Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of companies that will be forced to cease trading as a result of the proposed reductions to solar photovoltaic feed-in tariffs. [82249]
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Gregory Barker: The Department does not hold relevant information on which to base any estimate of companies that will be forced to cease trading in the UK solar industry. The impact assessment accompanying the Government's consultation on feed-in tariffs (FITs) for solar photovoltaics (PV) available at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/fits-comp-review-p1/3416-fits-IA-solar-pv-draft.pdf
estimates that new solar PV installations will continue to come forward under the proposed changes to FITs for solar PV. The impact assessment does not estimate the specific impact of the proposed changes, or the potential new business opportunities arising from the consultation proposals on energy efficiency, on the UK solar industry.
Current tariffs are providing returns well in excess of the approximately 5% that was intended when the FITs scheme was launched, and the proposed new tariffs are intended to ensure that returns go back to this level.
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will make it his policy (a) not to change future rates for the feed-in tariff between its scheduled annual review dates and (b) to honour contracts entered into, with deposits paid, for photovoltaic systems up to the date of his 31 October announcement of a 50 per cent. reduction in the rate of the feed-in tariff. [83117]
Gregory Barker: We will publish a second consultation around the end of 2011 which will consider other aspects of the scheme including the tariffs for other FIT technologies and proposals for introducing new cost control mechanisms for FITs to ensure the scheme stays within the spending envelope. In doing so, we are looking to develop a cost control mechanism that will minimise the need to make rapid and unscheduled changes to the scheme.
Our consultation on tariffs for solar PV proposes that new tariffs will be implemented from 1 April 2012 but will apply to all new PV installations with an eligibility date on or after a proposed “reference date” of 12 December 2011.
The proposals are designed to strike a balance between the need for quick action and the desire to allow people an opportunity to finish work that is well under way. The proposed six-week period will allow many prospective generators who have made a financial commitment to installing PV (for example, paying a deposit) to do this. We will consider all representations made during the consultation, including those related to the proposed reference date.
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what account he took of the tax revenues raised previously from businesses supplying photovoltaic systems when determining the reduction in the rate of the feed-in tariff at 50 per cent.; what estimate he has made of the impact on photovoltaic business suppliers' viability of reducing the rate of the feed-in tariff by 50 per cent.; and if he will make a statement. [83118]
Gregory Barker: The impact assessment supporting the consultation on FITs for solar PV:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/fits-comp-review-p1/3416-fits-IA-solar-pv-draft.pdf
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sets out the impact on the level of employment as a result of the change to the feed-in tariffs. It estimates that 1,000 to 10,000 gross full-time employee jobs could be supported in this sector in the three years to 2014-15 under the proposals. This estimate relates to solar PV installations only and does not account for jobs created as a result of the proposed energy efficiency requirement.
The impact assessment did not consider previous tax revenues.
Water: Housing
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will adapt the Green Deal assessment of a household to include water efficiency measures. [83613]
Gregory Barker: A number of hot water efficiency measures will be included in the Green Deal assessment and may be eligible for Green Deal finance. General advice on wider water efficiency issues will also be provided to households as part of Green Deal advice.
Wind Power: Costs
Mr Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he plans to reduce the cost of offshore wind power. [82943]
Charles Hendry: The UK is the global leader for offshore wind and well placed to continue this lead role up to 2020 and beyond. In the Renewable Energy Roadmap published in July 2011 we set out that up to 18 GW could be deployed by 2020. However, to realise this potential will require a substantial reduction in the levelised cost of energy for this technology. We have announced the establishment of an industry-led Task Force to set out an action plan to reduce the costs of offshore wind to £100/MWh by 2020. The Task Force, which is due to report in the spring next year, is chaired by Andrew Jamieson, Chair of Renewable UK, and supported by 15 other members from industry with support from Government and The Crown Estate. The Task Force has met twice since it was established.
DECC is also providing a further £30 million of direct innovation support for offshore wind cost reduction. The first £5 million call for proposals under this scheme was launched on 22 November.
Communities and Local Government
Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to publish the full bidding guidance for funding from the Weekly Collection Support Scheme. [82897]
Robert Neill: We will announce further details about the Weekly Collection Support Scheme shortly, and we will publish the full bidding guidance and invite bids in the new year.
Energy Performance Certificates
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what proportion of homes in England has an energy performance certificate. [83047]
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Andrew Stunell: As of 20 November 2011, approximately 6.73 million energy performance certificates had been produced for homes in England that have been constructed, sold or rented out since August 2007. This figure includes some homes for which more than one certificate has been produced. It is estimated, based on the latest estimate for the total dwelling stock (22.69 million in October 2010), that approximately 30% of homes in England currently have an energy performance certificate.
