Railway Stations: Manpower
Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria will be used in determining which railway station ticket offices should remain staffed. [72273]
Mrs Villiers: The proposal for the removal of ticket offices at certain stations was the recommendation of an independent study by Sir Roy McNulty on the value for money of the railways. The aim of the study was to examine the overall cost structure of all elements of the rail sector to identify the options for improving value for money to both passengers and to the taxpayer, while continuing to expand capacity as necessary and drive up passenger satisfaction with the railway. Government are currently considering the findings of this independent report but no decisions have yet been made.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on (a) safety of and (b) crime levels against rail travellers of unstaffed category E stations. [72329]
Mrs Villiers:
No such assessments have been made by the Government. Health and safety matters at individual stations are the responsibility of railway safety duty
10 Oct 2011 : Column 108W
holders such as train operating companies or infrastructure managers. These are regulated by the Office of Rail Regulation. Crime levels at individual stations are monitored by the British Transport Police (BTP).
However, the Department for Transport's Secure Stations Scheme, run jointly with the BTP, accredits stations that have good security practices in place. Accredited stations have introduced packages of security measures to cut down crime and enhance security. There are currently 1,271 accredited secure stations across the railway network.
A proposal for the removal of certain ticket offices was the recommendation of an independent study by Sir Roy McNulty on the value for money of the railways. The Government are currently considering the findings of this independent report but no decisions have yet been made.
Railways
Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress he has made on implementing the recommendations of the McNulty report. [71802]
Mrs Villiers: The Department has been working closely with industry and the regulator to examine the proposals in Sir Roy McNulty's independent review of Rail Value for Money. We have already accepted Sir Roy's recommendation to conduct a review of fares policy, the terms of which we expect to announce shortly. Over the coming months, we will be finalising a package of priority proposals to be delivered through the refranchising programme and during Control Period 5.
Railways: Fares
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to ensure that increases in rail fares in 2012 will result in an improved service and better quality rolling stock. [72591]
Mrs Villiers: This Government have embarked on one of the biggest programmes of rail investment for a 100 years. This includes projects such as Crossrail, Thameslink, rail electrification and delivering more than 2,700 new rail carriages.
To deliver this major upgrade programme, we have needed to ask fare payers to contribute as well as taxpayers. The pressing need to tackle the deficit has forced us to take the difficult decisions to increase fares in 2012.
Railways: Franchises
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 7 September 2011, Official Report, column 746W, on west coast railway lines, whether train operating companies will continue to receive revenue from the lease for stations if they subsequently lose the franchise for the line. [72327]
Mrs Villiers: The outgoing west coast train operator would typically transfer the station lease, including the operating revenues, to a successor operator.
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Where an investment has been made that extends beyond the franchise term we would expect to recognise future value for that investment at the end of the franchise through a payment from the successor operator to the outgoing operator. The detailed arrangements are under consideration.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he plans to use to determine levels of flexibility in future rail franchises. [72330]
Mrs Villiers: The criteria which will be used to assess options for specifying and contracting rail services are:
the fit with the Government's wider transport and economic objectives;
value for money; and
affordability.
These criteria frequently conflict, and in reaching a final decision, the Department's task is to strike a reasonable balance.
Railways: Great Yarmouth
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the likely average change in rail fares for rail travellers in Great Yarmouth in January 2012. [72592]
Mrs Villiers: Regulated fares from Great Yarmouth will increase by an average of 8%. This is calculated in line with the consolidated spending review announcement to increase regulated fares by RPI (which was 5% in July) plus 3% for the next three years. The increase in unregulated fares is a commercial matter for National Express East Anglia. This increase will help fund the Government's rail improvement programme.
Rescue Services: Scotland
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessments he has made of the (a) safety risks associated with and (b) socio-economic impact of the proposed closure of the Clyde Coastguard. [72009]
Mike Penning: No individual assessment specific to the closure of Clyde Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre has been made in respect of (a) safety risk or (b) socio-economic impact.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has assessed on a national basis the safety risks in relation to HM Coastguard's current operation and how these are mitigated by the modernisation proposals. The MCA has also assessed the impact of the modernisation proposals on HM Coastguards capability to deliver its national service.
These assessments, as well as a location impact assessment, sub-centre rationale and supporting tables showing factors taken into consideration in the choice of sub-centres can be found on the MCA's website at:
www.dft.gov.uk/mca
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Road Signs and Markings
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to complete consideration of the final recommendations of the Traffic Signs review. [72188]
Norman Baker: Consideration has been completed and I expect to make a full announcement shortly.
Road Signs and Markings: Tourism
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on his Department's review of brown tourist signs. [72795]
Mike Penning: A cross-departmental review of brown tourism traffic signs was established following the publication of the Government's ‘Tourism Strategy’ in March. This work is proceeding and stakeholders will be invited to take part in the development of new criteria to meet both the needs of the road user and the tourism industry.
Roads: Accidents
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to prevent injuries (a) caused by and (b) to cyclists. [71774]
Mike Penning: We take the issue of cycle safety very seriously. Everyone who uses the highway has a responsibility to behave safely and with consideration for others, in May we launched the Strategic Framework for Road Safety:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/strategic-framework-for-road-safety
which sets out our approach to continuing to reduce killed and seriously injured casualties on Britain's roads. In addition the Government are also progressing measures with regards to improving European vehicle safety regulations, supporting Bikeability cycle training for the rest of this Parliament, raising the standard of lorry driver training, and promoting the Highway Code. There are also a range of measures local authorities can take, for instance, safer road infrastructure, cycle lanes, local safety campaigns, 20 mph zones and better traffic management. These will, however, depend on local decisions and need to reflect local priorities.
Rolling Stock: Procurement
Margaret Beckett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what comparison he has made between the procurement processes for new passenger rolling stock of his Department with (a) the rolling stock leasing companies and (b) Transport for London. [68848]
Mrs Villiers: The Department shares knowledge with Transport for London (TfL) on its procurements and looks at lessons learnt from previous procurements including those by rolling stock leasing companies and TfL. This work helps inform decisions on procurement strategy.
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Safety Belts
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent research his Department has evaluated on installing seat belt reminders in cars; if he will place in the Library a copy of each such piece of research; and if he will make a statement; [R] [72220]
(2) what recent reports he has received of the effectiveness of advanced seat belt reminder systems with visual and audible warnings for increasing seat belt use; and if he will make a statement. [R] [72221]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport has not evaluated any research on installing seat belt reminders in cars, nor has it reviewed any reports regarding the effectiveness of advanced seat belt reminder systems.
However, requirements for fitting seat belt reminders with both visual and audible warnings to the driver's seat of passenger cars were included within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe regulations in 2008.
Many manufacturers already build their vehicles to conform to these regulations on a voluntary basis, in order to achieve higher ratings in consumer tests, but these provisions will become mandatory across Europe for all new types of passenger cars from November 2012, as part of a suite of harmonisation and simplification measures.
