Debts
Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to investigate the conduct of debt consolidation firms. [64793]
Mr Davey: The conduct and activities of debt consolidation firms who provide loans by way of a second charge on a consumer's home is monitored by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). The OFT issued updated Guidance for this industry in 2009 and continues to keep this sector under review.
In addition, in 2010 the OFT also published new guidance on irresponsible lending which specifically sets out the information the OFT would expect a lender to provide a person who is considering taking out a loan to consolidate existing debts. The guidance states that when applicable the consumer should be informed that consolidating debts may involve paying higher interest rates and increase both the overall amount repayable and the repayment period.
The OFT would also consider it likely to be an example of irresponsible lending for any lender to grant a debt consolidation loan to a consumer where it is known, or reasonably suspected, that the credit is likely to be unsustainable. Failure to comply with the irresponsible lending guidance could call into question that company's fitness to hold a consumer credit licence. The OFT continues to keep this sector under review and if necessary will not hesitate to take enforcement action.
Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will publish any assessment he has made of the effect of the high cost credit industry on the trends in the level of personal debt between May 2010 and May 2011. [67675]
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Mr Davey: BIS published ‘Credit, debt and financial difficulty in Britain, 2009/10’ in June. The aim of the report is to explore credit use and the extent of consumer indebtedness in Britain over the twelve months from November 2009 to October 2010 and changes since the previous 2010 report, which covered the period from July 2008 to July 2009. The survey provides useful information about consumer indebtedness and borrowing behaviour among the general population, as it is based on a nationally representative sample.
The most recent survey, which is available via the BIS website, found that there had been a decrease in the proportion of households using unsecured credit and that the level of financial difficulty may be declining. The survey also showed that 2% of those sampled used high cost credit products.
The next survey, covering the period November 2010 to October 2011 will be published in June 2012.
Departmental Apprentices
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprenticeships are planned in each Government Department in each of the next three years. [67293]
Mr Hayes: We have not collected data from Government Departments on how many apprenticeships are planned in each of the next three years. Civil Service Learning is encouraging Departments to use apprenticeships to support delivery of their business objectives and will provide some central support to promote a more consistent approach where appropriate.
Departmental Carbon Emissions
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the carbon dioxide emissions from his Department in (a) June 2010 and (b) June 2011. [66745]
Mr Davey: The carbon dioxide emissions from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills were:
In June 2010: 503.97 tonnes;
In June 2011: 348.7 tonnes.
Note:
These figures are not weather corrected.
Departmental Lost Property
Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what property has been (a) lost and (b) stolen from his Department in the last 12 months; and what the cost of replacement was. [66564]
Mr Davey: During the last 12 months the Department's records show that four prints with an estimated total value of £5,500 were reported as lost or stolen. After investigation three prints with an estimated value of £4,000 were recovered.
Departmental Official Hospitality
Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has spent on hospitality for staff since May 2010. [67807]
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Mr Davey: In the period May 2010 to June 2011 inclusive, the Department has spent a total of £27,766 on hospitality. Of this, £26,540 was paid in the 10-11 financial year and £1,226 in the 11-12 financial year.
For information, it should be noted that the figures above include the provision of hospitality to external visitors and it is not possible to provide a further breakdown to identify the amount spent solely on departmental staff without incurring disproportionate cost. However, the Department provides clear guidance to staff that hospitality should not be provided for internal meetings and should only be offered to external visitors where necessary and appropriate. As a comparison, in the 2009-10 financial year the Department spent £49,975 on hospitality.
Departmental Photographs
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has spent on ministerial photoshoots and videos since May 2010. [67815]
Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills does all ministerial photo shoots and videos in-house. Since May 2010 no money has been spent with external suppliers on such services.
Video and photography work is carried out by two BIS staff members. The total amount of work adds up to approximately one full-time equivalent.
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All expenditure has to be incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
Departmental Responsibilities
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will consider keeping data on the number of times (a) he and (b) officials of his Department have declined a request for a meeting from an hon. Member of each political party. [67198]
Mr Davey: Ministerial colleagues make every effort to meet MPs with an interest in BIS policy issues, so I do not believe this would be a productive use of officials’ time.
Education: Research
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the (a) overall cost and (b) cost to his Department was of the Researchers in Residence scheme run by Research Councils UK in each of the last 10 years. [65097]
Mr Willetts [holding answer 11 July 2011]: The overall costs of the Researchers in Residence scheme run by Research Councils UK (RCUK) are as follows:
Employment: Regulation
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the European Commission on employment law. [67284]
Mr Davey: Discussions with the European Commission to make clear the UK position on employment law take place regularly at both ministerial and official level. Most recently, I and the Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), met with Commissioner Andor to discuss the working time directive on 13 July 2011.
Environmental Protection
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the (a) scope and (b) terms of reference are of his Department's Skills for a Green Economy project. [63328]
Mr Hayes: We need a work force with the right skills to maximise the potential of the green economy. Skills for a Green Economy is a joint project run by this Department, the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, following the publication in November 2010 of Skills for Sustainable Growth, the skills strategy for England. The scope is to look across the whole economy; and to focus on the further education and skills system in England. The terms of reference are to:
identify the skills to support the transition to a strong and sustainable green economy;
identify policies driving or inhibiting the transition and consequent green skills needs;
consider whether business demand and the response of the skills system will lead to these skills being delivered; and
make recommendations accordingly.
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The project proposals will be included as part of the Roadmap to a Green Economy, which we expect to publish shortly.
