| 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | ||||||||
| Name | Total appointments | Total DNAs (1) | DNA (1) rate (%) | Total appointments | Total DNAs (1) | DNA (1) rate (%) | Total appointments | Total DNAs (1) | DNA (1) rate (%) | |
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |||||
| Name | Total appointments | Total DNAs (1) | DNA (1) rate (%) | Total appointments | Total DNAs (1) | DNA (1) rate (%) |
| (1 )Did not attend. Source: Department of Health; Quarterly Activity Return. | ||||||
Patients: Information
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what aspects of patient care his Department requires to be covered by patient information leaflets. [68163]
Mr Simon Burns: United Kingdom law requires that all licensed medicines on the UK market are accompanied by patient information leaflets. More broadly however, information is clearly an important part of care giving. This is recognised within the NHS constitution which includes a right for people to be given information about treatments in advance and a right to information that supports people to make choices about their NHS care.
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John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what involvement (a) patients and (b) the public have in writing and designing NHS patient information leaflets. [68164]
Mr Simon Burns: It is good practice to involve patients and the public in the development of information products and many information producers have developed highly effective ways of doing this. The Department has sponsored the establishment of The Information Standard scheme, which awards a quality mark to organisations that can show they have robust processes for developing high quality information. Before awarding the quality mark the scheme tests, among other things, how an information producer works with its audience to identify and meet its needs.
Patients: Surveys
Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions his Department has made to collect real-time patient feedback from patients during their hospital stay. [68668]
Mr Simon Burns: ‘Real-time’ patient feedback is a general term for the use of a variety of approaches to capturing feedback from patients and service users at the point of care level—this can include hand-held devices, texting, kiosks, and comment cards. The 2011-12 Operating Framework for the national health service states that systems should be in place to capture the views and experiences of patients, service users and carers, and this will include the collection of real-time feedback.
Local organisations should use whichever methods of real-time feedback are most suitable and appropriate for their patients and populations. The information obtained can be used directly by staff to improve services at or near the time care is provided. Due to organisations collecting different data in different ways, any national aggregation would be meaningless. The Department does not collect real-time feedback data centrally.
Patients: Transport
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many inter-hospital transfers have taken place in the NHS in each year since 1997; what the average distance patients have travelled was during these inter-hospital transfers; and what proportion of total hospital admissions these transfers represented for (a) children aged under five, (b) adults aged 18 to 59, (c) adults aged 60 to 85 and (d) adults aged over 85. [68290]
Mr Simon Burns: The information requested is not collected centrally by the Department. The Department does collect data on ambulance response times in accordance with the national response time targets and these are published on an annual basis in the statistical bulletin, ‘Ambulance services, England’. These documents are available on the Information for health and social care website at:
www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/audits-and-performance/ambulance
Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for commissioning ambulance services (which could include
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non-emergency patient transport services and inter-hospital transfers) to such extent as the PCT considers necessary to meet all reasonable requirements of the area for which they are legally charged with providing services.
Prescriptions
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were (a) issued and (b) not collected in the NHS in each year since 1997. [68225]
Mr Simon Burns: Information on the number of prescriptions issued is not collected centrally. It is therefore not possible to indicate how many were not collected. The only available data is for the numbers which were returned to the NHS Prescription Services for reimbursement and have hence been issued; collected and dispensed.
Nurses: Skin Care
Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines his Department has issued on minimum standards of training for nurses on tissue viability; [68528]
(2) how many tissue viability nurses are employed in each primary care trust. [68530]
Anne Milton: The content and standard of training for nurses is the responsibility of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Nurses receive training in skin care and tissue viability during their preparation for registration. They should keep up to date with best practice in skin care and tissue viability that is relevant to their area of practice, as part of their continuing professional development. Practitioners have access to specialist tissue viability nurses who provide training as well as expert advice in the care of individual patients. To reinforce the necessity for continuing learning, the NMC requires health care professionals to maintain competence in their field of practice as a condition of their continued registration.
The number of tissue viability nurses is not collected centrally. Local national health service organisations are responsible for the skill mix of their work force, including the number of tissue viability nurses. They are best placed to assess the health needs of their local community and must have the freedom to train and deploy staff in ways appropriate for local conditions.
Salt
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what targets he has set for the reduction of salt consumption among the general public in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement, [68137]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with food industry representatives on the amount of salt in their products; what response he has received; and if he will make a statement; [68138]
(3) what steps he is (a) taking and (b) plans to take to ensure that salt reduction is prioritised among the outcomes of the UN Non-Communicable Diseases High Level Meeting in September 2011; and if he will make a statement. [68144]
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Anne Milton: Work to reduce salt in food is being taken forward under the Public Health Responsibility Deal. Ministers and officials have been talking to a range of representatives from the manufacturing, retailing, catering and supply sectors. The response has been very positive and to date 55 companies have pledged to meet the Responsibility Deal salt reduction targets for 2012 with many more considering how they might contribute to this work.
In 2003, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition recommended that the average adult population salt intake should be reduced to no more than 6 grammes per day, and less for children. The salt reduction targets agreed by the Food Network of the Responsibility Deal and to be met by 2012 will give a total salt reduction of nearly 1 gramme per person per day compared to the levels in food in 2007.
We recognise that reducing salt intake in the population is a key intervention to decrease the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. We have supported its inclusion as a priority global action to prevent non-communicable diseases in the forthcoming outcomes document for the UN Non-Communicable Diseases High Level Meeting in September 2011.
Selenium
Mr Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of selenium supplementation on the incidence of prostate, lung and colorectal cancers. [68032]
Paul Burstow: The Department has not assessed the potential effect of selenium supplementation on the incidence of prostate, lung and colorectal cancers.