Thameslink: Rolling Stock
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department took to ensure consultants and consultancies offering advice on the Thameslink Rolling Stock contract were impartial and credible. [71817]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 15 September 2011]:All consultants that have been employed on the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project procurement have had to satisfy the requirements of an accreditation review by the Department for Transport (DFT). Furthermore, support contracts have been subjected to individual procurement competitions to ensure that suppliers are capable of delivering the required services whilst offering value for money. At all times suppliers are obliged to declare any conflict of interest to the DFT.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project contract is subject to (a) Public Contract Regulations and (b) Utilities Contract Regulations. [72401]
Mrs Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to my answer given to the right hon. Member for Derby South (Margaret Beckett) on 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 219W.
Traffic Commissioners
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to appoint a new senior traffic commissioner. [72728]
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Mike Penning: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), expects a new senior traffic commissioner to be appointed by the end of the year.
Traffic Commissioners: Wales
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on establishing a post of traffic commissioner for Wales located in Wales. [72729]
Mike Penning: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has had no specific discussions with the Minister in the Welsh Government on this matter.
Twickenham Station: Rugby World Cup
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with representatives of (a) the Rugby Football Union, (b) Network Rail and (c) the London borough of Richmond upon Thames to consider changes to Twickenham railway station ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. [72353]
Mrs Villiers: Details of meetings by the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), are published quarterly on the Department for Transport (DFT) website.
He has not met with the Rugby Football Union, Network Rail or the London borough of Richmond upon Thames to discuss changes to Twickenham railway station.
The DFT expects the Rugby Football Union to engage with the rail industry and local authorities to co-ordinate the transport strategy for this event.
Cabinet Office
Admiralty Arch: Admiralty House
Mr Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what the cost to the public purse has been of any damage to the Admiralty House residences since May 2010; [72388]
(2) what catering services his Department has provided to the Secretary of State for Defence on a re-charge basis in respect of use of a flat in Admiralty House; [72402]
(3) pursuant to the answer of 7 September 2011, Official Report, column 618W on Admiralty Arch: Admiralty House, for what reason the Secretary of State for Defence has use of a flat in Admiralty House; on what date his use of the flat began; what expenditure his Department has incurred in relation to the flat since May 2010; and for what purposes. [72403]
Mr Maude:
There has been no cost to the public purse of damage to the Admiralty House residences since May 2010. Any catering services provided by the Cabinet Office's facilities management contractor to the occupants of Admiralty House are recharged. Official
10 Oct 2011 : Column 113W
residences are assigned to Ministers by the Prime Minister either on grounds of security or in order to allow them to perform better their official duties. The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), had use of a flat in Admiralty House from 20 April 2011. Other than meeting the cost of the council tax while it was unoccupied, and a deep clean prior to occupation, the Cabinet Office has not incurred any expenditure in relation to the flat since May 2010.
Charitable Donations: Fraud
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the financial effect on the charity sector of each type of fraudulent charity collection. [72553]
Mr Hurd: The Office for Civil Society has not attempted to estimate the financial cost to charities as a result of fraudulent charity collections due to a lack of reliable data, and because records are not kept centrally. Sector estimates put the cost to charities of bogus house to house collections and theft of donated goods at anything between £15 million and £50 million a year. I continue to encourage and support collaborative work between the charity sector, commercial recyclers, and licensing and enforcement agencies to tackle these unacceptable crimes and reassure the generous donating public that they can give with confidence.
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Structure
Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the new charitable incorporated organisation structure will be announced. [72069]
Mr Hurd: The draft Secondary Legislation needed to complete the legal framework for the Charitable Incorporated Organisation is currently being finalised. This is taking longer than expected, as there have been some complex issues to resolve on the insolvency and dissolution regime for CIOs.
Subject to parliamentary approval, implementation is now expected to start in early 2012. Implementation will have to be phased to help the Charity Commission manage anticipated demand. An announcement will be made in due course.
Charities Act 2006
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what representations he has received on the implementation of Part 3 of the Charities Act 2006; and if he will publish these representations. [72555]
Mr Hurd:
Chapters 2 and 3 of part 3 of the Charities Act 2006 have been implemented. However, chapter 1, which makes provision for the regulation of public charitable collections, has not yet been implemented. I have received a number of representations from Members of this House, charity sector representatives and local licensing authorities, arguing both for and against implementation. I do not intend to publish these as I have publicly stated that the review of the Charities Act
10 Oct 2011 : Column 114W
2006, due to start shortly, will consider the options for the future licensing and regulation of public charitable collections.
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he plans to consult the civil society sector on the development of terms of reference under the Charities Act 2006. [72556]
Mr Hurd: There will not be a formal consultation with the civil society sector on the development of the terms of reference for the review of the Charities Act 2006. Our intention is that the review's terms of reference will give it a broad scope to consider the legal and regulatory framework for charities, and fundraising for charitable purposes. An announcement about the review will be made shortly.
Charities: Finance
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking in respect of street fundraisers. [72554]
Mr Hurd: The licensing and regulation of charitable, philanthropic or benevolent fundraising in the street will be considered as part of the forthcoming statutory review of the Charities Act 2006. An announcement about the review will be made shortly.
Departmental Air Travel
John Mann: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which travel management companies his Department uses for the purchase of airline tickets. [72682]
Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office uses Carlson Wagon Lit (CWT) as the travel management company for booking airline tickets.
Chief Scientific Adviser
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what the resource budget allocation was for the office of his Department’s chief scientific adviser in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [72438]
(2) what the salary, including benefits, was of his Department’s chief scientific adviser in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many individuals have held the post in the last five years; [72439]
(3) how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in the office of his Department’s chief scientific adviser in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and on what date the office was established. [72440]
Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office does not have a departmental scientific adviser.
The Government’s chief scientific adviser (GCSA), Sir John Beddington, has responsibility for ensuring that policy and decision-making across Government are underpinned by robust scientific evidence.
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Part of this role coincides with the cross-Government work of the Cabinet Office in that the GCSA:
Provides scientific advice to No. 10 and Cabinet where needed;
Normally chairs the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), which provides scientific advice to the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms (COBR) in times of crisis;
Chairs the National Security Council Officials’ Science and Technology sub-committee (NSC(O)S&T).
The GCSA also has oversight of other cross-Government science issues. For example, the scrutiny of the scientific evidence underpinning the National Risk Assessment (NRA), which is owned by responsible Departments and the Cabinet Office.
Government Office for Science supports the GCSA and is located in the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills.
Consultants
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what information his Department holds on the average daily rate paid to external consultants across central Government in each of the last five financial years. [72139]
Mr Maude: Last year the Government saved over £800 million on consultancy as a result of the controls they put in place. These controls currently remain and will be supported by a new centralised contract, currently being finalised for common consultancy roles, to improve the way central Government purchase consultancy.
The Cabinet Office does not hold average day rates for consultancy across Government. Departments are responsible for their own purchasing of consultants because of the specific nature of individual requirements.