EU Grants and Loans
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many consortia made bids to the bidding round of the Eureka Eurostars programme which closed on 24 March 2011; how many such consortia contained a UK business; how many companies there were within each consortium; how many UK companies were within each consortium; what the monetary value of each bid was; and how each bid was ranked by the Eurostars programme evaluation; [67896]
(2) how many consortia containing UK businesses funded by the Technology Strategy Board made bids to the bidding round of the Eureka Eurostars programme which closed on 24 March 2011; how many UK businesses there were within consortia funded by the Board; how many consortia which scored highly enough to be funded by the programme were not funded by the Board; and how many businesses there were in each such consortium; [67897]
(3) how much his Department allocated to the Technology Strategy Board to fund bids to the bidding round of the Eureka Eurostars programme which closed on 24 March 2011; [67898]
(4) what proportion of the sums bid by consortia in the bidding round of the Eureka Eurostars programme which closed on 24 March 2011 related to consortia containing UK companies which subsequently scored highly enough to secure funding; [67899]
(5) how many consortia containing UK companies which prepared bids to the bidding round of the Eureka Eurostars programme which closed on 24 March 2011 scored highly enough to be funded by the programme but were not subsequently funded by the Technology Strategy Board. [67900]
Mr Willetts: Eureka Eurostars is a programme for research performing SMEs and involves funding from 32 countries as well as funding from the European Commission. In the UK, the Technology Strategy Board is responsible for its delivery.
The Department provides an overall budget provision to the Technology Strategy Board and within that overall provision the Technology Strategy Board decides how much to allocate to Eureka Eurostars. The Technology Strategy Board has a range of calls on its budget and all of the programmes it operates are heavily oversubscribed. The current Eureka Eurostars budget is £3 million per annum which attracts 25% funding from the European Commission making a total annual budget of £3.75 million. The funding is evenly spread over the two Eureka Eurostars calls held annually in March and September.
For the bidding round of Eureka Eurostars which closed on 24 March 2011, a total of 402 consortia bids were received involving 1,301 businesses and academia from 36 different countries. There was an overall rise of 17% in the number of applications compared to the previous bidding round.
Of the 402 consortia bids, 85 involved UK participants. The number of companies in each consortium ranged from one to 11 with some projects also involving academia.
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The maximum number of UK companies in any one consortium was two and, in total, the 85 bids involved 97 UK companies and 151 partners from other Eurostars member countries. Looking at the total project cost, the bids involving UK organisations ranged from €199,000 to €6.3 million.
The Technology Strategy Board is planning on supporting seven consortia bids which involve nine UK companies. In addition, there is one bid which contains a UK university which is funding its own participation. There were a further 23 consortia bids containing 24 UK companies above the quality threshold which, if UK and in some instances funding from other Eurostars countries had been available, could have also been funded. Of the 23 consortia bids which could not be funded, 22 of the bids contained one UK company and one bid contained two UK companies.
The total project costs for all 402 applications was €550 million. The total project costs for the 30 projects involving UK companies which were above the quality threshold, and therefore scored high enough to be considered suitable for funding, was €39.9 million. The UK grant funding requested by the UK companies in the 30 consortia bids was €7.45 million.
The ranking of individual bids is not made publically available as it could impact on the commercial standing of the companies involved.
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what matched funding was forgone by each (a) UK company, (b) non-UK company within a consortium containing a UK company and (c) a consortium containing a UK company in relation to consortia containing UK companies that submitted bids for the Eureka Eurostars 24 March 2011 programme and scored highly enough to be funded by the programme but were not subsequently funded by the Technology Strategy Board. [67901]
Mr Willetts: A total of 23 consortia containing 24 UK companies prepared bids to the bidding round of the Eureka Eurostars programme which closed on 24 March 2011 and scored high enough to be considered suitable for funding by the programme but were not subsequently funded by the Technology Strategy Board and/or the national funding bodies in the other Eurostars participating countries. The 24 UK companies were collectively seeking €5.3 million of grant funding with each company seeking between €70,000 and €300,000. The total project cost for the 23 consortia bids, which included 40 non-UK participants, was €27.8 million with public funding approximately 48% of the total cost.
The information on individual UK companies is not made publically available and individual figures for non-UK companies and consortia cannot be provided without disproportionate cost.
EU Internal Trade
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the size of the European single market in gross domestic product terms in (a) the latest period for which figures are available, (b) 2005, (c) 2000, (d) 1995, (e) 1990, (f) 1985 and (g) 1981; and if he will make a statement. [67640]
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Mr Davey: The common market of the European Economic Community became the Single Market following the adoption of the Single European Act in 1986 and its full implementation in 1993. It covers a gross domestic product in current US dollars of:
$16378 billion in 2009 (27 countries)
$13652 billion in 2005 (25 countries)
$8080 billion in 2000 (15 countries)
$8816 billion in 1995 (15 countries)
$2503 billion in 1985 (12 countries)
$6491 billion in 1990 (12 countries)
$2700 billion in 1981 (10 countries)
These figures are in the public domain and I would refer my hon. Friend to the databases held by Eurostat and the World Bank.
Exports: Syria
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department has revoked any export licences to the Syrian government for defence and associated equipment since 1 April 2011. [66349]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 14 July 2011]: There were no export licences permitting the export to the Syrian Government of defence and associated equipment that were extant on 1 April 2011 and consequently there have been no revocations.
Fuels: Prices
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what recent assessment he has made of the effect on economic growth in the private sector of motoring fuel costs; [66739]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect on employment of trends in fuel prices in each of the last five financial years. [66781]
Justine Greening: I have been asked to reply.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is responsible for producing independent economic and fiscal forecasts. The OBR published a full analysis on the prospects for economic growth, employment and inflation in their forecast at Budget, which can be found online at:
http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk
High Street Review
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much in expenses Mary Portas is entitled to claim for her work on the independent review on the future of the high street. [67549]
Mr Davey: Mary Portas' entitlements are the same as for departmental staff. Any additional travel costs which are actually and necessarily incurred by Mary Portas in the course of her review will be reimbursed by the Department, provided they are consistent with departmental guidelines.
