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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the size and role of EUFOR Althea in Bosnia-Herzegovina. [90961]
Mr Lidington: We support the EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We welcomed the EU agreement in October 2011 to continue to maintain the mission in support of its executive mandate, which was renewed by the UN Security Council in November 2011. We believe the mission acts as an important safeguard against instability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and plays a key role in building the capacity of the Bosnian armed forces. The UK Government will continue to support the mission through the provision of personnel and financial contributions.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Elections
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has taken steps to encourage the full publication of the results of the National Assembly elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [91298]
Alistair Burt: We have lobbied strongly, and called publicly for the Democratic Republic of Congo electoral commission (CENI) to take every measure to ensure that the compilation and publication of results of the National Assembly elections is free of irregularities. We expect that the full results of the DRC national assembly elections will be published by the end of January. There have been delays, but the DRC electoral commission (CENI) is publishing results on its website as they become available.
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) meetings and (b) correspondence his Department has had with the electoral commission (CENI) of the Democratic Republic of Congo. [91299]
Alistair Burt: Our ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo met Pastor Ngoy Mulunda, the head of the DRC electoral commission (CENI) several times during December 2011 and January 2012. Our embassy in Kinshasa has also corresponded with CENI about its request for the UK to provide technical assistance ahead of the legislative assembly result. However, CENI has not provided us with details of its specific requirements.
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Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the legitimacy of the outcome of the recent presidential election in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [91300]
Alistair Burt: We share the concerns of some observation missions about the irregularities, some serious, during the recent elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, no observation mission has yet judged that the overall result of the presidential election would have been changed by these irregularities. We await their final reports.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Politics and Government
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Islington North of 20 December 2011, Official Report, column 1190W, on Congo: politics and government, if he will publish any correspondence sent by the British Ambassador in Kinshasa as part of the lobbying activity referred to in the Answer. [91294]
Alistair Burt: Our ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo lobbied those to whom the previous answer referred in a number of meetings held during December 2011 and January 2012. The ambassador sent no correspondence as part of this lobbying effort.
Diamond Jubilee 2012
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department is giving to British Overseas Territories to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. [91039]
Alistair Burt: We are working closely with colleagues from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, who have overall responsibility for co-ordinating Government support for the Diamond Jubilee, and with Buckingham Palace, to ensure that the Overseas Territories are fully involved in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, including the river pageant
We are also supporting Overseas Territories' Governments in their plans to hold Diamond Jubilee celebrations in the Territories, which, for many, will include lighting a Beacon to mark the occasion.
Citizens of the Overseas Territories will also be eligible for the Diamond Jubilee medal in line with the agreed eligibility criteria.
Iran: Diplomatic Relations
Michael Ellis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had discussions with the Government of Iran on provision of compensation for recent damage to the British Embassy in Tehran; and what its response has been. [90913]
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Alistair Burt: We are currently assessing the damage caused to our embassy in Tehran and the associated costs caused by recent events, and will be seeking compensation from the Government of Iran, who have given initial assurances that compensation will be paid.
Morocco: British Nationals Abroad
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of UK citizens who visited Morocco in each of the last five years. [91267]
Alistair Burt: Morocco is a popular destination for many UK citizens. Visitor numbers for the past five years are:
| Number | |
| (1) January to July inclusive Source: Moroccan Ministry of Tourism | |
Pakistan: Politics and Government
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the political situation in Balochistan, Pakistan following reports of killings and kidnappings of Baloch people. [91027]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) monitors human rights reporting closely, including non-governmental organisation reporting, and the FCO will be publishing its 2011 Annual Human Rights Report this March.
The allegations about Balochistan are extremely serious, and we continue to emphasise to the Pakistani authorities the importance of investigating thoroughly any accusations of extrajudicial killings or enforced disappearances. The passing in the National Assembly in December 2011 of a Bill creating a National Commission on Human Rights should help to investigate such violations.
The Government of Pakistan faces a difficult law and order situation in Balochistan, including kidnappings and terrorism. Our high commission in Islamabad and our deputy high commission in Karachi engage regularly with the Government of Pakistan and the provincial government in Balochistan on matters of security, rule of law and human rights. Officials also meet representatives of the Baloch community. We urge that action to counter militant or insurgent activity is conducted in line with Pakistan's obligations under national and international law.
Spain: Tourism
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to provide information for UK tourists in Spain of limitations on the import to the UK via Spain of duty free products purchased in Gibraltar. [90927]
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Mr Lidington: Information for UK tourists on duty free products purchased in Gibraltar is provided on the Foreign Office's Gibraltar travel advice pages. There is general advice on the import and export of goods (e.g. tobacco and alcohol) as well as advice on exporting to Spain and directly to the UK from Gibraltar because of its position outside the Common Customs Area. We will review the Gibraltar travel advice to ensure that it is clear.
Tuareg People
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the situation of the Tuareg people in (a) Libya, (b) Niger, (c) Mali and (d) Chad. [91260]
Alistair Burt: The British Government continue to monitor the situation of the Tuareg in Libya, Niger, Mali and Chad. We are concerned by recent reports of clashes between Tuareg rebels returning from Libya and Malian security forces. We do not condone armed action by rebel groups. We encourage all parties to find peaceful solutions, leading to the full integration of Tuareg communities into society.
In Libya the Tuareg were often marginalised. But many joined the Libyan army and were perceived as supportive of the former Gaddafi regime. We are aware of media reporting that some Tuareg fighters have travelled to other countries in the region since Gaddafi’s fall. We believe that anyone who may have committed crimes in the past should be held to account under transitional justice arrangements. But we also look to the new Libyan authorities—such as those soon to draft a new constitution —to ensure protection for the rights of members of those groups. We have raised the issue and will continue to do so.
Overseas Trade
Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Third Special Report from the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, HC 1545, paragraph 14, when his Department plans to publish its scoping paper on how to extract the best possible value from HMG's market access. [90245]
Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), officials met on 13 September for a stock take of how market access issues are handled across Government, with the aim of ensuring an integrated Whitehall-wide approach to addressing market access barriers.
The Departments are keen to ensure any overhaul of the current mechanisms does not add a layer of bureaucracy; any changes must result in direct benefits for business or improve Government efficiency. A light touch approach has been agreed to include the identification of areas where Departments need to work together and ensure information is shared appropriately. Accordingly, a stock-take report was not produced.
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Good progress has been made in delivering the UKTI strategy and implementing the FCO Charter for Business. HMG recognises the importance of fully utilising the UK's diplomatic network overseas and ministerial visits to assist in delivering value to UK business. Ministerial visits briefings have a strong focus on the UK's top commercial priorities including key market access issues, ensuring Ministers, and our diplomatic network overseas, are lobbying host Governments on the commercial and trade issues of most importance to British business interests.
Further close working across Government, and in consultation with business, is also being taken forward on a number of other fronts. For instance, we have consulted with business on our top market access issues in regards to China, building our joint understanding of the issues with a view to addressing these through a combination of our commercial diplomacy work and in influencing the European Commission to address UK priorities in bilateral trade discussions.
In addition, DEFRA, as part of a joint Government/industry agri-food export action plan to be published later this month, will be working with industry experts and colleagues in BIS, UKTI and FCO to build up the HMG assessment of barriers to trade facing UK agri-food companies in key markets. This will raise cross-Government awareness of the obstacles facing this sector, and help build a co-ordinated lobbying effort.
Communities and Local Government
Council Housing: Standards
Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to tackle black mould in council properties. [90451]
Andrew Stunell: The Decent Homes Standard was introduced in 2001 to ensure that council properties meet a statutory minimum standard and are free from serious hazards (category 1) as defined by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. Damp and mould growth is a category 1 hazard. Councils are under a duty to take action in such cases.
