Ecosystem Markets Task Force
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the work of the Ecosystem Markets Task Force. [89620]
Richard Benyon: The Ecosystem Markets Task Force is one of the Government's key commitments from the Natural Environment White Paper, “The Natural Choice”. The Task Force, which is independent, will report by March 2013 to the Secretaries of State for: Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable); Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne); and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman). It will review opportunities for UK businesses from expanding green goods, services, products, investment vehicles, and markets which value and protect nature. My fellow Ministers and I have been very interested in its progress, and in recent months the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has met the Chair of the Task Force, Ian Cheshire, and attended the Task Force's launch event.
Eggs: EU Law
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to take steps to block products containing eggs from import from countries that are not compliant with the welfare of laying hens directive. [90282]
Mr Paice: The UK's enforcement strategy of the welfare of laying hens directive is set out in the written ministerial statement laid in the House on 6 December 2011, Official Report, columns 15-19WS.
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice she has received on compliance of her Department's proposed contaminated land statutory guidance with Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. [88831]
Richard Benyon: Authorisation to issue statutory guidance under Part 2A of the Contaminated Land Regime is given to the Secretary of State according to section 78YA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, as amended by section 57 of the Environment Act 1995.
Fisheries: Licensing
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with food retailers on the implications of a suspension of the Marine Stewardship Council's licence for mackerel fishing. [88904]
Richard Benyon:
Neither the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), nor I have had direct discussions with food retailers on the implications of a suspension of the Marine Stewardship
17 Jan 2012 : Column 745W
Council's certification of the North East Atlantic mackerel fisheries. I am aware, however, of this issue and DEFRA officials are in discussion with some of the major retailers, the British Retail Consortium and representatives of the processing sector on this and related issues on the ongoing dispute on the management of the mackerel fishery.
Suspension of certification is a serious concern for food retailers and other industry sectors. It is deeply regrettable that the actions of others jeopardise certification after such good work by our industries to build the stock to its current healthy state.
I take this situation very seriously and the possible removal of certification makes finding a solution to the mackerel dispute all the more important. As the most important fishery to the UK in economic terms, it is vitally important that the sustainable future of the stock is assured.
I will ensure that a dialogue with all affected industry sectors is maintained as this issue progresses, to ensure that UK interests are properly represented and seek to ensure that withdrawal of certification is avoided.
Fisheries: Navy
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department provides funding towards meeting the cost of operating the UK's fishery patrol vessels. [90222]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not provide any direct funding for the Royal Navy's Fisheries Protection Squadron. It does provide grant in aid funding for the Marine Management Organisation, which currently contracts the Royal Navy to provide surface surveillance activities to enforce the common fisheries policy.
Fisheries: Subsidies
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of special report No. 12/2011 by the European Court of Auditors on the European Fisheries Fund. [89356]
Richard Benyon: The European Court of Auditors (ECA) undertook an audit during the period May to October 2010.
The special report identified a failing of European Fisheries Fund regulation to define the eligibility criteria for all projects under Article 25 of EC 1198/2006: Investments on board fishing vessels and selectivity. This is specifically in relation to having no definition of a vessel's ‘ability' to catch fish. Further analytical work for all member states was commissioned in December 2011. Consultation is ongoing and this information will be available later this month.
The special report is currently being reviewed. A specific Audit of the UK decommissioning scheme was carried out by the ECA which informed this overall EU study. There may be aspects of the special report which are not within the context of UK Audit findings. All 27 recommendations of the UK audit have been considered and addressed with the exception of post implementation evaluation of decommissioning in Scotland, which is due in early 2012.
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Floods: Insurance
Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what progress has been made by the working party formed after the Flood Summit in September 2010; [90277]
(2) what progress has been made on identifying a replacement for the Statement of Principles between the Association of British Insurers and the Government before its expiry. [90432]
Richard Benyon: Since the Statement of Principles was last renewed in 2008, it has always been intended that this would be the last renewal and that the current agreement would expire on 30 June 2013. Following the Flood Summit we held in September 2010, three working groups were set up to look at insurance models for flood risk, improving flood risk data, and property-level resistance and resilience. The groups' findings were published in December 2011.
At the same time, we announced that beyond the expiry of the Statement of Principles in 2013, the Government will continue to invest to reduce the risk of flooding, especially for those households at the highest flood risk and living in the most deprived communities.
A new shared understanding is being developed that sets out more clearly what individual customers can expect from their insurer and from Government. It will reflect the continued responsibility and commitment of Government and insurers to making sure insurance for flood risk remains widely available.
Over the next few months we will consider the case for additional measures to help safeguard the affordability of flood insurance for those groups that might struggle most with premium increases. We plan to make further announcements in the spring.
Food: Additives
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to encourage producers to reduce preservatives and additives in children's food. [89593]
Anne Milton: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Health.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has responsibility for food additives issues.
All food additives, including preservatives, are thoroughly tested for safety prior to approval and have been reviewed by independent expert bodies. European Union legislation restricts the use of additives to certain categories of foods and specified levels. These limits ensure that the amount consumed does not exceed safe levels, for all age groups, and that the level in food is the minimum necessary to achieve the intended purpose.
Following a study commissioned by the FSA, and conducted by Southampton university, to see if six specific colours had any effect on children's behaviour, United Kingdom Ministers and the FSA asked the UK food industry for a voluntary withdrawal on the use of those six colours. In addition, foods containing these colours are required to be labelled with a warning that they may have an adverse effect on children's behaviour.
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With the exception of these colours, we are advised by the FSA that there are no plans to encourage food producers to further reduce additives in food at this stage.
Food: Salt
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to encourage food producers to reduce levels of salt in food products. [89594]
Anne Milton: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Health.
Work to reduce salt in food is being taken forward under the Public Health Responsibility Deal (RD). A wide range of businesses including retailers, manufacturers and caterers have committed to the following salt reduction pledge to deliver a substantial reduction in the salt content of United Kingdom foodstuffs:
“We commit to the salt targets for the end of 2012 agreed by the Responsibility Deal, which collectively will deliver a further 15% reduction on 2010 targets. For some products, this will require acceptable technical solutions which we are working to achieve. These targets will give a total salt reduction of nearly lg per person per day compared to 2007 levels in food. We recognise that achieving the public health goal of consuming no more than 6g of salt per person per day will necessitate action across the whole industry, Government, NGOs and individuals.”
Around 70 organisations have already committed to the salt pledge.
The RD salt targets have been developed for 80 specific food groups that contribute most to population salt intakes and are to be achieved by the end of 2012.
Food: Waste
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to strengthen phase 2 of the Courtauld Commitment to reduce levels of household food waste. [89360]
Richard Benyon: Phase 2 of the Courtauld Commitment targets a reduction in UK household food and drink waste of 4% by December 2012, compared with 2009, along with targets on the carbon impact of packaging and supply chain waste. The targets for Phase 2 have been carefully developed to be sufficiently challenging, yet taking into account what is realistically achievable over the period of the agreement, including accounting for predicted market growth.
