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Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 1 February 2012
Business, Innovation and Skills
Asia: Overseas Trade
Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he has taken to adapt British export strategies to the growing importance of (a) China and (b) other parts of Asia as a trading partner; and if he will make a statement. [92154]
Mr Prisk: UK Trade and Investment's (UKTI) strategy ‘Britain Open for Business’ has identified 20 priority high-growth and emerging markets, of which 10 are in Asia (China, India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam).
UKTI was given £45 million in the 29 November 2011 Autumn Statement, Official Report, columns 799-810, part of which will be used to encourage more UK businesses into high growth markets such as those in Asia. UKTI has also established a programme targeting high value opportunities globally. This programme currently includes 23 opportunities in Asia.
In addition, there have been a series of high level ministerial trade visits to the region, and UKTI continues to hold high level discussions with the Chinese and other key Asian trading partners.
With regard to China, UKTI is working closely with the China Britain Business Council (CBBC) to deliver services in China. The CBBC is also playing a key role in the UK, organising business events linked to high level visits and small and medium-sized enterprise outreach activity. In addition, UKTI is organising a China Business Day as part of the overall British Business Embassy programme during the Olympics.
Finally, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills have launched a campaign to encourage more British companies to export to Asia's high growth and emerging markets, under the auspices of the Asia Task Force, which will hold a series of practical events for exporters around the country in early February.
Chemicals: North West
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to take to ensure a global level playing field for the chemicals industry in the north-west. [93117]
Mr Prisk: The UK chemicals sector is in the top 10 of global chemical producers and the third largest in Europe after Germany and France. The industry is increasingly international and 90% of UK chemicals output is exported; 60% of these exports are to the EU.
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The Government is creating the conditions for the chemicals sector to build on this position by encouraging higher levels of innovation, exports, business investment and technical skills as well as cutting excessive red tape. The plan for growth announced as part of Budget 2011, included a package of measures to stimulate growth, including:
Creating the most competitive tax system in the G20
Making the UK the best place in Europe to start, finance and grow a business
Encourage investment and exports as a route to a more balanced economy
Creating a more dedicated workforce that is the most flexible in Europe
In addition to these national actions, we have created Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPS) which provide the vision, knowledge and strategic leadership needed to drive sustainable private sector growth and job creation in their area. There are five LEPS covering the north- west. These business public sector partnerships are focussed on supporting local chemical businesses which will encourage investment in the sector.
On a regional level we have also launched the Regional Growth Fund (RGF). The first two rounds of the RGF produced winning applicants from the chemicals sectors in the north-west—link as follows. We have also announced a £1 billion extension of the RGF which will open this month to which applicants from the north-west are welcome.
http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/economic-development/regional-growth-fund/successful-2nd-round-bids
The chemicals sector is included as a priority area in the new UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) five year strategy—“Britain Open for Business”. A new trade specialist from business is, in consultation with industry, reviewing international opportunities and UK capability and will produce an action plan for capturing more business.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), and UKTI officials work together on a number of inward investment and export oriented projects that cover the north-west.
The Government also consults closely with the industry to ensure that barriers to trade it encounters are addressed in multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations led by the European Commission as well as through bilateral UK contacts with third countries.
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the value to the economy of the chemical industry in the north-west. [93118]
Mr Prisk: Latest regional financial figures (2009) suggest that the chemicals industry in the north-west generated nearly £7 billion in turnover and contributed around £1.8 billion in value added to the UK economy. Employment data show that in 2010 the north-west chemicals industry had a total employment of 21,000.
Recruitment
Jon Trickett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 11 January 2012, Official Report, column 332W, on
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departmental recruitment, how much of the £916,025 spent on recruitment agencies was spent on agency
(a)
fees and
(b)
staff. [92600]
Mr Davey: Not all of the invoices that make up the £916,025 spent on recruitment agencies provide a breakdown between agency fees and staff costs. Therefore an answer to the question can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Higher Education: Electricity
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which universities are contracted to provide electricity on demand to STOR aggregators. [91955]
Mr Willetts [holding answer 26 January 2012]: This information is not held centrally.
Higher Education: Finance
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of expenditure on recurrent grant for teaching in higher education paid via the Higher Education Funding Council for England in (a) cash terms and (b) 2011-12 values in each year from 2011-12 to 2015-16. [92946]
Mr Willetts: The annual grant letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) was published last week. It confirmed an allocation for teaching grant of £4.6 billion in 2011-12, £3.8 billion in 2012-13 and gave an indicative allocation for 2013-14 of £2.9 billion. The Government estimates that by 2014-15 funding to HE institutions from teaching grant will be around £2 billion. The funding beyond 2015 is subject to the next spending review. In 2011-12 values these figures in each year of the spending review are £4.6 billion, £3.7 billion, £2.8 billion and £1.9 billion respectively, and they represent a significant contribution to tackling the deficit. However, as a consequence of the funding reforms the Government have implemented, we expect this to be more than offset by the additional income that HE institutions will receive through Government-backed tuition fee loans.
