Maternity Services: Finance
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding he is providing to support (a) all neonatal care services and (b) neonatal intensive care services during the comprehensive spending review period. [84474]
Anne Milton: The Government have committed to increasing funding in real terms funding for the national health service in every year of the Parliament.
Primary care trust (PCT) recurrent revenue allocations are not broken down by service or policy area. It is for PCTs to commission services to meet the health care needs of their local populations, taking account of local and national priorities.
Mental Health Services
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for (a) Education, (b) Justice, (c) Work and Pensions and (d) Communities and Local Government about the implementation of the Government's mental health strategy, No Health Without Mental Health; [84866]
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Mental Health Services
(2) what steps his Department has taken to implement the Government's mental health strategy, No Health Without Mental Health. [84867]
Paul Burstow: “No Health Without Mental Health” highlights that mental health is a priority across Government, and that its ambitions are shared by a number of Government Departments. Most Government Departments have plans of action that will improve mental health outcomes.
The Cabinet sub-Committee on Public Health is where these plans are brought together, and where the Government will oversee progress on this strategy. The Cabinet Committee on Social Justice will also help to ensure that there is effective cross-Government action to address many of the social causes of mental health problems.
Since publication, the Department has worked to further the aims of the strategy through a number of routes. These include the recently-published national health service (NHS) operating framework which highlights mental health services and specifically “No Health without Mental Health” and makes it clear that this should be a priority for primary care trust commissioning.
Mental health is reflected in the outcomes frameworks for the NHS and adult social care, and in the draft outcomes framework for public health.
Implementation will also be supported through the introduction of payment by results and improved outcome measures for mental health within the NHS.
We have established a Ministerial Advisory Group for the mental health strategy to work in partnership to realise this strategy. The group brings together Government, relevant national bodies, commissioners, mental health provider organisations, voluntary and community sector organisations, and people with mental health problems and carers.
Proposals to develop a full implementation framework for the strategy were agreed by the Ministerial Advisory Group in October 2011.
The framework will be co-produced and jointly owned by national mental health organisations, with involvement and engagement from organisations across the sector, in partnership with Government Departments.
Mental Illness
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people with (a) mild to moderate and (b) severe mental illness (i) in January 2011 and (ii) on the latest date for which figures are available. [84606]
Paul Burstow: The Department does not collect this information.
The most recent data on the proportion of adults with mental disorders are from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Census (APMS). Data from this report are as follows:
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Mental Illness: Children
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people aged under 18 years diagnosed with a mental disorder for each type of disorder (i) in January 2011 and (ii) on the latest date for which figures are available. [84605]
Paul Burstow: No estimate has been made but information on the prevalence of mental disorders in children and young people has been published by other organisations.
For example, in the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in Great Britain, 2004 the Office for National Statistics reported that 9.6% of five to 16 year-olds had a clinically recognisable mental disorder. Of these, 5.8% had a conduct disorder, 3.7% had emotional disorders (anxiety and depression), 1.5% had hyperkinetic (hyperactive) disorders and 0.3% had eating disorders. Some children had more than one disorder. The same survey showed that among five-ten year-olds 10.2% of boys and 5.1% of girls had a clinically recognisable mental disorder. In the older age group, 11 to 16 year-olds, 12.6% of boys and 10.3% of girls had a clinically recognisable mental disorder.
Mental Illness: Young People
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) people and (b) people under 18 years of age were treated for cannabis-induced psychosis (i) since January 2011 and (ii) in the previous 12 months. [84861]
Anne Milton: Data on the number of people treated for cannabis-induced psychosis are not collected centrally. However, data on the number of finished admissions episodes with a primary diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids are collected and presented in the following tables.
| Count of finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids (ICD10 code F12), since January 2011 | ||||
|
|
Number of people treated | Number of people aged under 18 | Number of people aged 18 and over | Age not known |
| Count of finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids (ICD10 code F12), January 2010-December 2010 | ||||
|
|
Number of people treated | Number of people aged under 18 | Number of people aged 18 and over | Age not known |
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| Notes: 1. A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. ICD10 Code used = F12 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids (including cannabis). 3. Data quality—HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. 4. HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. 5. Activity included—activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. | ||||
Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust: Information and Communications Technology
Mr Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when development commenced on the Lorenzo IT system at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust; and when he expects the system to be deployed; [84313]
(2) what estimate he has made of the cost of (a) Connecting for Health staff and (b) contractors in support of the development and deployment of the Lorenzo IT system at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust since the start of the project. [84315]
Mr Simon Burns: Development of the Lorenzo computer system started at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay National Health Service Foundation Trust in August 2008. The trust has implemented the following elements of the system: Requests and Results/Clinical Documentation; Care Management and To Take Out (out-patient department) Prescribing and plans to implement the Emergency Care element in 2012. The support costs provided to date by NHS Connecting for Health staff are estimated to be £460,000 and an estimated £3,734,000 spent on contractors.
Mr Bacon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the amount of funding from (a) Connecting for Health and (b) the
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NHS which has been spent to date to support the development of the Lorenzo IT system at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust; [85097]
(2) what estimate he has made of the cost to date to the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust of the development and deployment of the Lorenzo IT system. [85100]
Mr Simon Burns: A total of £2.16 million has been provided to University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay National Health Service Foundation Trust in their role as an early adopter for release 1 and 1.9 of the Lorenzo information technology system—£1,158,660 from NHS Connecting for Health and £1,007,000 from the NHS.
These costs do not include payments for the system to the local service provider, which are only made when the deployment has been proved successful. To date, a payment of £0.3 million has been made by NHS Connecting for Health for the deployment of the first release of the Lorenzo IT system at the trust. No payments have been made for subsequent releases. Total costs payable to the supplier are dependent on which functionality is deployed at the trust.
The trust estimate their total costs to be £6.2 million from their involvement with the programme. These relate to user training, project management, additional computer equipment and additional corporate reporting tools. In addition to the £2.16 million funding from Connecting for Health and the NHS, £3.2 million funding has been provided by the local service provider, with a further £0.8 million expected before 31 March 2012.
NHS: Manpower
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of future levels of staffing in the NHS; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the number of Tier 2 visas that may have to be issued to meet future NHS staffing needs. [84729]
Mr Simon Burns: Local national health service organisations are best placed to decide on the work force needs for their community, according to local circumstances and priorities, with assurance and challenge regionally and nationally.
The Migration Advisory Committee is consulting on policies towards skilled economic migrants from April 2012, including the level of the limits on Tier 2 visas.
The Department of Health will be responding to the consultation and will continue to work closely with the Home Office and stakeholders to ensure that the NHS is not adversely affected by the review of the Tier 2 limits.
