Employment and Support Allowance
Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether a person who no longer qualifies for contributory employment and support allowance (ESA) because they have been in the work-related activity group for over 12 months who is reassessed and moved into the support group more than two years after they began their initial claim will have contributory ESA reinstated. [63219]
Chris Grayling: Claimants who no longer qualify for contributory employment and support allowance (ESA) because they have been in the work-related activity group for over 12 months, who are then reassessed and moved into the support group, more than two years after they began their initial claim, will have their contributory ESA reinstated.
Employment Schemes: Disability
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the input and effectiveness of user groups in aiding people with disabilities to obtain work through the Work programme. [65292]
Chris Grayling: DWP expects Work programme providers to work closely with those groups that can help them support as many people as possible into sustained employment, and the payment structure is designed to incentivise this. The programme launched nationally in June and has long-term goals and measures of success, so it is not yet possible to assess the extent or effectiveness of different organisations' involvement. A full independent evaluation of the programme is currently being commissioned.
Housing Benefit
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many housing benefit claimants currently in receipt of such benefit claimed more than his proposed cap for housing benefit claims for (a) one, (b) two, (c) five and (d) five or more years. [65517]
12 July 2011 : Column 241W
Steve Webb: The information is not available.
Information relating to the duration of claims can not be reliably derived from housing benefit administrative data.
Industrial Diseases
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will assess the potential implications for persons diagnosed with (a) stress-related illnesses and (b) musculoskeletal disorders of the recommendations relating to low-hazard workplaces in Common Sense, Common Safety when considering implementation of the recommendations. [64201]
Chris Grayling: The Health and Safety Executive has implemented the recommendations in “Common Sense Common Safety” by developing some interactive tools for employers in low-risk business environments such as offices and shops, as well as new straight forward guidance, “Health and Safety Made Simple”. These are intended to help employers to manage health and safety in their workplaces in a sensible and proportionate way,—including consideration of those diagnosed with stress or musculoskeletal disorders if applicable.
Industrial Health and Safety
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has to reduce the number of health and safety regulations which impose unnecessary burdens or which have been assessed by his Department as unreasonable. [65088]
Chris Grayling: On 21 March 2011 the Department for Work and Pensions announced a review of health and safety regulation, with a view to reducing unnecessary burdens on business. The review is being chaired by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt. A call for evidence was published on 20 May with a closing date for responses of 29 July. The findings of the review are expected to be published by the end of November.
The Government's Red Tape Challenge will focus on health and safety legislation from 30 June to 21 July. Contributions are invited on which regulations should be scrapped, amended or left as they are. Professor Löfstedt will consider the contributions as part of his review.
Jobseeker's Allowance
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged under 25 years in Sunderland Central constituency have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance for more than 12 months. [65072]
Chris Grayling: The number of claimants under 25 years old in Sunderland Central constituency, who have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance for more than 12 months, is 30.
Notes:
Caseload data is rounded to the nearest 5
Source:
May 2011 caseload data published on:
https://www.nomisweb.co.uk
12 July 2011 : Column 242W
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to answer the letter sent to him by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 31 May 2011 with regard to Mrs Rahman. [65672]
Chris Grayling: Despite an extensive search, I am afraid the Department has no trace of the letter.
Personal Income: Sunderland
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average household income is of a family in (a) social rented sector and (b) private rented sector accommodation in Sunderland Central constituency in the latest period for which figures are available. [65265]
Steve Webb: We use households below average income data to provide estimates of median incomes. However, the sample size of this survey is not sufficient to provide estimates for small areas such as that requested.
The following table shows the median equivalised disposable household income by tenure for the North East region of England, before and after housing costs.
| Table 1: Median equivalised disposable household income, for families, by tenure for the North East region of England, three year average 2007/08 to 2009/10, before and after housing costs | ||
| Median equivalised weekly disposable household income for families (£) | ||
| Tenure type | BHC | AHC |
| Notes: 1. These statistics are based on households below average income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 2. Net disposable incomes have been used to answer the question. This includes earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. Income tax, payments, national insurance contributions, council tax/domestic rates and some other payments are deducted from incomes. 3. Figures have been presented on a before housing cost and an after housing cost basis. For before housing costs, housing costs are not deducted from income, while for after housing costs they are. 4. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to a degree of uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 5. The reference period for HBAI figures is the financial year. For countries and regions within the UK, three survey years have been combined because single year estimates are not considered to be sufficiently reliable. 6. Weekly incomes are presented in 2009/10 prices and have been rounded to the nearest pound. 7. Families are defined as a single adult or couple living as married and any dependent children, including same sex couples (civil partnerships and cohabitees) from January 2006. A household is made up of one of more families and is defined as a single person or group of people living at the same address as their only or main residence, who either share one meal a day together or share the living accommodation (i.e. a living room). In line with the wording of the question, analysis has been carried out at the family level. Source: Households below average income (HBAI) 2007/08 to 2009/10 | ||
Social Security Benefits
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish the modelling on the effect of the overall benefit cap carried out by his Department. [64636]
12 July 2011 : Column 243W
Chris Grayling: The costing model used to estimate the effects of the benefit cap uses DWP's policy simulation model (PSM), which is a static microsimulation model based on data from the 2008-09 Family Resources Survey, uprated to the relevant year's prices, benefit rates and earnings levels.