On 5 December 2011, the DEFRA-funded Waste Review and Action Programme (WRAP) published interim results covering the first year (2009-10) of Courtauld Phase 2. We have made very good progress towards the target on household food waste with a 3% reduction in household food waste in the first year of the agreement (2010 compared with 2009).
The 2011 Waste Review committed the Government to establishing the potential for a successor to Phase 2 of the Courtauld Commitment with businesses in the food retail and manufacturing sector. We will be exploring options over the coming months.
Hen Harriers: Nature Conservation
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether an action plans is in place to prevent the extinction of the hen harrier as a breeding species in England. [88870]
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Richard Benyon: A number of actions are being taken to help improve the status of the hen harrier.
Raptor persecution is a National Wildlife Crime Priority, with the hen harrier being one of six species highlighted for special attention. DEFRA officials are involved with the Environment Council-facilitated Hen Harrier Dialogue Working Group, which provides an opportunity for Government and other stakeholders to engage in finding sustainable solutions to improve hen harrier population growth alongside the needs of grouse moor managers. In addition, the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project, supported by many of those involved in the dialogue, is trialling methods, such as diversionary feeding, that might enable an economically viable grouse moor and healthy hen harrier population to co-exist.
The hen harrier is also included on the list of priority species in England published by DEFRA under section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.
Landfill Tax
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the likely effect of increasing landfill tax on levels of food waste sent to landfill; and if she will make a statement. [88924]
Richard Benyon: We estimate the tonnage of food waste sent to landfill will fall by around 14% between 2011 and 2016. This estimate takes account of all policies, not just landfill tax, but does not include policies announced as part of the 2011 Review of Waste Policy in England. Policies on food waste in the review, such as a new voluntary agreement with the hospitality and food service sector, may have a further impact on the amount of food waste sent to landfill. The Government's long-term vision is that no food waste goes to landfill.
Landfill tax will increase from £56 per tonne in 2011-12 to £64 per tonne in 2012-13, £72 per tonne in 2013-14 and £80 per tonne by 2015.
Poultry: Animal Welfare
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress her Department has made on its commitment to ban beak trimming by 2016. [89877]
Mr Paice: The Beak Trimming Action Group, comprising welfare groups, industry representatives, veterinarians, Government officials and academics, was reconvened in 2011 to work towards the Government's commitment to review the evidence in 2015, with a view to banning beak trimming in 2016. The group has identified and assessed the pros and cons of options aimed at delivering this commitment and is in the process of finalising its advice and recommended approach.
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with the Ministry of Agriculture in France on enforcement of the laying hen regulations. [90012]
Mr Paice: My officials and I have discussed enforcement in Brussels with the Commission and all member states, including the French Government, but no separate discussions have taken place.
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Professor Tim Lang
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has (a) commissioned work from and (b) been advised by Professor Tim Lang. [89953]
Richard Benyon: Under this Government, Professor Tim Lang has not been commissioned to work for or advise the Department. As with other academics, we engage Professor Lang on an ad hoc basis to discuss policy related matters.
Seals: Conservation
Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's policy is on support for international efforts to prohibit trade in harp seal fur. [89548]
Mr Paice: The Government acknowledge the widespread concern in the UK about the inhumane nature of seal hunting practices in many parts of the world. We welcome the introduction of Council Regulation 1007/2009, which introduced an EU ban on trade in seal products and will continue to support EU measures to prohibit this trade.
Sewers: Planning
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what legislative proposals she plans to bring forward to simplify the law governing the relative contributions of developers to existing water and sewerage infrastructure when new developments are built. [89200]
Richard Benyon: The recently published Water White Paper, ‘Water for Life’, confirms that the Ofwat and Cave reviews identified problems with how developers are charged for connecting to the water and sewerage infrastructure. The Government intend to increase the transparency of charges within these developer contributions. DEFRA officials are working with Ofwat to review the existing charging provisions and identify options for a simplified methodology that would enable a reduction in administrative burdens.
Sussex Wildlife Trust
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under which category of expenditure her Department funds the Sussex Wildlife Trust; and for what purpose. [89058]
Richard Benyon:
DEFRA does not provide core funding to the Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT). However, the trust has received departmental funding for some particular purposes. In September 2011 DEFRA awarded SWT, on behalf of the Sussex Biodiversity Partnership, a one-off grant from the Local Nature Partnership capacity building fund to help it to explore the potential for a Local Nature Partnership in Sussex. In 2011-12 DEFRA's Biodiversity Programme provided funds for a small study to review and standardise the collection of information on occurrence of wild species and habitats in the south east of England. This project was led by the
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Sussex Biodiversity Records Centre, which is hosted by SWT. SWT also receives annual funding in respect of agri-environment agreements funded through the Rural Development Programme for England.
SWT receives small grants from Natural England and the Environment Agency, which both also fund the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre for ongoing supply of data on species and habitats to support conservation planning. Additionally, the Environment Agency plans to fund a partnership project between the SWT, the Environment Agency and the Woodland Trust which will deliver environmental improvements in the Sussex Ouse catchment.
Water Companies
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when her Department will publish a White Paper on the future of the water and sewerage industry. [89043]
Richard Benyon: The water White Paper, “Water for Life”, was published on 8 December 2011. A copy of the water White Paper can be found at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/water/legislation/whitepaper/
Water Supply: Israel
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has had discussions with (a) the Government of Israel and (b) Israeli companies on new techniques for efficient use of water. [89955]
Richard Benyon: I can confirm that none of the DEFRA Ministers have had discussions with either the Government of Israel or any Israeli companies regarding new techniques for efficient uses of water.
Water: Meters
Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the effect of water impurities and particulates on the accuracy of mechanical water meters. [89667]
Richard Benyon: Impurities, such as grit or air, can get into the water network and cause problems with mechanical water meters. If a customer suspects inaccurate meter readings, most water companies will arrange for the meter to be tested. If the meter is found to be providing inaccurate readings, it is likely that the water company would arrange for repair or replacement, as estimates for repair/replacement cycles are factored into company Capital Expenditure investment programmes.
The Water Industry's Research body has conducted relevant research in this area, in order to support more reliable and systematic testing of water meter accuracy.
Written Questions: Government Responses
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to answer Question 77607, on applications from employees to run services for which her Department is directly responsible, tabled on 26 October 2011. [87136]
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Richard Benyon: The answer to this question was given on 20 December 2011, Official Report, column 1104W. The delay was due to administrative errors.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to answer question 74828 on funding of civil society organisations, tabled on 11 October 2011 for answer on 13 October 2011; and what the reasons are for the time taken to answer. [87575]
Richard Benyon: The answer to this question was published on 11 January 2012, Official Report, column 376W. The delay was due to administrative errors.
Deputy Prime Minister
Internships
Luciana Berger: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many companies participating in the Business Compact he expects to pay interns the national minimum wage. [90423]
The Deputy Prime Minister: The Business Compact encourages companies to offer financial support to their interns so that they are genuinely open to all young people and not just those from well-off backgrounds.