North Bristol NHS Trust: Information and Communications Technology
Mr Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when development commenced on the Cerner Millennium IT system at North Bristol NHS Trust; and when he expects the system to be deployed; [84312]
(2) what estimate he has made of the cost of (a) Connecting for Health staff and (b) contractors in support of the development and deployment of the Cerner Millennium IT system at North Bristol NHS Trust since the start of the project; [84314]
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(3) how much (a) Connecting for Health and (b) the NHS has spent to support the development of the Cerner Millennium IT system at North Bristol NHS Trust since the start of the project. [84316]
Mr Simon Burns: The project to deliver the Cerner Millennium IT system at North Bristol National Health Service Trust under the BT Local Service Provider contract commenced on 26 April 2010. The trust is planning to start using the system on the 8 December 2011.
The support costs for the deployment of the Cerner Millennium IT system at North Bristol NHS Trust are estimated to be £60,887 for NHS Connecting for Health staff and £585,106 for contractors supplied via the Southern Programme for IT. These costs cover support provided to the trust for test assurance, additional testers and trainers, and extra project management. North Bristol NHS Trust has spent £3.9 million since the start of the project.
NHS Connecting for Health has not directly incurred costs for development of the Cerner Millennium IT system as the configuration of the system has taken place between the supplier, BT and their subcontractor Cerner and the trust.
Mr Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much has been (a) paid to date and (b) he expects to be paid in the future to the local service provider for the Cerner Millennium IT system at the North Bristol NHS Trust; [85098]
(2) what estimate he has made of the cost to date to the North Bristol NHS Trust of the development and deployment of the Cerner Millennium IT system. [85099]
Mr Simon Burns: No payments have been made to date to the local service provider for the Cerner Millennium information technology system at the North Bristol NHS Trust. Payment will be made 45 days after delivery of a working system, which is planned for 8 December 2011. Once the deployment has been proved successful by the trust, a one-off deployment charge of £15.2 million will be made followed by an annual service charge of £2 million, only payable while the trust continues to use the system. These figures are in 2009-10 prices.
North Bristol NHS Trust has spent £3.9 million since the start of the project for the development and deployment of the Cerner Millennium IT system.
Obesity: Females
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce obesity among women. [84547]
Anne Milton: The Government are concerned about the prevalence of obesity in women. As set out in “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A call to action on obesity in England”, we are taking a life course approach with the aim of reducing levels of overweight and obesity in adults and children.
The “Call to action” sets out the key role for central Government, for local areas in developing approaches which work best for local communities and for specific population groups facing the greatest challenges, and for other partners.
A copy of the “Call to action” has already been placed in the Library.
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Radiotherapy
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2011, Official Report, column 537W, on radiotherapy, and the answer of 31 October 2011, Official Report, column 458W, on radiotherapy, how stereotactic body radiotherapy treatment will be commissioned under his proposals for the NHS. [84996]
Paul Burstow: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is currently commissioned as a specialised service by regional specialised commissioning groups and as informed by the specialised services national definitions set. The intention, subject to parliamentary approval, is that in the future services such as SBRT for people with rare and complex cancers should be directly commissioned by the National Health Service Commissioning Board (NHSCB).
However, no official decisions have yet been taken on what services will be directly commissioned by the NHSCB from April 2013.
Sex: Health Services
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the indicators for sexual health in the forthcoming Public Health Outcomes Framework meet the needs of women of all ages; and if he will make a statement. [84600]
Anne Milton: We are considering the consultation responses to the Public Health Outcomes Framework, which includes three indicators relevant to sexual health and we will publish that framework very soon. We will also be publishing a new sexual health policy document in spring 2012. This will consider the needs of women of all ages.
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish his Department's sexual health policy document. [84607]
Anne Milton: The Department plans to publish a sexual health policy document in spring 2012. The document will set sexual health in the context of the proposed new commissioning arrangements and will promote the evidence base for improving sexual health; including behaviour change and links to wider public health issues.
Smoking
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to provide information for the public on the effects of inhaling second hand tobacco smoke. [84471]
Anne Milton: Second hand smoke is a serious health hazard, and there is no safe level of exposure. While smokefree legislation has removed second hand smoke from enclosed work and public places, people can still be exposed to it at home or in family cars.
In March, the Department published “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A Tobacco Control Plan for England”, which sets out the Government's plans to tackle tobacco use over the next five years. This plan includes our commitment to launch a national marketing campaign,
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planned for spring 2012, to remind smokers of the risks of exposing children and adults to second hand smoke. We want people to recognise the risks of second hand smoke and decide voluntarily to make their homes and family cars smokefree.
In addition, the NHS Smokefree website:
www.nhs.uk/smokefree
contains information on the harms of second hand smoke. Materials, including leaflets, are also made available by the Department on the harms of second hand smoke for use by local areas.
A copy of “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A Tobacco Control Plan for England” has already been in the Library.
Smoking: Motor Vehicles
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the evidence presented to the inquiry on smoking in private vehicles by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health. [85002]
Anne Milton: The Department has received a copy of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health’s report on smoking in private vehicles. This report is currently under consideration.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the practicalities of enforcing a smoking ban in privately owned vehicles. [85164]
Anne Milton: The Department has not commissioned any specific research on the practicalities of enforcing a smoking ban in privately owned vehicles. However, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health recently conducted an inquiry into smoking in private vehicles. The report of that inquiry, published in November 2011, addresses regulation and enforcement issues with respect to smoking in cars. The All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health’s report is currently under consideration by the Department.
Cabinet Office
Government Procurement
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proposals he has made to the European Commission on the simplification of EU rules on government procurement; and if he will make a statement. [83620]
Mr Maude: On 21 November 2011, I put the case to the European Commission in Brussels for a radical simplification of the public procurement directives to reduce costs for business and for procurers.
The details of our proposals are set out in the Government's response to the Commission's Green Paper on the modernisation of EU public procurement policy, which we published in July 2011. This can be found at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/0707UKGPpbResponsefinal%20(2).pdf
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Business
Kate Green: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to ensure that public sector spending stimulates growth in the small business sector. [84102]
Mr Maude: On 21 November 2011, I unveiled a radical package of measures that will change how Government buys from the private sector in a way that supports business and promotes growth:
Government will provide an open door for current and future suppliers to discuss forthcoming procurement opportunities, cutting the time taken in the procurement process, and working with industry to identify and address any key capabilities needed to meet future demand.
We will publish a pipeline of potential business opportunities across Government, giving an unprecedented view into the Government's expected future requirements and helping business to build the confidence to invest in plants, machinery and people.
We will work with Departments to ensure that SMEs can access the value of procurement, including where relevant encouraging or challenging prime contractors to do more, or breaking up large contracts.
We will make it 40% faster to do business with Government so that, from January, all but the most complex procurement processes will be completed within 120 working days compared to the average of 200 days now.
And we will require all civil servants responsible for running major procurements to be trained in the Government's new approach.
These measures build on the earlier initiatives to support SMEs that we announced in February.
Communities First Programme
Michael Dugher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the potential role of the (a) Community Organisers programme and (b) Community First scheme in tackling social exclusion. [85283]
Mr Hurd: The Government recognise that supporting the most disadvantaged is a key part of the big society approach which focuses on enabling all groups in society to be able to play their part.
