim Loughton: The number of children who were looked after at 31 March in each local authority area in the west midlands, for years 2006 to 2010 (the latest year for which figures are available), is shown in the following tables.
This information has been extracted from table LAA1 of the Statistical First Release ‘Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2010’, this is available on the Department's website via the following link:
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000960/index.shtml
| Table 1: Children looked after at 31 March, in the west midlands by local authority (1,2) , years ending 31 March 2006 to 2010 , coverage: England | |||||
| Numbers and rates per 10,000 children aged under 18 years | |||||
| Numbers (3) | |||||
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
| Numbers and rates per 10,000 children aged under 18 years | |||||
| Rates (4) | |||||
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
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| (1) Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements. (2) Historical data may differ from older publications. This is mainly due to the implementation of amendments and corrections sent by some local authorities after the publication date of previous materials. (3) England totals have been rounded to the nearest 100 if they exceed 1,000, and to the nearest 10 otherwise. Regional totals have been rounded to the nearest 10. Other numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5. (4) The rates per 10,000 children under 18 years have been derived using the mid-year population estimates for 2009 provided by the Office for National Statistics. Source: SSDA 903 | |||||
Departmental Renewable Energy
David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many buildings (a) owned and (b) leased by his Department have had renewable energy equipment installed to provide power in the last 12 months; and what type of equipment was installed in each such case. [59671]
Tim Loughton: The Department for Education has not installed renewable energy equipment in any of its owned or leased buildings in the last 12 months.
However, 123 photovoltaic panels were installed onto the roof of 2 St Paul's Place in Sheffield, a property owned by the Department, in May 2010. These panels generate approximately 16,000 kWh of electricity a year, for use within the building.
Departmental Responsibilities
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what strategic framework his Department has developed for the delivery of its core functions during the comprehensive spending review period. [59731]
Tim Loughton: The Department for Education’s business plan, initially published in November 2010 with a refreshed version published in May 2011, sets out the Department’s high-level vision and reform priorities for the whole of the spending review period, alongside the resources we will spend and the data we will be making available to the public to show the impact our reforms are having. Progress against the business plan is set out in the structural reform plan monthly updates on the No. 10 website.
Design: Curriculum
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he has assessed the effects on the creative industries and manufacturing of the potential removal of design and technology from the national curriculum. [59822]
Mr Gibb: As part of the current review of the national curriculum we will be considering all the relevant evidence before making proposals on which, if any, subjects beyond English, mathematics, science and physical education should remain part of the national curriculum in future.
We have already completed a Call for Evidence to which the public were invited to contribute their views and experiences about curriculum subjects, including design and technology. We received nearly 5,800 responses, including many from representatives of industry and commerce, and these are currently being analysed. We will draw on this and other evidence, including relevant international evidence, in drawing up our proposals. There will then be a further statutory consultation on those proposals early next year, before final decisions are taken.
Home Education
Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effects of funding reductions on the provision of one-to-one tuition in the summer term for pupils approaching examinations or end of primary school assessments. [60897]
Mr Gibb: £256 million was allocated to schools in 2010-11 through the Standards Fund for one-to-one tuition. This funding has not been reduced and schools can use it until 31 August 2011. The conditions for the use of this funding have been relaxed to allow all schools the flexibility to offer one-to-one tuition at Key Stage 4, from within their Key Stage 3 allocations.
Funding for one-to-one tuition for 2011-12 has been included as part of schools' overall budgets through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). Schools can use their DSG funding as they see fit. Where schools decide to offer one-to-one tuition, they will have more flexibility to provide it in the way that best suits their pupils.
Marriage Guidance: Grants
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2011, Official Report, column 497W, on marriage guidance: grants, what proportion of the work of each organisation listed funded by his Department's Voluntary and Community Sector Grants Scheme will be (a) preventative couple relationship support, (b) relationship counselling for couples in difficulty and (c) work with families which have already experienced break-up; in which local authorities they will work; and how many couples he expects each organisation to help. [61057]
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Tim Loughton: The Department does not hold information by organisation showing which funds have been allocated by the breakdown requested by my hon. Friend.