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Higher Education
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the likely number of state school students in university education in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14. [66220]
Mr Willetts [holding answer 14 July 2011]: This information is not available.
Higher Education: Admissions
Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many meetings he and Ministers in his Department have had with the right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, the Government's Advocate for Access to Education, concerning access to higher education institutions since the appointment of the right hon. Member to that post. [64665]
Mr Willetts: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), and BIS Ministers have had six meetings between them with the Advocate for Access to Education, the right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes), during his time in the role.
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many students accepted at each higher education institution had grades of AAB or above at A-level in the latest period for which figures are available; [65917]
(2) what proportion of students accepted at each higher education institution had grades of AAB or above at A-level in the latest period for which figures are available. [65918]
Mr Willetts: The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) have published a consultation document about the way higher education teaching is funded and student numbers are allocated in England, in the policy context set by the Government's White Paper on the future of higher education: ‘Students at the Heart of the System’. Annex D of this document contains HEFCE's initial assessment of entry level qualifications by institution. This gives an early indication of the possible operation of the AAB or above policy. The data on which this provisional assessment are based will be subject to consultation and clarification with higher education institutions. Final decisions on precisely how the approach will work will be taken on the basis of revised data, later in the year. The consultation can be found on the HEFCE website via the following link:
http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2011/11_20
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many applications each higher education institution received in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of the number of places to study at each such institution this represents. [65919]
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Mr Willetts: The latest information on the number of applications to each institution and the number of applicants who obtain a place is available from the UCAS website at the following link:
http://www.ucas.com/about_us/stat_services/stats_online/data_tables/heinstitution/2010
These figures cover applications from all students (from the UK, other EU and non-EU countries). It is therefore on a different basis to figures recently published by HEFCE (‘Teaching funding and student number controls: Consultation on changes to be implemented in 2012-13’), which cover UK and EU domiciled students only, and also relate to a different academic year (2009/10).
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students accepted with A-levels at grades of AAB or better by each higher education institution had made that higher education institution their first choice in the latest period for which figures are available. [65920]
Mr Willetts: The latest information for autumn 2010 will be placed in the Libraries of the House. The figures are on a different basis to those recently published by HEFCE (“Teaching funding and student number controls: Consultation on changes to be implemented in 2012-13”), which relate to the 2009/10 academic year, and include entrants with equivalent non A-level qualifications.
In 2012/13, institutions will be free to recruit as many students with AAB+ or equivalents as they want and are able. HEFCE is currently consulting on how this might best be implemented and will take final decisions later this year.
Local Enterprise Partnerships
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to encourage local enterprise partnerships to assist small and medium-sized enterprises to commercialise new and emerging technologies in areas with potential environmental benefit; and if he will make a statement. [66479]
Mr Prisk: Local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) are developed from the bottom-up and it is for LEPs themselves to decide what their priorities are. The Government’s expectation is that LEPs will work closely with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in deciding these priorities. Where LEPs are interested in assisting SMEs to commercialise new and emerging technologies in areas with potential environmental benefit, then the Government will work with them to do so.
Metals: Research
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to support rare earth and minerals research. [65977]
Mr Willetts [holding answer 13 July 2011]:The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills does not directly provide universities or research institutes with funding for rare earth and minerals research. However, the Department provides funding to the Research Councils, HEFCE and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), which provide a range of support to researchers and scientists.
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As part of the evidence I gave to the Science and Technology Committee on 2 March 2011 concerning strategically important metals I explained how the Government has a responsibility through our excellent science and research base, and that if there are specific areas where more research is required then industry could advise the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
NERC has an active mineral research programme. The British Geological Survey (BGS), a NERC Centre, has monitored global metal production and trade for almost 100 years. Through its ‘Metals and Minerals for Environmental Technology’ project, BGS carries out research in the UK and overseas, in conjunction with academia and industry, on the Earth processes and properties that produce mineral deposits, on novel resources for environmental technology (initially focusing on rare earths) and on new mineral exploration technology.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council's (EPSRC) current portfolio of investment in metallurgical, ceramic and photonic materials research, all make use of rare earth metals and minerals. The EPSRC also funds research and has a key strategic interest in the area of materials efficiency and materials scarcity.
The Technology Strategy Board's forthcoming Supply Chain Innovation Collaborative R&D competition will help companies develop products and technologies that can mitigate materials security risks. In addition, the Technology Strategy Board funded Knowledge Transfer Networks have recently established a ‘Special Interest Group' that aims to help businesses understand potential constraints on the availability of material resources.
DEFRA published research in December 2010 looking at the resource risks to UK business, including rare earths, wider metals, minerals and other resources. The research has helped develop policy approaches in the recent review of waste policies in England and the Natural Environment White Paper.
Minimum Wage: Young People
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to change the level of the national minimum wage for young people in the period up to May 2015. [66991]
Mr Davey: Decisions on national minimum wage rates are made on an annual basis. The Government's decisions are based on recommendations from the Low Pay Commission (LPC).
As part of the LPC's remit for its 2012 report we have asked the LPC to pay particular attention to the labour market position of young people. The LPC will submit its next report by the end of February 2012 and we will consider its recommendations carefully once that report has been received.
Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has assessed the conclusions and recommendations of the report by the All-Party Parliamentary Motor Group on future challenges and opportunities for the UK automobile industry of July 2011; and if he will make a statement. [67522]
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Mr Prisk: The hon. Member has written to me on this subject and to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable). I will respond to him shortly in writing.
A copy of this letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Post Office
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what payment is made to Post Office Ltd for the issue of (a) a driver's licence and (b) a residence permit. [66295]
Mr Davey: The information requested relates to contracts between Post Office Ltd and (a) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and (b) those local authorities on whose behalf Post Office Ltd issues residence permits. These are commercial contracts between Post Office Ltd and its customers, and as such the information requested is commercially confidential.
