Empty Property: Greater London
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has estimated the number of empty homes in (a) Greater London and (b) Hendon constituency. [64800]
Robert Neill: As at October 2010, the latest date that information is available, there were 79,971 empty dwellings in London, of these 3,679 were in the London borough of Barnet.
The data are as reported by local authorities and are a snapshot taken in the autumn each year. Data are collected at local authority level and it is not possible to provide data at constituency level.
In this answer, empty dwellings includes both long-term and short-term empty dwellings.
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Fire Services
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he last met representatives of the (a) Chief Fire Officers Association and (b) Fire Brigades Union to discuss fire control issues. [63800]
Robert Neill: I last met representatives of (a) the Chief Fire Officers Association on 8 February 2011 and (b) Fire Brigades Union on 22 March 2011 to discuss fire control issues.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he last met representatives of (a) Control Centre General Partner, (b) AAIM Warrington Unit Trust, (c) Canada Life, (d) Aviva and (e) Leafrange to discuss the FiReControl estate; and from which of those companies submissions were received as part of his Department's consultation on the future of fire and rescue control services in England. [63802]
Robert Neill: Ministers have not met representatives of these organisations to discuss the FiReControl estate. None of the organisations submitted a response to the recent consultation.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will assess the recommendations in the report of the Local Government Association's Fire Commission on the future of the Fire Service College; and if he will make a statement. [64328]
Robert Neill: As was said in the Government's response to the Fire Futures Reports, we very much welcome the leadership and commitment the Local Government Association have shown in respect of securing the future of the Fire Service College. We will take their findings and recommendations into account in taking forward the future options work to deliver a new operation and governance model for the Fire Service College which, through greater involvement from other sectors, secures its future.
Fire Services: Private Sector
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which fire and rescue authorities are seeking to outsource fire control provision; what stage has been reached in each case; what his policy is on outsourcing fire control; and what guidance his Department provides to fire authorities on outsourcing fire control. [63798]
Robert Neill: As I made clear in my statement to the House on 13 January 2011, Official Report, column 22WS, no solution will be imposed by the Government on fire and rescue authorities in making decisions on the future of their control services. I am aware that a number of fire and rescue authorities have plans to outsource their control services to another authority or consortium, thereby improving efficiency and resilience. I welcome this increased collaboration. However, fire and rescue authorities are the experts in running control services and do not require guidance from central Government on this.
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I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement on Fire Control made to the House on 5 July 2011, Official Report, columns 82-83WS.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 apply to fire control staff transferring to the private sector; and if he will ensure that the revised version of the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector 2000 is applied to any transfer of such staff within the public sector. [63799]
Robert Neill: This is a matter for fire and rescue authorities to consider as the employers of fire control staff.
Homelessness
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has for local accountability mechanisms to monitor the effects of community empowerment on the provision of services to (a) homeless people and (b) other vulnerable groups. [63893]
Grant Shapps: Through the Localism Bill we are introducing major reforms to public services and providing new rights for communities, promoting transparency and strengthening local democracy and this means that local democratic processes will become even more important and councillors all the more essential as we push power to the most local level possible.
A local authority's statutory homelessness duties remain and there is no means by which this might be weakened. Local housing authorities will still be required to secure suitable accommodation for households who are eligible for assistance, homeless through no fault of their own and in ‘priority need'.
We know that sometimes people may need support and that some areas will require more help than others. That is why we are putting measures in place to remove the institutional barriers to taking collective action such as supporting participatory budgeting which can help improve understanding of the complexities of public budgets and democratic structures, and it can specifically address the needs of vulnerable groups.
Homelessness: Finance
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information he holds on the level of expenditure by each local authority to support people sleeping rough in each of the last five years. [64118]
Grant Shapps: The following table shows Department for Communities and Local Government homelessness grant funding for the years requested.
| Homelessness grant funding 2006-07 to 2010-11 | |||
|
|
L A s (£ million) | Voluntary organisations (£ million) | Total |
7 July 2011 : Column 1365W
In addition the Department currently collects retrospective year-end spend data from top-tier local authorities via the Supporting People Local Systems data set. This includes ‘spend' broken down by Supporting People primary client groups including ‘rough sleepers'. Supporting People provides housing related support services to vulnerable people including rough sleepers.
| Total spend by Supporting People top-tier authority per primary client group | |
|
|
Rough sleeper (£) |
| Source: Supporting People Local Systems data | |
Spend data to cover financial year 2010-11 are not available yet.
This Government takes homelessness very seriously, which is why we are maintaining investment in homelessness grant at £100 million a year for each of the next four years to support local authorities and the voluntary sector in their work to tackle homelessness.
Homes and Communities Agency: Apprentices
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2011, Official Report, column 599W, on the Homes and Communities Agency: apprentices, (1) how many apprenticeships were registered with the National Apprenticeship Service by the Homes and Communities Agency in 2010-11; [63923]
(2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Homes and Communities Agency's procedures for monitoring and recording information on the number of apprenticeship places created using Homes and Communities Agency funding. [63978]
Grant Shapps: The Homes and Communities Agency does not register apprenticeships with the National Apprenticeship Service, as this would duplicate the efforts of its partners with whom that responsibility lies.
