Colombia
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the comments by the Colombian Defence Minister that the demonstration in Colombia which took place on 12 April 2013 was financed by the FARC; and if he will make a statement. [153951]
Mr Swire: We are aware of the Colombian Defence Minister's comments about the march that took place in Colombia on 9 April. We believe that the attendance of President Santos and large numbers of the armed forces at the event, alongside over 1 million Colombians, demonstrates the Colombian Government's belief in the legitimacy of civil society groups and the contribution such groups can make towards achieving a lasting peace settlement for Colombia.
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on links between opposition politicians in Colombia, the FARC and activists being targeted by paramilitaries. [154007]
Mr Swire: We continue to receive reports of instances of violence against human rights defenders and killings of civilians. Organised illegal armed groups are responsible for the majority of such abuses, and most take place in areas affected by the ongoing armed conflict. We commend the Colombian Government's efforts to increase protection measures available to individuals, but have urged them to take further measures to prevent violence and threats.
Developing Countries: HIV Infection
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions has he had with the Secretary of State for International Department on the decision to increase support on HIV and AIDS from 0 per cent in 2011-12 to 50 per cent in 2012-13. [154835]
13 May 2013 : Column 34W
Mr Lidington: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has regular meetings with Cabinet colleagues at which they discuss a range of issues relating to their Departments.
G8
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of produce and refreshments served at the upcoming G8 summit in Northern Ireland will be Fairtrade certified. [153935]
Mark Simmonds: We are evaluating bids from potential suppliers for the G8 summit and remain committed to encouraging socially responsible corporate policies, such as sourcing Fairtrade products as well as using local seasonal produce, where appropriate.
The UK fully supports Fairtrade and recognises its role in boosting trade and growth in developing countries and helping them to break their dependence on aid. This is in keeping with the Prime Minister’s vision for the G8.
Germany
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his German counterpart about the deportation of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar from that country in 1995. [153933]
Mr Swire: The UK continues to monitor the case of Davinderpal Singh Bhullar in India as we will in all instances where the death penalty has been given as a sentence. I raised Mr Bhullar’s case when I met the Indian High Commissioner to London, Dr J. Bhagwati, on 30 April. The British high commission in New Delhi has in parallel raised this issue with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. In preparation for the UK-India Human Rights Dialogue, British and German officials continue to discuss India's use of the death penalty and Mr Bhullar's case, as appropriate.
India
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his Indian counterpart on (a) Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar and (b) the abolition of the death penalty in that country. [153934]
Mr Swire: I raised Mr Bhullar's case when I met the Indian High Commissioner, Dr J. Bhagwati, on 30 April. Our high commission in New Delhi has in parallel raised this issue with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The UK will continue to monitor this case closely, as we will in all cases where the death penalty has been given as a sentence.
It is the long-standing policy of the British Government to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. While in New Delhi on 19 February, as part of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's delegation, I raised our concerns with Ranjan Mathai, the Foreign Secretary at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The British Government will continue to make
13 May 2013 : Column 35W
our position clear to the Indian Government, both bilaterally and through the EU, and urge them to introduce a formal moratorium with a view to eventual abolition of the death penalty.
Iraq
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of Iraqis killed as a result of terrorism and war-related violence since the invasion of that country in 2003. [154840]
Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to the response the Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi, gave in the other place on 18 March 2013, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA116.
Mali
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the work of human rights officials in the new UN Office in Mali, which began deploying in January 2013; and what assessment he has made of that work. [154836]
Mark Simmonds: We take the human rights situation in Mali seriously and recall that both UN Security Council Resolution 2085 and 2100, which the UK worked to support, emphasised their importance. Six human rights experts are currently deployed in the UN Office in Bamako, with plans to increase to a full capacity of 18, and to open a four-person office in Mopti in May. We maintain regular contact with the UN human rights office Bamako: embassy officials held introductory discussions with their new head, Guillaume Ngefa, in February 2013, and have more recently met him in April and May.
We are supportive of the UN’s work in Mali, which includes efforts to establish communications systems to monitor violations and abuses, improve co-ordination among the international community, and liaise with the Malian Government, Malian armed forces and AFISMA to monitor and investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuses. This includes monitoring detainees held by Malian authorities, where there have been accusations of torture. We also understand that the UN Office will carry out some training for local human rights monitors. However, we understand that ongoing security challenges in northern Mali continue to pose problems for deployment of UN staff in that region.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning the monitoring and investigating of allegations of human rights violations and abuses in Mali. [154846]
Mark Simmonds:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office maintains regular contact with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and regularly supports discussion of the human rights situation in Mali at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). The High Commissioner for Human Rights deployed a monitoring mission to Mali in February 2013 which reported that the military intervention in the north of Mali was followed by an escalation of retaliatory violence, and noted an urgent need to address problems of population
13 May 2013 : Column 36W
displacement, ethnically motivated human rights violations, and the insufficiency of the Malian authorities’ response to human rights violations. At the HRC's 22nd session in March we then supported adoption of a resolution on monitoring and investigating allegations of human rights violations and abuses in Mali.
Nepal
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to visit Nepal. [154832]
Mr Swire: It is long standing policy not to confirm ministerial travel plans significantly in advance.
The UK values our close ties with Nepal based on 200 years of friendship and reflected in the frequent ministerial travel between our two countries, Most recently, my right hon. Friend the the Minister of State, Department for International Development visited Kathmandu in April 2013. In particular, we value our long-standing connection through the Gurkha Brigade and our position as Nepal's largest bilateral development donor. The UK will continue to play an active role in supporting democracy and the protection of fundamental rights in Nepal.
South Africa
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions has he had with the South African Government concerning the re-introduction of a teaching inspectorate in that country. [154834]
Mark Simmonds: We have had no substantive discussion with the South African Government on this issue, which is an internal matter for the South Africans.
South East Asia
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia regarding human rights in each of those countries. [153952]
Mr Swire: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials, including our ambassador to Cambodia, met the Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, Lord Puttnam of Queensgate to discuss developments in Vietnam, laos and Cambodia, including human rights, in January 2012. UKTI officials regularly meet Lord Puttnam in his role as Trade Envoy to the region. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not recently discussed these issues with Lord Puttnam.