Schools: Bolton
Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of schools in Bolton metropolitan borough that will have funding withdrawn during the academic year as a result of the reduction in his Department's Standards Fund in April 2011; and if he will make a statement. [60068]
Mr Gibb: The final instalment of the Standards Fund for 2010-11 was paid as part of the Dedicated Schools Grant payment to local authorities on 19 May 2011. These arrangements should mean that it will not be necessary for local authorities to make any in-year adjustments to schools' budgets.
Schools: Capital Investment
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to respond to the James review of capital funding. [58192]
Mr Gibb: The Government will respond to the capital review soon.
However we are already implementing changes that are very much in the spirit of the capital review recommendations, and which will help deliver the buildings and facilities that children need. These include focusing the available funding on providing new school places where they are needed, and on the buildings in the worst condition; getting the best value for money from our existing Building Schools for the Future commitments and other projects; and considering how the school premises regulations can be simplified so as to remove unnecessary burdens and blockages.
Schools: Rural Areas
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what provisions in legislation govern the potential closure of rural schools; and whether he has any plans to bring forward proposals to revise those provisions. [58558]
Mr Gibb: There is currently a presumption against closure of rural primary schools. This was introduced in 1998 and reinforced in the 2006 Education and Inspections Act. Although this presumption exists, the presumption does not mean that no rural school will ever close, but it does ensure that the case for closure is strong and that the proposals are clearly in the best interests of educational provision in the area. We recognise the importance of preserving access to a local school for rural communities and therefore plan for the presumption against the closure of rural schools to continue.
Teachers: Pensions
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effects of proposed changes to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme on teachers in independent schools. [59393]
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Mr Gibb [holding answer 13 June 2011]: The Independent Public Service Pensions Commission, chaired by Lord Hutton, published its final report on 10 March and the Government have agreed that its recommendations will form the basis for consultation. No decisions have yet been taken on changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme. The Government's consultation will include consultation with representatives of all stakeholders, including teacher unions and representatives of the Independent Schools Sector.
Teachers: Training
Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the potential effect of (a) changes to the funding of teacher education and (b) the introduction of tuition fees on the (i) capacity and (ii) quality of teacher education. [60153]
Mr Gibb: The Schools White Paper, “The Importance of Teaching”, said that we would publish details of our reforms to initial teacher training. We will shortly be publishing these proposals, which will include consideration of funding and student finance. There will be a period of discussion following publication when we will be seeking views from the sector about the potential effect of our proposals, and we will publish our finalised plans for reform once we have assessed the responses.
University Technical Colleges
Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 55W, on university technical colleges, if he will publish a list of approved university technical colleges including their sponsors. [59680]
Mr Gibb: The Department is now assessing the full applications that it has received to establish university technical colleges from September 2012 onwards. An announcement will be made in due course about those that are approved. That announcement will include the sponsors submitting the proposals.
University technical colleges have already been approved in four cases:
Walsall (black country) sponsored by Walsall college and Wolverhampton university;
Aston sponsored by Aston university;
Greenwich sponsored by Greenwich university, Greenwich local authority and Lewisham college; and
Hackney sponsored by Hackney community college.
Of these, Walsall and Aston have signed funding agreements.
Communities and Local Government
Social Housing
22. Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to increase the provision of social rented housing. [60295]
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Andrew Stunell: The Government are investing nearly £4.5 billion to help deliver up to 150,000 new affordable homes between 2011-12 and 2014-15 in England.
We have introduced a new more flexible form of social housing, Affordable Rent, which will be the main element of the new supply. There will also be some flexibility to fund other forms of tenure including social rent in exceptional circumstances.
Mr Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate his Department has made of the likely number of new social housing starts between May 2010 and April 2015. [60293]
Grant Shapps: Between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011, there were 35,690 starts on site for social rented homes through the Homes and Communities Agency.
We are investing £4.5 billion to deliver up to 150,000 new affordable homes between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2015.
Local Government Resources Review
21. Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent progress he has made on the local government resources review. [60294]
Mr Pickles: Since the publication of the terms of reference on 17 March 2011, the local government resource review has been considering options on how to allow local authorities to keep at least a proportion of business rates, and how to introduce powers to allow them to carry out tax increment financing. The review has held a number of meetings with partners in local government and with businesses and their representative organisations. It will publish its proposals shortly for consultation.