The Community Organisers programme aims to stimulate and support greater social action, particularly in areas of high deprivation. Both the National Partner, Locality, and their training partner, RE:generate, have a strong history of supporting and working with people from disadvantaged backgrounds. RE:generate's method, Listening Matters, focuses on having conversations with as many people as possible to find out their issues and their opinions, thereby ensuring that everyone's voice is heard, and not just those that speak the loudest.
The Community First programme is designed to encourage people to come together to make their neighbourhood a better place to live. The focus is on building social capital, encouraging ‘bonding and bridging’ within and between different parts of a neighbourhood. The design of the programme is underpinned with principles from Community Organising, ensuring that improvements are community-led and that people take responsibility for those things that they can do themselves.
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Federation of Small Businesses
Roger Williams: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions he has met the Federation of Small Businesses to discuss the role of public sector spending in stimulating small business growth. [84057]
Mr Maude [holding answer 1 December 2011]: There have been no meetings with the Federation of Small Businesses. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on the Cabinet Office website at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-external-organisations
Government Procurement
Malcolm Wicks: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what effect the Growth Review and Procurement Review will have on ensuring that Government tenders include an assessment of the (a) jobs, (b) tax revenues, (c) potential benefits to the domestic manufacturing supply chain and (d) welfare costs associated with jobs moving overseas in assessing the value for money of bids; and whether these factors will be assessed when assessing tenders for new nuclear power stations. [81370]
Mr Maude: On 21 November 2011, I announced a new approach to ensure the huge purchasing power of Government supports the task of boosting growth, and enables the Government to actively shape the UK market for the long term.
This approach is reflected in the autumn statement and associated documentation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), published on 29 November 2011. This can be found at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/as2011_index.htm
Industrial Disputes: Voluntary Organisations
Jack Lopresti: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what his policy is on encouraging voluntary groups to maintain key services during periods of industrial action. [84479]
Mr Maude: All public services are expected to have robust contingency plans in place to minimise any disruption to essential services from a wide range of challenges including industrial action. Such plans will look to reprioritise activities and resources as appropriate, manage demand, and draw in additional staffing and expertise where necessary, including from the voluntary sector.
Public Sector: Trade Union Officials
Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will issue a standard facility time agreement to public sector employers which sets out (a) duties which can be undertaken, (b) procedures for approval of such facilities time and (c) provision for the publication of (i) each instance of such facilities time and (ii) the cost of such time. [84623]
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Mr Maude: The Government intend to commence consultation shortly with the nationally recognised civil service trade unions on facility time. The aim of the consultation is to introduce a new framework for the provision of facility time and time off for trade union activities in the civil service.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture: Bureaucracy
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what progress her Department has made on reducing administrative burdens for farmers; [80770]
(2) what steps her Department has taken since its announcement that farmers with the best track records on environmental protection and animal welfare could have fewer inspections. [80784]
Mr Paice: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my written statement of 3 November 2011, Official Report, columns 40-41WS and the interim response to the independent Farm Regulation Task Force, which set out the work that is being done to apply and implement the recommendations made by the task force. I was also pleased to announce changes to the animal welfare inspection regime in Great Britain at the same time, in response to the recent public consultation. In particular, that from January 2012, we will concentrate most cross compliance inspections on those farms that have the highest risk of non compliance, recognising that members of livestock assurance or organic certification schemes have been shown to be lower risk.
Biofuels: Imports
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information her Department holds on the likely effects of importation of woody material to the UK for biomass consumption on the price of (a) wood for use in furniture and building and (b) food in exporting countries. [83031]
Mr Paice: International wood prices are determined by a number of complex variables such as the demand for wood across different sectors (e.g. paper and pulp and energy), the supply of raw material from both domestic and international sources, and exchange rate fluctuations. The international nature of the markets also makes the establishment of direct links between use patterns and prices extremely difficult. Industries that tend to use imported material will mainly be affected by fluctuations in the international prices, while those that do not have such close links with the international markets are less likely to see such strong effects.
Currently there is not enough historical data to provide firm information about the link between imported biomass for use in the energy sector and the impact on prices for other sectors. DEFRA has been working with the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and other Departments, as well as representatives from industry, including the agriculture, energy, and wood panelling sectors, to understand the evidence base in this complex area.
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On the domestic biomass supply side (as set out in the Woodfuel Implementation Plan of June 2011), Forestry Commission England is working to bring more existing private woodlands into active management to help supply both fuel and non-fuel markets. In addition, increased demand for bioenergy may lead to upward pressure on the price of sawdust and other coproducts from furniture makers and other wood processors.
In the short term, woody biomass imports are likely to continue to come from existing forests. If these are sustainably managed, it is unlikely that the demand from the bioenergy sector will result in significant land use change or influence food prices.
Bovine Tuberculosis
Nadhim Zahawi: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to monitor the presence of tuberculosis in camelids and the extent of any infection. [75358]
Mr Paice: There is no mandatory TB surveillance programme for camelids because they are not regarded as significant reservoirs of TB infection for other species.
There are no validated, sufficiently accurate and practical diagnostic techniques to routinely screen live camelids for TB. Surveillance for TB infection in camelids in Great Britain relies primarily on notifications of suspected cases detected during post mortem examination by private veterinarians and Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) regional laboratories. Owners and their private veterinarians are under legal obligation to notify such cases to AHVLA.
The July 2011 TB Eradication programme for England includes measures to tackle TB in non-bovine farmed species, including pigs, goats, deer, sheep, alpacas and llamas.
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department has received from welfare organisations on the impact of bovine TB on the welfare and well-being of farmers and their families. [75408]
Mr Paice: In 2009 the Farm Crisis Network published a report entitled ‘Stress and Loss: A report on the impact of bovine TB on farming families':
http://www.farmcrisisnetwork.org.uk/tb_support
DEFRA has since worked with this charity to set up a free business support service for TB-affected farmers.
Dangerous Dogs
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Association of Chief Police Officers on dangerous dogs. [81043]
Mr Paice: Over the last months, my noble Friend Lord Henley, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Lords), has met with the Assistant Chief Constable of the North Wales police force to discuss the issue of dangerous dogs. Additionally, the Association of Chief Police Officers have been engaged in stakeholder meetings, including one held most recently, on the subject of irresponsible dog ownership which was chaired by my noble Friend, Lord Taylor of Holbeach.
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Devolution
Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the outcomes were of the meeting between her Department and the devolved Ministers on 28 October 2011; whether any specific outcomes related to Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement; [78577]
(2) what recent discussions she has had with her ministerial counterparts in the devolved administrations on Common Agricultural Policy reform. [78624]
Mr Paice: No meeting with the devolved Administration Ministers took place on 28 October. However I and my DEFRA ministerial colleagues meet with our devolved counterparts to discuss Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and other EU matters on a regular basis. Most recently we met to discuss the Commission's package of draft CAP regulations for the next multi annual financial framework period (2014-20) in advance of the UK's response at Agricultural Council on 20 October.
The DEFRA ministerial team also met devolved Ministers with responsibility for policy areas on which DEFRA represents the UK in EU negotiations on 25 October. The meeting discussed the practicalities of working relationships on EU issues, including how to build a spirit of trust and respect, how to maximise the UK's impact on EU policy; and the specific concerns of devolved Administrations regarding the application of EU policies in their regions.