Disabled Staff
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people with disabilities were employed by each Government department in each of the last five years. [72088]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2011:
10 Oct 2011 : Column 116W
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people with disabilities were employed by each Government department in each of the last five years (72088).
Civil Service Statistics are published annually by the Office for National Statistics on the ONS website. Civil Service Statistics seek to collect the disability status of every civil servant but government departments can only record individuals as 'disabled' if the individuals concerned have actively declared themselves so. Therefore, the estimates in the table show the number of people who have declared themselves to be disabled.
A copy of the table has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
Legal Opinion: Costs
Angela Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average hourly rate paid was to external (a) solicitors and (b) barristers engaged by his Department in 2010-11; what guidance his Department uses in commissioning external legal advice; and if he will publish (i) the names of each external (A) solicitor and (B) barrister engaged by his Department in 2010-11 and (ii) the sums paid in each case. [72559]
Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office commissions external legal advisers in line with its policy guidance for the use of consultancy and other external resources.
Complete information with regard to hourly rates and specific individuals appointed is not held centrally and is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.
Procurement
Owen Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the 10 largest suppliers of goods and services to his Department were in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11, measured in terms of the total monetary value of expenditure incurred; and what the (i) purpose and (ii) monetary value was of each contract with each such supplier. [69336]
Mr Maude: The 10 largest suppliers to the Cabinet Office by value in 2009-10 and 2010-11 are set out in the table.
| Supplier | Services supplied | £ |
|
Civil Service pension payroll services, medical advisory services, and temporary labour |
||
|
Consultancy support to Civil Service Pension Transformation programme |
||
10 Oct 2011 : Column 117W
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|
Employee and financial transaction services and Civil Service pension administration services |
||
|
Consultancy support to Civil Service Pension Transformation programme |
||
Information relating to the total monetary value of each contract may be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the merits of including socio-economic considerations in public procurement tenders. [72398]
Mr Maude: Public sector procurers are required to assess value for money from the perspective of the contracting authority using criteria linked to the subject matter of the contract, including compliance with the published specification.
Wider socio-economic benefits that do not accrue to the contracting authority cannot be taken into account at tender evaluation stage as they do not relate to the subject matter of a contract from the point of view of the contracting authority.
However, there is currently a review of public procurement under way, which is examining UK application of EU procurement rules. The review will consider any actions the Government need to take to help ensure that UK businesses can compete for Government work on an equal footing with their competitors.
Employment: Private and Public Sector
Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) how many private sector jobs were created in each month in the last two years in each parliamentary constituency in the UK; [72023]
(2) what proportion of employment was in the public sector in each parliamentary constituency in (a) June 2010 and (b) June 2011; [72032]
(3) what the rates of unemployment were in the 100 parliamentary constituencies with the greatest level of public sector employment in each of the last 18 months. [72039]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking how many private sector jobs were created in each month in the last two years in each parliamentary constituency (72023); what proportion of employment was public sector employment in each parliamentary constituency in (a) June 2010 and (b) June 2011 (72032); and what the rates of unemployment were in the hundred parliamentary constituencies with the greatest level of public sector employment in each of the last 18 months. (72039)
Due to small sample sizes, estimates of the number of private sector jobs created are not available for parliamentary constituencies.
Table 1 shows the percentage of public sector employment in each parliamentary constituency, from the Annual Population Survey (APS), for the latest available period (January 2010 to December 2010) and for 12 months earlier. Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey.
Table 2 shows the unemployment rate in the 100 parliamentary constituencies with the highest level of public sector employment (based on the January 2010 to December 2010 period) for each period from the twelve month period July 2008 to June 2009 to the latest available period.
As the information requested is quite extensive, a copy has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
Financial Services: Manpower
John Mann: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate has been made of the number of jobs in the financial sector in each quarter since 2007. [72730]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority, I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning the number of jobs in the financial sector in each quarter since 2007. (72730)
The following table contains the seasonally adjusted number of UK workforce jobs in the financial sector in each quarter since 2007. Workforce jobs include employee jobs, self-employed jobs and government-supported trainees. Quarterly estimates since 1978 are available at
www.ons.gov.uk
| United Kingdom | |
| Seasonally adjusted (thousand) | |
|
|
Total workforce jobs in SIC2007 section K; financial and insurance activities |
10 Oct 2011 : Column 119W
| Source: Business Statistics Division, ONS | |
Immigration
George Freeman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the level of immigration from outside the EU was (a) by country of origin, (b) by continent of origin and (c) in total in each of the last 10 months; and if he will make a statement. [72288]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the level of immigration from outside the EU was (a) by country of origin, (b) by continent of origin and (c) in total in each of the last 10 months; and if he will make a statement (72288).
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) uses the International Passenger Survey (IPS) to estimate flows of international migrants into and out of the United Kingdom. The IPS is a sample survey and cannot provide monthly estimates of migration.
The latest annual long-term international migration estimates by citizenship and country of last/next residence relate to calendar year 2009; these are available on the ONS website in the 3 Series IPS tables (3.01) by using the following link:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-228078
Marriage Certificates: Wales
Hywel Williams: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many marriage certificates were issued in Wales in each of the last three years; and how many and what proportion were in the English only format. [72310]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many marriage certificates were issued in Wales in each of the last three years, and how many and what proportion were in the English only format [72310].
The table below shows the number of marriages registered in Wales between 2006 and 2008, the latest year for which figures are available. The table also shows the number and percentage of these in which the information has been entered in both the English and Welsh languages.
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| Table 1 : Bilingual and English only marriage registrations in Wales, 2006-08 | |||||
| Bilingual registrations | English only registrations | ||||
|
|
Number of marriages registered | Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage |
| Source: Office for National Statistics. | |||||
Once a marriage has been registered, it is possible to purchase one or more certified copies (certificates) of the register entry. These will be an exact copy of the information as recorded in the entry. A central record of the number of such certificates issued locally across Wales is not compiled.
Public Sector: Manpower
Ian Austin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) how many people were employed in the public sector in (a) the West Midlands and (b) Dudley borough in each of the last three years; [72545]
(2) how many people were employed in a (a) full-time capacity and (b) a part-time capacity in the public sector in (i) the West Midlands and (ii) Dudley borough in each of the last three years. [72546]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking how many people were employed in the public sector in (a) the West Midlands and (b) Dudley Borough in each of the last three years; and how many people were employed in a (a) full-time capacity and (b) a part-time capacity in the public sector in (i) the West Midlands and (ii) Dudley Borough in each of the last three years. (72545 & 72546)
Public Sector employment statistics for local areas can be calculated from the Annual Population Survey (APS). Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey.
Table 1 shows the number of persons employed in the public sector, broken down by part-time and full-time, resident in the West Midlands and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council. The figures have been provided from the APS for the 12 month periods ending in December from 2008 to 2010, the latest period for which figures are available.