Syria
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria his Department used to identify appropriate participants in training the Syrian opposition. [153930]
13 May 2013 : Column 37W
Mr Hague: We are in close contact with the leadership of the Syrian National Coalition and Supreme Military Command Council in order to identify training beneficiaries that meet our criteria for the Law of Armed Conflict training. To ensure that the recipients of the training are legitimate members of the opposition all beneficiaries are carefully screened before they are invited to attend the training.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the training which his Department is providing to the Syrian opposition forces includes the use of equipment which is prohibited for transfer to Syria under current EU sanctions arrangements. [153931]
Mr Hague: None of the training that the British Government are providing to the Syrian opposition includes the use of equipment that is prohibited for transfer to Syria under existing EU sanctions. All equipment provided for the opposition is carefully considered, in consultation with Foreign and Commonwealth Office sanctions and export licensing experts and legal advisers, against EU sanctions and international and domestic UK law including our own stringent, domestic export licensing criteria.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the training provided by his Department to Syrian opposition forces includes appropriate military conduct during armed conflict. [153932]
Mr Hague: The training includes tuition on proper legal conduct for armed actors in conflict, in accordance with international conventions, and covers issues including human rights and international humanitarian law.
Health
Accident and Emergency Departments: Bassetlaw
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients had to wait longer than four hours in accident and emergency at Bassetlaw Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in (a) the most recent week for which figures are available and (b) the same week in 2012. [154170]
Anna Soubry: For the week ending 28 April 2013, data published by NHS England shows that 166 patients waited longer than four hours for admission following a decision to admit at the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. For the week ending 29 April 2012, this figure was 23.
Source:
NHS England statistics, accident and emergency waiting times and activity.
Anaemia
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 18 April 2013, Official Report, column 495W, on anaemia, how many aplastic anaemia cases of idiopathic cause there were in each hospital trust area by age group including individuals aged 20 and under in each year since 2002. [153967]
13 May 2013 : Column 38W
Anna Soubry: The information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the hon. Member with the data and place a copy in the Library.
Ashleigh Ewing
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 23 April 2013, Official Report, column 733W, on Ashleigh Ewing, for what reasons the investigation by NHS England into the death of Ashleigh Ewing is taking longer than was originally expected; and when he expects the report to be published. [154142]
Dr Poulter: NHS England is responsible for publication of the independent investigation relating to the death of Ashleigh Ewing.
NHS England will publish the report as soon as possible.
Cancer
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of progress on the early diagnosis of cancer. [154001]
Anna Soubry: To support earlier diagnosis of symptomatic cancer, we have committed over £450 million in funding over the four years up to 2014-15. The early diagnosis money is to fund campaigns to raise awareness of the symptoms of cancer and to encourage those with relevant symptoms to present promptly; increased general practitioner access to diagnostic tests; and more testing and treatment in secondary care. To support earlier diagnosis of asymptomatic cancer, breast and bowel screening programmes are being extended.
A wide range of data analysis and evaluation is under way to understand the impact of this work. For example, analysis of the regional Be Clear on Cancer lung campaign piloted in the midlands region at the end of 2011 showed that trusts within the campaign area saw a 14.0% increase in lung cancer cases diagnosed for the period October to December 2011, compared with the same period in the previous year. Public Health England, the Department and NHS England have announced plans to repeat the national lung cancer campaign in July 2013 and further Be Clear on Cancer awareness activity will be announced later in the year.
In addition, progress on early diagnosis activity will be measured by indicators in the Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF), which will enable us to monitor cancer screening coverage and the proportion of cancers diagnosed at stages 1 and 2, when cancers are more treatable. An indicator on reducing mortality in the under 75s is shared between the PHOF and the NHS Outcomes Framework (NHSOF). The NHSOF cancer survival indicators will also provide an indication of progress on early diagnosis.
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to hold clinical commissioning groups to account for improving on one and five year survival rates from all cancers. [154637]
Anna Soubry:
Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are accountable to local populations and NHS England for planning and delivering high quality care. The CCG
13 May 2013 : Column 39W
Outcome Indicator Set (CCGOIS) for 2013/14 contains indicators for both one year and five year survival rates for all cancers. The indicators will be used to measure the improvements in the quality of services and health outcomes achieved by CCGs through commissioning.
On 7 May 2013, NHS England published the CCG Assurance Framework 2013/14 (outline proposal and interim arrangements). This provides more information about how NHS England, patients and the public identify how well CCGs are performing in their role as the commissioners of local health services. Subject to the outcome of an engagement exercise, a final framework will be published by NHS England in the autumn. A copy of the interim framework has been placed in the Library.
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2013, Official Report, column 354W, on cancer: surveys, what decision has been reached by the NHS Commissioning Board on whether to conduct the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey in 2013-14. [154711]
Anna Soubry: NHS England has yet to make a decision about whether to conduct a National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES) for 2013-14. NHS England will be undertaking a review of surveys, including the NCPES, to determine how it can best gain the insight it needs to assess progress against the mandate. Key stakeholders will be involved in the review process.
Cancer: Drugs
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Cancer Drugs Fund in ensuring that decisions to approve quickly urgent access to anti-cancer drugs; what plans he has for the (a) continuation, (b) development and (c) funding level of the Cancer Drugs Fund; and if he will make a statement. [154570]
Dr Poulter: Since October 2010, over 28,800 people in England have benefited from the £650 million of additional funding we have made available to the national health service for cancer drugs.
From 1 April, NHS England took on oversight of the Cancer Drugs Fund. It has published a national list of cancer drugs covered by cohort policies, supporting timely and consistent access. Clinicians can apply to the national Cancer Drugs Fund for the inclusion of a drug within the approved cohort list, which is available at:
www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ncdf-list.pdf
We are considering ways in which patients can continue to benefit from drugs provided through the fund, at a cost that represents value to the NHS.
Cleveland Fire Brigade
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 2 July 2012, Official Report, column 520W, on health services: social enterprise, whether permission was given for the funds allocated to Cleveland Fire Brigade from the Social Enterprise Investment Fund to be used to explore the possibility of spinning that Fire Brigade out as a public service mutual. [154718]
13 May 2013 : Column 40W
Norman Lamb: The funding allocated to Cleveland Fire Authority was for the purpose of establishing a viable social enterprise under the Government's Right to Provide scheme.
