Departmental Written Questions
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many parliamentary questions for (a) ordinary written answer and (b) written answer on a named day by his Department have remained unanswered for a period of two months since May 2010. [79572]
Developing Countries: Economic Situation
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the effects of the recession on (a) developing countries and (b) developed country aid provision. [77080]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: I have had a number of discussions regarding the effects of the recession with ministerial colleagues.
Developing Countries: Teachers
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which of his Department's country offices will deliver teacher training programmes to contribute to the Government's pledge to train 190,000 teachers by 2014; what plans he has to ensure that such programmes comply with the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities; and what guidance he has issued country offices on the use of participatory teaching methods to improve quality and inclusiveness in teaching. [78602]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government's pledge to train 190,000 teachers by 2014 will be delivered through multilateral organisations. DFID expects multilateral organisations to adhere to the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities in their operations. In addition, DFID is supporting teacher training through our bilateral education programme, as published in the Operational Plans of DFID Country Offices. In 2010, the Department issued a Guidance Note entitled "Education for children with disabilities—improving access and quality", which emphasises the importance of complying with the UN convention, and utilising inclusive methodologies in teaching to ensure quality and inclusiveness in education.
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Equatorial Guinea: Overseas Aid
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2011, Official Report, column 145W, on Equatorial Guinea: overseas aid, (1) what form the multilateral aid to Equatorial Guinea, to which the UK contributes, takes; [78847]
(2) what role the UK has in the oversight of performance, results and fiduciary issues relating to financial aid to Equatorial Guinea; [78846]
(3) if he will cease UK contributions to multilateral aid to Equatorial Guinea in light of the reports of excessive personal expenditure by a government Minister in that country; [78845]
Mr Duncan: In 2008-09 (the last year for which the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has published figures), Equatorial Guinea received $11 million in multilateral aid, comprising $5 million from the Global Fund to prevent malaria and treat HIV/AIDS, $4 million from EU institutions to improve governance, $1 million from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for HIV/AIDS education and clean water, and $1 million from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for reproductive health. The UK's imputed share of multilateral aid to Equatorial Guinea was £278,000 in 2008-09. Information on the imputed UK share of multilateral aid is published each year in Statistics on International Development.
The Global Fund's grant to Equatorial Guinea for anti-retroviral treatments for HIV/AIDS has now closed and its grant for the provision of anti-malaria bed-nets is nearly closed. Equatorial Guinea does not currently have access to the 10th allocation of the European Development Fund, because it has not ratified the 1st revision of the Cotonou agreement.
Along with other donors, the UK makes voluntary or assessed contributions to a range of multilateral development organisations which are not tied to a particular project, sector, or country and can be spent against any activity that relates to the organisation's mandate. It is for the organisations themselves, with approval from their management boards, to decide how best to allocate funding to meet their mandates.
Following the Multilateral Aid Review, the UK is pressing to improve performance, results, value for money and fiduciary control in the multilateral development organisations to which we contribute. We do this through technical discussions, high-level meetings between DFID Ministers and senior officials of the organisations concerned, and our membership of the management boards.
Overseas Aid
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what occasions Official Development Assistance funding has been used to fund construction of an airport. [79454]
Mr Duncan:
In order to fulfil obligations to provide basic levels of access, Official Development Assistance has been used over the past few years to fund elements of airport construction in two other Overseas Territories
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which are ODA eligible—Anguilla (completed in 2001) and Montserrat (2005). Aid has also been used in the past few years to assist the construction of an airport in Lashkar Gar in Afghanistan (2009).
St Helena: Airports
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the potential for increased tourism revenues arising from construction of an airport on St Helena. [79396]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development has commissioned a number of feasibility studies which have examined potential tourism revenues as a result of an airport. The first study was undertaken in 2005. A further analysis was undertaken in 2009. Assessments of revenue and expenditure scenarios were examined again in May 2010 as part of updated economic assessment work. Each of these analyses has concluded that an airport will contribute to a sharp increase in the number of tourists and to increases in tourism revenues.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what value for money assessment he has made of the decision to fund development of an airport on St Helena. [79398]
Mr Duncan: The business case for the St Helena airport agreed by Ministers has rigorously reviewed the value for money case for an airport. The value for money case builds on a number of economic and financial assessments which have been completed since 2005. All of these reports have come to the same conclusion, namely that the best long-term solution from an economic and financial perspective for both HMG and St Helena is to construct an airport. Building and running a new ship for St Helena would consign the island to long-term isolation, increase the island's dependence on UK aid indefinitely and therefore would cost the UK taxpayer more in the long run.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he has plans to fund infrastructure projects in British Overseas Territories in addition to the new airport at St Helena. [79399]
Mr Duncan: Providing and maintaining infrastructure for Overseas Territories in receipt of UK budgetary assistance is an important priority for the UK aid programme. Every investment in infrastructure in OTs is subject to the Treasury's five case model. As a result, each investment is subject to rigorous value for money assessments. Several investments are currently being considered in other Overseas Territories, including new housing, school and hospital building programmes in Montserrat and a maintenance project for Calshot Harbour on Tristan Da Cunha.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding has been committed to the new St Helena airport by the private sector. [79400]
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Mr Duncan: An independent review which looked at funding options concluded that a public-private partnership (PPP) approach was unlikely to deliver better value for money for taxpayers compared to the grant funded approach. The airport will therefore, in accordance with the review and consistent with decisions in the 2005 contract, be funded by the UK Government.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consultation his Department held with local residents on the development of a new airport on St Helena. [79401]
Mr Duncan: The people of St Helena have been consulted extensively over the last 10 years about the construction of an airport. The first referendum on the subject took place in January 2002 when 71.6% of respondents voted in favour of an airport. Focus meetings were held in community centres around the island in 2006. In 2009 a formal public consultation was held. The outcome of this consultation mirrored the 2002 referendum, with very strong majority support for an airport.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of his decision to grant funding for a new airport on St Helena. [79402]
Mr Duncan: A full Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed airport has been carried out to UK standards and has been reviewed by the Institute of Environmental Management. The reply given on 14 June 2011, Official Report, column 751W, provides a fuller statement on this subject.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effects on the economy of St Helena of his decision to grant funding for a new airport. [79403]
Mr Duncan: A full feasibility study was undertaken in 2005 which looked in detail at the impact on the economy of introducing air access to St Helena. This was reviewed in 2010. These studies show that an airport provides the best chance to reduce St Helena's dependence on UK aid. St Helena Government is currently reviewing its tax, investment, immigration and land policies and is enacting reforms in these and other areas. This is being done to encourage investment and private sector activity so that St Helena can take full advantage of the opportunities an airport will bring.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he received in advance of his decision to grant funding for the new St Helena airport. [79404]
Mr Duncan: The majority of St. Helenians, those living on the island and the diaspora living and working in Ascension, the Falklands, and in the UK, have long called for an airport to be built on St. Helena. These views are underlined by the results of recent referenda on the island which showed a clear majority in support of an airport. Many others connected with St. Helena have campaigned for opportunities for economic growth and development that only an airport can bring to the island.
