Air Passenger Duty
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the effect of air passenger duty on the UK's tourism, aviation and airport industries. [155245]
Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin), meets with the Chancellor as part of his day to day business, during which a wide range of issues are discussed. Decisions on taxation, including air passenger duty, are taken by the Chancellor.
Bridges: River Thames
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to announce the potential locations for the new Lower Thames Crossing; when he plans to launch a consultation; and if he will make a statement. [155740]
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Stephen Hammond: In the 2011 National Infrastructure Plan, the Government made a commitment to building a new crossing across the Lower Thames, and launched the analysis of three options to inform a consultation in 2013. It is my intention, before the House rises, to launch a consultation inviting views on the merits of three options for locating a new road based river crossing in the Lower Thames area and a variant of one of these three options.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much and what proportion of the Lower Thames Crossing has been provided by (a) local authorities, (b) private companies and (c) central Government. [155741]
Stephen Hammond: In the 2011 National Infrastructure Plan, the Government made a commitment to building a new crossing across the Lower Thames, and launched an analysis of options to inform a consultation in 2013. No decisions have yet been taken about the nature of any scheme to introduce a new Lower Thames crossing or the means of providing it. It is my intention, before the House rises, to launch a consultation inviting views on the merits of identified options for locating a new road-based river crossing in the Lower Thames area.
Bus Services: Disability
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of progress towards the 2015 and 2020 targets for all buses to be fully accessible to disabled people. [155725]
Norman Baker: Statistics on the number of buses which meet the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations, as well as the number of low floor buses are collected as part of the Department's annual Public Service Vehicles survey. The results are published in the autumn on the .GOV website. The latest figures, published in 2012, show that 71% of buses in England meet the Accessibility Regulations.
Bus Services: Fares
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any local authorities have placed a requirement on bus service operators in their area to charge an adult fare only to persons aged 18 years or over; and if he will consider the merits of supporting any local authority which wishes to do so. [155721]
Norman Baker: Local authorities which are Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs) have powers to implement discretionary schemes which put an obligation on bus operators to accept concessionary fares for groups of people. In 2011/12, 28 out of 89 TCAs outside London offered concessions to young people. In addition, bus operators in 80 TCA areas offered their own commercial discounts. The age restrictions applicable to each local scheme vary. Statistics on the provision of youth discounts can be found in National Statistics Table BUS0842 at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/bus08-concessionary-travel
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Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the merits of introducing a statutory definition of an adult fare on all bus services. [155723]
Norman Baker: The Government appreciate that the fares offer for young people using buses varies significantly across the country, and that greater consistency would be fairer and could make bus travel more attractive.
The majority of bus operators already operate some form of discount for young people, and I have encouraged them to continue improving their offers.
Bus Services: Tickets
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress he has made on introducing smart ticketing for all bus services for young people; and if he will make a statement. [155724]
Norman Baker: The coalition Government have recently announced two smart ticketing initiatives: the Smart Cities Partnerships and the Managed Service Pilot. In these, we are working closely with local authorities and operators to increase smart ticketing coverage. We also pay a smartcard incentive component in Bus Service Operator Grant (BSOG) to encourage operators to install smart ticketing. Over 50% of commercially operated buses in England outside London are now smart-equipped, and the number continues to rise. The types of tickets offered using smart ticketing technology is a matter for bus operators and local authorities to decide.
Clothing
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible have made a claim for evening dress allowance in each of the last five years; and what the total cost of such claims has been. [155456]
Norman Baker: Allowances claimed for evening dress are not recorded separately from travel and subsistence and therefore could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Crossrail Line
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he expects the Greater London Authority to raise the £4.1 billion towards its agreed contribution for the total cost of Crossrail from a new business rates supplement. [155742]
Stephen Hammond: Yes. Of the £4.1 billion that Greater London Authority (GLA) was to provide toward the Crossrail project from business rates, some £2.9 billion has already been raised by the GLA through borrowing secured against future income from the Crossrail Business Rate Supplement, and directly from the Crossrail Business Rate Supplement itself. A breakdown is provided in the following table:
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| £ million | |||||
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 (to date) | Total | |
The Mayor of London reports regularly on the Crossrail Business Rate Supplement and the borrowing that it supports. Further information on the Business Rate Supplement can be found here:
http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/supporting-enterprise/crossrail-business-rate-supplement
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the funding for Crossrail rolling stock to be met by the Government will be secured through the UK Guarantees scheme. [155743]
Stephen Hammond: The Government, the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) announced on 1 March 2013, a move to a fully publicly funded procurement for the delivery of the new fleet of trains and maintenance facilities for Crossrail thereby helping to ensure that passenger services can open as scheduled in late 2018. This change was proposed by the Mayor of London and agreed by the Secretary of State.
