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Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 7 November 2012
Work and Pensions
Apprentices
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many new apprenticeships have begun in (a) the UK and (b) Brighton, Kemptown constituency over the last three years. [126969]
Matthew Hancock: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovations and Skills.
The following table shows the number of apprenticeship programme starts in Brighton Kemptown parliamentary constituency and England. Final data are shown for the 2009/10 and 2010/11 academic years and provisional data are shown for the 2011/12 academic year.
Provisional data for the 2011/12 academic year provide an early view of performance and will change as further data returns are received from further education colleges and providers. They should not be directly compared with final year data from previous years. Figures for 2011/12 will be finalised in January 2013.
The Department does not collect further education information relating to the devolved Administrations.
| Apprenticeship programme starts in Brighton Kemptown constituency and England, 2009/10 and 2011/12 (Provisional) | |||
| 2009/10 (Final) | 2010/11 (Final) | 2011/12 (Provisional) | |
| Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10, apart from England total figures which are rounded to the nearest 100. 2. Geographic breakdowns are based upon the home postcode of the learner. 3. Figures are based on the geographic boundaries as of May 2010. 4. Provisional data for 2011/12 should not be directly compared with data for earlier years. Source: Individualised Learner Record | |||
Information on the number of apprenticeship starts by geography is published in a supplementary table to a quarterly Statistical First Release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 11 October 2012:
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_supplementary_tables/Apprenticeship_sfr_supplementary_tables/
Community Care Grants: Halton
Derek Twigg:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many community care grant applications were made for Halton local authority area
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in each year since 2010; and what the total number of awards made was in each such year. [126621]
Steve Webb: In 2010-11 the Department for Work and Pensions received 1,950 community care grant applications in the Halton local authority area. Of these, 1,010 awards were made. In 2011-12 the number of community care grant applications in Halton local authority area was 2,200, of which 1,000 awards were made.
We do not currently hold data for 2012-13.
Notes:
1. The information provided is management information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have management information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics and there are some issues with the data, for example, they do not include applications which were processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the Social Fund Computer System.
2. Figures are for applications received, not for the number of people who made an application, and for initial awards made, not the number of people who received an initial award. (Some people made more than one application or received more than one initial award.)
3. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10 applications/awards.
Disability Living Allowance
Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disability living allowance claimants in (a) the UK and (b) Blackpool North and Cleveleys constituency have had their entitlement uprated after a renewal in the last 12 months. [127493]
Esther McVey: The information is as follows:
(a) Data for the UK are contained in the following table:
| Number of disability living allowance renewal claims in Great Britain between the period October 2011 to September 2012 | |
| Number | |
| Notes: 1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. 2. Data are collated for Great Britain—England, Scotland and Wales. They do not include Northern Ireland. 3. Renewal—claim received after the previous award has expired. 4. Maintained—entitlement to benefit remains at the same level as the previous award. 5. Increased—the decision is advantageous to the customer, i.e. the overall amount of benefit is increased. 6. Allowed—for DLA renewal the limited component for either care or mobility is renewed at the same rate but the length of the award is increased. 7. Reduced—the decision is disadvantageous to the customer, i.e. the overall benefit is reduced or period of award is shorter. 8. Varied—the award changes from lower rate care to lower rate mobility or vice versa. 9. Disallowed—an award benefit becomes a disallowance. Source: Department for Work and Pensions—RDA60209 and RDA60205 reports—DLA Management Information Statistics | |
(b) Data at constituency level are not available.
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Housing Benefit
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average housing benefit award is in the latest period for which figures are available to recipients aged under 25 who are (a) single and childless, (b) single with children, (c) in a couple and childless and (d) in a couple with children, living in the (i) private rented sector and (ii) social rented sector. [126972]
Steve Webb: The requested information is in the following table:
| Housing benefit recipients aged under 25 by tenure, family type and average weekly amount paid, May 2012 | ||||||
| All | Social rented sector | Private rented sector | ||||
| Caseload | Average award (£) | Caseload | Average award (£) | Caseload | Average award (£) | |
| Notes: 1. Age groups are based on the age on the count date (second Thursday in the month), of either: (a) the recipient if they are single, or (b) the elder of the recipient or partner if claiming as a couple 2. Components may not sum to total due to (i) independent rounding (ii) exclusion of claimants with unknown tenure. 3. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 4. Average awards are shown as pounds per week and rounded to the nearest penny. Source: Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE) | ||||||
Electoral Commission Committee
Lobbying
John Glen: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, if the Speaker's Committee will make it its policy to require the Electoral Commission to sign up to the Cabinet Office rules on lobbying from non-departmental public bodies. [126515]
Mr Streeter: The Speaker's Committee's functions in relation to the Electoral Commission, which is independent of Government, are closely defined by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, as amended. Its primary functions are (a) examination of the Commission's draft estimates and five-year plans, and (b) oversight of the procedure for the selection of individuals to be put forward for appointment or re-appointment as Electoral Commissioners (including the chair of the Commission).
It is not within the Committee's powers to require the action sought.
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Political Parties: Finance
John Glen: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the (a) project brief and (b) contract between the Electoral Commission and Woodnewton Associates on party funding; and what the value of the contract is over its lifetime; [126505]
(2) whether Woodnewton Associates will be making direct contact with (a) hon. Members, (b) Members of the House of Lords, (c) political parties and their local constituency branches (d) journalists and (e) local authorities under its new contract with the Electoral Commission; [126513]
(3) if he will place in the Library a copy of the public tender document for the contract on stakeholder engagement on party funding that was recently awarded to Woodnewton Associates; and which commercial organisations bid for that contract. [126514]
Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission has awarded a contract to Woodnewton Associates to conduct a stakeholder survey and analysis to help it better understand what stakeholders think that its priorities should be and where improvements could be made to how it operates.
The Electoral Commission has written to a range of stakeholders, including hon. Members, Members of the House of Lords, political parties and their local constituency branches and local authorities, inviting them to take part in this stakeholder survey. Woodnewton Associates will now be contacting them directly on behalf of the Commission.
The Commission will not be contacting journalists as part of the stakeholder survey but will, in addition to those shown above, be contacting stakeholders from the following groups: lawyers, academics, civil servants, NGOs, think tanks and other professional organisations.
A copy of the public tender documents, including the project brief and the contract between the Electoral Commission and Woodnewton Associates, has now been placed in the Library of the House of Commons. All the tender documents were publicly available on the Commission's website for the duration of the tender process. The contract is worth £29,200 + VAT and the project will be completed by March 2013. The details of all contracts over £10,000 are published on the Commission's website.
The following organisations bid for the contract:
ComRes
Connect
ICM
Ipsos-Mori
MRUK/RS Consulting
Opinion leader
Wood Holmes
Woodnewton
YouGov
The National Audit Office recommended that the Commission should ask stakeholders about its future priorities in its report on the Commission published on 15 March 2012. In the last two financial years the Commission has made significant savings from its budget and is on target to deliver a 30% reduction in its core
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costs by 2014-15. But it is important that the Commission continues to review what it does and how it works to ensure that it can continue to improve efficiency and be as effective a regulator as possible. The stakeholder survey will help it achieve these objectives.
Communities and Local Government
Housing: Construction
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the amount of land in England identified for development for housing on which development has not started; and if he will make a statement. [126993]
Nick Boles: Notwithstanding my answer of 22 October 2012, Official Report, columns 627-28W, no estimate has been made of the amount of land in England identified for development for housing on which development has not started.