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Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reason the Government's decision to fund an airport at St Helena was made in advance of the publication of the Government's strategy for the overseas territories. [79405]
Mr Duncan: This Government set out four conditions for the construction of an airport in July 2010, and these have now been met. The decision to fund an airport in St Helena is entirely consistent with the Government's vision for the overseas territories as vibrant and flourishing communities, generating wider opportunities for their people so they become less dependent on UK aid. It also brings to a close the uncertainty the British citizens of St Helena have been experiencing over their future since the airport project was approved in 2005 and 'paused' in 2008.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development from what budget within his Department the funding for the new airport on St Helena will come. [79406]
Mr Duncan: The airport will be funded from the Department for International Development's programme capital budget.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he expects the construction of the airport on St Helena to be completed. [79407]
Mr Duncan: The construction phase is due to complete towards the end of 2015.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs before reaching his decision on a new airport on St Helena. [79455]
Mr Duncan: The Department of International Development has worked very closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, at both official and ministerial level, in reaching the decision to build an airport on St. Helena. The Governor and Government of St. Helena have also played a full part in deliberations.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many bids he received for the design, build and operate contract for the new airport on St Helena. [79456]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development received one bid. The other company that had submitted a tender prior to the 'pause' in negotiations announced by the Labour Government in December 2008 declined to resubmit its tender in June 2011.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the tendering process was for awarding the design, build and operate contract for the new airport on St Helena. [79457]
Mr Duncan:
Following a market testing exercise conducted in October 2010, DFID reissued the Invitation to Tender to two bidders, Impregilo SpA and Basil Read (Pty) Limited. Both these companies had submitted
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tenders prior to the “pause” in negotiations announced by the Labour Government in December 2008. Impregilo declined to resubmit its tender in June 2011, leaving Basil Read (Pty) Ltd as the sole bidder. The tender was assessed and found to be compliant. The DFID/St Helena Government negotiation team entered into negotiations in early August 2011 and concluded negotiations in October 2011 at 20% below the previous offer in real terms, taking into account inflation and the value of the pound.
St Helena: Overseas Aid
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what criteria he used to determine that funding an airport on St Helena was an appropriate use of Official Development Assistance. [79458]
Mr Duncan: All the Department for International Development's (DFID's) support for St Helena meets the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) definition of Official Development Assistance (ODA). Special provision is made for development assistance to the British Overseas Territories under the International Development Act (2002).
Deputy Prime Minister
Voter Registration
Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2011, Official Report, column 1099W, on voter registration, what the reason was for the closure of the electoral participation fund; and what assessment he has made of the effects of closure on electoral registration levels. [78254]
Mr Harper: The decision to end the participation fund was taken as part of the emergency Budget which was published on 22 June 2010. One of the main reasons for the decision was the under-use of the fund. In its last full year only £427,190 —17.1% of the total available—was claimed by electoral registration officers. The Government have made no assessment of the effects of closure on electoral registration levels, but as part of the transition to individual electoral registration is funding research on the current state of the electoral register and under-registered groups.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has received any requests from international observers to monitor the implementation of his proposed changes to electoral registration legislation. [79424]
Mr Harper: As of 7 November 2011 the Government have not received any requests from international observers to monitor the implementation of individual electoral registration.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will consider extending the powers of Scottish and Welsh chief electoral officers to enable then to conduct registration initiatives similar to those undertaken in Northern Ireland. [79425]
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Mr Harper: Scotland and Wales do not have chief electoral officers. However, pursuant to the answer I gave on 11 October 2011, Official Report, column 342W, the Government are considering a number of ways to increase voter registration rates in the context of the move from household to individual electoral registration. This includes conducting research with groups who have traditionally been under-registered to explore ways in which they may be encouraged to register.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2011, Official Report, column 1100W, on electoral registration, what assessment he has made of the capacity for the results of dataset pilot tests to inform any new legislation on electoral registration within the time available. [79426]
Mr Harper: The data matching pilots will conclude this month and external evaluation will be completed by the Electoral Commission in March 2012. The results of these pilots will thereafter be available to Parliament to inform its deliberations on individual electoral registration.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2011, Official Report, columns 1100-1W, on electoral registration, how many prosecutions there were for not completing an electoral registration form between 1997 and 2007. [79484]
Mr Harper: The Government do not hold this information. The Electoral Commission does not hold data on the number of prosecutions initiated as a result of a failure to respond to the annual canvass between 1997 and 2007. However, they do hold data from 2008 to 2010 which can be found on the Electoral Commission's website at:
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/performance-standards/data-collection
The Electoral Commission figures show that the number of prosecutions initiated as a result of a failure to respond to the annual canvass since 2008 are as follows:
|
|
Prosecutions |
These data are collected by voluntary survey of electoral registration officers (EROs). The Electoral Commission does not have the power to collect this information and it is therefore not compulsory for EROs to complete the form.