The previous proposal to procure Crossrail rolling stock included a £350 million public sector contribution. The revised arrangement will see the public sector finance increase to 100% or around £1 billion. The additional funding is expected to be provided by increased TfL borrowing.
In light of the decision to fund the procurement publically the UK Guarantees scheme is no longer required.
Cycling
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Government to issue a cross-departmental cycling action plan; and if he will make a statement. [155703]
Norman Baker: The coalition has a commitment to support sustainable travel, including cycling. The “Creating Growth, Cutting Carbon” White Paper and the Department for Transport’s Door to Door Strategy set out actions and funding to deliver on this commitment.
The Government also welcome the all-party group on cycling inquiry and report. We are currently looking at the recommendations carefully and will respond in due course.
In addition, the Department for Transport has been co-ordinating a cross-departmental effort to promote cycling, in particular with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department of Health. We now plan to take this further by establishing a project team involving more Departments.
Driving: Young People
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish his young drivers Green Paper. [155729]
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Stephen Hammond: We plan to publish the young drivers Green Paper this summer.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representatives of young people were present at the March 2013 summit for the motor industry hosted by his Department. [155731]
Stephen Hammond: None. However, the Department published its research into young people and parents views of driving and insurance on 25 March which is available on the:
www.gov.uk
website. Young people are also free to give their views on the options in the forthcoming Green Paper.
East Coast Railway Line
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much and what proportion of the funding for the Hitchin Flyover and North Doncaster Chord on the East Coast Main Line has been contributed by (a) local authorities, (b) private companies and (c) central Government. [155713]
Mr Simon Burns: All of the funding for both the Hitchin Flyover and the North Doncaster Chord on the East Coast Main Line is provided by Network Rail.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on the (a) Hitchin Flyover and (b) North Doncaster Chord on the East Coast Main Line. [155714]
Mr Simon Burns: Network Rail report that the Hitchin Flyover will be ready for commissioning in June 2013 and that full train service introduction is planned for the timetable change date in December 2013.
Network Rail also report that work started at the North Doncaster Chord site in November 2012 and that good progress is being made on the construction of the new rail flyover and road bridge. This project is due to be completed in spring 2014.
Electric Vehicles
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have received the maximum discount on the cost of a new (a) car and (b) van as a result of the Government's Plugged-in Places scheme. [155728]
Norman Baker: The Government's Plugged-in Places scheme was established to make funding available to eight areas in the UK to install charging infrastructure to support electric vehicles. It follows therefore that nobody has received discounts on the costs of new cars or vans as a result of the Plugged-in Places scheme.
Felixstowe Port
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on the construction of Felixstowe South; and if he will make a statement. [155705]
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Stephen Hammond: In September 2011, Hutchison Port Holdings opened the first two berths of the Felixstowe South development. This provided the first new deep water container capacity for some years in the UK. I understand that Hutchison Port Holdings are proceeding with the second phase of Felixstowe South, which, depending on demand for capacity and economic growth, may be completed around 2018.
Gatwick Airport
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much and what proportion of the cost of the Gatwick capital investment programme has been contributed by (a) local authorities, (b) private companies and (c) central Government. [155702]
Mr Simon Burns: Gatwick airport’s capital investment programme is funded entirely by the airport operator, Gatwick Airport Ltd.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on the Gatwick Capital Investment Programme; and if he will make a statement. [155706]
Mr Simon Burns: Gatwick airport's capital investment programme is funded entirely by the airport operator, Gatwick Airport Ltd. The airport is in the fifth year of its programme for the period 2008 to 2014 (or Q5 plus 1), with significant progress having already been made on refurbishing and redeveloping the north and south terminals at the airport. Further information can be found about the improvements on the airport operator's website at:
http://www.gatwickairport.com/business/transforming-gatwick/capital-investment-plan/
Great Western Railway Line
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much train operating companies will provide towards the £704 million for electrification of the Great Western Main Line between Cardiff, Bristol and Didcot. [155711]
Mr Simon Burns: The train operating companies are contributing expertise and resource in developing the project specification and operating outcomes. They are not contributing towards capital costs.