Local Government Finance
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the percentage change in formula grant in real terms was for each local authority between 2009-10 and 2011-12. [127157]
Brandon Lewis: Individual year-on-year cash change components for 2010-11 and 2011-12 are available on our website at:
http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1011/chng1011.xls
http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1112/1112chngs.xls
The most recent gross domestic product deflators, which allow conversion from a cash terms series to a real term series, are available on the HM Treasury website at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/gdp_deflators.xls
Meaningful, like-for-like comparisons for individual local authorities cannot be made over more than one financial year owing to changes in local authority responsibility and function, as for instance with the transfer of responsibility for concessionary travel from districts to counties in 2011-12.
Planning Permission
Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning authorities in England had a judicial review upheld against them in each year from 2005 to 2012; and how many reviews were conducted in respect of each such authority. [127126]
Nick Boles: The Department does not hold this information.
Sickness Absence
Mike Freer:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on how many days on average staff of his Department in each pay
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grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in each of the last 12 months. [125672]
Brandon Lewis: Average working days lost due to sickness absence are calculated quarterly in line with Cabinet Office instructions.
For the 12 months ending 30 June 2012, the Department for Communities and Local Government had an average working days lost figure of 6.3 which is below the civil service average.
Average working days lost for staff in the Department by civil service grade at each of these points is as follows:
| Civil service grade | September 2011 | December 2011 | March 2012 | June 2012 |
The Department is committed to the wellbeing of its staff and offers a number of services to assist in minimising staff absences:
Line managers are being trained to help them identify the skills they need to tackle workplace stress in their team. This has been developed by the Health and Safety Executive, in association with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and Investors in People.
Intranet information pages to inform staff on ways in which they can actively seek to maximise their physical and mental health.
Access to a 24-hour employee assistance helpline which offers advice and support for all staff to deal with sick absence.
We are also finalising and, by the end of the year, will have introduced, a comprehensive policy for managing long-term sickness absence which we consider will significantly improve the management and resolution of such cases.
Vacancies
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his Department's vacancy rate was in 2011-12; and what vacancy rate has been assumed for 2012-13. [125675]
Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not keep a central record of job vacancies as responsibility for recruitment lies with individual line managers.
Since October 2011 the Department's headcount has fallen by 318 full-time equivalent staff to the end of September 2012. The Department operates a limit on headcount, currently 1,757 full-time equivalent staff, and any recruitment will be constrained by that limit going forward.
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I also refer the hon. Member to the answers of 11 June 2012, Official Report, columns 11-13W, on the savings that my Department has delivered.
Waste Disposal: Renewable Energy
Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria he uses to decide whether to call in an application for an energy from waste incinerator. [127200]
Nick Boles: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement of 26 October 2012, Official Report, columns 71-72WS.
Transport
Airports
Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward the date by which the Commission into the UK's future hub airport capacity publishes its interim report to recommend a substantive airport policy. [126552]
Mr McLoughlin: The terms of reference for the Airports Commission, which includes the timetable it will follow and the broad scope of the interim and final reports, were set out in my written ministerial statement of 2 November 2012, Official Report, columns 28-30WS. The terms of reference were drafted so as to allow the Commission sufficient time to establish a robust evidence base and give appropriate consideration to all of the relevant options ahead of making its recommendations. Accelerating the Commission's time scale would increase the risk of its recommendations being overturned and could therefore delay decisions on a long-term policy on airport capacity.
Aviation
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he took to consult the Mayor of London before the Commission chaired by Sir Howard Davies was established; and what effect the Commission will have on the Mayor of London's statutory responsibilities for transport, the economy and the environment. [126791]
Mr McLoughlin: I have a constitutional role to develop policies for the improvement of the UK's transport systems. I established the Airports Commission in accordance with this role. The role of the Airports Commission is to assist the Government in developing national aviation policies. These policies must, of course, take proper account of the role of London in the national economy. There is no proposal to change the Mayor's statutory responsibilities.
Driving: Eyesight
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the economic effects of accidents caused by poor driver eyesight. [127190]
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Stephen Hammond: No assessment has been made of the economic effects of accidents caused by poor driver eyesight. However, uncorrected, defective eyesight was a contributory factor reported by the police in 250 personal injury road accidents in 2011, the latest year for which information is available.
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many drivers failed the number plate eyesight test at a driving test centre in the last year for which figures are available. [127191]
Stephen Hammond: Between 1 October 2011 and 30 September 2012, 636 drivers failed the number plate eyesight test at a driving test centre.
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has considered introducing new measures to ensure a minimum requirement for regular eyesight tests at the point of licence renewal. [127192]
Stephen Hammond: The Department reviewed the arrangements for ensuring appropriate vision for drivers when considering the implementation of EC Directive 2009/113/EC. There are no plans to introduce formal eyesight testing linked to driving licence renewal. The existing law requires all drivers of motor vehicles to ensure that they are able to meet the appropriate vision standards while driving.
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent steps the Government (a) have taken and (b) plans to take to ensure compliance with European Commission Directives 2009/113/EC and 2006/126/EC concerning driver eyesight. [127193]
Stephen Hammond: The driver eyesight standards contained in the European Commission Directive 2009/113/EC need to be in place by 19 January 2013. Administrative procedures are already in place to ensure that all driver licence applicants meet the minimum eyesight standards required by the directive. The domestic legislative changes are expected to be introduced early in 2013.
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has assessed the effect of compliance with European Commission Directives 2009/113/EC and 2006/126/EC on the number of road traffic accidents. [127194]
Stephen Hammond: No specific assessment has been completed on the effect of compliance on the number of road traffic accidents. An impact assessment has been completed on the medical aspects of the directive which will be published alongside the legislation changes.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that an assessment is performed on a driver's eyesight when their licence is due to be renewed. [127203]
Stephen Hammond: There are no plans to introduce formal eyesight testing linked to driving licence renewal. Drivers of all motor vehicles have a legal responsibility to ensure that they are able to meet the appropriate vision standards at all times while driving.
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Drivers must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres with glasses or corrective lenses if necessary. They must also notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency if at any time they develop an eye condition that affects their visual acuity or field, and provide assurance that they have never been advised that they cannot meet 6/12 measured on a Snellen eyesight chart. Drivers who fail to notify or who drive while unable to read a number plate from the appropriate distance are committing an offence and may invalidate their motor insurance.
Railways: Freight
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the proposals being considered by the Office of Rail Regulation to introduce a new variable track access charge for rail freight. [126734]
Mr McLoughlin: Determination of the framework for the track access charges levied on rail freight operators in the next railway funding control period from 2014 to 2019 is a matter for the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), which is the independent economic and safety regulator for the railways in Great Britain. The ORR has assessed the effects on a number of variables including demand for rail freight services that could result from a rise in track access charges for freight transported by rail.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will hold meetings with the (a) Office of Rail Regulation and (b) Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen to discuss the proposals to introduce a variable track access charge for rail freight. [126735]
Mr McLoughlin: No. Determination of the framework for the track access charges levied on rail freight operators in the next railway funding control period from 2014 to 2019 is a matter for the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), which is the independent economic and safety regulator for the railways in Great Britain. There is no reason why the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen should not seek a meeting with the ORR if it so wishes.
Transport
Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the contribution improved transport links between Manchester and Sheffield could make to economic growth. [127047]
Norman Baker: This Government has made no specific assessment of the contribution improved transport links between Manchester and Sheffield could make to economic growth. However, we recognise the importance of the links between Sheffield and Manchester, and that is why we have agreed to provide Network Rail with up to £130 million to fund line speed and capacity improvements on the Hope Valley rail line between Manchester and Sheffield, along with improvements further north between Manchester and Bradford.