The agency's partners report using the definition of an apprenticeship which has been agreed with the National Apprenticeship Service. This definition and the agency's procedures for monitoring are set out in its guidance for partners made available through its website:
http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/ourwork/job-creation
I am arranging for a copy of the document to be placed in the Library of the House.
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Housing: Ex-servicemen
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what consideration his Department has given to assisting (a) service personnel serving overseas and (b) veterans to buy their first home. [64707]
Grant Shapps: Following the Armed Forces Housing summit that I chaired in May, I promoted armed forces to the top national priority group for assistance (alongside social tenants) under our new Firstbuy equity loan scheme and for Government-funded shared ownership homes.
This means that serving members of the armed forces, as well as those recently retired, will now be at the front of the queue to benefit from these schemes. And to make sure they know about the scheme, I am sending special housing agents (Homebuy Agents) to bases, both at home and abroad, to help armed forces personnel maximise their access to Firstbuy and other affordable home ownership schemes. The agents will explain how schemes work and discuss options to ensure that service personnel have the greatest opportunity to benefit.
My officials, alongside the Ministry of Defence, are also working with credit reference agencies and Royal Mail to tackle the barriers which can disadvantage service or ex-service personnel in securing a mortgage.
Industrial Health and Safety
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has estimated the cost to local authorities of implementing the recommendations of the Common Sense, Common Safety report in respect of (a) conducting an internal review of each refusal to allow an event to take place and (b) the payment of damages by the Local Government Ombudsman where an event was found to have been incorrectly banned on the grounds of health and safety. [64197]
Robert Neill: The Government have committed to implement the recommendations in the report “Common Sense, Common Safety” in relation to the banning of events by councils on the grounds of health and safety. We are working with the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr Chope) to implement these recommendations through his Local Government Ombudsman (Amendment) Private Member's Bill. An impact assessment relating to the content of the amended Bill will be published in due course.
Local Development Frameworks
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether people will be given powers to challenge the evidence used by their local authority in determining its local development plan; and if he will make a statement. [64011]
Robert Neill:
Existing legislation enables communities to make representations on, and contribute to, evidence that local authorities gather at specific statutory stages in the preparation of local plans. Local people can also request to appear at the public examination to which
7 July 2011 : Column 1367W
council prepared development plans must be submitted, and make their views known to the independent planning inspector who tests whether the plan is suitable for adoption including an assessment of the evidence used in preparing the plan.
The Government are introducing new powers in the Localism Bill to enable communities to have a further say on shaping development in their area and to make decisions through neighbourhood planning.
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what authority local authorities have to develop their own local development frameworks; by what mechanism he proposes that disputes between local authorities are to be decided; and if he will make a statement. [64012]
Robert Neill: The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 allows local councils to prepare planning documents which, taken as a whole, set out the policies relating to the development and use of land in their area.
The Localism Bill places a duty on local councils to co-operate with each other in planning for sustainable development. The Bill will amend the 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act so that councils will not be allowed to adopt statutory development plans where they have not satisfied an independent planning inspector that they have complied with this duty to co-operate.
Local Government
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether local authorities are required to work with neighbouring authorities in developing joint core strategies; and if he will make a statement. [64013]
Robert Neill: Councils should set out policies relating to the development and use of land in their area. They have the ability to plan with neighbouring authorities if they wish. The mechanism to produce joint statutory development plans is set out in existing legislation.
The Government are bringing forward proposals in the Localism Bill to ensure local councils work together in planning for sustainable development. Councils will be required to consider whether to prepare joint planning documents on matters that cross local planning authority boundaries.
Non-domestic Rates
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the likely change in the aggregate income of (a) the City of Westminster and (b) the City of Sheffield between 2011-12 and 2012-13 attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister's proposals for the future apportionment of business rates. [64198]
Robert Neill: No estimate has been made of the likely change in the aggregate income of (a) the City of Westminster and (b) the City of Sheffield between 2011-12 and 2012-13.
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Planning: Floods
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will amend national planning guidance to prevent developments on flood plains or in flood risk areas; and if he will make a statement. [64015]
Robert Neill: The new draft National Planning Policy Framework, which will consolidate all planning policy into one document, will be published for consultation in July. The Framework will contain policy on the avoidance and management of the risk of flooding to development.
Public Order Offences: Byelaws
Mr Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to take steps to enable local authorities to introduce bye-laws relating to spitting in public places; and if he will make a statement. [62335]
Robert Neill: Spitting in a public place is an antisocial, unpleasant and unhealthy practice. Any byelaw application will be considered on a case by case basis, on its merits.
Waste Disposal
Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on any relationship between rates of recycling and the frequency of bin collections. [63842]
Robert Neill: We believe the public have a reasonable expectation that their household waste collections should be weekly, particularly for smelly waste. My Department does not hold centrally the frequency data requested. However, we will be working with the Waste and Resources Action Programme to monitor levels of service, and my Department is examining how we can increase the frequency and cost-efficiency of waste collections.