Manufacturing Industries: West Midlands
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps his Department has taken to support the manufacturing industry in the West Midlands. [92556]
Mr Prisk:
The Government have been supporting manufacturing in the West Midlands through programmes such as the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) and for exceptional projects through the Grant for Business Investment (GBI) scheme. Funding has been provided to a number of firms undertaking major investments in the region in research and development and/or new equipment and facilities. Among the businesses which have received support are Jaguar Land Rover, Ceram and Zytek. A £1 billion increase in the Regional Growth
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Fund was announced as part of the Autumn Statement of 29 November 2011,
Official Report
, columns 799-810. The Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, announced in December 2011, will support investment in training to improve skills as well as expenditure on research and development and capital equipment.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), manufacturing businesses in the West Midlands can also take advantage of our new streamlined Solutions for Business portfolio: eligible companies can gain support in areas such as training and skill development, resource efficiency, exploiting ideas, accessing international opportunities and growing your business. For example, we have just launched the Business Coaching for Growth programme, which aims to help up to 10,000 high growth businesses a year to address barriers to growth and grow more rapidly.
The new Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), which was announced on 3 January, offers SMEs practical support on all aspects of manufacturing, including direct access to manufacturing experts with a proven track record. As one of the UK's main manufacturing regions the West Midlands is expected to be a major beneficiary of the new MAS.
Renewable Energy: Investment
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what plans he has to assess investments in (a) wave and tidal technology and (b) other innovative energy products against the criteria of additionality; [91698]
(2) what plans he has to assess (a) wave and tidal technology and (b) other innovative energy projects against the criteria of green impact. [91699]
Mr Prisk: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 January 2012, Official Report, column 299-300W.
Students: Finance
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of (a) public expenditure on and (b) the face value student (i) maintenance and (ii) tuition fee loans in (A) cash terms and (B) 2011-12 values in each year from 2011-12 to 2015-16. [92945]
Mr Willetts: Department estimates of (a) resource costs and (b) cash outlay on student maintenance and tuition fee loans between 2011-12 and 2015-16, consistent with the impact assessment published alongside the 2011 Higher Education White Paper, are as follows:
| (£ million) | |||||
| 11-12 | 12-13 | 13-14 | 14-15 | 15-16 | |
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Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect on the resource accounting and budgeting charge on student loans made to (a) current and (b) new students from 2010 of changes in assumptions and modelling of student loan repayments described in his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11. [92950]
Mr Willetts: The Department's annual report sets out a number of changes to the assumptions and modelling of student loan repayments that were made in 2010-11. The two key changes were:
(i) to adjust the methodology to use the latest Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) short term forecasts for RPI and average earnings growth;
(ii) to provide for the impact of the lower interest charge to borrowers as a result of the low Bank of England base rate.
The valuation is based on the best estimate of the present value of future repayments over the repayment term (25 years for post-06/07 students and to age 65 for pre-06/07 students).
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills issued £5.6 billion of new loans to students in 2010-11. The resource accounting and budgeting (RAB) charge on these loans was 33%. This compares to the original RAB charge of 28% and resulted in a decrease in the valuation of around £300 million. The pre 2010-11 stock of loans was decreased by around £2.3 billion as a result of these changes, producing a final loan book (impaired) value of £25 billion at 31 March 2011.
Third Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 24 January 2012, Official Report, column 231W, on third sector, on what dates the joint Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Cabinet Office Steering Group has met; what was discussed at each meeting; and if he will make a statement. [92507]
Mr Davey: The first meeting of the Every Business Commits Steering Group was on 18 January 2012 and the Group agreed terms of reference setting out its leadership and oversight roles. The meeting also heard updates on the business-led initiatives Business Connectors and Trading for Good, and a presentation about business-led standards for transparent information on social and environmental impacts. The Group will now meet quarterly.
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Cabinet Office
Internships
Luciana Berger: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many unpaid and expenses-only interns the non-departmental bodies for which his Department is responsible employed between May and November 2010. [92959]
Mr Hurd [holding answer 31 January 2012]: During the period May 2010 and November 2010, none of the Cabinet Office NDPBs that existed at the time employed unpaid and/or expenses only interns.
Iraq Committee of Inquiry
Mr Amess: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent discussions he has had with what outcomes with the (a) Chairman and (b) Secretary of the Chilcot Inquiry about the recall of Tony Blair to the Committee; and if he will make a statement. [92375]
Mr Hurd: The Iraq Inquiry is independent of Government. While the Government continue to give the Inquiry their full co-operation, it is entirely a matter for the Inquiry whether or not to hold further hearings or to recall witnesses. Neither I nor my ministerial colleagues have had any discussions with the Inquiry Chairman, Sir John Chilcot, or the Secretary to the Inquiry about this matter. Sir John stated publicly on 2 February 2011 that the Inquiry had no plans for any further public hearings. I understand that that remains the Inquiry's position.