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Education
Adoption
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the number of faith-based adoption agencies which have closed or suspended their adoption activity since the commencement of the Equality Act 2010; and how many placements such agencies were responsible for in each of the last five years. [126779]
Mr Timpson [holding answer 5 November 2012]: The Department is not aware of any faith-based adoption agencies having closed or suspended their adoption activity following the commencement of the Equality Act 2010.
Since the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 came into force on 30 April 2007, three agencies have chosen to close or suspend their recruitment and assessment work. Two of the agencies have registered as adoption support agencies and the third continues to provide other adoption services. There has been no significant loss of capacity in the adoption sector.
Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department has taken to (a) establish the main risk factors for under-age binge drinking and (b) develop a strategy to tackle the culture of under-age binge drinking. [125993]
Mr Timpson [holding answer 31 October 2012]: The Department for Education has the policy lead across Government for young people and alcohol, aiming to reduce the levels of alcohol consumption and the harms of under-age drinking.
Steps taken to (a) establish the main risk factors for under-age drinking include reviewing national and international research in this area. This includes a secondary analysis of the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England, specifically to explore patterns of alcohol consumption among young people (Green and Ross, 2010) and Targeted youth support: Rapid Evidence Assessment of effective early interventions for youth at risk of future poor outcomes (EPPI-Centre, 2008), which identified the main risk factors for drug and alcohol misuse. Both these reports are on the Department for Education's website and can be found on the following links.
https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-RR005
https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/RSG/Pupilsupportwelfareandbehaviour/Page6/DCSF-EPPI-06-08
(b) As mentioned in my response to my hon. Friend's previous question on binge drinking, on 13 September 2012, Official Report, column 340W, the Government's alcohol strategy announced a number of measures which will help delay the age at which children have their first alcoholic drink and also outlines the action to be taken to improve alcohol education for children and young people, raise their awareness of the harms of alcohol, and ensure that parents are aware of their own responsibilities.
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The Department has funded Mentor UK to ensure teachers and substance misuse professionals have access to accurate, evidence-based information and guidance. We are procuring a new service to carry out this function, and others, from April 2013.
Officials are working closely with the Responsibility Deal Alcohol Network (RDAN) to further improve protection of children from the impact of alcohol advertising. We are also working with the RDAN education and prevention sub-group to secure industry funding to help roll out genuinely evidence-based alcohol education and prevention programmes in schools.
Children
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received from parents and disabled young people in the trial authorities testing his proposals to amend the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families guidance; and if he will publish any such representations. [126707]
Mr Timpson [holding answer 5 November 2012]: We received 466 responses to our consultation on revised safeguarding statutory guidance. These included responses from parents and organisations representing disabled children and young people. We are still considering these responses—we are determined to get the revised statutory guidance right so that it will be the catalyst for change and put the needs of individual children and young people, including those who are disabled, back at the heart of assessment.
As part of our consultation, officials also met with organisations representing disabled children and their families.
We also commissioned an independent evaluation of the trials, “The impact of more flexible assessment practices in response to the Munro Review of Child Protection: Emerging findings from the trials” undertaken by the Childhood Wellbeing Research Centre at Loughborough university. This was published in July this year and can be found on the Department's website at:
https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/CWRC-00088-2012
Children in Care
Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to ensure that children in care are placed as close to their home local authority as possible. [125534]
Mr Timpson [holding answer 29 October 2012]: Reports published this summer by the joint all-party parliamentary group inquiry into children who go missing from care and by the Deputy Children's Commissioner highlighted serious weaknesses in the system when children are placed out of their local authority. In response to this concern, we established an expert group on 'out of area' placements to focus on how to improve such arrangements; including improving the quality of decision making to determine whether an out-of-authority placement is needed for the child and is in the child's best interests. The group has met frequently over the summer and I will consider proposals from its work shortly.
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Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many babies were removed from their families at birth due to a parent's addiction to illegal drugs in each of the last five years. [125584]
Mr Timpson: The Department collects a range of information on looked after children. This includes information on the number and age of children who start to be looked after, numbers taken into care(1) and the reasons why a child may become looked after. Children may become looked after for a range of reasons, however we cannot identify from centrally-held information those where parental addiction to illegal drugs is the main or a contributory factor.
This latest information on looked after children is published in the Statistical First Release “Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England (including adoption and care leavers)—year ending 31 March 2012” which can be found on the Department's website via the following link. Within that you will see the categories of need which are returned to the Department. Unfortunately it is not possible to isolate addiction to illegal drugs within these.
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001026/index.shtml
(1) Children taken into care are children who started to be looked after under a care order, police protection, emergency protection order or child assessment order.
Children in Care: Missing Persons
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how the Government calculate the figure for the number of children aged under 18 years in care who go missing each year; and what that figure was for each of the last five calendar years. [126654]
Mr Timpson: The Department collects information on looked after children on their SSDA903 return. As part of this return, local authorities record all children missing from their agreed placement for 24 hours or more and whose whereabouts are either known or unknown to social services.
The number of children aged under 18 years in care who have gone missing for each of the latest five years is shown in the following table. Children who were missing on more than one occasion during the year have been recorded only once.
| Looked after children who were missing from their agreed placement, years ending 31 March 2008 to 2012. Coverage: England | |
| Number | |
| Notes: 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements. 3. Figures include children who are absent from their agreed placement of more than 24 hours including those cases where (a) the young person is in a refuge for children at risk, or (b) the whereabouts of the young person is known to social services (not in refuge), or (c) the whereabouts of the young person is unknown. 4. Children who went missing more than once during the year have been counted once. 5. Includes children aged under 18 years as at 31 March. 6. There is known to be an issue with the quality of data on children recorded as being missing from their agreed placement for a period of 24 hours or more. Source: SSDA903 | |
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Comparisons with other data sources on missing children indicate that the figures presented may be an undercount of the true figure, in part due to definitional issues (e.g. this return only captures children missing for more than 24 hours). Work is currently being undertaken to look at improving the quality of the data returned by local authorities in this area in future. That work began late during the collection period for 2012 data, and may be in part causing the apparent increase in the 2012 figure.
Children: Abuse
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the potential risk of the abuse of children in schools that are exempt from Ofsted inspection. [126377]
Mr Timpson: All schools are required to have a child protection policy with clear procedures for reporting allegations of abuse, and safeguarding remains a key part of the Ofsted inspection. Mainstream primary and secondary schools which have been judged to be outstanding by Ofsted are now exempt from routine inspection. However, these schools undergo regular risk assessment by Ofsted to check that their performance is not declining and that concerns have not been raised about how they care for their pupils. When any such concerns arise, the Chief Inspector has the discretion to inspect any outstanding school where he thinks there is reason to do so.
Ofsted will be undertaking a survey during this academic year to look specifically at safeguarding in outstanding schools. This will include consideration of how well staff are trained to understand and act on risk of significant harm.
Children: Disability
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which Minister in his Department has responsibility for disabled children's policy; and if he will make this information readily available on his Department's website. [126500]
Mr Timpson [holding answer 2 November 2012]: I confirm that disabled children's policy is part of my responsibilities and the information is included in the Department's website at:
https://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/departmentalinformation/ministerialteam/timpson
Children: Performing Arts
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will support a Private Member's Bill on updating the regulations pertaining to children appearing in performances based on the findings of his own Department's consultation and working party. [126780]
Mr Timpson [holding answer 5 November 2012]: We have consulted on the Government's proposals to simplify child performance legislation. We are currently considering the responses we received and next steps. If my hon. Friend wishes to let me have details of the contents of the Private Member’s Bill he has in mind, I will be happy to consider the proposals.