As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
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Unemployment
Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the unemployment rate is for (a) professional managers and senior officials, (b) skilled workers and (c) unskilled workers. [72057]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the unemployment rate is for (a) professional managers and senior officials, (b) skilled workers and (c) unskilled workers. [72057]
For the period April-June 2011 the UK unemployment rate for people previously employed as a corporate manager, director or senior official was an estimated 3 per cent. The unemployment rate for people previously employed in skilled and unskilled occupations was an estimated 5 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. In each case, the unemployment rate has been based on a denominator comprising the sum of all those currently employed in the occupational group and all those unemployed who reported that their previous job was in that group.
Estimates for unemployment are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) with previous occupation based on the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC). The structure of the SOC allows the measurement of 'skill levels' for occupations that are similar in terms of qualification, training, skill and experience.
In accordance with the International Labour Organization (ILO) convention, people are classed as unemployed if they are: without a job, and have actively sought work in the last four weeks; or, out of work, have found a job and are waiting to start it in the next two weeks.
Treasury
11 Downing Street: Official Hospitality
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) official and (b) charity receptions he has held at 11 Downing street in 2010-11; and what the (i) date and (ii) cost to the public purse was of each. [72431]
Justine Greening: There have been more than 20 receptions held for charities in the last 16 months hosted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other Ministers.
There has been no cost to the public purse for any reception held at No. 11.
Bank of England: Public Appointments
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the possibility of re-appointment to the post of Governor of the Bank of England for a second term. [71922]
Mr Hoban: Schedule 1 of The Bank of England Act' 1998 states that appointment as Governor or Deputy Governor of the Bank shall be for a period of five years. The current Governor, appointed in 2003, is on his second term in office. The Bank of England Act 1998, as amended by the Banking Act 2009, provides that a person may not be appointed as Governor more than twice.
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to enhance pre-appointment scrutiny of members of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England by the House of Commons. [71979]
Justine Greening: The Treasury Select Committee (TSC) conducts pre-commencement hearings of members of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England. These hearings take place after appointments have been made, but before members start work.
The Government consider appointments for MPC members as market sensitive and therefore not appropriate for pre-appointment scrutiny.
Bristol and West: Shares
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make representations to the Irish government on the position of UK holders of Bristol and West Permanent Interest Bearing Shares; and if he will make a statement. [72389]
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Mr Hoban: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 6 September 2011, Official Report, column 342W.
Business
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the contribution of non-EU based businesses in the (a) financial and (b) insurance sector to the UK's total GDP in each of the last five years. [71905]
Mr Hoban: The data breakdown required to provide estimates of the contribution of non-EU based businesses in the financial and insurance sectors to the UK's total GDP is not available. However we are able to provide estimates of the contribution of the Financial Intermediation—which includes both the financial and insurance sectors—sector to GDP over each of the last five years.
In 2009 Financial Intermediation represented 10.0% of nominal Gross Value Added; in 2008 it represented 9.0%; in 2007 it represented 8.3%; in 2006 it represented 7.7%; and in 2005 it represented 7.1%.
CF Arch Cru Investment Fund
Caroline Flint: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason he has not established an inquiry under Section 14 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 in respect of the CF Arch Cru Investment Fund. [72515]
Mr Hoban: In relation to Arch Cru funds, Capita Financial Managers Limited (CFM) announced that "The FSA will, in due course, be publishing a statement of its findings in relation to CFM's role regarding the Arch Cru funds". The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is continuing to look at the issues surrounding the Arch Cru funds and while the FSA's work is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for the Government to make any further comment on this issue or commit to taking any action as a result.
Charity Bank
Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the permanent site of the headquarters of the Charity Bank in Cardiff; and if he will make a statement. [71719]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
I have not received any representations on locating the big society bank in Cardiff, but I have recently visited Wales to discuss social investment and promote the bank there.
It is for Big Society Capital to choose where it locates its headquarters.
Child Benefit
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many individuals will be affected by the proposed withdrawal of child benefit for claimants or their partners liable to pay higher rate tax are women; [72114]
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(2) in how many cases of those affected by the proposed withdrawal of child benefit for claimants or their partners liable to pay higher rate income tax (a) the child benefit claimant only, (b) the partner of the child benefit claimant only and (c) both the child benefit claimant and their partner are liable to pay higher rate income tax. [72115]
Mr Gauke: Child benefit is paid to an individual claimant on behalf of the child, and not for the personal benefit of the claimant. Child benefit will be withdrawn from families where the claimant, or their partner (with whom they are living) is a higher rate taxpayer.
Around 1.5 million families are affected. Around 1.3 million affected families contain one higher rate taxpayer and around 130,000 affected families contain two higher rate taxpayers. Around 55,000 of the affected families are lone-parent families. Of these, around 35,000 are female and around 20,000 are male.
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to treat the savings from the proposed withdrawal of child benefit for claimants or their partners liable to pay higher rate tax as (a) a reduction in tax revenue or (b) a saving in public expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [72118]
Mr Gauke: Consistent with the ONS’s advice, table 2.2 of Budget 2011 shows the savings as a spending reduction, available at:
http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_complete.pdf
Cluster Munitions
Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with representatives of (a) Royal Bank of Scotland and (b) Lloyds on investments in companies that produce cluster munitions; and if he will make a statement. [72762]
Mr Hoban: The Government's shareholdings in the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) are managed on a commercial and arm's length basis by UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI), a company which is wholly owned by the Government.
UKFI's role is to manage the Government's investments, not to manage the banks—the banks retain their own independent boards and management teams to manage the banks commercially without interference from shareholders.
Both publicly-owned banks have issued denials that they knowingly support or provide finance to companies who manufacture weapons that would be in breach of the convention. RBS has publicly stated that it will not knowingly support or provide finance to companies who manufacture weapons that would be in breach of the letter or the spirit of the convention.
Coastal Communities Fund: Scotland
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on their involvement in the allocation of the Coastal Communities Fund. [71939]
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Danny Alexander [holding answer 15 September 2011]: I have had no such discussions with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. The Scottish Government will be fully consulted as the Government take forward the Coastal Communities Fund.
Departmental Air Travel
John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) which travel management companies his Department uses for the purchase of airline tickets; [72689]
(2) what (a) contractual obligations and (b) other processes his Department uses in respect of travel management companies to ensure the best value is achieved when purchasing airline tickets. [72703]
Justine Greening: HM Treasury has used Carlson Wagonlit Travel since 2007 for the purchase of airline tickets. The contract with Carlson Wagonlit Travel requires the supplier to continually source and negotiate improved fares on behalf of HM Treasury. The supplier is also required to provide the Department with monthly management information on the savings they have achieved for the Department.
HM Treasury employees are required to book travel in accordance with the Departments Travel and Subsistence policy which advises on booking travel in the most cost-effective way.
Chief Scientific Adviser
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the resource budget allocation was for the office of his Department's chief scientific adviser in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [72495]
(2) what the salary, including benefits, was of his Department's chief scientific adviser in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many individuals have held the post in the last five years; [72496]
(3) how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in the office of his Department's chief scientific adviser in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and on what date the office was established. [72497]
Justine Greening: Dr James Richardson has been chief scientific adviser (CSA) at HM Treasury since the post was established in June 2011. His salary is notified through the usual public disclosure provisions for the SCS. It is between £85,000 and £90,000.