The impacts of the policy to introduce a cap on the overall level of benefits that can be received by households in receipt of out-of-work benefit are published in the impact assessment and equality impact assessment which are available on the DWP website:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare%2Dreform/legislation%2Dand%2Dkey%2Ddocuments/welfare%2Dreform%2Dbill%2D2011/impact%2Dassessments%2Dand%2Dequality/
Social Security Benefits: Offenders
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many ex-offenders in each Jobcentre Plus area who had sanctions placed on their benefits went on to reoffend in the latest period for which figures are available. [65784]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is not routinely collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
State Retirement Pensions: Females
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the effects on the Exchequer of equalising men and women's state pension age as planned under the Pensions Act 1995, and then increasing the state pension age to (a) 66 by April 2021 and then 66 and a quarter by 2022 and 66 and a half by 2024 and (b) to 66 by April 2021 and then 66 and a quarter by 2023 and 66 and a half by 2025. [65753]
Steve Webb: The savings over the period 2020-21 and 2025-26 accruing from these timetables are (a) £32.4 billion (in 2010-11 prices) and (b) £30.6 billion (in 2010-11 prices).
Between 2026-27 and 2034-35, these timetables would result in additional savings of £27.3 billion (in 2010/11 prices).
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the effects on the Exchequer of equalising men and women's state pension age as planned under the Pensions Act 1995, and then increasing the state pension age to 66 by April 2021. [65754]
Steve Webb: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave to her on 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 277W. The savings estimates presented in that reply are computed in line with the methodology used to prepare the estimates of DWP AME savings published in the impact assessment presented with the Pensions Bill 2011. They take into account lower spending on pensioner benefits and higher spending on working age benefits.
The estimates presented in the reply are based on the current welfare system. Reliance on income-related pension benefits and working age benefits is assumed to remain in line with current age-specific rates of reliance.
12 July 2011 : Column 244W
The estimates presented in the reply assume a baseline of the state pension age equalisation timetable as legislated by the Pensions Act 1995 and the increase to 66 as legislated in the Pensions Act 2007.
The financial year breakdown of the savings is presented in the following table:
| Savings on DWP spend on benefits | |
|
|
£ billion, 2010-11 prices |
| Note: Figures rounded to the nearest £0.1 billion. | |
The financial year breakdown of the savings resulting from the Pensions Bill 2011 timetable is presented in the following table:
| Savings on DWP spend on benefits—Pensions Bill 2011 | |
|
|
£ billion, 2010-11 prices |
| Note: Figures rounded to the nearest £0.1 billion. | |
Unemployment: East Midlands
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information his Department holds on the average period (a) a man and (b) a woman aged (i) 30, (ii) 40 and (iii) 50 years in (A) Derby and (B) the east midlands was out of work following loss of employment in the latest period for which figures are available. [65792]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the average period (a) a man and (b) a woman aged (i) 30, (ii) 40 and (iii) 50 years in (A) Derby and (B) the East Midlands was out of work following loss of employment in the latest period for which figures are available. (65792)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions; however estimates for duration of unemployment for these ages and geographies are not available. An alternative source, the number of claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), is available for five year age bands from administrative data.
The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is taken from the Jobcentre Plus administrative system. The length of a claim has been defined as the number of weeks between the start of an individual's claim and the date the claim was terminated. Table 1 shows the median length of completed claims for May 2011.
12 July 2011 : Column 245W
National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
| Table 1: Median length of completed claims of jobseeker's allowance, (1) May 2011 | ||||
| Number of weeks | ||||
| Derby | East midlands | |||
| Age band | Male | Female | Male | Female |
| (1) Length of claim data are available only for computerised claims, which account for 99.7% of all claims. Source: Jobcentre Plus Administrative System. | ||||
Unemployment: Young People
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the level of youth unemployment in (a) England, (b) the west midlands and (c) Dudley borough in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [65216]
Chris Grayling: The headline youth unemployment figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) cover the UK. These show the number of 16 to 24-year-olds unemployed on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition in February to April 2011 was 895,000, a fall of 35,000 over the last year. Nearly a third of unemployed young people are full-time students; the number not in full-time education and unemployed is 618,000, down 30,000 on the year. The latest unemployment rate for 16 to 24-year-olds—the number unemployed as a proportion of the active labour force—is 19.3%.
Figures for England, the west midlands and Dudley are available from the Annual Population Survey (APS). The latest data, covering January to December 2010, show a 16 to 24 ILO unemployment level of 738,000 in England and an unemployment rate of 19.2%. In the west midlands the level is 83,000, an unemployment rate of 21.2%. In Dudley there are around 6,000 unemployed people, an unemployment rate of 22.5%.
APS data are not available monthly. The following table shows the number of 18 to 24-year-olds claiming jobseeker's allowance (JSA) in England, the west midlands and Dudley over the last 12 months. These figures are not adjusted for seasonal fluctuation so month-on-month changes should not be seen as an indication of the underlying trend. Comparing the latest May 2011 data with the same month last year suggests the number of JSA claimants aged 18 to 24 has fallen in England and the west midlands and risen in Dudley.
| Number of 18 to 24-year-old JSA claimants | |||
|
|
England | West midlands | Dudley borough |
12 July 2011 : Column 246W
| Source: Nomis https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/ | |||
Tackling the high level of youth unemployment it inherited is a key priority for the coalition Government. Young people will benefit from radical reform of the welfare system which, through the Work programme, will create more flexible, personalised support to find work. In addition, the 2011 Budget invested £200 million in support specifically targeted at young people which will include work experience; skills training; guaranteed interviews and progression into apprenticeships.