Clothing: Children
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the importance of clothes to fit in influencing the subjective wellbeing of children. [154613]
Norman Lamb: The Department has made no such assessment, but we welcome the work of the Children's Society on the subjective well-being of children.
Diseases
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) with reference to the answer of 23 April 2013, Official Report, columns 889-90W, on diseases, if his Department will (a) commission and (b) evaluate research on the number of people with (i) multiple sclerosis, (ii) Huntingdon's disease and (iii) 22q deletion syndrome; [153922]
(2) what consideration his Department gives to the number of people with (a) multiple sclerosis, (b) Huntingdon's disease and (c) 22q deletion syndrome when allocating research funding for these conditions. [153955]
Norman Lamb: The Department's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health. However, it is not usual practice of the NIHR to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics: research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. This includes research on multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease and 22q deletion syndrome. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made.
The Department is working closely with the other United Kingdom Health Departments and other key partners and stakeholders to produce a UK Plan for Rare Diseases by the end of 2013. The plan, aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment and care management for all patients with a rare disease, will cover research and development.
Doctors
Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) doctors were employed in the NHS and (b) medical students there were in each year since 1996-97. [154036]
Dr Poulter: The annual national health service work force census, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, shows the number of doctors employed by the NHS in England at 30 September each year. The numbers of doctors working in the NHS from 1996 to 2012 are shown in Table 1.
We do not hold the total population of medical students.
13 May 2013 : Column 41W
The number of new medical students entering undergraduate training programmes since 1996-97 is as follows:
| Intake | |
13 May 2013 : Column 42W
| Source: Higher Education Funding Council for England | |
The provisional number for 2012-13 intake is 6,262.
| Table 1: Number of NHS Doctors in England: full time equivalent 1996 to 2012, England | |||||||||
| Full-time equivalents | |||||||||
| 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | |
| Full-time equivalents | ||||||||
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |
| (1) GP Retainers did not come into existence until 1999 and have been excluded for comparability purposes over the time series. Notes: 1. Data as at 30 September each year for medical and dental staff. 2. Data as at 1 October for years 1996-99 and 30 September 2000-12 for general practitioners. 3. Data quality The Health and Social Care Information Centre seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level. Sources: Health and Social Care Information Centre Medical and Dental Workforce Census Health and Social Care Information Centre GP Workforce Census | ||||||||
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Childbirth
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the spare capacity level for births is at Bassetlaw and Doncaster Hospital. [154143]
Anna Soubry: This information is not collected centrally.
We have written to Chris Scholey, chair of the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust informing him of the hon. Member’s inquiry. He will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
General Practitioners
Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has published on GP home visits. [154270]
Dr Poulter: General practitioners (GPs) are independent contractors who work under contracts with NHS England. Under the terms of their contract, GPs are required to provide a home visit where in the reasonable opinion of the contractor it is considered medically necessary.
It is also a contractual requirement for GP practices to issue practice leaflets. The practice leaflet must set out the criteria for home visits and the method of obtaining such a visit.
Health Foods: EU Law
Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the potential effect on independent health food shops in the UK of full implementation of the EU Food Supplements Directive 2004/46 EC; [154059]
(2) what representations he has made to the European Health Commissioner on proposals to determine maximum permitted levels at which vitamins and minerals may be present in food supplements. [154060]
Anna Soubry: The Government's position is that any future decisions on vitamins, minerals and other food supplements need to be proportionate and based on evidence, so that consumers have confidence in what they buy, while maintaining a wide choice of safe products.
I wrote to the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, Tonio Borg, on 10 January 2013 and my right hon. Friend the the Secretary of State for Health met with the Commissioner on 17 January 2013 to emphasise the United Kingdom's position. Until further details are released on any future proposals, it is not possible to anticipate the full impact that the setting
13 May 2013 : Column 43W
of maximum levels may have on consumer choice and the health food sector, including independent health food shops.
Health Services
Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many strategic clinical networks have been fully established to date. [154627]
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 26 November 2012, Official Report, column 121W, on cancer, how many strategic clinical networks for cancer have been established to date; and which areas are covered by these networks. [154710]
Anna Soubry: The NHS England core support teams for all four designated strategic clinical networks have been in place since 1 April 2013, including for cancer.
The geographic boundaries for the strategic clinical networks are based on the 12 Clinical Senate areas as set out in ‘The Way Forward: Strategic clinical networks’, a copy of this report has been placed in the Library.
Health: Ethnic Groups
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the comparative wellbeing of the (a) black ethnic community and (b) Bangladeshi community; [154614]
(2) what assessment he has made of the differences between anxiety levels of (a) non-white and (b) white ethnic groups; [154615]
(3) what comparative assessment he has made of differences between gender in the appearance of self-reported wellbeing. [154618]
Norman Lamb: No such assessments have been made.
Heart Diseases: Children
Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Independent Reconfiguration Panel's advice on the review of children's heart surgery will be made public. [153911]
Anna Soubry: The Independent Reconfiguration Panel's report concerning the Safe and Sustainable review of children's congenital heart services was submitted to my right hon. Friend the the Secretary of State for Health on 30 April 2013.
The Secretary of State for Health is now considering this important report and will make his decision in due course.
As is routine, the panel will publish its report on the same day the Secretary of State for Health makes his decision public.
Horsemeat
Mary Creagh:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prosecutions under food labelling or trade descriptions legislation have been initiated as a result of the horsemeat scandal; and against which
13 May 2013 : Column 44W
food producers and retailers such prosecutions have been initiated. [154039]
Anna Soubry: Prosecutions for the mislabelling of meat products fall within the remit of local authority environmental health or trading standards departments.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the police, working with their counterparts across Europe, are involved in a complicated and far-reaching investigation into horsemeat. At this stage, it cannot be confirmed if prosecutions will result from this ongoing action. The FSA will be in contact with those local authorities known to be involved in investigation work to find out what further steps they will take on the evidence gathered.