In May this year a review was published that had looked at over 50 studies involving more than one million people to see whether taking selenium supplements offered any protective benefit from cancer. The review, conducted by a team of researchers from across Europe, concluded that there was not enough evidence to support the suggestion that taking selenium supplements is an effective way for healthy people to protect themselves against cancer.
Social Services: Finance
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what budget headings he expects his social care budget to be spent in each year of the comprehensive spending review period. [68033]
Paul Burstow: Expenditure on adult social care is collected by the Information Centre for health and social care, in the Personal Social Services Expenditure return. The data are recorded under the headings in the following table. Local authorities are responsible for allocating their budgets and we do not, therefore, set out projections for spend on adult social care.
|
|
Adults' services |
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5 Sep 2011 : Column 185W
Social Services: Recruitment
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on social care recruitment campaigns in each year since 1997-98; and how many social carers have been recruited in each year since 1997-98. [68217]
Paul Burstow: The Department's expenditure on the National Social Care Recruitment Campaign is set out in the following table.
Information is not held centrally on how many people were recruited as a result of the campaigns. As there are so many different employers, and no single application process, it is very difficult to track how many people have found work as a result of the campaign. Anecdotal feedback from some of the social care employers who
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participated in the latest campaign suggests that the campaign has helped them to fill vacancies.
The purpose of the campaigns was to raise awareness of the range of rewarding work that is available in the social care sector and to encourage people to think about a job in social care.
| Department of Health expenditure on the national social care recruitment | |
|
|
£ million |
| Notes: 1. Advertising spend is defined as covering only media spend (inclusive of agency commissions but excluding production costs, Central Office of Information commission and VAT). 2. All figures here are rounded to the nearest £10,000. | |
Strokes
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has (a) taken and (b) plans to take to reduce the number of strokes; and if he will make a statement. [68139]
Mr Simon Burns: We are aiming to reduce premature mortality from stroke in a number of ways.
The NHS Health Check programme assesses people aged between 40 and 74 for their risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease and helps them to reduce or manage that risk through individually tailored lifestyle advice and support so they stay well for longer. Phased implementation began in April 2009 and this Government is committed to the continuation of the programme. At full roll-out, the programme could prevent at least 1,600 heart attacks and strokes a year.
Implementation of the National Stroke Strategy and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Quality Standard for stroke provides the NHS with evidence based characteristics of a good stroke service that have and will continue to improve stroke care resulting in better outcomes for patients in terms of prevention and treatment. Progress on stroke care in England is measured through the National Sentinel Stroke Audit.
Another wave of the Act FAST public awareness campaign is being planned for the autumn. This aims to help the public recognise the signs and symptoms of a stroke so that stroke patients get to hospital faster and receive quicker treatment, and so save lives.
The NHS Improvement Programme is leading work on raising awareness of the role of atrial fibrillation (AF) in stroke in primary and secondary care. For example, it is promoting opportunistic pulse checks in primary care, such as at flu clinics, to detect AF earlier in older people so that it can be treated and so reduce their risk of stroke.
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Tobacco: Vending Machines
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether the prohibition on tobacco sales from vending machines from October 2011 includes machines which are placed under a counter or otherwise away from public view and usage; [68240]
(2) what legal advice his Department has sought on the prohibition of tobacco sales from vending machines from October 2011 and compliance with EU regulations; [68241]
(3) will provide compensation to cigarette vending machine companies to cover the costs of removing their machine stock in order to comply with the legislation prohibiting the sale of tobacco from vending machines coming into force in October 2011; [68242]
(4) what notification his Department has given to cigarette vending machine companies of a change in the law concerning their trade coming into effect in October 2011. [68243]
Anne Milton: The prohibition of tobacco sales from vending machines will come into force, in England, on 1 October 2011. This legislation only applies to vending machines used by the public to buy tobacco products.
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The Government believe this legislation is compliant with European Union law. Both the High Court and the Court of Appeal have upheld this view.
The Government is not intending to pay compensation to vending machine companies. We believe the regulations, which were made in March 2010, are a proportionate means of achieving important public health policy aims.
Sinclair Collis and the members of the National Association of Cigarette Machine Operators, who between them, own the majority of vending machines in England, are both well aware of the commencement date. A national communication campaign will confirm the position before October.
Tuberculosis
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) children and (b) adults were diagnosed with tuberculosis in (i) West Kent primary care trust area, (ii) Medway primary care trust area, (iii) Kent and (iv) England in each of the last 10 years. [68518]
Anne Milton: The information requested is shown in the following table.
| Children and adults diagnosed with tuberculosis in West Kent primary care trust (PCT) area, Medway PCT area, Kent and England, three-year average number of cases, 1999-2009 | |||||||||
| Medway PCT | West Kent PCT | Kent | England | ||||||
|
|
Children 0-16 | Adults 17+ | Children 0-16 | Adults 17+ | Children 0-16 | Adults 17+ | Children 0-16 | Adults 17+ | All cases |
| Notes: 1. The latest year for which data are currently available is 2009. 2. Three -year average numbers have been provided as the annual numbers per PCT are small and may vary year on year just by chance. 3. Exact figures are not provided where the number of cases was less than five due to a risk of deductive disclosure of a patient's identity. 4. All cases include those with an unknown age, so numbers in adults and children may not add up to the total. 5. Numbers of cases in Kent are defined as those residing in one of the three PCTs in Kent (Eastern and Coastal Kent, Medway and West Kent). Source: Health Protection Agency | |||||||||
Energy and Climate Change
Sky TV
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department has spent on subscriptions to Sky TV since May 2010. [67561]
Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change has not spent anything on subscriptions to Sky TV since May 2010.
