Departmental Visits Abroad
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2011 Official Report, columns 1241-2W, to the hon. Member for Glasgow North (Ann McKechin), on Bilderberg Group, when he will post on his departmental website data of expenditure on official overseas visits up to the end of June 2011. [65717]
Justine Greening: The Department has committed to publish details of all Ministers, meetings, hospitality and overseas travel. This is in accordance with the Government's transparency agenda.
Details of the costs of overseas travel are published quarterly on the Treasury website on the following page:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm
It is expected that the quarter covering 1 January to 31 March will be published shortly. The quarter covering 1 April to 31 June will be published in due course.
Energy: Prices
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will use the increased revenue to the Exchequer resulting from energy suppliers' recent increases in prices to support measures to reduce fuel poverty. [66213]
Justine Greening: The Government are committed to addressing fuel poverty, notably by introducing the Warm Home Discount to assist more of the most vulnerable households with their energy bills and introducing the Green Deal from 2012 so that households and businesses can improve their energy efficiency at no upfront cost, repaying through their savings on energy bills.
Financial Services: Taxation
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to discuss the proposal for a financial activities tax with his (a) EU and (b) other international counterparts. [65862]
Mr Hoban: To inform further discussions of financial sector taxation, ECOFIN asked the European Commission to prepare an impact assessment on financial sector taxation, including financial activities taxes. The Commission has now stated that it plans to publish this impact assessment alongside proposals on financial sector taxation in the autumn.
Bona Vacantia
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value was of assets which passed to the Crown as bona vacantia in each of the last five years. [65732]
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Justine Greening: The value of the assets transferred to the Crown as bona vacantia for each of the last five years was:
|
|
Value (£ million) |
| (1) Which included a payment of £30 million to reduce a surplus balance. | |
These figures are published annually in the Crown Nominee Accounts.
Liverpool Cruise Terminal
Mr Denham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Transport and (b) representatives of Peel Holdings on the future operational role and functions of the Liverpool Cruise Terminal. [66201]
Danny Alexander: Treasury Ministers and officials have discussions with other Departments and a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions. Department for Transport (DFT) launched a consultation on 7 July 2011 on the City of Liverpool cruise terminal and the proposal to withdraw DFT's objection to the removal of a grant condition which precludes its use for turnaround cruise operations.
Loans: Belarus
Mr Streeter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that the UK will not support an IMF loan to Belarus unless there is conditionality in respect of improvements in human rights and the release of political prisoners. [65737]
Mr Hoban: We will assess Belarus’s request for assistance from the IMF on its merits, taking account in particular whether Belarus will implement serious and far reaching reform. The latest IMF press release can be found at:
http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2011/pr11229.htm
Members: Correspondence
Mr Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letters of 9 May and 8 June 2011 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay regarding a constituent, Mr Roy Jennings. [66155]
Mr Hoban: I wrote to all hon. Members on the 16 May and again on 30 June to set out the Government's position on Equitable Life. These letters were also the Treasury's response to outstanding correspondence that hon. Members may have raised regarding Equitable Life. For convenience my officials have resent the letters to my hon. Friend.
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National Insurance: Income Tax
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the role of the contributory system in his proposed review of taxation and national insurance. [66350]
Mr Gauke: The Government will maintain the contributory principle which underpins the national insurance system, and will ensure that this is reflected in any proposed reforms. The Chancellor set this policy out in his speech at Budget 2011. It was confirmed in the document ‘Integrating the operation of income tax and National Insurance contributions: A call for evidence’, which was published on the Treasury website on 11 July:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consult_income_tax_national _insurance_contributions.htm
The call for evidence will inform the Government's proposals for reform, on which they will consult in the autumn.
Public Sector: Pensions
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the current (a) average employee contribution, (b) average employer contribution and (c) retirement age is in the pension schemes for (i) teaching, (ii) NHS, (iii) civil service, (iv) warranted police, (v) fire service, (vi) armed forces and (vii) local government; [65181]
(2) what changes are proposed to the (a) average employee contribution, (b) average employer contribution and (c) retirement age in the pension schemes for (i) teaching, (ii) NHS, (iii) civil service, (iv) warranted police, (v) fire service, (vi) armed forces and (vii) local government. [65182]
Danny Alexander: The current average employee contribution and employer contribution for the main public service schemes are set out in Table 3G of the final report of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission (IPSPC) chaired by former Labour Minister Lord Hutton of Furness. The average retirement age in the main public service schemes are presented in column 3 of Table B1 of the IPSPC's interim report.
Spending review 2010 announced that the Government would make progressive changes to employee contributions saving £2.8 billion pa by 2014-15 and that the armed forces will be exempted from these changes. This will result in an average increase of 3.2pp across the other public service schemes. The design and distribution of this increase is being considered in discussion with trade unions and other stakeholders.
On retirement ages, one of Lord Hutton's recommendations was that the normal pension age for public servants, except for the police, firefighters and armed forces, should be linked to the state pension age. At Budget 2011 the Government accepted all of Lord Hutton's recommendations as basis for consultation with trades unions and other stakeholders.
Rescue Services: Diesel Fuel
Andrew Bingham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to permit mountain rescue teams to use red diesel in rescue vehicles. [63380]
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Justine Greening: Red diesel is a duty rebated fuel for exclusive use away from public roads. It would be difficult to make a clear distinction between vehicles used by mountain rescue teams and privately owned vehicles and would risk undermining fuel duty anti-evasion efforts.
However, discussions are continuing on determining a suitable grant system for distributing funds to support the purchase of mountain rescue equipment and an announcement will be made in due course.
Aviation: Pollution Control
Adam Afriyie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2011, Official Report, column 904W, on aviation: pollution control, what fiscal steps his Department is taking to create incentives for the aviation industry to reduce aircraft noise. [66153]
Justine Greening: Noise levels from aircraft in the UK are an important issue that can best be addressed through regulatory means. Aircraft noise certification levels are set internationally by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the Government are pushing for these levels to be tightened for new aircraft types.
The Government published a scoping document in March 2011 seeking views on a range of strategic issues, including noise. The responses to the scoping document will inform the development of a sustainable framework for UK aviation which will be published for consultation in March 2012.
Welfare Tax Credits
Mr Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to the public purse was, in real terms, of replacing (a) family credit with working families tax credit, and (b) working families tax credit with (i) child tax credit and (ii) working tax credit. [65638]
Mr Gauke: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Welsh Assembly Government: Borrowing
Paul Murphy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to meet the First Minister of Wales to discuss the granting of borrowing powers to the Welsh Government. [64791]
Danny Alexander: Treasury Ministers meet with Ministers of the devolved Administrations from time to time to discuss various issues.
Energy and Climate Change
Ministerial Meetings
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what (a) meetings and (b) other engagements (i) Ministers and (ii) special advisers in his Department have attended since his appointment which were also attended by (A) representatives, (B) journalists and (C) other employees of (1) News International and its subsidiary organisations including newspapers, (2) News Corporation and its subsidiary organisations and (3) BSkyB; [66007]
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(2) what (a) meetings and (b) other engagements (i) Ministers and (ii) special advisers in his Department attended which were also attended by Mr Andrew Coulson (A) between 12 May 2010 and 21 January 2011 and (B) since 21 January 2011. [66010]
Gregory Barker [holding answer 13 July 2011]: As has been the practice of previous Administrations information relating to internal meetings, discussions and advice is not normally disclosed.
I refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 13 July 2011, Official Report, columns 311-14.