In many cases payment of the national minimum wage will be required under the law, and we are stepping up our communication and enforcement of the national minimum wage legislation in relation to interns. In other cases then the payment of expenses, eg for lunch and travel costs, will be a real help and we are encouraging that as a minimum.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidelines he plans to provide to companies participating in the Business Compact on the definition of (a) an intern, (b) an internship and (c) the circumstances in which interns are legally entitled to be paid at the national minimum wage. [90424]
The Deputy Prime Minister: Guidance on the likely characteristics of internships and what an intern might expect from such a placement is outlined in the Common Best Practice Code for High Quality Internships published by the Gateway to the Professions Collaborative Forum:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/higher-education/docs/c/11-1068-common-best-practice-code-for-quality-internships.pdf
Information and advice covering the circumstances in which interns are legally entitled to the national minimum wage is available on the Business Link website:
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1096811532&r.l1=1073858787&r.I2=1081657912&r .I3=1096811513&r.s=sc&type=RESOURCES
Luciana Berger: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish a copy of each letter he sent to companies asking them to participate in the Business Compact and the responses received. [90425]
The Deputy Prime Minister:
Following the announcement of 115 signatories to the Social Mobility Business Compact
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on 12 January 2012, I wrote to some of the biggest employers and to other organisations in sectors historically difficult to get into. Businesses contacted range from leading law firms and financial institutions to key cultural and historic venues across Britain.
A copy of the template letter sent to each of these businesses will be published on the Business Compact website at:
www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/businesscompact
New signatories will be listed on the Business Compact website.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what reporting mechanisms have been put in place to monitor businesses taking part in the Business Compact scheme. [90426]
The Deputy Prime Minister: The Business Compact is a voluntary agreement. Those businesses that have signed up have made a clear commitment to the Compact, highlighting the work they are doing to promote fair and open recruitment and encouraging others to follow suit.
We are considering a range of light-touch measures to encourage businesses and young people alike to bring any possible issues to our attention.
Cabinet Office
Aviation
Mark Field: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) how many people identified as migrants in the International Passenger Survey gave the reason for their visit as (a) a definite job to go to, (b) looking for work, (c) a working holiday, (d) a business trip, (e) accompany/join whose previous occupation was work and (f) other whose previous occupation was not ‘houseperson' or ‘retired' in each year from 2004 to 2010; [89915]
(2) how many of the people interviewed for the International Passenger Survey were identified as a (a) long-term and (b) short-term migrant in each year from 2004 to 2010; [89916]
(3) how many interviews with migrants the International Passenger Survey conducted in each year from 2004 to 2010; and what the (a) port of entry and (b) nationality was of each such interviewee. [89917]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to respond to your questions asking:
1. How many people identified as migrants in the International Passenger Survey gave the reason for their visit as (a) a definite job to go to, (b) looking for work, (c) a working holiday, (d) a business trip, (e) accompany/join whose previous occupation was work and (f) other whose previous occupation was not 'houseperson' or' retired' in each year from 2004 to 2010 [89915]
2. How many of the people interviewed for the International Passenger Survey were identified as a (a) long-term and (b) short-term migrant in each year from 2004 to 2010 [89916]
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3. How many interviews with migrants the International Passenger Survey (IPS) conducted in each year from 2004 to 2010; and what the (a) port of entry and (b) nationality was of each such interviewee [89917]
Table 1 shows the number of long-term migrants identified in the IPS as having arrived in the UK by main reason for visit and previous occupation, per calendar year from 2004 to 2010.
Table 2 shows the number of long-term migrants identified in the IPS as having arrived in the UK, per calendar year from 2004 to 2010. Similarly Table 3 shows the number of short-term migrants arrivals identified in the UK per calendar year from 2004 to 2008. This is the latest information available and has been produced for the UK and per calendar year for comparison purposes. Short-term migration estimates are published for England and Wales only and by mid-year.
Table 4a and b show the port of entry and the citizenship of long-term migrants arriving in the UK, for calendar years from 2004 to 2010. The contacts provided refer to the number of people interviewed who were identified as migrants whose intention was to stay 12 months or longer.
Copies of the tables have been placed in the House of Commons Library.
Birth Rate: Greater London
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the birth rate was in (a) Poplar and Limehouse constituency, (b) the London borough of Tower Hamlets and (c) nationally in the latest period for which figures are available. [89866]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the birth rate was in (a) Poplar and Limehouse constituency (b) the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and (c) nationally, in the latest period for which figures are available. 89866
The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has been supplied as this is the most useful measure of an area's fertility level. The TFR is the average number of live children that a group of women would each bear if they experienced the age-specific fertility rates of the calendar year in question throughout their childbearing lifespan.
| Total fertility rate (TFR), selected areas, 2010 | |
| Area | TFR |
Census
Mr Spellar: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he expects the first assessment of the results of the 2011 Census to be published. [89952]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) I have been asked to reply to your recent question to the Minister for the Cabinet Office asking when the first assessment of the results of the 2011 Census will be published. (89952)
The main field operation for the 2011 Census in England and Wales was completed at the end of May, and the significant task of processing and quality assuring the data is underway.
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A prospectus of the outputs to be produced from the Census will be published in March; current plans are to release the first results from the 2011 Census in England and Wales in July 2012. The results for Scotland and Northern Ireland will be published separately by National Records Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency respectively.
The results will be published with information about the quality and the quality assurance process that ONS carried out prior to publication.
Birth Rate: Wales
Jessica Morden: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many babies were born in Wales in 2011. [90389]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many babies were born in Wales in 2011 (90389).
Figures for the number of live births to women usually resident in Wales are compiled from birth registration data. Figures for the whole of 2011 are not yet available.
The following table provides the latest available figures, which are for the first two quarters of 2011:
| Provisional numbers of live births to mothers usually resident in Wales, 2011 quarters 1 and 2 | |
| 2011 | Live births (thousand) |
| Note: Provisional data Source: Office for National Statistics | |
These data were published in November 2011 and are available at:
www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/vital-statistics--population-and-health-reference-tables/winter-2011-update/quarterly-birth-and-death-tables.xls
Provisional figures for quarter 3 of 2011 will be published in Spring 2012 and ONS intends to publish final quarterly and annual data for 2011 in July/August 2012.
Speechwriters
Luciana Berger: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many speechwriters his Department employs at each pay grade. [89410]
Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office employs two full-time speechwriters, one at TIS3 grade and the other at Band A. Pay grades are £36,371 to £47,167 and £44,300 to £59,885 respectively. The Cabinet Office also publishes this data. Figures for September 2011 can be found at:
https://update.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/CabinetOfficestaffandSalarydataSEPT2011 FINAL_juniordata.csv
Internships
Luciana Berger: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what guidelines his Department issues to its non-departmental public bodies on the employment of unpaid interns. [89409]
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Mr Maude: We expect all Cabinet Office non-departmental public bodies to prioritise paid intern opportunities.