EU Grants and Loans: North East Region
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, columns 1179-80W, on EU Grants and Loans: North East, what the monetary value was of the funding to the North East England 2007-13 European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme that remained uncommitted at the end of October 2011. [82950]
Robert Neill: The monetary value of the North East England European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme 2007-13 that remained uncommitted at the end of October 2011 was £123 million.
The 2007-13 allocation must be spent by 2015.
I also refer the hon. Member to my Department's press notice of 1 August 2011, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, which outlines how the European Regional Development Fund has previously been plagued by a legacy of poor administration, and how this Government have overhauled the management of these schemes. As a result of these measures, the European Commission lifted an interruption on the programme which it had ordered. These steps will also protect taxpayers from the prospect of “financial corrections” being levied due to poor administration, as happened under the 2000-06 programme.
Housing: Fire Extinguishers
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information his Department holds on the use of automatic fire suppression systems in residential properties in other countries. [83525]
Andrew Stunell: The information requested is not held centrally. My officials do, as far as possible, keep abreast of relevant international developments and ensure that any research or analysis uses all available data.
The cost benefit analysis that formed part of 2005 study into the effectiveness of residential sprinklers relied extensively on US data where UK data were not available. More recently, the 2010 “Cost Benefit Analysis of Options to Reduce the Risk of Fire and Rescue in Areas of New Build Homes” took account of US and New Zealand data as part of the research literature review. The 2010 report is available on the DCLG website at:
www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/costbenefitfirenewbuild.pdf
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Housing: Lancashire
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many dwellings were constructed in (a) Pendle constituency and (b) Lancashire in each of the last five years. [82924]
Andrew Stunell: A table showing the number of new build dwellings completed by year in each local authority district in Lancashire, including Pendle, is available on the Department for Communities and Local Government website (Live Table 253):
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/housebuilding/livetables/
Information is not available at parliamentary constituency level.
Lancashire total figures are available only for 2009-10 due to incomplete district data for the other years.
Housing Reform: Media
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the oral statement of 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 43, on housing reform, if he will publish the media strategy in relation to his announcement listing all media interviews the Minister for Housing and Local Government carried out prior to the oral statement. [82880]
Grant Shapps [holding answer 25 November 2011]: The planned publication of the Government's national housing strategy, Laying the Foundations, on the morning of Monday 21 November, generated a significant amount of media interest. Prior notice was given to the House that a written statement was to be made on housing. As a result of this interest, as the Minister for Housing and Local Government, I accepted a number of requests for interviews from national and regional broadcasters on the morning of publication.
A number of the fundamental measures contained in the housing strategy had been announced to the House previously. I refer the hon. Member in particular to my written statement of 4 April 2011, Official Report, column 46WS, announcing details of New Homes Bonus funding to provide local authorities with a real incentive to deliver housing growth; the written statement from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government of 10 October 2011, Official Report, column 1WS, which outlined our reforms to the right to buy, funding to tackle empty homes, the proposed introduction of a “pay to stay scheme” for social tenants on incomes of greater than £100,000 per annum and work to release public sector land to support the building of 100,000 new homes; and the statement of 7 November 2011, Official Report, column 9WS, which announced details of the Government's £500 million Growing Places Fund to support infrastructure and unlock stalled housing sites.
Given these statements, it was quite legitimate to engage in a public debate whilst making clear, as I did, that full details of new policy proposals would only be released later in the day after the House had been notified.
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Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government of 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 61, Points of Order, with which third parties his Department discussed its housing reform proposals prior to his oral statement to the House. [82881]
Grant Shapps [holding answer 25 November 2011]: Discussions took place with a range of third parties in the run up to publication of the housing strategy, to inform policy development, strengthen our evidence base and ensure that the strategy responded to issues and concerns across the housing market. In setting up the mortgage indemnity scheme, which is externally led, it would have been impossible not to talk to lenders, builders and sector organisations.
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the contribution of the Minister for Housing and Local Government of 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 58, on housing reform, and the contribution of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government of 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 61, Points of Order, if he will instigate an inquiry on disclosure by the media of the housing reform statement prior to it being made to the House. [82882]
Grant Shapps [holding answer 25 November 2011]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him in PQs 82880 and 82881 on 29 November 2011 and to the statement of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 61.
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to his oral statement of 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 43, on housing reform, if he will publish the media grid his Department used in relation to that statement, including the (a) journalists and (b) media outlets that received briefings; and when such briefings took place. [82883]
Grant Shapps [holding answer 25 November 2011]: A press notice was released by my Department's press office after the deposit of the written ministerial statement and associated documents in the Library of the House, and was distributed widely.