Carbon Emissions
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what action he is taking to reduce carbon emissions. [66291]
Gregory Barker: The Prime Minister pledged to make this the greenest Government ever and recently announced that carbon emissions from Government HQs and offices have been cut by nearly 14% in just one year. Following this, he committed the Government to go further by reducing emissions by 25% by 2015. We are also supporting greater energy efficiency across the economy by introducing the Green Deal, leading technological development with support for the world's first commercial scale CCS demonstration, and rolling-out smart meters and a smart grid will build on this progress. Moreover, on 12 July 2011 the Government published ‘Planning our electric future: a White Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity’. The White Paper sets out key reforms to the electricity market to attract investment, reduce the impact on consumer bills, and create a secure mix of low-carbon electricity sources including renewables, new nuclear and carbon capture and storage.
Emissions projections, published in May 2011, show that the UK is on track, on central forecasts, to meet our first three carbon budgets and our 2020 target to reduce emissions by at least 34% against the 1990 baseline. Emissions have already been reduced by over 26%, taking into account the effects of emissions trading.
We also recently set in legislation the level of the fourth carbon budget for the 2023–27 period which equates to a 50% reduction in emissions. This autumn Government will be publishing a comprehensive strategy which will set out how the fourth carbon budget might be met, pathways to our 2050 target as well as a live Carbon Plan which will set out shorter-term actions the Government commits to undertake, and key milestones to keep us on track to delivering our ambitious climate change goals.
Departmental Carbon Emissions
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the carbon dioxide emissions from his Department in (a) June 2010 and (b) June 2011. [66758]
Gregory Barker: The carbon dioxide emissions from DECC's estate were 93.75 tonnes in June 2010, and 76.87 tonnes in June 2011.
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Energy
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the (a) current and (b) future costs to (i) individual energy consumers and (ii) the public purse of onshore wind. [64641]
Charles Hendry: Renewables Obligation (RO) support has been classified as “tax and spend” by the Office for National Statistics.
Onshore wind stations were issued with 7,237,999 Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) in 2009-10, according to Ofgem's latest RO annual report. At a ROC value for that year of £52.36, this implies a nominal terms onshore wind cost to consumers of around £380 million under the RO in 2009-10.
The UK Renewable Energy Roadmap 2011 suggests a central range of 24-32TWh/y of onshore wind generation in 2020. This would cost around £l-1.3 billion in RO support in 2010-11 prices.
Energy: Prices
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to increase awareness of social tariffs offered by energy companies. [65690]
Gregory Barker: Energy suppliers are now required by law to provide support with energy costs to more of their most low income and vulnerable consumers through the Warm Home Discount scheme. Over the next four years they will provide support worth up to £1.1 billion.
Under arrangements designed to provide a smooth transition from the previous voluntary agreement, which ended in March 2011, suppliers are able to continue offering social and discounted tariffs as part of the Warm Home Discount scheme. How these tariffs are made available to vulnerable consumers is a matter for the energy suppliers and will be monitored by Ofgem.
The majority of the new support available this year will be in the form of rebates to a core group of older poor pensioners—who will be identified to energy suppliers by Government through a data matching and sweep-up process using benefit information. We estimate (based on current casework figures) that about 600,000 of these pensioners will receive a rebate worth £120 in winter 2011-12.
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to mitigate the impact on consumers of energy price rises. [65691]
Charles Hendry: Consumers deserve the best possible deal, which means strong competition in the marketplace. We are taking a range of actions to boost competition and help consumers control their costs, including:
1. Requiring better information on bills to facilitate switching between suppliers.
2. Introducing the Warm Home Discount scheme to help tackle fuel poverty.
3. Extending the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target scheme, which obligates energy suppliers to help households install energy efficiency measures.
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4. Introducing the Green Deal to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
5. Cutting red tape for smaller suppliers.
In addition, Ofgem is tackling other barriers to effective competition and consumer engagement (such as tariff complexity and low wholesale market liquidity) in its Retail Market Review. While greater competition should put pressure on prices consumers should also regularly evaluate the best deal on the market.
Fuel Poverty
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will make an assessment of the impact of projected changes in energy prices for domestic (a) gas and (b) electricity on the level of fuel poverty in (i) Glasgow, (ii) Scotland and (iii) the UK. [66357]
Gregory Barker: No formal assessments of the effects of recent changes in domestic energy prices on fuel poverty levels have yet been undertaken at UK level.
The recent changes in domestic energy prices on fuel poverty will lead to upward pressure on fuel poverty in 2011 and 2012. Nevertheless, the true effect will only be known when we have full information on price changes from all suppliers and the 2011 English Housing Survey (EHS) and other housing surveys in each of the devolved Administrations. These housing surveys provide vital information for calculating the level of fuel poverty, including the mix of domestic fuels used by households, the income of those living in the households and the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
However, an assessment of the likely impact of all changes for England will be made today when DECC will publish 2011 projections of fuel poverty for England.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the effects of his Department's policies on the level of fuel poverty in (a) Glasgow, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK in (i) each of the next four financial years, (ii) by 2020 and (iii) by 2030. [66358]
Gregory Barker: The annual report on fuel poverty statistics, published today, shows that in 2009 there were around 5.5 million fuel poor households in the UK. The Department does not calculate projected figures for the UK.
Fuel poverty is a devolved issue. Scotland publishes its own report on their national level of fuel poverty. The latest report was published in November 2010 and relates to fuel poverty in 2009. The report is available at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/11/23125350/0
The Scottish Government also publish fuel poverty figures at a local authority level, which are available at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/SHCS/LA0709
Heat
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress has been made in his Department's internal strategic analysis on the future supply of heat in the UK. [64362]
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Gregory Barker: DECC's internal strategic analysis on heat supply continues and will inform the Government's response to the Committee on Climate Change's Fourth Carbon Budget report in the autumn.
Smart Meters
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will make it his policy to allow people to opt-out of the national roll-out of smart meters on health grounds. [65787]
Charles Hendry: The Government recognise that there may be a small proportion of customers who have concerns of one kind or another about receiving a smart meter. These may include people with concerns about electromagnetic sensitivity. During the coming months, we will be doing further work to make sure we fully understand the concerns individuals may have and how the programme can best respond to them.
We estimate that over the next 20 years, the roll-out of smart meters will deliver £7.3 billion net benefits to consumers, energy suppliers and networks. A large proportion of the benefits of smart metering are underpinned by the ability to access the meter remotely and to provide customers with real time data on their gas and electricity consumption.
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects of radiofrequency signals emitted by smart meters on the health of householders. [65786]
Charles Hendry: At this stage communications technology solutions have not been selected for the smart metering system. Both wired and wireless technologies exist that could be used, and for practical and technical reasons, both will need to be utilised by installers during the rollout.
Where wireless technologies are used they will have to comply with relevant regulations, best practice and international standards as set out by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Compliance with these standards will be a requirement for the smart metering equipment. Suppliers will have a licence obligation to install smart metering equipment that meets the requirements.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is responsible for providing advice on standards of protection for exposure to non-ionising radiation, including the radio frequency electromagnetic fields (radio waves) associated with smart metering technologies. The programme will continue to engage with the Department of Health, HPA and our full range of other stakeholders on all relevant practical issues as work progresses on communications for smart metering.
We estimate that over the next 20 years, the rollout of smart meters will deliver £7.3 billion net benefits to consumers, energy suppliers and networks. A large proportion of the benefits of smart metering are underpinned by the ability to access the meter remotely and to provide customers with real time data on their gas and electricity consumption.
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North Sea Oil: Safety
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to ensure that the regulatory regime applying to safety representatives on offshore oil and gas installations in the North Sea is included in the scope of the current review of the UK oil and gas safety regime. [66259]
Charles Hendry: The Panel established earlier this year to review the UK's regime for regulating the upstream oil and gas sector has been gathering views and evidence from a range of stakeholders including the relevant trade unions. I can confirm that the role of safety representatives is being considered as part of the review, the findings of which will be published later this year.