JCB
John Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what contracts the Government has awarded to JCB and its associates since May 2010; and what the (a) net and (b) individual value of each such contract was. [92991]
Mr Hurd: Since January 2011, as part of the Government's programme to increase transparency, central Government Departments have been required to publish on Contracts Finder information on the contracts they award. Contracts Finder also provides access to procurement information published on Tenders Electronic Daily. The following table summarises contracts award notices originally published on Tender Electronic Daily and imported into Contract Finder. Further information is held by the relevant public sector bodies.
Please note the result of this search indicates no contracts were awarded to JCB from central Government, however a number were awarded, from the wider public sector as follows:
| Supplier | Procuring authority | Contract | Value (£) |
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| (1) Tenders Electronic Daily entry shows value between £112,764 and up to £148,714. (2) No data. | |||
Public Bodies: Debts
Andrew Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to reduce the amount of debt owed to public bodies which is written off as uncollectable. [92462]
Mr Hurd: The Cabinet Office is providing fresh leadership and focus on tackling debt owed to public bodies, including that which is written off. This is being done through the Fraud, Error and Debt Taskforce, which is chaired by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General. This cross-Whitehall group has membership from three other Ministers: the Minister for Welfare Reform at Department for Work and Pensions my noble Friend the Lord Freud, my hon. Friend the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (James Brokenshire), as well as senior officials from across the major Departments, representatives from the private sector and local authorities.
The Taskforce has taken steps to understand the scale and distribution of debt owed to public bodies including write-offs, and is now focused on helping public bodies to be more consistent and collaborative in tackling this issue in an efficient and effective manner.
Public Sector: Pay
John Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish details of the (a) net and (b) individual value of bonuses over £1,000 awarded within the public sector since May 2010. [92987]
Mr Hurd: The Cabinet Office has no plans to publish such details at present for the wider public sector. In the civil service, Departments and agencies have published details of non-consolidated performance related payments made to their staff for the performance year 2010-11. This information was published on departmental websites and linked to:
www.data.gov.uk
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Communities and Local Government
Housing Benefit
Mr Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 24 January 2012, Official Report, column 137W, on housing benefit, if he will estimate the number of properties available for social tenants seeking to downsize due to under-occupation. [92570]
Grant Shapps: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 24 January 2012, Official Report, column 137W.
Mortgages: Government Assistance
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to provide support for homeowners at risk of repossession. [92558]
Grant Shapps: The Government are helping homeowners in difficulty by tackling the record deficit, inherited from the last Administration, to prevent a rapid increase in interest rates hitting struggling households.
The Government are committed to working closely with lenders, debt advice agencies and local authorities to ensure that repossession is only ever a last resort and that effective help and advice for homeowners at risk of repossession is available. The options available to households are outlined at:
www.direct.gov.uk/mortgagehelp
The Government continue to provide direct financial support to struggling homeowners through Support for Mortgage Interest.
The Department for Communities and Local Government has extended the Mortgage Rescue Scheme which enables the most vulnerable homeowners at risk of repossession to remain in their homes. The October 2010 spending review confirmed £221 million to continue the scheme over the next two years. £86 million has been made available for 2011-12 and a further £86 million will be made available for 2012-13. Changes introduced in 2011 have reduced the unit cost enabling more households to benefit from the scheme.
Social Rented Housing: Construction
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average cost of building a (a) one, (b) two, (c) three and (d) four bed home for social rent by (i) land and (ii) building cost. [92614]
Grant Shapps [holding answer 30 January 2012]: The Right to Buy draft Impact Assessment provides estimates based on the successful bids in Affordable Rent Programme. The average scheme cost of new social and affordable housing is estimated to range from £133,000 to £150,000 per home (England average).
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/reinvigoratingrighttobuy
We are unable to break this estimate down by homes according to the number of bedrooms, or by land and building costs.
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Culture, Media and Sport
Copyright
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the economic effect to the creative industries of implementing the proposal to (a) introduce an exception from copyright law for data mining and (b) widen the exception from copyright law for criticism and review. [91776]
Mr Davey: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Initial impact assessments on each of the copyright issues, including data mining and criticism and review, have been prepared with the advice of Government economists, using publicly available data. The Government invite interested parties to respond to the Government's copyright consultation, which runs until 21 March 2012, and to submit economic evidence of the impacts of these proposals may have on creators and users of copyright materials to help refine our analysis. The consultation and the accompanying initial impact assessments are available in the Libraries of the House and on the website of the Intellectual Property Office.
Olympic Games 2012: Northern Ireland
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive on steps to ensure benefits arising from the London 2012 Olympics accrue to the devolved regions. [92807]
Hugh Robertson: Government officials, and the Nations and Regions Group which includes representation from each of the Nations and English regions, are in regular contact with officials in the devolved Administrations on a range of issues relating to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In my capacity as Minister for Sport and the Olympics, I have discussed the London 2012 Games with the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure for Northern Ireland in October. In March I also met with the then Minister, Nelson McCausland, while on a regional visit.
UK Nations and Regions are making the most of the opportunities and benefits from the sporting, economic, and cultural programmes provided by the games, for example, through businesses winning games-related work, increased tourism, Pre Games Training Camps, the Torch Relay, the Inspire programme and cultural celebrations.