We want to make it easier to recycle, including by encouraging incentive schemes like Recyclebank, and to tackle measures which encouraged councils to cut the scope of collections. That is why we have already ditched the last Government's policy of imposing fortnightly collections.
Energy and Climate Change
Low-carbon Economy
23. Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of progress towards a low-carbon economy. [64287]
Chris Huhne: The UK low carbon and environmental goods and services sector rose to £112 billion in 2008-09—an annual increase of 4.3% on 2007-08. And:
the Green Deal will lever billions of pounds of private investment to improve energy efficiency;
the Renewable Heat Incentive will help a more-than-tenfold increase of renewable heat over the coming decade;
and the Green Investment Bank where we have provided £3 billion to steer new sources of capital towards low-carbon projects.
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Carbon Emissions
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent changes have been made to the Carbon Reduction Commitment; and if he will make a statement. [64926]
Gregory Barker: I refer the hon. Member to the written statement on the simplification of the CRC energy efficiency scheme that I laid before the House on 30 June, Official Report, columns 62-63WS.
Departmental Official Cars
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the cost to his Department was of the provision of ministerial cars in each financial year between its inception and 2010-11; how many (a) cars for the exclusive use of Ministers and (b) ministerial car journeys were paid for by his Department in each such year; what the average cost to his Department of a ministerial car journey was in each such year; and what steps his Department has taken to reduce the cost of ministerial cars since his appointment. [62992]
Gregory Barker: DECC was created on 3 October 2008.
Information relating to the cost and number of ministerial cars is published in an annual written ministerial statement, details of which can be found within the Libraries of both Houses. Links to the details are shown as follows.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090716/wmstext/90716m0009.htm
http://www2.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/hammond20101028a.html
Details of the costs for 2010-11 are currently being complied and are due for release later this month.
DECC cancelled its contract with the Government Car Service with effect from 2 September 2010 and no cars or drivers are allocated to its Ministers.
Information relating to individual ministerial car journeys prior to September 2010 is not available as there was no requirement to collect these data. Information relating to the number of ministerial car journeys made since the introduction of the ‘on demand’ ministerial car service on 6 September until 31 March is detailed in the following table:
|
|
Number of journeys |
7 July 2011 : Column 1370W
Departmental Responsibilities
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on how many occasions a request for a meeting by an hon. Member of each political party has been refused by (a) a Minister in his Department directly and (b) his Department on behalf of a Minister since May 2010. [64432]
Gregory Barker: DECC Ministers make every effort to meet hon. and right hon. Members from all parties who wish to meet them. The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Community Energy Saving Programme
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what financial penalties will be imposed on energy supply companies who do not meet their obligations under the Community Energy Saving programme. [64375]
Gregory Barker: Ofgem, as the administrator of the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), is able to enforce what is termed a “relevant requirement” by imposing a penalty of up to 10% of an offending energy company's global turnover. Any enforcement action can be expected to be proportionate to the contravention of the relevant requirement.
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps Ofgem is taking in respect of distribution of Community Energy Saving programme projects (a) between and (b) within regions. [64376]
Gregory Barker: There are around 4,500 Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) eligible areas throughout Great Britain. Within these defined areas, companies with a CESP obligation are free to choose where they deliver CESP schemes. They are not subject to any regional targets under the legislation.
Ofgem as the administrator of CESP is responsible for ensuring companies meet their overall CESP obligations. Ofgem publishes an annual report on CESP progress, including information on the regional distribution of schemes.
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has any plans to extend the Community Energy Saving programme beyond the poorest 10 per cent. of local super output areas. [64377]
Gregory Barker: The Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) is available to households in the lowest 10% of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation lower super output areas (LSOA) in England and the lowest 15% in Wales. In Scotland eligibility is based on the lowest 15% Data Zones.
These criteria are set out in the legislation governing the scheme, and there are no plans to amend that legislation.
7 July 2011 : Column 1371W
Energy: Housing
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps Ofgem plans to take to increase private sector housing participation in the Community Energy Saving programme. [64378]
Gregory Barker: There are around 4,500 Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) eligible areas throughout Great Britain. These areas include housing of a variety of types of tenure, including private sector housing. Within these defined areas companies with CESP obligations are free to choose the dwellings supported.
Ofgem, as the administrator of CESP, ensure companies meet their overall obligations but does not have a role in targeting schemes or promoting particular tenures.
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking as part of the Community Energy Support programme to maintain the requirement to favour whole house solutions. [64379]
Gregory Barker: The Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) seeks to promote whole house retrofits of properties by rewarding obligated parties with a "bonus", of extra carbon savings against their target, where they deliver multiple measures in the same property. This approach is set out in the legislation governing the scheme, and there are no plans to amend that legislation.