The FSA collects enforcement activity data from local authorities annually, including details of the number of prosecutions completed. However, the data provided to the FSA does not go into the level of detail requested. This would be available only from the individual local authorities concerned.
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Sir John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust has met the four key tests referred to in his letter of 13 December 2012 to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling. [154644]
Anna Soubry: Responsibility for assessing national health service trusts against the four tests of eligibility set by the Department to access funding to support their private finance initiative (PFI) costs rests with the NHS Trust Development Authority. An assessment of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is currently under way as part of an overall assessment of its operating plan for 2013-14. The planning process is expected to conclude by the end of June.
Sir John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the deficit of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust will be funded in (a) 2013-14 and (b) subsequent financial years. [154645]
Anna Soubry: The trust is not forecasting a deficit position. The NHS Trust Development Authority will be monitoring activity against plans for all national health service trusts to ensure remedial action is taken if necessary.
NHS 111
Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which areas have (a) complete coverage of the NHS 111 service, (b) coverage of the NHS 111 service on evenings and weekends only and (c) no coverage of the NHS 111 service. [154030]
Anna Soubry: The information for areas which have complete coverage of the NHS 111 service can be found in the following list A. Information for areas which have no coverage of the NHS 111 service can be found listed in list B. For those areas not yet covered by NHS 111, NHS Direct and local general practitioner out-of-hours services are still available.
13 May 2013 : Column 45W
NHS 111 is a 24-hour, seven days a week service; there are therefore no data on the coverage of NHS 111 on evening and weekends only.
A. The following areas have complete coverage of the NHS 111 service:
North East
Great Yarmouth and Waveney
Norfolk
Hertfordshire
Suffolk
Milton Keynes
Croydon
Outer North West London
Hillingdon
Wandsworth
Richmond and Kingston
Inner North West London
North Central London
Sutton and Merton
East London and The City
Outer North East London
Buckinghamshire
Oxfordshire
Dorset
Mainland Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth
Isle of Wight
West Midlands
North West(1)
South East London(1)
Kent Surrey Sussex
Yorkshire and Humber(1)
Lincolnshire(1)
South Essex(1)
Derbyshire(1)
Nottingham City and County(1)
Northamptonshire(1)
13 May 2013 : Column 46W
Bath and North East Somerset and Wiltshire(1)
Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire(1)
Somerset(1)
Berkshire
(1) These areas have full access to NHS 111; however some other services, such as NHS Direct and out of hours services, are being used to support demand management.
B. The following areas have no coverage of the NHS 111 service:
North Essex
Bedfordshire and Luton
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Leicester City, Leicester County and Rutland
Cornwall
Devon.
NHS: Religion
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual cost to the NHS of religious and spiritual care has been over the last 10 years; which religion and spiritual faiths are included in that cost; and how much was spent in respect of each religion and spiritual faith. [153972]
Norman Lamb: Information about the annual cost to the national health service of providing religious and spiritual care is not held centrally. Following the Chief Nursing Officer's review of chaplaincy services in 2003-04, the Department provided direct annual grants to support the work of national chaplaincy and spiritual care organisations. Information on the amounts of grants paid and the beneficiary organisations in each of the last four years is shown in the table. Similar information covering the period from 2005 to 2009 is not available centrally. It is important to note that these figures relate to grants allocated centrally by the Department and not the total spend on such services, which will be significantly higher.
| £ | ||||
| 2012-13 | 2011-12 | 2010-11 | 2009-10 | |
| Notes: (1 )Includes funding for the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy Volunteer Training Programme. (2) Includes funding for Health Care Chaplains Appointment Advisors Panel. (3 )Includes funding for training programme for Muslim Hospital Chaplains | ||||
Nurses
Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) nurses were employed in the NHS and (b) student nurses there were in each year since 1996-97. [154035]
Dr Poulter: The annual national health service workforce census, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, shows the number of nurses employed by the NHS in England at 30 September each year. The numbers of nurses working in the NHS from 1996 to 2012 are shown in table 1.
We do not hold the total population of student nurses. The annual nursing training commissions for England for 2001-02 to 2012-13 which show the total numbers entering training each year are shown in table 2. Comparable statistics are not available for 1996-97 to 2000-01.
13 May 2013 : Column 47W
13 May 2013 : Column 48W
| Table 1: Number of NHS Nurses in England: full-time equivalent 1996-2012 England | |||||||||
| Full-time equivalent | |||||||||
| 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | |
| Full-time equivalent | ||||||||
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |
| Notes: 1. Data as at 30 September for all years for non-medical staff. 2. Data as at 1 October for years 1996-99 and 30 September 2000-12 for practice nurses. 3. Figures exclude bank nurses. Data quality: The Health and Social Care Information Centre seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. Sources: 1. Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census. 2. Health and Social Care Information Centre GP Workforce Census. | ||||||||
| Table 2: Nursing training commissions 2001-02 to 2012-13 | |||||||
| Actual commissions | |||||||
| 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | ||
| Actual commissions | |||||||
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | ||
| Note: Midwifery diplomas were moved to 18 month diplomas in 2008-09. Source: SHA MPET FIMS returns. | |||||||
13 May 2013 : Column 49W
Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses there were in the NHS in (a) May 2010 and (b) the latest month for which figures are available. [154199]
Dr Poulter: The NHS Hospital and Community Health Service monthly work force statistics published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre show the number of qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff working in the national health service in England. In May 2010 there were 310,793 full-time equivalent qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff working in the NHS in England and in January 2013, the latest month for which figures are available, there were 308,483 full-time equivalent qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in the NHS.