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on reducing youth unemployment; and if he will publish the minutes of any such meetings. [65486]
Chris Grayling: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, his ministerial team and the Department's officials have regular discussions with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to discuss matters relating to youth employment.
As part of the development of the cross-departmental participation strategy, which was announced in the social mobility document published in March 2011, Ministers and officials from both Departments, and from the Department for Education, meet periodically to progress this work with a view to publishing a document in autumn 2011.
There is no standard practice of publishing minutes of ministerial discussions, which is in line with established principles from the previous Administration that inter-ministerial correspondence, discussion and the workings of Ministers’ offices are generally matters performed on a confidential basis.
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of future trends in the level of youth unemployment in (a) Liverpool, Walton constituency, (b) Merseyside and (c) England and Wales. [65658]
Chris Grayling: The Department has made no such assessments.
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged between 16 and 24 years in Islwyn constituency were not in education, employment or training in the latest period for which figures are available. [65694]
12 July 2011 : Column 247W
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated July 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people aged between 16 and 24 years in Islwyn constituency were not in education, employment or training in the latest period for which figures are available. (65694)
Unfortunately, reliable estimates are not available for this information.
Published statistics for those not in education, employment or training in Wales can be found on the Welsh Government website at:
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/theme/post16ed/part-labour/?lang=en
Defence
Armed Forces: Vehicles
David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many non-combat vehicles leased or hired by his Department were manufactured in (a) the UK, (b) another EU member state and (c) a country outside the EU. [62675]
Peter Luff: Information on the origin of manufacture of vehicles leased to the Ministry of Defence is only available from the contractors in question and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as this has been provided. Information on the origin of manufacture of hired vehicles is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Substantive answer from Peter Luff to David Wright:
In my answer to you on 30 June 2011 (Official Report: column 920W), I undertook to write to you and provide details on the origin of manufacture of non-combat vehicles leased to the Ministry of Defence.
This information has now been received from Babcock Commercial Hire and Lex Autolease, and I can confirm that as at 15 June 2011, for non-combat vehicles leased by the Ministry of Defence: 4,600 were manufactured in the UK; 7,132 were manufactured in another EU member state; and 3,228 were manufactured in a country outside the EU. Local arrangements for the provision of cars outside of these arrangements apply in the smaller commands, and details of these are not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Army: Equipment
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the Future Army Equipment programme. [64959]
Peter Luff [holding answer 11 July 2011]: The strategic defence and security review set out a requirement for reconnaissance forces, tanks, and armoured, mechanised and light infantry.
The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking a three month exercise to take forward the work needed to balance defence priorities and the budget over the long-term. As the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), has said, it is essential that we put the armed forces' finances on a firm footing for the years beyond the current spending settlement.
12 July 2011 : Column 248W
Special Advisers
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenses were claimed by (a) paid and (b) unpaid special advisers working in his Department in the last 12 months. [62063]
Dr Fox: Procedures for reimbursing staff expenses are set out in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) policy manual and are in line with the provisions set out in the Civil Service Management Code. As temporary civil servants, special advisers are subject to the same rules.
Records indicate that the three paid special advisers claimed £70.65 for the period 13 May 2010 to 31 March 2011.
The MOD does not employ any unpaid special advisers.
International Development
Afghanistan: Drugs
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to replace poppy cultivation in Afghanistan with alternative agricultural crops. [65744]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development's (DFID) programmes promote legal agricultural livelihoods by helping to increase business opportunities and incomes for farmers through promoting alternative crops, their storage and processing, increasing access to local and exports markets, and strengthening the role of government in setting standards.
For example, DFID supports the Comprehensive Agricultural and Rural Development Facility which aims to reduce the risk of a resurgence in poppy cultivation, by creating commercially viable and sustainable alternatives for farmers to generate a profitable income from livestock and market gardening.
Libya: Armed Conflict
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the post-conflict stabilisation force for Libya will be (a) a UN or (b) an EU military deployment. [64879]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UN leads the international response to the Libyan crisis, and will lead post-conflict stabilisation work. The UK is in discussions with our international and regional partners regarding a post-conflict solution in Libya. It is too early to speculate who and what might be required, but we remain committed to supporting UN efforts to help the Libyan people build a positive future.
South Sudan: Overseas Aid
Mr Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of aid his Department has allocated to projects to build the capacity of the Government of South Sudan at (a) national, (b) state and (c) county level. [65766]
12 July 2011 : Column 249W
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) has allocated assistance for capacity-building at all levels of government. All DFID-funded development programmes in South Sudan contribute to capacity-building and one, the Capacity-building Trust Fund, focuses entirely on this objective. A precise breakdown by level of government is not possible as programmes often operate at more than one level.
Sudan: Internally Displaced Persons
Mr Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department is providing to people displaced from the Abyei region of Sudan. [65767]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: We are deeply concerned about the situation of civilians displaced by the recent fighting in the Abyei region. At present, lack of access to the conflict affected areas and populations hinders accurate humanitarian needs assessment by humanitarian personnel, but the current UN assessment is of about 100,000 people displaced. We are working with the United Nations to ensure that if security and access is granted, assistance will reach these displaced civilians. The UN has reserves of both shelter and food for such situations. As well as its ongoing support to the Common Humanitarian Fund, the UK has made an additional £10 million available for contingency planning to respond to any emergencies that are linked to southern secession.