Carbon Emissions
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will assess the effectiveness of the Carbon Emission Reduction Target. [68087]
Gregory Barker: A full assessment of the effectiveness of the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) should only be made after the scheme ends in December 2012. However, an independent evaluation of how the scheme operates and customer experiences has been carried out and is informing the development of the future energy company obligation. This report will be published in autumn 2011.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether the Government plans to purchase offset credits to meet the second carbon budget. [68723]
Charles Hendry:
A limit of 55 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent was set at the end of June for
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the second carbon budget period, for sectors outside the EU Emissions Trading System, purely on a contingency basis, this figure being consistent with what is permitted under the EU framework. Our latest emissions projections indicate that we do not expect there to be a need to purchase offset credits to meet the currently legislated second carbon budget level.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will publish the correspondence between the Government and the Committee on Climate Change since March 2011 on the use of offset credits to meet the second carbon budget. [68726]
Charles Hendry: Correspondence between the Government and the Committee on Climate Change on the use of offset credits in the second carbon budget period has been published. The advice to Government from the CCC was published on the CCC's website(1) and the Government's response, in a letter from the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Gregory Barker), to Lord Turner, was published on the DECC website(2) on 7 June.
http://hmccc.s3.amazonaws.com/Letter_Lord%20Turner_Chris%20Huhne%20MP_220311.pdf
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/What%20we%20do/A%20low%20carbon%20UK/Carbon%20budgets/1776-letter-barker-turner-carbonbudget-0611.pdf
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has had discussions on the projections made by (a) Cambridge Econometrics and (b) his Department on the effects of the recession on levels of emissions over the first budget period. [68727]
Charles Hendry: It is important for the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to have the best understanding possible of likely future emissions trends. For this reason the Secretary of State often discusses the assumptions and drivers regarding emissions projections with officials and other stakeholders. However, there are no records of any meetings that have been set up specifically to discuss the impact of the recession on Cambridge Econometrics' projections or DECC projections.
Carbon Emissions: EU Action
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had on steps to promote support for an increase in the EU emissions reduction target to 30 per cent. by 2020. [68725]
Gregory Barker: We remain committed to achieving EU agreement on a move to a 30% target and I have had a number of meetings with my ministerial counterparts from EU member states to try to build support to make this possible. In March this year, climate Ministers from Portugal, Spain and Sweden, Denmark, Greece and Germany joined the UK in signing a ministerial article making the economic case for a move to a 30% target.
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Carbon Sequestration: Employment
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consideration he has given to commissioning an independent assessment of the potential number of people that could be employed by the carbon capture and storage industry in the UK up to 2050. [67944]
Charles Hendry: Analysis commissioned by DECC and published in March 2011 shows that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) represents a major economic opportunity to the UK because of both domestic and export market potential. 70,000 to 100,000 jobs could be sustained by 2030 by Carbon Abatement Technologies, including CCS.
The UK is well placed to exploit the market opportunities and CCS represents new business opportunities. Analysis previously commissioned by DECC highlighted areas of UK strength in procurement and manufacturing, engineering design, project management, construction, financial, legal and commissioning.
Climate Change: EU Action
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the European Commission on proposals for a reprioritisation of the EU budget to support the EU's energy and climate change priorities. [68114]
Gregory Barker: The Government's representations to the European Commission on funding from the EU in support of the EU's energy and climate change priorities, and indeed on all funding from the EU budget, in both the annual budget and Multi-Annual Financial Framework processes is led by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, supported by relevant Government Departments.
While controlling the size of the budget is the UK's main priority, the Government believe that funding for climate change should make up a larger share of an EU budget that increases, at most, by no more than inflation in the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework, and that climate change objectives should be mainstreamed across all relevant headings, ensuring that the EU's investments are compatible with and contribute to the EU's cost-effective transition to a low carbon economy. The Government have made this case to the Commission and will continue to do so as negotiations on the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework progress.
Climate Change: Taiwan
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on participation by Taiwan in discussions on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. [68031]
Gregory Barker: The Government support Taiwan's practical participation in international organisations where this does not require statehood. Taiwan is currently represented at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change meetings by a non-governmental organisation, the Industrial Technology Research Institute.
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Air Travel
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on what occasions he has flown on official business (a) by budget airline and (b) in economy class in the last 12 months. [67922]
Gregory Barker: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, has made eight return flights and a single in-country transfer flight in economy class within the last 12 months.
All travel is undertaken in line with the Ministerial Code.
Consultants
Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many senior civil servants in his Department at each grade had worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, Deloitte or KPMG immediately prior to taking up their appointment in each of the last four years; what consultancy agreements his Department had with those firms in each such year; and how many consultants from those firms have advised his Department in each such year. [68955]
Gregory Barker: No senior civil servants at permanent secretary, director general or director level have worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst and Young, Deloitte or KPMG immediately prior to taking up their appointment in the last four years.
The information on deputy directors is not available due to the disproportionate cost entailed in obtaining the information.
DECC does not hold central records of contracts. Therefore the information requested on contracts is not available due to the disproportionate cost entailed in obtaining the information.
Departmental Correspondence
Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many letters his Department received from hon. Members in June 2011. [68758]
Gregory Barker: In June 2011, the Department of Energy and Climate Change received 866 letters from hon. Members.
Electricity
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change by what date he expects his plans for electricity market reform to have delivered increased (a) security of supply and (b) competition. [68086]
Charles Hendry: The Electricity Market Reform White Paper, available at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/legislation/white_papers/emr_wp_2011/emr_wp_2011.aspx
includes a consultation on possible models for a capacity mechanism to deliver increased security of supply, by ensuring that sufficient reliable capacity is in place when needed. We will decide on the type of capacity mechanism
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around the turn of the year, and intend to legislate for the mechanism in the second session. Our current analysis indicates that a capacity mechanism is likely to be needed from around the end of this decade.
The electricity market reforms are about creating appropriate incentives to support investment, while improving competition to ensure that the costs to consumers are minimised. The EMR measures will work alongside other market reform proposals, for example from Ofgem, designed to improve competition in the market. We expect improvements to competition to follow the 2014 EMR implementation date.