Council Tax Benefits
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the likely change in take-up of council tax benefit by pensioners in preparing his proposals for council tax benefit localisation. [91477]
Robert Neill: The Government intends pensioner council tax support should not be reduced as a result of the introduction of this reform, and is therefore proposing to continue the current systems of criteria and allowances.
Those pensioners in most need and who qualify for pension credit guarantee credit will continue to be eligible for 100% council tax support. Others will continue to be means-tested. The Government envisages there will be minimal changes to the way council tax support is delivered for pensioners as a result.
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As previously championed by the Royal British Legion, the Local Government Finance Bill will make council tax support a rebate/discount—rather than a benefit.
The previous Government changed the law to rename council tax benefit, but never enacted their own provisions.
Departmental Visits Abroad
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to place on his Department's website details of Ministerial overseas travel, gifts and hospitality for the period (a) May to July 2011 and (b) August to October 2011. [91479]
Robert Neill: Data covering the period April to June 2011 can be found on our website at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/transparencyingovernment/ministerialdata/
In line with other Government Departments, we will publish data for the quarters July to September 2011 and October to December 2011 in due course.
Empty Property: Shops
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the (a) Community Right to Buy and (b) Community Right to Try proposals for empty shops on high streets. [90926]
Grant Shapps: No formal assessment has been made of the Assets of Community Value provisions (Right to Bid) contained in the Localism Act 2011 as the provisions and the relevant secondary legislation have yet to be commenced. In England, the provisions will be commenced later this year. Commencement of the legislation in Wales is a devolved matter.
The Government will respond to the Portas Review in the spring.
Fire Services: Finance
Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the potential effect of proposed funding reductions for Metropolitan fire services on their capacity to secure (a) specialist equipment and (b) capability for national resilience. [91598]
Robert Neill: As the delivery of fire services—including national resilience—are a local matter, determined by individual fire and rescue authorities, no formal assessment of the effect on metropolitan fire and rescue services has been undertaken by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
I also refer my hon. Friend to my letter of 6 December 2010 to the hon. Member for Derby North (Chris Williamson), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, which outlines how fire and rescue authorities can make sensible savings without impacting on the quality and breadth of services offered to their communities.
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Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the percentage efficiency savings achieved in each fire authority area since 2004. [91600]
Robert Neill: On coming into power the coalition Government decided to cease the burdensome requirement on fire and rescue authorities to report to Government their efficiency savings. As well as imposing an administrative burden, such notional figures were also potentially misleading. As the delivery of fire services—including efficiency savings—are a local matter, determined by individual fire and rescue authorities, no formal assessment of efficiency savings since 2004 has been undertaken by the coalition Government.
Fire and rescue authorities are accountable to their communities; they publish their expenditure so people can see how costs and savings are arrived at.
Fire Services: Training
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to review the level of joint training undertaken by fire and ambulance services. [91064]
Robert Neill [holding answer 20 January 2012]: My Department is working with other Government Departments and the emergency services to improve joint ways of working in response to particular identified risks. In particular, in response to the Report of the Coroner's Inquests into the London bombings of 7 July 2005, the Government agreed that it would co-ordinate a wider review of multi-agency considerations in single-service training. The Cabinet Office are co-ordinating this review and will ensure that results are made available once it is completed.
Housing Benefit
Mr Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the time it will take to re-house those seeking to move to a smaller property following implementation of the proposed limit on housing benefit for tenants who under-occupy their property. [90888]
Grant Shapps: No central estimate has been made. However, initiatives like “HomeSwap Direct” will make it easier for social tenants to move home, whilst protecting their security of tenure.
Mr Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many alternative properties are available for those seeking to downsize as a result of the proposed limit to housing benefit for tenants who are under-occupying their property. [90988]
Grant Shapps: We estimate that 560,000 households in England will be affected by this measure, with 440,000 of these under-occupying their social homes by 1 bedroom.
The introduction of “HomeSwap Direct” will provide all social tenants with the opportunity to search for matches, allowing under-occupying households to swap with those who may be overcrowded.
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In addition, provisions in the Localism Act will remove transferring tenants who are not in housing need from the allocation rules. This will enable councils to support under-occupying tenants to find a more suitably sized property, and free up family-sized housing for other households in need.
Local Government: Voluntary Organisations
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will bring forward proposals to require local authorities to publish their spending in the voluntary sector; if he will publish aggregate figures (a) by region and (b) nationally; and if he will make a statement. [91353]
Robert Neill: Local authorities are required by the Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency to publish all expenditure over £500—including costs, supplier and transaction information—on a regular basis. The code also states that copies of contracts, tenders and grants to the voluntary and community sector should be clearly itemised and listed.
Officials in the Department for Communities and Local Government are working with the Local Government Association on an initiative to improve the comparability of data on local authorities' spending in the voluntary and community sector, including expenditure under £500.
The Government are committed to reducing data burdens placed on local authorities. For this reason, the Government do not intend to impose a new data burden on local authorities to submit sector spend data for central aggregation and publication.
Rents
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of the use of upward-only rent reviews; and if he will make a statement. [90979]
Grant Shapps: The trend towards shorter leases, which do not include rent reviews, has meant that the upward only rent review clause is not as prevalent as it once was. The 2007 Code for Leasing Business Premises includes the recommendation to landlords that they should take a flexible approach to rent review clauses in lease negotiations. This includes the consideration of alternatives to upward only rent reviews. The need to promote the code and encourage the take up of its recommendations in full is something I recognise and am already working towards. Recommendation 18 of the Portas review of the high street, makes specific reference to the promotion of the leasing code and we will be providing a response to the report in the spring.
Shops: Empty Property
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of shops are empty in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England; and what assessment he has made of these statistics. [91593]
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Grant Shapps: This information is not held centrally. While there are commercial providers of such data, these tend to be focused on limited geographical areas such as town centres, rather than entire administrative areas.
However, shop vacancies are naturally of concern, and are a visible indicator of the plight of our high streets. This is one of the reasons why the Prime Minister asked Mary Portas to undertake her review of the high street, the report of which was published on 13 December 2011. The report made a number of recommendations for revitalising struggling high streets, and the Government will be responding to these in the spring.
Culture, Media and Sport
Football
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to encourage (a) five-a-side leagues and (b) investment from businesses operating five-a-side leagues into school and community pitches. [90819]
Hugh Robertson: The new Football Association (FA) National Game Strategy 2011-15 has an increased focus on providing local and flexible formats of football to suit changing consumer lifestyles. More specifically, the FA is working to affiliate and develop football in the commercial small-sided sector. This is a key focus of the participation investment that Sport England makes to the FA. Further information can be found at:
http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/NewsAndFeatures/2011/national-game-strategy-refresh-011211
The new youth sport strategy will aim to improve links between schools and community sports clubs. By 2017 we will have established at least 6,000 new school-club links. Football has pledged that 2,000 of its clubs will be linked to secondary schools. In addition, every County Sport Partnership will have a dedicated officer responsible for making links between schools and community sports clubs in their local area. Further information can be found at:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/8761.aspx
Online Piracy
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect on the UK of measures contained in the US Stop Online Piracy Act. [91259]
Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has made no assessment.
Energy and Climate Change
Carbon Emissions: Housing
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the use of bioliquids to reduce carbon emissions for off-mains gas households. [91444]
Gregory Barker:
As part of the work on the Heat Strategy, which will be published later this year, we have considered a wide range of technologies and the role
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they can play in decarbonising domestic heating. The strategy will underline the particular importance of encouraging households off the gas grid to take up low carbon heating alternatives.
As stated in the Renewable Heat Incentive policy document (published in March 2011), we are considering whether to support bioliquids as part of developing the second phase of the scheme.
