| Table 3: Number and proportion of households living in households below 60% of median equivalised household income, Before and After Housing Costs, 1994-95 to 2010-11 | ||||||
| Before Housing Costs | ||||||
| Yorkshire and the Humber | England | United Kingdom | ||||
| Number | Proportion | Number | Proportion | Number | Proportion | |
| After Housing Costs | ||||||
| Yorkshire and the Humber | England | United Kingdom | ||||
| Number | Proportion | Number | Proportion | Number | Proportion | |
18 Jun 2012 : Column 717W
18 Jun 2012 : Column 718W
Remploy: Redundancy Pay
Conor Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average maximum redundancy payments are for staff employed in Remploy factories under his proposals for closure of Remploy factories. [108800]
Maria Miller: Remploy began collective consultation with employee representatives on 19 March 2012 on the proposal by the Remploy Board to close 36 factories. As part of collective consultation, the Remploy Board will consider all proposals to avoid compulsory redundancy. The proposed redundancy terms that will be offered to any Remploy employee who is, in the event, made redundant are under discussion as part of the collective consultation process. No final decisions have been made.
Social Security Benefits
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if his Department will inform local authorities of estimated numbers of benefit recipients that may move to their areas following the proposed reduction in support for housing costs through local housing allowance and universal credit. [109758]
Steve Webb: It is not possible to provide reliable estimates of the number of benefit recipients who may change address as a result of the reform of local housing allowance. There is high mobility in the private rented sector, where the median length of tenancy is 12 months. Tenants may move across local authority boundaries for a number of reasons unconnected with welfare reform.
We are committed to a thorough evaluation of changes to local housing allowance including the impacts on people moving home. The interim report will be published around the end of 2012.
Social Security Benefits: Fibromyalgia
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has considered recognising fibromyalgia in the benefits system. [112406]
Maria Miller: The Department recognises fibromyalgia as a potentially significantly disabling condition.
Where a clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia has been made, full account will be taken of its disabling effects in determining eligibility for benefits.
Statutory Sick Pay
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has any plans to reassess the eligibility criteria for statutory sickness pay. [111551]
Chris Grayling: There are no plans to make changes to the eligibility criteria for statutory sick pay.
Trade Union Officials
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many days were used by trade union representatives in his Department for facility time in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and what estimate he has made of the total cost to the public purse of the associated salary costs. [112145]
Chris Grayling: The information is as follows.
(1) The Department for Work and Pensions is a large Government Department employing approximately 100,000 staff in a large network of sites across the country.
The amount of time available for use as facility time by TU representatives is a maximum of 0.2% of the Department's full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing level at 1 April each year.
(a) For the year 2010-11, this was 48,000 days out of a total of 24 million staff days.
(b) For the year 2011-12, this was 43,000 days out of a total of 22 million staff days.
In addition, 0.08% facility time is available for use by Union Learning Representatives. For 2010-11 this was 20,000 days and for 2011-12 this was 17,000 days.
(2) The estimated maximum total cost of the 0.28% is:
(a) For 2010-11—£7.6 million from a total pay bill of £3 billion
(b) For 2011-12—£6.7 million from a total pay bill of £2.7 billion.
All figures have been rounded and salary costs are based on average salaries.
Universal Credit
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much of the £2 billion funding allocated to universal credit he expects to spend on transitional protection in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15. [112449]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 719W
Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
We will offer transitional protection to universal credit recipients, which will ensure that households will not receive less as a result of their move to universal credit, where circumstances have remained the same. Existing claimants, whose circumstances have not changed, will start to be transferred to universal credit in a process managed by DWP from 2014. Consequently we do not expect to spend on Transitional Protection in 2013-14.
Final decisions are still to be made on the migration strategy for 2014-15 and beyond.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much of the £2 billion funding allocated to universal credit he expects to spend in total in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15. [112450]
Chris Grayling: Based on current plans, the universal credit programme is forecasting to spend £0.6 billion in 2013-14 and £1 billion in 2014-15.
Wind Power: Accidents
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many wind turbine accidents there have been in each of the last five years; how many such accidents involved the (a) shattering of blades, (b) scattering of debris and (c) collapse of the turbine tower; and what was reason was given for each such accident in each such year. [112287]
Chris Grayling: HSE does not collect data in the form requested for wind turbine accidents. However, HSE is aware of two fatal accidents at wind turbines in the last five reporting years and a further two in that period involving transportation activities associated with the wind turbine industry. All four of these fatalities were on shore and involved people at work. None of them involved shattering blades, scattering of debris or the collapse of a turbine tower.
The reasons recorded for the two fatal accidents at wind turbines are:
In May 2007, a worker fell from a ladder inside a wind turbine tower. His fall arrest system failed and he sustained a fatal skull fracture.
In September 2009, a worker was working in the machinery enclosure at the top of the turbine tower of an operating wind turbine. The guarding was missing from the rotating main turbine shaft and he became entangled with it and was crushed.
The reasons recorded for the two fatal accidents involving transportation of wind turbines are:
In March 2008, a transporter vehicle that had transported replacement turbine blades to a wind farm was reversing off the site when it reversed over a worker.
In May 2010, wind turbine blades delivered by sea were being loaded onto a transport cradle at the dock when the cradle collapsed and a blade fell on a worker.
Treasury
Bank Services
Ian Paisley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the proportion of savings bank accounts with passbooks which are owned by pensioners; [112033]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 720W
(2) what estimate he has made of the proportion of savings bank accounts with passbooks which offer less than 1 per cent interest. [112034]
Mr Hoban: The information requested is not held by HM Treasury.
The interest rates offered on savings accounts and the way in which accounts are accessed by the saver are a commercial decision for providers and as such vary. Commercial interest rates are related to the Bank Rate, which the Bank of England has operational independence to set. It is charged with meeting the Government's inflation target, helping to deliver price stability.
In addition, the Government has set up the Money Advice Service to help consumers identify their individual financial needs, to make sure that those who can afford to save are equipped to navigate the financial services market with confidence. The Money Advice Service publishes comparative tables of savings accounts and the interest rates offered. These tables can be found at:
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Jim Shannon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to make savers aware of ways to achieve better rates of interest from banks. [112192]
Mr Hoban: The Government has taken steps to improve transparency for consumers in the savings market. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has introduced improved transparency standards for the way banks keep their customers informed about changes in interest rates on instant-access savings accounts. Banks must now tell their customers about any changes to interest rates on their current and instant-access savings accounts. They also have to give customers two months' notice before reducing an interest rate, unless it is to the customer's advantage, or it tracks a reference rate (for example the Bank of England Rate).
Since May 2010, banks should also notify customers of other types of savings accounts, such as notice accounts and cash ISAs, of the expiry of an introductory, promotional or preferential rate of interest or a ‘material change' to the rate of interest that will be to the disadvantage of the consumer. The notification should refer to any comparable accounts offered by the bank and indicate, if eligible, that the banking customer may move to an account offered by another bank (BCOBS 4.1.2).
In addition, the Government has set up the Money Advice Service to help consumers identify their individual financial needs, to make sure that those who can afford to save are equipped to navigate the financial services market with confidence. The Money Advice Service publishes comparative tables of savings accounts and the interest rates offered. These tables can be found at:
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Budget 2012 committed the Money Advice Service to develop and introduce web-based resources to show consumers when ISA bonus rates are ending.