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to ensure that the retrofitting of the public sector estate with energy efficiency measures form part of his plans for electricity market reform. [68110]
Charles Hendry: The aim of electricity market reform is to ensure the investment we need to meet our security of supply and decarbonisation targets at least cost. Energy efficiency could have a role to play in meeting our targets in a cost-effective way, and we will assess whether the existing package of energy efficiency measures is providing adequate encouragement for efficiency improvements in electricity usage, to determine whether there might be a need for appropriate additional measures.
The retrofitting of the public sector estate with energy efficiency measures will not form a specific part of the electricity market reform programme. We encourage all public bodies to invest in energy efficiency, which enables them to reduce costs and CO2 emissions. We have already taken decisive action to reduce central Government emissions by 13.8% (exceeding our original target of a 10% reduction). We are now being even more ambitious with a 25% target by the end of this Parliament.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with electricity company executives to discuss new market arrangements using long-term contracts in preparation for delivery of the fourth carbon budget. [68724]
Charles Hendry: A list of meetings that the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne) has held with stakeholders, including electricity company executives, are published quarterly and can be found on the DECC website at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/accesstoinform/registers/registers.aspx
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many meetings involving officials of his Department were held in December 2010 to discuss the consultation on new electricity market arrangements; and who attended such meetings. [68728]
Charles Hendry: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
DECC officials participated in a number of meetings in December 2010 on the EMR consultation with organisations including energy utilities, independent
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generators, independent renewable generators, consumer groups, Ofgem, National Grid, Green NGOs and investors.
Energy Bill 2010-12
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the memorandum (EN18) submitted by Which? to the Public Bill Committee on the Energy Bill [Lords]. [68788]
Gregory Barker: I welcome the contribution this detailed memorandum made to the progress of the Energy Bill in Committee stage, and value Which?'s ongoing engagement in the development of the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation. My officials have had constructive meetings with Which? in the course of preparing for this autumn's Consultation and I look forward to our continued engagement with Which? in the lead up to and during the Consultation.
Energy Performance Certificates
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to take to co-ordinate the Green Deal with the roll-out of energy performance certificates. [68109]
Gregory Barker: The existing Energy Performance Certificate (EPCs) will be adapted to form the basis of the Green Deal Assessment. The assessment starts every Green Deal customer journey.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many meetings officials of his Department have had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on steps to improve the framework surrounding energy performance certificates. [68745]
Gregory Barker: Last year my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government my hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove (Andrew Stunell) initiated a joint examination of how the Energy Performance of Buildings regime, covering Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), might be improved. Both Departments have been involved in regular meetings at both ministerial and official level to ensure that Green Deal and EPC policies fit together.
Energy: Billing
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) when he next plans to reassess the operational effectiveness of the Energy Retail Association Code of Practice for Accurate Billing; [68245]
(2) what assessment he has made of the level of compliance by energy companies with their obligations under the Energy Retail Association Code of Practice for Accurate Billing. [68246]
Charles Hendry:
The Code of Practice for Accurate Billing is a voluntary agreement sponsored by the Energy Retail Association, of which five of the big six suppliers
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are code members. The operational effectiveness and compliance are matters for the code's governing board.
Ofgem is responsible for regulating gas and electricity supply. It is open to Ofgem to consider whether additional regulatory protection is required.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what meetings he has had with representatives of major energy companies to discuss the issue of accurate billing since May 2010; [68247]
(2) what meetings his Department and its predecessor held with representatives of major energy companies to discuss the issue of accurate billing between May 2005 and May 2010. [68248]
Charles Hendry: DECC Ministers, both past and present, and officials meet with energy suppliers on a regular basis to discuss market issues.
The Government have confirmed that smart meters will be rolled out to domestic customers by 2019. Smart meters allow remote reading of meters, and therefore enable entirely accurate billing.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what estimate he has made of the monetary value of funds held by energy companies as a result of over-estimated consumer bills in the latest period for which figures are available; [68418]
(2) what assessment he has made of trends in the monetary value of funds held by energy companies as a result of over-estimated consumer bills. [68419]
Charles Hendry: Ofgem is responsible for regulating gas and electricity supply, including customer payments. In 2009, Ofgem introduced a new supply licence condition that came into effect in January 2010 and requires suppliers to ensure customers' direct debit payments are clearly and accurately explained and are based on the best available information. Suppliers are also required to justify why they are holding onto any credit balances built up by customers. It is for Ofgem to assess whether suppliers comply with the licence condition and take action if they do not.
Energy: British Antarctic Territory
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what expenditure his Department has undertaken on energy provision in the British Antarctic territory. [68863]
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on energy provision in the British Antarctic territory. [68864]
Charles Hendry: DECC has no involvement in the provision of energy in the British Antarctic Territory.
The British Antarctic Survey maintains a permanent year-round British presence in Antarctica at its scientific bases Rothera and Halley. The provision of energy (including costs of procurement and transportation) to these bases is a matter for the British Antarctic Survey.
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Energy: Conservation
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will assess the effectiveness of the Community Energy Saving Programme. [68088]
Gregory Barker: A full assessment of the effectiveness of the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) can only be made after the scheme ends in December 2012. However, an independent evaluation of how the scheme has operated to date has been carried out and is informing the development of the future energy company obligation. A report on this CESP evaluation will be published in autumn 2011.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Communities and Local Government on (a) the Greater Manchester Housing Retrofit Programme, (b) steps to encourage local authorities to become involved in delivering energy efficiency measures in their areas and (c) the extension of display energy certificates to commercial buildings. [68746]
Gregory Barker: The Department has liaised closely with the Department for Communities and Local Government on all of these issues.