Property Rights: Finance
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the potential effects on small and medium-sized enterprises of transaction costs associated with defending property rights in the UK; and what steps he is taking to reduce such transaction costs. [61113]
Mr Davey: The most recent assessment made by the Government was of the evidence submitted to Lord Justice Jackson in response to his ‘Review of Civil Litigation Costs’ which was published in January 2010. In addition, further research and evidence was commissioned by and submitted to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in order to inform the Government response to the consultation.
The Government's actions on this have included introducing simpler more streamlined procedures in the Patents County Court (PCC): from October 2010, the introduction of a fixed scale of recoverable costs capped at a maximum of £50,000, and from June 2011, a limit on damages of £500,000 which may be awarded by the court in relation to patents and designs disputes. A similar limit for a wide range of other intellectual property (IP) rights including copyright and trade marks is expected in due course.
These limits will ensure that lower value/less complex claims, typically those brought by small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs, automatically fall within the jurisdiction of the PCC, which in turn reduces the financial risk for claimants of going to court.
The Hargreaves review recommended that a small claims track should be introduced in the PCC, to improve access to justice for firms with lower-value IP infringement cases. The Government will consider this as part of their response to the review.
Regional Development Agencies: Trade Unions
Mr Raab:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff at each regional development agency were entitled to work (a) full-time as trade union representatives and (b) part-time on trade union activities in the latest period for which
19 July 2011 : Column 988W
figures are available; how many such staff received a salary greater than £25,900 per year; and what the total cost to the public purse was of employing such staff on such duties. [65986]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 13 July 2011]: The regional development agencies have no staff entitled to work full-time as trade union representatives. The details requested in respect of those working part-time are as follows:
| RDA for 2010/11 except as indicated | Number of staff entitled to work part-time on TU activities | Number of such staff receiving salary greater that £25,900 | Total cost to public purse of staff working on such duties (£) |
| (1) Figures given for period ending 30 June 2011. (2)There is a local agreement that two staff may allocate time to TU activities, the time spent is not formally recorded and therefore an estimate of cost cannot be given. | |||
Regional Growth Fund
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the proportion of projects successful in the first round of the Regional Growth Fund which were wholly or largely concerned with innovative technologies. [67890]
Mr Prisk: The proportion of projects successful in the first round of the Regional Growth Fund which have a material component related to innovative technologies was 64%.
Science: Higher Education
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of state school pupils applying to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects at university. [66480]
Mr Willetts: The Department funds a number of programmes which encourage all young people to understand the excitement and importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in their lives, and to encourage school pupils to study these disciplines at university, and to make appropriate choices at each stage in their educational careers.
These programmes include STEMNET and its 27,000 strong cohort of STEM Ambassadors, the Big Bang Fair, the National Science and Engineering Competition and National Science and Engineering Week, and the “See Inside Manufacturing” initiative.
In addition, BIS's partners, including the National Academies and the Research Councils, deliver a range of educational outreach activities directly aimed at school-aged students.
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St George's Property Service London Limited
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received on the insolvency of St George's Property Service London Limited. [66412]
Mr Davey: Neither the Secretary of State nor I are aware of recent representations received in respect of this company aside from the question raised by the hon. Member that I answered on 11 July 2011, Official Report, column 192W.
Students: Admissions
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department has made of likely student numbers in the next five years. [66778]
Mr Willetts: We expect overall entrant numbers to remain broadly constant over the spending review period.
Students: Finance
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will require all UK higher education institutions with students in receipt of loans from the Student Loan Company to provide the contact details of such students to the National Student Survey; and if he will make a statement. [67136]
Mr Willetts [holding answer 18 July 2011]: Under current quality assurance arrangements higher education institutions, in receipt of teaching grant funding, are required to participate in the National Student Survey (NSS). The contact details of final year students are provided by the institution to the organisation administering the NSS, so all eligible students are able to give their views about the quality of their teaching and learning experience. The NSS forms a vital part of the information set for prospective students.
The Higher Education White Paper published on 28 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 and information requirements.
Students: Loans
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations he has received on the compliance with sharia of the interest arrangements for the proposed Student Loans Scheme. [66097]
Mr Willetts: The Government have received representations from student representative bodies regarding this issue. I met with representatives of NUS and the Federation of Student Islamic Societies on 21 March 2011 to discuss the issue.
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Summertime
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on the introduction of double summer time. [66847]
Mr Davey: We are aware that there are a range of views on this subject. While the Government do not propose to change current summertime arrangements, we continue to listen to representations we receive and consider any evidence presented to us.
Superconductors: Research
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what research his Department has conducted into the use of superconductors. [65004]
Mr Willetts [holding answer 11 July 2011]: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills provides funding to the Research Councils.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has provided long term support for research into the study of superconductors. Currently the EPSRC portfolio for superconductivity represents 45 grants into UK academic institutions for a total value of £19 million.
Technology Strategy Board: Finance
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has allocated to the Technology Strategy Board for each of the next three years. [66789]
Mr Willetts: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 April 2011, Official Report, columns 268-69W.
Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling Stock
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the economic effects on Derby and its surrounding area of the decision on the award of the Thameslink contract. [65970]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 13 July 2011]: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills announced on 5 July the creation of an Economic Response Task Force headed up by Margaret Gildea OBE, who runs Organisation Change Solutions, to fully understand and mitigate the economic impact of job losses at Bombardier, its supply chain and the local communities.