Lobbying
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent progress he has made on establishing a statutory register of lobbyists. [79631]
Mr Harper: The Government will publish a consultation paper on the introduction of a statutory register of lobbyists this month.
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Education
Adam Werritty
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Education on how many occasions in an official capacity he has met Mr Adam Werritty since May 2010. [76367]
Tim Loughton [holding answer 24 October 2011]: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), has not met with Adam Werritty in an official capacity since May 2010.
Adoption
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many adoptive placements broke down in England in each of the last five years. [78555]
Tim Loughton: Information on the number of adoptions which breakdown following the making of an adoption order is not collected centrally.
Information is available on the outcomes of children placed for adoption at 31 March 2007. This is published as part of the Adoption and Special Guardianship data pack, and shows that 5% of children placed for adoption at 31 March 2007 had not been adopted three years later. This includes 3% of children who remained as placed for adoption at 31 March 2010. The Adoption and Special Guardianship data pack can be found at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/families/adoption/a0076713/datapack
To produce this information for years other than 2007 would incur disproportionate cost.
Arts: Teachers
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) art, (b) music, (c) media studies and (d) drama teachers are teaching in each region of England. [77945]
Mr Gibb: Information on the qualifications and deployment of teachers in the secondary sector is collected in the new School Workforce Census, which took place in November 2010. The “School Workforce Census Statistical First Release” provides a head count of teachers to year groups 7-13 by subject in Table 12.
The following table summarises the number of teachers of Art and Design, Music, Media Studies, and Drama, by English region:
| Teachers of art and design, music, media studies, and drama in publicly funded secondary schools (head count) to year groups 7- 13 in 2010, by region year: November 2010—coverage: England | ||||
| Total head count (1) (rounded to nearest 10) | ||||
| Region | Art and Design | Music | Media Studies | Drama |
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| (1) Teachers are counted once against each subject that they are teaching. Head counts are used, so a teacher teaching music and drama would be counted once in each. Note: Figures are based on over 158,000 secondary level teachers (66% of the secondary workforce) submitting curriculum information, and weighted to provide national estimates of the number of secondary level teachers by subject. Source: School Workforce Census | ||||
Data Protection
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many official ministerial papers were recorded as not returned to his Department or otherwise unaccounted for in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [76811]
Tim Loughton [holding answer 26 October 2011]: The Department's Cabinet documents officer has robust systems in place to ensure compliance with Cabinet Office guidance on handling papers. No ministerial papers have been recorded as not returned or unaccounted for since May 2010.
Public Sector Pay
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many officials in his Department and the bodies for which he is responsible earned more than (a) £65,000, (b) £95,000, (c) £140,000 and (d) £175,000 in the last year for which figures are available. [78054]
Tim Loughton: Information for the Department representing the salary bands as at 31 March 2011 is set out in the following table:
| Salary band | Staff numbers |
Salary information for the Department's arm's length bodies is a matter for them and is not held centrally. Contact information for them can be found at the following link:
http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/departmentalinformation/transparency/b0065313/disclosure-of-scs-posts-and-salary-information
Security Vetting
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what company or Government service is used to undertake security vetting at (a) counter terrorist check, (b) security check and (c) developed vetting level in his Department. [77898]
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Tim Loughton: The Department for Education has a joint business agreement with the Defence Vetting Services, National Security Vetting (DBS NSV), part of the MOD (formerly the Defence Vetting Agency—DVA) for undertaking security vetting at (a) counter terrorist check, (b) security check and (c) developed vetting level.
Education Maintenance Allowance
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what mechanisms he has put in place to monitor and evaluate the effect of ending education maintenance allowance on the (a) recruitment, (b) attendance levels, (c) retention and (d) achievement of students post-16. [76069]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 21 October 2011]:The Department for Education is committed to monitoring the effects of the new arrangements for 16-19 financial support through the commissioning of an independent evaluation of the impact of the new arrangements. This will help us to find out whether the fund is meeting the needs of young people, particularly those who are disproportionately likely not to participate post-16; and to assess the delivery of the policy.
Education Maintenance Allowance: Birmingham
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effect of the removal of educational maintenance allowance on residents of Birmingham Ladywood constituency aged 16 to 17 years. [76336]
Mr Gibb: All local authorities must ensure that there are sufficient further education and training opportunities for every young person in the area; that young people are encouraged, enabled or assisted to participate in education and training; and that participation is monitored locally so that those young people who need support are clearly identified. Local authorities should also have processes in place to ensure that all 16 and 17 years olds were offered a place in education or training before the end of September this year. The Department for Education is monitoring young peoples' participation both nationally and locally, and will publish figures in due course.
The Department for Education is also committed to monitoring the effects of the new arrangements for 16-19 financial support through an independent evaluation of the impact of the new arrangements. This will help us to assess whether the 16-19 Bursary Fund is meeting the needs of young people, particularly those who are disproportionately likely not to participate post-16, and to assess the delivery of the policy.
First Aid: Curriculum
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what consideration he has given to including first aid in the new national curriculum. [79211]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 7 November 2011]: First aid is currently included in the non-statutory programme of study for personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) education. We are carrying out an internal review of PSHE, which is not part of the national curriculum. The purpose of this review is to identify ways in which schools can improve the quality of teaching of PSHE.