Heathrow Airport
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much and what proportion of the cost of the Heathrow capital investment programme has been contributed by (a) local authorities, (b) private companies and (c) central Government. [155699]
Mr Simon Burns: Heathrow airport’s capital investment programme is funded entirely by the airport operator, Heathrow Airport Ltd.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on Heathrow terminal 2A; and whether the system installation has been completed. [155700]
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Mr Simon Burns: Heathrow terminal 2A is expected to be ready for passenger use in 2014. A timeline for the work and updates on progress can be found on the airport operator’s website at:
http://www.heathrowairport.com/about-us/company-news-and-information/improving-heathrow/heathrow's-new-terminal-2
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on the Heathrow capital investment programme; and if he will make a statement. [155701]
Mr Simon Burns: Heathrow airport’s capital investment programme is funded entirely by the airport operator, Heathrow Airport Ltd. The airport is in the fifth year of its programme for the period 2008 to 2014 (or Q5 plus 1), with significant progress having been made on refurbishing and redeveloping the terminals at the airport, in particular the new terminal 2. Further information can be found about the improvements on the airport operator’s website at:
http://www.heathrowairport.com/about-us/company-news-and-information/improving-heathrow
High Speed 2 Railway Line
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of High Speed 2 on forests and woodland. [R] [155532]
Mr Simon Burns: The draft Environmental Statement published on 16 May 2013 assesses the impact on forests and woodland on a local basis. The permanent route-wide effect on forestry land is currently being assessed and this assessment will continue to be refined up to the deposit of the formal Environmental Statement, alongside the hybrid Bill later this year.
King’s Cross Station
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on the King's Cross station improvements; and if he will make a statement. [155710]
Mr Simon Burns: Network Rail has commenced work on the final stage of the £550 million enhancement and renewal scheme at King's Cross station. The work on the new Southern Square is due to be completed in late September 2013.
This will mark the end of the programme that has seen the construction of the new Western Concourse, which opened in March 2012, a new platform as well as the complete refurbishment of the existing platforms and roof in the main train shed.
London Gateway Port
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what progress has been made on the construction of London Gateway; and if he will make a statement; [155698]
(2) when he expects the first quayside container cranes and port equipment to be delivered to the London Gateway site. [155704]
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Stephen Hammond: London Gateway, the new port and logistics park, is being financed and built by DP World. It has already taken delivery of the first five quay cranes. I have been assured that London Gateway is still on schedule to open its first berth this autumn.
Motorways: Construction
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) at what stage of construction the M1 junctions 10 to 13 project has reached; and when he expects the project to be completed; [155734]
(2) at what stage of construction the transport schemes (a) M62 junctions 25 to 30, (b) M4 junctions 19 and 20 and M5 junctions 15 to 17, (c) M6 junctions 5 to 8, (d) M1 junctions 32 to 35A, (e) M1 junctions 28 to 31 and (f) M25 junctions 5 to 6 and 7 have reached; and when he expects each to be completed; [155735]
(3) how much and what proportion of the final cost of the transport schemes (a) M62 junctions 25 to 30, (b) M4 junctions 19 and 20 and M5 junction 15 to 17, (c) M6 junctions 5 to 8, (d) M1 junctions 32 to 35A, (e) M1 junctions 28 to 31, (f) M25 junctions 5 to 6 and 7, (g) M1 junctions 39 to 42, (h) M60 junctions 8 to 12, (i) M60 junctions 15 to 12 and (j) M62 junctions 18 to 20 has been contributed by (i) local authorities, (ii) private companies and (iii) central Government; [155736]
(4) at what stage of construction the transport schemes (a) A23 Handcross to Warninglid trunk road and (b) A11 Fiveways to Thetford dualling scheme have reached; and when he expects each to be completed; [155737]
(5) how much and what proportion of the total cost of the transport schemes (a) A23 Handcross to Warninglid trunk road, (b) A11 Fiveways to Thetford dualling scheme and (c) A556 Knutsford to Bowden has been contributed by (i) local authorities, (ii) private companies and (iii) central Government; [155738]
(6) how much and what proportion of the cost of the transport schemes (a) A453 widening scheme, (b) M25 junctions 23-27, (c) Manchester Airport link road, second phase, (d) M1/M6 junction 19, (e) A14 Kettering Bypass, (f) A45/A46 Tollbar End, (g) M3 junctions 2-4a, (h) M1 junctions 39-42 and (i) M6 junctions 10a-13 has been contributed by (i) local authorities, (ii) private companies and (iii) central Government; [155747]