Housing: Pendle
24. Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of empty homes and to support housing regeneration in Pendle constituency. [60297]
Andrew Stunell: Over the next six years, through the New Homes Bonus, Pendle will receive over £600,000 for additional homes and empty properties brought into use in the first year. Further payments will be made based on future delivery.
Pendle will also benefit from the £30 million provided nationally to help challenged Housing Market Renewal areas exit from the programme.
Localism Bill: Wales
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on the effects on Wales of implementation of the provisions of the Localism Bill. [60296]
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Greg Clark: Ministers have written to Welsh Assembly Government Ministers about a range of issues in the Localism Bill.
As normal with Bills that affect Wales, discussions between the Department and the Welsh Assembly Government have been ongoing as the Localism Bill has progressed through this House and the other place.
Audit Commission: National Audit Office
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what dates representatives of the Audit Commission dined with representatives of the National Audit Office paid for by the public purse since 2007-08; in which restaurants each meal took place; and at what cost. [61062] [Official Report, 6 July 2011, Vol. 530, c. 17MC.]
Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to respond to my hon. Friend direct.
Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 20 June 2011:
Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
The Commission has paid for meals with the NAO on five occasions since 2007/08:
1 November 2007 the then MD, Communications met with Gabrielle Cohen, Assistant Auditor General NAO for lunch. Information on the location and cost is no longer available.
3 December 2007 Steve Bundred, Chief Executive and Sir John Bourn, Comptroller and Auditor General of the NAO, dined at L'Escargot at a cost of £103.39;
5 May 2009 Steve Bundred, Chief Executive, Michael O'Higgins, Chairman and Amyas Morse, Comptroller and Auditor General of the NAO dined at Qurinale at a cost of £240.19;
14 September 2009 David Walker, MD Communications met with Gabrielle Cohen, Assistant Auditor General NAO at the Ebury Wine Bar at a cost of £53.04; and
7 April 2010 David Walker, MD Communications met with Gabrielle Cohen, Assistant Auditor General NAO at the Footstool restaurant at a cost of £22.50.
The Commission dined with the NAO on three occasions where the Commission did not pay.
11 June 2007 Steve Bundred, Chief Executive and Sir John Bourn, Comptroller and Auditor General of the NAO met for dinner at Wiltons;
15 January 2009 David Walker, MD Communications met with Gabrielle Cohen, Assistant Auditor General NAO for lunch at the Ebury Wine Bar; and
2 February 2011 Eugene Sullivan, Chief Executive had a breakfast meeting with the Comptroller and Auditor General of the NAO, Amyas Morse at the Mint Hotel.
EU Grants and Loans: Yorkshire and the Humber
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding from the European Regional Development Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber has not yet been allocated in the most recent spending round. [60267]
Robert Neill: Of the total €583,580,959 allocated from the European Regional Development Fund to Yorkshire and Humber, €326,521,131 has yet to be committed.
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Fire Services
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many fire hydrants are in operation in England and Wales. [60256]
Robert Neill: This information is not held centrally.
Kate Hoey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many rescues from fires were carried out (a) by each fire brigade and (b) in
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each region between April 2010 and March 2011. [60712]
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many rescues from fires each fire brigade in each region carried out in the latest period for which figures are available. [60255]
Robert Neill: The number of persons rescued from fires between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011 for each fire and rescue authority area and for each statistical region are shown in the following table.
| Rescues from fires by fire and rescue authority area and by region, England, 2010-11 (1) | |||||
| Casualties rescued (2) | Uninjured and rescued | ||||
|
|
Rescued by firefighters | Rescued by other/unknown | Rescued by firefighters | Rescued by other/unknown | Total persons rescued |
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| (1) = Provisional (2) Includes 367 cases where there was no obvious sign of injury but a precautionary check was recommended. Source: Fire and Rescue Incident Records, DCLG | |||||
Heating: Registration
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what reasons he proposes to make UK Accreditation Service registration compulsory for solid fuel installations; what estimate he has made of the number of installers who are likely to be affected by this change; what timetable he has set for its introduction; and if he will make a statement. [60959]
Andrew Stunell: The Department is proposing to introduce a requirement for UKAS accreditation to standard EN 45011 for all Building Regulations competent person self-certification schemes, including those authorised for the installation of solid fuel combustion appliances. Accreditation to this standard will improve the consistency of the quality assurance systems of the schemes, particularly in respect of the assessment of the technical competence and monitoring of activities of their members. This will also help to improve compliance with the Building Regulations to the benefit of the customers of the members.