Capital Investment
Julian Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to promote the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme. [112624]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 721W
Mr Gauke: Officials from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs have promoted the scheme at a number of events, with business angels and entrepreneur groups, in London, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Treasury is working to ensure that the scheme will be included in promotions, guidance and events held by the Government on support for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Treasury will also be working with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to ensure that the information is disseminated widely.
Child Benefit
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what process HM Revenue and Customs is developing to share income information between partners or ex-partners in situations in respect of eligibility for child benefit where they are unwilling or unable to share the information themselves. [112143]
Mr Gauke: HMRC is developing the details of the process that will enable a taxpayer to establish whether they or their partner or ex-partner will be liable to pay the new High Income Child Benefit Charge. HMRC will provide a yes or no answer to a question about the level of the partner's or ex-partner's income in relation to the income level of the taxpayer making the inquiry. Actual details of income will not be provided. The taxpayer may also ask a question about whether child benefit was paid to their partner or ex-partner and will also receive a yes or no answer.
HMRC guidance will set out the precise wording of the questions that it will be able to answer.
Child Care Tax Credit
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department expects to save through reduced expenditure on the childcare element of working tax credit following the extension of provision for disadvantaged two-year-olds to 40 per cent of two-year-olds; and whether he expects to use these savings to extend entitlement to childcare through the tax credits system. [111386]
Mr Gauke: This information is not available.
Credit
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider allowing bad debt to be written-off against profits in peer-to-peer lending schemes; and if he will make a statement. [112153]
Mr Hoban: The tax treatment of peer-to-peer lenders depends on the classification of the lending activity. Relief for bad debts is available only when the loan is made as part of a trade of making loans. For most people who lend through peer-to-peer platforms, their lending is generally classified as an investment activity, for which income tax relief for losses is not permitted. Where the loan is made to a trader, and becomes irrecoverable, there is relief in the form of an allowable loss for capital gains tax.
18 Jun 2012 : Column 722W
Engineers
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many engineers in each profession were employed in his Department in the latest period for which figures are available. [112574]
Miss Chloe Smith: There are no posts in HM Treasury that formally require an engineering qualification. There may be staff who hold such a qualification but as this information is not held centrally it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Environment Protection: Research
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will increase publicly funded research and development in low-carbon technologies for the purposes of promoting economic growth. [111506]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Government set out their plans for public spending at the Spending Review in 2010. It is for each Department to determine its expenditure on research and development.
Excise Duties: Fuels
Nadine Dorries: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of not proceeding with the planned three pence fuel duty increase; [111395]
(2) whether his Department has assessed the likely effect of reducing fuel duty on the level of revenue accruing to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement; [111396]
(3) whether his Department has assessed the likely effect of reducing fuel duty on the level of employment in the UK; and if he will make a statement; [111397]
(4) what assessment his Department has made of the likely effect of the forthcoming three pence fuel duty increase on the number of (a) jobs in the UK, (b) people who stop using their vehicle entirely and (c) people who reduce use of their vehicle. [111481]
Miss Chloe Smith: Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) certified forecasts of the fiscal impacts of government policy decisions are presented at Budget and autumn statement. The OBR reported in September 2010 that changing fuel duty by one pence a litre has an effect on the public finances of around £500 million.
The Chancellor routinely considers the fiscal implications of tax policy options as part of the annual Budget process.
The effects of fuel prices, which include oil prices, refinery margins and tax, on inflation, the economy and employment are assessed by the OBR as part of its economic and fiscal forecasts:
http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk
Data on driving by households are monitored as part of the National Travel Survey led by the Department for Transport.
18 Jun 2012 : Column 723W
Finance Act 2008
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people had to pay additional tax following the coming into force of section 58(4) of the Finance Act 2008; and if he will make a statement. [112152]
Mr Gauke: UK residents are taxable on their worldwide income wherever it arises—including situations where it arises by way of foreign partnerships. Section 58 of Finance Act 2008 was enacted to help put that beyond doubt and in so doing, made clear that a wholly artificial tax avoidance scheme involving a foreign partnership comprised of foreign trustees did not work. As section 58 retrospectively clarified existing legislation, its introduction had no affect on any taxpayers' tax position.
Individual Savings Accounts
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider (a) allowing children born between 2002 and 2011 to invest in junior individual savings accounts instead of child trust funds and (b) allowing those who already have child trust funds to seal the fund until their 18th birthday and to then open a junior individual savings account. [112266]
Mr Hoban: The Government has no immediate plans to allow a Junior ISA to be opened on behalf of a child who is eligible for a Child Trust Fund.
There are currently around 5.7 million Child Trust Fund accounts, with a total value of approximately £4.4 billion. The market continues to grow steadily and, so long as CTF account holders continue to exercise their right to switch accounts where appropriate, there will continue to be an impetus for providers to compete. We do not believe that the majority of the 5.7 million children with a Child Trust Fund would benefit from a change in rules at the present time.
As with all features of the tax system, the Government will keep under review whether or not action is necessary in the future.
Low Associates
Ms Abbott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has received any representations from Low Associates since May 2010. [111591]
Miss Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials receive a wide variety of representations from both the organisations in the public and private sectors.
Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings and external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm
New Businesses
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal measures he has taken to encourage small business start-ups. [112119]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 724W
Mr Gauke: The Government have introduced a number of fiscal measures to encourage small business start-ups.
The Government have launched the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, which encourages investment into new early stage companies by providing tax relief for individuals who invest in qualifying seed companies from April 2012.
To kick-start the scheme, the Government are offering a one-year capital gains tax holiday: gains realised on the disposal of assets in 2012-13 that are invested in the same year in shares qualifying for SEIS income tax relief will be exempt from CGT.
In addition, the Government announced at Budget 2012 that they will improve and reform the Enterprise Management Incentive scheme, which helps SMEs recruit and retain talent, by providing additional support to help start-ups access the scheme, by consulting on amending restrictions that currently prevent the scheme being used by academics employed by start-ups, and by more than doubling the individual grant limit to £250,000.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax reliefs are in place to help promote entrepreneurship. [112120]
Mr Gauke: The Government offer a number of tax reliefs to help promote entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurs' relief provides a lower 10% rate of capital gains tax for entrepreneurs who meet the qualifying criteria of the scheme. At Budget 2011 the Government announced a doubling of the lifetime limit to £10 million, which came into force in April 2011.
The Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trusts provide various forms of tax relief to incentivise investment into qualifying small companies and the company investment limit has more than doubled from £2 million to £5 million from April this year.
In addition, the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme was introduced this year and offers a generous income tax relief of 50% for individuals investing in qualifying start-ups.
Public Sector: Pay
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people discovered to be off-payroll by his review of the tax arrangements of public sector appointees were earning more than (a) £100,000, (b) £142,500 and (c) £150,000 per annum. [112265]
Danny Alexander: On 23 May, I announced the findings of the ‘Review of the Tax Arrangements of Public Sector Appointees’. This set out the extent of senior off payroll engagements across Government—and made recommendations to ensure that Government employers can assure themselves that their senior off payroll staff are meeting their tax obligations.