(7) at what stage of construction the transport schemes (a) A453 widening scheme, (b) M25 junctions 23-27, (c) Manchester Airport link road, second phase, (d) M1/M6 junction 19, (e) A14 Kettering Bypass, (f) A45/A46 Tollbar End, (g) M3 junctions 2-4a, (h) M1 junctions 39-42 and (i) M6 junctions 10a-13, announced in the Autumn Statement, have reached; and when he expects each to be completed. [155748]
Stephen Hammond: The information requested has been provided in a table titled “Stage of construction and cost information of Highways Agency major schemes” has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Northern Line
Maria Eagle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on the Northern line extension to Battersea; and how much
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and what proportion of the funding of the project has been contributed by
(a)
local authorities,
(b)
private companies and
(c)
central Government. [155697]
Stephen Hammond: Transport for London submitted a Transport and Works Act Order application to the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin), on 30 April seeking planning approval for the proposed Northern line extension to Battersea. This marks the start of the statutory process during which people or organisations can make representations to Government with their views on the proposed scheme.
Funding for the proposed extension is guaranteed by the UK Guarantee finance package confirmed by the Chancellor in his 2012 autumn statement. The UK Guarantee will allow the Mayor of London to borrow £1 billion at a new preferential rate to support the scheme, subject to the agreement of a binding funding and development agreement with developers, the Mayor of London and partner authorities during 2013. While the borrowing will be done by the public sector, the funding to repay this borrowing will come from the private sector. The Greater London Authority and Transport for London are currently finalising arrangements for the financing of the extension with the developers, central Government and the local authorities.
Railways
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on the Northern rail connectivity scheme from Liverpool to Newcastle including the Northern Hub; and if he will make a statement. [155708]
Mr Simon Burns: Network Rail is on schedule to deliver the connectivity improvements contained within Northern Hub in two phases. In December 2016, services between Liverpool and Newcastle will use the Chat Moss route via Manchester Victoria giving substantial journey time reductions. From December 2018 electrification between Manchester and York will be completed giving further journey time savings.
Railways: Electrification
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of rail track will have been electrified by 2015; and what timetable he has set for rail electrification projects. [155712]
Mr Simon Burns: The Government have committed to 850 miles of electrification by 2019 and by 2015 expects Network Rail to have made significant progress on the electrification of the Great Western, Trans Pennine, North West England, Cardiff Valley Lines, Midland Main Line and East West Rail routes ready for the phased introduction of electric services by 2019. As a minimum 50 miles will be complete by 2015 which will facilitate new electric services over a much wider part of the network including between Liverpool and Manchester and between Manchester Airport and Scotland. This calculation excludes the test site that will be provided for new IEP trains between Reading and Didcot by 2015.
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Railways: North West
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what stage of construction the Ordsall Chord element of the Northern Hub has reached; and how much and what proportion of the funding of the project has been contributed by (a) local authorities, (b) private companies and (c) central Government. [155707]
Mr Simon Burns: Network Rail is consulting on the Ordsall Chord prior to submitting an application for planning consent in the summer. Subject to receiving development consents, the scheme is scheduled to be completed by late 2016. The scheme is to be funded through the Government's Rail Investment Strategy.
Railways: Oxfordshire
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much and what proportion of the funding for the Oxford to Bicester rail improvement scheme has been contributed by (a) local authorities, (b) private companies and (c) central Government. [155716]
Mr Simon Burns: The Oxford to Bicester rail scheme includes a number of elements. Work is under way to integrate the Chiltern Railways Evergreen 3 scope of work for Oxford to Bicester into the wider East West Rail scheme, which extends from Oxford to Bletchley and Bedford. The cost of Chiltern Railways' Evergreen 3 scope of works will be funded by them. The wider Oxford to Bicester works required for the East West Rail Project, including double tracking, are being funded largely by Network Rail and were included in their Strategic Business Plan published in January 2013.