Energy Security
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effects of levels of future changes in levels of oil production on the security of UK energy supplies. [65449]
Charles Hendry: The security of the UK's energy supplies is assessed annually in the statutory Security of Supply Report, produced jointly by DECC and Ofgem, and available at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/en_security/sec_supply_rep/sec_supply_rep.aspx
Total UK oil production peaked in 1999 and has since declined by around half. But the security of UK energy supplies depends more on global oil markets than UK oil production.
The UK looks at a variety of sources to assess the security of global oil supplies in the future, including the International Energy Agency, industry and other research organisations. These conclude that in the longer term conventional oil production is unlikely to grow as it has in the past, so there is a risk of significant rises in oil prices and volatility that needs to be tackled.
The Government are taking a number of actions to promote secure oil supplies, including working through international partners such as the International Energy Forum (IEF) and G20 to reduce oil demand, improve the functioning of the global oil market, and enhance transparency in physical and financial oil markets.
Solar Power: Housing
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2011, Official Report, column 1375W, on solar power: housing, whether he has (a) met and (b) corresponded with representatives of the solar photovoltaic sector on the subject of (i) regulations for and (ii) the implementation by local authorities of planning regulations for the installation of solar photovoltaics on domestic properties. [66527]
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.
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Tidal Power: Manpower
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of people to be employed by the wave and tidal energy sector in (a) 2020, (b) 2030, (c) 2040 and (d) 2050. [65708]
Gregory Barker: The Department has not made any independent assessment of the potential number of people that could be employed by the wave and tidal sector up to 2050. However, RenewableUK state in their 2010 report “Channelling the Energy—A Way Forward for the UK Wave and Tidal Industry Towards 2020” that the potential numbers of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff working directly in the marine energy industry could be:
|
|
Number of individuals directly employed |
There would also be a substantial number of additional induced jobs in the wider economy supplying the wave and tidal sector.
Wind Power
Phil Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has made an assessment of the efficiency of onshore wind turbines; and if he will make a statement. [64316]
Charles Hendry: Onshore wind is a cost effective source of renewable energy despite its intermittency and load factors which averaged 21.5% in 2010.
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to invest in offshore wind off the coast of Suffolk. [65830]
Charles Hendry: Government are working to support the deployment of offshore wind and attract turbine manufacturers to the UK. It is for manufacturers, not Government, to decide where the best locations are from a business perspective. The Government's focus is on ensuring that investors have confidence in the development of the UK market more widely. As part of this work, the Renewables Roadmap published this week shows that a central scenario of up to 18 GW of UK offshore wind deployment is possible by 2020. The Electricity Market Reform White Paper published on 12 July also set out the long-term framework needed to give investors confidence.
The Renewables Obligation (RO) is currently the Government's main financial mechanism for incentivising the deployment of large-scale renewable technologies, including offshore wind. New offshore windfarms are currently awarded two Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) per MWh.
The Renewables Roadmap announced up to £30 million, subject to value-for-money assessment, to support innovation in the production of offshore wind components over the next four years.
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Business, Innovation and Skills
Entrepreneurs
20. James Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage entrepreneurship among young people. [66036]
Mr Willetts: We want every young person to have hands-on experience of enterprise in school, college and university. That is why we are supporting the development of student enterprise societies in every university by 2015.
In particular we want stronger links between universities and business. I have asked Professor Sir Tim Wilson to undertake a review into how we make our country the best place in the world for university-industry collaboration. We want to reverse the decline in sandwich courses inherited from the previous Government.
Inward Investment
21. Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent progress he has made on increasing levels of inward investment; and if he will make a statement. [66037]
Mr Davey: As reported in the written ministerial statement of 11 July 2011, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, the UK recorded a strong inward investment performance in 2010/11, attracting 1,434 projects one of the highest project figures ever.
These inward investments created and safeguarded an estimated 94,598 jobs, slightly up from previous year.
Space Sector
22. Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the state of the space sector; and if he will make a statement. [66038]
Mr Willetts: The space sector has been growing at some 8% a year, even during the recession. That is why we made it a priority in the growth review. We are working with industry to finance the national space technology programme and to accelerate the development of the International Space Innovation Centre.
Only last week Surrey Satellites, with active Government support, secured a £110 million contract to provide data and services from three satellites to China.
Apprenticeships
23. Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people in (a) Enfield North constituency, (b) London and (c) England have started an apprenticeship in 2011. [66039]
Vince Cable: In the first three-quarters of this academic year there have been 420 apprenticeships started in the Enfield North constituency; 28,120 apprenticeships started in London; and 326,700 apprenticeships started in England. Overall, this is 114,000 more than last year—over a 50% increase. By the end of this spending review there will be funding for 250,000 more adult apprenticeships than were planned by the previous Government.
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Mr Marcus Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprenticeship starts there were in the first nine months of the 2010-11 academic year in (a) England and Wales and (b) in Nuneaton constituency. [65570]
Mr Willetts: Table 1 shows the number of apprenticeship starts in England and Nuneaton parliamentary constituency in the first nine months of the 2010/11 academic year, from August 2010 to April 2011, based on provisional data.
Figures for apprenticeship starts in Wales in 2010/11 are not currently available—they will be published in November 2011 by the Welsh Government.
| Table 1: Apprenticeship starts in England and Nuneaton constituency, between 1 August 2010 and 30 April 2011 (provisional) | |
|
|
Number |
| Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Geography information is based upon the home postcode of the learner. Source: Individualised Learner Record | |
Information on the number of apprenticeship starts is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 23 June 2011:
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to encourage small and medium-sized businesses to take on apprentices. [65649]
Mr Willetts: Apprenticeships provide substantial economic benefit both to employers and to their workers. It is therefore crucial that smaller employers, who form the backbone of our economy, have the opportunity to reap the benefits that apprenticeships offer. We are working to ensure that the process all employers go through to recruit an apprentice is as straightforward as possible. This includes creating a new on-line toolkit, taking employers through the ‘end to end' journey from initial interest to actual recruitment, and developing new delivery standards enabling employers to fully understand the level of service they can expect from the National Apprenticeship Service and the apprenticeship provider.
We are also working with employer representative bodies (such as the Federation of Small Business and the British Chamber of Commerce) as well as employers from small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to identify the barriers these firms may face in recruiting an apprentice. We will come forward in the autumn with proposals to facilitate greater SME engagement with apprenticeships.
Microbusiness
24. Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he taking to support the growth of microbusinesses. [66040]
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Mr Prisk: In addition to cutting small firms corporation tax rates and extending tax relief we are modernising business information online cutting red tape and have a national network of business mentors to help small firms grow.
Apprentices: Greater London
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent estimate he has made of the number of apprenticeship vacancies advertised by the National Apprenticeship Service in (a) the London borough of Bexley and (b) Greater London in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [65564]
Mr Willetts: Apprenticeship vacancies (on line system) data show that for the academic year 2010/11 employers posted 66,560 apprenticeship vacancies in England between 1 August 2010 and 30 June 2011. Information on the number of vacancies posted at parliamentary constituency and Government office region levels of geography is not available. Apprenticeship vacancies are available to candidates based across England.
Apprenticeship vacancy reports are updated on a monthly basis and published by National Apprenticeship Service on the fourth day of each calendar month at the following link:
http://mireportslibrary.thedataservice.org.uk/apprenticeships/apprenticeship_vacancy_reports/
Apprenticeship places are secured through a range of sources. The latest available data for academic year 2010/11 show there were a total of 326,700(1) apprenticeship starts between August 2010 and April 2011 (provisional) in England.