The review identified over 2,400 engagements that cost central Government Departments and their arm's length bodies more than £58,200 per annum. As set out in the review, the majority of these individuals are paid on a daily basis—and of these around 70% of engagements involved a daily cost to the Department of more than £400 and around 25% involved a daily cost of more than £600.
18 Jun 2012 : Column 725W
The review did not, however, calculate the total number of appointees earning more than a certain figure per annum. Around 85% of the individuals identified were paid via an intermediary such as an employment agency—and it was therefore not possible to determine with certainty the amount of money paid to the individual, as opposed to the intermediary, over a one year period.
Revenue and Customs
Simon Hart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average waiting time is for answer to calls to the HM Revenue and Customs helpline. [110891]
Mr Gauke: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy) on 30 April 2012, Official Report, column 1208W.
John Pugh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the £917 million to be re-invested in HM Revenue and Customs by the end of the Parliament has been received by HM Revenue and Customs. [110914]
Mr Gauke: HMRC was voted re-investment funding of £132 million by Parliament in 2011-12 and £191 million in 2012-13 through the Supply Estimate process. Further re-investment funding of £268 million and £326 million is to be included in the Supply Estimates for 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively.
John Pugh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the estimated £7 billion expected to be recovered each year by HM Revenue and Customs by 2014-15 will come from receipts of (a) income tax, (b) national insurance contributions, (c) VAT, (d) corporation tax and (e) any other tax. [110915]
Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs’ commitment to deliver £7 billion additional revenue per annum by 2014-15 was not broken down into different taxes. It will come from a range of activity tackling tax evasion, avoidance, fraud and debt.
John Pugh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in reaching the target of recovering an extra £7 billion a year as a result of the £917 million investment in HM Revenue and Customs’ compliance and enforcement units. [110916]
Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs’ commitment in SR10 is to deliver £7 billion additional revenue per annum by 2014-15 and it is on target to deliver that commitment.
John Pugh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how savings made by HM Revenue and Customs through its efficiency programme have been spent. [110935]
Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs is making efficiency savings to deliver a 25% gross overall reduction in running costs in the period 2011-12 to 2014-15. Of these savings just over £900 million is being reinvested into tackling tax evasion, avoidance, fraud and debt. This will lead to £7 billion additional revenue each year by 2014-15.
18 Jun 2012 : Column 726W
Sovereignty: Scotland
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the Scottish Executive to discuss the role of the Bank of England. [111220]
Mr Hoban: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has had no meetings with the Scottish Executive to discuss the role of the Bank of England.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on the membership of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England. [111221]
Mr Hoban: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has had no discussions with the Scottish Executive on the Membership of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from the Scottish Government in relation to membership of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England. [111222]
Mr Hoban: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has received no representations from the Scottish Executive in relation to membership of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what correspondence (a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) his officials have had with the Scottish Executive on the membership of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England; and if he will place any such correspondence in the Library. [111223]
Mr Hoban: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, his Ministers and his officials have had no correspondence with the Scottish Executive on the membership of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England.
Tax Allowances
Mr Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in implementing arrangements for transferable tax allowances where one earner is unable to work because of illness but is not eligible for state benefits. [112303]
Mr Gauke: The Government's commitment to bringing forward a proposal to recognise marriage through the tax and welfare system remains firm. We want to show we value commitment and will consider a range of options and bring proposals forward at the appropriate time.
Tax Allowances: Charitable Donations
Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was claimed in tax relief for charitable giving by (a) the corporate sector and (b) private individuals in each of the last five years. [111708]
Mr Gauke: The information requested is as follows:
18 Jun 2012 : Column 727W
(a) HMRC does not have data on the amount of relief for charitable giving claimed by the corporate sector.
(b) Data on the costs of reliefs for individuals, where it is possible to make an accurate estimate of these costs, are published at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/charities/table10-2.pdf
Taxation: Gambling
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his proposal to tax remote gambling companies will apply to companies taking bets on racing which takes place in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [112412]
Miss Chloe Smith: Under the proposed place of consumption based taxation regime, companies will pay tax on the gross profits they generate from bets made on racing by customers in the United Kingdom, no matter where in the world the racing takes place or where the companies are located.
The Government launched a consultation on the proposed design characteristics of the remote gambling taxation reform on 5 April 2012. The consultation closes on 28 June 2012.
Taxation: Multinational Companies
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the potential effect of reforms to the Controlled Foreign Companies regime on developing countries; [112569]
(2) what estimate he has made of reduced revenue from corporation tax arising from his proposed changes to the Controlled Foreign Companies regime from companies which would have paid more corporation tax had those reforms not been made; [112559]
(3) with reference to page 14 of the Budget 2012 Policy Costings document, what proportion of the Exchequer impact scored at Budget 2012 resulting from reforms to the Controlled Foreign Companies regime was due to changes to the (a) policy detail, (b) modelling and (c) data; [112408]
(4) with reference to page 14 of the Budget Policy costings document, what the changes to modelling and data were which made a difference to the costing of reforms to the Controlled Foreign Companies regime between Budget 2011 and Budget 2012; [112264]
(5) what estimate he has made of additional revenue from corporation tax that will arise from companies not leaving the UK as a result of the reforms to the Controlled Foreign Companies regime proposed in the Budget 2012; [112558]
(6) how much corporation tax he expects to receive from companies returning to the UK as a result of the reforms to the Controlled Foreign Companies regime announced in Budget 2012. [112263]
Mr Gauke: The Government has not undertaken an assessment of the effect on developing countries of the proposed changes to the CFC rules as these rules are designed to protect the UK Exchequer by preventing artificial diversion of UK profits.
Such an impact assessment would need to focus primarily on the nature of tax regimes in developing countries and the interactions of multinational companies
18 Jun 2012 : Column 728W
with those tax systems, making it an assessment not of our tax rules, but of the tax rules of those other countries. The Government do not think that such an assessment would be feasible.
The cost of changes to the Controlled Foreign Companies (CFC) rules were set out in table 2.1 and 2.2 of Budget 2012. The total cost of £910 million in 2018-19 is detailed in the 2012 Policy Costings Document available on the HM Treasury website.
http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/budget2012_chapter2.pdf
http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/budget2012_policy_costings.pdf
The changes to modelling and data referred to on page 14 of the “Budget 2012 Policy Costings” document reflect further analytical work undertaken since Budget 2011 and changes to the detailed policy design. As there is no precise way to separate these impacts they are presented together.
The costing estimates for the reforms to the Controlled Foreign Companies (CFC) rules do not include an assessment of the impact of groups choosing to remain in the UK or deciding to return to the UK on corporation tax.
Controlled Foreign Companies (CFC) reform is a key part of the Government's programme of corporate tax reforms. This programme is having a significant impact on the UK's competitiveness and will encourage groups to invest and remain located here.
VAT
Jim Shannon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses in Strangford constituency were registered for VAT in the last three years. [112191]
Mr Gauke: No estimate has been made of the number of businesses in Strangford constituency registered for VAT for the last three years.
VAT: Listed Buildings
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will develop plans to provide support for (a) community organisations and (b) charities based in listed buildings which are not listed places of worship and who will be required to pay VAT on alterations to their buildings. [111507]
Mr Gauke: Community organisations and charities based in listed buildings which are not listed places of worship are likely to be eligible for a range of financial support and reliefs.