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We aim to reform the national curriculum so that it properly reflects the body of essential knowledge in key subjects and does not absorb the overwhelming majority of teaching time in schools. A less prescriptive national curriculum will also give teachers greater flexibility to use their professional judgement to design wider school curricula that best meet the needs of their pupils. Our proposals for the new scope of the national curriculum will be announced next year, following which there will be consultation before final decisions are made.
Free Schools
Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) on what number of pupils his Department bases its calculation of the funding for each free school in operation; [76177]
(2) how many pupils are enrolled in each free school in operation. [76178]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 21 October 2011]: Pupil funding for each free school is based on the Academy Trust's estimate of pupil numbers at the opening date following the enrolment process. The Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) then compares each trust's estimate of pupil numbers for the current academic year against actual pupil numbers in census returns. This comparison is used to make adjustments (either additional or clawed back grant) to pupil funding in subsequent years if any shortfall or increase in pupil numbers exceeds the threshold percentage set out in the funding agreement.
We estimate that over 3000 pupils have enrolled during the first intake for the 24 free schools that opened in September 2011. This means that these schools are on course to reach their full capacity in the coming years. Further information about the number of children on roll at each school will be collected in the school census and published in due course.
Free Schools: Finance
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2011, Official Report, column 208W, when he expects to finalise the budget allocation for free schools for 2011-12. [76947]
Mr Gibb: The budget allocation for free schools for 2011-12 will be finalised in due course.
Grammar Schools
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on the future provision of grammar schools; and what plans he has for the future number of grammar schools. [76080]
Mr Gibb: Grammar schools often represent the very best in standards and attainment in our education system with a high proportion of young people going on to study at the most competitive universities. It is not possible, under the prohibitions in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to establish any new wholly selective school and the Government have no plans to amend this legislation.
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Grandparents
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance his Department produces for social workers on the role of grandparents; whether he plans to amend any such guidance; if he will place in the Library a copy of any such guidance; and if he will make a statement. [78742]
Tim Loughton: The Department does not produce guidance for social workers on the role of grandparents. In April 2011 new statutory guidance to local authorities came into force which sets out the framework for the provision of support to family and friends carers and includes a requirement for local authorities to publicise the support and services available locally. This statutory guidance has been placed in the House Libraries.
Health Education: Nutrition
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of the provision in schools of education on food. [78105]
Mr Gibb: Food education (also known as “food technology”), is currently part of the design and technology curriculum. It is compulsory for all pupils in maintained primary schools, at key stages 1 and 2. Although it is not currently a compulsory part of the secondary curriculum, most secondary schools in England are teaching practical cooking to 11 to 14-year-olds, including food education, at key stage 3, as it is one of two topics within the design and technology curriculum that must be taught. The National Curriculum Review which is currently under way will advise the Government as to which subjects should remain in the national curriculum and at what key stages they should feature. Our proposals for the content of the new national curriculum will be published early in 2012.
Mathematics: Science
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take to encourage more pupils to take up mathematics and science subjects. [74236]
Mr Gibb: In June 2011 the Secretary of State for Education announced that the Government would be spending up to £135 million over the current spending review period to support the take-up of mathematics and science in schools. This funding will support incentives for graduates to train to teach mathematics and science; high quality continuing professional development for existing teachers in these subjects; and greater take-up of three separate sciences at GCSE and further mathematics at A level. In addition, we have already announced that mathematics and science will be compulsory subjects within the national curriculum following the current review, and we have included them within the new English baccalaureate.
A recent survey by the National Centre for Social Research showed that 29% of year 9 pupils had opted to study triple science at GCSE while a further 54% had opted for core and additional science.
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The Schools White Paper signalled the Government's intention to provide stronger incentives such as training bursaries of up to £20,000 to science graduates to attract high calibre recruits into teaching.
Music: Education
Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to his response to the Henley Review of Music Education, when he plans to publish his national plan for music education. [75396]
Mr Gibb: We will shortly publish a National Plan for Music Education, which will reform the delivery and funding of music education. It will ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to learn an instrument, learn to sing, have opportunities to play in ensembles and have access to musical progression routes regardless of where they live and their family circumstances. The needs of the pupil will be at the heart of the plan. Through it, the Government will signal their commitment to ensuring that all pupils have access to high quality music education.
New Schools Network
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will assess whether the condition in the grant agreement between his Department and the New Schools Network has been compromised; [76019]
(2) what (a) meetings and (b) events organised by his Department representatives of the New Schools Network have been invited since May 2010; [76020]
(3) what bodies his Department has interviewed in connection with the grant agreement to provide support for the free school pre-application process; [76021]
(4) how his Department has been providing support for the free school pre-application process since 30 September 2011; [76022]
(5) whether his Department has provided (a) financial and (b) other support to the New Schools Network in addition to that provided by the grant agreement. [76023]
Mr Gibb: As with all grants of this nature, officials considered NSN's performance and compliance regularly. There were no breaches of the grant agreement. The Department has not provided any financial or other support to NSN in addition to that provided under the terms of the grant agreement. The Department has not provided any specific pre-application support since 30 September although we are aware NSN, in its role as an independent charity, has been available to offer support to free school proposers. No interviews have been carried out by the Department in connection with the recent competition to award a grant to provide support for the free school pre-application process. Ministers and Special Advisers have met NSN on several occasions since May 2010; officials have met NSN frequently. Providing information on the exact number, and type of events, and meetings could be done only at disproportionate cost.