(1) Information on the number of apprenticeship starts is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 23 June 2011:
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current
Apprentices: Kettering
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people in (a) Kettering, (b) Northamptonshire and (c) England have started an apprenticeship in 2011. [66096]
Mr Hayes: Table 1 shows a quarterly breakdown of apprenticeship starts in Kettering parliamentary constituency, Northamptonshire local education authority and England in the first nine months of the 2010/11 academic year, from August 2010 to April 2011, based on provisional data.
Figures relating to the calendar year are not available, however quarterly provisional totals for each of the last three quarters are shown for reference.
| Table 1: Apprenticeship starts Kettering, Northamptonshire local education authority and England, between August 1 2010 and 30 April 2011 (provisional) | ||||
|
|
August 2010 to October 2010 (1) | November 2010 to January 2011 (1) | February 2011 to April 2011 (1) | August 2010 to April 2011 (1) |
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| (1) Provisional. Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10 except England total which is rounded to the nearest 100. 2. Geography information is based upon the home postcode of the learner. Source: Individualised Learner Record | ||||
Information on the number of Apprenticeship starts is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 23rd June 2011:
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current
Copyright: Broadcasting
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his Department's policy is on the World Intellectual Property Organisation's Broadcasting Treaty negotiations. [65755]
Mr Davey [holding answer 12 July 2011]: International protection of broadcasters' rights is out of date. In particular, piracy of broadcasts on the internet is a border-crossing phenomenon requiring international action. The UK therefore strongly supports proposals to update the protection of broadcasters at a global level through a treaty at World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), including providing broadcasters with an exclusive right to authorise re-transmission over the internet.
Employment: Young People
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to increase employment opportunities for young people. [65648]
Mr Willetts: The Government are creating the conditions for sustainable private sector growth, upon which the creation of new jobs for both young and older adults depends.
We are expanding the apprenticeships programme and will fund up to 250,000 more apprenticeships over the next four years compared to the previous Government's plans. We are also introducing a new Access to Apprenticeships pathway for 16 to 24-year-olds that will benefit up to 10,000 vulnerable young people who need extra help to become an apprentice.
In addition, we will help young people into work through pre-employment training for those on active benefits, work experience opportunities and continuation of the graduate talent pool. The Government's new Work programme was recently launched and will provide those young people who are unemployed for longer with personalised support and training to help them into sustainable employment.
High Street Review
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what definition of high street is being used for the review on the future of the high street led by Mary Portas; and which geographical areas the review covers. [65987]
Mr Davey [holding answer 13 July 2011]: For the purposes of this independent review, a high street is defined as a geographically distinct area within a built-up area (i.e. a village, town, city or conurbation) which contains a concentration of publicly accessible facilities which may include retail outlets, leisure facilities, and public amenities. The geographical coverage of the review is England.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many hours Mary Portas plans to work (a) each week and (b) in total on the independent review of the future of the high street. [65995]
Mr Davey [holding answer 13 July 2011]:Mary Portas is working on this review in her own time and will commit the time necessary to complete it. Mary Portas is not being paid for the time she spends on the review.
Higher Education
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to regulate the recruitment practices of private for-profit higher education institutions; and if he will make a statement. [66157]
Mr Willetts: The White Paper “Higher Education: Students at the Heart of the system” (Cm 8122) sets out proposals for a single, transparent regulatory framework for all providers. There will be a new role for the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) as lead regulator.
For-profit higher education institutions that want their students to access student support funding would have to comply with requirements on quality, dispute resolution, information, access (if charging over the basic tuition charge), financial sustainability, any reformed student number controls and tuition charge caps. As now, HEFCE would sit within a framework of “arm's length” principles precluding it from any role in admissions. This framework, on which we will consult, provides the necessary safeguards for students in respect of quality and information; protects the autonomy of institutions; and ensures government is able to maintain control of its financial exposure.
Higher Education: Admissions
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many young people from York Central constituency (a) applied for and (b) started a degree course in each year between 1997 and 2010; and how many have applied to start a degree course in 2011. [65739]
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Mr Willetts: The figures are given in the table.
| Applicants and accepted applicants to full-time undergraduate courses from York Central constituency aged 20 or under | ||
|
|
Applicants | Accepted applicants |
| Notes: 1. Figures for the years up to 2010 are final end of year totals and include applicants who applied via the main UCAS application scheme, which closes on 30 June, or via clearing. 2. Applicant figures for 2011 entry are the latest figures as at 30 June. Source: UCAS | ||
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many applications for undergraduate study were made to (a) the University of York, (b) York St John University and (c) all English universities in each year since 1997. [65740]
Mr Willetts: The figures are given in the table.
| UCAS main scheme applications to University of York, York St John University and England 1997 to 2010—Full-time undergraduate courses | |||
|
|
University of York | York St John University | All institutions in England |
| Notes: 1. Since 2009 each applicant has been able to submit up to five applications (choices), or four if they are applying to medical, dentistry or veterinary science courses. In previous years applicants were able to submit up to six applications. 2. Figures cover applicants who applied during the main application scheme which closes on 30 June. Applicants who subsequently applied during clearing are excluded. Source: UCAS | |||
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the potential effects on choice of university degree courses of proposals for the expansion of private degree providers; and if he will make a statement. [65818]
Mr Willetts:
The Higher Education White Paper “Higher Education: Students at the Heart of the System”
14 July 2011 : Column 500W
(Cm 8122) makes clear that we want a diverse, competitive system that can offer different types of higher education so that students can choose freely between a wide range of courses and providers. Overall, students are likely to see increased choice.
The White Paper also sets out plans to improve the information available to prospective students so they are able to make better informed choices about what course to study. The Key Information Set will for the first time bring together comparable information on student satisfaction, course content, assessment methods, costs, financial support and employment outcomes.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will assess the potential effects on (a) publicly-funded universities and (b) standards of quality and (c) equity in the university sector of private sector universities offering two-year degrees for £6,000 per annum in tuition fees; and if he will make a statement. [65819]
Mr Willetts: The White Paper, “Higher Education: Students at the Heart of the System” (Cm 8122) makes clear that we want a diverse, competitive system that can offer different types of higher education so that students can choose freely between a wide range of providers. Two-year degrees are offered currently by both publicly funded and alternative providers and offer scope for efficiencies which can deliver lower overall costs and will be attractive to those students wanting to study intensively.
We are also planning to introduce a new regulatory framework which will ensure that all providers wishing to benefit from public funding are treated on a more consistent basis with respect to quality, dispute resolution, information, access, tuition charge caps and financial stability. Students will benefit as a result.
Higher Education: York
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much capital funding his Department and its predecessors allocated to (a) York college, (b) the university of York and (c) York St John university in each year since 2005. [65742]
Mr Willetts: Total capital payments for each of the institutions named since 2005 are as follows:
| £ | |||
|
|
York college | University of York St John | University of York |
The university figures given cover capital payments for both teaching and research—hence the much higher figures for the university of York. £2 million of the allocation to York is repayable in future years to Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE.)
14 July 2011 : Column 501W
Student Loans Company
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) whether he plans to enable the Student Loans Company to withhold loans for students wishing to study at institutions deemed to be offering an unsatisfactory quality of higher education by the Quality Assurance Agency; and if he will make a statement; [66149]
(2) whether he plans to require higher education institutions whose students are in receipt of loans from the Student Loans Company to subscribe to the Quality Assurance Agency; and if he will make a statement. [66151]
Mr Willetts: The Higher Education White Paper published on 30 June proposes a single, transparent regulatory framework with which all providers in the Higher Education system will need to comply if they wish to benefit from public funding. We will consult this summer on detailed proposals for the framework, which will include quality requirements.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture: Carbon Emissions
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will assess the impact of anaerobic digestion on achieving her Department's policy for greenhouse gas emissions reduction from agriculture in the next four years; [64530]
(2) what measures she plans to adopt to increase the potential of further greenhouse gas emissions abatement from anaerobic digestion to meet the targets for greenhouse gas reduction in the next decade beyond those set out in the agriculture industry's action plan. [64554]
Richard Benyon: Anaerobic digestion (AD) can play an important role as a means of dealing with organic waste and avoiding, by more efficient capture and treatment, the greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with its disposal to landfill.