From 1 April 2011 to 31 December 2011 the Cabinet Office's non-departmental public bodies employed no unpaid or expenses-only interns.
Demography
Hilary Benn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) pensioners and (b) people of working age there are in each parliamentary constituency in England. [90227]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) pensioners and (b) people of working age there are in each parliamentary constituency in England (90227).
The table shows (a) the number of people aged 65 and over for men and 60 and over for women and (b) the number of people aged 16 to 64 for men and 16 to 59 for women for mid-2010. This is the latest year for which population estimates are available.
The age groups given for pensioners in the table are the closest available approximation to state pension age at mid-2010 that can be obtained for population estimates by parliamentary constituency. On 30 June 2010 state pension age was 65 for men and 60 years and 57 days for women.
Copies of the table have been placed in the House of Commons Library.
Mid-2010 population estimates for parliamentary constituencies in England were published as experimental statistics on 26 October 2011 and are the latest available. The estimates are available at:
http://ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/sape/parliament-constituency-pop-est/mid-2010-release/index.html
Households: Greater London
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many single parent households there were in (a) Poplar and Limehouse constituency, (b) the London borough of Tower Hamlets and (c) nationally in the latest period for which figures are available. [89864]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many single parent households there were in (a) Poplar and Limehouse constituency, (b) the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and (c) nationally in the latest period for which figures are available. 89864
The number and type of households in the UK can be estimated using the Annual Population Survey. Estimates are provided for lone parent households with at least one dependent child. Dependent children are those living with their parent(s) and either (a) aged under 16, or (b) aged 16 to 18 in full-time education, excluding children aged 16 to 18 who have a spouse, partner or child living in the household.
Data are shown for Poplar and Limehouse constituency, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and the UK in 2010.
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| Lone parent households with dependent children in Poplar and Limehouse constituency, Tower Hamlets and the UK, 2010 | |
| Area | Estimate (thousand) |
As with any sample survey, estimates from the Annual Population Survey are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average number of children per household was in (a) Poplar and Limehouse constituency, (b) the London borough of Tower Hamlets and (c) nationally in the latest period for which figures are available. [89868]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the average number of children per household was in (a) Poplar and Limehouse constituency, (b) the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and (c) nationally in the latest period for which figures are available. 89868
The number of households and children in the UK can be estimated using the Annual Population Survey. The figures below take account of dependent children, namely those living with their parent(s) and either (a) aged under 16, or (b) aged 16 to 18 in full-time education, excluding children aged 16 to 18 who have a spouse, partner or child living in the household.
Two measures are shown: The average number of dependent children per household for all households including those containing no children, and per household containing at least one dependent child. These are shown for Poplar and Limehouse constituency, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and the UK in 2010.
| Average number of dependent children per household, and per household containing at least one dependent child, in Poplar and Limehouse constituency, Tower Hamlets and the UK, 2010 | ||
| Area | Average number of dependent children per household (all households) | Average number of dependent children per household containing at least one dependent child |
As with any sample survey, estimates from the Annual Population Survey are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
Pay: Scotland
Mr Davidson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of people who would have earned a wage lower than the national minimum wage if there was no national minimum wage in (a) Glasgow South West constituency, (b) Glasgow, (c) Scotland and (d) the UK in each year since 1999. [90373]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
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Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what estimate he has made of the number of people who would have earned a wage lower than the level of the national minimum wage if there was no national minimum wage in (a) Glasgow South West constituency, (b) Glasgow, (c) Scotland and (d) the UK in each year since 1999. (90373)
ONS does not make estimates of the numbers of people who would have earned less than the national minimum wage rates set each year if no legislation existed to set those rates in the first place.
A guide to measuring low pay and associated articles can be found on the National Statistics website at:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/ashe/low-pay/methodology-for-low-pay-estimates/index.html
Population Studies: Migration
Mark Field: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he plans to include migrants who come to the UK for less than 12 months in official population estimates. [89862]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to respond to your Parliamentary question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to include migrants who come to the UK for less than 12 months in official population estimates (89862).
The Mid-Year Population Estimates as they are currently published are consistent with the standard UN definition for population estimates which is based upon the concept of usual residence and includes people who reside in the location for at least 12 months. This definition is also the recommended definition used by Eurostat to provide comparable population data at EU level.
Visitors and short-term migrants (who enter or leave the UK for less than 12 months) are not included in the official population estimates and there are no plans to do so.
ONS currently publishes England and Wales estimates of short-term migrant inflows and the next bulletin is due to be published on 23 February. Additionally ONS plans to publish recently developed experimental short-term migration inflow estimates for each local authority on 23 February. These estimates will help local authorities understand how many short term migrants entered each England and Wales local authority for work or study purposes and stayed for periods of between 3-12 months in the mid-years 2008-2010. It should be noted however that these estimates are inflows of short-term migrants, not stocks.
Third Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much funding his Department allocated to (a) Centrepoint, (b) Crisis, (c) Skill Force and (d) Shelter in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [90397]
Mr Hurd: In the financial year 2010-11 and up to the end of December in 2011-12, the Cabinet Office has not directly funded Centrepoint, Crisis, Skill Force or Shelter.
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Health
Baby Care Units: Nurses
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many neonatal nurses there were providing care for those living in south London in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; and what estimate he has made of the number of such nurses in 2012. [89901]
Anne Milton: I refer the hon. Member to the written answers I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Great Yarmouth (Brandon Lewis), on 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 542W.
Baby Care Units: Standards
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings he has had to discuss standards of NHS neonatal care. [89902]
Anne Milton: I met representatives from Bliss on 28 October 2010 and 3 May 2011 to discuss the standards and good practice principles set out in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's ‘Quality Standard for Specialist Neonatal Care’ and the Department's national health service ‘Toolkit for High Quality Neonatal Services’.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment his Department has made of the relationship between levels of neonatal nursing staff and child mortality. [89903]
Anne Milton: No assessment has been made centrally. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the Department have published two evidence-based documents, the “Quality Standard for Specialist Neonatal Care” and the “Toolkit for High Quality Neonatal Services”, to assist NHS commissioners and providers in the provision of high quality care for babies and their families, including neonatal workforce standards. These documents have already been placed in the Library.
Quality Standard for Specialist Neonatal Care is available at:
www.nice.org.uk/media/17A/A8/SpecialistNeonatalQualityStandardRevisedOct10.pdf
Toolkit for High Quality Neonatal Services is available at:
www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/@ps/@sta/@perf/documents/digitalasset/dh_108435.pdf
Bone Diseases
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the incidence of (a) rickets and (b) osteomalacia was in (i) Poplar and Limehouse constituency, (ii) the London borough of Tower Hamlets and (iii) nationally in the latest period for which figures are available. [89865]
Anne Milton: The number of episodes of rickets and osteomalacia for the Poplar and Limehouse constituency is not available. Data from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) on the number of episodes of rickets and osteomalacia in 2010-11 in the London borough of Tower Hamlets are 13 and nationally 2,125.