We are also working with the UN and wider international community to ensure that the new peacekeeping mission to Abyei, which is made up of Ethiopian troops, is able to fulfil its mandate to protect civilians who are threatened with imminent physical violence and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and personnel within the Abyei area.
UN Women
Mrs Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on support for UN Women; and if he will make a statement. [65801]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK has strongly supported UN Women from the outset, lobbying hard for its creation, providing transitional funding as it established itself and agreeing to a senior staff secondment. Following adoption of UN Women's strategic plan on 30 June the UK will provide £10 million in core funding to UN Women for each of the next two years. This will help UN Women achieve results for girls and women that include helping 15 countries adopt legislation to tackle domestic violence, supporting efforts to allow women to participate in political decision-making in 25 countries and holding the UN system to account on gender equality.
Justice
Civil Proceedings
Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he has any plans to implement a system of early exchange for medical reports in clinical negligence cases. [64700]
12 July 2011 : Column 250W
Mr Djanogly: My officials are working with the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) and claimant lawyer representatives to devise a pilot for dealing with clinical negligence cases valued from £l,000 up to £25,000. This will have a staged approach with the early exchange of medical details. The pilot is planned to run from April 2012.
In the context of our proposals for the reform of conditional fee agreements as indicated in our response paper “Reforming Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales—Implementation of Lord Justice Jackson's Recommendations” (29 March 2011: column 173), my officials are also discussing with the NHSLA and other stakeholders how the commissioning of experts reports can be improved.
Land Registry
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects his Department to publish the feasibility study on the Land Registry to scope out the opportunities arising from private sector investment. [65748]
Mr Djanogly: As I explained in my response to your previous question on this issue on 11 February 2011, Official Report, column 486W, we do not intend to publish the findings of the feasibility study at this stage:
We do not intend to publish the findings of the feasibility study at this stage. The findings relate to the formulation and development of government policy and are still under consideration by Ministers. Publication might deter Ministers and officials from raising, and having free and frank discussions, about the full range of possibilities in relation to any given policy or approach to implementation. This would have a detrimental effect on both the process of collective government and the quality of the decision-making. In addition, the findings contain information that if released would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of Land Registry and the Ministry of Justice.
We are continuing to give careful consideration to the findings of the feasibility study, particularly with regard to how the options explored for the Land Registry link with the Government's wider data policy and the proposals to establish a Public Data Corporation.
If the preferred option for Land Registry is a materially different ownership structure we remain committed to conducting a full public consultation on the proposals.
Office of the Chief Coroner
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the (a) Equality and Human Rights Commission and (b) Youth Justice Board were consulted in respect of his decision on the Office of the Chief Coroner. [65769]
Mr Djanogly: We did not consult with the Equality and Human Rights Commission or the Youth Justice Board in respect of the decision on the Office of the Chief Coroner. We have, however, discussed our proposals with a number of interested parties.
Office of the Public Guardian
Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average time taken to process cases referred to the Office of the Public Guardian was in the latest period for which figures are available. [64667]
12 July 2011 : Column 251W
Mr Djanogly: Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) were introduced by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA), which was commenced on 1 October 2007.
Figures on the average time taken by the OPG to process an application to register a Lasting Power of Attorney in the current financial year are outlined in the following table. The timescales include a statutory six week waiting period during which objections to registration can be made.
|
|
Weeks |
For the previous financial year 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011, the average times to process an application in any given month varied between 11 and 14 weeks; the average of the monthly figures for 2011-12 was 12.5 weeks.
Personal Injury: Evidence
Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward proposals to change the evidence requirements in relation to whiplash injury in personal injury cases; and if he will make a statement. [65510]
Mr Djanogly: Under the law of negligence, if a person has been injured as a result of the negligence of another person, he or she is entitled to recover compensation for the injury. If cases come to court, the claimant must provide evidence of the injury suffered in order to satisfy the court that the claim is justified. Restricting the ability to claim in relation to a particular type of injury could lead to injustice where people who have suffered a genuine injury as a direct result of another's negligence are prevented from recovering compensation.
Prisoners: Repatriation
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many foreign national prisoners he expects to return to their country of origin to serve their sentences. [65804]
Mr Blunt: I have previously indicated to the House on 17 May 2011, Official Report, column 140, that we expect to repatriate approximately 60 prisoners in 2011-12.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to amend the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. [65592]
Mr Blunt: The Government are still considering reform of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
Rochester Young Offender Institution: Inspections
Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking in response to the report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons on the announced inspection of HM Young Offenders Institution Rochester of 14 to 18 February 2011. [65393]
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Mr Blunt: As with all HM Inspectorate of Prisons establishment inspection reports an action plan will be produced responding in detail to each of the recommendations in the report.
Women and Equalities
Equality
Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities (1) when she plans to publish her Department's response to the Equality Act 2010: The public sector Equality Duty: reducing bureaucracy consultation; [64508]
(2) if she will publish her Department's response to the Equality Act 2010: The public sector Equality Duty: reducing bureaucracy consultation before Parliament considers the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011. [64509]
Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 7 July 2011]: On 27 June 2011, draft specific duties regulations were laid before Parliament following the policy review which took place between 17 March and 21 April 2011. Alongside these regulations an Explanatory Memorandum was published which includes a summary of responses received to the policy review and to the previous comprehensive consultation on draft regulations that took place in 2010.