Accreditation applies to the operators of competent person schemes, not to the registered members of the schemes and should have little or no effect on the members who are competent and carry out compliant work. Accreditation will bring competent person schemes into line with the Department for Energy and Climate Change's Microgeneration Certification Scheme and the Green Deal.
At 31 March 2011 there were about 1,900 registered installer members of competent person schemes authorised for the installation of solid fuel combustion appliances.
We propose to introduce the requirement from 1 October 2011 but will grant schemes an appropriate transitional period after that to achieve accreditation.
Housing: Leeds
Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of homes built in Leeds were built on (a) brownfield and (b) greenfield land in each of the last five years. [60230]
Robert Neill: The proportion of homes built on previously-developed (including previously-residential) and non previously-developed land in the periods 2002 to 2005 and 2006 to 2009 can be found in the following table.
| Leeds | 2002 - 05 | 2006 - 09 |
This information is taken from table P213 of the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Live Tables on Land Use Change Statistics.
Information for local authorities is shown in four-year periods because of volatility in estimates for individual years.
The figures for previously developed land include development on gardens.
Local Government: Complaints
Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has considered the merits of allowing complaints lodged against parish and town councils to be investigated by the local government ombudsman. [58532]
Robert Neill: We are open to representations on this matter.
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Oil
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans his Department has to address the challenges posed by peak oil. [60099]
Robert Neill: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry), on 16 June 2011, Official Report, column 895W.
Private Rented Housing: Standards
Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will bring forward proposals to amend the Localism Bill to enable local authorities to impose penalties on private landlords who are found to be in breach of national and local standards for the quality of accommodation on more than one occasion. [60754]
Grant Shapps: Local authorities already have powers under the Housing Act 2004 to take action against the owners of properties which are not properly maintained. If, having made an assessment under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, a property is found to contain serious (category 1) hazards, the local authority has a duty to take the most appropriate action. This could range from trying to deal with the problems informally at first to prohibiting the use of the whole or part of the dwelling depending on the severity of the hazard. Failure to comply with a statutory notice could lead to a fine of up to £5,000.
Although I keep these matters under constant review we have no plans to review the operation of the Housing Health and Safety System or its associated enforcement regime.
Public Sector: Land
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether (a) Peterborough and (b) Cambridgeshire will be included in the pilot scheme for auctions of publicly-owned land in 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [60602]
Robert Neill: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 13 May 2011, Official Report, column 1383W. Details of the pilot of the land disposal elements of the land auction model, including potential locations will be announced in due course.
Rent Service
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Rent Service spent on services provided by Poisson Rouge/Red Fish Corporation in each of the last five years for which figures are available; for what type of event, and in what locations. [61066]
Steve Webb: I have been asked to reply.
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The Rent Service was abolished in 2009 and its functions transferred to the VOA. Historical information is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Trade Unions
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of full-time trades union officials whose salary is paid by local authorities. [61067]
Robert Neill: This information is not centrally collated by my Department.
However, in September 2010, I note that the Taxpayers Alliance published a comprehensive survey of public authorities' employment of trade union officials.
http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/campaign/2010/09/new-tpa-research-taxpayers-fund-trade-unions-to-the-tune-of- 85-million-a-year.html
Moving forward, my Department's local government transparency initiative will help ensure that payments to trade unions and the titles of staff posts are open to greater public scrutiny.
Health
Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse
Mrs Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many alcohol-related admissions to hospital in 2009-10 were readmissions. [59926]
Anne Milton: The requested information is not collected centrally.