There are no specific resources reserved exclusively to support the CSA, but resources are drawn on from across the Treasury for work arising from the post as appropriate.
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on requiring his Department's (a) agencies and non-departmental public bodies and (b) contractors to have a written code of practice or protocol relating to the provision, conduct and quality assurance of scientific evidence and advice. [72498]
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Justine Greening: HM Treasury is committed to handling all scientific evidence and advice in accordance with the “Government Social Research Code” and the Government chief scientific adviser's “Guidelines on the use of science and engineering advice in policy making”.
Scientific evidence and advice may be used to support material submitted by other Departments and agencies to HM Treasury, but in the usual course of its business HM Treasury does not independently contract research or advice on scientific matters. HMT has no formal requirement that a written code of practice or protocol relating to the provision, conduct and quality assurance of scientific evidence and advice must be provided to contracted scientific advisers. The usual provisions that relate to a wider range of procurements do apply.
Disclosure of Information
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has issued guidance and instructions to Cabinet colleagues regarding the sign-off and agreement of policy announcements over the party conference season; and if he will place in the Library a copy of any such guidance; [68179]
(2) when he plans to answer question 68179 on policy announcements during the party conference season tabled on 18 July 2011 for answer on 5 September. [71971]
Danny Alexander [holding answer 15 September 2011]:The Treasury and Cabinet Office have issued joint guidance setting out the timetables and processes for obtaining any necessary approvals or collective agreement ahead of party conferences, in line with the rules set out in the Cabinet Manual and “Managing public money”.
Staff Survey
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how often his Department conducts a staff survey; and if he will place a copy of the report of the most recent staff survey in the Library. [72375]
Justine Greening: HM Treasury runs an annual staff survey every autumn as part of the cross-government Civil Service People Survey. The most recent survey was held in autumn 2010; the results for HM Treasury are available on the HM Treasury website. A summary of the results has been placed in the Library following this request.
Staff Magazine
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department produces a staff magazine; and with what frequency. [72504]
Justine Greening: HM Treasury does not produce a staff magazine.
Training
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) seminars, (b) workshops and (c) exhibitions were held by the human resources team in his Department in 2010-11. [72503]
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Justine Greening: In 2010-11, alongside a programme of formal training events, staff from HM Treasury's human resources team ran a number of regular informal internal seminars and workshops for Treasury staff on a range of subjects including health and wellbeing, recruitment and pay. No exhibitions took place in that time.
Departmental Written Questions
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what deadlines his Department's Parliamentary Unit normally sets for the receipt of draft answers to (a) written parliamentary questions for answer on a named day and (b) other written parliamentary questions from officials. [72377]
Justine Greening: Treasury Ministers endeavour to answer questions within the timescales set by the House of Commons. This determines the date by which officials are asked to prepare draft replies.
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions in the last 12 months he has circulated guidance to other Departments relating to answers to round-robin written parliamentary questions. [72378]
Justine Greening: In their response to the Third Report of Session 2003-04 from the Public Administration Select Committee, the previous Government made clear that while individual Departments may liaise with each other when they receive the same question, this co-ordination:
“does not cut across the line of ministerial accountability which is that it is for individual Ministers to decide on the final content of an answer to a Parliamentary Question.”
The Treasury has provided advice to other Government Departments on this basis.
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many written parliamentary questions his Department has taken longer than 10 days to answer in the current Session. [72420]
Justine Greening: Treasury Ministers responded within 10 days to 3,727 of the 4,084 (91.3%) written questions tabled to the Treasury since the beginning of the current session.
The Leader of the House provides the Procedure Committee with Sessional statistics about all Departments’ performance in providing written answers.
Economic Policy
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to include an assessment of the Government's fiscal consolidation as part of his strategy for economic growth. [72235]
Justine Greening: The Government created the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) in June 2010, bringing independence, greater transparency and credibility to the economic and fiscal forecasts upon which fiscal policy is based.
The Chancellor has announced that the OBR will publish the next Economic and Fiscal Outlook on 29 November 2011.
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Economic Situation: International Co-operation
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his US counterpart during the recent G7 summit on supporting global economic growth and stability. [71904]
Justine Greening: The Chancellor is in regular contact with his G7 partners (including the US) to discuss a range of issues, including the global economy. The global economy was discussed at the Marseille G7 meeting, where Ministers and Governors committed to a strong and coordinated international response to maintain financial stability, restore confidence and support growth.
Energy: Prices
Albert Owen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings (a) he and (b) officials of his Department have had with representatives of the six largest energy companies to discuss electricity and gas prices in 2011 to date. [71550]
Justine Greening [holding answer 13 September 2011]: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the usual policymaking process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.
Equitable Life: Compensation
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons he has not used his statutory powers under the Policyholders Protection Act 1997 to require the insurance industry to contribute to restoring the losses of Equitable Life policyholders. [72319]
Mr Hoban: The Equitable Life Payment Scheme has been set up in recognition of losses suffered by Equitable Life policyholders as a result of Government maladministration. It would not be appropriate to require the insurance industry to contribute to the cost of this.
Henry Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider further compensation for Equitable Life policy holders to take account of inflation since 2009. [71928]
Mr Hoban: Payments will be made in accordance with the profile set out at the spending review settlement—with £1 billion allocated to the scheme in the first three years of this spending review—and the Independent Commission on Equitable Life Payments' recommendations on the prioritisation of payments.
Payments will be free of UK income tax, capital gains tax, or (in the case of companies) corporation tax. More detail on how this will apply across the tax system, including inheritance tax and tax credits, is set out in the Scheme rules, available at:
http://equitablelifepaymentscheme.independent.gov.uk/docs/pdfs/elps_main_doc_final.pdf
Excise Duties: Fuels
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will assess the effects of road fuel duty on small businesses; and if he will make a statement; [72199]
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(2) what recent assessment he has made of the level of taxation on (a) diesel and (b) unleaded petrol on the standard of living of (A) job seekers and (B) pensioners; and if he will make a statement; [72200]
(3) what recent discussions he has held with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in respect of the effects on rural businesses of the cost of petrol; and if he will make a statement; [72201]
(4) what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on the effects of the removal of the bio-diesel duty differential on achieving the Government’s targets for green energy usage; and if he will make a statement; [72202]
(5) if he will assess the effects of the volatility of the price of fuel on the economic growth of small businesses; and if he will make a statement. [72203]
Justine Greening: Small businesses including those in rural areas are affected by a range of measures to tackle the deficit and support growth including fuel duty and other policy measures. From April the small profits rate of corporation tax reduced to 20%. Budget 2011 added to this by extending the small business rate relief holiday by one year from 1 October 2011. Businesses may reclaim VAT and deduct other business costs including fuel costs under existing business tax arrangements.