Charities benefit from a number of VAT zero rates and exemptions, worth around £200 million. Total reliefs for charities, including Gift Aid, are worth more than £3 billion a year.
Listed buildings are potentially eligible for a number of sources of financial support, including Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage grants.
Welfare Tax Credits
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has any plans to review its rival claims procedure for tax credit payments. [111277]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 729W
Mr Gauke: HMRC have no plans to review its rival claims procedure for tax credit payments.
Working Tax Credit
Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid to recipients of working tax credit in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09, (iii) 2009-10, (iv) 2010-11 and (v) 2011-12. [112250]
Mr Gauke: The total tax credit entitlement by country of working tax credit recipients can be derived, for each year up to 2010-11 (the latest year for which data are available), using data from HMRC's publications ‘Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics Finalised annual awards. Geographical Analyses’, available at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/final-award-geog.htm
For ease, this information is as follows:
| Tax credit entitlement of working tax credit recipients by country | ||||
| £ billion | ||||
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture: Floods
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the effect of recent floods on (a) farmers, (b) crops and (c) ecosystems. [111976]
Richard Benyon: It is too soon for any reasonable and systematic assessment of impacts on farmers, crops and ecosystems to be made. The Environment Agency's priorities are threats to people's lives and property and that is what it is continuing to manage.
Animal Feed: Antibiotics
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on legislation at EU level on the prevention of use of antibiotics in animal food. [111462]
Mr Paice: The Government recognises that all veterinary medicines, including antibiotics, are essential to ensure the health of food-producing animals, but believes that their use should not replace good farm management and animal husbandry systems.
The Government will seek to ensure that these principles are reflected in the EU legislative framework in the forthcoming reviews of European legislation on animal health and welfare and veterinary medicines.
18 Jun 2012 : Column 730W
Animal Welfare Act 2006
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she (1) has any plans to remove the statutory nature of the codes of practice under section 14 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006; and if she will make a statement; [111930]
(2) has had any discussions with the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England on removing the statutory nature of the codes of practice under section 14 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006; and if she will make a statement. [111931]
Mr Paice: The Government recognises that many of the existing codes no longer accurately reflect the latest EU and national rules on animal welfare. We are therefore keen that they be suitably updated and will also be taking the opportunity to explore the scope to reduce unnecessary regulation and bureaucracy, by piloting the potential for new voluntary codes prepared by industry and other relevant stakeholders, but ultimately approved by the Department and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency. We are beginning with the broiler chicken code, as being one of those that we believe requires more immediate attention. We will of course consult on the draft text when it is ready and the principle of moving to a voluntary basis, before making a final decision. We have already discussed the pilot with the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England and they are fully supportive of the process.
Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much she expects her Department to spend on the forthcoming judicial review of the badger cull. [111965]
Mr Paice: It is not possible at this stage to predict what the final costs of the judicial review will be.
Bovine Tuberculosis: Worcestershire
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of bovine tuberculosis were confirmed in (a) Worcestershire and (b) Redditch in each of the last two years. [110999]
Mr Paice: TB statistics are broken down to county level. The figures for Hereford and Worcester are as follows. Please note that we do not yet have the final TB breakdown of statistics for individual counties for the whole of 2011.
| Hereford and Worcester | ||
| 2010 | 2011 (1 January- 31 August) | |
|
New TB-infected herds disclosed during the year (herds with OTF status suspended or withdrawn due to a new TB breakdown) | ||
18 Jun 2012 : Column 731W
|
New TB-infected herds disclosed during the year and with OTF status withdrawn (due to post-mortem evidence of Mycobacterium bovis infection) |
Bulls: Disease Control
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she is taking steps to prevent culling of newborn bull calves in the dairy industry. [112104]
Mr Paice: The culling of new born male dairy calves is a consequence of the economic and practical value currently attached to male calves. However, the Government is committed to working with the dairy industry and the Beyond Calf Exports Forum to explore alternatives and to bring about a significant change in attitudes towards incorporating male dairy calves into the UK beef chain. I fully support this and also the efforts of many in the livestock industry and major retailers to promote the use of sexed semen: the latter helps to increase the number of female calves being born and minimises the number of male calves born which might not otherwise be reared for sale.
Business Plans
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress her Department has made in achieving the aims stated in its most recent business plan. [110885]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA's May 2011 Business Plan sets out 96 commitments to help deliver our key priorities on the environment, food and rural affairs by May 2015. We have already achieved 72 of these structural reforms. Highlights include:
A range of measures to support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production. These include work to implement the Taylor Review on scientific research in agriculture, the Macdonald Task Force's report to Government on reducing regulatory burdens on farmers and food processors, and the creation of a new Animal Health and Welfare Board for England.
New plans to enhance the environment and biodiversity to improve quality of life. Building on our landmark analysis of the state of the UK's natural asset base (the National Ecosystems Assessment), DEFRA published its first Natural Environment White Paper in over 20 years in June 2011. This is supported by our ambitious biodiversity strategy for England, which sets out our approach to halting the decline in biodiversity over the next decade.
Major new support for a strong and sustainable green economy, resilient to climate change. With BIS and DECC, we published the Government's approach to building the green economy, providing clarity for businesses. On waste, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of policies to help people reduce waste and increase recycling. On water, we set out our plans for delivering our vision for future water management in our December 2011 White Paper. Our Climate Change Risk Assessment—a groundbreaking study into the implications of climate change for the UK—is paving the way for future action to adapt to climate change.
18 Jun 2012 : Column 732W
An updated Business Plan was published on 31 May 2012, including further commitments that the Department will deliver. The new plan includes our latest timetables for delivery of each commitment. We will publish an update on progress in implementing our plan on a monthly basis.
Carbon Emissions
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what plans her Department has to introduce mandatory carbon emissions reporting; [111760]
(2) on what evidential basis her Department plans to make decisions on the introduction of mandatory carbon emissions reporting; [111761]
(3) for what reason the Government did not introduce mandatory carbon emissions reporting by April 2012 under the terms of the Climate Change Act 2008. [111762]
Richard Benyon: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is considering extensive evidence that has been gathered over the last few years, which includes results from the public consultation run last summer and a detailed impact assessment, all of which will inform the final decision.
A report was laid in Parliament on 27 March which outlines why no regulations have been introduced; it states that additional time is required to consider all the evidence and to fully analyse the costs and benefits.
Carbon Emissions: Heating
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has taken steps to promote the use of carbon-neutral wood burning stoves in the home. [112090]
Gregory Barker: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) currently supports the installation of wood burning stoves in off gas grid dwellings where they are connected to a back boiler and supply the majority of space heating in the home.
In September 2012, we will consult on how we can support renewable heating for households over the longer term.