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of jobs to be created in the UK as a result of the decision on the award of the Thameslink contract; and if he will estimate the number of jobs that would have been created had the contract been awarded to Bombardier. [65971]
Mr Prisk
[holding answer 13 July 2011]: The Department for Transport advise that the staffing level required to fulfil the terms of the Thameslink rolling stock contract is a matter for the Train Manufacturer and Maintainer
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(TMM) to decide. Siemens plc with Cross London Trains, after being named preferred bidder, stated that work on the Thameslink rolling stock contract could create up to 2,000 new jobs in the UK, including jobs in train component manufacturing, depot construction and train maintenance.
Youth Unemployment
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on reducing youth unemployment; and if he will publish the minutes of any such meetings. [65484]
Mr Willetts: BIS Ministers and I meet counterparts from the Department for Work and Pensions and other Departments regularly to discuss youth unemployment and related issues, notably in the context of preparing the Government's Participation Strategy, which is due to be published in the autumn.
Energy and Climate Change
Carbon Emissions
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2011, Official Report, column 1063W, on carbon emissions, whether the sources of low-carbon energy generation his Department is considering on its estate are to be manufactured in the UK. [67938]
Gregory Barker: The Department will consider a number of potential options for low-carbon energy generation on its estate over the course of this financial year but has not yet reached the stage of choosing specific manufacturers.
Coal
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent representations he has received on the future of the coal industry (a) in Wales and (b) nationally. [67111]
Charles Hendry: Ministers and officials have regular meetings with the coal industry where a variety of issues are discussed including the future of the coal industry.
Coal: Reserves
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the coal reserves available in (a) Wales, (b) each region of England, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland. [67121]
Charles Hendry: The following tables provide a breakdown of identified coal reserves at deep mine and surface mine sites in England, Wales and Scotland. The Coal Authority do not hold information on coal reserves in Northern Ireland.
A regional breakdown of surface mine coal reserves in England is not available.
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| Deep m ining | Million tonnes | |||
| Current sites and licences | England | Scotland | Wales | Total |
| Surface m ining | Million tonnes | |||
| Current sites and licences | England | Scotland | Wales | Total |
| Note: Developed prospects are ones where British Coal carried out a lot of work including applying for planning permission (not including Witham). Mines were actually developed in the case of NE Leicestershire (Asfordby) and Carway Fawr. Identified prospects are those where there was a lesser amount of work carried out. Source: The Coal Authority, June 2011 | ||||
Community Energy Savings Programme
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many Community Energy Savings Programme projects have been proposed but are awaiting OFGEM approval in (a) Wales, (b) England and (c) Scotland. [67433]
Gregory Barker: As of 18 July 2011 there were 177 proposed Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) schemes awaiting approval by Ofgem, broken down as follows:
(a) Wales: 27 schemes
(b) England: 125 schemes
(c) Scotland: 25 schemes.
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Ofgem are working with the energy companies delivering CESP to address the technical issues which have delayed the approval of a number schemes and approvals are consequently expected to accelerate over the remainder of the year.
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what companies are awaiting approval for Community Energy Saving Programme schemes. [67686]
Gregory Barker: The Community Energy Saving Programme places a carbon reduction obligation on the main energy supply companies and generators. All but one of the obligated companies currently have schemes with Ofgem awaiting approval.
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of Community Energy Saving Programme schemes that will have been delivered by April 2012. [67687]
Gregory Barker: Energy companies are required to deliver the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) by December 2012. There are no interim targets within the overall period and no estimate has been made for the position in April 2012. Based on delivery of CESP to date, Ofgem estimates that 350-400 schemes will be delivered by the end of the programme.
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the amount of carbon dioxide saved through (a) solid wall insulation and (b) other Community Energy Saving Programme measures since the programme's inception. [67688]
Gregory Barker: The precise amount of carbon dioxide saved under the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) by particular measures will not be known until the completion of the reconciliation exercise after the programme ends in 2012. Companies have up until the end of 2012 to deliver schemes and bank the carbon savings needed to meet their obligations under CESP.
The latest Ofgem annual CESP report (to December 2010) estimates that the CESP schemes submitted for approval at that point amounted to 7.1 notional MtCO2 (some 36.9% of the total notional CESP target of 19.25 MtCO2), after allowing for adjustments. The report also notes that 81% of CESP scheme proposals include external solid wall insulation and 8% internal wall insulation.
Departmental Air Travel
Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department spent on air travel in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11. [67008]
Gregory Barker: Expenditure by the Department of Energy and Climate Change on air travel was as follows: (a) £1,216,000 in 2009-10 and (b) £808,000 in 2010-11.
All travel by officials must be incurred in accordance with the Department’s travel and subsistence policy. A new policy was introduced from 1 October 2010 which includes the requirements that:
Staff should only travel if it is absolutely necessary;
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Standard or economy class must be used unless there is a clear business need for a higher class to be approved; and
All travel bookings must be made though the official suppliers.
The extent of air travel reflects the Department’s agenda
“to drive ambitious action on climate change at home and abroad”.
Most overseas travel relates to the Department’s engagement with the United Nations framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC), the International Energy Agency, the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Union.
Approximately 15% of the costs of air travel relate to domestic flights. DECC is based in two locations—London and Aberdeen. While video conferencing is used as much as possible, there is a need for some staff to travel between locations.
Apprentices
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has a policy on requirements for the provision of (a) apprenticeships and (b) other training by (i) his Department's prime contractors and (ii) suppliers in the supply chain of such contractors. [66582]
Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change's policy is to follow best practice guidance issued by the Government Procurement Service (previously known as the Office of Government Commerce) on the provision of apprenticeships and training by prime contractors and contractors in the supply chain. This guidance is set out in the document “Promoting Skills Through Public Procurement” which can be found at:
http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/Promoting_skills_through_public_procurement.pdf
It requires procurement staff to seek opportunities to promote skills training and apprenticeships in contracts wherever appropriate. Suppliers in the supply chain are expected to meet the same standards as prime contractors when working for the Department.