(a) We will learn what we can from the Greater Manchester Housing Retrofit Programme to help inform the Green Deal;
(b) We have discussed a number of issues around local authority support for energy efficiency improvements in their area, including potential Green Deal models. We will work closely with DCLG on new guidance for the Home Energy Conservation Act;
(c) We have discussed the case for rolling out display energy certificates to commercial buildings and whether this could be done without placing undue burdens on business.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings he has had with (a) large retailers and private sector Green Deal participants and (b) energy companies to discuss partnerships under the Energy Company Obligation. [68749]
Gregory Barker: The Department has had a number of meetings with energy companies, large retailers and a range of other potential Green Deal participants. We have explored how we can design a framework that is sufficiently flexible to enable partnerships to develop.
The UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy (UKBCSE), representing energy companies, is working with DECC to develop an approach whereby all Green Deal providers can access ECO subsidy without necessarily needing formal partnerships with energy companies.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the likely sustained reductions in energy consumption by households following the installation of in-home displays. [69180]
Charles Hendry:
The Impact Assessment in the smart meter rollout for the domestic sector (published 30 March 2011) estimates total consumer benefits of £4.6 billion. By 2020 the average domestic customer (with both
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electricity and gas) is expected to save around £23 per year on their energy bill as a result of smart metering.
We have assumed that the annual reductions in demand will be as follows: 2.8% for electricity (credit and pre-payment meter); 2% for gas credit and 0.5% for gas pre-payment meter. The likely sustained reductions in energy consumption are based on the combined impact of the installation of smart meters, in-home displays and our consumer engagement strategy . Our energy savings assumptions are based on reviews of available international evidence and further informed by trials carried out in Great Britain.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of ways of communicating with consumers other than via the in-home display. [69181]
Charles Hendry: The Government published their Response to the Prospectus Consultation(1) on smart metering on 30 March 2011. This stated that suppliers should provide domestic consumers with an in-home display that meets the relevant technical specifications, but that in addition we would expect to see the development of options for consumers to access smart metering information in other ways, for instance through the internet, mobile phones or locally via a personal computer. There is also potential to communicate energy consumption information and advice on paper, on or with energy bills or via a separate communication.
The Department assessed the findings of the final report of the Energy Demand Research Project (EDRP), co-funded by DECC and published on 23 June. This provided evidence specific to the GB context on the effectiveness of ways of communicating with consumers. The report concludes that the combination of smart meters and Real Time Displays consistently resulted in energy savings of around 3% but with some higher and lower savings, depending on fuel, customer group and period. The EDRP found that savings from generic written advice and historic feedback resulted in a reduction in consumption of up to 5%.
The Department also considered a number of international studies have considered the effectiveness of ways of communicating with consumers other than via the IHD. A recent review of 57 feedback studies in nine different countries by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy(2) found that on average feedback reduces energy consumption between 4-12%, with higher (9%) savings associated with real-time feedback.
(1 )http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/smart_mtr_imp/smart_mtr_imp.aspx
(2 )Erhardt-Martinez, Donnelly, Laitner, Advanced Metering Initiatives and Residential Feedback Programs: A Meta-Review for Household Electricity-Saving Opportunities, June 2010.
Energy: Greater London
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many applications for Community Energy Saving Programme funding his Department has received from (a) the London borough of Tower Hamlets and (b) each other London borough. [68684]
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Gregory Barker: The Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) is funded by the obligated energy companies, who develop scheme proposals, with the involvement of the relevant local authority, for submission to the programme administrator, Ofgem.
As of 23 August 2011, CESP schemes in the following London boroughs had been submitted to Ofgem for approval:
| London borough | Number of schemes submitted per borough |
The 20 remaining London boroughs currently have no CESP schemes submitted to Ofgem for approval.
Energy: Housing
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2011, Official Report, column 1371W, on energy: housing, when he plans to publish the progress reports under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 for (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09. [68722]
Gregory Barker: I refer the hon. Member to the previous answer I gave him on 7 July: we will publish a HECA progress report after the launch of the Green Deal. This progress report will give consideration to retrospective data as well as future requirements under HECA.
Energy: Meters
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the (a) cost and (b) effectiveness of existing smart meter technology in preparing its smart meter roll-out programme. [69173]
Charles Hendry: The Smart metering implementation programme is establishing common minimum specifications for the GB market which will ensure smart meters installed during mass roll-out are interoperable and deliver the functionalities required to realise the programme's benefits. These benefits include providing consumers with near real-time information to help them understand and manage their energy use, smoother and faster switching between suppliers, and removing the need for onsite meter readings.
The costs and benefits of a range of different features have been considered and analysed, supported by extensive consultation with industry, including product manufacturers, consumer groups and other stakeholders.
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This analysis informed the Government's conclusions on the minimum functional requirements for smart meters, which were set out in the March 2011 Response to the Prospectus consultation.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the number of individuals required to deliver the smart meter roll-out programme between 2014 and 2019. [69174]
Charles Hendry: In the March 2011 response to the Prospectus Consultation, the Government announced their intention to bring forward a proposal to obligate energy suppliers to complete the roll-out in 2019. It is expected that most consumers will receive a smart meter between 2014 and 2019.
The Government will also require larger suppliers to submit and maintain plans that are realistically capable of achieving their roll-out obligations. Energy suppliers are currently developing their individual roll-out strategies which will include detailed work force planning. At the peak of mass roll-out a significantly larger work force will be required than current levels. Recent research by The National Skills Academy (August 2011) estimates that in the peak years of 2016 and 2017, around 7,500-8,000 meter installers will be employed compared to existing work force levels of approximately 3,200 people.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the cost per household of the smart meter roll-out programme. [69175]
Charles Hendry: The Government's impact assessment estimates that the roll-out of smart meters to the domestic sector will deliver a net benefit of almost £5.1 billion, leading to an average bill saving of £23 per household in 2020 and £42 in 2030. This reflects an estimated total gross cost of the programme of £10.8 billion, offset by more than £15.8 billion in gross benefits. These benefits include the direct savings to households as they are able to use energy more efficiently and the cost savings achieved by energy suppliers which are expected to be passed through to consumers.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has investigated the use of mobile telephone tariff and billing structures as best practice for the introduction of smart meter tariff and billing. [69176]
Charles Hendry: The Government expect the rollout of smart meters to open up the energy market to new products and services, including more innovative energy tariffs. While we do not currently expect to mandate tariff structures, we believe it is important that all consumers are able to take advantage of the benefits of smart metering. The programme will monitor and review the progress of the smart metering rollout, including the consumer experience of the process, and evaluate the evolving costs and benefits.