The Government’s taxation decisions including on fuel duty support their objective to achieve strong, sustainable growth. Budget 2011 reduced fuel duty by 1 penny per litre, abolished the fuel duty escalator and replaced it with a fair fuel stabiliser. As of 1 April 2011, small businesses, job seekers and pensioners could have benefited from average pump prices being 6 pence per litre lower as a result of these changes compared to the previous Government’s fuel duty plans.
Treasury Ministers routinely discuss a range of issues with Cabinet colleagues.
Financial Institutions: Hearing Impaired
Jim Dowd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken, and what further steps he plans to take, to assist British Sign Language users to communicate with financial institutions (a) in person, (b) by telephone and (c) by other electronic means. [71793]
Mr Hoban: As part of its implementation of the European Framework on Electronic Communications, Government are supporting deaf, deaf/blind and hard of hearing telecoms users by pursuing the duty for businesses and organisations to provide suitable access to equivalent services and products for disabled users through the eAccessibility Forum, which draws together Government, industry and the voluntary sector to explore and understand issues of e-accessibility and develop and share best practice across all sectors.
Ofcom is currently conducting a review of the adequacy of relay services for people with hearing difficulties in the UK, to assess whether existing provisions provide equivalent access.
To complement Ofcom's review of future relay services in the UK, one of the eAccessibility Forums work streams is looking at ways we can improve the present use of text relay service in the UK. Lloyds Banking
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Group as well as BT, The Employers forum for Disability Issues, The Post Office, and the Motability Contact Centre are working with the forum to improve the level of service provided by just not only financial institutions but businesses and organisations alike.
The Equality Act 2010 also requires companies providing services to make reasonable adjustments for those customers with disabilities, including customers with hearing difficulties.
Financial Services
Mark Garnier: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many claims for compensation in respect of the NDF Administration Fixed Income Plan June 2008 submitted to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and assessed by a subcontractor, were successful in receiving compensation on the (a) first, (b) second, (c) third and (d) fourth attempt; [71755]
(2) how many claims for compensation in respect of the NDF Administration Fixed Income Plan June 2008 submitted to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme since 2008 were assessed by a subcontractor; and how many of these were (a) approved and (b) rejected; [71756]
(3) how many applications for compensation in respect of the NDF Administration Fixed Income Plan June 2008 the Financial Services Compensation Scheme has received since 2008; [71757]
(4) what the highest number of claims is for compensation received by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme from one applicant in respect of the NDF Administration Fixed Income Plan June 2008; [71758]
(5) how many applications to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme for compensation in respect of the NDF Administration Fixed Income Plan June 2008 were successful on the (a) first, (b) second, (c) third and (d) fourth attempt; [71760]
(6) whether secondary, tertiary and additional applications for compensation in respect of the NDF Administration Fixed Income Plan June 2008, submitted to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and assessed by a subcontractor but unsuccessful on the first attempt were sent to the same subcontractor for consideration on subsequent occasions; and by what mechanism applications were divided between FSCS and subcontractors. [71765]
Mr Hoban: This is a matter for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which as a non-Government body administers the scheme independently from Government. I have written to the chief executive of FSCS, asking him to reply directly.
Immigration: Students
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department regarding the potential impact of reforms to the student immigration system on (a) growth and (b) the fiscal position. [72052]
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Danny Alexander: Treasury Ministers hold regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a wide range of issues. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such discussions
Inflation: Annuities
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effect of inflation on the annuities market. [71213]
Mr Hoban [holding answer 9 September 2011]: No recent assessment has been made of the effect of inflation on the annuities market.
For those who decide to use their pension to purchase an annuity, shopping around for the best rate may increase their income. In particular, there are higher rates available for smokers and people with health conditions, so they should check whether a better deal is available elsewhere before accepting their provider's offer.
Those who are worried that rising inflation may reduce the purchasing power of their annuity income can consider purchasing an index-linked annuity. This product would adjust their income in line with inflation thereby providing protection against future price rises.
Insurance: Unfair Practices
Emma Reynolds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information his Department holds on the average waiting time for resolution of complaints by the Financial Services Ombudsman for cases involving the mis-selling of payment protection insurance. [72274]
Mr Hoban: The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is operationally independent of Government. According to their annual review, 41% of all complaints (including payment protection insurance (PPI)) were settled within three months, 70% within six months, 81% within nine months and 87% within 12 months. Their latest published quarterly figures show that they received 56,025 new cases about PPI between April and June 2011. HM Treasury does not hold more detailed information on waiting times than the data the FOS publishes.
There is currently a large number of PPI complaints at the FOS due to a build-up of claims following the banks’ earlier refusal to deal with cases during the British Bankers’ Association’s judicial review of the FSA and the FOS’s approach to PPI. The FOS is currently working closely with the banks to ensure cases can be resolved as soon as possible.
Judiciary
Mr Gale: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the funding of the proposal to televise aspects of the work of the judiciary; and if he will make a statement. [71753]
Danny Alexander: Treasury Ministers hold regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a wide range of issues. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practise to provide details of all such discussions.
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Loans: Greece
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that the Government will provide no additional public sector support to the Government of Greece in the event that that country seeks further financial assistance. [72194]
Mr Hoban: The international financial assistance package for Greece agreed in May 2010 included a €30 billion loan from the international Monetary Fund and €80 billion of bilateral loans from euro area member states. There was no contribution either from the EU Budget or from the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism, which is backed by the EU Budget.
The Prime Minister secured agreement at the June European Council that the EU-wide European Financial Stability Mechanism (EFSM) would not be used in a second assistance package for Greece.
Members: Correspondence
Graham Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Exchequer Secretary plans to respond to the letters of (a) 27 January 2011 and (b) 15 April 2011 from the hon. Member for Weaver Vale on behalf of Mr John Reilly. [64020]
Mr Gauke: I have replied to my hon. Friend.
I also replied to the same inquiry forwarded by my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr O'Brien).
Mike Crockart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the Complaints Manager, HMRC Customer Operations Complaints Service, Queensway House, East Kilbride to respond to the Member for Edinburgh West's letters of 1 August 2011 and 25 August 2011 regarding Mrs D E Cooper. [72228]
Mr Gauke: A member of the Complaints Team at East Kilbride replied to the letter of 1 August 2011 by telephone on 8 August 2011.
The Complaints Manager at East Kilbride replied to the letter of 25 August 2011 on 2 September 2011.
These letters were responded to within the Department's 15 working days target.
Mortgages: Northern Ireland
Dr McCrea: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many mortgage repossessions have taken place in Northern Ireland since autumn 2008. [72205]
Mr Hoban: The Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Financial Services Authority collect data on repossessions across the UK. There are no specific repossessions data for Northern Ireland. The Ministry of Justice collects data on writs and summonses for possessions in Northern Ireland. There have been 11,035 since August 2008. The number fell 13% from 2009 to 2010.