The Explanatory Memorandum explains the Government’s rationale for their approach and we do not intend to publish a separate response to the policy review. We are, however, making arrangements to publish the responses received from organisations on the Home Office website.
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount, (c) supplier and (d) level 3 or enhanced transaction entry was of each transaction undertaken by the Equality and Human Rights Commission using the Government Procurement Card in each of the last three years. [59051]
Lynne Featherstone: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (The Commission) is an arm's length body; the following is based on information it has provided.
The details of Government Procurement Card transactions undertaken by the Commission for (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10 and (iii) 2010-11 have been deposited in the Library of the House. This includes, for each transaction: (a) date of purchase, (b) amount and (c) supplier. Level 3 or enhanced transaction details are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost; however each transaction does have a merchant category which is a broad description of the type of goods purchased.
Equality and Human Rights Commission: Accountancy
Mr Stewart Jackson:
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities whether she plans to meet the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission to discuss its qualified accounts for 2009-10 audited by
12 July 2011 : Column 253W
the Comptroller and Auditor General in respect of matters identified by the Comptroller and Auditor General relating to its
(a)
procurement,
(b)
disbursement grants,
(c)
senior management governance and
(d)
pay remit; and if she will make a statement. [61970]
Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 27 June 2011]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department and Minister for Women and Equalities and I have regular discussions with the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) about a range of issues. These include the Commission's financial management, its unacceptable failure to produce an unqualified set of accounts since its inception, and its plans for improving its financial controls to ensure a better performance in future.
We want to reform the EHRC to become a valued and respected national human rights institution and equalities regulator, but for that to happen it needs to get its own house in order.
Equality Impact Assessments
Mr Marsden: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities whether the Government Equalities Office provides guidance to Government Departments on the period of time to be allowed between the completion of an equality impact assessment and implementation of the policy the assessment covers. [63480]
Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 4 July 2011]: The Government Equalities Office (GEO) guidance, as set out in its recent quick start guide for public sector organisations on the public sector Equality Duty, makes clear that timeliness is essential in order for the Equality Duty to be fulfilled. The Duty must be complied with before and at the time that a particular policy is under consideration or a decision is taken, and also when it is implemented and reviewed. The Duty is a continuing one. The GEO does not specify the period of time to be allowed between completion of the relevant equality analysis and policy implementation.
The Equality Duty does not impose a legal requirement to conduct an equality impact assessment. Compliance with the Duty involves consciously thinking about its three aims as part of the process of decision-making, but there is no prescribed process for doing this.
Mr Marsden: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities if she will estimate the average amount of time taken for completion of an equality impact assessment which is not published at the same time as the policy proposal which it covers by the relevant Government department; and if she will make a statement. [63481]
Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 4 July 2011]: The Government Equalities Office does not collate this information, as there is no reason to do so. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to make any such estimation.
The Equality Duty requires public bodies to eliminate unlawful discrimination; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
12 July 2011 : Column 254W
It does not impose a legal requirement to conduct an equality impact assessment. Compliance with the Equality Duty involves consciously thinking about its three aims as part of the process of decision-making, but there is no prescribed process for doing this.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Bahrain: Health Professions
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the treatment of health professionals arrested in Bahrain during protests in that country. [64322]
Alistair Burt: Our embassy in Bahrain has been able to attend some of the many trials currently taking place in the National Safety Courts, including the trials of the 48 medical staff. Our primary concerns in the legal process have been the methods of arrest, early access to legal counsel, allegations of abuse in detention, methods of interrogation, alleged coerced confessions, the charges brought against defendants, and the implications that medical professionals may not be allowed to carry out their duties without fear of recrimination.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised UK concerns about the trial of medical staff when he met the Crown Prince of Bahrain on 25 May 2011. I also raised the issue in my public statement of 1 June 2011. Our ambassador to Bahrain continues to raise our concerns at the highest level with the Government of Bahrain to ensure that due process is followed in all cases and that human rights are fully respected.
Bahrain: Politics and Government
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed with his Bahraini counterpart allegations of intimidation of protestors outside the Bahrain embassy in London. [63089]
Mr Hague: Our ambassador in Bahrain has raised the cancellation of Government scholarships of some of the Bahrainis who protested in the UK with the Minister of Justice in May. The scholarships were subsequently reinstated.
We have not been approached about any further allegations of intimidation of protesters outside the Bahrain embassy, nor have FCO officials received any further reports in their conversations with the police. I have not therefore raised this with my counterpart the Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa. If evidence were to come to light we would of course respond.
My discussions with the Government of Bahrain are focused on ensuring that the National Dialogue leads to genuine political reform, which meets the legitimate aspirations of the people, and ensuring that the Government of Bahrain responds to the reports of human rights abuses.
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Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the alleged use by Saudi troops deployed in Bahrain of vehicles supplied by UK-based companies; and if he will make a statement. [65803]
Alistair Burt: We have seen no evidence that UK equipment and vehicles supplied to the Saudi Arabian forces were used in a repressive way in Bahrain since we have seen no evidence that Saudi or other GCC forces have done anything other than safeguard installations in Bahrain.
Special Advisers
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on special advisers' travel by (a) Government car, (b) private hire car, (c) train, (d) bus, (e) commercial aircraft and (f) private aircraft in each year between May 2004 and May 2010. [58944]
Mr Lidington: A breakdown of travel costs for Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) special advisers between April 2008 and April 2010 when accompanying the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is as follows:
(a) Government car—None
(b) Private hire car—£1,604.15
(c) Train (including Europe)—£387
(d) Bus—None
(e) Commercial aircraft—£46,203.13
(f) Private aircraft—travel for my right hon. Friend and his team travelling on private aircraft was not costed on an individual basis, but for the group as a whole.