Radioactive Waste: Scotland
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to delay all movements of radioactive materials from Scotland to England for the purposes of long-term storage or disposal until policies are developed which will ensure the return of those materials to Scotland in the event of Scottish independence. [91599]
Charles Hendry: The Government are clear that Scotland benefits from being part of UK and the UK benefits from having Scotland within it. The Government are not making plans for independence as we are confident that people in Scotland will continue to support the Union in any referendum.
The Government do not therefore see the need to change their policy in respect of movements of radioactive materials from Scotland to England for the purposes of long-term storage or disposal. This includes the existing spent fuel movements, from Torness and Hunterston B nuclear power stations, which the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority are contracted to receive and spent Magnox fuel from Chapelcross which will continue to be transported to Sellafield for reprocessing.
Also the NDA has consulted on moving Dounreay Fast Reactor material to Sellafield for reprocessing, as this represents the best way of dealing with this UK legacy material.
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Scottish Government, (b) HM Treasury and (c) the Prime Minister with regard to the transportation of Scottish radioactive wastes to England. [91601]
Charles Hendry: The NDA is responsible for the clean-up of the UK's legacy civil nuclear sites; reporting both to UK and Scottish ministers as set out in the Energy Act (2004). As part of this approach the authority has to agree its strategy with both the UK and Scottish Governments on how best to decommission sites, including where it is most appropriate to treat material. This may require the transport of material between sites, taking account of relevant UK and Scottish policies. The Department discusses such matters with other Government Departments and the Scottish Government as necessary.
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the legal changes that would be required to retain Scottish radioactive waste in England in the event of Scottish independence. [91602]
Charles Hendry:
The Government are clear that Scotland benefits from being part of UK and the UK benefits from having Scotland within it. The Government are not making plans for independence as we are confident
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that people in Scotland will continue to support the Union in any referendum. The NDA reports to both UK and Scottish Ministers in relation to its activities, as required by the Energy Act (2004).
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what (a) short, (b) medium and (c) long-term economic and environmental benefits will be provided to Copeland in the event that radioactive materials from Dounreay are transported to Sellafield. [91603]
Charles Hendry: Sellafield is in the unique position of having the expertise and infrastructure to deal safely and effectively with a range of materials from NDA sites. This enables the NDA to deliver effective progress on the UK-wide decommissioning and clean-up programme. As part of this approach, the NDA is able to make significant and continuing investments in the Sellafield site and west Cumbria generally through its support for the Britain’s Energy Coast programme. Any legitimate community impacts resulting from this programme of activity can be dealt with effectively through the planning process and discussions between planning authorities and the NDA.
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if his Department will commission the development of a financial framework agreement for (a) the treatment, storage and disposal of Scottish radioactive waste in England and (b) the removal and transportation of Scottish radioactive waste to Scotland from England in the event of Scottish independence. [91604]
Charles Hendry: The NDA is funded by the UK Government and reports to both UK and Scottish Ministers in relation to its activities, as required by the Energy Act (2004). The Government are clear that Scotland benefits from being part of UK and the UK benefits from having Scotland within it. The Government are not making plans for independence as we are confident that people in Scotland will continue to support the Union in any referendum. For low level waste disposal, facilities can, subject to environmental regulation, compete on a commercial basis for contracts to receive consignments from anywhere in the UK and this ensures a complementary approach to radioactive waste management.
Renewables Obligation
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much was paid to renewable electricity generators in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Scotland and (d) Wales in respect of renewable obligation certificates in (i) 2007, (ii) 2008, (iii) 2009 and (iv) 2010. [89733]
Charles Hendry: The total level of renewables obligation support(1) for the UK for 2007-08 to 2010-11 is set out in the following table. The support level by country has not been estimated.
(1 )Defined as the level of the renewables obligation in ROCs multiplied by the buyout price in pounds per ROC. These two pieces of information are set out in Ofgem 's annual renewables obligation reports.
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| Renewables obligation support | |
| £ million nominal | |
Supporting renewable electricity helps the UK meet its renewable energy targets and brings wider benefits, including decarbonising the electricity mix, innovation benefits and creating jobs in the renewables industries and their supply chains.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Air Pollution
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason measures to reduce air pollution were not included in her Department's 2011-12 business plan. [90804]
Richard Benyon: Departmental business plans are intended to set out the structural reform priorities and do not include every policy responsibility or work programme led by the Department. The fact that air quality is not explicitly mentioned in the DEFRA business plan, published in May 2011, does not in any way reflect a lack of importance attached to air quality or its significance as a cross-government issue.
The health and environmental benefits that can be obtained from improving air quality remain the key drivers for action in this area. DEFRA is also committed, through the coalition agreement, to work towards full compliance with EU air quality standards.
The Natural Environment White Paper, published in summer 2011, set out our specific commitments on air quality including: our consultation on plans for the achievement of NO2 limit values; action to investigate further use of low emission zones; and improving arrangements for local air quality management and delivery. Collectively, these continue to ensure that air quality is given priority across government policies. However, we will give further consideration to this as part of the review of our business plan during 2012.
Animal Health and Welfare Board for England
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) animal welfare and (b) animal health experts are represented on the Animal Health and Welfare Board. [89565]
Mr Paice: In line with the recommendations of the England Advisory Group on Responsibility and Cost-sharing, the non executive members of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England are appointed as individuals rather than representatives of organisations, sector or interest groups. They bring a range of expertise and skills to the board’s deliberations. The board can also access further expertise when the need arises.
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Animal Welfare: Cormorants
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was to the public purse to administer the cormorant licensing regime in England in the latest period for which figures are available. [91433]
Richard Benyon: The licensing regime for the management of cormorants in England is administered on behalf of the Government by Natural England.
Cormorant licences are generally issued over the period between September and April in a given season, and based on those issued over 2010-11. Natural England estimates the administration costs to amount to some £89,000.
Birds of Prey
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the predation of song birds by sparrowhawks. [90209]
Richard Benyon: The effect of raptors, including sparrowhawks on the songbird and racing pigeon populations was reviewed in the multi-stakeholder Raptor Working Group's report to Ministers in 2000. Since then, these issues have been the subject of further research involving stakeholder organisations. Population trends of sparrowhawks and songbirds are monitored annually by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Breeding Bird Survey (BBS).
The Raptor Working Group concluded
“that it has primarily been changes of agricultural practices, rather than recoveries of lowland raptor populations, that have been responsible for the widespread declines in many formerly common farmland birds.”
A major study (published in 2010) by the BTO and funded by SongBird Survival, used information made available by partners in the BBS and compared detailed bird observations at over 200 sites in the period 1967-2000 with those of over 2,000 volunteers surveying sites during the period 1995-2005 and was the most sophisticated, long-term and large-scale analysis of its kind ever undertaken. It found that, for 22 of the 29 songbird species examined, there was no evidence that increases in common avian predators (including sparrowhawks) and grey squirrels were associated with large-scale depression of prey abundance or population declines. For the majority of declining species with unfavourable conservation status population, declines appeared to be due to factors other than predation. Other studies have suggested that recent songbird population changes have been influenced by a range of other factors, most notably changes in farmland and woodland management.
Among the seven species in which there were significant negative effects of particular predators, associations between the increase in the number of sparrowhawks during the period 1967-2000 and declines in the abundances of bullfinches, tree sparrows and reed buntings will help to identify priorities for future work on the effects of predation on songbird populations.
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Countryside: Access
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to facilitate better access to, and enjoyment of, the English countryside by members of the public. [90555]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA is responsible for policies which help to provide and manage access to the countryside, including setting the legislative and policy framework for public rights of way, and access to open country and registered common land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. We sponsor our National Park Authorities and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which are responsible for the management of, and access to, some of our finest areas of countryside; we also sponsor Natural England which has a strong role in promoting access to the natural environment.