Oxygen: Aviation
Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make it his policy to require airlines to provide onboard oxygen for patients reliant upon NHS-provided home oxygen equipment; and if he will make a statement; [154011]
(2) what recent representations he has received on the use of home oxygen equipment on (a) domestic and (b) international airlines; and if he will make a statement; [154012]
(3) if he will take steps to increase the number of countries offering reciprocal agreements for the provision of home oxygen equipment for UK citizens travelling abroad; and if he will make a statement; [154013]
(4) if he will take steps to enable individuals using an NHS-provided portable oxygen machine to use their machine (a) outside of the UK for short periods of time and (b) while they are in transit to and from the UK; and if he will make a statement; [154014]
(5) what steps he has taken to enable people reliant upon NHS-supplied home oxygen equipment to travel abroad; and if he will make a statement. [154015]
Anna Soubry: Access to state-funded medical treatment in European Economic Area (EEA) countries is provided for under the terms of a valid European Health Insurance Card and this includes access to oxygen services. However, due to the nature of these services, it is necessary for residents of EEA countries to reserve provision of the oxygen equipment they will require, during the temporary visit to the other country, in advance of their departure from their home country. This can be done by contacting the Department's Public Enquiry Centre who hold contact telephone numbers for all EEA countries.
The United Kingdom also has reciprocal health care agreements with countries outside the EEA, such as Australia and New Zealand, and these provide cover for the cost of pre-existing conditions. However, individuals are still required to secure provision in advance on a personal basis in accordance with the provisions of the country they wish to visit, initially, through the embassy of the country concerned.
There are no current plans to add to the number of health care agreements which the UK has with non-EEA countries and any additional EEA countries will be a matter for the European Union as a whole.
13 May 2013 : Column 50W
The Government does not set policy for domestic or international airlines. The Department has, however, been working closely with the British Lung Foundation (BLF) to help educate airlines in understanding patient requirements and providing them with on-board oxygen at no additional cost.
We are aware, through recent engagement with patients and the BLF, that patients are now more able to travel locally and abroad due to the recent enhancements made to the contracts for home oxygen in England (and Wales). The Department has had feedback from a recent engagement event that patients on oxygen want to be able to do more in terms of travel, and we will continue to work with NHS England and home oxygen suppliers in this area.
Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012
Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to implement the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 in its procurement procedures; and what guidance he has given to his Department's executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies on implementation of that Act. [154534]
Dr Poulter: Cabinet Office circulated a Procurement Policy Note on 20 December 2012 with guidance on the requirements of the Public Services (Social Value Act) 2012, which came into force in January 2013.
The Department has reviewed and updated its procurement documentation and guidance in light of the provisions of the Act.
A copy of the Act and supporting Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note was issued by the Department to its executive agencies and non-departmental bodies on 29 January 2013 requiring them to take actions to comply with legislation and providing guidance to do so.
Slaughterhouses: Inspections
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department spent on (a) meat inspections and (b) vets in UK abattoirs in each of the last five years. [154037]
Anna Soubry: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for the delivery of official controls in approved meat establishments (slaughterhouses, cutting plants and game handling establishments) subject to veterinary control within the United Kingdom. This work is carried out for the FSA by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland through a service level agreement.
Official veterinarians, and meat hygiene inspectors working under the supervision of official veterinarians, are typically present during processing of animals presented for slaughter. They carry out a range of duties, including ante- and post-mortem checks (on live animals and carcases and offal) and checks on the health and welfare of animals presented for slaughter. These official control duties ensure that food business operators have produced meat in accordance with regulatory requirements, with a health mark applied to show that meat is safe to enter the food chain.
13 May 2013 : Column 51W
| Great Britain | |||||
| £ million | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
|
Equipment, sampling, travel, information technology (IT) and support staff costs | |||||
| (1) Budget | |||||
| Northern Ireland | |||||
| £ million | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
The Great Britain costs for meat inspection staff and for veterinarians are the direct costs including employers national insurance and pension contributions; London Pension Fund Authority deficit costs from 2008-09 to 2010-11 only, contract inspector and contract official veterinarian costs but excluding equipment, sampling, travel, IT and support staff costs such as operational management and Human Resources. Costs for Northern Ireland are totals as a lower level breakdown is not readily available.
Culture, Media and Sport
Arts: Olympic Games 2012
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the support of UK arts in the running of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. [155025]
Mr Vaizey: Arts Council England and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games published analysis in April on the breadth and impact of the four-year UK-wide London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme. ‘Reflections on the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival’ by the Cultural Olympiad Board, complemented by a full evaluation by the Institute of Cultural Capital at the University of Liverpool, showed that the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival was the largest cultural programme of any Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a geographical scale unmatched by any other UK festival, creating an unprecedented 43.4 million public experiences of arts and culture—38.5 million of which took place at free events. The analysis is available on Arts Council England's website:
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/news/arts-council-news/London-2012-Cultural-Olympiad-evaluation/
Coastal Areas: Regeneration
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent in the principal seaside towns under the Sea Change Programme. [154588]
Mr Vaizey: The information is not available in the form requested. Details of Sea Change programme grants can be found in the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment's (CABE) annual report and accounts for 2010-11.
13 May 2013 : Column 52W
Culture: Education
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many cross-departmental ministerial meetings have been held to discuss cultural education since February 2012; on what dates such meetings were held; and who attended each such meeting. [154061]
Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State and other Ministers and officials regularly meet with the Department for Education to discuss a range of issues.
Enfield
Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding (a) her Department and (b) each of the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible has allocated to the London borough of Enfield local authority in each of the last five years. [154510]
Hugh Robertson: The Department provided direct funding to the London borough of Enfield under the former Free Swimming scheme.
| £ | |
| (1) Capital. (2 )Resource. | |
The Department does not hold information about any funding provided to Enfield by DCMS-sponsored NDPBs.
G4S
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the current level of expenditure by her Department is on contracts with G4S; and how much was spent by her Department on contracts with G4S in each year since 2008. [154548]
Hugh Robertson: The sole payment by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to G4S was £320.40 in May 2012.
The Department does not hold any current contracts with G4S and has not held any other contracts in the period from 2008 to the current time.
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she intends to reply to the letter to her dated 14 March 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr Marko Lambert. [154482]
Hugh Robertson: We have no record of having received this correspondence. A duplicate has been requested.
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she intends to reply to the letter to her dated 22 March 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr Richard Belshaw. [154486]
Hugh Robertson: We have no record of having received this correspondence. A duplicate has been requested.
13 May 2013 : Column 53W
Private Finance Initiative
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which private finance initiative projects under her Department have been refinanced in each year since May 2010; what the value is of each such project; what the refinancing gain has been in each such case; and how much of any such gain the relevant Government body received through a (a) lump sum and (b) reduction in the unitary charge. [154717]
Hugh Robertson: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is aware of two projects that have been refinanced since 2010. They are:
Newcastle City Council Private Finance Initiative, New City Library and High Heaton Community Library—Capital cost £27.8 million.