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to ensure that significant policy announcements from his Department are made in the House prior to their release to the media. [82884]
Grant Shapps [holding answer 25 November 2011]:The Department for Communities and Local Government ensures as a matter of course that Parliament is informed of significant policy announcements, usually by written ministerial statement.
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Planning Permission: Taxation
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent research his Department has conducted into the merits of tax on the land value uplift created by the granting of planning permission. [83322]
Robert Neill: The Department has conducted no recent research into the merits of a tax on the land value uplift created by the granting of planning permissions.
The last Government planned the introduction of a planning gain supplement (including introducing preparatory legislation), but abandoned the policy, no doubt because of the likelihood of uncertainty, lengthy negotiations and legal disputes arising from the complex calculations of the value of the uplift.
Attempts by previous Governments to introduce land development taxes resulting from planning permission (the 1947 development charge, the 1967 betterment levy, the development gains tax introduced in 1973 and the development land tax in 1976) were similarly ineffective or unsuccessful.
The community infrastructure levy came into force in April 2010 (amended in April 2011) and allows local authorities in England and Wales to raise funds from developers undertaking new building projects in their area. Where it is charged the incidence of the levy will fall to land-owners whose land typically rises in value upon the granting of planning permission ('uplift'); the Department published an impact assessment to accompany the introduction of the community infrastructure levy:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/infrastructurelevyfinal
Similarly, planning agreements (‘section 106 agreements'), between local authorities and developers, allow local authorities to access the development value that arises through the granting of planning permissions to ensure that the development is acceptable in planning terms. The Department has conducted a number of research projects on such agreements:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planningbuilding/planningresearch/researchreports/planningobligationsresearch/
Rented Housing: Greater London
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has made an assessment of the extent to which landlords have evicted tenants in London in order to let their properties at higher prices during the London 2012 Olympics; whether he plans to take steps to discourage this practice; and if he will make a statement. [82976]
Andrew Stunell: We have received no evidence that landlords are seeking to evict tenants in order to let at higher rents during the London 2012 Olympics. Any landlord seeking to evict a tenant would need to operate within the existing legal framework which entitles most tenants to an initial fixed term of six months, and two months' notice of eviction. That framework would also apply to any new tenancy. Landlords seeking to let properties on a short term basis only may need to seek planning permission for a change of use of their property from a residential to commercial let.
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Right to Buy Scheme: Greater London
Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will estimate the number of households in each local authority in London which have a right to buy. [83627]
Grant Shapps: We do not have estimates of the number of households in each local authority area in London which have a right to buy. However, an approximation of this can be observed from related statistics.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/stockincludingvacants/livetables/
shows the dwelling stock by tenure in each local authority district. Tenants of occupied local authority owned properties who have been in social housing for five years or more are entitled to right to buy.
Estimates of the number of tenants entitled to right to buy in each local authority area are not available. However, the English Housing Survey provides an estimate of the length of current residency for tenants at a regional level. This shows that in 2009-10 around 300,000 households in local authority owned stock in London had been in their current accommodation for five or more years. However, this does not capture those that have previously been resident in social housing prior to their current accommodation and therefore is likely to be an underestimate of the proportion that are eligible for right to buy.
Furthermore, some tenants living in housing association stock from pre-1989 will also have the right to buy and also some tenants living in housing association stock which has been transferred from local authorities have the preserved right to buy.
Standards for England: Credit Cards
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will place in the Library what the (a) date, (b) transaction type, (c) supplier and (d) merchant type or supplier description was of each transaction made on the Standards Board corporate credit card in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10. [82150]
Robert Neill: The requested information has been placed in the Library of the House.
The Standards Board is being abolished following the passage of the Localism Act.
International Development
Ascension Island: Overseas Aid
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department has given to Ascension Island in each of the last 10 years. [83197]
Mr Duncan: Ascension does not receive financial assistance from the Department for International Development. Its costs are supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence.
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Central African Republic: Overseas Aid
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding for development aid his Department has allocated to the Central African Republic in each of the last 10 years. [83155]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has allocated the following funds to the Central African Republic (CAR) over the last 10 years. DFID has provided humanitarian assistance and other support through multilateral partners such as the United Nations.
| Financial year | £000 |
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he has taken to monitor how UK development aid to the Central African Republic is used. [83158]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not have an office in the Central African Republic (CAR). However, DFID has provided humanitarian assistance and other support through multilateral partners such as the United Nations.
The results from our contributions to these organisations are regularly monitored through agreed reporting mechanisms such as quarterly reporting and progress updates.