Food Supply
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what long-term assessment she has made of the prospects for UK food security in 2050 arising from the upper and lower limits of the Office for National Statistics' projected population range for 2050. [84820]
Mr Paice: The Office for National Statistics produce population projections for the UK based on a set of demographic assumptions. Their principal projection for the UK in 2050 is 78.4 million. Population projections become increasingly uncertain the further they are carried forward and the long-term figures should be treated with great caution.
Our food security depends on access to the world market; and our domestic food industry needs to be able to compete on the world stage. In a world where climate instability can disrupt patterns of production, food security cannot be delivered from a narrow, self-interested, national protectionist stance, or by recommending self-sufficiency.
Earlier this year the Government's chief scientist, Sir John Beddington, published a Foresight report into the Future of Food and Farming which looked at the challenges today and in the future. It explored how we can feed a global population of 9 billion by 2050 healthily and sustainably and identified hunger and environmental degradation as the key problems we face. The Foresight world population figures are derived from United Nations projections.
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As an immediate response to the report, DEFRA have signed up to a Foresight Action Plan which will include:
championing an integrated approach to food security;
pressing for integration of agricultural GHGs into UNFCCC process;
taking forward Nagoya work on international biodiversity;
promoting the importance of sustainable intensification;
pressing for trade liberalisation and CAP/CFP reform;
showcasing what can be achieved on food waste reduction within the UK and share best practice; and
increasing the productivity and competitiveness of UK food and farming and ensure that agriculture and the food sector can contribute fully to the green economy.
Forestry Commission: Termination of Employment
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department has spent on exit costs for staff leaving the Forestry Commission in the last year. [84638]
Mr Paice: Following the reductions agreed at the spending review and in line with the Government's determination to tackle the national deficit, the Forestry Commission has been provided with £4.9 million this financial year from the DEFRA Modernisation Fund to support a programme of voluntary early exits, to be spent by 31 March 2012. In addition, the Forestry Commission, a non-ministerial department responsible for operating within its budget allocation, has committed £0.1 million from its own budget for voluntary early exits over this same period.
Forests
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department plans to consult on the interim findings of the independent panel on forestry. [84657]
Mr Paice: The Independent Panel on Forestry's final report is due in spring 2012, although we understand that it will publish a progress report very soon. It is for the Panel to decide on what consultation it will do as part of its work.
Gangmasters Licensing Authority
Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the possible effect of the relocation of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority from her Department to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the activities of unlicensed gangmasters in the agricultural sector. [78036]
Mr Paice: There are currently no plans to relocate the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) from DEFRA to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Therefore, no assessment has been made of the effect this might have.
Livestock: Waste Disposal
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has received any evidence of harm to public health or the environment as a result of the burial of fallen stock on a farm. [R] [83931]
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Mr Paice: The Department has not received any specific evidence of on-farm burial causing harm to public health or the environment since it was banned in 2003 under the EU Animal By-Products (ABP) Regulation 1774/2002 (and continued in its successor regulation 1069/2009). The ban was made on a precautionary basis influenced by the evidence provided in a number of scientific opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and its predecessor the Scientific Steering Committee. The evidence relating to those opinions identified the following uncertainties:
location of burial sites;
potential for transmission of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) from specified risk material buried near the surface was poorly characterised;
extent to which infectivity would be reduced by burial;
penetration of prions into leachates and groundwater;
dangers arising from “re-engineering” in areas where previous burial of TSE contaminated material had occurred.
Palm Oil
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps she has taken to encourage food companies to source palm oil from sustainable sources. [84747]
Mr Paice: In May 2011 DEFRA published a study which mapped UK palm oil supply chains. The project looked at how much palm oil we use, in what products, where it comes from and how much could be considered sustainable. It also looked at the potential actions that could be undertaken to move towards the UK sourcing only sustainably produced palm oil. The project involved businesses from across the industry and its report is available on the research section of DEFRA's website.
Following publication of this study, we have been investigating possible further action in two main areas:
Work with business groups to explore options for a collaborative voluntary commitment on sustainability of UK palm oil consumption; and
Developing the business case for including sustainable palm oil requirements in Government Buying Standards.
Reed
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the proportion of thatching reed used in England which was sourced from the UK in each year since 2006. [82719]
Mr Paice: The Government have made no assessment of the proportion of thatching reed used or sourced in the UK.
Sky Lanterns
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made on regulating the use of Chinese lanterns in order to protect livestock on farms; and if she will make a statement. [82204]
Mr Paice: We share farmers' concern about the potential risks of sky lanterns (also known as Chinese lanterns). We are continuing to work with other Departments and the agricultural industry to address them.
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Our current approach is to raise public awareness of the potential dangers posed by sky lanterns (and to focus on voluntary action with the aim of influencing consumer behaviour). I wrote to the British Hospitality Association in the summer to advise its membership of hotels, restaurants and other venues of the problems they cause, principally the harm to livestock and litter and to ask that they discourage customers from using these lanterns. DEFRA also issued a press release earlier this month for bonfire night to warn people of the harm sky lanterns can cause.
We are also pursuing other voluntary options and working closely with the National Farmers Union and the Women's Farming Union as they gather the evidence necessary to justify any potential future ban. These two organisations are doing a sterling job in raising awareness of the risks posed by sky lanterns and urging support for local farmers.
In parallel, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills is raising the issue with the Commission and exploring the views of other member states.
Sustainable Development
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to tackle the challenges of population growth for sustainable development ahead of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development; and if she will make a statement. [78804]
Mr Paice: The birth of the ‘seven billionth baby' on 31 October served to emphasise the challenges that we face in providing a prosperous, sustainable future for a rapidly growing global population. Natural resources are neither inexhaustible nor free. At Rio+20 (the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development), we must make the case for a greener global economy—showing that growth need not occur at a cost to the environment, that this growth can be inclusive, and that sustainability is the foundation for long-term prosperity. We must also make clear that the major global challenges facing us—for example, food security, environmental degradation, climate change and poverty eradication—are inextricably linked, and that we will not succeed in tackling them piecemeal.
The UK is pushing for an ambitious outcome at Rio+20—we should agree tangible actions that make a difference. Engagement and preparations are under way; we have submitted initial ideas to the UN ahead of the Conference, and are developing the UK's position and engaging with EU and international partners.
World War II: Medals
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to encourage former members of the Women's Land Army and Timber Corps to apply for the Women's Land Army and Timber Corps badge. [85319]
Mr Paice:
Since the launch of the award in 2008 more than 35,000 badges have been issued to former members of the Women's Land Army (WLA) and Women's Timber Corps (WTC). DEFRA continues to receive a number of requests for badges and where the application
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meets the criteria, a badge will be awarded. The application form for the WLA badge is available on the DEFRA website at:
http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmmanage/working/wla/
Business, Innovation and Skills
Arts
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the current Standard Industrial Classification codes in quantifying the economic contribution of the creative industries. [84950]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 5 December 2011]: Creative industries are a collection of specialised business activities reaching across the whole range of industrial sectors including:
printing and fashion in the manufacturing sector;
retail of art and antiques;
architectural and design services; and
publishing and advertising.