We are committed to introducing the right of coastal access under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 on a stretch of the English coast at Weymouth in time for the start of the 2012 Games. We are aiming to open up a further five areas around the English coast by 2014-15.
We are working with Natural England on plans for Paths for Communities, which is a new initiative to help local community partnerships to develop improved local path networks to boost tourist revenue in their area. We have allocated £2 million to the initiative as part of the Rural Economy Growth Review. Natural England hopes to announce detailed arrangements in April 2012.
Flood Control
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for work on flood and coastal environmental risk management schemes in each English region in 2012-13; and how much her Department plans to allocate to (a) the Environment Agency and (b) others for such schemes in 2012-13 [91284]
Richard Benyon: Decisions on allocations of funds for 2012-13 are subject to the final approval of the Regional Flood and Coastal Committees and sign off by the Environment Agency Board, which will meet in early February.
In 2012-13, DEFRA will allocate £251.4 million (revenue) and £258.8 million (capital) to the Environment Agency for flood and coastal erosion risk management which includes funding for schemes taken forward by local authorities and internal drainage boards.
Nature Conservation: EU Law
Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to review the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive. [91269]
Richard Benyon:
As announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), in the Autumn Statement of 29 November 2011, Official Report, columns 799-810, DEFRA is currently conducting an in-depth review of
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how the EU Habitats and Birds Directives are currently being implemented in England, working with stakeholders and other Government Departments.
The vast majority of development projects successfully meet the directives’ requirements but a small number raise particularly complex issues which can give rise to delays. The review is looking at the reasons behind this and is seeking to identify solutions, engaging interested parties in its work, while maintaining the integrity of the purpose of the directives. The review will report in March.
Further information on the review, including its terms of reference, can be found on the DEFRA website.
Sky Lanterns
Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government is taking to limit the effect of sky lanterns on (a) crops, (b) coastguard and (c) fire services. [91411]
Richard Benyon: The Government recognise that there are problems with the release of sky lanterns, including fire risks or false call-outs to coastguards if people seeing the lanterns think they are emergency flares. Our approach is to raise public awareness and ask people, wherever they are, to think before they use them, including contacting the coastguard if they are planning to launch these lanterns near the coast.
Home Department
Asylum
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects her Department to conclude resolution of the backlog of legacy asylum cases. [90773]
Damian Green: As Jonathan Sedgwick, then acting chief executive of the UK Border Agency (UKBA), reported to the Home Affairs Committee on 12 September 2011, 479,000 of the 500,500 cases in the legacy programme had been fully concluded by summer 2011.
Some 23,000 remaining cases were fully reviewed but due to various barriers could not be brought to a final conclusion. The UKBA established the Case Assurance and Audit Unit (CAAU) to remove such barriers and bring these cases to a final conclusion. Rob Whiteman, chief executive of the UKBA, reported to the HASC on 22 December that the number of live cases had reduced to 17,000. CAAU will continue to progress these cases and resolve them as barriers are lifted.
CAAU is also responsible for the active monitoring of 98,000 controlled archive cases. As Rob Whiteman reported to the HASC on 22 December, this has now reduced to 93,000 cases and the UKBA has committed to reduce this to fewer than 50,000 cases by April 2013.
Procurement
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which pilots her Department currently has open on procurement. [91136]
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Damian Green: The Home Department, including its executive agencies, currently has no pilots open on procurement.
Deportation: Egypt
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were deported from the UK to Egypt in each year since 1982. [91693]
Damian Green: The following table provides the available information on the number of all nationals who were removed or departed voluntarily from the UK to Egypt between January 2004 and September 2011. Destination data have only been collated since 2004; data for earlier years are not available.
| Total removals and voluntary departures (1, 2) , to Egypt (3) , January 2004 to September 2011 (4) | |
| Number of departures | |
| (1) Includes enforced removals, people departing voluntarily after notifying the UK Border Agency of their intention to leave prior to their departure, people leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by Refugee Action (prior to April 2011, run by the International Organisation for Migration) and people who it has been established left without informing the immigration authorities. (2) Removals and voluntary departures recorded on the system as at the dates on which the data extracts were taken. (3) Destination as recorded on source database. (4) Provisional figures. Figures will under record due to data cleansing and data matching exercises that take place after the extracts are taken. | |
The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the UK within Immigration Statistics. The data on removals and voluntary departures by country of destination are available in the latest release, Immigration Statistics: July—September 2011, tables rv.06 and rv.06.q, from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Science, research and statistics web pages at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
Human Trafficking: Repatriation
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make it her policy to provide financial support to victims of human trafficking who wish to return to their country of origin. [91525]
Damian Green:
The Government’s Assisted Voluntary Returns for Irregular Migrants (AVRIM) programme is available to non-European economic area (EEA) victims of trafficking in the UK. This programme is run in partnership with the Choices service of Refugee Action. The AVRIM scheme can provide support in acquiring travel documentation, a flight to their country of origin
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and onward domestic transport, and airport assistance at departure and arrival airports. In some cases, Choices will arrange referral to appropriate partners in the country of origin. Victims may also be eligible for reintegration assistance of up to £1,000.
The Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP), also run in partnership with Choices, offers assistance to eligible non-EEA victims who have raised trafficking as part of an asylum claim and want to return permanently to their country of origin.
Assistance is also available under the Assisted Voluntary Return for Families and Children (AVRFC) programme where the victim is an unaccompanied child or part of a defined family unit in the UK with at least one child.
Further details can be found on the UK Border Agency website at:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/modernised/returns/assisted-voluntary-returns.pdf?view=Binary
Immobilisation of Vehicles
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) legislation is in force to regulate and (b) guidance her Department issues on the regulation of the activities of private wheel clamping companies. [89587]
Lynne Featherstone: The Private Security Industry Act 2001, which regulates the activity of immobilisation of vehicles, does not apply to businesses. However, the Act requires individuals to be licensed by the Security Industry Authority in order to carry out such activity.
As announced on 17 August 2010, it is our intention to ban wheel clamping, blocking in or towing away of vehicles without lawful authority. Provisions are included in the Protection of Freedoms Bill.
Subject to parliamentary approval, it is expected the Bill will receive Royal Assent by May 2012, with the aim of bringing the proposed ban into force as soon as possible after the Bill has been passed.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has a duty to publish a document setting out the criteria for an SIA licence, under section 7 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA's ‘Get Licensed’ booklet fulfils this duty, in conjunction with the SIA website, which contains guidance on the regulation of the activities of private wheel clampers. The Get Licensed booklet can be viewed at:
http://www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Documents/licensing/sia_get_licensed.pdf
and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Police and Crime Commissioners: Elections
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the alternative vote (AV) system is to be used in elections for Police and Crime Commissioners; which Ministers suggested use of this method; on what date the decision was taken to use AV for these elections; and if she will make a statement. [90771]
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Nick Herbert: As set out in Section 57 of The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, the Supplementary vote will be used for Police and Crime Commissioner (PCCs) elections and not the alternative vote. This is currently the system used for the direct election of mayors, the closest existing role to PCCs; the Mayor of London already has responsibility for policing in London and is elected on this basis.
Police: Olympic Games 2012
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suspicious packages were successfully smuggled into the Olympic Park during the trials which took place in 2011. [91020]
James Brokenshire: There is a comprehensive testing and exercising regime in place for security at the Olympic Park and Village and this will continue over the coming months. However, details of security planning for the Games, including specific tests and their results, are operationally sensitive in nature and, if released into the public domain, could compromise the security of the Games.
Departmental Reports
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reports her Department has commissioned but not published since May 2010; and what the title is of each such report. [77323]
Damian Green: The Home Office seeks to publish research and statistics reports when they are complete, in line with the Government’s commitments to transparency in government. National Statistics are produced and released in accordance with our obligations in the Statistics and Registration Services Act 2007, and the associated code of practice for Official Statistics. This is under the management of a chief statistician, who reports to the National Statistician with respect to all professional matters.