Huw Irranca-Davies:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether the £23 in savings per household per year expected by the smart
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metering programme has been included in the estimated increases in consumer energy bills set out in the Electricity Market Reform White Paper. [69177]
Charles Hendry: The impact of EMR on household electricity bills is presented relative to a baseline that includes all the energy and climate change policies that are already in place or have been planned to a sufficient degree of detail (i.e. with quantified estimates of costs and benefits).
The baseline bill includes the impact of the environmental policies such as the Existing and Extended RO, Carbon Price Floor, Feed-in-Tariffs, EU Emissions Trading System and EU Minimum Efficiency Standards for Energy using Products. In addition, the baseline bill for the average household includes the impact of the GB rollout of smart meters, Community Energy Saving Programme, Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), CERT Extension, a Future Supplier Obligation following CERT, Better Billing, and Security measures.
In the baseline, average household electricity bills rise by approximately £200 by 2030. This increase is driven by increases in wholesale prices, network costs, as well as environmental policies.
With EMR policies in place, the increase in average household electricity bills could be limited to £160.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to engage consumers in the smart meter roll-out programme. [69178]
Charles Hendry: The Government published their Response to the Prospectus Consultation(1) on smart metering on 30 March 2011. This stated that the Government will develop a strategy for promoting consumer engagement and that there is a strong case for some elements to be carried out centrally or on a co-ordinated basis. The Department is now working to develop the strategy and a plan for its implementation, working closely with industry, consumer groups and other stakeholders.
(1 )www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/smart_mtr_imp/smart_mtr_imp.aspx
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the proportion of the population which uses pre-payment and pay-as-you-go meters to pay for energy supplies; and for what reasons such capabilities are being built into smart meters for the smart meter roll-out programme. [69179]
Charles Hendry: In the March 2011 Response to the Prospectus consultation, the Government set out the functional requirements for smart meters. The costs and benefits of a range of different features have been considered and analysed, supported by extensive consultation with industry, consumer groups and other stakeholders. The functional requirements have been developed to ensure the benefits of the programme are delivered.
In 2010 Ofgem(1) estimated that around 15% of electricity customers and 12% of gas customers paid through a pre-payment meter. The remote functionality of smart meters will allow switching between payment methods
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(credit or prepayment) without the expense of exchanging the meter and will reduce the current higher than average costs associated with providing services to pre-payment customers. It is expected that new and more flexible payment options will be introduced, such as top-ups over the phone, via the internet, or at automated teller machines (ATMs), supporting a wider pay-as-you-go market. The pre-payment capability should also enable suppliers to better manage customer debt, resulting in cost savings that can be passed on to all consumers.
(1) Domestic suppliers' social obligations: 2010 annual report (re/78/l I).
Energy: National Policy Statements
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for what reasons he has not included the Committee on Climate Change's 2030 carbon emissions reduction target in the Energy National Policy Statement (EN-1). [67502]
Charles Hendry: We did not include the Committee's advice on the 2030 carbon emissions reduction target because 2030 is halfway through the fifth carbon budget (2028-32) which has not yet been set. The fifth carbon budget will be set by June 2016, as required by the Climate Change Act 2008.
Environment Protection: Taxation
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate the level of subsidy to energy companies created by the introduction of a carbon floor price in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15. [66359]
Justine Greening: I have been asked to reply.
The carbon price floor announced in the Budget is intended to create economic incentives to invest in low-carbon electricity generation. It does not provide a subsidy to energy companies.
Gas-fired Power Stations
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the generating capacity is of combined cycle gas turbine plants approved by his Department since 5 May 2010. [66990]
Charles Hendry: Between 5 May 2010 and 31 August, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, granted consent under s.36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to five combined cycle gas turbine plants with a total maximum generating capacity of 5670 megawatts (MW).
Green Deal Scheme
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has considered the potential effects on the impartiality of Green Deal assessors of sales commissions and other incentives. [67659]
Gregory Barker:
The impartiality of the assessment will be protected through the application of a standardised methodology and quality assurance of assessors' work by UKAS-accredited certification bodies. Assessors working
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for Green Deal providers will also be subject to compliance with relevant requirements around disclosure of information, such as commercial affiliations.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings his Department has had with representatives of the commercial sector on the application of the Green Deal to the non-domestic sector. [68743]
Gregory Barker: Ministers and officials have had extensive engagement with commercial sector representatives on the Green Deal including an industry round table meeting which I chaired, several individual meetings and a regular forum co-ordinated by the British Property Federation.
Mass Media
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to (a) the publication by the Prime Minister of his meetings with media executives and (b) paragraph 74 of the Third Report of the Procedure Committee, Session 2008-09, on written parliamentary questions, HC 952, if he will publish a list of each meeting the right hon. Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband) held with newspaper and media proprietors, editors and senior media executives, whilst he was Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, disclosing the same information as if a request had been submitted under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 provisions and using the same criteria and methodology as the Prime Minister in compiling his list. [69018]
Gregory Barker: It is not the responsibility of the current Government to account for the previous Government.
Motor Vehicles
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have met representatives of (i) BMW, (ii) Chevrolet, (iii) Ford, (iv) Peugeot, (v) Vauxhall and (vi) Volkswagen to discuss vehicle efficiency improvements since May 2010. [68633]
Gregory Barker: Meetings of DECC Ministers with external organisations are published quarterly on the Department's website.