Defence
Aircraft Carriers
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Statement of Intent on Carrier Co-operation and Maritime Power Projection with the US; [91944]
(2) if he will estimate the cost of the operations with the US on training covered by the Statement of Intent on Carrier Co-operation and Maritime Power Projection in each year up to 2020; [91945]
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(3) if he will estimate the cost of the number of personnel who will be assigned to training covered by the Statement of Intent on Carrier Co-operation and Maritime Power Projection; and what training they will receive. [91946]
Peter Luff: The Statement of Intent, jointly signed at Defence Secretary level on 5 January 2012, provides a high level framework for US/UK co-operation as the UK regenerates a carrier strike capability. Principal co-operative activities, including training, will be taken forward progressively through the working group structure established by the Statement of Intent and may, if necessary, be subject to separate and specific agreements. It is not possible at this early stage to provide estimates of costs that might arise from co-operative activities undertaken within the framework of the Statement of Intent.
The document will be placed in the Library of the House.
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2012, Official Report, column 416W, on aircraft carriers, whether his Department has conducted, or plans to conduct, investigations into the compatibility of advanced arresting gear with the Joint Combat Aircraft; and whether it has contributed, or intends to contribute, resources to investigations carried out by the US; [92453]
(2) on what date his Department was first made aware of compatibility issues in relation to the advanced arresting gear and the Joint Combat Aircraft. [92454]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence is aware of the F35C Arrestor Hook compatibility issues, which came to light during Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) testing in August 2011. Discoveries of this nature can only be expected during development of such complex technology and design solutions to the Arrestor Hook arrangements are already well advanced. These will be tested and proven as part of the ongoing JSF development test programme, in which the UK is fully engaged as a level one partner, with approximately 40 civilian and military personnel embedded across various US sites.
Armed Forces: Life Insurance
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of the soldiers who served in the conflict in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq were covered by PAX life insurance but with fewer than 15 units of insurance; [89478]
(2) how many soldiers who have served in the conflict in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq did so while being covered by PAX life insurance; [89518]
(3) how many soldiers who have served in the conflict in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq served without having PAX life insurance or any other life insurance; [89519]
(4) how many soldiers who have served in the conflict in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq were killed without having either PAX life insurance or any other life insurance. [89559]
Mr Robathan: I will write to the right hon. Member with the information requested.
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Substantive answer from Andrew Robathan to Jim Murphy:
I undertook to write to you on 16 January 2012, Official Report, column 437W, in answer to your question about PAX, and other insurance held by service personnel serving in the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts, the data requested can be found as follows:
| Afghanistan | |
| Number | |
| Iraq | |
| Number | |
| (1) Figures provided relate solely to PAX life insurance as data about other life insurance that may have been taken out are not held. (2) ‘—’ = Represents five or fewer. Notes: 1. For the purposes of the reply all members of the armed forces, irrespective of service, have been included. The data are provided from 1 April 2007 onward as information prior to this date is not held. 2. With the exception of data for the number of personnel killed in Afghanistan (which have been rounded to the nearest 10), other figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. 3. Some personnel recorded as not having PAX insurance may nonetheless be covered by their spouses PAX insurance (i.e. where both husband and wife are serving members of the armed forces). 4. Personnel whose location details are deliberately obscured for security reasons will not be reflected in the data. | |
Civil Servants: Allowances
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has any plans to remove the London allowance for its civil servants who live in London. [92635]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 30 January 2012]: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) remunerates civilian staff through a London pay scale and through the payment of London weighting allowance. Both allowances are paid to staff who work in London. The MOD has no current plans to remove either of these payments.
Recruitment
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 10 January 2012, Official Report, columns 18-19W, on departmental recruitment, how much of the £21,926.18 spent on recruitment agencies was spent on agency (a) fees and (b) staff. [92599]
Mr Robathan: All of the expenditure reported in my previous answer covered recruitment agency fees.
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Work Experience
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work experience or traineeship schemes his Department offers to minority groups. [92751]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) participates in the civil service summer diversity internship programme which aims to provide high calibre undergraduates or graduates with six to eight week work placements within Departments. In its current format it provides opportunities for black and ethnic minority and lower socio-economic students. Further information about this scheme can be found at the following link:
http://faststream.civilservice.gov.uk/Summer-Diversity-Internships/
In 2011, the MOD also participated in a separate pilot cross-Whitehall scheme, aimed at sixth form college level students (16 to 18-year-olds). This offered four two-week placements for individuals from under-represented backgrounds. Following the success of the pilot, the MOD will continue to support this scheme.
Diamond Jubilee 2012: Medals
Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make it his policy to award the Queen's Jubilee Medal to all military personnel who have served for four years in combat operations; [92448]
(2) for what reason the minimum required military service for the Queen's Jubilee Medal is set at five years. [92449]
Mr Robathan: The Department for Culture Media and Sport announced on 28 June 2011 the Government's intention to award and distribute a diamond jubilee medal. Medals are traditionally awarded for royal jubilees to recognise and reward the service and dedication of key front line services and, in particular, to those who are exposed regularly to difficult, often emergency situations and who potentially risk their lives.