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These figures do not equal incidence of disease, but a count of hospital treatments where this has been recorded. The number of episodes does not represent the number of different patients, as a person may be admitted on more than one occasion in any given year.
The data are grouped as shown because the codes used to classify rickets include both ‘active rickets’ and ‘infantile and juvenile osteomalacia’. The codes used to classify osteomalacia include both ‘adult osteomalacia’ and ‘adult rickets’.
Reference should be made to the footnotes when interpreting the data provided.(1,2,3,4,5)
(1) The number of Finished Consultant Episodes with a primary or secondary diagnosis of rickets and osteomalacia have been defined by ICD-10 classification codes E55.0 and M83 for Tower Hamlets primary care trust (PCT) or residence in England 2010-11.
(2) A finished consultant episode (FCE) is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end.
(3) The number of episodes in which the patient had a (named) primary or secondary diagnosis indicates where this diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) primary and secondary diagnosis fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. Each episode is only counted once, even if the diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record.
(4) HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and PCTs in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage .and changes in NHS practice.
(5) The strategic health authority (SHA) or PCT of residence is that containing the patient's normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to another SHA/PCT for treatment.
Children
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage health and wellbeing boards to measure and monitor children's subjective well-being as a key outcome in their local area. [90157]
Anne Milton: Health and wellbeing boards will make decisions locally on key priorities through joint strategic needs assessments (JSNAs) and joint health and wellbeing strategies. They will decide locally how best to monitor delivery of these priorities.
Statutory guidance on JSNAs and joint health and wellbeing strategies will emphasise the importance of understanding and addressing the needs of children and young people; and health and wellbeing boards will have a statutory duty to involve local people, including young people in developing JSNAs and joint health and wellbeing strategies.
The director of children's services will be a statutory member of the health and wellbeing board to ensure the needs of children are taken into account. Local
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HealthWatch will also use their membership on health and wellbeing boards to help ensure the voices of the whole community, including young people, are fed in.
Nationally, we have development work underway to improve the data collected on child health so the national health service and public health outcomes frameworks as they develop can better drive improvements for children's wellbeing.
Circle Health
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have had with representatives of Circle Health. [89602]
Mr Simon Burns: Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations, and of hospitality received by special advisers, are published quarterly in arrears on the Department's website at:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/MinistersandDepartmentLeaders/Departmentdirectors/DH_110759
Speechwriters
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many speechwriters his Department employs at each pay grade. [89394]
Mr Simon Burns: There are three full-time equivalent speechwriters employed by the Department. One grade 6, one grade 7 and one higher executive officer.
Internships
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department issues to its non-departmental public bodies on the employment of unpaid interns. [89393]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not issue guidance to its non-departmental public bodies on the employment of unpaid interns. Executive non-departmental public bodies are independent bodies, established through legislation. As such they employ non civil servants on their staff and determine their own employment terms and conditions. On the employment of unpaid interns they will be guided by relevant legislation and comply with employment law.
Employment Agencies
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011. [87996]
Mr Simon Burns: The following table sets out information from the Department’s central procurement system on core Department of Health spend on recruitment agencies from 1 September to 30 November 2011.
| Sum of invoice accounted amount excluding VAT | ||||
| £ | ||||
| Invoice accounted period | ||||
| Supplier name | 1 September 2011 | 1 October 2011 | 1 November 2011 | Total |
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The following table sets out information on Connecting for Health spend on recruitment agencies from 1 September to 30 November 2011.
| Sum of invoice accounted amount excluding VAT | ||||
| £ | ||||
| Invoice accounted period | ||||
| Supplier name | 1 September 2011 | 1 October 2011 | 1 November 2011 | Total |
| Notes: 1. September 2011 amounts contains two actual invoices and VAT adjustments for prior months invoices. 2. November 2011 amount shows VAT adjustments for prior month invoices. | ||||
EU Law
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which EU (a) Directives, (b) Regulations and (c) other legislation affecting his Department require transposition into UK law; and what estimate he has made of the cost to (i) the public purse and (ii) the private sector of such measures. [89683]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department is responsible for the transposition of the following European Union legislation into UK law:
Directive 2010/53/EU (Organ transplantation)
Organ Directive 2010/53/EU on standards of quality and safety of human organs intended for transplantation requires transposition by 27 August 2012. The initial total estimated setup cost for the public sector (NHS both centrally and at transplant centres) is £2.758 million, with an ongoing cost over a 10-year period of around £1.605 million per year. Over the same period, the set-up cost for the private sector has been estimated at £300,000 with an annual ongoing cost of £345,000. The Department has recently carried out an external consultation on a proposed implementation approach for the Organ Directive. Cost estimates will be reviewed in light of responses received.
Directive 2011/62/EU (Falsified Medicines)
We plan to implement Directive 2011/62/EU on 2 January 2013. The costs of the implementation of the Falsified Medicines Directive are still to be assessed and assumptions will be included in an impact assessment as part of our consultation process on the directive.
D irective 2010/84/EU (Pharmacovi g il ance)
We plan to implement Directive 2010/84/EU amending, as regards pharmacovigilance, Directive 2001/83/EC on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use on 21 July 2012. A preliminary assessment of the costs of the directive has been made in a current public consultation. This assessment identifies annual net cost to UK business at £0.8 million (annual costs £4.5 million, annual benefits £3.7 million) and annual cost to the public sector at £2.6 million.
Directive 2011/24/EU (Cross Border healthcare)
We plan to implement Directive 2011/24/EU on Cross Border Healthcare allowing EU citizens to seek planned healthcare treatment in other EU member states on 25 October 2013. Associated costs have not yet been estimated, and will be included in an impact assessment as part of the Department of Health consultation process planned for the summer of 2012.
Family Planning: Finance
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on family planning services in (a) Poplar and Limehouse constituency, (b) the London borough of Tower Hamlets and (c) nationally in the latest period for which figures are available. [89867]
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Anne Milton: Funding for sexual health services, including family planning services, forms part of the allocations made to primary care trusts (PCTs).
The Department does not collect information on PCT spending on family planning services.
General Practitioners
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 14 November 2011, Official Report, column 602W, on clinical commissioning groups, if he will publish his estimates of the running costs of shadow clinical commissioning groups; and by what means his Department took into account variations of running costs across the country in its proposal for a flat rate of £25 a head in running costs. [89718]
Mr Simon Burns: The running cost allowance for clinical commissioning groups will be part of the 2012-13 shadow allocations for clinical commissioning groups, which will be issued early in 2012, and the actual allocations to clinical commissioning groups for 2013-14 will be made before the end of 2012.
We have considered variations of existing running costs across the country and have determined that the clinical commissioning group running cost envelope of £25 per head is the optimal allowance.
Health Services: Accidents
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adverse incidents were recorded in the NHS in each of the last two years. [89719]
Mr Simon Burns: Information on adverse incidents in the national health service is recorded and reported on a number of different systems, depending on the nature of the incident. Such information that is available nationally for the last two complete financial years is provided as follows. Incidents may be recorded and reported on more than one system. Further information on adverse incidents recorded in the NHS, that is not collected nationally, may be available from individual NHS organisations.