Network Rail's Strategic Business Plan estimated their contribution to the whole East West Project at £351 million in Control Period 5 (in 2012-13 prices). This excludes Chiltern Railways' contribution for the scope of the Evergreen 3 works. In addition the East West Rail consortium of local authorities along the route has agreed to contribute up to £50 million towards the project.
A separate breakdown of the detailed cost of the Oxford to Bicester element is not available because it is under development and subject to commercial negotiations.
The Department for Transport has provided £2.4 million for the delivery of early design and survey work to enable the Evergreen 3 scope to be integrated into the wider East West Rail plans. This work was completed in 2012.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on the construction of the Oxford to Bicester rail improvement scheme. [155717]
Mr Simon Burns:
Chiltern Railways and Network Rail are working together on the delivery of the Oxford to Bicester route as part of the larger East West Rail Project, which extends from Oxford to Bletchley and Bedford. Recent progress includes the granting of Transport and Works Act 1992 construction powers for the Oxford to Bicester work (appeal currently under way), and
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design and survey work to integrate Chiitern's Evergreen 3 scheme with the wider East West Rail plans. Major work on the route is anticipated to begin later in 2013.
Railways: Tickets
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on smart rail ticketing in London and the south-east; and if he will make a statement. [155715]
Norman Baker: Two train operators in the south-east already have smart ticketing infrastructure in place, and are running small scale pilots with passengers, as a result of obligations contained within their franchise agreements.
The South East Flexible Ticketing (SEFT) programme commits £45 million to a wider roll out of smart ticketing on rail in the south-east. My officials have been working with train operators and Transport for London to agree the details of the scheme and how it will work for passengers. There are several technical and commercial issues to be addressed, but good progress has been made, and under current plans smart ticketing should be available to passengers in the south-east before March 2015.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what communications have taken place between his Department and the operators of (a) Thameslink, (b) TransPennine, (c) South Western, (d) Northern, (e) National Express East Anglia and Abellio, (f) C2C (Thameside), (g) First Great Western, (h) Merseyrail, (i) West Coast Main Line, (j) Cross Country, (k) Arriva Trains Wales, (l) Chiltern, (m) Southeastern, (n) Southern, (o) London Midland, (p) East Coast Main Line, (q) London Overground and (r) Scotrail on the closure of station ticket offices in the last 12 months; and on what dates each such communication took place. [155726]
Mr Simon Burns: There have been no communications with these operators with the exception of London Midland, where there have been communications in connection with the closure of nine ticket offices, of which five were rejected and four approved by Ministers in September 2012.
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Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which train operating companies have been given permission by his Department to close ticket offices since May 2010; and in respect of which stations such permission has been given. [155727]
Mr Simon Burns: With the exception of London Midland, no operators have been given permission to close ticket offices since May 2010. Ministers approved the closure of the London Midland ticket offices at Cheddington, Lye, Witton and Wythall in September 2012 as a necessary step in improving the efficiency of the rail network.
Reading Station
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on the Reading station area redevelopment programme; and if he will make a statement. [155709]
Mr Simon Burns: I am pleased with the progress of Reading station redevelopment. Passengers are now using the new concourse and subways while new platforms have been brought into use. Depot and bus station works have been progressing towards completion later in the year. Overall, the Reading project is on course to be finished a year early and under budget. I would like to thank the industry for working together to make this happen.
Roads: Accidents
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of people who were killed or seriously injured in road accidents in 2011 were involved in a collision where at least one driver was aged (a) between 24 and 35, (b) between 35 and 45, (c) between 45 and 55, (d) between 55 and 65 and (e) 65 years and over. [155732]
Stephen Hammond: The number and proportion of casualties killed and seriously injured in 2011 in accidents are given in the following table, grouped by the age of at least one of the drivers involved.