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National Insurance Contributions
Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of extending the national insurance holiday scheme to apply to one additional employee taken on by existing businesses with four or fewer members of staff; [71267]
(2) how many new businesses in Newton Abbot constituency have benefited under the national insurance holiday scheme. [71305]
Mr Gauke [holding answer 15 September 2011]: A reliable estimate of the potential cost of extending the national insurance contributions (NICs) holiday to existing micro businesses who employ one additional member of staff is not available due to data limitations.
The Government have considered the case for extending the NICs holiday to all existing micro businesses but believe the best use of public funds at this time is to keep the NICs holiday as a targeted scheme for those areas in most need of employment support.
A breakdown of successful applications for the NICs holiday by constituency will be published in the NICs Holiday Factsheet in the House of Commons Library in the autumn.
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time jobs were created in (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales, (iv) Northern Ireland and (v) each parliamentary constituency as a result of the temporary waiver from employer's national insurance contributions for the hiring of new employees in each month since the introduction of that waiver. [71345]
Mr Gauke: A breakdown of the number of jobs that have been supported by the NICs holiday, by region and constituency, will be published in the NICs Holiday Factsheet in the House of Commons Library in the autumn.
Due to data limitations the factsheet will not differentiate between full-time and part-time jobs that have been supported by the policy.
National Insurance Contributions: Devizes
Claire Perry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses in Devizes constituency have benefited from the National insurance contributions holiday scheme to date. [72012]
Mr Gauke: A breakdown of successful applications for the NICs holiday by constituency will be published in the NICs Holiday Factsheet in the House of Commons Library in the autumn.
National Insurance Contributions: New Businesses
Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for the national insurance holiday scheme had been (a) received and (b) approved in each region as at 13 September 2011. [72090]
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Mr Gauke: A breakdown of successful applications for the NICs holiday by region will be published in the NICs holiday factsheet in the House of Commons Library in the autumn.
Oil: Prices
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of recent trends in oil prices on (a) the UK's public finances, (b) the UK economy and (c) inflation. [72295]
Justine Greening: The Government consider a range of factors when assessing prospects for the economy and public finances.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is responsible for producing independent economic and fiscal forecasts. The OBR published an ‘Assessment of the Effect of Oil Price Fluctuations on the Public Finances’ in September 2010, which is available online at:
http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/wordpress/docs/assessment_oilprice_publicfinances.pdf
The Chancellor has asked the OBR to publish a new economic and fiscal forecast on 29 November.
Pensions: Tax Allowances
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account he will take of the effects of tax relief on pension contributions in considering the future of the 50% rate of income tax. [72193]
Mr Gauke: The Chancellor takes all relevant factors into account when making decisions on tax rates, including any decision on the 50% rate of income tax.
The Chancellor made clear in his Budget 2011 speech that the 50% rate is a temporary measure. In an age when business, capital and people are increasingly mobile, high tax rates send a negative signal to those looking to work and invest in the UK.
The Chancellor has asked HM Revenue and Customs to assess the revenue from the 50% rate of income tax. As I outlined in debates around the 2011 Finance Bill, HMRC will consider all available evidence on the impact of the 50% rate including data from 2010-11 self-assessment returns which will become available next year.
Personal Taxation
Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of monthly earnings is paid in taxes on average by persons in each income decile. [72031]
Mr Gauke: Estimates of the proportion of earnings paid in income tax and employee national insurance contributions by hypothetical earners at the mid percentile point of each decile of the employee earnings distribution in 2011-12 are set out in the following table.
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| Position in earnings distribution | Percentage earnings | |||
| Percentile point | Gross earnings (1 ) (£ per month) | Income tax (2) | Employee NICs (2) | Income tax and employee NICs (2) |
| (1) Decile mid percentile points show gross monthly earnings for all employees, based on Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data to April 2010 (Great Britain), projected to 2011-12 using earnings growth assumptions consistent with the OBR's March 2011 economic and fiscal outlook. (2) Calculation based on an individual aged under 65 paying employee NICs (not contracted out). | ||||
Planning: Costs
Jack Dromey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the oral answer of 6 September 2011, Official Report, column 170, on planning costs, what evidence his Department holds that shows planning costs in Britain are among the highest in the world; and if he will place in the Library a copy of any such evidence. [71934]
Justine Greening: The Plan for Growth published in March 2011 sets out the costs imposed by the planning system on business and the wider economy, and the actions the Government are taking to create a planning system that makes the right land available in the right places to deliver the commercial development, vital infrastructure and housing that the country needs while ensuring development is sustainable.
Pocket Lighters: Import Controls
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether customs officers are instructed to seize at UK ports of entry pocket lighters which do not conform to EU and UK safety standards; [72811]
(2) what information HM Revenue and Customs holds on the number of pocket lighters entering the UK which do not comply with the safety standards in Commission Decision 2006/502/EC. [72815]
Damian Green: I have been asked to reply.
HM Revenue and Customs and the UK Border Agency have no statutory powers at UK points of entry to seize pocket lighters and other non-food consumer products that do not conform to EU or UK safety standards.
UK product safety legislation assigns safety compliance checks at points of entry and elsewhere in the UK to local authorities acting in their statutory role as a market surveillance authority.
HM Revenue and Customs and UK Border Agency have powers to detain any suspect consignments and inform the relevant market surveillance authority, but
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their records do not hold information on the number of pocket lighters entering the UK which do not comply with the safety standards in Commission Decision 2006/502/EC.
Records of enforcement action taken on non compliant goods detected at UK points of entry are maintained locally by UK market surveillance authorities.
Public Finance
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the UK's credit rating. [70866]
Mr Hoban: Standard and Poor’s placed the UK’s AAA sovereign rating on negative outlook on 21 May 2009. In recognition of the Coalition Government’s plan to tackle the deficit, and the decisions announced in the October 2010 spending review, Standard & Poor’s later revised up its UK outlook from negative to stable on 26 October 2010. All three of the major credit rating agencies have affirmed the UK’s triple-A sovereign credit rating with a stable outlook. Most recently in June, Moody's stated,
“The stable outlook on the UK’s AAA rating is largely driven by the Government’s commitment to stabilise and eventually reverse the deterioration in its financial strength.”
Revenue and Customs: Leicester
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many unopened letters there are in HM Revenue and Customs processing offices in Leicester. [72376]
Mr Gauke: There are no unopened letters in HM Revenue and Customs processing offices in Leicester.
All inbound post is opened and date stamped with the date of receipt.
Revenue and Customs: Manpower
Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington of 29 June 2011, Official Report, column 818W, on Revenue and Customs: labour turnover, how many officers of Revenue and Customs he expects HM Revenue and Customs to recruit in each year of the comprehensive spending review period; and how many of these he expects to be deployed to work on compliance functions in each year. [70156]
Mr Gauke: I have interpreted 'Officers of Revenue and Customs' as staff of all grades recruited externally who will be working on compliance functions, rather than the literal translation of staff at 'officer' grade.
In addition, as the CST announced this year, an additional 2,250 HMRC staff will move into new anti-evasion and avoidance jobs.
Our only planned external recruitment will be the annual graduate intake for people on our Grade 7 Tax Development Programme.