Cornwall Council, Penzance Leisure Centre—Capital cost £6.7 million.
Communities and Local Government
Construction: Standards
Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to publish the findings of the Building Standards Review. [154192]
Mr Foster: The work of the Housing Standards Review working groups has recently been completed. We are currently drafting a consultation document on the options, and will be publishing this soon.
Council Tax: Empty Property
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information his Department holds on the number of councils which have removed the empty homes exemption for council tax; and at what level council tax charges are being levied in each such case. [154697]
Brandon Lewis: Since 1 April 2013 council tax empty property exemptions classes A and C were abolished and authorities will have decided what level of council tax to charge. The Department does not hold information on the levels of council tax authorities now charge on empty property.
These reforms will help get empty homes back into productive use and help keep overall council tax bills down for hardworking families and pensioners.
Council Tax: Students
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will introduce an income or capital limit for eligibility for council tax exemption for full-time students. [154062]
Brandon Lewis: The Government have no plans to introduce an income or capital limit for eligibility for council tax exemption for full-time students. The full-time student disregard is a long standing feature of the council tax system.
13 May 2013 : Column 54W
Fire Services: Private Sector
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what his policy is on enabling fire authorities to contract out their full range of services to a private provider; [153963]
(2) what his policy is on giving external bodies those emergency powers currently held by firefighters employed by fire authorities; [153964]
(3) what his policy is on enabling fire authorities to contract out firefighting duties to a private provider. [153965]
Brandon Lewis: The last Labour Government introduced the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 which amended the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1947. The 2004 Act provided local fire and rescue authorities with the ability to outsource a wide range of its services in the execution of its functions, and many fire and rescue authorities now use these outsourcing powers. Labour Ministers told the House then:
'the Bill is not about the wholesale privatisation of the fire and rescue service' (“Fire and Rescue Services Bill Deb”, 24 February 2004, Official Report, column 173).
In recent months, this red herring has resurfaced, as it has been falsely suggested that this Government are seeking to 'privatise' the fire service. I would like to repeat for the record that such apocalyptic warnings are unfounded.
We are actually working to support local mutuals and co-operatives, following a bid from Cleveland Fire and Rescue Authority to set up a local employee-led mutual, building on their existing mutualised services. The Labour councillor who is the local authority's chairman has described the claims of privatisation as 'scaremongering' (Darlington and Stockton Times, 12 February 2013).
More information on the false alarm of 'privatisation' can be found on my Department's website at:
www.gov.uk/government/news/ministers-respond-to-false-alarm-of-fire-service-privatisation
There has previously been support from across the political spectrum for co-operatives and mutuals in local government. I note that the Communities and Local Government Select Committee has called on the Government to do more to help support the development of mutuals and co-operatives in local government (“Mutual and co-operative approaches to delivering local services”, HC 112, December 2012).
Moreover, I observe even Her Majesty's Opposition have proclaimed the virtues of mutuals in local government and new co-operative models of service delivery (“Towards co-operative councils: empowering people to change their lives”, February 2013, Preface; Labour Party, “One Nation: Rebuilding Britain Together”, April 2013, p.14). In that context, I would hope that hon. Members of all political colours seek to support the extension of employee-led mutuals in local government.
Fires: Southwark
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when his Department will publish its written response to the coroner's report into the Lakanal House fire that took place on 3 July 2009 in Southwark. [154025]
13 May 2013 : Column 55W
Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government will respond to the coroner's Rule 43 letter within the required 56 days from the date on which the report was sent on 28 March 2013.
Non-domestic Rates: Valuation
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on applications for a banding reduction review in respect of domestic rating valuation from people who have occupied their property for more than six months; and what the criteria are for such an appeal. [154701]
Brandon Lewis: Any taxpayer who believes their council tax banding is incorrect may contact the Valuation Office Agency and seek an informal review at any time. I have recently written to all local authorities reminding them of the statutory duty to include information on council tax bills so that the taxpayer is fully aware of how they can challenge their council tax band. I am placing a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Private Finance Initiative
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which private finance initiative projects under his Department have been refinanced in each year since May 2010; what the value is of each such project; what the refinancing gain has been in each such case; and how much of any such gain the relevant Government body received through a (a) lump sum and (b) reduction in the unitary charge. [154716][Official Report, 21 May 2013, Vol. 563, c. 15MC.]
Brandon Lewis: The following DCLG sponsored private finance initiative projects are reported by their authorities to have been refinanced since May 2010: Derby Housing Non-Housing Revenue Account; Bolton Community Learning Resource Centre; Tyne and Wear Fire Headquarters and Community Fire Stations; and Newham Canning Town Housing Revenue Account. Details of their capital values are held on HM Treasury's current private finance initiative projects list:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/pfi_current_projects_list_march_2012.xls
The Department does not carry information relating to the refinancing of the projects managed by local authorities. This is because there is no obligation for local authorities to inform Departments in the event of a refinancing.
Temporary Employment
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) total number of unpaid work experience placements and (b) number of agency staff in his Department was in each of the last two years. [154696]
Brandon Lewis: The total number of unpaid work experience placements in the Department in each of the last two years is:
(to end March) 2012 = 0
(to end March) 2013 = 7.
Of the seven people in the year to March 2013, three were 14 to 16-year-old school children taking part in a programme for up to five weeks, and four were 18 to
13 May 2013 : Column 56W
24-year-olds on a work placement of up to eight weeks under the Get Britain Working welfare programme (and receiving payment in the form of continuing, taxpayer-funded state benefits).
In addition to these figures, over this period, there have been fifteen 14 to 16-year-old school children on two-week work experience placements.
The total number of agency staff in the Department in each of the last two years is:
(to end March) 2012 = 14
(to end March) 2013 = 12.
Use of such interims for short-term or specialist work can be better value for money than hiring staff on permanent contracts.