Schools: Vocational Guidance
Ian Mearns:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to the conclusion of his summit with young people in May 2011 that young
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people preferred face-to-face professional career guidance, how he plans that access to such guidance will be assured under the new National Careers Service. [78937]
Mr Gibb: There is a range of evidence suggesting that young people like to access advice in a variety of ways including face-to-face, in groups or online. Schools are best placed to know what support their pupils need. The Government recognise that many young people can benefit from a face-to-face discussion of their skills, abilities and interests to help them think through future education and career options. We will highlight this important issue to schools through statutory guidance in advance of the new duty to secure access to independent careers guidance commencing in September 2012, subject to the passage of the Education Bill. The guidance will place a clear expectation on schools that they should secure face-to-face careers guidance where it is the most suitable support, particularly for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Schools may choose to work in partnership with providers engaged in delivering the National Careers Service, or with other providers, as they see fit. The National Careers Service will be required to meet a robust, high quality standard and all providers involved in the service will be expected to be accredited to the standard by April 2013. It was recently announced that this quality standard will be the revised matrix standard. The standard will assist schools in making well-informed decisions about which providers to work with.
Teachers: Pensions
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the potential effects of planned changes to teacher pension contributions on the proportion of teachers who opt out of the Teachers Pension Scheme. [77624]
Mr Gibb: At the spending review the Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that some additional members, amounting to 1% of the value of the paybill, would opt-out of all the public service schemes as a result of the proposed increase in pension contributions.
A consultation on the proposed increase to contributions for members of the Teachers Pension Scheme in 2012-13 was recently concluded and the Department is considering all responses received prior to the deadline. The Government are committed to implementing the contributions increase in a way which will protect the lower paid from the full impact of the changes and will therefore reduce the risk of increased opt-outs from the scheme.
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what initiatives he plans to introduce to (a) retain talented teachers and (b) encourage high-calibre graduates to enter the teaching profession after the introduction of his planned changes to the Teachers Pension Scheme. [78764]
Mr Gibb:
The reformed Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) will remain a valuable part of the remuneration package available to teachers and will continue to play an important role in recruiting and retaining teachers. The reformed scheme will be introduced from 2015 and proposals are still under discussion with unions. We are taking the teaching profession's views very
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seriously, to reach agreement on a scheme which will reflect the distinctive nature of the teaching profession and the value of the work carried out by teachers. Recruitment and retention issues will be considered alongside the implementation of the reformed TPS.
Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will bring forward proposals to carry out an independent valuation of the Teachers Pension Scheme. [78765]
Mr Gibb: The Government put valuations of the public service pension schemes on hold while the consultation on the discount rate used to calculate contribution rates was taking place. The outcome of the consultation was announced in Budget 2011, but valuations remain on hold. Valuations are dependent on assumptions about the value of future costs, design of benefits and other factors. Many of these are currently under review as part of the Government's proposed reforms of the public sector pension schemes. A decision on when to undertake the next valuation of the Teachers Pension Scheme will be taken in due course.
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish a financial valuation of the Teachers Pension Scheme since the last such valuation in 2004. [78990]
Mr Gibb: The Government put valuations of the public service pension schemes on hold while the consultation on the discount rate used to calculate contribution rates was taking place. The outcome of the consultation was announced in Budget 2011, but valuations remain on hold. Valuations are dependent on assumptions about the value of future costs, design of benefits and other factors. Many of these are currently under review as part of the Government's proposed reforms of the public sector pension schemes. A decision on when to undertake the next valuation of the Teachers Pension Scheme will be taken in due course.
Teachers: Training
Damian Hinds:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the average UCAS points score was of people starting (a) a Postgraduate Certificate in Education course, (b) the Graduate Teacher Programme, (c) a Bachelor of Education course, (d) a
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BA/BSc with Qualified Teacher Status course and
(e)
the Teach First programme in each of the last 10 years. [77960]
Mr Gibb: UCAS scores of postgraduate teacher trainees are not collected centrally. The following table shows the average UCAS tariff score of first-year college-based undergraduate teacher trainees from 2002/03 to 2009/10 inclusive. It includes both bachelor of education courses and BA/BSc with qualified teacher status courses.
| Average UCAS tariff score of first-year undergraduate teacher trainees, 2002/03 to 2009/10 | |
| Academic year | Average UCAS points score |
| Notes: 1. UCAS tariff score was used to assess candidates from 2002/03 onwards. 2. UCAS introduced the tariff score to take account of curriculum 2000. It was designed to make different qualifications comparable. It is based on a number of qualifications including A/AS levels. Grade A* at A level scores 140 points; grade A at A level scores 120 points; grade B scores 100 points; grade C scores 80 points; grade D scores 60 points and grade E scores 40 points. Tariff scores cover those entrants for whom data are collected. Tariff score data are not collected for some qualifications, including access courses, OND/ONC, HND/HNC, GCE, A/SCE, Higher, GNVQ/GSVQ, NVQ/SVQ level 3. 3. Coverage is undergraduate courses in universities and other higher education institutions. 4. Includes both bachelor of education courses and BA/BSc with qualified teacher status courses as they are combined in the data source. Source: TDA's Performance Profiles. | |
Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of people starting (a) a Postgraduate Certificate in Education course, (b) the Graduate Teacher Programme and (c) the Teach First programme had previously graduated from their undergraduate studies in each degree class in each of the last 10 years. [77981]
Mr Gibb: The following tables show the number of first-year trainees on (a) Postgraduate Certificate in Education courses, (b) the Graduate Teacher Programme and (c) the Teach First programme, between 2000/01 and 2009/10, by classification of their first degree. Information relating to qualifications on entry to the Graduate Teacher Programme is only available from 2003/04, and for Teach First from 2005/06.