Our plan is to bring 210 people on to the programme starting in September 2012. All of them will be engaged on compliance work. Nominations are invited from
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existing staff as well as external graduates so it is impossible to say how many new recruits will be joining HMRC.
Our work force plans are not developed to a point that enables me to provide a number for subsequent programmes at this time.
Sports Clubs
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what consideration he has given to applying the Gift Aid scheme to junior membership subscriptions paid to community amateur sports clubs; and what estimate he has made of the potential cost to the public purse of such a change; [72641]
(2) if he will consider the merits of extending the Community Amateur Sports Club scheme to include clubs with semi-professional players; [72642]
(3) what his policy is on establishing incentives for commercial organisations to donate to amateur sports clubs. [72643]
Justine Greening: The Sports and Recreation Alliance (SRA) produced a report in Spring 2011 recommending a number of changes to the Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) scheme. These recommendations include extending Gift Aid to junior membership subscriptions and allowing clubs with semi-professional players to register as CASCs.
I have asked officials to explore with the SRA all of the recommendations contained in their report. Changes to tax policy are announced at Budget.
The Government are keen to encourage commercial organisations to donate to amateur sports clubs and there is a tax relief available for donations to clubs that are charities. No representations have been received to introduce further incentives for commercial organisations to donate to sports clubs.
Tax Simplification
Mr Offord: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for tax simplification. [72536]
Mr Gauke: The Chancellor is committed to the ongoing process of simplifying the tax system. He set up the independent Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) last year, and has responded to their first review by announcing the abolition of 43 tax reliefs, and consulting on further abolitions. He has committed to improving HMRC's administration of IR35, and will examine reforms to integrate the operation of income tax and NICs. Further OTS reviews, to report before the 2012 Budget, are looking at pensioner taxation, approved employee share schemes and small .business tax issues, including disincorporation relief for small companies and a simpler income tax system for the smallest businesses.
Taxation: Business
Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Time to Pay arrangements involving sums over (a) £1 million and (b) £5 million there have been in the last 12 months; and how many such arrangements have been subject to independent business reviews. [71197]
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Mr Gauke: In the 12 months to August 2011 70 time to pay arrangements involving £1 million or more were agreed.
HMRC are unable to provide details of those cases above £5 million as the small numbers involved may breach taxpayer confidentiality.
In none of these 70 arrangements did we insist on an independent business review being prepared solely for HMRC.
Taxation: Foreign Companies
Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the potential effects on the size of the tax gap of the decision by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to redeploy staff from the controlled foreign companies (CFC) legacy team; how many members of staff there were in that team before the redeployment; how many have been redeployed to other work areas; where within HMRC the work they were undertaking has been transferred; and how many revenue and customs officers are working on CFC compliance. [70213]
Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs considers that there has been no impact on the size of the tax gap from the decision to reorganise work on current controlled foreign company (CFC) inquiries by forming a new team to undertake this work. The time spent by the advisory and operational staff previously engaged on this work as part of their wider duties has been reallocated. The advisory staff are now contributing to work on CFC reform in addition to their other existing duties, while the operational staff are engaged in additional corporation tax compliance work. Detailed information about the varying extent of the range of individual staff members previously involved in the CFC inquiry work is not available. CFC compliance work is now undertaken both by the new team and more generally remains an area of interest to all operational staff dealing with the corporation tax of international groups.
Taxation: Personal Savings
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the progress on the revised EU Savings Tax Directive; what activities have been undertaken by (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department on this directive; and if he will make a statement. [70440]
Mr Gauke: The UK is disappointed that the amending savings tax directive has not yet been agreed by the Council, due to reservations by a small number of member states. The UK continues to call for early adoption of the draft directive.
Taxation: Sports
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what exemptions his Department has granted on liability to income tax attributable to income tax on (a) endorsement income, (b) prize money and (c) appearance money paid by non-UK resident sporting performers in each of the last five financial years; [70556]
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(2) what estimate he has made of the level of revenue to the Exchequer attributable to income tax on (a) endorsement income, (b) prize money and (c) appearance money paid by non-UK resident sporting performers in each of the last five financial years; [70557]
(3) what his policy is on the exemption from liability to income tax on endorsement income paid to non-UK resident competitors in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games; [70558]
(4) what his policy is on the liability to corporation tax of international companies which set up a permanent establishment in the UK to perform work associated with organising the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games; [70559]
(5) if he will make an assessment of the costs to the Exchequer of the creation of exemptions for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games in respect of (a) corporation tax, (b) capital gains tax and (c) income tax withholdings on income paid to competitors and staff; [70560]
(6) what his policy is on the creation of exemptions for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games in respect of (a) corporation tax, (b) capital gains tax and (c) income tax withholdings on income paid to competitors and staff. [70561]
Mr Gauke: The Government’s policy is that exemptions to taxation have been considered for major sporting events only where the event represents the highest level of world sport and when provision of those exemptions is a pre-condition of a successful bid for an event. The Government will make an assessment of any future Exchequer impacts as part of any consideration it undertakes of applying the policy on concessions for major sporting events.
Non-UK resident companies will only be chargeable to corporation tax in the UK if they trade through a permanent establishment. A temporary presence in the UK of not more than six months solely for the purpose of carrying on activities related to the major sporting event will not be treated as creating a permanent establishment in the UK.
The Government have granted exemptions from UK taxation for sportspeople competing in the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. The exemptions covered income tax on appearance fees, prize money and endorsement income connected to performances at the event. The 2011 UEFA Champions League Final took place in the 2011-12 tax year, the London 2012 games will take place in the 2012-13 tax year.
Revenue from visiting sports professionals is not distinguished from that of visiting foreign entertainers in HMRC records. The information requested could therefore be obtained only through the examination of individual case files at disproportionate cost.
Trust Funds: Audit
Caroline Flint: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the performance of the auditors of (a) Capita Financial Managers Ltd and (b) the CF Arch Cru funds. [72358]
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Mr Hoban: The Financial Services Authority. (FSA) is responsible for the regulation of financial services firms and operates independently from Government under the powers given to it in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. HM Treasury sets the legal framework for the regulation of financial services, but does not have investigative or prosecuting powers of its own.
If the FSA were to have concerns over the performance of auditors, it would as a matter of general practice refer the case to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Tunisia: Economic Situation
Mr Gale: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the funding pledged by the G8 for the purpose of assisting economic reforms in Tunisia to be provided. [72433]
Mr Hoban: Finance Ministers of the Deauville Partnership, including the G8 and representatives from the region, met in Marseille on 10 September 2011 to discuss the historical changes under way in some countries of the Middle East and North Africa, including Tunisia. Bilateral donors, including the G8, will work to align their support with the national strategies and priorities set out by the countries of the region.
In May 2011, the Prime Minister announced increased support to the region, called the Arab Partnership, now worth £110 million between 2011 and 2013. This assistance is focused on those committed to reform, including Tunisia, where projects have already begun, for instance improving voter education.