The announcement made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport stated that members of the armed forces (regular and reserves) who have completed five full calendar years of service, and are serving on 6 February 2012, will be presented with a medal to mark Her Majesty the Queen's diamond jubilee. These criteria are consistent with the approach adopted for earlier jubilee medals, such as the golden jubilee in 2002.
Ex-servicemen: Resettlement
Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the careers advice provided to service personnel upon the conclusion of their service. [92533]
Mr Robathan:
The Ministry of Defence fully understands that making the transition from the armed forces into civilian life can be daunting and we remain committed to supporting service leavers in making this important
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step. Critical to this is having in place a robust and effective resettlement system that allows our service personnel to serve secure in the knowledge that they will receive professional and tailored assistance upon leaving.
To monitor the quality of the careers advice we offer our people, there are in place a number of governance procedures, through nationally recognised accreditation standards as well as internal monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. As a result, 95% of entitled service personnel who are leaving the armed forces elect to use the advice we offer them.
Harrier Aircraft: Sales
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2012, Official Report, column 940W, on Harrier aircraft, (1) what monetary value was given to the associated support equipment included in the sale of the Harrier aircraft; [92456]
(2) what the original cost was of the associated support equipment included in the sale of the Harrier aircraft to the US; and if he will make a statement; [92457]
(3) which company or companies invoiced his Department for (a) £0.7 million and (b) £0.4 million for consultancy services associated with the sale of Harrier aircraft to the US; what the consultancy services provided were; and how many hours of work, by how many consultants, these payments were for. [92458]
Peter Luff: The sale value of 72 Harrier airframes spares and associated support equipment to the US Government was negotiated and agreed as a consolidated package.
The majority of support equipment used to support the former Harrier fleet has been acquired since 1996 but information on the original purchase cost is no longer held. At the time of the sale to the US Government the value of support equipment recorded on the Ministry of Defence Supply Central Computer System (SCCS) was approximately £15 million. However, not all equipment used to support the Harrier is registered on the SCCS.
External assistance to both the termination of the Harrier contracts (£0.7 million) and the disposal of the aircraft (£0.4 million) was obtained through an existing contract with AlixPartners. The support provided covered the provision of specialist negotiation assistance in the closure of the Harrier airframe and engine contracts, and negotiation advice and assistance in the preparation for, and conduct of, sale negotiations with the US. This was provided by a core of three consultants, with occasional additional support from two senior partners and represented a total of 206 man-days.
Military Aircraft
Mrs Moon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, column 947W, on military aircraft, when he expects to publish the findings of the capability investigation on maritime surveillance capability; and if he will make a statement. [92528]
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Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence has completed its capability investigation into its long term requirements for maritime surveillance capability, but I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Deputy Prime Minister
Departmental Data Protection
Mr David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many cases of data loss or breaches of confidentiality occurred in his Office in 2011. [92974]
The Deputy Prime Minister: For the purposes of corporate administration and financial management, my office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General on 24 January 2012, Official Report, column 176W.
Electoral Register
Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with representatives of each main political party on bringing forward the date for the introduction of individual electoral registration to 2014. [91185]
The Deputy Prime Minister: No such meetings have taken place.
EU Action
Ian Lucas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2012, Official Report, column 327W, on EU action, who attended the bilateral meetings held in his capacity as Deputy Prime Minister. [92992]
The Deputy Prime Minister: The bilateral meetings that I held in my capacity as Deputy Prime Minister were attended by a private secretary and a special adviser from my office.
Education
Child Protection
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children on the child protection plan had experienced (a) neglect, (b) emotional abuse, (c) physical abuse, (d) multiple abuses and (e) sexual abuse in each of the last five years. [92587]
Tim Loughton: The available figures are given in the table.
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| Children who were the subject of a child protection plan at 31 March each year, by initial category of abuse | ||||||
| Year ending 31 March | Total children | Neglect | Physical abuse | Sexual abuse | Emotional abuse | Multiple (1) |
| (1) Four categories of abuse are described in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children' guide (2010) and it is recommended that only the main category of abuse should be recorded. However in some cases more than one category is recorded and these are shown in the ‘Multiple' column. Sources: 1. 2007, 2008 and 2009 CPR3 return. 2. 2010, 2011 Children in Need census. | ||||||
Information on children who are the subject of a child protection plan up to 2008-09 is taken from the aggregate level CPR3 survey of local authorities and can be found in the Statistical First Release ‘Referrals, assessments and children and young people who were the subject of a child protection plan, England—year ending 31 March 2009' available at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000873/index.shtml
From 2009-10 onwards figures are sourced from the annual child level Children in Need census. The latest figures (2011) are published in table 20 of the Statistical First Release ‘Characteristics of Children in Need, 2010-11, Final' which is available at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d001041/index.shtml
Caution should be exercised therefore when making comparisons between 2008-09 and 2009-10 onwards.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children were on the Child Protection Register in each region (a) in total and (b) as a percentage of all children in the last year for which figures are available. [92588]
Tim Loughton: The available information is given in the following table.