As this group of industries is so wide and detailed the standard industrial classification system (SIC) is never going to be ideal for capturing it entirely.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have policy responsibility for creative industries and, in close consultation with a number of other Government Departments including BIS, have formed a SIC-based definition. DCMS will be publishing a statistical bulletin on the creative industries on 8 December.
Debt Recovery
Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many claims have been made under the Late Payment of Commercial Debt (Interest) Act 1998 in each year since the Act was passed. [84870]
Mr Prisk: The Late Payment of Commercial Debt (Interest) Act 1998 provides suppliers with the right to claim interest for late payment and reasonable debt recovery costs.
Government do not hold a record of the number of claims as they are made by the supplier direct to the purchaser: the supplier informs the purchaser that payment is overdue and seeks both prompt payment and the claim for interest and recovery costs. It is only where the purchaser does not pay the interest and/or debt recovery costs that the supplier can then pursue their claim through the courts. Claims of this type are not centrally recorded. Guidance on late payment legislation can be found at:
www.bis.gov.uk/files/file37581.pdf
It is important to note that late payment legislation is intended to be a deterrent against late payment, not a routine way of dealing with an overdue invoice. Suppliers should therefore reference the Act and the costs of overdue payment in all invoicing to make clear to the purchaser when payment is due and the additional costs of failing to pay on time.
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In that context, it is estimated that over half of UK transactions are not covered by pre-agreed terms, and Barclays estimate that only one in 10 suppliers regularly credit checks their customers. This suggests that there is much suppliers can do to improve their management of supplier relationships and that is why we have joined forces with the Institute of Credit Management and the UK's leading business representative and financial bodies to produce and promote the highly regarded Managing Cashflow guides:
www.creditmanagement.org.uk/bisguides.htm
Business: Government Assistance
Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the adequacy of support available for those (a) wishing to start a business and (b) running a business. [85217]
Mr Prisk: The information is as follows.
(a) The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills consulted on the effectiveness of business support delivery and what improvements could be made to the Business Link service with representatives from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Engineering Employers Federation, the Confederation of British Industry, the Federation of Private Business, the British Chambers of Commerce and the Institute of Directors, with a group of independent entrepreneurs including members of the Secretary of State's Entrepreneurs Forum, and through the business representative bodies, via workshops in every English region involving business support practitioners, providers (including enterprise agencies), local authorities and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
(b) Improvements identified included: a preference for advice to business provided by peer networks, professionals and intermediaries such as, accountants and banks; Government funding for targeted face to face advice to be aimed at SMEs with high growth potential; easier access to business information, advice on regulation and Government transactions on the Business Link website and the ability to personalise content; Government not to duplicate private sector provision.
On 14 November 2011 we launched a new approach to the way people receive the information, advice and guidance they need to start and grow their business. This was developed with experts in the relevant subject matter and tested with prospective SME users. The mentoring web portal was developed in conjunction with the British Banking Association.
Our new approach is based on: digital services which provide high quality information and advice, accessible when businesses need them; and face to face advice provided by business people for business people, not by the public sector. We have:
Revamped the Business Link website
www.businesslink.gov.uk
introduced two new online services; a dedicated “My New Business” area developed by experts to provide training, tools and checklists for those looking to start a business; and the new Growth and Improvement Service which will provide new tools to help businesses understand the issues they face, plus a business support and an events finder tool so businesses can find out what is available to
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them locally. To ensure services are readily accessible and meet a variety of needs, our services include online tools, tutorials and case studies, and will be accessible using mobile technology.
Established a national helpline to help people find what they need on the web and for those who cannot access the web.
Encouraged businesses to seek a business mentor to help them develop their business and encouraging mentoring organisations to offer access to their mentors through a mentoring portal,
www.mentorsme.co.uk
Almost concluded the procurement of a new Business Coaching for Growth (BCG) Programme to enable small businesses with high growth potential to realise their potential.
Capita
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many contracts his Department has awarded to Capita since May 2010; and what the (a) purpose, (b) monetary value and (c) net worth was of each such contract. [84743]
Mr Davey: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 October 2011, Official Report, column 748W, to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Tristram Hunt).
Construction: Billing
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the effect on sub-contractors of late or non-payment of bills by larger contractors in the construction industry. [84456]
Mr Prisk: The impact assessment for the Revision of the Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998 Construction Contract (England) Exclusion Order 2011 estimated that commercial disputes between contractors and sub-contractors had an estimated financial cost of £40 million in 2010. The exact proportion of these disputes relating directly to late or non-payment is unknown, as is the proportion of the disputes costs that fall on sub-contractors as opposed to contractors. Amendments to the above legislation were commenced in October aimed at mitigating the cost of such disputes.
There is also evidence that payments within the construction sector are improving relative to other sectors in the UK. The pH Group, a subsidiary of Experian, provide data by industry sector in respect of days beyond term (DBT) payments, i.e. the number of days later than contract terms by which invoices were paid. The latest data show that construction was the only sector where DBT fell over the last quarter (Q3 2011) which is the second consecutive quarterly fall in DBT for the construction sector. The number of days beyond term for the construction sector is now 13.15 days, which is the second lowest (behind only the agricultural sector) out of the 11 sectors reviewed, and well below the UK average of 16.62 days.
Food Procurement
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that the same standards of animal welfare for whole eggs apply to imported liquefied eggs procured by (a) his Department and (b) public bodies for which he is responsible. [83778]
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Mr Davey: The Department’s contracted catering and conference supplier Baxter Storey only use pasteurised liquid egg that is bought in the UK and is Lion Brand standard. Baxter Storey do not buy non UK whole egg or liquid egg.
Information for non departmental bodies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of food sourced by (a) his Department and (b) public bodies for which he is responsible was procured from UK food producers in the latest period for which figures are available. [83779]
Mr Davey: The Department's catering and conference services are contracted to Baxter Storey who source the food used.
Currently 85% of all produce and 92% of indigenous produce is procured from UK food producers.
Information for non departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps (a) his Department and (b) public bodies for which he is responsible are taking to ensure that they meet the Government's buying standards for food and catering. [83780]
Mr Davey:
The central Department’s conference and catering is contracted out to Baxter Storey. Since the
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inception of the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative (PSFPI) in 2003 and now the Government Buying Standard, Baxter Storey has operated a policy of full compliance in all its Government contracts.
Information for non departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Procurement
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what procedures his Department has put in place to ensure value for money on purchases; and what savings have been identified using those procedures in the last year. [82316]
Mr Davey: In August 2011, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, the right hon. 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 following table. The assessment has been independently verified 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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Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which services his Department has outsourced in each of the last five years. [84237]
Mr Davey: In 2007, the Department outsourced the assessment of what reasonable adjustments were recommended for staff with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
The Department has outsourced no other services in each of the last five years.