The Government made a commitment to work towards a ‘zero waste’ economy in the Coalition Programme for Government of 20 May 2010, and to introduce measures to increase energy from waste through anaerobic digestion. This was incorporated into DEFRA's Business plan. On 14 June 2011 Government published the Anaerobic Digestion Strategy and Action Plan. The Strategy sets out a vision for AD, while the Action Plan sets out the actions in detail that are needed to bring about an increase in energy from waste through anaerobic digestion.
The AD Strategy and Action Plan has been worked up in partnership between Government and Industry. Within the document a number of barriers have been identified and appropriate actions to overcome those hurdles, for example the development of a tool to calculate GHG savings associated with feedstocks, evidence on the value of digestates and the establishment of a working group to look at current opportunities to support environmental benefits of on-farm AD.
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The Strategy does not set specific targets however the agreed actions should ensure there are no unnecessary obstacles to the development of England's AD industry.
Agriculture: Land Use
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on making available for food production suitable land which is at present set aside or otherwise unavailable. [65212]
Mr Paice: Set-aside was originally introduced as a means to control food production and this scheme was abolished from January 2009. This Government recognise that we need to produce more food while protecting the environment. I do not believe that Government should regulate if the farming industry delivers enhanced benefits on food production.
The Government strongly support the need for more growing spaces to be made available for people to grow their own fruit and vegetables, as a contribution to helping people understand more about where food comes from and to eat a healthy, sustainable diet. We are working with colleagues at DCLG which is the Department leading on the work to encourage communities to take ownership or management of significant community assets which includes food producing land such as allotments and community orchards.
Air Pollution: Aviation
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complaints her Department and its predecessor received about air pollution related to Heathrow airport in each of the last 10 years. [64366]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not hold a central register of information and datasets on complaints about air pollution related to Heathrow airport. To produce a definitive list of such complaints would involve disproportionate cost.
Ammonia
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the renegotiation of the Gothenburg Protocol on restrictions on ammonia emissions. [64539]
Richard Benyon: A key EU aim for the renegotiation of the UNECE Gothenburg Protocol is to increase ratification of a revised protocol among non-EU parties in the UNECE region, which will further reduce levels of transboundary air pollution across Europe.
The UK is fully engaged in this process. For all air pollutants likely to be covered by the revised Protocol, including ammonia, the UK supports further emission reductions in line with current national and EU policies.
Angling: Licensing
Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many line caught fish licences were issued but not active during the latest period for which figures are available. [64954]
14 July 2011 : Column 503W
Richard Benyon [holding answer 11 July 2011]: There are very few licences issued that specifically relate to permitting a vessel to fish with hand lines. Instead, licences are structured primarily to control what species a fisherman can target. For example, a category A licence allows a fisherman to target any species subject to UK quotas. Within this, they can use a range of gears, depending on any EU or national technical conservation measures in place—for example, there are restrictions on the use of beam trawl gears based on historic activity.
There were 1,386 category A licences issued in 2010 to vessels spread around the UK, all of which could have potentially used hand line gears. Of these, for example, only 345 vessels actually fished for mackerel with hand lines in 2010 in the South West, i.e. ICES areas 7e to 7h. This does not necessarily mean that the other vessels were inactive as they may have fished with other gears.
Animal Welfare
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on provision of incentives for animal health schemes in each of the next four financial years. [64540]
Mr Paice: Funding is available under the Rural Development Programme for England for measures to improve the animal health of farm livestock, where such support would result in improvements going significantly beyond the levels required by law, and where it would also lead to significant increases in the profitability and competitiveness of the agricultural holding concerned.
There is no specific budgetary allocation for this purpose, separate from other aspects of competitiveness support. DEFRA is currently considering a new and more nationally consistent delivery model for the remaining two and a half years of the programme so far as the socio-economic measures are concerned, and support for animal health improvement will be one of the elements which that model will cover.
Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department has received from the Government Chief Scientific Adviser on a badger cull; and if she will publish any such advice. [64204]
Mr Paice [holding answer 6 July 2011]: Sir John Beddington, the Government chief scientific adviser, and his officials discussed the evidence around bovine TB and badgers with Professor Watson and DEFRA officials when the proposals (and supporting documents) in the public consultation were in development. He has also discussed this issue with me and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA officials continue to be in regular contact with Sir John and the Government Office for Science.
Zac Goldsmith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the cost of (a) purchase
14 July 2011 : Column 504W
of equipment,
(b)
transport,
(c)
staff training,
(d)
employment and salary and
(e)
activities associated with a large-scale badger cull in England in each year of the project. [64364]
Mr Paice: Under the proposals set out in our public consultation on bovine tuberculosis: the Government's approach to tackling the disease and consultation on a badger control policy, we would expect the farming industry to bear the direct costs of badger control. Government would fund licensing and monitoring.
An impact assessment setting out the various estimated costs was included as part of the consultation and can be found at:
http://archive.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/tb-control-measures/100915-tb-control-measures-annexf.pdf
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which species of (a) wild and (b) domestic animal her Department has found to have contracted bovine tuberculosis. [64481]
Mr Paice: Nearly all warm-blooded animals are susceptible to bovine tuberculosis and it has been found in a range of species worldwide. As well as cattle and badgers, the species in which it has most commonly been confirmed in Britain are deer, llamas, alpacas, pigs, sheep, goats, ferrets, wild boar, cats and dogs. Further information of the number of cases in these species can be found on the DEFRA website.
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate she has made of the timescale for the introduction of an effective bovine TB vaccination for (a) badgers and (b) cattle. [64581]
Mr Paice: The first injectable badger vaccine, BadgerBCG, was licensed in March 2010. An oral badger vaccine, which may be a more practical option, is in development but is still several years away.
A cattle vaccine is also being developed. However, vaccination of cattle against TB is prohibited under existing EU legislation. This will need to be changed before a vaccine can be used in the field. Changing EU legislation is a lengthy and uncertain process which is likely to take several years.
It is therefore not possible to say with any certainty when a cattle vaccine and oral badger vaccine might be available for use in the field but it is several years away.
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what evidence she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects of bovine TB on the number of families working in the dairy industry. [64582]
Mr Paice: No work has been commissioned or reviewed specifically on the effect of bovine TB on the number of families working in or leaving the dairy industry. The decline in the number of dairy farmers is likely to be due to the combination of a range of factors and it would be difficult to precisely isolate the effect of bovine TB.
George Eustice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's policy is on testing badgers that are found dead for TB. [65209]
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Mr Paice: The local authority (or, in the case of motorways, the Highways Agency) is responsible for the removal of badger carcases found beside roads. Post mortem examinations to establish disease status are not routinely carried out for badgers found dead.
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she made of the risk of sanctions against the Government by the EU in the event of a failure to prevent the spread of bovine TB. [65396]
Mr Paice: DEFRA and the devolved Administrations work closely with the European Commission to ensure that we comply with EU legislation and that they understand the bovine TB situation in the UK. The Commission has supported our approach, approving the UK Bovine TB Eradication Plan for 2011, which includes controls to prevent the spread of bovine TB within the UK and to other countries. On that basis the current risk of EU sanctions is low. However, cattle can only be exported if they are individually certificated, come from officially tuberculosis free herds and if over 42 days of age have passed a pre-export tuberculin skin test within the previous 30 days. This is in accordance with Community law.
Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccinations
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial contribution her Department has made towards research and development of oral TB vaccines for badgers in the latest period for which figures are available. [64936]
Mr Paice: Since 2005-06 DEFRA has invested over £6 million on research into oral badger vaccines.
British Waterways Board
Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the compatibility of the provisions of the Public Bodies Bill in relation to the convention rights of itinerant live-aboard boaters under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. [64832]
Richard Benyon [holding answer 11 July 2011]: The Minister for the Cabinet Office made the statement under section 19(1)(a) of the Human Rights Act 1998, that in his view the provisions of the Public Bodies Bill are compatible with the convention rights. There is nothing in the powers contained in the Bill to prevent them being exercised in a way which is fully compatible with the convention.
The Public Bodies Bill is an enabling Bill and therefore the Bill itself will not effect any changes to the British Waterways Board. Subject to parliamentary approval and any necessary consultation, the Public Bodies Bill will provide the necessary enabling powers to allow an Order to be made transferring the powers and duties of the British Waterways Board in England and Wales to the proposed New Waterways Charity (NWC).
The Government recognise the importance of the rights of those who live on and use the inland waterways which will transfer to the NWC. Ultimately, it would be
14 July 2011 : Column 506W
for a court to determine the application of, and compliance with, the Human Rights Act 1998 in relation to any action taken by the NWC.
Further public consultation on the NWC, in the context of the transfer order, will take place in the autumn.
British Waterways Board: Freedom of Information
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will put in place measures to ensure that British Waterways will continue to be subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 following any transfer to charitable status; and if she will make a statement. [64008]
Richard Benyon: The Government recognises the importance of making appropriate provision for access to information from public bodies and those outside the public sector with public functions. With this in mind, we are considering the principles involved in the transfer of functions to the New Waterways Charity (NWC), and will be discussing this in due course with the transition trustees.
Further public consultation on the NWC, in the context of the transfer order, will take place in the autumn.
Carbon Emissions
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what response she has made to the recommendation in the Committee on Climate Change's Meeting Carbon Budgets—3rd Progress Report to Parliament to consider options for further greenhouse gas emissions abatement from agriculture beyond that in the current industry action plan to meet the targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions in the next decade. [64531]
Richard Benyon: The Government welcomes the Committee on Climate Change's 3(rd) Annual Progress Report, published on 30 June. The Government will carefully consider the recommendations set out in the report and will formally respond later this year.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what measures she plans to adopt to increase the potential of further greenhouse gas emissions abatement from using better soil management techniques to meet the targets for greenhouse gas reduction in the next decade beyond those set out in the industry's action plan; [64532]
(2) what measures she plans to adopt to increase the potential of further greenhouse gas emissions abatement from using better nutrient management techniques to meet the targets for greenhouse gas reduction in the next decade beyond those set out in the agriculture industry's action plan; [64552]
(3) what proposals her Department has to encourage the selection of crop varieties by farmers which increase the rate of abatement from nitrous oxide emissions by 2020; [64537]
14 July 2011 : Column 507W
(4) what measures she plans to adopt to increase the potential of further greenhouse gas emissions abatement from manure management to meet the targets for greenhouse gas reduction in the next decade beyond those set out in the agriculture industry's action plan; [64553]
(5) what measures she plans to adopt to increase the potential of further greenhouse gas emissions abatement from livestock feed to meet the targets for greenhouse gas reduction in the next decade beyond those set out in the agriculture industry's action plan; [64555]
(6) what measures she plans to adopt to increase the potential of further greenhouse gas emissions abatement from livestock breeding to meet the targets for greenhouse gas reduction in the next decade beyond those set out in the agriculture industry's action plan; [64556]
(7) what measures she plans to adopt to increase the potential of further greenhouse gas emissions abatement from using more nitrogen efficient plants to meet the targets for greenhouse gas reduction in the next decade beyond those set out in the agriculture industry's action plan; [64557]
(8) what measures she plans to adopt to increase the potential of further greenhouse gas emissions abatement from using nitrification inhibitors to meet the targets for greenhouse gas reduction in the next decade beyond those set out in the agriculture industry's action plan. [64558]
Richard Benyon: The Government, in partnership with the devolved Administrations, have invested £12.6 million over a four and half year period to improve the Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Inventory R and D Platform. Through a series of projects, covering data management and modelling and methane and nitrous oxide emissions, this research will strengthen our understanding of emissions produced on farm and better capture the positive actions that farmers are currently taking. This platform forms part of a wider programme of R and D into reducing GHG emissions from agriculture.
This is an extensive programme of research that looks at specific techniques, such as improved animal feed, livestock breed, crop varieties, etc, that will reduce on farm emissions. Details of all R and D projects commissioned by DEFRA can be accessed through the Department's website.
Coastal Areas: Public Footpaths
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2011, Official Report, column 491W, on coastal areas: public footpaths, when she expects to discuss with Natural England its priorities and timetable for the implementation of the coastal access provisions beyond the initial coastal stretches set out in March 2011. [64338]
Richard Benyon: We have announced our plans to implement coastal access at Weymouth and in five lead areas. My officials are reviewing with Natural England the possible next steps for coastal access, following any lessons learnt from the current implementation and in the light of available resources.
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Coastal Erosion: East Sussex
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what discussions her Department has had on coastal erosion between Brighton and Peacehaven; [65680]
(2) what steps her Department is taking to prevent erosion of the (a) coastline and (b) A259 coastal road between Brighton and Peacehaven. [65681]
Richard Benyon: Under the Coast Protection Act 1949, Brighton and Hove city council and Lewes district council are the competent operating authorities with permissive powers to undertake coastal erosion management work for the coastline between Brighton and Peacehaven.
The Environment Agency provides the strategic coastal overview on behalf of DEFRA. It assesses all risk, prioritises risk management programmes, and allocates and manages funding for work programmes.
The recently reviewed Beachy Head to Selsey Bill Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) includes the Brighton to Peacehaven frontage. For the majority of both the frontage and the A259, the SMP recommends a policy of “holding the line” of the toe of the cliff. For part of the frontage at Telscombe cliffs, which includes a smaller section of the A259 and currently has no defences, there is a policy of “no active intervention”.
The forthcoming Newhaven Harbour to Brighton Marina Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategy will develop the SMP policy further and identify options for managing the coastline for the next 100 years. This will include a detailed assessment of the likely costs involved, including the likelihood of central Government funding in accordance with the latest DEFRA flood and coastal resilience partnership funding policy.
This strategy is to be led by Lewes district council, and a request for flood defence grant in aid of £325,000 has been submitted in this year's Medium Term Plan for funding to begin in 2012-13.
Crops: Research
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many regional research hubs for groupings of crops will be supported by her Department in each of the next four financial years. [64814]
Mr Paice: Crop research is undertaken within research institutes and university departments across the UK. DEFRA does not fund regional research hubs for groupings of crops. There are no plans to establish such hubs.
Departmental Consultants
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department (a) has spent and (b) plans to spend on consultants as part of the National Ecosystems Assessment. [65054]
Richard Benyon:
The National Ecosystem Assessment was not commissioned as a consultancy, but as a scientific research project co-ordinated by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. DEFRA's contribution to the project was £674,820. The funding consortium included all of
14 July 2011 : Column 509W
the devolved Administrations as well as the Natural Environment Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council. The study was a major project involving over 500 economists and scientists, many of whom gave their knowledge and time for free. The Natural Environment White Paper includes a commitment to build on the National Ecosystem Assessment by supporting a further phase of research, but financial commitments have not been finalised.