| Number and rate of children who were the subject of a child protection plan in each region in England, at 31 March 2011 | |||
| Region | Number | Rate per 10,000 children (aged 0-17 years) | Percentage of all children in region (aged 0-17 years) |
| Note: The number of children who were the subject of a children protection plan are rounded to the nearest 100 therefore regional figures may not sum to England total. Source: DFE Children in Need census, 2010-11, and ONS Population Estimates Unit. | |||
The rate per 10,000 children in each region is also provided, in addition to the percentage of all children, as this is the standard measure published annually. Figures for the number of children who were the subject of a child protection plan are collected annually from local authorities through the child level Children in Need census. These figures are published annually in table 18 of the Statistical First Release ‘Characteristics of Children in Need, 2010-11, Final' which is available at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d001041/index.shtml
Children: Social Services
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many referrals to children's social care services took place in each region (a) in total and (b) per 10,000 children in the last year for which figures are available. [92586]
Tim Loughton: The available information is given in the following table.
| Referrals to children's social services, year ending 31 March 2011 | ||
| Region | Number of referrals (1) | Rate per 10,000 children (aged 0-17 years) |
| (1) If a child has more than one referral in the year then each instance is counted. Source: DFE Children in Need census, 2010-11, and ONS Population Estimates Unit. Referral numbers are rounded to the nearest 100 therefore regional figures may not sum to England total. | ||
Figures for the number of referrals to children's social services are collected annually from local authorities through the child level Children in Need census. These figures are published annually in table 14 of the Statistical First Release ‘Characteristics of Children in Need, 2010-11, Final' which is available at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d001041/index.shtm
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Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of expenditure by each local authority (a) overall and (b) per head of population on Sure Start and children's services in each of the last 10 years. [92906]
Sarah Teather: The Department for Education does not have a record of the overall expenditure by local authorities on Sure Start and children's services for each of the last 10 years. Data on expenditure per head of population in local authorities over the last 10 years are also not available.
However, expenditure by local authorities on some children's services is recorded in the Section 251 return which is available at:
http://education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/strategy/financeandfunding/section251/archive
Prior to April 2011 funding for Sure Start was routed through a series of ring-fenced grants. Local Authorities' expenditure through these grants on Sure Start children's centres and other child care activities and support up to 2009-10 are shown in tables 1 to 3, which have been placed in the House Libraries. The local authority allocations for 2010-11 are also shown in table 3.
Since 2011-12, the Early Intervention Grant has replaced numerous ring-fenced funding streams related to children, young people and families. It is now up to local authorities to choose how to make best use of their resources, taking account of their statutory duties and local needs. The allocations for each local authority are available at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/earlylearningandchildcare/a0070357/early-intervention-grant-frequently-asked-questions/
Health Education: Mental Illness
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of mental health disorders in schools. [92874]
Sarah Teather [holding answer 31 January 2012]: The Government acknowledge the link between mental health, good academic outcomes and later life chances, and recognise the valuable role schools can play in supporting children's mental health. We want to ensure schools are aware of the role they can play and have access to services that support children and young people.
The Department is carrying out a range of work that will increase awareness of mental health in schools. We are engaging with schools, local authorities and the voluntary and community sector to understand their experiences of providing and accessing mental health support better. We are strengthening work force development and ensuring schools know where to get help by investing in the voluntary and community sector—through YoungMinds—to work with schools, parents, children and young people displaying emotional and behavioural difficulties to develop a framework for support. We are also funding a YoungMinds-led consortium to build voluntary and community sector capacity to deliver early intervention mental health support to children and young people.
The new Ofsted Framework 2012 requires inspectors to report on the impact of: leadership at all levels, progress of disadvantaged groups, behaviour, safety and safeguarding, and schools’ relationship with parents
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and carers. Having a sound approach to supporting children's emotional well-being and mental health will play a significant part in getting all of these right.
Alongside this, we are working closely with the Department of Health, which is funding Time to Change to take forward work to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination. This work includes a focus on reaching children and young people, and also their peers, families, relevant agencies, schools, NHS services (including A&E and GPs) and groups of vulnerable children and young people. We are working with the Department of Health to determine what this means for schools and to ensure that this is child and young person-appropriate.
Energy and Climate Change
Community Energy Saving Programme
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the emissions reduction achieved in the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) since it started; and what proportion of the overall CESP target has been met. [93205]
Gregory Barker: The last published Ofgem figures show that emission reductions achieved to June 2011 are estimated at 1.4 MtCO2, representing 7.2% of the target. Ofgem estimates that the CESP schemes submitted for approval to June 2011 amounted to around 50% of the total notional CESP target of 19.25 MtCO2.
Ofgem will be publishing updated figures to the end of 2011 as part of their annual report on CESP progress in May this year. The precise amount of carbon dioxide saved under the CESP will not be known until the completion of the reconciliation exercise after the programme ends in 2012.