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many apprenticeships have been created directly by contracts with his Department in each of the last three years. [66584]
Gregory Barker: 2008-09: DECC was created in October 2008 and did not establish an apprenticeship programme.
2009-10: DECC met its pre-agreed target of 10 apprenticeship training programmes, including three new contracts created and recruited through the National Apprenticeship Service.
2010-11: DECC met its pre-agreed target of five apprenticeships—all of which were new recruits (and contracts) through the National Apprenticeship Service.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many people have been (a) recruited and (b) made redundant from (i) his Department and (ii) each non-departmental body for which he is responsible since May 2010. [66321]
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Gregory Barker: DECC has recruited 289 people since May 2010, which has resulted in a net increase of 150 full time equivalent staff. The majority of people recruited into DECC are existing civil servants who have come from other Departments across Whitehall.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has recruited 11 people, the Civil Nuclear Police Authority has recruited 187 people, the Coal Authority has recruited six people and the Committee on Climate Change has recruited 6 people. DECC, the Civil Nuclear Police Authority, and the Committee on Climate Change have not made any people redundant since May 2010.
The Coal Authority made 25 people redundant to 30 June 2011.
74 staff left the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and received exit packages as set out in the 2010-11 Annual Report and Accounts.
Departmental Official Hospitality
Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department spent on entertainment in the financial year (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11. [67009]
Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change is unable to separately identify entertainment costs for staff without incurring disproportionate costs. The Department's accounting system includes entertainment codes but the vast majority of expenditure recorded against these codes represents catering costs for meetings and events, some of which involve industry and external guests. Not all catering costs, however, are recorded as entertainment. To identify non-catering elements within entertainment, and those costs that relate to staff, would involve scrutinising a large number of individual transactions.
As recorded under this wider definition which includes catering and non-staff costs, entertainment expenditure was (a) £255,000 in 2009-10 and (b) £118,000 in 2010-11.
Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department has spent on hospitality for staff since May 2010. [67669]
Gregory Barker: Expenditure by the Department of Energy and Climate Change on hospitality was (a) £35,000 in 2009-10 and (b) £14,000 in 2010-11. Hospitality represents expenditure on food and drink provided at meetings and events for the benefit of guests outside of the Department. All expenditure was incurred in accordance with the Department's policy on hospitality which requires that:
Directors general take personal responsibility for ensuring that an effective system is in place within their business areas for dealing with hospitality expenditure;
all expenditure must be fully and properly authorised and accounted for;
there must be a clear and justifiable reason for expenditure on hospitality i.e. where there is direct Government interest in promoting the Department;
the nature of the hospitality should not be excessive to the purpose for which it is given;
the number of members of the Department present should be reasonable in relation to the nature of the occasion; and
personal benefit to the participating staff must be incidental and, where relevant, abated by adjustment of any claims for subsistence.
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Departmental Photographs
Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department spent on ministerial photoshoots and videos since May 2010. [67668]
Gregory Barker: Since May 2010, The Department of Energy and Climate Change has spent £39 on ministerial photos. £4,412.97 has been spent on providing videos for stakeholder events.
Departmental Procurement
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many procurement contracts his Department has awarded to small businesses since May 2010. [67241]
Gregory Barker: Since May 2010, the central procurement team in the Department of Energy and Climate Change has approved 184 business cases to tender contracts that would be suitable for small businesses to bid for. Procurement authority, however, is devolved to the Department's business groups who are directly responsible for their own budgets and procurement activity. Details of successful bidders are held locally and to collect this information from business groups would incur disproportionate costs.
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of procurement contracts offered by his Department have been advertised on the Contracts Finder website since the website's inception. [67242]
Gregory Barker: To date, the Department of Energy and Climate Change has advertised 31 contracts on Contracts Finder since the website's inception. This represents 100% of competitively let contracts, excluding those let under existing framework agreements where only framework suppliers were invited to tender.
It is now mandatory for all procurement opportunities over £10,000 to be published on Contracts Finder.
Departmental Redundancy
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department has spent on redundancy costs since May 2010. [67670]
Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change has not incurred any expenditure on redundancy costs since May 2010.
Departmental Responsibilities
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) how many meetings he has had with hon. Members of each political party since May 2010; [67168]
(2) if he will consider keeping data on the number of times (a) he and (b) officials of his Department have declined a request for a meeting from an hon. Member of each political party; [67191]
(3) on how many occasions a request for a meeting by an hon. Member of each political party was refused by (a) a Minister in his Department directly and (b) his Department on behalf of a Minister in November 2010. [67577]
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Gregory Barker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 7 July 2011, Official Report, column 1370W.
Departmental Training
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department has spent on training for Ministers since May 2010; and what the purpose of the training was. [67724]
Gregory Barker: My noble friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lord Marland) received a briefing on legislative processes in advance of his taking the Energy Bill through its House of Lord’s stages. Since May 2010, training for Ministers has been centrally funded by the Core Learning Programme of the National School of Government.
Electric Vehicles
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of industry on low overnight off-peak tariffs to encourage the use of electric vehicles. [66435]
Norman Baker: I have been asked to reply.
Off-peak overnight charging is central to the Government's strategy for plug-in vehicle infrastructure “Making the Connection”, published on 30 June 2011. In developing this strategy, officials from the cross-Whitehall Office for Low Emission Vehicles had extensive discussions with representatives of the energy industry, including retailers and distributors. These discussions included off-peak tariffs for plug-in vehicles.
In addition through Ofgem's Smart Grid Forum and the Low Carbon Network Fund trials, officials are working with industry to consider in depth the implications of plug-in vehicles for the electricity network as a whole.