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department (a) has spent and (b) plans to spend on consultants as part of the England Biodiversity Strategy. [65055]
Richard Benyon: No consultancy costs were incurred directly in developing our new England Biodiversity Strategy (2011-20), which is due to be published shortly.
We do not have quantified plans for overall future consultancy costs associated with implementing this wide-ranging 10-year strategy. There will occasionally be some consultancy spend where this is necessary to provide the required expertise or independence of view, for example, in relation to the Nature Improvement Area competition panel.
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department spent on external consultants as part of the waste review. [65056]
Richard Benyon: No external consultants were employed to work on the Government's Review of Waste Policy in England.
Dogs: Sales
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has assessed the merits of extending the provisions of the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 to regulate the sale of dogs online. [62118]
Mr Paice [holding answer 27 June 2011]:The Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 largely amended the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 and does not exclude businesses that breed dogs and sell them over the internet, as long as such businesses are based in Great Britain.
Eggs: Labelling
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will discuss with representatives of the egg industry the introduction of a labelling scheme to indicate the production method of multi-ingredient food products containing eggs. [66198]
Mr Paice: DEFRA Ministers are happy to discuss industry initiatives. While we have no plans to introduce a Government-led labelling scheme to indicate the production method of multi-ingredient food products containing eggs, such information can already be provided on a voluntary basis so long as it is not misleading to consumers.
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Farmers: Carbon Emissions
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has issued any advice to farmers on the generation of low-carbon energy on their land. [65458]
Mr Paice: Farmers can access free telephone and web advice on low carbon energy generation and energy efficiency from the Carbon Trust, which is funded by Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
The Government are keen for farm businesses to improve their energy efficiency through the uptake of low-carbon and energy efficient equipment. We are therefore working closely with DECC, which leads on energy policy, to ensure that its policies and advice include farm businesses.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals her Department has to (a) improve energy efficiency, (b) encourage greater uptake of renewable energy sources by farmers and (c) reduce land use change emissions from agriculture to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in 2020. [64538]
Mr Paice: Energy efficiency is a key focus of the Government's energy and climate change strategy. The Government are also keen for farm businesses to improve their energy efficiency through the uptake of low-carbon and energy efficient equipment. We are working closely with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), which leads on energy policy, to ensure that its policies include farm businesses.
A wide range of policies are in place or under development, as set out in the Carbon Plan published in March. These include major initiatives such as the forthcoming Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation, and the existing Carbon Emissions Reduction Target. DEFRA's contributions to improving energy efficiency cover a range of policy areas including product standards, corporate carbon reporting, water efficiency, and resource efficiency.
Agri-environment schemes have the potential, either through previous, current or new land management practice to deliver greenhouse gas reductions of 3.46 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year.
Fertilisers
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has plans to require the collection of data on the impact of soil testing measures on the use of fertiliser. [64536]
Richard Benyon: We do not have plans to collect such data although DEFRA is committed to helping make available the best advice on the frequency of soil sampling and analysis as part of good nutrient management.
We welcome the work that industry is doing including the compilation of soil test data across England and Wales, and in providing advice and promoting nutrient management planning.
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Fertilisers: Grasslands
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make an assessment of (a) the extent of fertiliser use on grassland areas in England and (b) its effects on the density of nitrous oxide emissions in each of the last four years. [64529]
Mr Paice: Volatility in fertiliser prices over recent years has been a significant influence on year on year usage levels. The following table shows overall(1) nitrogen fertiliser use on grassland in England and to better illustrate the longer term trend, data for 2004 to 2010 are shown. These figures relate to manufactured fertiliser only and do not include organic manures.
| Overall nitrogen fertiliser use on grassland (kg per hectare) | |
|
|
Total nitrogen |
The downward trend in fertiliser application on grassland has been one of the main drivers of the reduction in nitrous oxide emissions from UK agriculture which have fallen from 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent in 2004 to 27.6 million tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2007 and 27.4 million tonnes in 2009. 2010 data are not yet available.
(1) The overall application rate is defined as the total quantity of nutrient used, in kilograms (kg), divided by the total extent of crop area, in hectares (including any areas without application of the nutrient).
Sources:
The British Survey of Fertiliser Practice
DECC, UK Climate Change Statistics
Food
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) of 27 June 2011, Official Report, column 497W, on food, what steps she plans to take to ensure that food procured by the public sector meets British or equivalent standards of production wherever this can be achieved without increasing overall costs. [64439]
Mr Paice: We want to improve standards of public food procurement where this can be achieved without increasing the overall costs. This means closely assessing the costs and benefits of various options for the procurement of food that is healthy, sustainable and ethically sourced. Our proposals have been submitted to external review to make sure we get this right and we have published guidance for buyers alongside the standards.
We are working with major local authority buying organisations in the PR05 group to encourage the voluntary inclusion of Government Buying Standards into national food and catering procurement frameworks, which will enable public sector bodies to achieve cost savings without compromising on quality or sustainability.
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In addition, DEFRA is developing training for catering managers and procurers in the public sector on efficient and sustainable food procurement based around the Government Buying Standards and using examples of best practice from around the country.
We believe that local people are best placed to decide what is best in their communities. Greater transparency across Government is at the heart of our shared commitment to enable the public to hold politicians and public bodies to account. Local government are required to publish details of contracts over £500, and NHS bodies are required to publish contracts over £10,000.
Food: Origin Marking
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress her Department made on the introduction of the EU's Country of Origin labelling proposals. [65266]
Mr Paice: We have been pressing for improved origin information in the current EU negotiations on a new regulation on the provision of food information to consumers. The European Parliament agreed a compromise proposal on 6 July. This is expected to be formally adopted by the Council by the end of the year.
For origin labelling, this would mean:
Fresh and frozen meat would have to be labelled with its origin;
Where origin claims are made concerning the origin of a food, the origin of the main ingredients will have to be given if these are different to the claim.
The Commission is also charged with looking at extending the rules to other foods such as meat as an ingredient, milk and dairy products. It is currently expected that the regulation will be published by early 2012.
Foxes: Disease Control
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on measures to address the spread of alveolar echinococcosis in the fox population; and what discussions she has had with the devolved Administrations on the matter. [65211]
Mr Paice: Ongoing surveillance of wild foxes has demonstrated that the fox population in the UK remains free of echinococcus multilocularis. Similarly, no domestic cases of human infection by the tapeworm E. multilocularis have been found. The UK's geographic separation from continental Europe essentially eliminates the risk of the introduction of E. multilocularis through the cross-border movement of wild animals to a negligible level.
A qualitative assessment of the risk of importing the tapeworm E. multilocularis via the movement of pet animals to the UK has been carried out by DEFRA. Exposure of a pet to infection depends on the country visited and whether the pet has ingested any infected rodents. Alveolar echinococcosis is restricted to the northern hemisphere and has become more of a problem in some urban fox populations. The risk is currently mitigated by a requirement to treat all cats and dogs with Praziquantel (certified by a vet in the pet passport or third country official veterinary certificate) before entering the UK.
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We recognise that without our current treatment regime there would be an increased risk of disease introduction and the disease could become established in the UK rodent or fox population. The European Commission has given a strong indication that it will shortly come forward with proposals that would enable the UK and other tapeworm free countries to retain tapeworm controls with a treatment window of one-five days.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, recently wrote to the devolved Administrations, updating them on the changes to the pet movement controls, including the steps being taken to retain controls on tapeworm. DEFRA officials hold regular discussions with counterparts in the devolved Administrations on these issues.
Horticulture
Claire Perry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to support the gardening industry through research and development of ornamental horticulture. [64223]
Mr Paice: DEFRA continues to fund research on horticulture through its research and development (R and D) programmes on sustainable farming systems, agriculture and climate change, and sustainable water management. Research into areas such as crop protection, nutrient management, control of pests and diseases, water use and growing media are generally applicable to a wide range of ornamental and food crops. In addition, the industry supports R and D through its DEFRA sponsored levy body, the Horticultural Development Corporation, a part of the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board.