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Child Protection
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what recent assessment he has made of the effects of the proposed replacement of the framework for the assessment of children in need statutory guidance with new guidance entitled Managing Individual Cases, on the characteristics of age, gender, race and disability protected under section 149 of the Equality Act 2012; [126102]
(2) what evidence his Department holds in support of the proposal to remove mandatory timescales for the assessment of children defined as in need in accordance with section 17(10) of the Children Act 1989; [126224]
(3) what steps were taken by his Department to obtain the views of children and young people during its consultation on (a) the proposed replacement of the framework for the assessment of children in need statutory guidance with new guidance entitled Managing Individual Cases and (b) other aspects of the revised safeguarding statutory guidance; [126133]
(4) what evidence from individuals and organisations concerned with the welfare of children defined as in need under section 17(10) of the Children Act 1989 was made available to him and officials in his Department before the Managing Individual Cases draft guidance was produced. [126223]
Mr Timpson [holding answer1 November 2012]:Our proposals to reform the assessment of children in need and their families are the result of a wide-ranging and independent review by Professor Eileen Munro of the London School of Economics ("the Munro Review"). Professor Munro looked at how the system could be reformed to keep a focus on the child's journey from needing to receiving help, covering both section 17 of the Children Act 1989 (Children in Need) and section 47 of the Children Act 1989 (Children at risk of significant harm). This review, and its recommendations, was warmly welcomed by the Member for Wigan in a debate in this House, the day after the consultation on “Managing Individual Cases”—and other statutory guidance—was published. Our proposals in the consultation on “Managing Individual Cases” seek to put the needs of individual children at the heart of assessment. The proposals accord with a recommendation made by Professor Munro at the end of her comprehensive review which found that the process for assessing the needs of children in England has become too focussed on compliance with rules and procedures at the expense of acting in the best interests of the child.
To inform her review, Professor Munro consulted widely and her recommendations were informed by the latest research and evidence. In July 2010, Professor Munro issued a general call for evidence which included a letter to all directors of children's services in England, asking for their help to obtain the views of children and young people. This led some 470 different respondents—including 106 individuals, 68 local authorities, 42 voluntary organisations (including children's charities and disability groups), 33 professional organisations and 53 health bodies-to provide 1,120 separate pieces of evidence.
The views expressed by children and young people are at the heart of the reasons why the revisions to the statutory guidance are being proposed. Professor Munro
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worked closely with the Office of the Children's Rights Director (OCRD), met with children and young people themselves and concluded that the child protection system had lost its focus on the things that matter most; the views and experiences of children and young people. The OCRD produced separate versions of Professor Munro's final report and the Government response for children and young people which set out clearly the Government's intentions on each of Professor Munro's recommendations. Officials have continued to work with OCRD to make sure that children and young people remain informed.
Professor Munro was supported in her review by an advisory group drawn from organisations representing central and local government, local authority and voluntary sector children's services, the education and health professions, the police, inspection agencies and children's rights groups. The group consisted of professionals who are involved in the delivery of pre-statutory, section 17 and section 47 services. A separate implementation working group was set up to consider Professor Munro's report and to advise on the Government's response.
The policy intention on which we consulted—to put the needs of individual children at the heart of assessment—seeks to improve the quality of assessments and ultimately the outcomes for all children. The consultation impact assessment set out that we believe the proposed guidance is likely to have a positive impact on any particular vulnerable child under both section 17 and section 47. Further evidence on this issue is being provided through analysis of the consultation responses and ongoing evidence provided from the eight trial authorities that are testing a more flexible approach to assessment. This is why the Government committed to undertaking further analysis of the impact on equalities post-consultation.
We are still considering the responses received to the consultation—we are determined to get the revised statutory guidance right so that it will be the catalyst for change and put the needs of individual children and young people back at the heart of assessment.
Social Services
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will direct the Social Work Task Force to conduct a survey of the caseloads of social workers. [125794]
Mr Timpson: The Social Work Task Force conducted a workload survey in 2009 as part of its review of social work. The task force published its final report in December 2009 and the Government accepted all its recommendations. The Social Work Reform Board had responsibility for implementing these recommendations. They included a local authority health check tool, the development of which was informed by the workload survey. The tool is widely used and helps local authorities assess, among other things, their approaches to caseload management.
Social Workers: Training
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will fund a further round of Step Up to Social Work; and when he plans to make an announcement. [125278]
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Mr Timpson [holding answer 29 October 2012]: A new cohort of Step Up to Social Work trainees began their training in February this year. We are considering the merits of a 2013 intake to this training scheme in the light of the emerging findings from evaluation and the wider priorities for social work reform, and expect to announce our decision early in the new year if not sooner.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the quality of recruits from the Step Up to Social Work pilots. [125279]
Mr Timpson [holding answer 29 October 2012]: Step Up to Social Work has proved very successful in attracting high-calibre applicants to train as social workers. Some 2,000 people applied for the 200 places available for the course that started last February. In the event, 227 trainees are now on the programme. Successful candidates are required to hold at least a 2.1 first degree and to have experience of working with children and families. These entry requirements are higher than those set for the general social work training intake. We expect a formal evaluation of the programme to be published early in 2013. Employer feedback suggests that both their academic and practical abilities compare well with those on other training routes.
Culture, Media and Sport
Broadband Delivery UK
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 30 October 2012, Official Report, column 170W, on Broadband Delivery UK, how many staff (a) are currently seconded from her Department to local authorities and (b) have previously been seconded from her Department to local authorities. [127035]
Hugh Robertson: There is currently one member of staff from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport seconded to a local authority. There have been none previously.
Cultural Heritage
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what assessment she has made of the effect on visitor numbers of the increase in admission fees to heritage sites; [122465]
(2) what estimate she has made of (a) the price of admissions and (b) the number of visitors to (i) cathedrals and (ii) heritage sites in each of the last three years. [122467]
Mr Vaizey: The Department monitors public engagement with leisure, culture and sport through its Taking Part Survey, in partnership with the Arts Council England, English Heritage and Sport England. The survey shows that the number of people who have visited a heritage site at least once in the last 12 months(1) has increased year on year for the past three years:
(1) To the nearest thousand.
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| Number of visits | |
| 2009-10 | 29,597,000 |
| 2010-11 | 29,755,000 |
| 2011-12 | 31,536,000 |
Heritage sites, for the purposes of the survey, include historic towns, buildings, landscapes, as well as places of worship.
English Heritage has informed us that admission prices to their properties are reviewed annually and adjustments made to take account of inflation and where investments have taken place which might warrant a price increase above inflation. In both cases, it then takes account of the prices charged by other attractions to ensure that they are in line with the market. There is no evidence that this has an adverse effect on attendance.
National Lottery
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what the average per capita value was of awards by each Lottery money awarding body for each local authority area in each year since 1995; and if she will estimate which local authorities have received (a) below the average and (b) 65 per cent or less of the average for each body in each year; [127159]
(2) what the value was of Lottery awards made by each of the distributing boards (a) in total, (b) for each region and (c) for each local authority area in each of the years since 1995; and what value the awards made per head of population was in each year (i) in total, (ii) for each region and (iii) for each local authority area. [127160]
Hugh Robertson: Information on the value of Lottery grants made by each of the distributing bodies in total for each region and local authority area in each year since 1995 can be found by searching the Department's Lottery Grants database at the following link:
www.lottery.culture.gov.uk
which uses information on Lottery grants supplied by the Lottery distributors. Lottery grants are not distributed on a per capita basis, so population based information is not available.
To attempt to calculate per capita or average per capita figures would be misleading, and would incur disproportionate cost. While the majority of Lottery grants do benefit a specific community or area, many have a wider benefit beyond the authority in which the recipient has its address. In some cases, the benefits of particular grants are felt across large areas of the country or the whole country, for example a canal or cycleway crossing many authority boundaries or films distributed throughout the UK. Such grants are classified as "non-location specific" on the Department's database and are not registered to any particular authority.