Detailed information on costings has not been retained for the years previous to April 2008.
The total cost of FCO ministerial and private office travel (including special advisers) is published on a quarterly basis.
Egypt: Constitution
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Egyptian counterpart on the constitutional declaration which states the principles of sharia law should be the basis of any new constitution. [64966]
Alistair Burt: Article 2 of the Constitutional Declaration of 30 March 2011 reiterated the language on sharia law set out in Egypt's 1971 Constitution. The Declaration also set out that members of the first People's Assembly and Shura Council will elect a provisional assembly to prepare a new draft constitution, which will be presented to the people in a referendum. It is not for the UK to dictate what should be acceptable to the Egyptian people, but we encourage the Egyptian Government to continue to consider wider constitutional reform in due course.
The Declaration also provided further clarity on the transition process, which we welcomed. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) reiterated the UK's support for a successful
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transition to civilian democracy and the key step of pluralistic parliamentary elections during his visit to Egypt on 2 May 2011. It is important that the people's voice is heard through free and fair democratic elections leading to a return to civilian Government.
European Union: UK Membership
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the economic benefit of UK membership of the EU. [64923]
Mr Hague: HM Treasury regularly reviews, for the benefit of Parliament and the public, a wide range of studies by external commentators that attempt to assess the economic cost and benefits of the UK's membership of the European Union.
The most recent update, along with a previous literature review from 2005, is published on the Treasury's website:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/foi_disclosures_index.htm
following a request under the Freedom of Information Act. Neither review is a cost-benefit analysis. Rather, both reviews summarise published evidence on the economic impacts of the UK's membership of the European Union (EU), and cover for example the reported impacts on UK trade, foreign direct investment and productivity.
The Government are clear in their view that EU membership is in the UK's national interest. For example and as set out in the BIS Trade and Investment Analytical Paper No 4 - The UK and the Single Market, which can be found at:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/international-trade-investment-and-development/docs/u/11-719-uk-and-single-market.pdf
the Single Market is the world's most important trading zone, generating total GDP close to £10 billion in 2010 and providing us access to 500 million consumers without the barriers of customs or tariffs. European markets account for half of the UK's overall trade and foreign investments and as a result, around 3.5 million jobs in the UK are linked to the export of goods and services to the EU.
Greece: Asylum
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2011, Official Report, columns 1030-31W, on Greece: asylum, how many UK experts are seconded to the European Asylum Support Office; and what plans he has for the future number of such secondments. [64715]
Damian Green: I have been asked to reply.
No UK experts are currently seconded to the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). However, the UK Border Agency seconded one official between 23 February and 24 March 2011 to work with EASO in Greece and plans to second a further two, also to work in Greece, in the near future.
The UK Border Agency would be happy to agree further secondments beyond these at EASO's request, if its resources permitted.
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Libya: Politics and Government
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the members are of the Libya contact group. [64915]
Mr Hague: Membership of the International Contact Group has varied over time. At the time of the last meeting of the group in Abu Dhabi, on 9 June, 2011, 27 countries and international organisations attended as members and 14 countries and international organisations attended as observers.
At the 9 June meeting the member countries/organisations were: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, EU, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Delegation, Luxemburg (represented by Belgium), Malta, Morocco, NATO, Netherlands (represented by Belgium), Norway (represented by Denmark), Poland, Qatar, Spain, Sweden( represented by Denmark), United Kingdom, United Nations.
The observer countries/organisations were: African Union, Arab League, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Egypt, GCC, OIC, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Sudan, The Vatican, Tunisia, and the World Bank.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds have been provided to the Transitional National Council in Libya through the temporary financing mechanism; and on what date those funds were supplied. [64916]
Mr Hague: Qatar has provided $100 million to the National Transitional Council (NTC) in Libya through the temporary financing mechanism. Those funds were supplied on 23 June 2011.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects any further funds to be supplied to the Transitional National Council in Libya through the temporary financing mechanism. [64917]
Mr Hague: Qatar has contributed $100 million, and Kuwait pledged at the last International Contact Group meeting to contribute approximately $180 million to the National Transitional Council (NTC). We expect this in the near future. We are engaging with other potential contributors.
Libya: Sanctions
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the implementation of EU sanctions in ports in western Libya. [64913]
Mr Hague:
The UK and European Union (EU) partners are committed to the robust implementation of sanctions against Libya. The implementation of restrictive measures is a matter for competent authorities in each member state of the EU. In the UK, the asset freeze against designated port authorities in Western Libya has direct effect in UK law via Council Regulation 572/2011. Criminal and civil penalties for breaching the asset freeze prohibitions are contained in the Libya (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011. HM Treasury published
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a notice containing details of the sanctions against the ports on its website, which was also emailed to several thousand subscribers.
National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association
George Freeman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent (a) meetings and (b) correspondence he has had with the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association; and if he will make a statement. [63188]
Alistair Burt: There have not been any recent meetings with the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received correspondence from members of the association relating to the decision by the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals to allow the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal to be accepted but not worn.