Social research reports are published in line with the Government Social Research Unit publication protocol except:
(i) in the case where the Home Office Chief Scientific Adviser decides not to publish in a Home Office series, on the grounds of inadequate scientific quality following peer review;
(ii) on security grounds, where an unclassified summary document may be published with a classified version available where it is appropriate to do so; or
(iii) for operational reasons where, in some cases, the Department may decide to publish only a summary of research and allow the more detailed research to be made available separately by, for instance, allowing the contractors to publish.
The seven research reports listed in the following table were commissioned between May 2010 and 19 January 2012, but have not been published by the Home Office. The list does not include some reports commissioned in 2010 for reasons of national security, or reports for which the relevant research has not yet been completed. The table also includes details of the stage of the publication process which the unpublished reports have reached.
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Speed Limits: Cameras
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many models of mobile speed camera have been given type approval by her Department for use by police forces; how many of these can be used accurately to detect speed from inside a police vehicle when used through glass such as a windscreen; and if she will make a statement. [91166]
Nick Herbert: On the widest interpretation of “mobile”, there are 43 devices that have been type approved. All can be used through glass and none of the type approvals includes a condition prohibiting such use. Type approval provides a guarantee that a device is accurate, precise, consistent and reliable.
Metal Theft
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has any plans to introduce (a) a nationwide requirement for scrap metal dealers to demand identification from those from whom they purchase scrap metal and (b) a requirement for scrap metal dealers to install closed-circuit television on their premises. [91293]
James Brokenshire: The Government are currently considering a range of legislative options to deal with the growing problem of metal theft, including a more robust licensing regime for scrap metal dealers which will include their operating standards. We will announce our proposals shortly.
House of Commons Commission
Food: Waste
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the answer of 19 July 2010, Official Report, column 51W, on Commons food waste, what estimate the Commission has made of the monetary value of food waste generated by House of Commons food outlets in each month since April 2010; what the outcome was of its review in 2009-10 of potential waste disposal schemes; and by what means food waste is currently redistributed or disposed of. [91334]
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John Thurso: In the eight-month period from April 2010 until November 2010 the cumulative cost of food waste recorded was estimated at £56,996. No record is available month-by-month for this period and no record is available of the monthly or cumulative cost for the period from December 2010 until March 2011.
Since April 2011, the estimated cost of food waste in each month has been as follows:
| Month | Estimated cost of food waste (£) |
In compiling the information to answer this question, it has become clear that wastage has not been consistently recorded in all areas and the above figures are likely to be understated. It is likely that the answer given on 19 July 2010, Official Report, column 51W, for the cost of food waste from April 2009 to March 2010 is similarly incorrect. We cannot compile wastage information retrospectively but we are taking action to capture and report this information correctly from the start of the next financial year in April 2012.
The review in 2009-10 of potential waste disposal schemes identified a preferred option of food waste composting. Food waste composting forms part of the new waste management contract, which commenced in November 2011. A food waste composting pilot for the Terrace Kitchen is due to start before the end of the 2011-12 financial year. Thereafter the scheme will be extended to the rest of the Estate.
Currently food waste is diverted from landfill and is sent to a local energy from waste facility.
Northern Ireland
Bill of Rights
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2011, Official Report, column 983W, on the Bill of Rights, what progress has been made on introducing a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland since 19 October 2011. [91015]
Mr Swire: Ministers and officials continue to meet human rights groups in Northern Ireland to discuss this issue. Our position remains that we want to see progress on the basis of consensus within Northern Ireland.
In my answer of 19 October 2011, Official Report, column 983W, I stated that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), had written to NI party leaders, including the hon. lady, suggesting that work on this issue might be taken forward by the Assembly. We await responses to his suggestion.
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Christmas
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on (a) Christmas trees and (b) other Christmas decorations in 2011; and if he will make a statement. [91078]
Mr Swire: In 2011, my Department spent a total of £169.97 to purchase three Christmas trees. There was no other expenditure on Christmas decorations.
Departmental Pay
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was paid to officials in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies in (a) bonuses, (b) allowances and (c) other payments additional to basic salary in each of the last two years for which figures are available; what categories of payment may be made to officials in addition to basic salary; what the monetary value is of each category of payment; and what the monetary value was of the 20 largest such payments made in each of the last two years. [89706]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for my Department as it is now configured are not available for the years preceding the completion of devolution of policing and justice functions on 12 April 2010. For 2010-11, the last complete financial year for which figures are available, the amounts paid by my Department and its non-departmental public bodies for: (a) non-consolidated performance payments; (b) allowances; and (c) other payments are as follows:
(a) Non-consolidated performance payments—a total of £22,200 was paid to members of the Home civil service (HCS) working in my Department in line with Ministry of Justice guidelines;
(b) Allowances—35 members of staff on secondment to my Department from the Department of Justice (NI) are paid £287 per annum by way of a revised environmental allowance (REA). A small number of staff who are in posts which require them to undertake ‘on-call’ duties may make a claim for an ‘on-call’ allowance of £20 per weekday and £35 per weekend day;
(c) Other payments—these included reward and recognition payments. During 2010-11, my Department paid a total of 39 such payments totalling £13,650. The 20 largest payments were: £750 x four; £500 x eight; £350 x four; and £300 x four.
Third Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department is taking to measure progress on the implementation of policies supporting the big society initiative; and if he will make a statement. [91400]
Mr Swire: I am the Government Minister with responsibility for advocating the principles of the big society in Northern Ireland.
The big society agenda has been an item for discussion at meetings I have held with the right hon. Peter Robinson MLA, First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster MLA, Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise trade and Investment and Nelson McCausland MLA, Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development. I hosted the first Big Society seminar in the UK which was attended by over 60 individuals representing the community and
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voluntary sector in Northern Ireland, and I led a debate on the principles of the big society in the Northern Ireland Grand Committee.
I have engaged with Business in the Community on ideas for a big society venture, delivered a keynote speech on the big society to the UK Preservations Trusts annual conference in Belfast and am actively exploring the possibility of bringing a National Citizen Service pilot to Northern Ireland. I am happy to lend my support to many of the exciting big society initiatives that are taking place on the ground in Northern Ireland.
Many of the policy levers that extend the Big Society agenda in Northern Ireland are devolved and I am holding a series of meetings with Northern Ireland Ministers over the coming months in which I shall explore with them areas in which we can work together to promote this initiative.
Scotland
Christmas
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on (a) Christmas trees and (b) other Christmas decorations in 2011; and if he will make a statement. [91080]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office spent £59.99 on the purchase of a Christmas tree for its London headquarters. No costs were incurred on other Christmas decorations.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what proportion of full-time equivalent staff in his Department are engaged in delivering (a) frontline and (b) corporate or back office services; and if he will make a statement. [91079]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not categorise staff as back office or frontline; an organisational breakdown of staff is available through the Office's website at the following link:
http://www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/scotlandoffice/14464.html
Poverty: Children
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with (a) Ministers in the Scottish Government and (b) ministerial colleagues on measures to reduce levels of child poverty in Scotland. [91449]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), and I are in contact with Ministers in the Scottish Government and Ministers in the UK Government on a range of issues which are relevant to reducing levels of child poverty in Scotland, as are our officials.
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Third Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps his Department is taking to measure progress on the implementation of policies supporting the big society initiative; and if he will make a statement. [91401]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore) and I, and our officials, are in contact with social enterprises, charities, voluntary organisations and local authorities in Scotland to discuss the big society.
I have hosted several roundtables across Scotland to discuss with local organisations what the big society means for them.