Cattle: Parasitic Diseases
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the effect of increasing cases of fluke in grazing cattle on farmers. [111982]
Mr Paice:
Trends in endemic diseases in GB livestock, such as liver fluke infection, are monitored by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) under DEFRA's Scanning Surveillance Programme in collaboration with the Scottish Agricultural Colleges Veterinary Services (SAC VS). Changes in risks associated with these diseases are assessed and
18 Jun 2012 : Column 733W
reported to interested parties, including cattle industry representatives. Quarterly Emerging Threats Reports are available on the AHVLA website at:
http://vla.defra.gov.uk/science/sci_emerg_diseases.htm
The diagnosis of liver fluke infection is based on the submission of animal samples by vets or farmers (under the advice of their vet) to AHVLA or SAC laboratories. Liver fluke is not a notifiable disease in cattle and there are no statutory controls for this disease.
A recent Emerging Threats Report highlighted an increased risk of liver fluke infection in cattle in Scotland, north west England and Wales. This is associated with higher rainfall in these areas, which enhances the life cycle of the liver fluke. The AHVLA and SAC VS will continue to monitor the risk this year, and keep the farming industry updated. Farmers will then be able to decide what prevention measures and treatment they wish to apply, in consultation with their vet.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the incidence of bovine neosporosis in cattle. [111983]
Mr Paice: Neosporosis may be defined as either the infection of cattle by Neospora caninum, or the disease caused in some of those infected cattle, as infection in some animals is clinically unapparent. Abortion, usually in the second half of pregnancy, is the principal manifestation of disease. There are no data to indicate the number of infected cattle in Britain (prevalence of infection). Regular diagnoses of bovine abortion due to neosporosis are made in the diagnostic laboratories of the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) and Scottish Agricultural Colleges (SAC). These data are collated and published annually (The Veterinary Investigation Surveillance Report or VIDA):
http://vla.defra.gov.uk/reports/rep_vida.htm
In the last 10 years there has been an average of 260 diagnoses of bovine abortion due to neosporosis per year—range 383 (2002) to 114 (2011).
Coastal Areas
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) with reference to Adapting to Coastal Change: Developing a Policy Framework, what plans she has to finalise a national coastal change policy; [111903]
(2) when she expects to finalise her national coastal change policy. [111943]
Richard Benyon: ‘Adapting to Coastal Change: Developing a Policy Framework' provides a first step in the evolution of a policy framework on adapting to coastal change. The ongoing work of the coastal change adaptation pathfinders will help shape the timetable for future development of coastal change policy.
The Government have existing policies, guidance and information in place that forms the basis for our response to national coastal change. These include the Environment Agency's National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England; Partnership funding for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management; the National Planning Policy Framework; a Coastal Erosion
18 Jun 2012 : Column 734W
Assistance Grant; Shoreline Management Plans; and National Coastal risk mapping data, which are available to the public.
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much of the £11 million from the Coastal Change Fund provided to local authorities in 2009 to deal with coastal erosion has been spent on local coastal erosion projects. [111944]
Richard Benyon: Of the £11 million, a total of £10,925,000 was given to 15 local authorities to take forward coastal change adaptation pathfinder projects in 2009 and 2010. The remaining £75,000 was given to the Environment Agency under the coastal erosion assistance grant scheme. This grant can be drawn on by local authorities to support home owners' costs associated with the demolition of properties at imminent risk of coastal erosion.
Approximately £6 million of the coastal change pathfinder funding has been spent to date. The majority of the remaining allocated funding is committed to ongoing pathfinder-related capital projects, with one authority needing to resolve local issues before its project can proceed further. Due to local authority funding pressures approximately £300,000 of the total non-ring fenced funding provided was used on non-coastal projects.
Common Agricultural Policy
Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what priority she places on simplification of policy in her negotiations on reform of the common agricultural policy; and if she will make a statement. [111401]
Mr Paice: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and I see the need to simplify the common agricultural policy as a high priority. The UK wants a simplified system for farmers and for administrations with any new requirements justified by the public benefits they deliver. The Commission’s current proposals such as those on capping, active farmers, greening pillar 1 and new audit requirements are likely to add substantially to the administrative burden for farmers and administrators alike, without an appropriate corresponding increase in public benefits. We are therefore working hard to influence the Commission, European Parliament and other member states to achieve an outcome more in line with UK views.
Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what her Department’s policy is on the three crop rule for arable farmers proposed as part of reform of the common agricultural policy; [111402]
(2) what assessment her Department has made of the effect on small farm businesses of the three crop rule for arable farmers proposed as part of reform of the common agricultural policy; and if she will make a statement. [111403]
Mr Paice:
We recognise the Commission is trying to address concerns over the adverse environmental impact of continuous monocultures. However, as the Commission itself recognises, the environmental and agronomic benefits of this measure are severely limited by the inability to require rotation rather than diversification because of
18 Jun 2012 : Column 735W
the practical difficulties of administering and enforcing this as an annual measure in pillar I. We share the concerns expressed by a wide cross section of stakeholders that the crop diversification proposal may instead lead to unintended and perverse consequences, give rise to agronomic issues and affect farm management practices and production for the market.
Removing this measure from the proposals and seeking to address its objectives through alternative means may be a more effective way forward. However, the Government, along with many member states, would prefer to see the objective of greening achieved through both a menu-based approach and recognition of involvement in existing schemes.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress she has made on discussions with the European Commission on reform of the common agricultural policy; and if she will make a statement. [111971]
Mr Paice: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and I have had numerous meetings with the Commission, including most recently discussions with Commissioner Ciolos at the NFU conference in February, the NFUS Greening conference in April, and earlier this month at the Agricultural Informal in Denmark; we will be seeing him again in July at the Royal Welsh show. We are constantly seeking to influence and work with the Commission to promote UK priorities and seek positive amendments to their proposals.
This engagement has started to show results and the Commission is finally starting to acknowledge member states dissatisfaction and propose adjustments. For example, the Commission has recently introduced some additional flexibility to its greening proposals, but they do not go far enough.
We will continue to work with like-minded member states to seek to increase the resilience, market orientation and international competitiveness of EU agriculture, to improve CAP's capacity to deliver environmental outcomes and to simplify CAP for farmers and authorities, within the constraints of a substantially reduced CAP budget.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what her policy is on provision of greater flexibility in the greening element of pillar I in the common agricultural policy proposals; [111972]
(2) whether the ecological focus areas of the common agricultural policy proposals will only apply to farms larger than 20 hectares; [111973]
(3) with reference to the common agricultural policy proposals, whether arable land under 50 hectares will be exempt from crop diversification plans where 80 per cent of eligible agricultural area is occupied by grassland, pasture or permanent crops; [111974]
(4) with reference to the common agricultural policy proposals, whether direct payments will be capped; and at what levels. [111975]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 736W
Mr Paice: Negotiations on the Commission's common agricultural policy proposals, including those on capping direct payments, are progressing but it is not yet clear what eventual form they may take, which measures will survive debate intact, and which will be adjusted. It is therefore too early to detail how these measures might apply within the UK.
On greening we remain of the view that a strong pillar 2 is the best way to deliver meaningful environmental outcomes, as programmes are multi-annual, contractual and can be tailored to local conditions. Therefore the most flexible approach would be to transfer the full greening component from pillar I to pillar II, ring-fenced to deliver agri-environment measures equivalent to greening.
If there is to be greening of pillar 1 it has to be environmentally effective with practical, effective and simple provisions with flexibility for member states to choose from a framework of options which are most appropriate to meet their key environmental objectives.