Pakistan: Religious Freedom
Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Pakistani counterpart on the protection of religious freedoms in Pakistan. [65488]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) discussed minority rights and religious freedoms with Acting Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar when he visited Islamabad in June. We engage regularly with both the Ministry for Inter-faith Harmony and Minority affairs and with the Ministry of Human Rights. Most recently, I met with the Minister for Human Rights and the Prime Minister’s adviser for Religious Minorities on 5 and 7 July 2011.
We call on the Government of Pakistan to uphold the fundamental rights of all Pakistanis, regardless of their faith or ethnicity.
Sudan: Armed Conflict
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on military strikes in the Kordofan state in Sudan. [65438]
Mr Bellingham: Recent reports suggest that violence is continuing in many parts of Southern Kordofan. There are reports of aerial attacks by Sudanese armed forces; of abuses against civilians carried out by soldiers from both sides; and of innocent civilians being caught up in the violence. The British Government condemns the ongoing violence and calls all parties to cease hostilities immediately. The recent Framework Agreement on Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile is a step in the right direction but must lead to a ceasefire without delay, so that humanitarian aid can reach those in need, and talks on the future of Southern Kordofan can take place without continuing violence.
We urge the parties to keep to the commitments made in the framework agreement, and work urgently for a peaceful and long lasting resolution.
Mr Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to facilitate a peaceful solution to the situation in the Abyei region of Sudan. [65768]
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Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), chaired a meeting of the Foreign Secretary's Advisory Group on Human Rights on 8 June 2011, which Amnesty International attended, and where the situation in Syria was discussed.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have regular contact with Amnesty International, discussing a wide range of human rights issues, including Syria.
Syria
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether briefing was provided by officials of his Department to the hon. Member for Braintree before his meeting with President Assad of Syria in June 2011. [64838]
Mr Hague: Officials from my Department met the Lord Commissioner of Her Majesty's Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (Mr Newmark), in London on 23 and 24 June. They provided him with briefing to make clear the UK position on the unacceptable violence in Syria and the steps we think the Syrian regime should take to stop the violence and begin meaningful political reform. Officials also updated him on the situation on the ground immediately prior to his trip.
Yemen: Arms Trade
Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the alleged transfer on 14 March 2011 of armoured vehicles and personnel carriers from Saudi Arabia to Yemen; and if he will make a statement. [65802]
Alistair Burt: Our embassy in Sana'a reported on 16 March 2011 that a Saudi vessel unloaded 75 armoured vehicles at the port of Aden and that it appeared that these were received by the Government of Yemen. There was no further detail and we have received no confirmation of the report.
Leader of the House
Catering and Retail Services
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Leader of the House what representations he has received on the First Report of the Administration Committee, Catering and Retail Services in the House of Commons, HC 560. [65515]
Sir George Young: None. It is for the House of Commons Commission and Mr Speaker to respond to the Committee's report.
Deputy Prime Minister
National Assembly for Wales: Elections
Paul Murphy: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Wales about new electoral arrangements for the National Assembly for Wales. [64996]
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The Deputy Prime Minister: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by the Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), on 11 July 2011, Official Report, column 6W.
Cabinet Office
Birth Rate
Mr Amess: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the male to female birth ratio was (a) in 1981, (b) in 1983, (c) in 1987, (d) in 1992, (e) in 1997, (f) in 2001, (g) in each year between 2002 and 2007 and (h) on the most recent date for which figures are available. [64650]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated July 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the male to female birth ratio was in (a) 1981, (b) 1983, (c) 1987, (d) 1992, (e) 1997, (f) 2001 (g) each year between 2002 and 2007 and (h) on the most recent date for which figures are available. [64650]
The latest year for which figures are available is 2009. The table below shows the sex ratio for live births occurring in England and Wales for the years requested.
| Sex ratio (1) for live births, selected years between 1981 and 2009, England and Wales | |
|
|
Sex ratio: live male births per 1,000 live female births |
| (1) The sex ratio shows the number of live male births per 1,000 live female births | |
Data in the table above are available for the years 1999-2000 in table 1 at:
www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/summarytables.xls
The sex ratio at birth for 2010 will be published on the ONS website on 13 July 2011.
Civil Service: Yorkshire
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many full-time equivalent civil servants were employed in (a) York and (b) Yorkshire and the Humber in (i) May 1997 and (ii) May of each subsequent year. [65674]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
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Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated July 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many full-time equivalent civil servants were employed in (a) York and (b) Yorkshire and the Humber in (i) May 1997 and (ii) May of each subsequent year. (65674).
In order to provide the information requested for York, ad hoc analysis has been required. This analysis is based on the Mandate collection (1997-2006), which provides approximately 90 per cent coverage of Civil Service departments, though for years prior to 2003 coverage is lower. The Annual Civil Service Employment Survey has been used for 2007-2010 estimates, and this provides 100 per cent coverage.
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The estimates provided for Yorkshire and the Humber are based on the Mandate collection supplemented by departmental returns (1997-2005) and the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (2007-2010) both of which provide 100 per cent coverage of Civil Service departments and agencies. The estimate for 2006 is based on the Mandate collection only and provides approximately 90 per cent coverage.
The survey reference points for the estimates are, 1 April for years 1997-2005, 30 September 2006-2007 and 31 March for 2008-2010. Estimates relating to May of each year are not available.