| Age band of at least one driver in the accident (years) | |||||
| 24 to 34 | 35 to 44 | 45 to 54 | 55 to 64 | 65 and over | |
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20 May 2013 : Column 538W
| Notes: 1. Casualty figures exclude accidents which involve any combination of only non-motorised vehicles (i.e. pedal cycles, ridden horses or pedestrians) and those where the age of all drivers was unknown. However, proportions are calculated as a proportion of all road casualties. 2. Age bands refer to all ages inclusive of the top and bottom of the band. 3. Some casualties will be counted in more than one age band—e.g. a casualty from an accident involving drivers of different age bands will be counted in all the relevant age band categories. Therefore the proportions sum to more than 100%. | |||||
Roads: Lighting
Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many street lights, which had been switched off by a local authority, have been turned back on following (a) a coroner's report and (b) resident pressure in the latest period for which figures are available; [155275]
(2) what recent assessment he has made of the effect of turning off street lights on increasing the fear of crime; [155276]
(3) what recent assessment he has made of the effects of turning off street lights on the emergency services; [155277]
(4) what recent assessment he has made of the effect of streetlights on social activities; [155278]
(5) whether he has an Invest to Save strategy for street lights; [155279]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does not hold information on how many street lights switched off by a local authority have been turned back on following (a)a coroner's report or (b) resident pressure.
It is for each local highway authority responsible for street lighting in their area to decide the level of service they wish their street lighting network to deliver. No assessment has been made by the Department for Transport on the effects of turning off street lights and the fear of crime, on emergency services or on social activities.
It is important that local authorities consider the safety, cost and environmental savings before switching off lighting columns, reducing the hours of operation or dimming lighting levels within their areas.
This Government are providing over £3 billion from 2011 to 2015 to highway authorities in England for highways maintenance, including street lighting. If a local highway authority is considering upgrading or improving their street lighting stock, the Department for Transport encourages them to consider the "Invest to Save" Guidance produced by the Association of Directors of Environment, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) which is available from the Institution of Lighting Professionals:
www.theilp.org.uk
Roads: Repairs and Maintenance
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what extra financial help his Department is making available to local authorities to help clear potholes. [155398]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport announced on 18 December 2012 that it was allocating a further £140 million in 2013-14 and £75 million in 2014-15 to local highway authorities in England, including Transport for London, for highways maintenance which could include repairing pothole damage.
In addition, and in recognition of the damage caused by the severe winter weather of 2010-11, in March 2011 the Department for Transport allocated an additional £200 million to local authorities in England, including London authorities.
The Government also recognise the need for improved highways maintenance over the longer-term and has taken action. In April 2011 we announced a £6 million programme for Highways Maintenance Efficiency to look at longer-term maintenance strategies. This programme is providing practical and adaptable efficiency solutions, for authorities to make informed local investment decisions to support their local community and economy. As part of the Programme, an initiative was announced to help assist local authorities deal with potholes on the local highway network. A final report has been and is available for download from the following web address:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/pothole-review/pothole-review.pdf
Speed Limits
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities have implemented 20 miles per hour speed limit zones. [155730]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does not collect information about which local authorities have implemented 20 miles per hour speed limits and zones. Any decision about whether to implement 20 miles per hour speed limits and zones is a matter for local authorities to determine.
Thameslink Railway Line
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress he has made on the Thameslink rolling stock contract; and if he will make a statement. [155718]
Mr Simon Burns: We are working closely with Siemens and Cross London Trains to finalise the contractual documentation, and completing the due diligence checks and governance approvals needed before award of a major contract. We expect to award the contract shortly.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he expects the upgrade of Thameslink rail to be fully operational. [155719]
Mr Simon Burns: We expect to see the full 24 trains per hour service operating on the upgraded infrastructure in December 2018.
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Training
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible enrolled in publicly funded training courses in each of the last five years; what the total cost has been of such courses; and what the monetary value was of the 10 highest training course fees in each such year. [155436]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport is committed to investing in its staff and ensuring people have the skills they need to perform their job effectively. We actively encourage staff to take five days training a year through initiatives including the Civil Service's Campaign for Learning programme.
The Department does not centrally record the number of officials who have taken training courses: to provide this information, along with the ten highest training course fees, would incur disproportionate costs.
The Department spent the following amounts on training in each of the last three years:
| Amount spent on training (£) | |
The information for the previous two years is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs.