Scheme proposals from the energy companies indicate that in the vast majority of cases a whole house approach is planned.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 27 July 2010, Official Report, column 885W, on housing: energy, and to the contribution by the Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change of 10 May 2011, Official Report, column 1098, when he plans to publish the outstanding annual progress report under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995; and if he will make a statement. [64585]
Gregory Barker: The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) requires the Secretary of State to report from time to time on progress made by energy conservation authorities in implementing measures set out in their reports.
The forthcoming Green Deal will fundamentally change the landscape for improving household energy efficiency and we will work with local government to revitalise HECA, including developing a fresh and light touch approach to reporting, consistent with the Government's localism agenda. We will publish a progress report after the launch of the Green Deal.
Energy: USA
Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the monetary value was of each trade deal attributable to his Department's green trade mission to the United States in 2011; and which US and UK companies were involved in each deal. [64772]
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Gregory Barker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana Berger) on 26 April 2011, Official Report, column 58W.
Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has for green trade missions to (a) the USA and (b) any other country in the next 12 months. [64849]
Gregory Barker: We expect further green trade missions in the future, to build on the success of the first, but I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana Berger) on 26 April 2011, Official Report, column 59W.
Feed-in Tariffs
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 20 June 2011, Official Report, column 130W, on solar power, how many (a) installations and (b) megawatts of installed capacity there were in each month of operation of the GB feed-in-tariffs scheme. [64353]
Gregory Barker: The following table shows the number of solar photovoltaic installations and the amount of installed capacity confirmed on the feed in tariff scheme at the end of each month of operation.
| End of: | Number of solar photovoltaic installations | Solar photovoltaic installed capacity (MW) |
Data from DECC's feed in tariff capacity: monthly update, available at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/electricity/electricity.aspx
Fukushima
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 21 June 2011, Official Report, column 5WS, on Fukushima (Interim Report), what resources will be committed to the review of the Japanese response to the Fukushima emergency to identify lessons for UK public contingency planning for widespread emergencies; and whether he expects to engage independent experts to assist in the review. [63371]
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Charles Hendry: The Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Cabinet Office are currently considering what Government resources will be committed to the review of the Japanese response to the Fukushima emergency, including possible engagement with independent experts. This review was recommended by the Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations in his interim report on the implications for the UK nuclear industry of the Fukushima incident (the ‘Weightman Report’). The Office for Nuclear Regulation's costs in preparing the Weightman Report have been met from its existing budget, which is largely recovered from industry.
The Nuclear Emergency Planning Liaison Group (NEPLG) will play an important role in the Government's response to the events at Fukushima. The group, which is resourced by Departments and agencies nationally, is currently reviewing the capacity and capability of the UK's nuclear emergency response arrangements to effectively manage a prolonged nuclear emergency, caused by a UK or overseas incident. The NEPLG is a national forum, which brings together organisations with an interest in off-site planning for an emergency at civil nuclear sites, including licensed site operators, and representatives from local authorities and the emergency services. Under its terms of reference, the group agrees improvements in planning, procedure and organisation which might form a framework of advice to nuclear operators, the emergency services and those other organisations that may be involved in the response to a nuclear emergency.
Green Deal Scheme
Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) his officials have had with the Behavioural Insights Team at the Cabinet Office to discuss the Green Deal. [64844]
Gregory Barker: DECC officials have worked closely with the Cabinet Office Behavioural Insights Team and officials from other Departments in preparation of the Behaviour Change and Energy Use report, which was launched on 6 July. The Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my noble Friend Lord Marland, has met the team to discuss certain elements of the report relating to the design of energy performance certificates.
Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will outline his proposals for incentives for consumers to take up the Green Deal; and if he will make a statement. [64851]
Gregory Barker: The Green Deal framework will allow providers to develop their own approaches for encouraging demand. The Government published a Behavioural Change and Energy Use report on 6 July which includes details of a number of trials to test the impact of different incentives, and the findings will inform providers. The 2011 Budget also confirmed the Government's commitment to act to incentivise and encourage take-up of the Green Deal and DECC will work with HM Treasury and other Departments to consider possible options.
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Radiation
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change who the members are of the technical co-ordination group created to consider how the results of national radiation monitoring are to be collated and communicated to the public; and what relevant experience and expertise each such member has. [63368]
Charles Hendry: The technical co-ordination group's role is to look at how information collected by the national radiation monitoring network and nuclear emergency response system (RIMNET) and other radiation monitoring capabilities can best be made accessible to the public.
The group is made up of representatives from a number of Departments and agencies each with a role in radiation monitoring. Core member organisations are the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Environment Agency, Met Office, RIMNET, GO Science, Food Standards Agency, Health Protection Agency, The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). Other organisations, such as the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), may be invited to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis as appropriate. Relevant individuals will be drawn from these organisations to participate in the group's meetings based on their expertise and the agenda for discussion. Thus, the group's membership varies depending on the specific issues subject to its consideration at any given time.
Renewable Energy
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the UK's capacity to generate 15 per cent. of energy from renewable sources by 2020. [64000]
Gregory Barker: The UK has a binding target under the renewable energy directive to produce 15% of its energy from renewable sources across the electricity, heat and transport sectors by 2020. This includes a target of 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020.