Energy Supply
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to ensure future security of energy supply. [67602]
Charles Hendry: The Government have a well-developed range of policies in place to ensure future energy security. For the longer term energy security of the UK the Government are acting in four key areas: (1) reducing our demand for energy; (2) maximising economic recovery of our indigenous reserves; (3) ensuring a strong, resilient market and infrastructure (including through Electricity Market Reform); (4) influencing other countries. While pursuing this longer-term strategy, the Government also have arrangements to ensure the day-to-day resilience of our energy and other infrastructure in the face of challenges such as natural disasters, civil disturbance and terrorism.
The Electricity Market Reform White Paper (CM 8099), published on 12 July, sets out a range of measures to drive investment at the scale and pace needed to support the future security of electricity supply. In particular, it includes a consultation on possible models for a capacity mechanism. We shall take a decision on the most appropriate form of capacity mechanism around the turn of the year.
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Energy: Complaints
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many complaints his Department has received concerning each gas and electricity company in each of the last five years. [66392]
Charles Hendry: DECC Ministers and officials receive a number of representations about gas and electricity companies. However, individual consumer complaints are dealt with by the energy company itself by following its formal complaint process. If the company fails to offer a satisfactory resolution domestic and micro business customers can then pursue the matter with the energy ombudsman. Larger business customers can address complaints by using the legal system.
Energy: Meters
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what support Ofgem's Low Carbon Networks Fund provides to smart grid projects. [66437]
Charles Hendry: The Low Carbon Network Fund will allow up to £500 million over five years 2010-15, encouraging and enabling the distribution network operators to trial new technology, operating and commercial arrangements which can aid the transition to a low carbon energy sector. £64 million funding is available each year in the competitive element of the fund and a further £80 million is available over the five years to help fund smaller scale projects. A further £100 million is available over the five years as a discretionary award to reward projects which bring particular value in helping the networks adapt to climate change while providing security of supply and value for money to consumers.
Energy: Prices
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effects of his proposed reforms of electricity markets on average electricity costs for consumers in each income decile of population, in each of the next four financial years. [66360]
Charles Hendry: The Government published a White Paper on electricity market reform on 12 July. The EMR mechanisms will be implemented in 2014, so will not have an impact on consumers before that time. The impact assessment accompanying the White Paper assesses the impact of the package on household bills for householders in 10 disposable income deciles, for the period between 2016-20. See page 118 of the impact assessment for further details:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/legislation/white_papers/emr_wp_2011/emr_wp_2011.aspx
Fuel Poverty: Greater London
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the impact of recent announcements of changes in gas and electricity prices on levels of fuel poverty in (a) Bexleyheath and Crayford and (b) London. [67372]
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Gregory Barker: Projections of fuel poverty are made at a national level only.
The recent changes in domestic energy prices, if mirrored across all suppliers, will lead to a small increase in the number of households in fuel poverty in 2011 and a larger impact in 2012, as the majority of the price changes will feed through to annual fuel bills in 2012. Latest projections of fuel poverty indicate that there will be around four million fuel poor households in England in 2010, and around 4.1 million in 2011. Projections for 2012 will be made and published in the Fuel Poverty Statistics Report next year.
Nevertheless, the true effect will only be known when we have full information on price changes from all suppliers and data from the 2011 and 2012 English Housing Survey (EHS). The EHS provides vital information for calculating the level of fuel poverty, including the mix of domestic fuels used by households, the income of those living in the households and the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
Green Deal Scheme
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department has taken to protect consumers from any advice given by Green Deal assessors which is not impartial; and if he will make a statement. [67702]
Gregory Barker: As part of the conditions of their authorisation. Green Deal assessor services will need to be certified by a UKAS-accredited certification body. The requirements of certification are intended to ensure that the assessment and associated advice are impartial and appropriate for the property and occupier in question. Appropriate sanctions such as suspension or withdrawal of certification will be applied for non-compliance with the certification requirements.
Furthermore, Government intend to move an amendment at report stage to make an explicit reference to the impartiality of Green Deal assessors on the face of the Bill.
It is the Department's policy that, while it should be possible for assessors to be employed by a green deal provider, the assessment itself should be impartial, and that a requirement for assessors to act impartially when carrying out an assessment should be included in the code of practice.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had on the independence of Green Deal assessors; and if he will make a statement. [67725]
Gregory Barker: We have been clear the assessment must be impartial, whichever business model operates under Green Deal and we intend to move an amendment at report stage to make an explicit reference to the impartiality on the face of the Bill. DECC Ministers and officials have engaged industry experts and consumer groups on the issue and we will consult on the approach following Royal Assent of the Energy Bill.
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Low Carbon Sector: Employment
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of (a) apprenticeships and (b) jobs in the low carbon sector by region. [65655]
Charles Hendry [holding answer 12 July 2011]:Information on the number of jobs in the low carbon sector by region can be found in the Innovas report on low carbon and environmental goods and services (LCEGS) commissioned by BIS, which is available on the BIS website.
According to that report the LCEGS sector employed an estimated 910,000 in 2008/09. The emerging low carbon sector accounted for just under half of total employment (445,600), with renewable energy employing 29% (266,300) and environmental 22% (197,900).
BIS is due to publish updated data for 2009/10 within the next month. BIS has not made any assessment of the number of apprenticeships in this area.
Natural Gas: Prices
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will assess the effects on the standard of living of low-income families of increases in gas prices. [66481]
Gregory Barker: Projections of fuel poverty are made at a national, all household level only, and are representative of prices from all suppliers.
The recent changes in domestic energy prices, if mirrored across all suppliers, will lead to a small increase in the number of households in fuel poverty in 2011 and a larger impact in 2012, as the majority of the price changes will feed through to annual fuel bills in 2012. Latest projections of fuel poverty indicate that there will be around 4 million fuel poor households in England in 2010, and around 4.1 million in 2011. Projections for 2012 will be made and published in the Fuel Poverty Statistics Report next year.