Wales
Christmas
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on (a) Christmas trees and (b) other Christmas decorations in 2011; and if she will make a statement. [91108]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office purchased one Christmas tree in 2011 for £90 and decorations were purchased to the value of £12.43 to enable children from the charity Dreams and Wishes to decorate the tree in Gwydyr house.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what proportion of full-time equivalent staff in her Department are engaged in delivering (a) frontline and (b) corporate or back office services; and if she will make a statement. [91107]
Mr David Jones: We do not have any staff who we consider to be frontline. The number of corporate staff as at 31 December 2011 was 13. This equates to around one in five staff.
Third Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps her Department is taking to measure progress on the implementation of policies supporting the big society initiative; and if she will make a statement. [91404]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office does not lead on the implementation of any big society policies. However, the Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), and I are committed to ensuring that the positive effect of the big society is felt in Wales. The Wales Office hosted a seminar in Newport last September to discuss big society implementation in Wales. Further, I now chair a quarterly Wales Office big society advisory forum to discuss big society issues, with the first meeting having taken place on 16 January. The next meeting is due in mid-April.
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Work and Pensions
Atos Origin
Mr Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department paid Atos Origin to carry out medical assessments on behalf of his Department in the last year for which figures are available. [90547]
Chris Grayling: For the period April 2010 to March 2011 the total cost paid to Atos Healthcare by the DWP to carry out medical assessments amounted to £112.8 million.
These figures cover the total cost of running the medical services contract for the last financial year. This includes not only the total numbers of medical assessments undertaken by Atos Healthcare but also costs relating to written and verbal medical advice, fixed overheads, administrative costs, investment in new technology, other service improvements and salaries and fees paid to healthcare professionals directly by Atos Healthcare.
In addition, an element of the above costs is attributable to Telereal Trillium for accommodation necessary for the running of the medical services contract.
Mr Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of medical assessments carried out by Atos Origin on behalf of his Department in each of the last three years. [90548]
Chris Grayling: For the period April 2008 to March 2009 the total cost DWP paid to Atos Healthcare to carry out medical assessments amounted to £111.8 million.
April 2009 to March 2010 total cost was £99.1 million.
April 2010 to March 2011 the total cost was £112.8 million.
These figures cover the total cost of running the medical services contract for the last three financial years. This includes not only the total numbers of medical assessments undertaken by Atos Healthcare but also costs relating to written and verbal medical advice, fixed overheads, administrative costs, investment in new technology, other service improvements and salaries and fees paid to healthcare professionals directly by Atos Healthcare.
In addition, an element of the above costs is attributable to Telereal Trillium for accommodation necessary for the running of the medical services contract.
Mr Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average salary was of (a) nurses and (b) doctors employed at Atos Origin medical examination centres in the latest period for which figures are available. [90549]
Chris Grayling: The salary of nurses and doctors employed at Atos Healthcare is a matter between Atos Healthcare and the individual.
This information is commercial in confidence and cannot be released as release of the information would prejudice the interests of Atos Healthcare and the Department's future dealings with Atos Healthcare or other service providers.
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Mr Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many doctors were employed at Atos Origin medical examination centres in the latest period for which figures are available. [90550]
Chris Grayling: Atos Healthcare holds a medical skills database which indicates that 649 doctors are currently engaged by Atos Healthcare (as at 17 January 2012) who are trained to carry out either DLA, ESA, IIDB or VA examinations, either in a medical examination centre or in the claimant's home.
649 is a figure which includes employed and contracted doctors.
Autism Act 2009
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the Autism Act 2009, what training is provided by (a) his Department, (b) Jobcentre Plus and (c) other agencies for staff working with people with autistic spectrum disorders. [91417]
Maria Miller: A wide variety of training is provided by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and former agencies (Jobcentre Plus and Pension, Disability and Carers Service (PDCS)) and also by Atos staff working with people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD).
I will cover (a) and (b) together as DWP now includes the former agencies Jobcentre Plus and Pension, Disability and Carers Service (PDCS). DWP's policy is to develop its staff in the skills required to support a range of customers and claimants, to respect their individual needs, including those related to their health conditions.
All staff have access to the “Raising the Game on Disability” seminar, which is focused on building disability knowledge and staff confidence in working with disabled people, including those with ASD.
A number of staff in DWP, including PDCS visiting officers, disability living allowance and attendance allowance decision makers undertake training specifically covering ASD, and how this affects individuals.
Jobcentre Plus personal advisers, in particular, have access to a comprehensive learning programme. The training focuses on raising awareness of the individual's personal circumstances, and also recognises that disabilities and health conditions can affect individuals in different ways.
Disability employment advisers receive additional learning appropriate to this specialist area. Their training has been designed in conjunction with specialist DWP occupational psychologists to enable advisers to provide effective support to people with particular complex needs.
All staff have access to the Hidden Impairment Toolkit, which provides practical advice and guidance on how best to support individuals, including those with ASD, into employment. This approach enables the anticipation of reasonable adjustments at appropriate stages of the individual's journey to work.
(c) Atos Healthcare carry out work capability assessments (WCAs) for DWP.
As part of their induction training, all healthcare professionals working for Atos are issued with an evidence based protocol that includes information on Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD).
ASDs are specifically covered in new entrant training for healthcare professionals who carry out WCA assessments.
All healthcare professionals are required to engage in a programme of continuing medical education. Atos, in conjunction with DWP, have developed a number of training modules for ASDs to
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support this programme. These include a “learning set” on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Asperger’s syndrome for employed healthcare professionals and a distance learning module with accompanying DVD on Asperger’s syndrome for sessional doctors.
Atos are currently developing a training product called “Learning Disability and Autistic Spectrum Disorders awareness” which is due to be issued by the end of 2012.
Bank of Scotland
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions his Department has had with the Bank of Scotland on the printing of customers' national insurance numbers on bank statements; and what the outcome was of those discussions. [91558]
Chris Grayling: There have been no recent discussions with the banking industry on the printing of customers' national insurance numbers on bank statements.
National insurance numbers are included in the information DWP provides to the banks as a payment reference so that payments can be accurately traced and customer inquiries dealt with effectively. The Department is aware that most banks use the information in the format provided to them by DWP, but ultimately the printing of the national insurance number on the customer's bank statement is the responsibility of the bank and at its discretion.
Council Tax Benefits
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total sum paid out in council tax benefit was to (a) pensioners and (b) adults of working age in each local authority in England in 2010-11. [91481]
Steve Webb: The information has been placed in the Library.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of full-time equivalent staff in his Department are engaged in delivering (a) frontline and (b) corporate or back office services; and if he will make a statement. [91083]
Chris Grayling: The Department is currently engaged in a transformation of its Corporate Centre and Operational functions.
The planned staffing position for 31 March 2012 has been used to provide an estimate of the numbers and proportions of staff who are engaged in delivering frontline and corporate or back office services. These plans should be relatively stable but are subject to review.
On this basis it is estimated the Department will have around 78,500 (88%) full-time equivalent staff engaged in delivering frontline services and around 10,400 (12%) engaged in delivering corporate and back office services.
In addition the Department hosts a shared services function of around 1,350 which provides payroll and employee services to multiple Departments.
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The Department categorises ‘front-line' staff as operational staff serving external customers and other staff directly supporting these functions.
Disability Living Allowance
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people with (a) Parkinson's disease and (b) multiple sclerosis declared fit for work appealed against that decision in the latest period for which figures are available. [90923]
Chris Grayling: Of all employment and support allowance (ESA) claims starting between October 2008 and August 2010, 150 claimants whose main health condition is recorded as Parkinson's disease were assessed to be fit for work and subsequently appealed this decision. The equivalent figure for multiple sclerosis claims is 450.