We welcome the Commission's recent non-paper introducing some additional flexibility to its greening proposals, including changes to qualifying thresholds for the greening measures, as a step in the right direction. We will continue to work with like-minded member states to secure greater flexibility in recognition of member states' agricultural and agronomic diversity.
Disease Control: British Overseas Territories
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has provided support or assistance to any of the British Overseas Territories for the culling of cats or dogs; and for what reason any such support or assistance was provided. [111717]
Mr Paice: The convention on biological diversity identifies invasive, introduced species as one of the major threats to global biodiversity and signatories, including the UK, have agreed to take action to control their impact.
DEFRA is currently funding one research project to assess the feasibility of controlling introduced feral cats in St Helena in order to conserve the critically endangered St Helena Wirebird. The St Helena Wirebird is a bird with an extremely restricted range and a very small world population. The breeding success of Wirebirds is low in large part due to predation by feral cats and, to a lesser extent, black and brown rats. As part of this project, feral cats are being live trapped with carefully deployed and monitored baited cage traps and humanely dispatched according to a procedure agreed with DEFRA's Ethical Review Committee. Trapping will take place between May and August of this year, and we estimate that between 30 and 40 individuals will be dispatched.
The research project is being undertaken by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and the St Helena National Trust. It brings together local conservation groups and UK research expertise; has the full support of the St Helena Government and direct involvement of the St Helena state veterinary service. It will ensure that future conservation strategies are based on sound science and use humane methods.
The Food and Environment Research Agency has also provided advice on humane control of feral cats in the Cayman Islands.
18 Jun 2012 : Column 737W
Dogs are controlled by some UK Overseas Territory governments, but DEFRA has not been involved in any of these activities.
E. coli
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding from the public purse she has allocated to monitor the incidence and spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli on farms. [111358]
Mr Paice: During the current financial year ending on 31 March 2013, the budget allocated for surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in livestock is £304,000. Where resistant E. coli isolates are found these are reported. The most recent surveillance results are due to be published on the Veterinary Medicines website later on this year.
DEFRA currently funds two research projects into monitoring the incidence and spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli on farms. The total cost of these studies is £1,118,763. One of these studies is due to be completed late on in 2012 and the second is due for completion mid 2013.
Environment Protection
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps her Department has taken to support green technologies whilst also delivering value for money. [110886]
Richard Benyon: As set out in “Enabling the Transition to a Green Economy”, we recognise the vital importance of green technologies in making the transition to a green economy, to ensure that our economy delivers long-term and environmentally sustainable growth and is resilient to global environmental risks such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
We are keen to ensure that UK businesses are proactive and innovative, capturing new and expanding global markets through innovation and investment. The UK is already a global leader in the £3.3 trillion low-carbon and environmental goods and services (LCGES) sector—with the 6th largest domestic sector in the world—and we are working with businesses to maintain and enhance their lead. Funded with £3 billion to 2015, the UK Green Investment Bank will be able to provide financial solutions to accelerate private sector investment in the UK's transition to a green economy. The business-led Ecosystems Market Task Force is reviewing the opportunities afforded to UK businesses, from expanding green goods, services, products, investment vehicles and markets which value and protect nature.
We are also taking action to overcome barriers to adoption of green technologies, whether through supporting pilot schemes, for example in carbon capture and storage, offering enhanced capital allowances on energy- and water-efficient technologies, or schemes to kick-start market adoption of green technologies, such as the Green Bus Fund.
18 Jun 2012 : Column 738W
Fisheries
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many permits have been awarded by the Environment Agency to catch North American signal crayfish. [112115]
Richard Benyon: There are currently 494 valid authorisations.
Floods: Business
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has had any meetings with people or businesses affected by recent flooding. [112393]
Richard Benyon: On 13 June 2012, my rigth hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs visited Sussex where she saw firsthand the impact of the flooding and the recovery operation taking place in areas such as Littlehampton and Felpham. This visit also provided the opportunity for her to meet and thank the front line emergency services who have done such a fantastic job dealing with the flooding events over the last few days.
Floods: Insurance
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether she has met representatives of the insurance industry to discuss options to replace the Statement of Principles agreement on flood insurance; [111902]
(2) what options her Department is considering to replace the Statement of Principles between the Government and insurers on flood insurance when it expires in 2013. [112514]
Richard Benyon: The availability and affordability of insurance in flood risk areas is an important issue for this Government. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has met with a range of representatives from the insurance industry, including the Association of British Insurers, and we are at an advanced stage in intensive negotiations with the industry on alternative arrangements for when the Statement of Principles expires.
The Government will continue to invest to reduce the risk of flooding especially to those households at the highest flood risk and living in the most deprived communities. DEFRA expects to spend more than £2.17 billion on flooding and coastal erosion over this spending period. As a result of the investment we are making, we expect to deliver better protection to 145,000 households by March 2015.
Floods: Newton Abbot
Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to ensure adequate flood defences in Newton Abbot constituency since 2010. [110018]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 739W
Richard Benyon: In July 2011, the Environment Agency opened the Shaldon and Ringmore Tidal Defence Scheme, which has reduced the risk of tidal flooding for around 250 properties.
The Environment Agency has started work on the Teignmouth Tidal Defence Scheme, which is due for completion in August 2012 and will reduce the risk of tidal flooding to approximately 175 properties and Teignmouth town centre.
Teignbridge district council is near completion of a scheme, funded by DEFRA, to reduce river flooding to approximately 12 properties in Teigngrace, near Newton Abbot. The scheme is due to open in July 2012. Teignbridge district council is also planning to undertake structural repairs to the Ness sea wall during 2012.
In August 2011, the Environment Agency signed off the South Devon and Dorset Shoreline Management Plan, which provides a long-term strategy for the next 100 years. The Environment Agency continues to work in partnership with local authorities and communities to develop a sustainable approach to flood risk management in the area.
Fly Tipping: Motor Vehicles
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration she has given to issuing guidance to local authorities on use of the powers introduced by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 to enable councils to seize vehicles associated with fly-tipping. [111117]
Richard Benyon: Local authorities and the Environment Agency have existing powers to seize vehicles suspected of use in fly-tipping. The extended powers contained within the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 relating to the search and seizure of vehicles suspected of use in fly-tipping and other waste crimes have not yet been commenced. We plan to commence them this year and lay secondary legislation to set out how the seized property must be dealt with.
Officials are working with representatives from local authorities, the Environment Agency and businesses on guidance for enforcement authorities in support of the regulations.
Food: Waste Disposal
Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities in England and Wales send a majority of their food waste to landfill. [111897]
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information her Department holds on the number of local authorities which offer their residents the ability to recycle food waste. [112086]
Richard Benyon: The following table represents the Waste and Resources Action Programme's best understanding of kerbside food collection schemes operated by local authorities in the UK up to 29 February 2012.
18 Jun 2012 : Column 740W
| Number of authorities collecting food waste | ||||
| None collected | Food waste collected with garden waste | Separate food waste collected | Both collected | |
In any authority's area, the scheme may not be available to every household.
Where only fruit and vegetables are collected with the garden waste, this is not counted as a “food waste collected with garden waste” collection.
Separate food waste collections are defined as those where the householder presents the food waste separately at the kerbside, even if the food is subsequently mixed with garden waste on the collection vehicle.
Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will consider providing financial incentives to local authorities to encourage the home disposal of food waste. [111898]
Richard Benyon: The Government has no plans to compel councils to adopt household food waste collections or encourage home disposal of food waste. Such decisions are for local councils, taking into account local circumstances including logistics, characteristics of the area, and the level of service that residents want.
Hares
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the size of the population of wild hares in each of the last five years. [112112]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA has made no assessment of hare numbers in the last five years. The last national survey of the brown hare was carried out in 1995 [Hutchings, M.R. & Harris S. (1995) “The current status of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in Britain. JNCC”] when the English population was estimated to be about half a million. Data collected for the ongoing Tracking Mammals Partnership Surveillance Scheme and British Trust for Ornithology/Joint Nature Conservation Committee/Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Breeding Bird Survey indicate that overall the national population is stable although there are regional variations.
Ivory
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to prevent illegal trading in ivory. [112106]
Richard Benyon:
Poaching and the smuggling of ivory for international trade are a significant threat to elephants. As a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the UK is supportive of its increasing focus on enforcement, its work with range and consumer countries to reduce illegal trade, as well
18 Jun 2012 : Column 741W
as enforcement agencies such as Interpol. Last year we contributed £90,000 to Interpol's Operation Wisdom to strengthen enforcement capacity in elephant and rhino range states in east Africa. The UK also participated in a rhino and elephant enforcement task force meeting at which intelligence reports and methodologies were exchanged and strategies were developed to tackle illegal trade in both animals across their ranges.
Here in the UK, CITES is one of six wildlife crime priorities for the National Wildlife Crime Unit which includes the illegal trade in elephant ivory.
We also employ stricter domestic measures for elephants than those required under CITES, prohibiting trade in all ivory except antique worked items.
Litter: Publicity
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which organisations have joined the ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign since October 2011. [111465]
Richard Benyon: The ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign is run by the independent charity Keep Britain Tidy with the backing of the Government. There are about 500 organisations, including schools, local authorities, community groups and businesses such as Waitrose, the Co-Op and Addison Lee that have registered support for it since October 2011. These organisations have joined the five founder members and existing supporters in using the ‘Love Where You Live’ brand to underpin their own clean-up initiatives.
Livestock: Antibiotics
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what information her Department holds on the relative quantities of antibiotics used on livestock farms to (a) treat ill animals and (b) prevent disease in healthy animals in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; [111353]
(2) what recent assessment she has made of the use of antibiotics on livestock farms. [111455]
Mr Paice: For the past 14 years, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has collected, collated and published figures on UK sales volumes of active antimicrobial ingredients in authorised veterinary medicinal products.
These reports can be found at:
http://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/fsf/antimicrobial_pubs.aspx
There is no central record of the use of antimicrobials in animals in the UK. However, it is reasonable to assume that there is a direct relationship between the reported quantities of products sold and those used in the UK in the species indicated.
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will commission a review on the extent of the prophylactic use of antibiotics in livestock production. [111452]
Mr Paice:
Where veterinary medicinal products have been authorised for use in food producing animals, the greater majority are authorised for the treatment of disease. This authorisation includes the treatment of
18 Jun 2012 : Column 742W
groups of animal when not all individual animals have developed the symptoms of the disease. A minority of veterinary medicinal products containing antibiotics are authorised for the prevention of disease in farmed animals and these include those used to prevent mastitis in dairy cattle at drying off.
A research project to investigate medicines use on dairy farms has been commissioned and veterinary medicinal products to prevent mastitis have been included in this investigation. This research is currently being completed with a view to publication during the next few months.
In addition the DEFRA Antimicrobial Resistance Co-ordination (DARC) group this year has been meeting farming sector veterinary surgeons to seek information on current prescribing practices. The intention is to publish a paper giving the conclusions of these meetings once they have been concluded.
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding her Department provides for research and development projects and studies on the use of antibiotics in food producing animals. [111453]
Mr Paice: The Government is currently funding four research projects on the use of antibiotics in food producing animals at a total cost of £2,193,076. In the current year the budget for these four studies is £754,712. One of these studies is due to be completed in 2012, whilst the other projects are due to be completed in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials in farmed animals. [111454]
Mr Paice: The Government have long promoted the responsible use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine and has produced publications such as a Code of Practice on the Responsible Use of Medicines on the Farm and a leaflet on antimicrobials, available on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's website:
http://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/vet/antimicrobial_pubs.aspx
The Government work closely with the farming industry, the veterinary profession and the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA) Alliance. RUMA has produced various sector specific publications and guidance all of which can be found on the RUMA website. RUMA's most recent publication is a poster on responsible use of antibiotics available at:
http://www.ruma.org.uk/images/EPRUMA%20poster.JPG
The British Veterinary Association has recently produced a poster on the responsible use of antimicrobials for veterinary practices, available at:
http://www.bva.co.uk/public/documents/BVA_Antimicrobials _Poster.PDF
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent assessment she has made of the effects of the use in livestock production of antibiotics designed for humans; and if she will make a statement; [111496]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 743W
(2) what recent assessment she has made of the development of antibiotic resistance in humans and animals due to use of antibiotics in animal feed; [111444]
(3) what recent assessment she has had made of the potential effect on human health of the use of antibiotics on farms; [111461]
(4) what recent assessment she has made of the development of anti-microbial resistance in bacteria affecting humans due to antibiotic use in farm animal production. [111463]
Mr Paice: The DEFRA Antimicrobial Resistance Co-ordination (DARC) group considers any new information as it arises on antibiotic resistance in veterinary isolates, with a view to advising whether there is a risk to public health. This includes the Government's programme of surveillance for antimicrobial resistance in animals and new research in this area. DARC also refers issues to the independent Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infection (ARHAI) if there is a need for a further evaluation in respect of human health. DARC and ARHAI have recently published a joint report on extended-spectrum beta-lactamases which confer resistance in some bacteria to specific types of antibiotic. This report can be found at:
http://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/public/antimicrobial_pubs.aspx
Sales of veterinary antibiotics are also a factored in to DARC's consideration. In 2010, the most recently available figures, a total of 447 tonnes of authorised veterinary medicinal products containing antibiotics were sold in the UK. Of the 447 tonnes, those veterinary antibiotics identified by the World Health Organisation as critically important for human medicine, 0.3% were 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins, 0.5% were fluoroquinolones and 7.8% were macrolides.
Many of the veterinary medicinal products authorised for use in animal feed have the same active ingredients used in veterinary medicinal products which are authorised to be administered in ways other than in feed. As a consequence it is not possible to distinguish whether changes in sensitivity to antibiotics have arisen from administration in medicated feeds or other methods.
This is a complex issue but the scientific consensus is that while human prescribing is more likely to have an impact on human medicine than veterinary use, responsible prescribing is essential in both sectors. In addition, the types of multi-resistant E.coli including those resistant to fluoroquinolones or those expressing extended spectrum beta lactamases that have been identified on farms in the UK are largely different from those circulating in the human population.