Voluntary Organisations: Finance
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the total value of (a) public service contracts and (b) grants that have been awarded by local authorities to voluntary sector organisations in each financial year since 2008-09. [153924]
Brandon Lewis: The following table shows estimated expenditure by local authorities in England (£ million) on ‘private contractors and other agencies’ and ‘grants to voluntary bodies’ each year from 2008-09 to 2011-12.
| £ million | ||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | |
The figures are based on the Subjective Analysis Returns submitted to DCLG by a
Private contractors and other agencies include public service contracts given to professional services, agency staff and others. These figures cannot be broken down to show how much was awarded to voluntary bodies.
Work and Pensions
Atos Healthcare
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total value of the Medical Services Agreement between his Department and Atos Healthcare was in 2012-13. [153944]
Mr Hoban: The total value of the Medical Services Contract in 2012-13 was £108.9 million.
Carer's Allowance
John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to uprate income threshold for carer's allowance in light of the forthcoming increase in the minimum wage. [154043]
Esther McVey: The Government are aware that the increase in the national minimum wage will tip some carers over the earnings limit for carer's allowance and is in the process of considering whether an increase in the earnings threshold is warranted and affordable.
13 May 2013 : Column 57W
However, it should be kept in mind that the earnings limit for carer's allowance is net of tax, national insurance contributions, and certain other allowable expenses, which means that carers can earn significantly more than £100 a week and still get carer's allowance.
Child Maintenance
Sir Robert Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what information his Department holds on the number of occasions on which it has been brought to the attention of the Child Support Agency that a non-resident parent habitually lives in the UK but works and pays tax in another jurisdiction; [154377]
(2) in how many households with non-resident parents who may be eligible to receive child maintenance support, the non-resident parent habitually lives in the UK but works and receives remuneration, for tax purposes, outwith the UK. [154378]
Steve Webb: The information requested is not available, as it is not recorded by the Department for management information purposes.
Sir Robert Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if his Department will estimate the amount of money that would be paid to resident parents annually if non-resident parents who habitually live in the UK but who receive remuneration and pay tax in another jurisdiction could be assessed for the purposes of child maintenance payments on the income they earned outwith the UK. [154379]
Steve Webb: In the absence of any information regarding how many non-resident parents are habitually resident in the UK for child maintenance purposes but registered abroad for tax purposes, no meaningful estimate can be made.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 15 April 2013, Official Report, column 228W, on children: maintenance, how many of the 510,500 Child Support Agency cases in March 2012 where liabilities were being met in full remained fully compliant over the following (a) six months and (b) 12 months. [154818]
Steve Webb: Of the 510,500 Child Support Agency cases that were fully compliant in the quarter to March 2012, 371,600 remained fully compliant in the following six months, up to and including September 2012.
Latest published figures contain data up to December 2012, so it is not currently possible to determine the number of cases that remained fully compliant in the following 12 months. What we can say is 327,600 of the 510,500 cases remained fully compliant in the nine months up to and including December 2012.
The next Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary of Statistics is due to be published on 15 May 2013, containing data up to March 2013.
13 May 2013 : Column 58W
Construction: Protective Clothing
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 18 April 2013, Official Report, column 555W, on Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989, what evidence he has received that the wearing of head protection has become largely culturally embedded in the construction sector; and if he will make a statement. [154031]
Mr Hoban: Since the introduction of the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 the number of reported fatalities to construction workers from head injuries fell from 42 in 1989-90 to 11 in 2009-10. Industry response to the consultation to revoke the regulations suggested that requirements through site rules to wear head protection as a condition of employment are now widespread. This is supported by the experience of HSE inspectors visiting construction sites that the wearing of head protection is routinely encountered.
Employment Services
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been asked by his officials to complete the online signature strengths questionnaire; and what the range of results has been. [154821]
Mr Hoban: The undertaking of the online signature strengths questionnaire is voluntary, and might be suggested to the claimant by their adviser if they believe they could benefit from this type of self analysis. We have no record of the number of tests completed or access to the results as these are fed directly back to the claimant, and it is the claimant who decides whether to act on these results.
Employment: Sign Language
Sir Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to ensure that deaf people for whom British Sign Language is a language of necessity are able to access employment on an equal basis to other people. [154695]
Mr Hoban: Jobcentre Plus advisers use their skills to support customers, including those with disabilities, back to work. The approach is based upon providing personalised support. As part of this, an adviser will provide information about and access to a range of support, helping improve job prospects and helping people overcome their particular barriers to work.
The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on DWP to provide services that are accessible, available and appropriate to all customers. Our advisers know that face to face interpreting is available where a claimant or customer is deaf or hard of hearing and needs to communicate using British Sign Language or similar communicator support.
If customers require additional support to find work, they can ask to be referred to a disability employment adviser, who supports customers facing a more complex employment situation, arising primarily from their disability. Access to their services is not dependent on receipt of any benefit. Disability employment advisers know about
13 May 2013 : Column 59W
the provision and services available for disabled people locally, including Work Choice, which is designed to ensure that disabled people with more complex support needs have access to the right support to help them find work or self-employment. Work Choice providers have a duty to ensure their service is accessible to everyone, including BSL users.
DWP also delivers Access to Work. Access to Work is a specialist disability service to help disabled people take up or retain paid work. The service can fund the costs of a communicator to facilitate a job interview. It can also fund the additional work related costs faced by a disabled person or their employer. This can include the costs of employing an appropriately qualified BSL interpreter.
Housing Benefit
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether calculation of the amounts allocated to local authorities for discretionary housing payments took into account the level of smaller accommodation in the housing stock in each area. [154305]
Steve Webb: The methodology used for the distribution of discretionary housing payments can be found in this circular:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/s1-2013.pdf
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what methodology was used by his Department to calculate the figure of 14 per cent reduction in housing benefit for one spare bedroom and the maximum 25 per cent reduction for under-occupancy. [154306]
Steve Webb: The percentage rates were determined by using a range of data sources to look at rents of different sized lettings in the social rented sector across England, Scotland and Wales. There are variations in the extra rent charged for additional bedrooms in different areas of the country. Initial reduction rates of between 10% and 15% and between 20% and 25% were considered. The final reduction rates took this information into account, as well as ensuring a fair deal for the taxpayer and were set at:
(a) 14% of the HB claimant's eligible rent where they have one extra bedroom; and
(b) 25% where the HB claimant has two or more spare bedrooms.