The National Renewable Energy Action Plan, published by DECC in July 2010, provides details on a set of measures that would enable the UK to meet its 2020 target. It sets out the 'lead scenario' which demonstrates that it is possible to achieve the 15% target, and also provides one view of the technology mix in 2020.
More recently, we have published updated renewable heat analysis(1) and on renewable electricity (by Arup(2)).
(1) “Renewable Heat Incentive Impact Assessment” (DECC, March 2011)
(2) “Review of the generation costs and deployment potential of renewable electricity technologies in the UK”
Social Rented Housing: Energy
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with local authorities on steps to improve the energy efficiency of local authority-owned housing stock. [64288]
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Gregory Barker: I am actively engaging local authorities on this issue, including on how the sector can get involved with the forthcoming Green Deal, our new programme to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
For example, in addition to the Big Society event I hosted last month, this month I am holding a breakfast for social housing providers, including local authorities.
Solar Power: Housing
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 22 June 2011, Official Report, column 341W, on solar power: housing, whether he has received any representations from the solar photovoltaic sector on regulations for the installation of solar photovoltaics in domestic properties. [64339]
Gregory Barker: DECC Ministers meet regularly with industry representatives to discuss a range of issues. It has been the practice of successive Administrations not to reveal details of such meetings.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2011, Official Report, column 1071W, on solar power: housing, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on whether local councils are implementing correctly planning regulations for the installation of solar photovoltaics on domestic properties. [64720]
Gregory Barker: DECC Ministers meet regularly with their counterparts from the Department for Communities and Local Government and other Government Departments to discuss a range of issues. It has been the practice of successive Administrations not to reveal details of such meetings.
Utilities: Competition
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on levels of competition between domestic energy suppliers. [64403]
Charles Hendry: DECC Ministers and officials meet with officials and Ministers of other Government Departments on a regular basis to discuss energy market issues.
The energy regulator Ofgem monitors the market closely.
In their retail market review, Ofgem did not find evidence of a cartel among the Big 6 energy suppliers, but identified a number of barriers to competition. They have recently consulted on proposals to tackle the issues identified.
DECC is cutting red tape for smaller suppliers to boost competition in retail energy markets.
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Visits Abroad: Saudi Arabia
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the purpose was of the visit by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to Saudi Arabia in May 2011. [58856]
Mr Bellingham: I have been asked to reply.
The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Gulf Initiative, both at the political and economic levels, to hold discussions on oil price and Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries issues, and to open discussions on commercial opportunities and investment projects in relation to the Gulf States. The visit to Saudi Arabia was part of a three-day visit to the region which also took in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will place in the Library the schedule of the visit by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to Saudi Arabia in May 2011. [58857]
Mr Bellingham: I have been asked to reply.
The travel plans of Ministers are not for public disclosure for security reasons.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what costs were incurred in each category of expenditure for the visit by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to Saudi Arabia in May 2011. [58858]
Mr Bellingham: I have been asked to reply.
Flight costs were £3734.62 and were met from UK Trade and Investment's budget. The Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my noble Friend Lord Marland, stayed at the residence of the UK ambassador in Riyadh which meant that no accommodation costs were incurred. Lord Marland does not receive a ministerial salary.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the outcomes were of the visit by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to Saudi Arabia in May 2011; and if he will make a statement. [58859]
Mr Bellingham: I have been asked to reply.
The Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change my noble Friend Lord Marland's visit strengthened producer-consumer dialogue on a wide range of energy issues, including oil and gas market evolution and nuclear projects. He opened talks on potential major commercial deals, and reported back to Government on new commercial opportunities. He was also able to inform major Gulf investors about key UK inward investment opportunities which have laid essential groundwork for his future follow-up visit with a trade and investment delegation in his capacity as chairman of the ambassadors' network.
7 July 2011 : Column 1377W
International Development
Afghanistan: Overseas Aid
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (a) has been and (b) will be used to pay health sector workers' salaries. [64560]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: In 2009-10, the Department for International Development (DFID) contributed £60 million to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), of which £3.6 million went nominally to the health sector to help the Government of Afghanistan pay the salaries of health workers and other health-related recurrent costs. It is not possible to disaggregate recurrent expenditure on health workers alone without incurring disproportionate costs.
In the absence of an IMF programme, used by the international community as an indicator of sound economic and financial management, DFID is delaying payment to the ARTF.
Developing Countries: Agriculture
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans his Department has to support smallholder agriculture following the end of disbursements under the L'Aquila Food Security Initiative in 2012; and if he will make a statement. [64195]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development supports smallholders in many ways. Over the next four years, the Department will spend an average of £65 million annually on agricultural research, most of which is intended to benefit smallholders. Key multilateral partners such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development, The Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Food Programme, but also the European Commission and its Humanitarian Department provide significant support to smallholders. Almost half of the programmes in our 27 bilateral focus countries prioritise support to smallholders. Our Africa regional programme also supports marketing and trade for African smallholders.