Livestock: North-west
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the number of farming holdings there have been in less favoured areas in (a) Cumbria and (b) Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in each of the last 10 years. [111609]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 744W
Mr Paice: The number of commercial holdings in Cumbria, and the Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in the less favoured areas for 2001-10 are shown in the following table.
| Cumbria | Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency | |
| Note: Commercial holdings are those with significant levels of farming activity. These significant levels are classified as any holding with more than 5 hectares of agricultural land, 1 hectare of orchards, 0.5 hectares of vegetables or 0.1 hectares of protected crops, or more than 10 cows, 50 pigs, 20 sheep, 20 goats or 1,000 poultry. | ||
Palm Oil: Imports
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the volume of unsustainable palm oil imported in each of the last five years. [111502]
Richard Benyon: Our most recent data, from 2009, come from the evidence study “Mapping and understanding the UK palm oil supply chain and analysis of policy options” (reference EV 0459), which was published by DEFRA on 6 May 2011. This estimated that in 2009 UK imports comprised 595,300 metric tons of palm oil, 663,300 metric tons palm kernel meal, 48,100 metric tons of palm kernel oil and at least 350,000 metric tons of palm oil in finished products. Over the period 2005-09, the quantities of palm products imported declined, with 2009 imports around 60% of what they were in 2005.
The study indicated that uptake of certified sustainable palm oil was increasing. In 2009 about 24% of the UK imports of palm fats and oils were covered by sustainability certification (including approximately 55,000 metric tons of segregated oil, certified under the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil scheme; and around 100,000 metric tons via certificates purchased by UK companies under the GreenPalm certificate trading scheme). Thus, in 2009, about 76% of UK palm imports were not covered by sustainability certification.
We have recently sought tenders for work which will include the annual updating of the estimates of UK sustainable palm oil consumption.
Pesticides
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment her Department has made of the use of the Cruiser OSR pesticide. [111245]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 745W
Richard Benyon: Cruiser OSR is a mixture of thiamethoxam (a neonicotinoid insecticide) and two fungicides which was first authorised for use as a seed treatment in the UK in April 2009 on fodder rape, mustard, and oilseed rape. In 2012 extensions of use were authorised to allow use on poppy seed for morphine production, linseed, and for kale seed for animal fodder.
The regulatory information for Cruiser OSR and other neonicotinoids is being reviewed alongside recent academic studies as part of the Government's current consideration of any potential impact of neonicotinoid insecticides on bees and other pollinators.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions her Department has had with the (a) European Commission and (b) European Food Safety Agency on a potential Europe-wide ban on the Cruiser OSR pesticide. [111246]
Richard Benyon: The Health and Safety Executive's Chemicals Regulation Directorate, as the UK pesticides regulatory body, recently took part in a European Commission meeting with member states to discuss the position on neonicotinoid insecticides in Europe. This included presentations from the European Food Safety Authority and the French body responsible for pesticide evaluations. No firm conclusions were reached.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the French Ministry of Agriculture's decision to ban the use of the pesticide Cruiser OSR on oilseed rape. [111247]
Richard Benyon: The limited information we have on the basis for the proposed withdrawal of authorisation for Cruiser OSR in France is being considered as part of our consideration of the evidence on neonicotinoids in the light of recent scientific studies.
The rules for pesticide controls apply across the EU and allow member states to authorise individual pesticide products following a national risk assessment process. In the case of seed treatments, such as Cruiser OSR, EU law does not allow member states to prohibit marketing and use of seeds treated with pesticides authorised for that use in at least one member state. The French authorities have therefore asked the European Commission to consider European action with regard to this issue.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent assessment her Department has made of the use of neonicotinoids in the production of agricultural crops in the UK; [111248]
(2) when her Department plans to publish its findings on recent studies into neonicotinoids. [111249]
Richard Benyon:
All pesticide approvals can be reviewed, and amended or revoked if necessary, if new evidence comes to light. Due to the importance of bees, the Government is committed to looking carefully at the new evidence as it emerges. The Government carried out a thorough analysis following the 2009 Buglife report and considered the subsequent evidence in 2011.
18 Jun 2012 : Column 746W
At that point, the body of evidence supported the continuing authorisation of the neonicotinoids. We are now looking carefully at the most recent research studies.
The recent studies are being examined by the Health and Safety Executive's Chemicals Regulation Directorate, DEFRA's Food and Environment Research Agency, as well as the independent scientific Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The work is being overseen by DEFRA's Chief Scientific Adviser and we will take into account the statement published on 1 June by the independent European Food Safety Authority about this research. DEFRA aims to publish its findings by the end of July.
The regulatory system for pesticides is comprehensive and is constantly updated to ensure that it continues to protect people and the environment. The risk assessment for bees has been an area of particularly active development in recent years. The independent European Food Safety Authority has just produced a scientific opinion on the EU bee regulatory risk assessment and will produce a new guidance document on this for member states to follow in authorising pesticide products. UK officials are closely involved in these developments.
Rabbits
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the size of the population of wild rabbits in each of the last five years. [112113]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA has made no assessment of rabbit numbers in the last five years. Rabbit numbers vary seasonally but tend to be relatively stable over winter. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee conducted the Review of British Mammals in 1995 (Harris, S. et al). The population at this time was given as 37½ million. The Mammal Society reviewed this population estimate in 2004 and revised the figure upwards to 40 million.
Recruitment
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2012, Official Report, column 489W, on recruitment, to what extent her Department and its non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies used name-blank CVs or the blind sift function on the Civil Service Resourcing e-recruitment system to recruit staff in the last year. [110966]
Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA, its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies do not use name-blank CVs to recruit staff.
None of them currently uses the full Civil Service Resourcing e-recruitment system and therefore have not used the blind sift function to recruit staff.
River Thames: Sewage
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to prevent the Thames from being flooded with sewage after periods of heavy rainfall. [112084]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 747W
Richard Benyon: Thames Water is currently delivering permanent measures which will improve the Thames tideway. These include upgrades to five major sewage treatment works in London, and constructing the Lee Tunnel. By the end of 2014 these improvements will reduce the current level of waste water discharges into the tidal reaches of the River Thames in a typical year, from 39 million tonnes to around 18 million tonnes. In the longer term, when scheduled for completion in 2023, the Thames tunnel would reduce this discharge by a further 15.5 million tonnes.
Thames Water is also taking interim measures to mitigate the effects of sewage in the River Thames after storm events by deploying two skimmer boats to collect floating sewer debris and two oxygenation barges to directly oxygenate the river water. This is augmented by a land based hydrogen peroxide dosing system that helps to maintain a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration above that where fish would be harmed. However, these measures do not prevent sewage pollution entering the river in the first place, nor are they able to meet the regulatory requirements for an adequate waste water collection system, which is why the Thames tunnel is needed.
In addition to an increase in the capacity and capability of London's sewerage system, it is also important to take measures to reduce the volume of waste water entering the system in the first place. DEFRA has recently consulted on implementing the sustainable drainage provisions in the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, with the aim of reducing the volume of surface water run-off entering the sewerage system from new developments. We will also shortly publish the revised guidelines for water companies to follow when drawing up their water resource management plans, which will place an increased emphasis on demand management. Tighter minimum standards for water use in new housing were introduced in 2010 and we have welcomed the re-launched industry-led voluntary labelling scheme for water efficient bathroom products. The Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme for Water continues to provide tax breaks for businesses to invest in water efficient equipment.