Departmental Publications
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many (a) leaflets, (b) posters and (c) reports his Department has published since May 2010; how much each cost; and which company (i) published and (ii) designed each. [83006]
Mr Duncan: I will place in the Library a copy of the Department for International Development expenditure on published leaflets and reports since May 2010. The names of the company that published (if printed) and/or designed has been included. No posters were published in this period.
It is not possible to provide full information for leaflets, posters and reports published by our offices overseas without incurring disproportionate cost.
Developing Countries: Water
Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he plans to attend the Sanitation and Water for All high-level meeting in Washington DC in April 2012. [83624]
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Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) strongly supports the work of the Sanitation and Water for All partnership to increase accountability of both developing countries and donors for delivering results on the ground.
DFID recognise that it will be important to have a strong UK presence at the next high-level meeting in April 2012. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development has not as yet planned his detailed involvement at the spring meetings. DFID will give this important meeting the due consideration that it deserves, and will ensure that the UK is appropriately represented.
Fragile States: Politics and Government
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he plans to take to strengthen governance and security in fragile and conflict-affected states. [83817]
Mr Duncan: Capable and legitimate governance institutions are critical for ending cycles of violence and instability in fragile and conflict-affected states. Following last year's bilateral aid review, the coalition Government are committed to strengthening governance and security in all 21 fragile and conflict-affected states where we work. The Government will spend approximately 16% of their bilateral programme on governance and security-related activities over the next four years. This includes programmes to:
(a) Support elections, parliaments and democratic governance;
(b) Empower citizens to take control of their own affairs and hold governments to account;
(c) Improve security and justice for poor people, and reduce violence against women;
(d) Build the capacity of national and local level governments to deliver health, education and other key services;
(e) Promote effective and sustainable tax systems which strengthen accountability and facilitate the exit from aid.
Humanitarian Aid
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial resources his Department has allocated to dealing with humanitarian disasters in the remainder of the comprehensive spending review period. [83818]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has set aside an allocation of £20.9 million to deal with rapid onset disasters for each remaining year of the comprehensive spending review period to 31 March 2015. We also have additional funds available to draw on should they be required as disasters occur.
Following DFID's Multilateral Aid Review and the UK Government Response to the Humanitarian Emergency Response Review we have also agreed predictable multi-year humanitarian core funding of £768.9 million for UN agencies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies over the comprehensive spending review period 2011-12 to 2014-15.
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Middle East: Politics and Government
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the Foreign Secretary on supporting reform of governance in (a) Pakistan, (b) Afghanistan and (c) Iraq. [83816]
Mr Duncan: I have regular conversations with the Foreign Secretary about the UK's engagement in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq at the cross-Government National Security Council meetings. Improving governance is a key focus of Her Majesty's Government's country business plans for Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his questions 83418, 83419 and 83420 on 28 November 2011, Official Report, columns 671W, 662W and 669W. Officials from the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) work closely on strengthening standards of governance in all three countries, including through joint assistance provided to the UK Conflict Pool.
Pitcairn Island: Overseas Aid
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on the provision of development aid to Pitcairn Island; and if he will make a statement. [83154]
Mr Duncan:
The UK is obliged under the UN Charter to promote the well-being of the inhabitants of the Overseas Territories (OTs). The International Development Act 2002 exempts the territories from the poverty criteria that apply to the rest of the aid budget. Successive White Papers on international development, including those produced since 1997, have committed the British
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Government to meeting the “reasonable needs” of the OTs as a first call on the aid budget.
The Department for International Development provides development aid to Pitcairn Island to meet its citizens' reasonable needs, ensuring maintenance of a range of basic public services (e.g. electricity, telecommunications) and provision of part-time public sector employment. Budget aid is also used to provide medical and educational services, as well as a shipping service that provides a necessary life-line in terms of freight and passenger services.
Tristan da Cunha: Oil
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support his Department is providing for Tristan da Cunha as a result of the M. V. Oliva oil incident. [83204]
Mr Duncan: The responsibility to make good any damage caused to the environment of the Tristan da Cunha islands, and to compensate the Tristan community for any losses lies with the ship's owners and insurers. Department for International Development officials are working closely with colleagues from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in ensuring that the insurers and owners continue to meet this responsibility in full. We remain in close touch with the Tristan da Cunha Authorities to ensure that they have all the advice and support they need from across Government and elsewhere in the continuing negotiations with the insurers.
While the Government are quite clear that all costs resulting from this incident must be borne by the owners and insurers, a top-up to Tristan da Cunha's financial reserves was made by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in March to protect the community against immediate and short term costs.