Derby Economic Task Force
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2011, Official Report, column 762W, on rolling stock: procurement, if he will publish the minutes, actions and attendees of the Derby Economic Task Force meeting held on 31 October 2011. [84597]
Mr Prisk: There was not a Derby Economic Task Force meeting on 31 October. There was a sub group meeting about supply chains on that day. The Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce are the lead organisation.
Export Credits Guarantees
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much outstanding debt is owed to the UK through the Export Credits Guarantee, broken down by country. [84857]
Mr Davey: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr (Jonathan Edwards), on 9 November 2011, Official Report, column 375W.
Export Credits Guarantees: Arab States
Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which sovereign states have owed money to the Export Credits Guarantee Department due to defaults by the Arab Organization for Industrialization since 1981. [84120]
Export Credits Guarantees: Libya
Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what projects backed by the Export Credits Guarantee Department involved exports to or investments in Libya since 2000-01. [84109]
Mr Davey: The Export Credits Guarantee Department has not supported any export contracts to or investments in Libya since 2000-01 to date.
Marine Stewardship
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of fish sourced by (a) his Department and (b) those agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible are procured from Marine Stewardship Council approved sustainable sources [83910]
Mr Davey: The central Department's conference and catering is contracted out to Baxter Storey who are currently sourcing 35% of fish from Marine Stewardship Council-approved sustainable sources.
I have approached the chief executives of the Department's executive agencies and they will respond to the hon. Member directly. Information for non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Letter from David Williams, dated 5 December 2011:
Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills regarding what proportion of fish sourced by (a) his Department and (b) those agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible are procured from Marine Stewardship Council approved sustainable sources. (83910)
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The UK Space Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has procured no fish from Marine Stewardship Council approved sustainable sources.
The UK Space Agency are tenants in Polaris House, Swindon, in which catering services are supplied by the Research Councils UK, who have a catering contract with Baxter Storey. All food procurement is made by the catering contractor.
Letter from John Alty, dated 5 December 2011:
I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to your Parliamentary Question tabled for 25 November 2011, asking the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, what proportion of fish sourced by (a) his Department and (b) those agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible are procured from Marine Stewardship Council approved sustainable sources.
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) does not conduct any food related procurement activities. The IPO has access to a catering contract owned by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), for the provision of hospitality and restaurant facilities for IPO staff. ONS confirm that currently the proportion of fish procured from Marine Stewardship Council approved sustainable sources is zero. Therefore the proportion offish procured from marine Stewardship council approved sustainable sources is zero for the IPO.
Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 5 December 2011:
Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills asking the Skills Funding Agency (the Agency) what proportion of fish sourced by (a) his Department and (b) those agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible are procured from Marine Stewardship Council approved sustainable sources (83910)
Please be advised that the Agency does not directly purchase fish. Its caterers are committed to responsible sourcing and all fish products are sourced within UK and international regulatory guidelines.
Letter from Dr Vanessa Laurence CB, dated 30 November 2011:
As Director General and Chief Executive of Ordnance Survey, I have been asked to reply to your question with the information on what proportion of fish sourced by Ordnance Survey is procured from Marine Stewardship Council {MSC) approved sustainable sources.
Ordnance Survey's procurement of food is managed by a third party. Their seafood supplier is recognised as a Key Foodservice Supplier by the Marine Stewardship Council offering MSC certified products within their chain of custody framework.
It is estimated that Ordnance Survey's catering provider is currently sourcing 35% of its fish from MSC approved sustainable sources. This percentage is, I understand, likely to increase soon, as the company responsible for managing Ordnance Survey's catering facilities are currently in the process of achieving ‘company wide’ MSC chain of custody accreditation. In addition, I have been informed that no fish that sit in the red category of the online MSC fish database are served by our supplier.
Letter from Stephen Speed, dated November 2011:
The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question, what proportion of fish sourced by (a) his Department and (b) those agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible are procured from Marine Stewardship Council approved sustainable sources.
The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has procured no fish from Marine Stewardship Council approved sustainable sources.
The Insolvency Service no longer has canteen facilities.
Letter from John Hirst, dated 29 November 2011:
I am replying on behalf of the Met Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 25 November 2011, UIN83910 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
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The Met Office itself does not procure any fish. However, catering is provided by Eurest Services at the Met Office Headquarters in Exeter. Eurest Services does not source any fish products from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) “Fish to Avoid” list. Moreover, I understand the majority of Eurest's fish supply has MSC accreditation and that it is currently reviewing the MSC “Fish to Eat” list against the remainder of its supply.
I hope this helps.
Letter from David Evans, dated 29 November 2011:
You tabled the following Parliamentary Question on 25 November 2011:
“To ask the Secretary of State, Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of fish sourced by (a) his Department and (b) those agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible are procured from Marine Stewardship Council approved sustainable sources”.
Land Registry, who are an Executive Agency within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, do not directly source fish however we do have one staff canteen, for which the contract for catering has been outsourced. Our catering provider sources 100 percent of the fresh fish served from Marine Stewardship Council certified suppliers.
Letter from Peter Mason, dated 30 November 2011:
I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (NMO) to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 25 November 2011, asking the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of fish sourced for his Department and the Agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible are procured from Marine Stewardship Council approved sustainable sources.
NMO has responsibility for its site in Teddington that also houses the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), a Government Owned Contractor Operated body. We provide restaurant and hospitality facilities for NPL and NMO through a total facilities management contract. We have received verbal assurance from the catering sub-contractor, Baxter-Storey, that 100% of the fish used in delivering the catering and hospitality service are procured from Marine Stewardship Council approved sustainable sources.
Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 28 November 2011:
I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 25 November 2011, UIN 83910 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Companies House does not procure seafood directly but our contracted catering provider only procures fish from sustainable sources approved by the Marine Stewardship Council.
Fossil Fuels: Export Credits Guarantees
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2011, Official Report, column 271W, on fossil fuels: export credits guarantees, whether he plans to announce his decision before the Christmas recess. [84020]
Mr Davey: No firm date has been fixed.
Government Procurement
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what contribution his Department has made towards meeting the Government's target of procuring 25 per cent. of central Government supplies from small and medium-sized enterprises. [84879]
Mr Davey: The Department in financial year 2010-11 spent £48.2 million directly with small and medium-sized enterprises, equating to 19% of total procurement spend for that period.
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In September 2011, the latest period for which figures are available, the Department spent £3,789,000 directly with small and medium-sized enterprises, equating to 18.35% of total procurement spend.
Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to increase the power of suppliers in relation to large retailers under the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill. [83119]
Mr Davey: By enforcing and overseeing the Groceries Code, the Groceries Code Adjudicator will strengthen the position of suppliers in relation to large retailers.
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) whether the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill will have provision to protect the anonymity of suppliers when requesting an investigation be launched; [83120]
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the criteria for launching an investigation under the provisions of the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill do not adversely affect the ability of a supplier to request an investigation anonymously. [83121]
Mr Davey: Protecting the confidentiality of suppliers who raise a complaint will be both a power and a duty of the Adjudicator.