The National Patient Safety Agency collects reports of patient safety incidents through the National Reporting and Learning System.
In 2009-10, 1,053,758 incidents were reported.
In 2010-11,1,145,290 incidents were reported.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) collects data on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) through the Yellow Card scheme. As the Yellow Card scheme collects data for the United Kingdom is not possible to determine the number of reports originating from the English NHS.
In 2009-10, the MHRA received a total of 23,966 suspected ADR reports and of these 10,465 (43.7%) were received directly from health professionals.
In 2010-11 the MHRA received a total of 25,793 suspected ADR reports and of these 11,419 (44.3%) were received directly from health professionals.
The MHRA also collects data on incidents involving medical devices through the Medical Device Adverse Incident Centre database.
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In 2009-10, 3,139 incidents involving medical devices were reported.
In 2010-11, 3,162 incidents involving medical devices were reported.
The Department of Health's Defects and Failures reporting system for non-medical equipment and services receives reports of incidents involving non-medical devices, plants and equipment.
In 2009-10,16 incidents were reported.
In 2010-11, 27 incidents were reported.
The Human Tissue Authority collects data on serious adverse events and reactions in relation to two areas: incidents relating to post mortems; and incidents relating to human applications.
In 2009-10,124 incidents were reported relating to human applications.
In 2010-11,126 incidents were reported relating to human applications.
In 2009-10, 34 incidents were reported relating to post mortems.
In 2010-11, 55 incidents were reported relating to post mortems.
NHS Protect collate figures on reported physical assaults against NHS staff in England.
In 2009-10, 56,718 physical assaults were reported.
In 2010-11, 57,830 physical assaults were reported.
Health Services: Foreign Nationals
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much is owed to the NHS by foreign Governments for emergency care of their citizens in (a) Huddersfield and Calderdale Primary Care Trust and (b) nationally; [89492]
(2) how much was recovered from foreign Governments for emergency treatment of their citizens in (a) Huddersfield and Calderdale Primary Care Trust and (b) the NHS nationally in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010 and (iii) 2011. [89493]
Anne Milton: Under domestic legislation, access to accident and emergency treatment is free of charge to individuals in the United Kingdom, regardless of nationality. However, under European Union rules, members states must reimburse each other for healthcare provided to their citizens as either temporary visitors accessing emergency care via the European Health Insurance Card, workers posted by an employer from one country to another, state pensioners, those accessing elective treatment in another country at the cost of their home country and dependents of these categories.
The following table shows how much, in total, has been paid to the United Kingdom, by European Economic Area (EEA) countries for years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11.
It is not possible to break the figures down to cover emergency care only, or by geographical area.
| Payments received by the United Kingdom (£) | |
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Visitors from non-EEA Countries (other than where a reciprocal agreement exists) are charged for any emergency treatment that is provided outside of the Accident and Emergency Unit of a hospital. In such cases, the patient, rather than their Government is financially liable.
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many foreign nationals received emergency care in (a) Huddersfield and Calderdale Primary Care Trust and (b) the NHS in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010 and (iii) 2011. [89494]
Mr Simon Burns: This information is not collected in the format requested at primary care trust (PCT) level. Available data relates only to foreign residents who are temporarily visiting the United Kingdom, not all foreign nationals.
The most relevant available data for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Accident and Emergency (A and E) are as follows:
| Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust | |||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 (1) | |
| England | |||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 (1) | |
| (1) 2011-12 data to date (April to August). Notes: 1. Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data is four months in arrears. 2. HES definition of foreign residents includes Channel Islands and Isle of Man. | |||
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health from which five countries the highest number of foreign nationals sought emergency treatment by the NHS in (a) England and (b) Huddersfield and Calderdale primary care trust in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010 and (iii) 2011. [89715]
Mr Simon Burns: This information is not centrally collected.
Nationality is not recorded on Hospital Episode Statistics which is the data source used for accident and emergency attendance analysis. The only relevant data category is 'foreign', but this is not broken down further.
Health Services: Human Trafficking
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is provided to NHS staff on recognising potential victims of human trafficking. [89507]
Anne Milton:
The Government published their Human Trafficking Strategy “Human Trafficking—The Government's Strategy” in July 2011. It contains
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commitments that will help support frontline staff, including healthcare professionals, to improve victim care as well as enhance their ability to respond early, or even before harm has occurred.
Multi-agency guidance for all frontline practitioners on meeting the needs of trafficked people was issued in October 2009. The “Trafficking Toolkit: Tackling Trafficking” includes a specific section frontline health practitioners on how to identify and respond to the needs of trafficking victims more effectively, including those that might not present immediately.
Health Services: Older People
Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many admissions to hospital were recorded from a (a) nursing home and (b) residential care home for people aged over 74 in each primary care trust in the last year for which figures are available. [89912]
Paul Burstow: The NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care collects data on finished admission episodes as part of Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). HES data on the number of finished admission episodes for those aged over 74, by source of admission and primary care trust of residence, for the year 2010-11, has been placed in the Library.
Hearing Impairment: Somerset
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on deaf and hard of hearing children and young people in Somerset. [89489]
Anne Milton: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care holds the following information on behalf of the Department on deaf or hard of hearing children and young people in Somerset.
The number of people aged 0 to 17 on the registers of the deaf and hard of hearing as at 31 March 2007 and 2010, as set out in table 1. This data collection began in 1983 and previous collections are also held by the NHS Information Centre. The registers for 2001 and 2004 are available on the Department website at:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/StatisticalWorkAreas/Statisticalsocialcare/DH_4095911
The number of people aged 0 to 17 on the register of blind and partially sighted persons with an additional disability of ‘deaf with speech’, ‘deaf without speech’ or ‘hard of hearing’ as at 31 March 2006, 2008 and 2011, as set out in table 2. This data collection began in 1973 and previous collections are also held by the NHS Information Centre. The registers for 2000 and 2003 are available on the Department website at:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/StatisticalWorkAreas/Statisticalsocialcare/DH_4095911
Information on hospital episodes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing is also held by the NHS Information Centre as part of the Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) collection. HES may be able to provide information relating to episodes, appointments or attendances where the reason for attendance is related to a hearing problem but does not hold information on deaf or hard of hearing patients that are seen at hospital. This information is being collated and will be placed in the Library.