Vacancies
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what her Department's vacancy rate was in 2011-12; and what vacancy rate has been assumed for 2012-13. [125681]
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Hugh Robertson: During the 2011-12 financial year, there were 41 advertisements for posts within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The majority of these posts were filled either by staff already within the Department, or by civil servants loaned from other Departments, to cover the short-term staffing needs of the Government Olympic Executive. Eight fixed term contractors were appointed during the period.
During the 2012-13 financial year, it is anticipated that the Department will see a 3.5% assumed vacancy rate. This is projected by the Department's work force modelling tool, which accounts for planned staff movements in and out of the Department. The model assumes that any leavers will be replaced by someone at the same salary scale and that there will be a lag in appointing the replacement; the model accounts for this by assuming a churn rate of 3.5%.
Due to the recent downsizing project, the Department does not envisage carrying any vacancies beyond this natural staff churn.
Home Department
Alcoholic Drinks: Prices
Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment she has made of the price elasticity of alcohol for the heaviest drinkers; [126674]
(2) what assessment she has made of the potential effect of a minimum unit price of (a) 40 pence and (b) 50 pence on the consumption of alcohol by (i) heavy, (ii) moderate and (iii) light drinkers; [126673]
(3) what assessment she has made of the robustness of the figures set out in the University of Sheffield modelling on minimum unit price for alcohol; and whether she plans to review those figures; [126675]
(4) what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a minimum unit price set at (a) 40 pence on and (b) 50 pence on (i) smuggled and (ii) home-made alcohol; and if she will make a statement. [126676]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Alcohol Strategy, published earlier this year, set out the Government's commitment to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol. The Government will consult on this, and a number of other proposals in the Alcohol Strategy, later this autumn.
The Government will also publish at the same time an impact assessment that will estimate the impact of minimum unit pricing on a range of issues including alcohol consumption, crime, health and business. This will be based on the best available evidence, including independent research by the University of Sheffield.
Asylum: Housing
David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who have had their claim for asylum seeker status rejected are continuing to live in accommodation provided by the UK Border Agency. [126614]
Mr Harper:
At the end of the second quarter of 2012 a total of 2,360 failed asylum seekers were accommodated under the provisions of section 4 of the Immigration
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and Asylum Act 1999. Section 4 support is provided to failed asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute where there is a temporary barrier preventing them from leaving the UK.
A total of 17,982 persons were accommodated under section 95 of the 1999 Act. Section 95 support is generally available only while a person's asylum claim is under consideration or an appeal is outstanding. However, where there are children in the household, eligibility for the support continues until the claim is accepted or the family leaves the United Kingdom. A proportion of the 17,982 cases will therefore be failed asylum seekers with children who have not yet been returned to their own countries. Data on the precise number are not held in a format compatible with National Statistics protocols. These cases are being actively managed.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of people placed into housing by the National Asylum Service were placed in housing in each of the principal seaside towns of the UK in each of the last five years. [127146]
Mr Harper: The UK Border Agency has published statistics since 2006 on the number of asylum seekers accommodated under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. The statistics include a breakdown of the numbers accommodated in particular towns and are available in "Table as.16.q" (asylum excel tables volume 5) within Immigration Statistics April-June 2012:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/immigration-tabs-q2-2012/asylum5-q2-2012-tabs
Female Genital Mutilation
Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responsibilities police and crime commissioners will be given for tackling female genital mutilation-related crimes. [126793]
Damian Green: Police and crime commissioners will be democratically accountable for cutting crime including any incidence of female genital mutilation, and ensuring the policing needs of the community are met. They will set the strategic direction for the police service within their force area and will have a general duty to consult regularly and involve the public, and have regard to the priorities of the community safety partnerships in the police area.
Foreign Workers
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average waiting time is for the UK Border Agency to process (a) work permits and (b) accession cards for (i) EU citizens and (ii) non-EU citizens. [126456]
Mr Harper [holding answer 6 November 2012]:The data requested are not held in a format compatible with National Statistics protocols, or produced as part of the UK Border Agency's standard reports. However the UK Border Agency publishes immigration statistics on a quarterly and annual basis, a copy of which can be found in the Library of the House.
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Immigration: Papua New Guinea
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of Papua New Guinea have been (a) granted and (b) denied entry to the UK in each of the last five years. [127138]
Mr Harper: The following table provides the total number of Papua New Guinea nationals given (a) leave to enter the UK and (b) initially refused entry to the UK from 2007 to 2011.
| Passengers given leave to enter the United Kingdom and initially refused entry by nationality: Papua New Guinea | ||
| Total admissions (number of journeys) | Total initial refusals at port | |
| Note: Statistics on passengers give leave to enter are rounded to the nearest five and may include the same individuals more than once if they visited the UK on multiple occasions in the period. Source: Tables ad.03 and be.08 ‘Immigration Statistics April to June 2012’ | ||
Data on passengers given leave to enter the UK and persons initially refused entry to the UK by nationality are published in tables ‘ad.03’ and ‘be.08’ respectively of the quarterly Home Office statistical release ‘Immigration Statistics’, available from the Library of the House and Home Office's Science, Research and Statistics website at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
Passports: Photographs
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the current passport photo resolution requirement is for (a) British standards and (b) international standards. [126555]
Mr Harper [holding answer 5 November 2012]:Photo standards for UK passport applicants are in accordance with the recommendation of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) document 9303, part 1, volume 1, section 7. The recommendation refers to photographs in the form of dimensions rather than resolution.
It is understood that most other countries follow the ICAO recommendation.
Piracy
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason money assembled in the UK to pay ransom for ships and crews taken in piracy is not subject to a suspicious activity report from the Serious Organised Crime Agency. [126600]
Mr Jeremy Browne [holding answer 5 November 2012]: Although there is no UK law against the payment of ransoms in piracy cases, the Government counsel strongly against doing so, as making concessions only encourages such activity.
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Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, if an individual knows or suspects they are dealing with criminal property, and if they wish to obtain a statutory defence for carrying out that activity, they should submit a Suspicious Activity Report to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and obtain consent. To obtain the consent of SOCA, they need to provide SOCA with sufficient information for a properly informed consent decision to be taken.
In circumstances where consent was not sought when it should have been, it is exclusively a matter for the independent prosecution authorities to consider each case on its merits, and to apply the tests of evidential sufficiency and public interest as set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
Police and Crime Commissioners
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions her Department had on the languages of the police and crime commissioner election ballot paper with (a) the Wales Office, (b) the Welsh Government, (c) the Welsh language commissioner and (d) any other person; and on what dates any such discussions took place. [126649]
Damian Green [holding answer 5 November 2012]: Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.
Mr Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she has taken to (a) publicise the forthcoming elections for the police and crime commissioners and (b) explain the role of police and crime commissioners to the public. [126660]
Damian Green: From 6 October to 24 October the Home Office ran an advertising campaign to promote the forthcoming police and crime commissioner elections and explain a police and crime commissioner's role. Relevant information is also available on the Home Office website and on
www.choosemypcc.org.uk
Additional PR, social media and digital activity, as well as work with partners, supplemented this activity.
During his speech at the Centre for Social Justice on 22 October the Prime Minister spoke about the importance of police and crime commissioners and the elections. The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), has also spoken publicly about police and crime commissioners, most recently at the Association of Chief Police Officers autumn conference on 25 October. I have also spoken publicly on this subject, most recently during a speech on 23 October at the Policy Exchange.