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the Groceries Code Adjudicator will be given the ability to launch an investigation if he has reasonable grounds to suspect a breach of the Groceries Code regardless of where the evidence has originated. [83122]
Mr Davey: The Groceries Code Adjudicator will be able to launch an investigation based on information that is publicly available, or information provided by a supplier. The Government have agreed to consider the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee’s proposals that information provided by trade bodies and industry whistleblowers should also be considered.
Manufacturing Advisory Service: Redditch
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans the Manufacturing Advisory Service has to provide assistance to manufacturers in Redditch; and if he will make a statement. [84823]
Mr Prisk: A new Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) national service will launch on 1 January 2012. The national service will be delivered locally by people who understand the dynamics of their local economies while leveraging leading edge national resources. MAS will work with the Worcester and Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnerships and regional sector bodies to ensure provision is driving local impacts, both in terms of priorities and local tailoring of services.
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Manufacturing Advisory Service: Peterborough
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans the Manufacturing Advisory Service has to provide assistance to manufacturers in Peterborough; and if he will make a statement. [84096]
Mr Prisk: A new Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) national service will launch on 1 January 2012. The national service will be delivered locally by people who understand the dynamics of their local economies while leveraging leading edge national resources. MAS will work with the Cambridge and Peterborough Local Enterprise partnership (LEP) and regional sector bodies to ensure provision is driving local impacts, both in terms of priorities and local tailoring of services.
New Businesses: Capital Investment
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage private sector investment in high-risk start-up businesses; and if he will make a statement. [84889]
Mr Prisk: The Government recognise that high risk, innovative start-ups have the potential for high growth and job creation.
The Government support tax incentives including the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) to encourage private investment in start-up firms. The March 2011 Budget announced changes to the rules and capacity relating to EIS and VCTs to simplify and increase the incentive for investors to use these schemes.
The Autumn Statement went even further in the targeting of relief toward start-up firms. The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) which will be introduced from April 2012 aims to encourage investment into new early stage companies by providing a higher rate of income tax relief of 50% (compared to the normal EIS rate of 30%) for individuals who invest in qualifying seed companies. To kick start the scheme the Government are offering a capital gains tax exemption on any gains realised in the year 2012-13 that are invested through SEIS in the same year.
The Government continue to support the early stage market by leveraging in private investment through Enterprise Capital Funds (ECFs). ECFs invest £250,000 to £2 million in small, early stage businesses. 10 funds with a total of £250 million to invest have been established and a further £200 million has been committed to leverage an additional £100 million of private sector funding.
The Government are also supporting the development of a new £50 million Business Angel Co-investment Fund as part of a successful bid to the Regional Growth Fund. The fund will be available to invest, alongside Business Angel networks or syndicates, into eligible start-ups and is due to launch by the end of the year.
Overseas Trade: China
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what process UK Trade and Investment has put in place to track the economic plans of Chinese provinces and identify opportunities for trade for UK firms. [84535]
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Mr Prisk: Identifying business opportunities for UK firms across China is a key strategic driver of UK Trade and Investment's work. One aspect is a major regional cities initiative which has identified significant opportunities for UK business across 35 Chinese regional cities.
The addition of some 50 FCO frontline staff into the China Network will also increase our reach, engagement and understanding, and allow us to build closer relationships with China's fastest-growing regions and cities in support of UK business.
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many trade shows in China UK Trade and Investment has attended; and in which provinces. [84536]
Mr Prisk: In 2011-12 there are 19 exhibitions in China in UK Trade and Investment's published Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP), comprising: eight in Beijing, eight in Shanghai, two in Guangzhou and one in Shenzhen. In addition, TAP has agreed support for individual UK exhibitors at a further 10 exhibitions: four in Shanghai, four in Shenzhen, three in Guangzhou and one in Zhuhai. UKTI officials also support UK commercial interests at other exhibitions in different parts of China according to their duties.
Postal Services: Dangerous Dogs
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what contribution he has made to the Home Office consultation on anti-social behaviour in respect of the risk posed by dangerous dogs to Royal Mail deliveries to customers. [85299]
Mr Davey: I have not made any contribution to the Home Office consultation on antisocial behaviour in respect of the risk posed by dangerous dogs to Royal Mail deliveries to customers.
I understand that this consultation closed on the 17 May 2011. It would have been an operational matter for Royal Mail to decide to contribute to the consultation, in terms of dangerous dogs, had it felt it appropriate to do so.
Private Sector: Employment
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assistance is offered to former public sector workers to help them find work in the private sector. [83704]
Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
The primary responsibility for supporting public sector workers made redundant rests with the public sector employer, supported by Jobcentre Plus as appropriate. Employers have a variety of support in place ranging from internal redeployment managers to externally contracted outplacement services. A cross Government career transitions service is also being piloted in London which provides redeployment assistance both inside and beyond the public sector.
Everybody who loses their job as a result of workforce management measures—including former public sector workers—is able to access support from the Jobcentre Plus led Rapid Response Service both during their redundancy notice period and, for those who require it, up to 13-weeks after their last day of work.
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Those individuals who go on to make a claim to benefit will enter a personalised system of support within Jobcentre Plus that allows more flexibility to Jobcentre Plus. This framework allows advisers greater discretion to draw down from a flexible menu of support options that is tailored to the needs of both the individual and the local labour market.
In addition, Jobcentre Plus advisers will signpost claimants to appropriate specialised agencies which can help claimants with particular skills or professional capabilities to find relevant suitable work quickly. Jobcentre Plus advisers will also, as appropriate, signpost people to opportunities for starting up their own business through measures like enterprise clubs and/or the new enterprise allowance.
Regional Assistance: Northern Ireland
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what funding Northern Ireland has received as a result of its automatic assisted area status in each of the last three years. [84452]
Mr Prisk: This is a devolved matter which is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive.
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what assessment he has made of progress with the review of automatic assisted area status for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement; [84453]
(2) what assessment he has made of the consequences to Northern Ireland of the removal of automatic assisted area status; [84454]
(3) if he will undertake an equality impact assessment of the potential effect of the removal of automatic assisted area status for Northern Ireland. [84455]
Mr Prisk: The removal of the automatic assisted area status for Northern Ireland is one of four proposed changes to the Industrial Development Act 1982. The Government's consultation covering these proposed changes closed on 2 November 2011 and we are on target to publish a response within three months of the consultation close.
An impact assessment for all four proposed changes was included at annex 3 of the Industrial Development Act Revisions consultation document. The post 2013 allocation implications for Northern Ireland of removing the automatic 100% assisted area coverage will not be known until the new Regional Aid Guidelines are implemented by the European Commission and we start to draw up the 2014-2020 assisted areas map. An economic and equality impact assessment will be undertaken at this time.
Regional Growth Fund
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to his answer of 7 November 2011, Official Report, column 112W, on Regional Growth Fund, (1) how many meetings the Ministerial Group held to consider the panel's recommendations; [81051]
(2) how many meetings took place; on which days; and which Ministers attended each meeting. [81052]
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Mr Prisk [holding answer 14 November 2011]:In line with the constitutional convention of collective decision-making, and section 2 of the Ministerial Code, the Government do not disclose details of the internal process through which decisions are taken.