While data on fit for work decisions are available for claims that started between October 2008 and February 2011, appeals data are only available for claims starting between October 2008 and August 2010. Due to the time taken to submit, administer and hear appeals it is likely there are appeals currently in progress, so the figures provided may change when newer data becomes available.
The Department regularly publishes data on ESA and the work capability assessment, which can be found on the departmental website here:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page=esa_wca
This information is taken from administrative data held by the Department, assessment data provided by Atos Healthcare and appeals data from Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service.
All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
Employment and Support Allowance: Cancer
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will allow people who are receiving oral and non-oral chemotherapy to receive employment and support allowance without undergoing an assessment; and if he will make a statement. [91482]
Chris Grayling: As part of his second independent review of the WCA Professor Malcolm Harrington asked Macmillan Cancer Support (Macmillan) to look in detail at how the WCA assesses people with cancer and to provide him with recommendations for further improvements.
Macmillan provided compelling evidence that the current provision for individuals undergoing cancer treatment should be changed. They also suggested that all individuals receiving oral chemotherapy and certain types of radiotherapy are placed in the support group.
The Department accepted there is a need for change. However, we know that cancer and cancer treatment can affect individuals differently. The Macmillan evidence shows this, and it shows some people want to work during treatment and are capable of doing so.
The Department has brought forward proposals based on this evidence which would increase the number of people provided with unconditional support (an expected
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movement of around 10% from the work-related activity group to the support group) and reduce the number of face-to-face assessments.
We are now consulting on our proposals, particularly seeking the wider views of specialists and cancer sufferers themselves. The consultation lasts until 9 March 2012.
Employment Schemes
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will consider permitting Work programme clients with specified needs to choose their provider with assistance from their Jobcentre Plus adviser instead of being referred through the lottery. [91483]
Chris Grayling: The Work programme has been designed to help people with a wide variety of needs. Individuals are randomly allocated to Work providers to ensure that each provider has an equal share of participants, and provide a firm basis for drawing relative performance judgments. Better performing providers will have more claimants allocated to them. For this reason, it is not possible for claimants to pick their Work programme provider or move to another, after commencing the Work programme.
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Work Clubs in (a) Walsall South constituency, (b) the West Midlands and (c) the UK. [91663]
Chris Grayling: The Government continues to support the creation and development of Work Clubs that offer local people the support they need, tailored to the local economy. Work Clubs build on the foundations of the existing network of community-based support for unemployed people. The Department does not systematically collect data on Work Club performance.
There is an online service for Work Club organisers, established by the Second Church Estates Commissioner, my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry), which offers opportunities to share best practice and supports the creation, development and improved delivery of this locally-led initiative.
Employment Schemes: Voluntary Organisations
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect on voluntary sector providers' ability to contract in the Work programme of the administrative requirements involved; and if he will make a statement. [91484]
Chris Grayling: The Department assessed all tenders for the Work programme against the published evaluation criteria, based both on quality and financial aspects of the tenders.
The Employment Related Support Services Framework, from which the mini competition for Work programme contracts was run, is a more efficient and responsive tool with the potential to create administrative savings. It has simplified and significantly reduced the time and
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cost involved for delivery partners, for example by cutting out the duplication of effort created by participation in a profusion of separate procurement competitions.
A full independent evaluation has been commissioned to conclude in 2014.
Employment Schemes: West Midlands
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Work programme job outcomes resulted from placement on apprenticeships in the West Midlands in the latest period for which figures are available. [91435]
Chris Grayling: The Department is working to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority and official statistics on Work programme job outcomes will be released from autumn 2012. The exact details of what we will publish has still to be decided as it is dependant on the availability and quality of the data.
Employment: Barking and Dagenham
Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged 18 to 24 in Barking and Dagenham were placed in employment by Jobcentre Plus in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008, (d) 2009 and (e) 2010. [91114]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
Jobcentre Plus: Training
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) Jobcentre Plus staff and (b) other staff in his Department with public-facing roles have completed ASIST training in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [91117]
Chris Grayling: The Department is able to provide the following information in the table.
| Number of Jobcentre Plus senior work psychologists and work psychologists who have completed ASIST training in the years 2009 - 11 | |
| Number of senior work psychologists and work psychologists (actual) | |
| Source: Accredited Jobcentre Plus ASIST Trainer | |
Pensioners: Council Tax Benefits
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of all adults potentially eligible for council tax benefit are pensioners in each local authority in England. [91480]
Steve Webb: Estimates of the population entitled to council tax benefit are not available at a local authority level due to insufficient sample size. Estimates are available for Great Britain from the Income-related Benefits Estimates of Take-up report. The report produces estimates of take-up of council tax benefit by family type. The latest figures cover the period 2008-09.
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The report brings together information from DWP/local authority benefit records and the Family Resources Survey to provide estimates of take-up among the private household population in Great Britain. Take-up estimates are presented as robust ranges of the population who are entitled to but do not take-up council tax benefit. These ranges account for possible biases that arise in estimating take-up from the available data sources. These ranges also account for the effects of sampling variation (otherwise known as sampling error).
As the full entitled population of council tax benefit consists of both the entitled recipients (those entitled to and receiving the benefit), and the estimates of entitled non-recipients (those entitled to but not receiving the benefit), the number and proportion of this population who are pensioners is presented as a range in which it is assumed the true value lies.
As such, the number of pensioners who were entitled to council tax benefit in Great Britain, 2008-09, was between 3,950,000 and 4,490,000 (rounded to the nearest 10,000), which is equivalent to between 50% and 63% of the entire population entitled to council tax benefit.
For context, the take-up rates of pensioners in 2008-09 were lower than non-pensioners for council tax benefit. Pensioners had a take-up rate of between 56% and 64% while non-pensioners had a take-up rate of between 72% and 81%. The full take-up report can be found at:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=irb
Pensioners: Low Incomes
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people who have a private pension and live in the poorest 5% of households; and if he will make a statement. [90737]
Steve Webb: The figures for the number of working-age adults who have made some private pension provision and live in the poorest 5% of households are not available. Any such statistics would be based on households below average income (HBAI) data sourced from the 2009-10 Family Resources Survey (FRS). We do not consider the data for households with the very lowest reported incomes to be accurate as an indicator of living standards. Many of these households, while reporting very low incomes appear to have high spending and would not have low living standards, although they genuinely have few sources of income in the short-run.
There are a variety of reasons for reporting very low incomes. First, very fragmented incomes may be under-recorded. Secondly, some households will have transitional periods of low income when they are between possibly well paid jobs at the precise time of the survey interview, or they are self-employed and their incomes can vary greatly from year to year. Thirdly, some households may draw on savings to cope with a longer period of minimal income. Finally, some households genuinely have to cope on very low incomes, and may get into debt to maintain levels of expenditure.
We have therefore provided the information requested for working-age adults in the bottom equivalised household income quintile, that is, with equivalised household incomes in the bottom 20% of the income distribution.
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In the United Kingdom in 2009-10, before housing costs, we estimate that there were approximately 700,000 working-age adults (around 11% of all working age adults) with private pension provision in the bottom income quintile. Overall, according to this source, 37% of working-age adults had some pension provision in the United Kingdom in 2009-10.
The Government want to encourage people to save for their retirement and are introducing automatic enrolment into workplace pensions. Starting from 2012 all employers beginning with the largest will be required to enrol all workers eligible for automatic enrolment into a qualifying workplace pension scheme and make a minimum contribution. We expect this to lead to 5 million to 8 million people newly saving or saving more, generating £9 billion a year more in pension saving.
Notes:
1. These statistics are based on households below average income (HBAI) data sourced from the 2009-10 Family Resources Survey (FRS). This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.
2. Quintiles are income values which divide the population, when ranked by income, into five equal-sized groups. The lowest quintile describes individuals with incomes in the bottom 20% of the income distribution.