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| Table 1: Number of people aged 0 to 17 years on the register of deaf or hard of hearing within Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset primary care trust (PCT) areas as at 31 March 2007 and 2010 | ||||
| 2007 | 2010 | |||
| Register of deaf | Register of hard of hearing | Register of deaf | Register of hard of hearing | |
| Notes: 1. Figures are provided as in the original publications; numbers less than six are suppressed and represented as a dash on the table. Larger numbers are rounded to the nearest five. 2. Data on the number of people registered as deaf or hard of hearing in England was compiled from the ‘SSDA910 Register of People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing’ return; data were submitted every three years as at 31 March by Councils with Social Services Responsibilities (CSSRs) to the NHS Information Centre. This collection has now ceased following consultation, in September 2011. 3. Under Section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948, councils are required to compile and maintain classified registers of ‘persons who are blind, deaf or dumb and other persons who are substantially and permanently handicapped by illness, injury, or congenital deformity. 4. Although there are no formal examination procedures for determining whether a person is deaf or hard of hearing for the purposes of section 29, cases should be classified as follows: Deaf: Those who (even with a hearing aid) have little or no useful hearing. Hard of Hearing: Those who (with or without a hearing aid) have some useful hearing and whose normal method of communication is by speech, listening and lip reading. 5. Since registration is voluntary, these figures will not provide a complete picture of the number of people aged 0 to 17 years in Somerset who are deaf or hard of hearing. 6. People who are registered as deaf or hard of hearing that are also blind or partially sighted are recorded on the register of blind and partially sighted persons (SSDA 902 form) and are therefore not included in these figures. Source: Registers of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons—SSDA 910 form | ||||
| Table 2: Number of people aged 0-17 years registered blind or partially sighted who also have a hearing impairment within Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset primary care trust (PCT) areas as at 31 March 2006, 2008 and 2011 | |||||
| Additional disability | |||||
| Of which: | |||||
| Deaf | With speech | Without speech | Hard of Hearing | ||
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| Notes: 1. Figures are provided as in the original publications; numbers less than six are suppressed and represented as a dash on the table. Larger numbers are rounded to the nearest five. 2. In England these data are compiled from the triennial return SSDA 902 submitted by councils with social services responsibilities to the NHS Information Centre for health and social care. 3. The SSDA 902 collection was brought forward by a year for collection in 2008, due to concerns regarding the fall in the number of people newly registered as blind and partially sighted between March 2003 and March 2006. This meant there was no collection in 2009. 4. Registration of blindness is voluntary and so cannot be thought of as providing a definitive number of blind and partially sighted people. However, it is a pre-condition for the receipt of certain financial benefits. It is this factor which gives greater credibility to the “Register of the Blind” than to the “Register of the Partially Sighted” and to other disability registration records maintained by councils, where the voluntary principle also applies. Registration is not, however, a pre-requisite for certain social services concessions and this factor, combined with uncertainties about the regularity with which the councils review and update their records, makes it difficult to assign a degree of reliability to either of these registers. 5. The statistics relating to blind persons who have an additional disability is likely to understate the true numbers, especially in respect of those aged under 16. This is partly because there is no advantage to the blind person in being registered as having additional disabilities. There may also be reluctance to register pre-school children as blind until they attain age five, which would affect the figures for this particular age group. 6. Statutory guidance under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 was issued in 2001 to councils with social services responsibilities on deafblind registration in response to concerns highlighted by the Department of Health's consultation exercise which looked at social care services for deafblind people. Where there was information on additional disabilities for people having multiple disabilities including deaf or hard of hearing, councils were advised to count these under the category of deaf or hard of hearing. This could lead to a bias towards deaf or hard of hearing disabilities. 7. For people to be registered as severely or partially sight impaired they must first undergo an examination by a consultant ophthalmologist. The consultant records his or her findings on the certificate of visual impairment (CVI) formerly the BD8, on which the consultant also certifies whether or not the person meets the statutory definition of blindness or the non-statutory definition of partial sight. 8. The statutory definition of blindness is that a person should be “so blind as to be unable to perform any work for which eyesight is essential”. The statutory definition of partial sight is that a person should be “substantially and permanently disabled by defective vision caused by congenital defect, illness or injury”. 9. The definition for the groupings of additional disabilities is given as follows: People who are deaf without speech: Those who have no useful hearing and whose normal method of communication is by signs, finger spelling or writing. People who are deaf with speech: Those who (even with a hearing aid) have little or no useful hearing but whose normal method of communication is by speech and lip-reading. Hard of hearing people: Those who (with or without a hearing aid) have some useful hearing and whose normal method of communication is by speech, listening and lip-reading. 10. While the Department of Health commissions the collecting of information from the Registers of Blind and Partially Sighted for both adults and children, overall responsibility for children's social services lies with the Department for Education. 11. Prior to 2006 the additional disabilities categories of ‘People who are deaf with speech’ and ‘People who are deaf without speech’ were collected as one group: ‘People who are deaf’. Source: Register of blind and partially-sighted persons—SSDA 902 form. | |||||
Hinchingbrooke Hospital
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how (a) surplus, (b) capital expenditure and (c) depreciation will be calculated at Hinchingbrooke hospital under the terms of the contract with Circle Health; [89543]
(2) whether the contract with Circle Health to manage Hinchingbrooke hospital includes any separate provision for management, administration or running costs other than tariff or contract income; [89544]
(3) whether any (a) price adjustments and (b) guaranteed patient volumes have been agreed as part of the contract with Circle Health to run Hinchingbrooke hospital; [89545]
(4) what incentives are included in the contract with Circle Health to run Hinchingbrooke hospital for collaboration with local commissioners and other local health and social care providers to provide integrated pathways of care; [89546]
(5) what (a) legal and (b) contractual duties have been placed on Hinchingbrooke hospital for collaboration with the local health service during the terms of the contract with Circle Heath; [89547]
(6) whether any surpluses over £2 million generated during the running of Hinchingbrooke hospital by Circle Health will be shared; whether any sharing will take place on an annual or cumulative basis; and whether there will be a cap on total profits; [89549]
(7) whether the NHS Trust for Hinchingbrooke hospital during its operation by Circle Health will be subject to the provisions of the (a) Freedom of Information Act 2000, (b) Equalities Act 2010 and (c) other statutory duties placed upon public bodies; [89550]
(8) whether the Circle Health management board for Hinchingbrooke hospital will meet in public; [89551]
(9) what contingency plans his Department has made in respect of the future financial viability of Circle Health to operate Hinchingbrooke hospital; [89598]
(10) whether his Department has requested a capital deposit from Circle Health in respect of the operation of Hinchingbrooke hospital; [89599]
(11) whether Monitor has requested a capital deposit from Circle Health in respect of its operation of Hinchingbrooke hospital; [89600]
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(12) what projections his Department has prepared in respect of future throughput of patients at Hinchingbrooke hospital; [89603]
(13) whether there is a break clause in the contract with Circle Health to operate Hinchingbrooke hospital; and what the cost to (a) the NHS and (b) Circle Health would be of ending the contract mid-term; [89604]
(14) what contingency plan he has put in place to deal with a (a) financial and (b) clinical failure during the operation of Hinchingbrooke hospital by Circle Health; [89605]
(15) what incentives are included in arrangements with Circle Health to operate Hinchingbrooke hospital to minimise any loses over £5 million during the term of the contract. [89606]
Mr Simon Burns: The contract to manage Hinchingbrooke hospital is between Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust, Circle Hinchingbrooke Limited, Circle Holdings plc and East of England Strategic Health Authority (now part of NHS Midlands and East). Based on advice from the NHS Midlands and East, we can confirm the following:
Surplus, capital expenditure and depreciation will be calculated at Hinchingbrooke hospital as they are currently, that is, through normal accounting practice. The trust will continue to operate as a national health service body.