Police: Pensions
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make it her policy that Scottish police officers should negotiate their full pension arrangements with the Scottish Government. [126688]
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Damian Green: Public service pension policy is a reserved matter and the UK Government have introduced legislation to institute a common UK legal framework for all public service pension schemes; there are core elements of the reformed framework that must apply to all public service pension schemes.
However, responsibility for the design and operation of pension arrangements specifically for police officers in Scotland falls to the Scottish Government and the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), does not have any role in these matters in Scotland.
Prisoners: Foreign Nationals
Sir Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the number of foreign national prisoners who have not been deported following their release from Swaleside prison in Sheppey and are now resident in Thanet. [123521]
Mr Harper: Foreign national offenders will be considered for deportation if they satisfy the following criteria:
A court recommendation and/or;
For non-European Economic Area nationals: a custodial sentence of 12 months or more either in one sentence, or as an aggregate of two or three sentences over a period of five years or a custodial sentence of any length for a drug offence (an offence other than possession only);
For European Economic Area nationals: a custodial sentence of 12 months or more for an offence involving drugs, violent or sexual crimes or a custodial sentence of 24 months or more for other offences.
The UK Border Agency's case information database contains no record of foreign national prisoners released from Swaleside prison who currently reside in Thanet.
Please note this is internal management information and is subject to change.
Violence against Women and Domestic Violence
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to ratify the Council of Europe's convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence; and if she will make a statement. [127038]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The UK already has some of the most robust protections in the world against violence towards women and we already comply with the vast majority of the articles of the Istanbul convention. We are currently working within Government and with the devolved Administrations to ensure that all articles are fully met before ratification.
Work Permits
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce the time taken to process applications for work permits by the UK Border Agency. [126733]
Mr Harper:
The work permit route closed in November 2008 and was replaced by Tier 2 of the points based system. Work permit applications are still required from
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employers wishing to recruit Bulgarian and Romanian nationals, and the approval of a work permit application is a prerequisite for any Bulgarian and Romanian national who primarily wishes to work in the UK for a specified employer.
The UK Border Agency is aiming to bring its processing times for deciding Bulgarian and Romanian applications back within service standard by 31 December 2012. This includes applications from Bulgarian and Romanian nationals who apply for a registration certificate to work in the UK, and for which a work permit application must also be made. As part of that plan the agency is continuing to recruit additional staff to increase its capacity and meet the set timescale.
Northern Ireland
Official Visits
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officials in her Department travelled to and from Northern Ireland and London in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012 to date. [124688]
Mike Penning: The numbers of Northern Ireland Office officials travelling between Northern Ireland and London since 2010 are as follows:
(a) April 2010 to March 2011—76 officials made 1,519 flights;
(b) April 2011 to March 2012—77 officials made 1,504 flights;
(c) April 2012 to 23 October 2012—66 officials made 1,519 flights.
Defence
Trident Submarines
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on the maintenance, operation and re-fitting of Trident submarines in each of the last 10 years. [124263]
Mr Philip Hammond: The costs of maintenance, operation and refitting of the Vanguard class submarines are one part of the wider costs of maintaining the UK's nuclear deterrent.
It is not possible to provide full costs for the Vanguard class for the whole of the last 10 years as some of the information is not held in the format requested, and some is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Justice
Courts: Colchester
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the occupancy figures were for each cell at Colchester courthouse per day since it opened. [119789]
Jeremy Wright: Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) does not record how many prisoners go into each individual cell.
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HMCTS is reviewing its court schedule for 2013-14, to ensure that the facilities at the new courthouse are utilised as effectively as possible.
Female Genital Mutilation
Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much funding the Government have made available for engaging with communities affected by female genital mutilation. [126751]
Mr Jeremy Browne: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Home Department.
In 2011-12 the Home Office launched the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Fund providing £50,000 for frontline organisations that work to prevent FGM. Twelve organisations across England and Wales secured funding which supported local work to abandon the practice of FGM.
Legal Aid Scheme
Mr Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what proportion of applicants for legal aid in the last two years he estimates have had direct and regular access to a computer; [126606]
(2) when his online Community Legal Advice Information Service will be fully functional; [126607]
(3) whether applicants for legal aid will be able to apply via methods other than his online system. [126608]
Damian Green: No data are currently available on whether or not legal aid applicants have access to a computer or online services. However, the latest information from the Office for National Statistics is that over 80% of the adult population, generally, have access to the internet. Therefore we recognise that currently not all clients have access to online services and while, in accordance with the Government's Digital by Default agenda, we are looking to improve the amount of information that is provided online to clients who are able to access such services, it will not be compulsory for them to do so.
Two new online services for clients have been or shortly will be introduced:
The CLA online service which went live on the 22 October on:
www.gov.uk
provides access to CLA advice online for people who are eligible for legal aid in debt, welfare benefits, education, housing, employment and family. Clients can still opt to access CLA via the telephone at a later point, or they can choose to access advice in these categories as well as the other legal aid categories from a face-to-face advice service.
On 1 April 2013 we will be deploying a new Legal Aid Online Information Service which will enable clients to identify if they are eligible for legal aid. Where they are, they will be directed to appropriate sources of assistance, including face-to-face advice providers if relevant. Where they are not, they will be signposted to suitable alternative sources of assistance.
Currently clients have a choice about how to apply for legal aid. From April 2013 applicants for legal aid in debt, education and discrimination will need to apply for legal aid via the CLA online services, by telephone or by post. Those individuals who are exempt will be able to apply for legal aid face to face. In housing and family, eligible clients will be able to choose whether to apply for legal aid via CLA online, by telephone, by
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post or via a face-to-face legal aid advice provider. In the remaining categories of law, eligible clients can apply for legal aid via a face-to-face legal aid advice provider.
Energy and Climate Change
Carbon Emissions
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) who sits on his Department's Devolved, Sub-National Reform and Local Carbon Accountability Project Board; [126594]
(2) how many times his Department's Devolved, Sub-National Reform and Local Carbon Accountability Project Board has met since March 2011. [126595]
Gregory Barker: The Devolved, Sub-National Reform and Local Carbon Accountability Project Board membership comprised officials from DECC, the Department of Communities and Local Government, HM Treasury, Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and the Local Government Association.
There have been no meetings of the board since March 2011.
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to promote carbon neutral practices (a) generally and (b) in Brighton, Kemptown constituency. [126960]
Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change is committed to supporting the UK's transition to a low carbon economy, and carbon neutral practices can contribute to this process. DECC published a definition of carbon neutrality in October 2009 as follows:
'Carbon neutral means that—through a transparent process of calculating emissions, reducing those emissions and offsetting residual emissions—net carbon emissions equal zero'.
Following a consultation, DECC published guidance on 1 October 2009. The guidance provides an overview of the Government's view of the process that should be followed to achieve carbon neutrality, as well as pointers to existing recognised standards and guidance. The guidance is designed for use by individuals, communities and organisations and in relation to the goods and services they provide.
The Climate Change Act 2008, established the world's first long-term legally binding national framework to help tackle the dangers of climate change, by putting in place a system of five-year carbon budgets. These budgets provide a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% (from the 1990 baseline), by 2050. The carbon budgets are based on the UK's share of the EU target to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020.
In December 2011 the Government published the Carbon Plan (copies are available in the Libraries of the House) which set out proposals for achieving the emissions reductions committed to in the first four carbon budgets, on a pathway consistent with meeting the 2050 target, and the UK leads the world in its ambition for a 50%
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reduction in emissions over the 2023-27 period. One of the ways this can be achieved is through the pursuit of carbon neutral processes.