Mrs Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what definition the NHS uses of an alcohol-related admission to hospital; [59928]
(2) what methodology the NHS uses to determine whether a patient admission to hospital is alcohol-related. [59929]
Anne Milton: The NHS Information Centre and the Department use a common method to estimate alcohol-related admissions, based on research undertaken by the North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO).
The method makes use of the internationally applied concept of attributable fractions. In the case of alcohol-related admissions, an attributable fraction represents the estimated percentage of admissions that can be attributed to alcohol consumption. The NWPHO estimated fractions for the 47 conditions for which there was sufficient epidemiological evidence that the risk of morbidity is affected by alcohol consumption. In some cases, such as alcoholic liver disease, the conditions are wholly attributable to alcohol, in which case the attributable fraction is 1, or 100%. In the case of partially attributable conditions, the fractions often vary by age and sex. The list includes chronic conditions such as some cancers, acute conditions such as ethanol poisoning, and external causes such as road accidents.
Further details about how the fractions were generated can be found in the NWPHO report “Alcohol-attributable fractions for England: Alcohol-attributable mortality and hospital admissions”, available at:
www.nwph.net/alcohol/lape/nationalindicator.htm
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Further details about how the fractions are applied to hospital episode data can be found in the report “NI39 technical guide”, available at:
www.nwph.net/alcohol/lape/nationalindicator.htm
Ambulance Services: Standards
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to bring forward proposals to improve response times of ambulances in metropolitan cities. [59966]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has examined the whole area of targets, including those in the ambulance service, to put patient safety, experience and outcomes at the centre of the national health service. Plans to strengthen the Category A (immediately life-threatening), eight-minute response time target are currently being considered, but there are no separate plans to centrally review response times for ambulances in metropolitan cities. Each trust must ensure and be able to demonstrate that it has regard to the reasonable needs of persons in the whole of the area to which the trust must ordinarily provide goods and services.
Care Homes
Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the likely change in the level of preventable deaths resulting from vulnerable people being moved out of residential care to which they are accustomed. [60065]
Paul Burstow: The Department appreciates that it can be traumatic for some frail, older or vulnerable people if they have to be moved from residential care homes, which have become their true homes.
The decision to close a care home is taken either by the local council or, if it is an independent home, the proprietor(s). The Department is concerned that any decision to close a home should be dealt with as sensitively and appropriately as possible. It is essential that proper arrangements are made for the safe and satisfactory transfer of residents to other suitable homes.
Residents and their families should be fully involved in and consulted during the process. Adequate time should be allowed, so that residents and their relatives can make decisions and arrangements in a way that minimises stress.
Local authorities are experienced at moving care home residents and understand that any such moves should be well planned and sensitively carried out. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 requires that, where a vulnerable person lacks capacity and has no family involved in their care, the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate should be appointed to represent their interests.
On 8 June, the university of Birmingham published a guide on care home closures, entitled “Achieving closure: Good practice in supporting older people during residential care closures”. The report was commissioned by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and has gone to every focal authority in England. It is available on the university of Birmingham website at:
www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2011/06/08June CareReport.aspx
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Where a move is carried out well, the Department expects that there should be no preventable deaths.
Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibility NHS commissioners have for the care of vulnerable clients placed into care services. [60158]
Paul Burstow: National health service commissioners are responsible for including in the contracts they make with providers terms to ensure that high quality services are delivered for patients and that value is delivered for the taxpayer. They are also responsible for making sure that providers are registered with the Care Quality Commission.
Care Homes: Standards
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission in regulating the standard of care homes; and if he will make a statement. [59967]
Paul Burstow: The Department monitors the Care Quality Commission's (CQC's) financial and operational performance and risks through regular formal accountability meetings. Regular meetings are also held between Ministers, the Permanent Secretary, the chief executive of the NHS, and the chair and chief executive of the CQC, as well as at officials’ level.
The CQC is responsible for assessing and ensuring the quality of its inspection and monitoring of specific providers on a day-to-day basis. The CQC's annual accounts and annual report are laid before Parliament and it is publicly accountable through parliamentary scrutiny, including Select Committees.