Sources:
CORE continuous recording of lettings and sales in social housing in England;
SCORE continuous recording of lettings and sales in social housing in Scotland;
Welsh administrative data on rents of all tenants in the social rented sector.
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions his Department has had with other Government Departments on allocating additional funding for the use of local authorities as a result of the introduction of the under-occupancy penalty. [154308]
Steve Webb:
Both the local authority associations and the Department for Communities and Local
13 May 2013 : Column 60W
Government were consulted about the methodology used to allocate discretionary housing payment funding between local authorities.
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to allocate additional funding if the planned discretionary housing payments funding is insufficient to prevent evictions as a result of the under-occupancy penalty. [154310]
Steve Webb: There are no current plans to increase discretionary housing payment funding. There are no indications that evictions will result from the removal of the spare room subsidy. The Department has however commissioned a consortium led by Ipsos MORI to undertake an independent monitoring of the introduction of the removal of the spare room subsidy measures introduced last month. The work will include the effects of the measures on the use of discretionary housing payments funding and evictions. Initial findings will be available in 2014 and the final report in late 2015.
Housing Benefit: Disability
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to adjust the rules on the under-occupancy penalty to take account of the circumstances of disabled persons. [154319]
Steve Webb: At present there are no plans to adjust the rules relating to the removal of the spare room subsidy.
Concerns relating to disabled tenants, including those whose accommodation has been adapted for their needs has been taken into account. Applying a blanket exemption however is not the most effective or affordable approach as this would not take account of a person's circumstances.
Accordingly, discretionary housing payments are a far better way of dealing with this as it is more flexible and Local decision makers are better placed to make informed judgements about relative priorities and needs and to target limited resources more effectively.
An extra £25 million has been allocated to the £20 million baseline discretionary housing payment funding to specifically help those who live in specially adapted homes. The baseline funding is however available for other priority groups including those with long-term medical conditions that may create difficulties for those who would normally be expected to share a bedroom.
People living in social housing will be able to claim housing benefit for an extra bedroom if their disabilities are such that they require a non-resident carer (or team of carers) to stay overnight. This measure will however be monitored and evaluated over a two-year period which commenced in April this year. Initial findings will be available in 2014 and the final report in late 2015.
Housing Benefit: North Lanarkshire
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average change in benefit will be for residents of Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill constituency affected by the under-occupancy penalty. [154303]
13 May 2013 : Column 61W
Steve Webb: This information is not available.
Estimated changes in benefit for claimants affected by the under-occupancy measure in Great Britain are given in the equality impact assessment at:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/eia-social-sector-housing-under-occupation-wr2011.pdf
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people with disabilities in Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill constituency will be affected by the introduction of the under-occupancy penalty in housing benefit. [154317]
Steve Webb: This information is not available at constituency level.
Estimated numbers of affected claimants in Great Britain where either the claimant or their partner will be disabled are given in the equality impact assessment at:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/eia-social-sector-housing-under-occupation-wr2011.pdf
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill constituency who are in full-time employment will be affected by the introduction of the under-occupancy penalty. [154318]
Steve Webb: The information requested is not available.
Housing Benefit: Scotland
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what methodology was used by his Department to calculate the amount of £155 million allocated to local authorities in Scotland for discretionary housing payments. [154304]
Steve Webb: The total amount of discretionary housing payment funding for Great Britain in 2013-14 is £150 million. Funding has been allocated to local authorities using the methodology set out in the attached circular:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/s1-2013.pdf
Members: Correspondence
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the hon. Member for Walsall North will receive a reply to his letter of 26 March 2013 concerning a constituent, ref: POS(5)10644/0143. [154056]
Esther McVey: I replied to the hon. Member on 3 May 2013.
New Enterprise Allowance
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseeker's allowance claimants have received the new enterprise allowance in (a) the UK and (b) Bassetlaw constituency since the introduction of that scheme. [154147]
Mr Hoban: From January 2011 up to and including November 2012 there have been 31,540 starts with a new enterprise allowance (NEA) business mentor and 15,210 starts to the weekly allowance in Great Britain. These figures are based upon official Get Britain Working statistics available via the DWP website:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/pwp/pwp_gbw_feb13.pdf
13 May 2013 : Column 62W
We have also published data on the number of NEA mentor starts and weekly allowance starts by parliamentary constituency. This can be found at:
http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/adhoc_analysis/2013/nea_by_la_jcp_district_parl_c.xls
The table shows that in Bassetlaw there were 40 NEA mentor starts and 20 NEA weekly allowance starts for the period April 2011 up to and including November 2012.
Note:
The numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.
Pay
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will set the salary of Head of News at his Department at £65,000 per annum. [154623]
Mr Hoban: The Department for Work and Pensions is currently advertising externally for the specialist role of Head of News. All of our competitions are run strictly under the Civil Service Commissioners Principles of fair and open competition, based on merit. The post has been advertised with a salary commensurate with the significance of the role in order to attract the right calibre of applicant. The final salary would ultimately be dependent on the level of experience of the successful candidate.
Pension Credit
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the take-up rate of pensions credit by those reaching retirement age in each of the last five years. [154713]
Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) total and (b) each parliamentary constituency are not claiming pension credit. [154133]
Steve Webb: The most recent estimates of take-up cover the period 2009-10. Figures for the number of pensioners entitled to but not receiving pension credit in Great Britain from 2007-08 to 2009-10 are presented in the following table; estimates of take-up are not available on a consistent basis for a longer time series.
| Caseload take-up for pension credit, Great Britain, 2007-08 to 2009-10 | ||
| Range of entitled non-recipients (thousand) | Take-up ranges (percentage) | |
The Income Related Benefits: Estimates of Take-up report covers Great Britain for the financial year 2009-10. It provides caseload and expenditure estimates of take-up for income support and employment and support allowance (income-related), pension credit, housing benefit (including local housing allowance), council tax benefit and jobseeker's allowance (income-based). The latest release updates the statistics previously released on 10 June 2010. The figures are available online and can be found here:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=irb