The estimates for York and Yorkshire and the Humber are shown in Table 1.
| Table 1: Civil service employment in York and Yorkshire and the Humber (1) | ||||||||||||||
| Permanent employees, full-time equivalent | ||||||||||||||
|
|
1997 (2) | 1998 (2) | 1999 (2) | 2000 (2) | 2001 (2) | 2002 (2) | 2003 (2) | 2004 (2) | 2005 (2) | 2006 (3) | 2007 (3) | 2008 (4) | 2009 (4) | 2010 (4) |
| (1) Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10, and numbers less than five are represented by ‘—’. (2) Survey reference date 1 April. (3) Survey reference date 30 September. (4) Survey reference date 31 March. (5) 1997-2006 Mandate only—incomplete coverage of Civil Service departments. 2007-2009 Annual Civil Service Employment Survey. (6) The Annual Civil Service Employment Survey uses post code to derive location. The former Central Science Laboratory (CSL), now Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) is now classified as being in Ryedale based on post code information but is included here for consistency with previously published estimates. (7) 1997-2005 Mandate and departmental returns. 2006 Mandate only—incomplete coverage of Civil Service departments. 2007-2010 Annual Civil Service Employment Survey. Sources: Mandate collection (1997-2006) Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (2007-2010) | ||||||||||||||
Cybercrime
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what his most recent assessment is of the threat faced by the UK from cyber attack; and what his policy is on how to respond to that threat; [64840]
(2) what the timetable is for delivery of all cyber security programmes initiated since May 2010. [64841]
Mr Maude: This Government have recognised the real and increasing risk to the UK's national security from cyber attack. The National Security Council has assessed cyber security as a Tier 1 threat in the National Security Strategy published on 18 October 2010, Official Report, column 48WS.
The Government take the issue of cyber security very seriously and have recently announced additional funding of £650 million to protect the United Kingdom and to respond effectively to threats from cyberspace.
The National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP) went live in April 2011 and is managed by the Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance (OCSIA). The NSCP will run over four years.
Departmental Contracts
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the Government collects information on the countries in which its suppliers are based. [65050]
Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office, on behalf of the UK public sector, collates an annual statistical return to the EU on contracts awarded above the EU threshold, including the nationality of the supplier. These data are collated and published at EU level and the most recent return, for the year 2009, can be found at:
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/product_details/dataset?p_product_code=TSIER090
Directors of Public Prosecutions
Helen Goodman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether former Directors of Public Prosecutions and senior officials of the Crown Prosecution Service are required to clear any contractual arrangements with external organisations contemplated within a specified period of leaving office with the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments in the Cabinet Office. [65743]
Mr Maude: Under the Civil Service Management Code all civil servants, including Directors of Public Prosecutions, are subject to the business appointment rules for two years after leaving office.
Immigration
Mr Clappison: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many and what proportion of (a) UK nationals, (b) non-UK EU nationals and (c) non-EU nationals were in (i) full-time and (ii) part-time employment in the UK in each year since 1997; and what the percentage rate of change was for UK nationals in each type of employment as a proportion of the UK working age population in each of those years. [64525]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
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Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated July 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of (a) UK nationals, (b) non-UK EU nationals and (c) non-EU nationals were in (i) full-time and (ii) part-time employment in the UK in each year since 1997; and what the percentage rate of change was for UK nationals in each type of employment as a proportion of the UK working age population in each of those years. 64525
Tables 1 and 2, as follows, show estimates of the total number and proportion of persons employed for UK nationals, non-UK
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EU nationals and non-UK and EU nationals by full-time and part-time employment for each year since 1997.
Table 3 shows UK nationals by type of employment as a percentage of the total UK population aged 16-64 over the same time period.
Labour market statistics published in the monthly “Labour Market Statistical Bulletin” previously described as working age (men aged 16-64 and women aged 16-59) have now been replaced with statistics based on those aged 16-64 for both men and women. Consequently, the estimates provided have been produced on this basis.
| Table 1: People aged 16 and over in employment by full-time and part-time and by nationality. Three months ending March, 1997 to 2011. United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted | ||||||||||||
| Thousand | ||||||||||||
| Total in employment (1) | UK nationals | Non-UK EU (2) nationals | Non-UK and non-EU nationals | |||||||||
|
|
Total (3) | Full - time | Part - time | Total (3) | Full - time | Part - time | Total (3) | Full - time | Part - time | Total (3) | Full - time | Part - time |
| Table 2: Proportion of people aged 16 and over in employment by full-time and part-time and by nationality. Three months ending March, 1997 to 201. United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted | ||||||||||||
| Percentage | ||||||||||||
| Total in employment (1) | UK nationals | Non-UK EU (2) nationals | Non-UK and non-EU nationals | |||||||||
|
|
Total (3) | Full - time | Part - time | Total (3) | Full - time | Part - time | Total (3) | Full - time | Part - time | Total (3) | Full - time | Part - time |
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| (1) Includes those who did not state their country of birth. (2 )1995 Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Irish Republic, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Finland and Sweden 2005 Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia join 2007 Bulgaria and Romania join (3) Includes those who did not state whether they were in full-time or part-time employment. Note: Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, are described as follows: Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: * 0 = CV<5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 = CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 = CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ? 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: ONS Labour Force Survey | ||||||||||||
| Table 3: UK Nationals by type of employment as a percentage of UK population aged 16 to 64. Three months ending March, 1997 to 2011. United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted | ||||||
| Thousand and percentage | ||||||
| UK nationals as a percentage of UK working age population (1) | ||||||
|
|
UK population aged 16-64 | Total (percentage) | In employment | Full - time | Part - time | Not in employment (1) |
| (1) Both unemployed and inactive Source: ONS Labour Force Survey | ||||||