Developing Countries: Maternity Services
Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress his Department has made on its plans to reduce maternal mortality rates in the developing world by 2015. [63935]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Government's ‘Choices for women’ Framework for Results outlines how the UK will save the lives of at least 50,000 women during pregnancy and childbirth and 250,000 newborn babies by 2015. The framework has a focus on increasing access to skilled health workers and commits to supporting at least two million safe deliveries and ensuring long-lasting improvements in maternity services.
Department for International Development (DFID) country programmes have been finalising their operational plans for the next four years which will contribute to the Framework for Results commitments These plans are now available on the DFID website:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Media-Room/Publications/?p=OP
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Developing Countries: Tuberculosis
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken to help reduce stigma and discrimination in respect of tuberculosis in developing countries. [63897]
Mr O'Brien: It is crucial that we work with others to address stigma, discrimination and the exclusion of key populations. These are barriers which hamper people from accessing life-saving prevention and treatment. The coalition Government work to address these barriers through our bilateral and multilateral support to combat tuberculosis (TB). For example, in advance of its 11th funding round, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), which is the largest single provider of international funds to fight TB, issued guidance on taking a rights based approach to the design of TB programmes. It also recommends that countries specifically consider activities and programmes to reduce stigma and discrimination in their TB proposals.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of progress towards meeting UN Millennium Development Goal 6 on tuberculosis; and whether he expects the 2015 targets to be met. [63898]
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the progress towards UN Millennium Development Goal 6 on tuberculosis; and whether he expects the objectives to be met by the 2015 deadline. [63930]
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of progress in relation to UN Millennium Development Goal 6 to halt and begin to reverse the tuberculosis endemic and to halve TB prevalence and death rates by 2015 compared with 1990 levels. [64139]
Mr O'Brien: Significant progress has been made since 1995, with 41 million patients successfully treated under DOTS resulting in 6 million lives saved. Globally, rates of incidence, prevalence and mortality are declining. Incidence rates are falling slowly by 1% a year, following a peak at 140 cases per 100,000 population (2004). Mortality rates have fallen by one third since 1990, and prevalence rates are also in decline. WHO projections indicate that the target of halving mortality by 2015 compared with 1990 would be achieved at global level.
The target of halving prevalence by 2015 may present challenges at the global level due to slower than expected progress in the African and South East Asian regions. Halving of prevalence has already been achieved in the Americas. WHO projections suggest that the Western Pacific, and the Eastern Mediterranean are on track. The European Region may achieve the target by 2015.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken to encourage industrial development of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines for tuberculosis; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of these steps. [63899]
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Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting a number of product development partnerships to encourage industrial development of new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines for tuberculosis. This includes support to the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND); the Global Alliance for TB Drugs; and the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation. These initiatives are making progress. For instance, FIND has helped develop a new diagnostic for rapid detection of TB (‘GenXpert'). This may help shorten the time to diagnosis and cut transmission, thus preventing new cases in future. FIND are also working on how they can adapt these tools for use in more peripheral settings.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department plans to take to promote implementation and delivery of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines for tuberculosis. [63900]
Mr O'Brien: The coalition Government remain committed to supporting global efforts to halve tuberculosis deaths by 2015, as highlighted in ‘UK aid: Changing lives, delivering results’. In support of this objective, and to help to drive progress towards zero HIV infections and deaths by 2015, scaling up access to tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis, treatment care and support is a strategic priority in the coalition Government's recently launched ‘Towards zero infections: The UK's position paper on HIV in the developing world’.
We support prevention, diagnosis and treatment of TB through our bilateral and multilateral support. This is done particularly through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which is the largest single provider of international funds to fight TB, including TB-HIV, and through supporting co-ordinated action through the Stop TB Partnership. We also invest in research and product development into more effective treatment and vaccines; we support countries to strengthen health systems to deliver quality TB programmes; and we work with our partners to tackle the risk factors for TB, including poverty and malnutrition.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of improved drugs, vaccines and diagnostics on rates of tuberculosis in developing countries. [63901]
Mr O'Brien: The contribution of new drugs and technologies on the levels of tuberculosis (TB) in developing countries could be significant, but there are limitations. While most TB patients can be cured with present drug regimens, the 2050 elimination target is far more likely to be achieved with a combination of improved diagnostics, drugs and vaccines that can detect and treat both latent TB infection and active disease. Recent modelling for the WHO has suggested that a combination of a neonatal pre-exposure TB vaccine, a two-month treatment regimen effective against drug-susceptible and resistant strains of TB, and a novel point-of-care diagnostic test could potentially reduce the incidence of TB by 71%. There are however questions remaining about the effect of these in high HIV prevalent areas.
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Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken to help reduce stigma and discrimination in relation to tuberculosis in developing countries. [63929]
Mr O'Brien: It is crucial that we work with others to address stigma, discrimination and the exclusion of key populations. These are barriers which hamper people from accessing life saving prevention and treatment. The coalition Government work to address these barriers through our bilateral and multilateral support to combat tuberculosis (TB). For example, in advance of its 11th funding round, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), which is the largest single provider of international funds to fight TB, issued guidance on taking a rights based approach to the design of TB programmes. It also recommends that countries specifically consider activities and programmes to reduce stigma and discrimination in their TB proposals.