| (a) First-year primary and secondary trainees in their first year of mainstream initial teacher training (ITT) courses, by classification of first degree, 2000/01 to 2009/10 | ||||||||
| Academic year | 1st (percentage) | 2:1 (percentage) | 2:2 (percentage | 3 (percentage) | Pass (percentage) | Degree class not known , or non-UK qualification (percentage) | Total (percentage) | Total number of first-year postgraduate trainees on mainstream ITT courses |
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| Notes: 1. Includes universities and other higher education institutions, school-centred ITT and Open University but excludes employment based routes and cases where Qualified Teacher Status was granted on assessment without a course of initial teacher training. 2. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: TDA's Performance Profiles | ||||||||
| (b) First-year trainees on the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP), by classification of first degree,2003/04 to 2009/10 | ||||||||
| Academic year | 1st (percentage) | 2:1 (percentage) | 2:2 (percentage) | 3 (percentage) | Pass (percentage) | Degree class not known, or non-UK qualification (percentage) | Total (percentage) | Total number of first-year trainees on GTP |
| Notes: 1. Data for earlier years is not available. 2. Excludes cases where qualified teacher status is granted on assessment without a course of initial teacher training. 3. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: TDA 's Performance Profiles | ||||||||
| (c) First-year trainees on the Teach First programme, by classification of first degree, 2005/06 to 2009/10 | ||||||||
| Academic year | 1st (percentage) | 2:1 (percentage) | 2:2 (percentage) | 3 (percentage) | Pass (percentage) | Degree class not known, or non-UK qualification (percentage) | Total (percentage) | Total number of first-year trainees on Teach First programme |
| Notes: 1. Data for earlier years is not available. 2. Excludes cases where qualified teacher status is granted on assessment without a course of initial teacher training. 3. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: TDA's Performance Profiles | ||||||||
Business, Innovation and Skills
Banks: Loans
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with banks and other financial institutions on identity checks needed to take out bank loans. [73053]
Mr Davey: I have held no such discussions.
The Joint Money Laundering Steering Group, an industry association, produces guidance on how financial services firms should interpret rules on identity checks, as set out in the UK money laundering regulations.
Business: Surveys
Mr Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made an assessment of the recommendations in the British Chamber of Commerce report entitled, “Workforce Survey—Small Businesses”. [79021]
Mr Davey: This Department is leading the cross-Government Employment Law review and is looking at all evidence about the operation of the underpinning legislative framework and burdens on business, including from the British Chambers of Commerce, other business representative groups, trade unions and other stakeholders. A key objective of the review is making it easier for a business to take on staff. The review will also consider ideas that emerge from the Red Tape Challenge aimed at facilitating the recruitment of employees by businesses. Where we can make legislation easier to understand, improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, we will.
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Charities
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what grants his Department made to charitable organisations in each of the last five years. [79082]
Mr Davey: As the Department does not separately identify charitable organisations within its supplier base the information requested cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
Company Accounts
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will consider the merits of giving Companies House a duty to investigate companies which (a) persistently file late accounts and (b) fail to file accounts; and if he will make a statement. [79132]
Mr Davey: To combat persistent late filing of accounts Parliament introduced, in addition to the existing penalties for filing accounts late, a double penalty for companies who file late in successive years; Companies House, which is responsible for issuing late filing penalties, has issued 16,832 of these double penalties between April and September this year. When companies fail to file accounts at all, Companies House contacts the company to investigate if it is still in operation; if it is not they will take action to remove the company from the register, and in the financial year ending 31 March 2011 53,550 companies were removed for this reason. If the company is still required Companies House will, as a last resort, prosecute the company directors for failing to file the accounts. During the financial year ending 31 March 2011 Companies House prosecuted over 3,000 directors for this reason.
As a result of these initiatives there has been a substantial fall in the number of penalties issued in 2011. Therefore, I do not believe that Companies House needs further investigative powers at this time.
Company Liquidations
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the amount owed to unsecured creditors by firms in liquidation in each of the last three years. [79257]
Mr Davey: The Insolvency Service (“The Service”) does not collate a total figure for the amount due to unsecured creditors by firms in liquidation but is able to provide details as to the average amount owed in compulsory liquidations.
For the year 2008/09, the mean level of debt owed by companies in compulsory liquidation was £584,134 and the median was £67,500. For 2009/10 the mean level of debt owed by companies in compulsory liquidation was £1,132,000 and the median was £81,000.
Profiling data are not available for the period 2010/11.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many liquidations which commenced (a) five, (b) 10, (c) 15 and (d) 20 years or more ago have not yet been finalised. [79259]
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Mr Davey: This information cannot be provided for all liquidations because the costs of retrieving it are disproportionate.
According to the case database maintained by The Insolvency Service, there are:
264 compulsory liquidations where the insolvency order was made five or more years ago;
64 compulsory liquidations where the insolvency order was made ten or more years ago;
30 compulsory liquidations where the insolvency order was made 15 or more years ago;
three compulsory liquidations where the insolvency order was made 20 or more years ago where the official receiver has not applied for release as liquidator.
Construction: Self-employed
Mr Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people were self-employed in the construction industry in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each year since 1997. [79391]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated November 2011:
As Director General, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people were self-employed in the construction industry in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each year since 1997. (79391)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) and its predecessor the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.
Due to small sample sizes, estimates are not available for the Jarrow constituency and South Tyneside. Estimates are also not available for periods 1997 to 1999 or for the UK for some periods - estimates for Great Britain have been provided as an alternative.
Table 1 shows the number of people self-employed in the construction industry in the available geographies for the 12 month periods ending in February for 2000 to 2004 from the LFS and for the 12 month periods ending in March for 2005 to 2011.
As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates is given in the table.