Departmental Data Protection
Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many cases of data loss or breaches of confidentiality occurred in his Department in 2011. [92975]
Gregory Barker: No cases of data loss or breaches of confidentiality occurred in the Department in 2011.
Departmental Travel
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has agreed any contracts with (a) private hire vehicle and (b) taxi companies since May 2010. [92826]
Gregory Barker: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has not agreed any contracts with private hire vehicle companies or taxi companies since May 2010.
Departmental staff have used the following companies on an ad-hoc basis; Addison Lee, Balmoral Transport service, Business Car Hire, Computer cab PLC, Dial a cab, Government Car and Despatch Agency and Green Tomato Cars Ltd.
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Energy
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the proportion of the total domestic energy needs which will be met by (a) gas and (b) electricity in each of the next 20 years. [92048]
Charles Hendry: As part of its annual emissions and energy projections DECC publish different scenarios for energy consumption. The scenarios are based on a number of assumptions and take account of energy and climate change policies where decisions on policy design are sufficiently advanced to allow robust estimates of policy impacts to be made before October 2011. The following table shows the numbers for the central scenario published in October 2011.
The projections do not include additional policies to meet the 4th carbon budget. DECC has published scenarios on ways to meet the 4th carbon budget and pathways to 2050 targets in the Carbon Plan published in December 2011:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/tackling-climate-change/carbon-plan/3702-the-carbon-plan-delivering-our-low-carbon-future.pdf
Assumptions underlying the estimates in the table are described in detail in DECC
updated ‘Energy and Emissions Projections’ publication 2011 available at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/about/ec_social_res/analytic_projs/en_emis_projs/en_emis_projs.aspx
The following table summarises the projected consumption of electricity, gas and total energy over the period 2012-30.
| Projected shares of electricity and gas in UK final energy consumption (2012-30)—central scenario (DECC Energy and Emissions Projections October 2011) | ||
| Electricity | Gas | |
Energy: Conservation
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to reduce the costs of green energy. [92022]
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Gregory Barker: If we are to combat climate change, secure our energy supplies and seize the economic opportunities that green industries offer, it is vital that we increase the proportion of low-carbon or “green” energy in the economy, as well as improve energy efficiency. The coalition Government are committed to ensuring that this happens in the most cost-effective and affordable way. Some examples of the steps being taken to reduce and control the costs of low-carbon energy include:
Reviewing the levels of support (‘RO bands') under the renewables obligation, with a focus on delivering renewable energy to help meet the 2020 renewables target in a cost-effective manner in order to minimise costs to consumers. The RO banding review consultation closed on 12 January 2012, and the Government will assess any new evidence and the consultation responses before announcing the final decisions in the Government response in time to enact legislation for implementation of the new bands on 1 April 2013.
Proposals for electricity market reform that will provide a more cost-effective means of decarbonising electricity supplies and keeping the lights on.
Funding technology innovation to bring down the costs of low-carbon technologies and develop new technologies. DECC has allocated over £150 million over the four years from April 2011 to support innovation in key low-carbon technologies. In total, the UK Government expect to invest in excess of £800 million over four years in the research, development and demonstration of low-carbon technologies.
Introducing a framework to control levy funded spending by DECC at Budget 2011. This framework, covering the renewables obligation, feed-in tariff scheme and the Warm Home Discount, forms part of the Government's public spending framework which the Treasury has responsibility for.
Steps are also being taken to keep energy bills down for all consumers by helping them to save energy, with particular support targeted at the most vulnerable households and businesses. For example, the new Green Deal scheme will help households and businesses save money through energy efficiency improvements at no upfront cost.
In aggregate, policies are estimated to help households save money in future. DECC estimates that in 2020 the average household energy bill is expected to be 7%, or £94 (in real 2010 prices), lower than if the Government were not pursuing policies to achieve energy savings and incentivise the shift from fossil fuels to alternatives—see:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/about-us/economics-social-research/3593-estimated-impacts-of-our-policies-on-energy-prices.pdf
A net saving will start from around 2013 and, over the remaining lifetime of this Parliament, average household bills will be lower than they otherwise would be, as a result of energy and climate policies.
Fuel Poverty
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what support the energy company obligation will provide to people in low-paid work who are at risk of fuel poverty but not receiving benefits. [92652]
Gregory Barker:
Government held a consultation on the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation from 23 November 2011 to 18 January 2012. Under the proposals set out, the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation will allow households to access energy efficiency measures at no up-front cost, providing extra assistance
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to those who need it most. We have proposed that the Affordable Warmth element of ECO should be targeted at low income and vulnerable households, using means tested benefits as one of the best means of identifying those likely to be fuel poor. Under our proposals, all households would be able to access the support available under the carbon reduction element of ECO—including those in low-paid work who are at risk of fuel poverty but not receiving benefits.
We are considering carefully responses to this consultation and the final details of the policy will be published in due course.