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken to encourage industrial development of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines for tuberculosis; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of such steps. [63931]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting a number of product development partnerships to encourage industrial development of new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines for tuberculosis. This includes support to the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Global Alliance for TB Drugs; and the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation. These initiatives are making progress. For instance, FIND has helped develop a new diagnostic for rapid detection of TB (‘GenXpert’). This may help shorten the time to diagnosis and cut transmission, thus preventing new cases in future. FIND are also working on how they can adapt these tools for use in more peripheral settings.
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans his Department has to help ensure effective implementation and delivery of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines for tuberculosis. [63932]
Mr O'Brien: The coalition Government remain committed to supporting global efforts to halve tuberculosis deaths by 2015, as highlighted in “UK aid: Changing lives, delivering results”. In support of this objective, and to help to drive progress towards zero HIV infections and deaths by 2015, scaling up access to tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis, treatment care and support is a strategic priority in the coalition Government's recently launched “Towards zero infections: The UK's position paper on HIV in the developing world”.
We support prevention, diagnosis and treatment of TB through our bilateral and multilateral support. This is done particularly through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which is the largest single provider of international funds to fight TB, including TB-HIV, and through supporting coordinated action through the Stop TB Partnership. We also invest in
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research and product development into more effective treatment and vaccines; we support countries to strengthen health systems to deliver quality TB programmes; and we work with our partners to tackle the risk factors for TB, including poverty and malnutrition.
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of improved drugs, vaccines and diagnostics on rates of tuberculosis in developing countries. [63933]
Mr O'Brien: The contribution of new drugs and technologies on the levels of tuberculosis (TB) in developing countries could be significant, but there are limitations. While most TB patients can be cured with present drug regimens, the 2050 elimination target is far more likely to be achieved with a combination of improved diagnostics, drugs and vaccines that can detect and treat both latent TB infection and active disease. Recent modelling for the WHO has suggested that a combination of a neonatal pre-exposure TB vaccine, a two-month treatment regimen effective against drug-susceptible and resistant strains of TB, and a novel point-of-care diagnostic test could potentially reduce the incidence of TB by 71%. There are however questions remaining about the effect of these in high HIV prevalent areas.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department provided for research and development of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines for tuberculosis in developing countries in each of the last five years. [63902]
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department provided for research and development of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines for tuberculosis in each of the last five years. [63934]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting a range of research programmes to promote the development of new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines for tuberculosis (TB). These include: the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Global Alliance for TB Drugs, and the Aeras Global T6 Vaccine Foundation. Funding amounts for the last five years are provided in the following table.
| DFID funding | ||||
| £ | ||||
|
|
FIND | Aeras | Global Alliance for TB Drugs | Total |
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken to address stigma and discrimination in developing countries in relation to tuberculosis. [64138]
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Mr O'Brien: It is crucial that we work with others to address stigma, discrimination and the exclusion of key populations. These are barriers which hamper people from accessing life saving prevention and treatment. The coalition Government work to address these barriers through our bilateral and multilateral support to combat tuberculosis (TB). For example, in advance of its 11th funding round, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), which is the largest single provider of international funds to fight TB, issued guidance on taking a rights based approach to the design of TB programmes. It also recommends that countries specifically consider activities and programmes to reduce stigma and discrimination in their TB proposals.
Ethiopia: Droughts
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans his Department has to respond to the drought in Ethiopia. [64502]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government are providing significant funding for the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) in Ethiopia to help feed 1.3 million people for three months, and to provide nutritional supplements for 329,000 malnourished children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
We are also supporting an innovative safety net programme in Ethiopia to help increase resilience to drought and hunger in the longer term. With UK support, 7.8 million people in Ethiopia have access to cash or food in exchange for work, through the Productive Safety Net Programme. Department for International Development (DFID) funding is also helping create 60,000 new jobs that are not dependent on rain-fed agriculture.
Horn of Africa: Food
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department is taking steps to increase food security in the Horn of Africa. [64503]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) is making long-term investments in safety net, disaster risk reduction and wealth creation programmes that aim to increase food security in the Horn of Africa.
In Ethiopia we are supporting 7.8 million people with cash and food aid transfers through the National Safety Net Programme which provides cash or food in return for work. We are also supporting a programme to create 60,000 new jobs that are not dependent on rain-fed agriculture.
In Kenya DFID is funding a hunger safety net programme which makes regular cash payments to 60,000 of the poorest households. Monitoring suggests that those receiving these payments are significantly more resilient to the current drought than others living in these regions.
In Somalia, my Department is currently supporting pastoralists and farmers to strengthen their resilience through emergency livelihood protection activities. We are also supporting a four-year wealth creation programme which aims to improve economic and employment prospects for women and young people in Somalia. It aims to create 45,000 long-term jobs by 2015.