The Government are leading by example, enabling all new homes to be zero carbon from 2016 and considering a similar approach for new non-domestic buildings from 2019 (managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government). The Government also have an ambition for new public sector buildings (including the central Government estate, hospitals and prisons, but excluding new local government buildings) to aim to make the move to zero carbon from 2018, one year ahead of the regulations.
Nationwide policies, which will also be available in my hon. Friend’s constituency, will be contributing to these emission reductions. For example, the Green Deal programme will help bill payers make energy-saving improvements to keep their homes warm at lower cost, and the Energy Company Obligation will allow around 230,000 low-income households per year to benefit from heating and insulation measures.
Further support for lower carbon heat will be offered through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which is the first of its kind in the world, providing long-term financial support to encourage the uptake of renewable heat. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is the Government's principal mechanism for driving forward the transition to deployment of renewable and low carbon heat over the coming decades and will also contribute to meeting the UK's carbon targets.
Climate Change
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 1 November 2012, Official Report, column 366, on climate finance (Doha Talks), when he plans to announce the UK's contribution to the joint goal of $100 billion a year in climate finance by 2020 that developed countries are committed to deliver through the Green Climate Fund; what assessment he has made of the potential to raise the UK's share of this money through (a) a tax on fuels used by supertankers and (b) other potential revenues; if he will make it his policy that the UK's contribution to the Green Climate Fund will be additional to international aid; whether climate finance was discussed at the G20 Finance Ministers and Governors meeting in Mexico City on 4 and 5 November 2012; if the Government will make it their policy for agreement of a climate finance package at the Council of Economics and Finance Ministers of EU member states on 13 November 2012; and if he will make a statement. [127548]
Gregory Barker: The UK is committed to the goal of jointly mobilising $100 billion per year by 2020 from a variety of sources, alongside other developed countries. The $100 billion a year commitment is not directly linked to funding for the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The $100 billion could flow through a variety of channels—both multilateral and bilateral.
The UK is scaling up our international climate finance towards this goal, to enable developing countries to move on to low carbon growth paths and adapt to the impacts of climate change. We will provide £2.9 billion of international climate finance from April 2011-March
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2015 through our International Climate Fund. This puts the UK on track to deliver its fair share of the $100 billion.
We hope that the GCF will operate in a way which will attract significant funding. We are confident that the framework agreed in Durban sets the GCF on the right track to do so. The UK will make a decision on contributing to the GCF once the design is complete and if it demonstrates that it is an effective fund that will deliver substantial results and excellent value for money.
A range of sources will be required to meet the $100 billion goal. Alongside direct budget contributions, we consider private finance, the Multilateral Development Banks, carbon markets and revenues from international transport measures to be the most promising sources of climate finance. We are working with other countries through the UNFCCC and G20 to consider how to effectively mobilise sources of finance. I am therefore pleased the Finance Ministers of the G20 welcomed the report of their study group on climate finance in Mexico City, and have asked the study group to undertake further work next year.
The EU is currently developing its position on climate finance for Doha, which we expect the Council of Economics and Finance Ministers to agree at their meeting on 13 November.
Energy: Prices
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what target date has been set for implementation of the Government's policy that every household should be on the lowest energy tariff. [127017]
Gregory Barker [holding answer 6 November 2012]: The date for implementation will depend on the details of the policy and the legislation. There are a number of options being considered on how precisely this measure will be implemented, and we are discussing these with industry and consumer groups.
Fuel Poverty
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households were in fuel poverty in (a) Coventry, (b) Coventry North East constituency, (c) the West Midlands and (d) England in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) the latest period for which figures are available. [126935]
Gregory Barker [holding answer 6 November 2012]: The following table shows the number of households living in fuel poverty by parliamentary constituency, local authority and region, for the latest available year 2010. Fuel poverty statistics for 2011 are due to be released in May 2013.
| Area | Fuel poor households (Thousand) | Percentage living in fuel poverty (Percentage) |
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Insulation
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effect on jobs in the insulation industry of the time taken to introduce Green Deal finance. [126744]
Gregory Barker: The June 2012 final Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) impact assessment(1) provides estimates of these policies' impacts on employment in the insulation sector.
External estimates by Innovas suggest that around 4,700 installers were employed in the insulation market in 2007-08, which covers loft and wall insulation, and another 22,000 were employed in the wider supply chain(2).
Under Green Deal and ECO this total is expected to rise to between 39,000 and 60,000 (full-time equivalent) jobs by 2015 supported by installation of the main household insulation measures (solid wall, cavity wall, loft and floor). Other measures are expected to be taken up as a result of the Green Deal and ECO but these have not been quantified for their employment impacts.
(1)http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/green-deal/5533-final-stage-impact-assessment-for-the-green-deal-a.pdf
(2)Underlying data: Low Carbon and Environmental Goods and Services: an Industry Analysis; Innovas; 2009
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the number of properties which could benefit from loft and cavity wall insulation. [126745]
Gregory Barker: Estimates of the number of dwellings in Great Britain which do not have cavity wall or loft insulation were published by DECC on 25 September 2012, in Estimates of Home Insulation Levels in Great Britain:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/en_effic_stats/home_ins_est/home_ins_est.aspx#
It was estimated that at the start of July 2012 there were 5.6 million uninsulated cavity walls remaining. Of these, 1.4 million have limited potential for improvement as they should already have a good thermal performance in order to comply with building regulations at the time they were built. Of the remaining 4.1 million, 1.0 million were considered easy to treat and 3.1 million “hard to treat”.
At the beginning of July 2012 there were 8.2 million properties with loft insulation with a depth of less than 125 mm. Of these, 1.7 million were considered “hard to treat”.
Estimates for September 2012, including further analysis, will be published at 09.30 on Wednesday 5 December 2012.
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Local Government
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) with reference to his Department's Memorandum of Understanding with the Local Government Group, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that its policy-making process takes account of the role of local councils in achieving or developing policy; [126591]
(2) when his Department plans to publish a review of the Memorandum of Understanding between his Department and the Local Government Group; [126592]
(3) whether he has met senior political representatives from the Local Government Group of the Local Government Association to review the Memorandum of Understanding, the Annual Report and council action on climate change set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between his Department and the Local Government Group; [126593]
(4) which senior civil servants from his Department have been assigned to work with the Local Government Association on steps to ensure that the milestones in Annex A of the Memorandum of Understanding between his Department and the Local Government Group are met; [126596]
(5) what meetings his Department has facilitated between the Local Government Group and other Government Departments as set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between his Department and the Local Government Group. [126597]
Gregory Barker: My officials and I hold discussions with the Local Government Association (LGA) on a range of policy issues of mutual interest, including on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
To my knowledge, the Department has not facilitated meetings between the LGA and other Government Departments.
I am currently discussing with the LGA the report of progress against the MoU. This work is led in DECC by officials from the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office.
Marine Environment
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much (a) his Department, (b) its non-departmental public bodies and (c) its executive agencies have spent on marine sciences in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and what spending for each is forecast in (A) 2012-13 and (B) 2013-14. [126741]
Gregory Barker: The Department does not record separately expenditure on marine sciences. All our research is either focused on climate science or on projects to support specific DECC programmes such as research on specific renewable technologies. DECC budgets are also frequently a component of programmes which are funded by multiple agencies, which further complicates disaggregating spend by the relevant bodies. I am not therefore able to respond to this in detail as attempting to disaggregate this information would require disproportionate effort and cost.
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Warm Front Scheme: Brighton and Hove
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many people have received support through the Warm Home grant in (a) Brighton and Hove and (b) Brighton, Kemptown constituency to date. [126959]
Gregory Barker: The Warm Home Discount scheme will benefit around 2 million low-income and vulnerable households each year. This is expected to include over 1 million of the poorest pensioners receiving a £130 discount on their electricity bills in 2012-13. Regional or constituency breakdowns for these data are not available.