Green Deal
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the expected level of take-up for the Green Deal in (a) 2013, (b) 2014 and (c) 2015. [92654]
Gregory Barker: The Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) consultation was published on 23 November 2011. The Government's assessment of the impact of these policies was published in the accompanying draft impact assessment:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/green-deal/3603-green-deal-eco-ia.pdf
The Green Deal will be a market based mechanism, therefore actual levels of uptake will be driven by players in the market, and not regulated by Government. For the purpose of the draft impact assessment, the analysis of the central policy scenario estimated the following level of Green Deal uptake:
| Number of green deal plans | |
The analysis combined a range of evidence and assumptions. In particular, it was assumed that there were no supply chain constraints restricting the delivery of energy efficiency measures. During the consultation, DECC is seeking responses to strengthen the evidence base underlying our assessments, and new evidence will be factored into the analysis for the final impact assessment.
Insulation: Housing
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of new loft insulation installations in (a) 2013, (b) 2014, (c) 2015 and (d) 2016. [92656]
Gregory Barker: DECC's current estimates for the uptake of loft insulation can be found in the following link to the impact assessment, which was published alongside the Green Deal and ECO consultation document in November 2011:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/green_deal/green_deal.aspx
The impact assessment is being reviewed to take account of consultation responses and new evidence, and a final version will be published alongside the Government response.
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Renewable Energy: Heating
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects to make a decision on the inclusion of bioliquids in the Renewable Heat Incentive. [92897]
Gregory Barker: As stated in the Renewable Heat Incentive policy document (published in March), we are considering whether to support bioliquids as part of developing the second phase of the scheme. In the light of the later than expected launch of phase one of the Renewable Heat Incentive and of the changes required by the European Commission, we are reviewing the timetable for the introduction of phase two and will confirm the timetable early in 2012.
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has had discussions with Ministers of the Northern Ireland Executive on bioliquids and the Renewable Heat Incentive. [92898]
Gregory Barker: DECC officials have had general discussions with their counterparts at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Northern Ireland) about the Renewable Heat Incentive but there have been no discussions specifically about bioliquids.
Thermal Insulation
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of new solid wall insulation installations in each year to 2020. [92653]
Gregory Barker: DECC's current estimates for the uptake of solid wall insulation can be found in the following link to the impact assessment, which was published alongside the Green Deal and ECO consultation document in November 2011.
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/green_deal/green_deal.aspx
The impact assessment is being reviewed to take account of consultation responses and new evidence, and a final version will be published alongside the Government response.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of new cavity wall insulation installations in (a) 2013, (b) 2014, (c) 2015 and (d) 2016. [92655]
Gregory Barker: DECC's current estimates for the uptake of cavity wall insulation can be found in the following link to the impact assessment, which was published alongside the Green Deal and ECO consultation document in November 2011:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/green_deal/green_deal.aspx
The impact assessment is being reviewed to take account of consultation responses and new evidence, and a final version will be published alongside the Government response.
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Water Turbines
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the potential for the use of water turbines to generate electricity; and whether he has considered the effect of the use of such turbines on fish sea stocks. [92303]
Gregory Barker:
The Department does not undertake assessments of the potential use of water turbines to generate electricity. Project developers intending to deploy water turbines to generate electricity need to submit an environmental impact assessment (EIA) alongside their planning and consent application. The consenting bodies consider the potential impacts of the devices to be use on the local environment on a case by case basis. If consent is granted any mitigation measure considered necessary to protect the environment will form part of
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the consent conditions. It is very important that we strike the right balance between environmental protection and energy deployment.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agricultural Products: Prices
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the annual percentage change in the retail prices index was for (a) milk, (b) beef, (c) sheep meat, (d) pig meat, (e) chicken and (f) wheat in each year since 1990. [R] [92928]
Mr Paice: The following tables show the annual average retail price index (Jan 1987=100) and percentage change since the previous year for each commodity:
| Bread | Cereals | Beef | Pork | Lamb | Home-killed lamb | Bacon | Poultry | Fresh milk | |
| Percentage change | |||||||||
| Bread | Cereals | Beef | Pork | Lamb | Home-killed lamb | Bacon | Poultry | Fresh milk | |
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| Source: Office of National Statistics | |||||||||
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the annual percentage change in the retail prices was for (a) milk, (b) beef, (c) sheep meat, (d) pig meat, (e) chicken and (f) wheat in each year since 1990. [R] [92929]
Mr Paice: I will place the information requested in the Library of the House.
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the annual percentage change in farm gate prices was for (a) milk, (b) beef, (c) sheep meat, (d) pig meat, (e) chicken and (f) wheat in each year since 1990. [R] [92930]
Mr Paice: The following tables show the annual UK prices (GB for sheep) and percentage change since the previous year for each commodity. The prices shown are actual prices and have not been adjusted for inflation:
| Milk (pence per litre) (1) | Milk percentage change | Finished cattle (p/kg liveweight) (2) | Cattle percentage change | Sheep meat (p/kg) (3) | Sheep meat percentage change | |
| (1) Farmgate price of milk including bonus payments—pence per litre. (2) Finished cattle (All prime cattle)—pence per kg liveweight (3) Finished sheep (GB prices)—pence per kg estimated dressed carcase weight Source: Agriculture in the United Kingdom | ||||||