To ensure the social care system of the future is fit for purpose, the forthcoming social care White Paper will explore the place of regulation alongside other mechanisms in driving quality improvement in social care. This will include a discussion of the opportunities presented to refine and strengthen the CQC's role as a quality inspectorate in this new system.
Care Quality Commission: Finance
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the provision of funding for the Care Quality Commission. [60770]
Mr Simon Burns: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has a budget settlement for 2011-12 that has been agreed with the Department. The CQC's financial position is kept under constant review during the financial year and Ministers and officials meet with the CQC on a regular basis. Funding is discussed as necessary.
The CQC made representations to the Department regarding the provision of funding as part of the 2011-12 budget setting process.
The hon. Member for Leeds North East (Fabian Hamilton) has asked a written parliamentary question on the subject.
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Departmental records show that, since 1 April 2011, we have received one item of correspondence about the provision of funding for the CQC from a member of the public. This figure represents correspondence received by the Department's central correspondence team only.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the effect of funding allocated by his Department on the capacity of the Care Quality Commission to meet inspection demand in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [60820]
Mr Simon Burns: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care providers in England. It is therefore for the CQC to determine how it delivers its regulatory functions, including the capacity it requires in order to carry out its inspection functions efficiently and effectively.
Each year, the CQC agrees its business plan and financial allocation with the Department. Its financial position is then kept under constant review during the financial year.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding his Department expects to allocate to the Care Quality Commission in each of the next five years. [60769]
Mr Simon Burns: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has an initial 2011-12 revenue budget settlement of £50 million from the Department. The CQC has also estimated that fees due from registered providers in 2011-12 will amount to £92 million. The Department will shortly confirm the CQC's initial 2011-12 budget for capital and associated revenue charges.
The CQC's financial position is kept under constant review during the financial year.
Funding for the CQC for 2012-13, and beyond, will be considered in due course.
Care Quality Commission: Manpower
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to increase the number of inspectors employed by the Care Quality Commission; and if he will make a statement. [60771]
Mr Simon Burns: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care providers in England. It is therefore for the CQC to determine how it delivers its regulatory functions, including the staffing complement it requires in order to carry out its functions efficiently and effectively.
Departmental Ministerial Responsibility
Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the number of meeting requests from hon. Members which its Ministers (a) agree to and (b) refuse; and what criteria are used in determining the outcome of a request. [61006]
Mr Simon Burns: Records of written meeting requests, and responses, are held on the Department's correspondence database.
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A variety of factors are considered in determining the response to each meeting request.
Departmental Procurement
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress his Department has made in encouraging small businesses to bid for Government contracts. [60187]
Mr Simon Burns: This Department has fully effected the transparency requirements on procurement which now apply to all central Departments under this Government. These include:
all new central Government tender documents for contracts over £10,000 to be published on a single website from September 2010, with this information to be made available to the public free of charge; and
all new central Government ICT contracts over £10,000 to be published in full online from July 2010.
The publication of these documents takes place on Contracts Finder, which is a Government-wide website implemented by the Cabinet Office.
As all Departments are required to do, this Department has also agreed in May of this year its own small and medium-sized businesses (SME) action plan with the Cabinet Office, which sets out specific steps to engage more with and help SMEs. This has now been published. These measures are all to ensure that SMEs have good notice of all tender opportunities and that they can compete on an equal footing for public sector contracts, helping to achieve the Government's aspiration to award 25% of Government contracts to SMEs.
A copy of the action plan has been place in the Library and is available at:
www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_127337.pdf
Figures from the Department's central procurements database show that for the financial year just ended, 2010-11, the Department awarded 27.6% of contracts to SMEs. The Department will be monitoring the proportion of contracts awarded to SMEs over the coming year.
Doctors: Foreign Workers
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effects on the Medical Training Initiative of a reduction in the length of Tier 5 (temporary worker) visas from two years to 12 months. [60744]
Anne Milton: The Secretary of State for Health recognises the value of the Medical Training Initiative (MTI) and the necessity to allow sufficient time for all parties to capitalise on the benefits of the scheme.
The Department is working closely with the Home Office and stakeholders to put forward the case for maintaining an effective MTI scheme that allows the national health service to contribute to the training and development of international doctors.