Natural Gas: Business
Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with energy suppliers on reducing the cost of gas to businesses. [68070]
Charles Hendry: DECC Ministers and officials meet with energy suppliers on a regular basis to discuss market issues.
Ofgem is tackling barriers to effective competition such as low wholesale market liquidity in its retail market review, which should put pressure on prices. In
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addition, we are 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.
Nuclear Power Stations: Decommissioning
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of decommissioning arrangements for currently operating nuclear power stations. [67061]
Charles Hendry: Currently operating power stations include the 15 reactors at eight nuclear power stations which EDF Energy operates in the UK following its acquisition of British Energy, and the two reactors operated by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
Detailed plans have been developed by the NDA for decommissioning Oldbury and Wylfa, incorporating lessons learnt from decommissioning the earlier Magnox stations. These plans have recently been reviewed by DECC and Shareholder Executive to define the programme of work for this spending review period.
EDF Energy is responsible for decommissioning its own stations, but the NDA is charged with reviewing and approving EDF's plans, and approving payments for decommissioning by the Nuclear Liabilities Fund. These plans are now integrated with the Magnox equivalents, with the expectation that this approach will produce future cost savings.
A comprehensive report on decommissioning arrangements for operating nuclear power stations was included as part of the Government's contribution to the 3rd Report to the European Council and European Parliament on the Management of Financial Resources for the Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations, Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste.
Nuclear Power Stations: Safety
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what account he expects the EU nuclear stress testing process to take of Dr Weightman's final report on lessons learnt for the UK nuclear industry from events at Japan's Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear site in March 2011; and if he will make a statement. [68204]
Charles Hendry: The EU nuclear stress test initiative arises from conclusions of the European Council on 25 March 2011 and cover all 143 nuclear powers plants across the EU, whereas Dr Weightman's report is in response to a commission from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on the implications for the UK nuclear industry from the Fukushima incident in March 2011. Dr Weightman's interim report of May 2011 contains 26 recommendations and it is his expectation that UK nuclear plant operators will take appropriate account of his recommendations in their stress tests.
Dr Weightman will address progress on the UK stress tests in his final report to the Secretary of State in the autumn. The Office for Nuclear Regulation will provide a separate report on the final UK results to the European
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Commission, in line with its timetable, in December which will contribute to EU wide conclusions on the initiative.
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to ensure that the nuclear stress tests agreed by the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group are adhered to in full; and if he will make a statement. [68205]
Charles Hendry: EU member states agreed that stress tests will be undertaken at all 143 nuclear power plants in the EU from June onwards. Plant operators are undertaking the stress tests and will report their findings to the national nuclear regulators for assessment and verification in two stages, a progress report by 15 August and a final report by 31 October 2011. National regulators will then produce a national report on progress by 15 September and the final findings by 31 December 2011. Both reports will be submitted to the European Commission.
The UK national regulator, the Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR), has written to, and had meetings with, all UK nuclear power plant operators setting out what is expected of them in relation to applying the criteria of the stress test. This has been done as part of ONR's regulatory function to ensure that operators are complying with the UK's regulatory framework which requires operators to achieve, so far as is reasonably practicable, continuous improvements in safety. Applying the lessons learned from events at Fukushima is covered by this general legal duty on operators.
Should the ONR consider that operators are not meeting their statutory responsibilities at any time, it has the necessary enforcement powers to achieve compliance.
Nuclear Power: Decommissioning
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much was (a) budgeted for and (b) spent on (i) military and (ii) civil nuclear decommissioning in (A) each of the last 10 years and (B) 2011-12; and how much has been budgeted for expenditure in each category in each year of the comprehensive spending review period. [68203]
Charles Hendry: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, established in 2005, is responsible for tackling the UK's historic civil and military legacy. It is funded by a combination of direct Government grant, and commercial income. The following table sets out what the NDA has spent since its formation on completing its core mission, excluding commercial operations, alongside its projected spending for each year of the next spending review period. Due to the integration of many of civil and military historic legacy facilities, it is not possible to separate expenditure on civil and military decommissioning. The NDA's mission is to decommission the whole nuclear legacy estate as efficiently as possible, and the most effective approach is to treat it as a whole—irrespective of origin.
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|
|
NDA expenditure, excluding commercial |
Prior to 2005 nuclear legacy issues which are now the responsibility of the NDA were owned by British Nuclear Fuels and the UK Atomic Energy Authority. Details of their expenditure on decommissioning are set out in their published annual reports and accounts.
The decommissioning of current military nuclear facilities is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and covers a wide range of activities, from submarine reactors and nuclear warheads to infrastructure. Details of budgeted and actual costs for military nuclear decommissioning, are not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Furthermore, the MOD does not routinely publish figures for anticipated annual project expenditure, as to do so would prejudice commercial interests and jeopardise the negotiating position of the Department.
Power Stations: Carbon Emissions
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward proposals to regulate the carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power stations; and if he will make a statement. [68085]
Gregory Barker: As part of the electricity market reform package to decarbonise electricity generation published on 12 July 2011, the Government have proposed an Emissions Performance Standard which will provide a clear regulatory signal on the amount of carbon new fossil-fuel power stations can emit.
Mr Marcus Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effect on efforts to achieve carbon reduction targets of the use of coal-fired power stations. [69185]
Gregory Barker: Coal provides a valuable role in the UK’s energy mix, providing diversity and security of supply. We cannot, however, sustain investment in new, wholly unabated coal if we are to meet our carbon targets. Fossil fuels with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) can play a vital role in our future energy mix, helping to balance baseload nuclear and intermittent renewables. CCS is the only technology that can significantly reduce C02 emissions from fossil fuel power stations—by as much as 90%. That is why the Government are committed to providing public funding for four CCS demonstration plants.