National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
| Table 1. Number of persons (1) self-employed in the construction industry in each year since 2000 | |||
| Thousand | |||
| 12 months ending: | North east | Great Britain | UK |
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| n/a = Data not available. (1) Persons aged 16 and over. (2) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality below. Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220 Key: * 0 = CV<5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 = CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 = CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ? 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: Annual Population Survey and Annual Labour Force Survey | |||
Freedom of Information Requests
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department has received in each month since May 2010; how many responses given in each such month disclosed (a) the full information requested, (b) part of the information requested, with some information withheld under exemptions in the Act and (c) none of the information requested; and in respect of how many requests received in each such month (i) (A) substantive and (B) holding responses were issued within 20 working days of the date of receipt, (ii) no substantive response was issued within 40 working days of the date of receipt and (iii) no substantive response has yet been issued. [78894]
Mr Davey: The information requested covering the period May 2010 until June 2011 is published on The Ministry of Justice website
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation-editions.htm
(see full statistical data reports). This information is not available on a monthly basis.
Information where no substantive response issued within 40 working days is not separately identified.
Under the Official Statistics Code of Practice, we cannot release statistics for a time period prior to their appearance in a regular statistical report. Statistics for July 2011 onwards will be published in due course.
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in respect of how many responses to requests for information received by his Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the reason of (a) commercially sensitive information, (b) information not held, (c) information too costly to provide and (d) vexatious or repeated requests has been given in response since January 2010. [78895]
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Mr Davey: The information requested covering the period January 2010 until June 2011 is published on the Ministry of Justice website
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation-editions.htm
(see full statistical data reports)
Under the Official Statistics Code of Practice, we cannot release statistics for a time period prior to their appearance in a regular statistical report. Statistics for July 2011 onwards will be published in due course.
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which Minister in his Department is responsible for determining whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information under the Act; and which other Minister is responsible for making such determinations should the subject matter of the request fall within the ministerial responsibilities of the Minister with lead responsibility. [78896]
Mr Davey: Departmental officials would normally determine whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information under the Act.
However, the exemption under section 36 (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) can only apply if it is the reasonable opinion of a qualified person (QP) that the exemption applies. In relation to information held by government, the qualified person must be a Minister or, if held by a non-ministerial department, the persons in charge of that department (for example, the chief executive).
The qualified persons opinion in BIS is obtained via a submission to the relevant Minister. This would normally be the Minister responsible for the subject matter. The submission sets out details of the request and the arguments for and against disclosure.
Procurement
Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what methodology (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible used to estimate savings to the public purse made in respect of its procurement and purchasing since May 2010. [69272]
Mr Davey: The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the right hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander), said in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Southport (John Pugh), on 15 November 2010, Official Report, columns 615-6W, that the Government have announced a more specific and innovative approach to efficiency and reform across the public sector, including:
a reduction in administration budgets of 34% across the whole of Whitehall and its arm's length bodies saving £5.9 billion a year by 2014-15;
radically reducing the number of arm's length bodies across Government; and
the Efficiency and Reform Group's tough new efficiency regime which will drive savings in procurement, major projects and estate management;
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and that, in result, Departments would no longer be required to report against the previous Government's efficiency target.
In August 2011, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), announced that the Efficiency and Reform Group's new measures had saved £3.75 billion over 2010/11.
This impact was assessed using methodologies in the table. The assessment has been independently verified
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by Government auditors who found the benefits assertions to be fairly calculated and presented.
These savings are borne out in Department accounts. The table on page 79 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11 (HC1001) reports that non-pay Gross Administration Costs for BIS reduced from £187 million in 2009-10 to £140 million in 2010-11. Figures in this report are prepared in accordance with HM Treasury's Financial Reporting Manual for central Government Departments and associated Treasury resource accounting and budgeting guidance.
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Departmental Public Expenditure
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to deliver the efficiency gains required by HM Treasury. [77042]
Mr Davey [holding answer 27 October 2011]: The 2010 spending review committed the Department to a 25% real-terms reduction in our budgets by 2014-15 to make our contribution to the Government's deficit reduction targets—a challenge BIS is already meeting through significant reductions in staff and the streamlining of our partner organisations.
During 2010-11 BIS and its partner organisations implemented the spending controls established by the Cabinet Office and Treasury in May 2010. These included tight controls over pay and recruitment, advertising and marketing spend, consultancy, ICT, estates and procurement. In particular the Department:
delivered £836 million of in-year savings as a contribution to the Emergency Budget announcement in June;
undertook work on public bodies reform—in particular the transition of responsibilities from the regional development agencies (RDAs) to successor bodies;
implemented new controls on marketing and consultancy spending, and a freeze on public sector pay in line with Cabinet Office guidance;
significantly reduced the administration budget for the Department, including partner organisations, with an 11% reduction in 2010-11;
reduced the number of staff within the core Department by 576 during 2010-11; and
as our Annual Report and Resource Accounts of 2010-11 show, staff costs were £12.7 million lower in 2010-11 than 2009-10 and other administration costs were £47.5 million lower in 2010-11 than 2009-10.
Cabinet Office guidance for the pay freeze was that there should be no pay increases for staff earning more than £21,000. The exception to this was cases where Departments had any legally-binding contractual commitments. BIS has been unable to create a single pay system as a result of the freeze and the pay arrangements of the legacy Departments apply. Staff on former BERR terms have a contractual pay arrangement and so received an award during the pay freeze. Staff on former DIUS terms did not.
Secondment
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what senior representatives of the business sector have been seconded to work in his Department in the last 18 months. [75205]
Mr Davey: Eighteen months ago the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), introduced a freeze on all external recruitment—including secondments—into the civil service.