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2011, Official Report, columns 111-12W, on Regional Growth Fund, what the monetary value is of the provisional allocations for the successful bids to the second round of the Regional Growth Fund in each region. [81053]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 14 November 2011]:Given as follows is the regional breakdown of provisional (subject to the outcome of due diligence) allocations for winning bids to the second round of the Regional Growth Fund.
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|
£ million |
| (1) This includes value of bids from round 1 where the number of bids is less than 2. | |
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much successful bidders to the Regional Growth Fund have paid for the due diligence process to date; and what estimate his Department has made of the total amount that will be paid by successful bidders to complete the due diligence process. [84905]
Mr Prisk: 19 projects totalling £112 million, following the completion of due diligence, have signed final contracts and are set to deliver 924 new or safeguarding jobs and nearly 29,000 jobs in the supply chain. We expect that all projects allocated conditional allocations will complete due diligence and will start to receive their share of the £1.4 billion in the spring. The guidance has always been clear that the cost of due diligence should be met by the applicant and that due diligence costs will vary due to commercial circumstances.
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the number of successful bids to the Regional Growth Fund that will receive funding in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14. [84906]
Mr Prisk: It is normal for regional growth fund funding to be paid in arrears of private sector investment and phased over several years. The majority of successful bids will receive some funding each year.
Regional Planning and Development: North-east England
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much Government funding for regional development has been provided in the North East in each year since 1996. [83401]
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Mr Prisk: The following table gives total figures for Regional Selective Assistance, Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) and Grant for Business Investment (GBI) provided in north-east England, combined with the funding for the One North East (ONE) regional development agency established in April 1999.
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£ million |
In 2011/12 the current funding allocation to ONE, SFIE and GBI is £100.4 million. In addition, following the completion of rounds 1 and 2 of the bids under the Regional Growth Fund programme, £156.9 million has been allocated to the north-east (for spending between 2011/12 to 2013/14).
Regulation
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what best practice timescales his Department advocates for the introduction, removal or change of Government regulations. [84919]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 5 December 2011]:The Better Regulation Executive has issued guidance on a number of relevant components of the processes for introducing, amending or removing Government regulations. These include:
12 weeks for public consultation exercises
guidance being issued twelve weeks before regulations come into effect
domestic regulations affecting business coming into effect on a Common Commencement Date
post-implementation review being carried out between three and five years after regulations come into effect
sunset clauses having effect seven years after regulations come into effect
In practice, the total time taken for introduction, removal or change will depend on a variety of factors including the scope and complexity of the regulations, whether they are domestic or EU in origin, whether a formal public consultation is required, and the type of parliamentary procedure.
Renewable Energy: Export Credits Guarantees
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that new trade finance products offered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department are marketed and accessible to small and medium-sized renewable energy enterprises. [84010]
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Mr Davey: I refer my hon. Friend for Richmond Park to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central (Chi Onwurah), on 9 November 2011, Official Report, column 377W.
The awareness campaign has included companies and trade associations in the renewable energy industry.
Technology and Innovation Centre
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had on the establishment of a Technology and Innovation Centre in the East Midlands. [82798]
Mr Willetts: I have had a range of discussions on the establishment of technology and innovation centres including in the east midlands.
The network of technology and innovation centres will be established and overseen by the Technology Strategy Board and, while I will follow progress on this very closely, the decision on the final technology areas, together with the location of the centres, will be made by the Technology Strategy Board following a process of detailed discussions with the business and academic communities on the basis of where there is most potential for a centre to have a catalytic effect in stimulating long-term economic growth.
Paliamentary Written Questions
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of written questions for answer on a named day received a substantive answer within five working days in each of the last six months. [85057]
Mr Davey: Figures indicate that a total of 588 named day parliamentary questions were due for answer by BIS Ministers during the period June to November 2011. 480 (82%) received a substantive reply within five sitting days from the date the parliamentary question was tabled. A total of 549 (93%) received a substantive reply either on the date stipulated by the Member, or within five sitting days from the date stipulated.
The figures have been drawn from the Department’s database which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
Treasury
Unemployment
18. Pat Glass: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecast for unemployment in 2012. [84798]
Danny Alexander: In line with a weaker outlook for GDP growth, the OBR has revised up the projected level of unemployment over the near term.
The Government are taking steps to support private sector job creation and reduce unemployment:
Reducing red tape and facilitating SME‘s access to finance through credit easing, helping businesses to grow and take on new workers;
Implementing reforms to help people find work including specific support for young people through the Youth Contract.
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Regional Investment
20. Sarah Newton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of fiscal policy on the level of investment in the regions. [84802]
Danny Alexander: Returning the UK economy to sustainable economic growth that is more balanced across the UK and sectors is a key priority. In the autumn statement, this Government took steps to encourage investment and exports as a route to a more balanced economy.
In addition, we have continued to support investment in all places, increasing the Regional Growth Fund for England by £1 billion, plus Barnett consequentials for the devolved administrations, approving two new Enterprise Zones in Lancashire and the Humber, making 100% capital allowances available in six Enterprise Zones, and funding up to six rural growth networks.
Economic Growth
21. Karl Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of levels of economic growth in (a) the UK and (b) other G7 countries in the last 12 months. [84803]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Government's latest assessment of the UK economy is set out in the autumn statement. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility's Economic and Fiscal Outlook was published alongside the autumn statement.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development collates GDP data for all member countries. These data show the UK economy growing in the most recent three quarters. The OECD's latest forecast shows UK GDP growing faster than that of France, Italy, and the euro area both next year and in 2013.
UK Current Account Balance
Mr Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the UK's current account balance with (a) the EU and (b) non-EU countries in the last year. [84788]
Miss Chloe Smith: In 2010 the UK had a current account deficit of £37 billion. This deficit results from a deficit of £52 billion with the EU and a surplus of £16 billion with non EU countries.
Bank Levy
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of the Finance Act 2011 (Bank Levy: Amendment of Netting Agreements Provisions) Order 2011 on the revenue raised by the bank levy. [85322]
Mr Hoban: It is estimated that there is a negligible impact as the amendments simply make it clearer how the netting agreements work in respect of these transactions.
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Future Jobs Fund
Julie Elliott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the effects of cancellation of the Future Jobs Fund on levels of employment. [84804]
Danny Alexander: The Chancellor of the Exchequer and I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the economy and levels of employment.
As announced at the autumn statement, the Government are introducing the Youth Contract which provides almost £1 billion in new funding to support up to 500,000 young people into employment and training. The Youth Contract builds on work the Government are already doing to tackle youth unemployment, including apprenticeships, work experience places and the Work programme, one of the largest payment-by-results employment programmes in the world.
The Government were right to abolish the Future Jobs Fund. It was too expensive and created too many jobs in the public and voluntary sector that were fully funded by the subsidy and therefore ceased when the subsidy ran out. The Youth Contract will create sustainable jobs in the private sector, with an estimated 160,000 wage incentive places to make it easier for private sector employers to take on young people.