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Horn of Africa: Politics and Government
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the effects on (a) women and (b) children of the humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa. [64504]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: We estimate that around 10 million people in the Horn of Africa are currently in need of emergency relief. About half of those are in Ethiopia, and the other half split between Kenya and Somalia. A large proportion of those in need are women and children. Nutritional surveys in southern and south eastern parts of the region indicate prevailing rates of malnutrition above emergency thresholds. The situation in the Somali refugee camps is especially concerning. Acute child malnutrition among new arrivals to camps in Kenya and Ethiopia is running at 33-40%, more than double emergency levels.
The UK's humanitarian response to the crisis is specifically targeting women and children. Our new contribution to the World Food Programme in Ethiopia will help ensure that 329,000 malnourished children and pregnant and lactating mothers receive supplementary food. Ongoing UK support to Kenya and Somalia since October 2010 has been used to treat acute malnutrition in more than 140,000 children and 17,500 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Kenya: Refugees
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the refugee situation in Kenya in light of the drought in the Horn of Africa; and whether his Department is providing support to respond to the situation in those refugee camps. [64501]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports there are now more than 394,000 Somali refugees in Kenya. The situation is now an emergency in the Dadaab refugee camps, with 1,300 new arrivals reported daily in the last two weeks. Congestion and conditions remain unacceptable. UNHCR and other agencies have absorbed this ongoing influx and continue to provide some minimum services. These are now severely stretched and needs are not being fully met.
The UK provided £2 million to UNHCR during 2010-11, to meet the basic relief needs of 20,000 refugees. Given the deteriorating situation, we are in the process of increasing this support in 2011.
Sierra Leone: Health Services
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what outcomes he expects from his Department's support for health sector salaries in Sierra Leone. [64559]
Mr O'Brien: The UK is supporting the delivery of the Free Health Care Initiative for pregnant and nursing women and children under five years old which was launched by the President of Sierra Leone in April 2010. The purpose of the UK's support is to reduce maternal and child mortality in Sierra Leone which is among the worst in the world.
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The support to health workers salaries has both retained and increased the number of health personnel in the public health sector which is better able to manage the increase in demand for services as a result of the Free Health Care Initiative. The aim of the Initiative is to provide free health services for up to 460,000 women and 1 million children each year. After its first year of operation there has been solid progress with 1,993,000 additional under five consultations of which 1,160,000 were treated for malaria; 39,100 more women delivered their babies in a health facility; and 12,000 maternity complications were managed in health facilities with a 60% drop in the fatality rate in these cases.
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that health workers are deployed to the parts of Sierra Leone in greatest need. [64561]
Mr O'Brien: The UK is supporting the delivery of the Free Health Care Initiative for pregnant and nursing women and children under five years old which was launched by the President of Sierra Leone in April 2010. The purpose of the UK's support is to reduce maternal and child mortality in Sierra Leone which is among the worst in the world.
As a result of the UK's support over 2,000 additional health workers were recruited in 2010 to help meet the increased demand for services across the country including those areas in greatest need. To date we have provided technical expertise to work closely with the Human Resources Department of the Ministry of Health to develop a robust national human resources policy and strategy to address the challenges of coverage and spread in the medium to long term. In the short term the World Bank has this year introduced a programme to incentivise personnel working in the rural areas of the country. We are collaborating closely with the World Bank on this programme to ensure health workers in the rural areas remain in post.
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many additional doctors, nurses, midwives and other health workers he expects (a) to be required and (b) his Department to fund in Sierra Leone in order to reach the targets on maternal mortality and assisted births set out in his Department's operational plan for that country. [64562]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK is supporting the delivery of the Free Health Care Initiative for pregnant and nursing women and children under five years old which was launched by the President of Sierra Leone in April 2010. The purpose of the UK's support is to reduce maternal and child mortality in Sierra Leone which is among the worst in the world.
The UK has provided the Human Resources Department of the Ministry of Health with specialised technical support so that it can carry out an in-depth analysis of the staffing they currently have, what staffing they should have as a minimum in light of the size of population, and how they intend filling the staffing gap. This will then result in a clear strategy by the end of this year which maps out the numbers and mix of skills they need in the medium to long term, how they intend putting
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these in place and what resources are available to enable them to implement the strategy. The UK will work closely with the Ministry of Health and non-governmental partners to ensure UK resources are targeted at the priority skills needed to address maternal health and assisted births.
Somalia: Droughts
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans his Department has to respond to the drought in Somalia. [64500]
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Mr Andrew Mitchell: My Department is already supporting ongoing activities in Somalia that are reaching more than 1.3 million vulnerable people this year with emergency relief assistance. This includes treatment of starving children, access to health care, essential vaccinations, water, sanitation, food assistance, shelter and activities to protect the livelihoods of pastoralists and farmers.
My officials are identifying priority activities and partners who are best placed to respond rapidly to the deteriorating situation. My Department is working with other donors to support humanitarian agencies increase their current emergency response.