The franchise agreement with Circle Health to manage Hinchingbrooke hospital allows Circle Health to receive a share of the operating surplus generated by the trust. A surplus would also be used to repay historic debt. The operating costs of the trust are not part of the franchise agreement.
Price adjustments and guaranteed patient volumes are not part of the contract with Circle Health to run Hinchingbrooke hospital. The trust will be paid at tariff, as for all NHS district general hospitals. The patient volumes relate to existing contractual arrangements between NHS Cambridgeshire and the trust.
It is for local commissioners to work with local health and social care providers to design integrated services, and the franchise with Circle Health will support services to be delivered from Hinchingbrooke hospital in this way.
The trust continues to operate under its existing legal and contractual duties, which will include collaborations with the local health services. Circle Health, as the franchisee, will be part of this collaboration.
Surpluses over £2 million will be shared between Circle Health and the trust. Sharing will take place on an annual basis, subject to audited accounts. There is no cap on total profit.
The trust remains responsible for governance of the hospital, and is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Equalities Act 2010 and other statutory duties placed upon public bodies.
The Trust board will continue to meet in public. Circle Health's executive team will attend these meetings as required.
The Department has made no contingency plans in respect of the future financial viability of Circle Health to operate Hinchingbrooke hospital. Circle Health is an Alternative Investment Market listed company and provision is included within the franchise agreement for an annual review of its financial liability.
Neither the Department nor Monitor requested a capital deposit from Circle Health in respect of the operation of Hinchingbrooke hospital. As part of the contract, Circle Health will provide working capital contributions of up to £5 million in aggregate, if required.
The Department has not prepared projections in respect of future throughput of patients at Hinchingbrooke hospital. As part of the normal planning process, NHS Cambridgeshire is
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discussing its commissioned activity as part of ongoing contract negotiations with the trust. There is no demand guarantee included in these negotiations.
There is no break clause in the contract with Circle Health to operate Hinchingbrooke hospital. The trust may terminate the contract without cause giving 12 months’ written notice, and the trust shall pay up to £10 million in compensation. The trust may terminate the contract without compensation if there is, among other things, a material breach of the contract that is incapable of remedy. Circle can terminate the contract without payment if, among other things, the trust commits a material breach of the contract.
Circle cannot though terminate without trust fault or a breach of the contract. Were it to cease to perform the contract Circle would be in breach and the NHS would seek damages. Such damages have not been predetermined and would have regard to the harm done to NHS interests.
The Department has not made a contingency plan to deal with a financial and clinical failure during the operation of Hinchingbrooke hospital by Circle Health. Circle Health has agreed to make working capital contributions of up to £5 million in aggregate, should the hospital fall into deficit as part of the transformation. The contract allows this figure to be renegotiated as part of the annual budget process. Should the working capital amount be exceeded, the contract allows either party to terminate. Extreme clinical failure is a breach of contract, and therefore the agreement would be terminated.
No specific incentives are included in arrangements with Circle Health to minimise any losses over £5 million during the term of the contract. It is in Circle Health's interest to minimise losses, as their success depends upon surpluses being generated.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the NHS Trust for Hinchingbrooke Hospital plans to pursue its application for Foundation Trust status; what the timetable is for any conversion to Foundation Trust status; whether there will be any differences in the process followed; and what consultation he has had with Monitor on this issue. [89553]
Mr Simon Burns: Hinchingbrooke Hospital NHS Trust is expected to become, or become part of, a national health service foundation trust. There is currently no agreed timetable for this, which will be determined ahead of the end of the franchise contract when it is anticipated the trust will be ready to move forward to foundation trust status.
All future applicants for foundation trust status will follow the current process to apply to Monitor. There will be no lowering of the standards required to achieve foundation trust status. Through regular meetings with Monitor, (the statutory name of which is the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts), the Department is assured that Monitor is aware of the trust's current position.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether Circle Health will be liable for UK taxation in respect of any profits resulting from its operation of Hinchingbrooke Hospital. [89601]
Mr Gauke: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury.
UK resident companies are chargeable to corporation tax on their taxable profits arising in the UK. I am unable to comment on the affairs of specific taxpayers as this information is held by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs on a confidential basis.
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Hospitals: Infectious Diseases
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans his Department has to review guidance issued to NHS Acute Trusts and Foundation Trusts on screening programmes for hospital acquired infections; and what his policy is on the governance of any such reviews; [89352]
(2) whether his Department plans to consult on guidelines issued to NHS Acute Trusts and Foundation Trusts on screening programmes for hospital acquired infections. [89353]
Mr Simon Burns: National health service trusts and foundation trusts are required to screen all relevant admissions for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The policy recognises that there are some areas of clinical care where it is not appropriate or cost effective to screen. The Department's guidance therefore asked NHS organisations to develop local clinical protocols, based on learning from within their own area, that provide for clinical and cost effective screening practices.
The Department has commissioned an independent review of the local implementation (clinical and cost-effectiveness, and impact on patient management) of the current guidance. This audit is being undertaken by University college London and the Health Protection Agency. As part of this process, all infection control teams in NHS acute trusts in England were invited to submit data as part of a national one week prevalence audit between 9 and 15 May 2011.
The final report on the audit will be submitted to the Department's expert advisory committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (ARHAI) in the spring to consider the findings, along with other available evidence. ARHAI will then advise the Department if the existing departmental guidance needs to be updated.
Hospitals: Management
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the prospects for future franchises of hospital management services. [89540]
Mr Simon Burns: As part of the commitment for all the remaining national health service trusts to achieve foundation trust status, tripartite formal agreements have been established that set out each organisations plan to deliver this requirement. For a number of NHS trusts the agreement confirms that the organisation has determined they are not viable in their current organisational form and sets out the actions they need to take to establish sustainable provision of high quality healthcare services in some other organisational form. Within these agreements no NHS trusts currently have plans to use the franchising of management to support the achievement of foundation trust status.
Industrial Accidents
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated in accident and emergency departments for injuries sustained in the workplace in each of the last five years; and how many were treated at Colchester General Hospital for such injuries. [89288]
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Mr Simon Burns: These data are not centrally collected. The closest available data indicate from where a patient has been referred to accident and emergency (A&E), but not where the injury occurred. These data are only available from 2007-08 to present. The data are as follows:
| Table 1: England total A&E attendances and total referrals from work | |||
| England—total A&E attendances | England—referral from work | Referral of work as a percentage of total attendances | |
Data is not available for Colchester General Hospital in isolation, but is available for Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust:
| Table 2: Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust total A&E attendances and total referrals from work | |||
| Colchester—total A&E attendances | Colchester—referral from work | Referral of work as a percentage of total attendances | |
| (1 )2011-12 data is to date (April to August). Note: Data is four months in arrears | |||