Marine Conservation Zones
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress the statutory nature conservation bodies have made towards the objective of designating an ecologically-coherent network of marine protected areas by 2012. [63903]
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether she plans to designate a management regime for species and habitats that are not features of conservation importance to ensure their protection within a marine conservation zone; [64004]
(2) by what means marine conservation zones will protect species and habitats listed in the Annex to the Habitats Directive which are found at nationally rather than internationally important thresholds; [64005]
(3) what assessment she has made of the management provisions resources required to ensure that requirements for site objectives and requirements for an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas are fulfilled; [64006]
(4) whether marine conservation zones may be designated in respect of species and habitats which do not constitute features of conservation importance. [64007]
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Richard Benyon: The Government are committed to delivering on its vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. Creating an ecologically-coherent network of marine protected areas (MPAs), which includes marine conservation zones (MCZs), is central to conserving marine biodiversity and will contribute to the wider health of our marine ecosystem.
The four stakeholder-led regional projects have made good progress and presented their draft final recommendations for prospective MCZ sites, including identifying conservation objectives for most sites, at the beginning of June. Taking account of comments from the MPA Science Advisory Panel they will present their final site recommendations and conservation objectives at the end of August.
The MCZ site recommendations, the formal advice from the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies, and the impact assessments will be sent to Ministers in January 2012. We will give these and the scientific and economic evidence and stakeholders' views careful consideration, before making a decision on sites to take forward to public consultation in early summer 2012 with a view to designation by end the end of 2012.
The Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies' Ecological Network Guidance to the regional projects describes the requirements for an ecologically coherent network, including those habitats and species of conservation importance considered to be most appropriately protected using MCZs. The guidance is available on Natural England's website. For habitats and species requiring the requiring the establishment of European sites (Special Areas of Conservation and/or Special Protection Areas (SPAs)) in accordance with the EC habitats and birds directives, it is considered that these European sites will provide the requisite contribution to the network.
MCZs should only be proposed for habitats and species that are protected under the EC habitats and wild birds directives in exceptional circumstances, and where they are essential to meet the ecological coherence objectives of the wider MPA network, as our guidance makes clear.
When selecting MCZs for habitats and species of conservation importance, particular attention is given to areas of additional ecological importance. These include areas that support particular ecological processes, are important for particular life stages or behaviours of any species, are highly productive or support high biodiversity. Spatial protection mechanisms are not, in isolation, the most effective way of protecting highly mobile species. Protecting some habitats important to mobile species can aid their conservation, as part of wider protection measures that can be applied across their range. We will continue to develop bespoke management measures for vulnerable mobile species, such as acoustic deterrents to reduce dolphin bycatch and fisheries protection for endangered sharks. For birds the SPAs, combined with other sector-wide initiatives (for example under the EU Seabird Plan of Action), will be the primary methods for protection. If areas important to habitats or species not specified in the Ecological Network Guidance are identified, the evidence should be provided and we will consider their protection through MCZs.
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The regional projects are working with stakeholders to identify possible management measures, such as byelaws or voluntary agreements that may be needed. Their likely social and economic effects will be assessed in an impact assessment. This will include the potential resources required for management provisions: for example the potential cost to the Marine Management Organisation and Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities of putting byelaws in place.
Nitrates
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the inclusion of all regions of England within nitrate vulnerable zones under the EU Nitrates Directive. [64541]
Richard Benyon: We expect to consult on a range of proposals and the indicative new nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) boundaries in the autumn. Final decisions will depend on a range of factors, including the cost implications and the outcome of the consultation.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make an assessment of the impact on greenhouse gas emissions abatement of the inclusion of all English regions within nitrate vulnerable zones under the EU Nitrates Directive. [64542]
Richard Benyon: The Department is currently funding a research project that is looking at the impact on greenhouse gas emissions from changes to manure management practices as a result of the Nitrates Action Programme. The project will evaluate the effects of the implementation of several possible Action Programme measures, including designating the whole of England as a single nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ). Evidence from this and other research projects will assist Ministers in making their final decisions on the designation of nitrate vulnerable zones in England under the EU Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) due in 2012. This work is part of an integrated approach to tackling diffuse pollution from agriculture.
A consultation document on the review of the NVZ designations in England is due to be published this autumn. This will provide further information on the option of a whole territory approach proposal.
Producer Responsibility
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions her Department has had with industry representatives on producer responsibility; and if she will make a statement. [64358]
Richard Benyon: Ministers and officials engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including on producer responsibility, as part of the Government's Review of Waste Policy in England, which was published in June. The stakeholders included representatives from central and local government, environmental groups, businesses throughout the supply chain, the waste management industry and civil society organisations.
The Review concluded that while statutory producer responsibility can be an influential driver for change, better environmental outcomes can in many circumstances
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be delivered in a less burdensome way through a voluntary approach. DEFRA is now working with a range of businesses to explore the potential for new responsibility deals in a number of different sectors.
Rabbits: EU Law
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether regulation of rabbit farming in the UK is affected by EU legislation; what recent assessment she has made of the (a) standards and (b) reputation of rabbit farming in (i) the UK and (ii) the EU; and if she will make a statement. [63939]
Mr Paice: Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes sets out a general framework for the protection of all farmed animals, but there is no specific provision for rabbits.
However, in 2005, the European Food Safety Authority produced a report describing housing and husbandry systems and their impact on the health and welfare of farmed domestic rabbits. This report fed into the Council of Europe's draft recommendations concerning the minimum standards for farmed rabbits which are still under negotiation.
The UK has a relatively small rabbit farming industry compared to some EU member states. The keeping of commercially farmed rabbits is adequately provided for by way of the provisions in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations 2007 which contains a specific schedule for rabbits. In addition, DEFRA has a code for rabbits which provides good husbandry advice including recommendations for housing, feed, water and space allowances which should be regarded as absolute minimum.
Reservoirs
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) capacity and (b) number of reservoirs was in England in (i) 1989 and (ii) 2010. [65180]
Richard Benyon: At the end of 2010 there were 1,909 reservoirs classed as “large raised reservoirs”, based on the definition laid down in the Reservoirs Act 1975. These had a combined maximum capacity of 2,264,376,534 cubic metres. Figures for 1989 are not available. Records of reservoirs outside the “large raised reservoir” category are not held centrally.
Shooting Seasons
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will review the arrangements to set the dates of the shooting seasons to provide for the extension of a season in cases where severe weather has prevented shooting. [65167]
Mr Paice: The close season for birds listed on Schedule 1 Part 2 and Schedule 2 Part 1 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is set to avoid birds being shot at a time when this could interfere with breeding. Shooting during this period would likely have an impact on the conservation status of these species.
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Following a severe winter, the close season for listed species is particularly important in order to ensure wild birds are able to recover to breeding condition, move between wintering and breeding grounds, and successfully breed. Therefore, there are no plans in England to extend the shooting season in years where severe weather has resulted in the voluntary or statutory suspension of shooting.
Squirrels
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will consider the merits of introducing a bounty for grey squirrels to reduce the population of that species. [65157]
Richard Benyon: It has sometimes been suggested that a restoration of the bounty scheme operated by the Government in the 1950s could help to eradicate grey squirrels or at least make a serious impact on numbers. The scheme made no significant impact on natural fluctuations in numbers, however, and was abandoned as ineffective. Populations of grey squirrels actually rose during most of the scheme's lifetime. Therefore, we have no plans to reintroduce a bounty scheme for grey squirrels.