Since then, I have exceptionally agreed to the secondment into BIS of two individuals on very short term secondments and four individuals on medium term arrangements. I have done this in order to provide the Department with professional and financial expertise necessary to conduct the essential business of the Department and which did not already exist in sufficient quantity within the civil service.
Departmental Travel
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has spent on first class travel by (a) air, (b) boat and (c) train since May 2010. [75522]
Mr Davey: Since May 2010 to the end of September 2011, BIS (excluding UKTI and other Agencies) has spent the following amounts on first class travel:
|
|
£ |
Spend on first class travel continues to fall in line with the Department's commitment to sustainable travel and as part of our cost reduction programme. As a comparison the data on first class travel for the last three financial years set out in the following table:
|
|
£ |
| (1) To end September 2011. | |
Internships
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many unpaid and expenses-only internships (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible employed in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [78368]
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Mr Davey: In the last 12 months the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has not offered any unpaid or expenses-only internships.
Information on non-departmental public bodies (NDPB's) are not held centrally and will incur disproportionate costs. I have approached Departments and agencies and they will respond to the hon. Member directly.
Employment Tribunals: Reform
Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress his Department has made on reform of employment tribunals; and if he will make a statement. [78953]
Mr Davey: Earlier this year, the Government launched the ‘Resolving Workplace Disputes’ consultation, a significant step in the employment law review. This consultation sought views on measures to encourage the early resolution of disputes and ensure that, where parties do need to come to an employment tribunal, the process is as swift, user friendly and effective as possible. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), has already confirmed the Government's intention to proceed with one of these measures; to extend the qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims from one to two years and we will be publishing our Government response in the coming weeks, setting out other measures that we are intending to take forward, to deliver reform across the employment tribunal system.
Farepak
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects that the liquidation of Farepak will conclude. [79260]
Mr Davey: On 19 October 2011 the joint liquidators of Farepak issued reports to both creditors and agents on the progress of the liquidation. These reports refer to ongoing work being undertaken towards bringing legal proceedings against third parties with the objective of securing more money for creditors. Given the nature of the intended action I understand that it is not possible to provide an estimate on when the liquidation will be concluded.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department holds on whether the claims management team for Farepak (in liquidation) have been informed of the death of any (a) agent and (b) customers of that firm. [79261]
Mr Davey: This Department does not hold this information. The liquidators' claims management team are responsible for updating any change of details of agents or customers, including where there is notification of death.
Hair Dyes: Chemicals
Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the safety of para-phenylenediamine in hair dye products. [79045]
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Mr Prisk [holding answer 7 November 2011]: Para-phenylenediamine has been assessed several times over the last few years as part of the European Commission's hair dye strategy.
Insolvency
Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses (a) were liquidated and (b) went into administration in each month since April 2011. [78685]
Mr Davey: Statistics on the number of (a) liquidations and (b) administrations in England and Wales and Scotland in each month from April to September 2011 are provided in Table 1 as follows. Official Statistics for Northern Ireland on a monthly basis are not available; figures for October 2011 are not yet available.
| Table 1: Liquidations and administrations in England and Wales and Scotland (1) | ||||
| England and Wales | Scotland | |||
| 2011 | Number of liquidations (2) | Number of administrations | Number of liquidations (2) | Number of administrations |
| (1) Source—Insolvency Service and Companies House. (2) Compulsory liquidations and creditors' voluntary liquidations. | ||||
Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the merits of amending section 233 of the Insolvency Act to prevent suppliers demanding payments upon insolvency where such payments make company rescue harder or reduce dividends to creditors. [79090]
Mr Davey: The Government have previously announced that we would consider the case for updating section 233 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and the wider issue of termination clauses. We are aware of the problems that can be caused for those seeking to rescue a struggling company by such clauses. We are currently looking into the merits of any change, and have been discussing this with interested parties.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will bring forward proposals to set a cap on the fees charged by insolvency practitioners. [79253]
Mr Davey: I confirm that I have no plans to bring forward proposals to cap the fees charged by insolvency practitioners, which are properly a matter for the creditors or the court.
However, the Government believe that it is important for creditors and others affected by insolvency to have confidence that the fees charged by insolvency practitioners are fair. For this reason, earlier this year the Government issued a consultation on a set of reforms, which included a proposal to introduce a non-court based mechanism for creditors to complain about the level of fees charged by insolvency practitioners.
This Department is currently reviewing responses to the consultation, and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on the way forward shortly.
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Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to encourage greater transparency in the insolvency sector. [79254]
Mr Davey: Earlier this year the Government issued a consultation on a set of reforms to the regulation of insolvency practitioners, which included proposals to improve the transparency, consistency and accountability of the insolvency regulatory regime.
This Department is currently reviewing responses to the consultation, and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on the way forward shortly.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the average time taken to settle an insolvency case was in the latest period for which figures are available. [79255]
Mr Davey: The Insolvency Service does not record this information.
Following the introduction of the Enterprise Act 2002, administration has a statutory time limit of 12 months,
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although this may be extended with the permission of the court or by the agreement of creditors.
Liquidations do not have a statutory time limit, but research conducted by the Insolvency Service suggests that the average length of a liquidation is around two to 2.5 years.
The Enterprise Act 2002 also introduced a statutory 12-month time limit for bankruptcy, and provides for earlier discharge in some cases.
Insolvency Service: Finance
Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the budget for the Insolvency Service has been in each financial year since 2000-01. [78684]
Mr Davey: Budget information for The Insolvency Service, an executive agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, is published in the agency’s annual corporate plan and is available from 2004-05 as follows:
| £ million | ||||||||
|
|
2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |
Records are not available prior to 2004. The latest agency corporate plan can be viewed at:
www.bis.gov.uk/insolvency/about-us/strategy-and-planning