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Solar Power: British Overseas Territories
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department has spent on investment in solar power in British Overseas Territories in each of the past five years. [68865]
Gregory Barker: DECC has not spent any money on solar power in British Overseas Territories in any of the last five years.
Solar Power: Satellites
Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether the Government has (a) commissioned or (b) evaluated any research into the practicalities of transmitting solar energy by satellite from space to Earth. [69184]
Gregory Barker: We are not aware of any such research undertaken by the Government. The 2011 Budget includes a £10 million provision for the UK Space Agency to support the development of space technology in the UK through a competition process which could include technologies for space-based solar power generation and supply to ground.
Thorium: Research
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury of 12 July 2011, Official Report, columns 295-6W, on thorium, what the cost was of the study by the National Nuclear Laboratory; whether the study was put out for competitive tender; and in what form the findings will be made publicly available. [66937]
Charles Hendry: The cost of the study by the National Nuclear Laboratory on Advanced Reactor Designs and Fuel Cycle options, referred to in the answer to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr Robertson), is £30,000. As is routine for projects of this value that require the resources of unique, specialist institutions, it was let as a single tender- action following scrutiny via DECC's business approvals process.
The findings will be made available to the public in the form of the peer-reviewed reports that NNL will supply, as well as being summarised in a more accessible form to non-experts via DECCs routine communications and correspondence.
Tidal Power: Manpower
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) pursuant to the answer of 14 July 2011, Official Report, column 493W, on tidal power: manpower, if he will commission an independent assessment of the potential number of people that could be employed by the wave and tidal sector in the UK up to 2050; [67927]
(2) whether he has considered the merits of commissioning an independent assessment of the potential number of people that could be employed by the (a) offshore and (b) onshore wind industry in the UK up to 2050; [67942]
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(3) what consideration his Department has given to commissioning an independent assessment of the potential number of people that could be employed by the renewable energy industry in the UK up to 2050. [67945]
Charles Hendry: We are aware of a number of assessments by external bodies on the future employment potential of the renewable energy sector, including:
The Carbon Trust's “Focus For Success” report estimates that the wave sector alone could create around 16,000 direct jobs by 2040, with 25% supporting UK exports.
The Carbon Trust estimates that the offshore wind sector could employ up to 66,000 people in the UK by 2020 with a possibility of up to 230,000 by 2050(1).
RenewableUK estimates in “Working for a Green Britain Vol 2: Future employment and skills in the UK wind and marine industries” that under a medium scenario there could be around 10,300 direct and 6,100 indirect jobs in the onshore wind sector in 2021.
A number of studies have been conducted to consider the economic potential in the bioenergy sector. For example, a 2007 study to quantify employment from biomass power plants2 showed that power only bioenergy systems typically create 1.27 man years of employment per GWh electricity produced. A recent study for the Forestry Commission in June 2010 found that the woodfuel sector alone could contribute £l billion to the UK economy by 2020 and support 15,300 jobs(3).
Given these and other independent reports, I have no plans to commission further evidence but will keep this under review. The Government fully recognise the employment opportunities that the growth of renewable energy can create.
(1 )Source: http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/news/news/press-centre/2011/Pages/offshore-wind-gg.aspx
(2 )“Quantification of employment from biomass power plants” (Thornley et al, November 2007).
(3) “The economic value of the woodfuel industry to the UK economy by 2020” (Centre for Economics and Business Research, 2010).
Utilities: Competition
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking in relation to geographical monopolies by utility companies. [66394]
Charles Hendry: Energy networks operators, as with most utility network operators, are natural monopolies, and are therefore closely regulated to protect consumers. In this sector the energy regulator. Ofgem, regulates the companies through five-year price control periods which mimic the effects of competition by curbing their expenditure and incentivising them to be efficient and to innovate technically.
Price controls are set for the 14 companies that run the regional electricity networks, the four companies that operate the energy transmission networks and the four companies that own the local gas distribution networks.
Competition does exist with regard to constructing new connections between the consumer and the local
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electricity network, which is an important element of work undertaken by network operators. Customers of network operators have the option to have some of the connection work, referred to as contestable work, carried out by a third party connection provider.
Wind Power
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings his Department has held with representatives of (a) Gamesa, (b) Siemens and (c) Vestas on planned turbine manufacture in the UK. [68616]
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Charles Hendry: I regularly meet with the developers responsible for the construction of offshore wind farms through the Offshore Wind Developers' Forum, which brings together Government and industry to help remove barriers to the development of the sector and to maximise the economic benefit to the UK. The most recent meeting of the forum took place on 21 June. The Department has also held a number of meetings with companies considering investing in new manufacturing facilities to serve the offshore wind sector, details of which are commercially confidential.
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Written Answers to Questions
Monday 5 September 2011
Transport
Airports: Closures
Conor Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many airports have closed in the last two years; whether he has estimated the number of airports at risk of closure; and if he will make a statement. [68565]
Mrs Villiers: Coventry airport temporarily closed in 2009, before reopening in 2010. I am aware of the announcement that Plymouth airport is to close by the end of the year, following the cessation of passenger services. We recognise the important role that airports can play in local economies but closure plans are a commercial matter for the airport operator.
Aviation: Security
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will investigate the effect of the application by low-cost airlines of the one-bag rule for carry-on baggage on the behaviour of passengers making purchases at airports. [68066]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has no plans to investigate this issue. The size and amount of cabin or hold baggage that a passenger is permitted to take on board a commercial aircraft is a matter for airlines to decide as private commercial companies.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with the European Commission regarding the Spanish Government's recent legislation on passenger rights to take duty free and travel retail purchase onto an aircraft in addition to their normal airline hand baggage allowance. [68194]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has had no discussions. The size and amount of cabin or hold baggage that a passenger is permitted to take on board a commercial aircraft is a matter for airlines to decide as private commercial companies.