Nevertheless, the true effect will only be known when we have full information on price changes from all suppliers and data from the 2011 and 2012 English Housing Survey (EHS). The EHS provides vital information for calculating the level of fuel poverty, including the mix of domestic fuels used by households, the income of those living in the households and the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to reduce the cost to consumers of domestic gas supplies. [67317]
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.
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3. Extending the carbon emissions reduction target scheme, which obligates energy suppliers to help households install energy efficiency measures.
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.
We are also taking steps through the Energy Bill to confer on Ofgem a power to sharpen commercial incentives on gas shippers to prepare for low probability/high impact gas supply disruptions. This is intended to improve the resilience of our gas supply infrastructure, and should reduce the impact of such events on prices.
North Sea Oil: Safety
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the industrial health and safety implications of recent reports on the number of (a) oil and (b) gas leaks from North Sea oil platforms in (i) 2009 and (ii) 2010; if he will meet officials from the Health and Safety Executive to discuss such reports; and if he will make a statement. [66257]
Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for regulating health and safety in the offshore oil and gas sector. In 2009-10 there were 187 hydrocarbon releases (liquid and gas) from offshore installations reported to HSE. Of these, two were classified as major, 83 as significant and 102 as minor. Provisional data from 2010-11 indicate that there were 168 releases, of which six were classified as major, 67 as significant and 95 as minor.
Hydrocarbon releases are potential major hazard precursor events and a key indicator of how well the offshore industry is managing major hazard risks and asset integrity. HSE takes them very seriously and investigates all releases classified as significant and major to establish the root cause, assess compliance with legislation and ensure that the operator takes any necessary remedial action. Reducing the frequency of hydrocarbon releases is therefore a key priority for HSE, but this is not a new issue. The number of releases has reduced significantly since data were first collected in 1996/7. In that year there were 226 releases, of which 19 were major, 129 significant and 78 minor. However further reductions have proved harder to deliver in recent years. HSE has continued to challenge the Industry to do better and fully supports the industry target, agreed this year, to reduce hydrocarbon releases by 50% over the next three years. HSE expects all operators to draw up and implement plans to achieve that reduction.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many (a) oil and (b) gas leaks there were from North Sea oil platforms in (i) 2009 and (ii) 2010. [66258]
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Charles Hendry: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by the Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) to UIN 66257.
Nuclear Power Stations: Employment
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consideration his Department has given to commissioning an independent assessment of the potential number of people that could be employed by the nuclear industry in the UK up to 2050. [67941]
Charles Hendry: In 2009 the Government commissioned Cogent, the Sector Skills Council for Nuclear to build on their assessment of the current civil nuclear work force and look at the number of jobs that would be created by industry's plans to build 16 GW of new build nuclear by 2025. Their findings were published in the March 2010 report “Next Generation: Skills for New Build Nuclear”. It is estimated that 30,000 new jobs could be created by industry's current plans. The role of nuclear up to 2050 has been considered as part of the Department's 2050 pathways work, however there are no immediate plans to look at job forecasts beyond 2025.
Offshore Industry: Employment
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consideration his Department has given to commissioning an independent assessment of the potential number of people that could be employed by the oil and gas industry in the UK up to 2050. [67943]
Charles Hendry: Future employment levels in the UK oil and gas industry will be dependent on how successfully the industry is able to capitalise on the UK's remaining reserves potential. The Government will continue to support the industry in maximising economic recovery of the UK's oil and gas resources. However I have no current plans to commission an independent assessment of the potential number of people that could be employed by the industry in the UK up to 2050.
Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the average time taken for the net income from the feed-in tariff in respect of a solar photovoltaic installation to exceed the average planning and installation cost at the (a) current and (b) proposed rate. [67403]
Gregory Barker: At the start of the feed-in tariffs (FITs) scheme in April 2010, tariffs were set with the aim of providing solar PV installations with an approximate 5% internal rate of return. Based on modelling assumptions at the time, annual net income from FITs (taking into account income from the generation tariff, export tariff and electricity bill savings; and annual maintenance costs) was expected on average to pay back on (1) upfront capital costs in around thirteen years; and (2) planning and installation costs in three years.
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The recent fast track review of the FITs scheme found evidence that solar PV capital costs had fallen by around 30% from levels originally assumed. Based on this latest information, the above payback period estimates would still be expected to hold under the fast track review tariff for 50 kW to 150 kW installations, but would be longer for installations between 150 kW and 5 MW and stand alone installations. However, leaving tariffs unchanged would significantly reduce the estimated payback periods for all installations above 50 kW and stand alone installations to (1) around nine years for upfront capital costs; and (2) two years for planning and installation costs.
Third Sector
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the name is of each charity and voluntary organisation Ministers in his Department have visited since 12 May 2010. [67671]
Gregory Barker: Information on meetings between DECC Ministers and external organisations is published on a quarterly basis on the departmental website.
Wind Power: Nature Conservation
Simon Hart:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what long-term environmental impact assessments have been undertaken by his
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Department in respect of areas proposed for onshore wind farm development. [66280]
Charles Hendry: Environmental impact assessments are a matter for project developers who are required to prepare and consult on environmental statements for their proposals under the relevant planning framework. The Secretary of State will consider these statements when determining schemes above 50 MW, including proposals for wind farms in Wales.
As part of the preparation of the energy National Policy Statements, an appraisal of sustainability incorporating strategic environmental assessment was done to assess the potential strategically significant effects of new infrastructure including wind farms in England and Wales. These appraisals are published at:
www.energynpsconsultation.decc.gov.uk
Wind Power: Planning Permission
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many wind farm applications have been refused since June 2010. [67497]
Charles Hendry: The Department understands that since June 2010, 25 wind farm applications in England have been refused by local planning authorities. No applications for large scale wind farms (over 50 megawatts) have been refused.