3. Adults have been classified as being of working age if they are 64 or below for men or 59 or below for women.
4. While the statistics cover individuals who are of working age, not all individuals will be working.
5. Figures have been presented on a before-housing cost and an after-housing cost basis. For before-housing costs, housing costs are not deducted from income, while for after-housing costs they are.
6. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to a degree of uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response.
7. The reference period for HBAI figures is the financial year.
8. Numbers of working-age adults have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand.
9. Proportions of working-age adults in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest percentage point.
Personal Independence Payment: Mental Illness
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has carried out an impact assessment on the effects of introducing the personal independence payment on people with mental health disorders; and if he will make a statement. [91438]
Maria Miller: We are fully committed to enabling disabled people to have the same opportunities and choices as non-disabled people. The Government have tried to make fair choices and to protect those who are most in need. Throughout the development of Personal Independence Payment the Government have looked closely at the impact of decisions on different groups, including people with mental health disorders.
The Impact Assessment for DLA reform was last updated on 10 October 2011 and can be found at:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dla-reform-wr2011-ia.pdf
It will be updated following Royal Assent.
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We are still developing the assessment and published details on the entitlement thresholds and revised assessment criteria on 16 January and started a formal 15 week consultation. As more detailed design is completed further estimates of the impact of the assessment on people receiving personal independence payment will be made. Our view is that the personal independence payment will take greater account of mental, intellectual, cognitive and sensory impairments than DLA.
Social Security Benefits
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people from (a) EU member states other than the UK and (b) non-EU countries signed on at Jobcentre Plus between (i) January and June 2011 and (ii) July and September 2011; and what proportion this represents of the total number of people signing on. [89861]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available. The UK's benefit payment systems do not currently record the nationality of claimants as nationality itself is not a condition of entitlement. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the number of non-UK nationals claiming benefit at Jobcentre Plus.
DWP has recently published statistics on the nationality of benefit claimants at the point of registration for a national insurance number. These indicate that at February 2011, 371,000 (6.4%) of DWP working-age benefits claimants were non-UK nationals when they registered for their national insurance number. Of these, 25% were EU nationals, and 75% were non-EU nationals.
Further information, including breakdowns of these figures by benefit claimed, can be found in the full statistics release “Nationality at point of National Insurance number registration of DWP benefit claimants” at
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2012/jan-2012/dwp005-12.shtml
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to establish a closer link between the receipt of benefits and training for work. [90879]
Chris Grayling: Further to my answer of 13 July 2011, skills conditionality was introduced in England from 1 August.
Social Security Benefits: Carlisle
John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what costs were incurred by his Department in respect of (a) benefits and (b) administration in Carlisle constituency in the latest financial year for which figures are available. [89034]
Chris Grayling: The information is as follows:
(a) Benefit expenditure for Carlisle for 2010-11 is shown in the following table, where estimates are available.
| Carlisle constituency benefit expenditure, 2010-11 | |
| £ million | |
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| Note: Figures rounded to nearest 100,000. Source: DWP Statistical and Accounting Data | |
(b) The cost of administering benefits for Carlisle residents is not available.
Third Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to measure progress on the implementation of policies supporting the big society initiative; and if he will make a statement. [91405]
Chris Grayling: The DWP continues to support the principle of enabling people to come together to improve their own lives.
To maximise our support for a big society approach the DWP has implemented more freedoms for jobcentres to move away from a one-size fits-all approach and towards a more flexible business model which is tailored to meet the community that it serves. Jobcentre Plus, in partnership with colleges, training providers and employers, has a key role to play in influencing the provision offered locally to best meet the needs of local employers and people on benefits.
A series of specific measures are being currently delivered, for benefit claimants, which reflect this approach. This includes Enterprise Clubs, which help people make the most of local knowledge and resources to support unemployed people who are interested in self employment; local Work Clubs to enable individuals to take responsibility for planning their own journey back into work; and Work Together, which helps claimants develop work skills through volunteering, with opportunities provided by local charities and voluntary organisations. The availability of these measures varies across the country according to local circumstances and needs.
Further support to local communities is provided through the design of our national Work programme. This encourages providers to build support with voluntary and other local organisations to ensure that it meets the needs of the individual and local communities.
In parallel, the Department's support to the private sector's commitment to big society remains strong. For example, we work closely with the National Apprenticeship Service on our engagement with national employers and the opportunities for all young people including graduate schemes.
Universal Credit
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of local authority housing benefit staff who will be required to assist in the delivery of universal credit. [91436]
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Chris Grayling: Universal credit will be delivered by a single entity which will be drawn from the best operational units of Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs and will draw upon local authority expertise. Local authorities will continue to be responsible for the new form of council tax rebate and other essential services, such as housing and social care.
The universal credit programme team are currently engaging with the Local Government Association and the local authorities associations to develop proposals for how local authorities will fit into the delivery model for universal credit. We have also formed a Transition Working Group made up of representatives from local authorities to advise the programme of the impacts of introducing universal credit on them. We are also undertaking an extensive programme of day-long visits to individual authorities to hear about current practice, gather views and suggestions and discuss the future role of local authorities under universal credit.
In the short-term, local authority benefit staff will play a crucial role in implementing these reforms, as housing benefit is such a key element of the system. It is also expected that local authorities will continue to have an important role in delivery of welfare benefits services including new responsibilities such as the discretionary elements of a reformed Social Fund.
In the longer-term, we will need to reflect on the implementation period before making decisions on the final delivery model for universal credit and ultimately local authorities' role within it. We appreciate that this creates uncertainty for local authorities, but it is important that we press ahead, because this is the only way to make the system simpler and fairer for the people we all want to help. We are involving local authority staff in a series of workshops looking at the options for the delivery model, both for 2013 and beyond.
The detail of these reforms is still being worked out, so we cannot say yet exactly how they will impact on local authority Housing Benefit staff, but we will rely on local authorities' expertise and frontline knowledge to make these reforms work.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the eligibility rules for free school meals following introduction of universal credit; and if he will make a statement. [91437]
Chris Grayling: Defining entitlement to certain passported benefits is the responsibility of other Government Departments and devolved Administrations.
The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has been commissioned to carry out an independent review on passported benefits on behalf of the Government. This review is nearing completion and the Committee has been asked to report by the end of January 2012. The Department will publish the final report alongside its response by the end of April.
Free school meals are the responsibility of the Department for Education, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland. In England, the Department for Education is already considering the options for new eligibility criteria and working with a number of stakeholders. Department of Education
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Ministers will consult on free school meal eligibility proposals in 2012, ahead of the introduction of universal credit from October 2013.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether it is his intention to start to take new claims for universal credit from October 2013; and if he will make a statement. [91485]
Chris Grayling: The universal credit migration approach published on 1 November set out how DWP will start to take new claims to universal credit from October 2013 and that new claims to the current benefits and credits will gradually be phased out. Work continues with HMRC and local authorities to understand the precise detail of how this will work, but this approach will ensure that universal credit is phased in safely from October 2013, minimising the risk to claimants. Even once agreed, the DWP will keep the approach under regular review as it recognises that this needs to be flexible enough the respond to national and local circumstances as they change in the years before the migration to universal credit is concluded in 2017.
Work Capability Assessments
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to page 19 of the Government's response to Professor Malcolm Harrington's Second Independent Review of the Work Capability Assessment, what the percentage turnover of Atos-approved healthcare professionals was in each region in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) 2011. [90330]
Chris Grayling: The percentage turnover of Atos-approved health care professionals was in
(a) 2008—Data not held for this period
(b) 2009—Data not held for this period
(c) 2010 and (d) 2011
For both of the above years the data are held, however the information is commercial in confidence. It cannot be released as release of the information would prejudice the interests of Atos Healthcare and the Department's future dealings with Atos Healthcare or other service providers.