The Warm Front scheme provides heating and insulation measures to certain low-income vulnerable households living in thermal inefficient properties. The number of households assisted under Warm Front for (a) Brighton and Hove and (b) Brighton, Kemptown constituency is shown in the following table:
| 2005-12(1) | |
| Number | |
| (1) Figures are only available for the Warm Front scheme since 2005 and up until 31 October 2012. | |
Wind Power
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 30 October 2012, Official Report, columns 158-9W, on wind power: Bournemouth, whether it is his policy that any consultation on proposed windfarms should include the number, size and location of the wind turbines. [126769]
Nick Boles [holding answer 5 November 2012]: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Under the Planning Act 2008, it is for the developer of a project to decide how to consult, and what to consult on, prior to submitting an application for development consent. A consultation report must be submitted to the Secretary of State when an application for development consent is made and the Secretary of State will take this into account when deciding whether or not an application should be accepted for examination.
The Department for Communities and Local Government and the Planning Inspectorate have issued guidance on the consultation process, and the flexibilities available to developers. This guidance is available at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/guidancepreapplication.pdf
http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Advice-note-9.pdf
Consultation requirements on planning applications for wind farms submitted under the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010, establish that planning applications must first be validated by the local planning authority. Applicants are required to describe among other things, their proposal, and the site address, including grid reference on the national standard planning application form. Local planning authorities may also require additional information to be submitted on the material considerations.
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Wales
Devolution
Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps the Government are taking to prepare for the devolution of borrowing powers to the Welsh Government. [126587]
Mr David Jones: The UK Government have agreed that, in principle, the Welsh Government should have access to limited capital borrowing powers on the condition that an independent revenue stream, such as tax powers, is in place to support them.
The Commission on Devolution in Wales is considering the case for the devolution of fiscal powers, including tax powers, as part of its review of financial arrangements in Wales. The Commission will publish its findings on 19 November, and the Government will consider carefully the recommendations it makes.
Prime Minister
Chequers
Mr Watson: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 29 October 2012, Official Report, column 1W, on Chequers, if he will place in the Library a copy of the guest list for each party held at Chequers to celebrate New Year's Eve since 1982. [127153]
The Prime Minister: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave on 29 October 2012, Official Report, column 2W.
Cabinet Office
Quango Reform
10. Mr Ronnie Campbell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what further plans he has for quango reform. [126842]
Mr Hurd: This Government are undertaking an ambitious programme of reform of around 500 public bodies; increasing accountability, removing duplication and reducing costs.
Through abolitions and mergers we have already reduced the number of bodies by just over 200. By March 2015 we will have reduced the overall number by a third.
Volunteering
11. John Penrose: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to build on the legacy of volunteering from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. [126843]
Mr Hurd: The Games Makers of 2012 epitomised the big society and we are keen to use the momentum created by both Games to encourage even more people to continue volunteering.
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We are in close discussion with LOCOG to invest in the infrastructure which will better connect volunteers to these opportunities.
Emergency Services
12. Guy Opperman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress he has made on his Department’s review of the integration of emergency services. [126845]
Mr Maude: The Joint Emergency Services Interoperability programme is to ensure that the blue light services are able to work together at all levels of command in response to major or complex incidents, so that as many lives as possible can be saved.
Employment
Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office for what reasons participants in the Work programme who are not undertaking any training or employment of any kind are categorised as in employment in the monthly labour market statistics. [126366]
Mr Hurd [holding answer 2 November 2012]:The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated November 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for what reasons participants in the Work Programme who are not undertaking any training or employment of any kind are categorised as in employment in the monthly labour market statistics (126366).
The ONS collects information on people participating in government-supported training and employment programmes via the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The classification of participants depends on what is reported regarding the type of scheme they are on and their activity in the survey reference week. Those in any form of work, work experience or work-related training are classified as in employment. People outside these categories are not normally classified as in employment but this is dependent on the information reported. In some cases people are classified as in employment if they have a paid job in addition to their participation on the programme.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the category of Government-supported training and employment programmes in monthly labour market statistics includes all participants in the Work programme. [126367]
Mr Hurd [holding answer 2 November 2012]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated November 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking whether the category of government supported training and employment programmes in monthly labour market statistics includes all participants in the Work Programme (126367).
Table 3 of the monthly Labour Market statistical bulletin contains estimates of the number of people classified as in employment on government supported training and employment programmes. The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey. The classification of people into this category is dependent on the information reported by respondents regarding the type of
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programme they are on and their activity in the survey reference week. Consequently, some participants in the Work Programme are included in Table 3 but others are classified as either unemployed or economically inactive.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people identified as employed in the most recent labour market statistics were participants in the Work programme. [126426]
Mr Hurd [holding answer 2 November 2012]:The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated November 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people identified as employed in the most recent labour market statistics were participants in the Work Programme (126426).
The ONS collects information on people participating in government-supported training and employment programmes via the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The information includes the name of the programme and the type of activity being undertaken. The Work Programme is one of several programmes that are identified. Those participants whose reported activity comprises any form of work, work experience or work-related training are classified as in employment.
For the period April to June 2012 an estimated 63,000 people were classified as in employment out of a total of 89,000 who were reported as being a participant on the Work Programme, where the name of the programme was known.
Estimates derived from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty, as is the case for all sample surveys. The estimated sampling variability attached to the figure of 63,000 is +/-15,000. In addition to sampling error there is likely to be a degree of response error, including individuals who fail to report that they are on a programme or who misreport the type of programme they are on. For a significant proportion of respondents who report that they are on some kind of programme, the specific type is not identified.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether people engaged in supported jobsearch as defined by the International Labour Organization should be counted as employed or unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the classification in the labour force survey of participants in the Work programme. [126444]
Mr Hurd [holding answer 2 November 2012]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated November 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking whether people engaged in supported jobsearch as defined by the International Labour Organisation should be counted as employed or unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the classification in the labour force survey of participants in the Work Programme (126444).
The ONS collects information on people participating in government-supported training and employment programmes via the Labour Force Survey. The classification of people on such programmes as either employed or unemployed depends on what is reported regarding the type of programme they are on and their activity in the survey reference week. Those in any form of work, work experience or work-related training are classified as in
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employment. Of the remaining participants, those that satisfy the internationally agreed definition of unemployment, essentially, seeking and being available for work, are classified as unemployed. The rest are classified as economically inactive, that is, not in the labour force.
The approach described above is in accordance with the recommendations of the International Labour Organisation with regard to employment and unemployment, and the classification of people on government-supported training and employment schemes.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many unemployed people participating in Work Clubs were identified in the most recent labour force survey; and how many were counted as (a) employed and (b) unemployed for the purposes of the survey. [126449]
Mr Hurd [holding answer 2 November 2012]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated November 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many unemployed people participating in Work Clubs were identified in the most recent labour force survey; and how many were counted as (a) employed and (b) unemployed for the purposes of the survey. 126449
The requested information is not available.
The ONS collects information on people participating in government-supported training and employment programmes via the Labour Force Survey. Estimates of the economic activity of people who report that they were participating in Work Clubs or Enterprise Clubs are too unreliable due to the sample size involved.
Trade Unions
Andrew Percy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what his policy is on trade unions facility time. [126844]
Mr Maude: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Calder Valley (Craig Whittaker), at topical oral questions today.
Further information can be found on the Cabinet Office website at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/news/civil-service-union-work-brought-under-control