Transport: Finance
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what progress has been made on his Department's Investment in Local Major Transport schemes package published in January 2012; and what stage of construction each scheme has reached; [155744]
(2) how much and what proportion of the funding of the local authority major transport schemes (a) Heysham-M6 Link Road, (b) Midland Metro, (c) Manchester Metro Link Phase 3A, (d) Birmingham New Street, (e) Nottingham Express Transit and (f) Tyne and Wear Metro renewal has been contributed by (i) local authorities, (ii) private companies and (iii) central Government; [155745]
(3) at what stage of construction the local authority major transport schemes (a) Heysham-M6 Link Road, (b) Midland Metro, (c) Manchester Metro Link Phase 3A, (d) Birmingham New Street, (e) Nottingham Express Transit and (f) Tyne and Wear Metro renewal have reached; and when he expects each to be completed. [155746]
Norman Baker: Good progress is being made on the programme of major local authority promoted schemes contained in the Investment in Local Major Transport schemes package published in January 2012. The 58 schemes on which decisions were made by this Government are at the following stages:
three are complete (East of Exeter Improvement, Mansfield Interchange, A164 Humber Bridge to Beverley);
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24 are under construction (Walton Bridge, Reading Station Highway Improvements, Nottingham Express Transit Phase 2, Rochdale Interchange, Midland Metro Birmingham City Centre Extension, Manchester Cross City Bus, White Rose Way Improvement (opening 24 May), Kingskerswell Bypass, A43 Corby Link Road, A57 M1 J31 Todwick Crossroads Improvement, Ipswich Transport Fit for 21st Century, Bath Transportation Package, Portsmouth Northern Road Bridge, Evesham Bridge, Weston Package Phase 1, Portsmouth Tipner Interchange, Worcester Integrated Transport, Camborne-Pool-Redruth Transport Package, Loughborough Town Centre Improvement, London Road Bridge (Derby), Access York Phase 1, Beverley Integrated Transport Plan, Luton Town Centre, and Bexhill Hastings Link Road);
28 are securing the necessary legal powers or completing procurement following which a bid for final approval will be submitted (Mersey Gateway Bridge, A18-A180 Link, A45 Westbound Bridge, Beadle/Aiskew/Leeming Bar Bypass, Ashton Vale to Temple Meads Bus Rapid Transit, North Fringe to Hengrove Bus Rapid Transit, Chester Road, Coventry-Nuneaton Rail Improvement, Crewe Green Link Road, Croxley Rail Link, Darlaston Access Improvement, Elmbridge Transport, Heysham-M6 Link Road, Hucknall Town Centre Improvement, Leeds Inner Relief Road Maintenance, Leeds New Generation Transport, Leeds Rail Growth, Leeds Station Southern Access, Lincoln Eastern Bypass, Morpeth Northern Bypass, Norwich Northern Distributor Road, Nottingham Ring Road, Pennine Reach, South Yorkshire Bus Rapid Transit North, South Bristol Link, Sunderland Strategic Corridor, Taunton Northern Inner Distribution Route and Thornton to Switch Island);
one (A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road) has yet to receive initial, Programme Entry, approval;
one (Sheffield Supertram Additional Vehicles) is being funded through the proposed Tram-Train scheme; and
the future of the Isles of Scilly Link scheme is still under consideration.
As regards the specific schemes listed on which the following information was requested:
(a) what stage of construction the scheme is at
(b) completion date
(c) how much and what proportion of the funding of the local authority major transport schemes has been contributed by (i) local authorities, (ii) private companies and (iii) central Government.
(a) awaiting completion of remaining statutory procedures
(b) completion date dependent on outcome of the recent Judicial Review
(c) ( i) £12.64 million, (ii) £0 million, (iii) £123.569 million
Midland Metro (Birmingham City Centre Extension):
(a) Under construction
(b) services on new line scheduled to start in 2015
(c) (i) £53.2 million, (ii) £0 million, (iii) £75.4 million
Manchester Metro Link Phase 3A:
(a) Rochdale and Chorlton extensions both open.
(b) see above
(c) (i) £330.7 million, (ii) £0 million, (iii) £244.3 million
(a) Phase 1 completed on 28 April 2013
(b) Phase 2 scheduled to be completed in 2015.
(c) (i) £110 million, (ii) £200 million, (iii) £160 million. In addition £128 million is coming from Network Rail
(a) Under construction
(b) Services on the new extensions are due to start in late 2014.
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(c) Scheme being procured as a DBFO PFI scheme. The Government is providing funding up to a maximum present value of £371 m towards the total maximum scheme cost of £570m. There is no private funding.
(a) Under construction
(b) 11 year renewal programme started in 2010
(c) (i) £35 million, (ii) £0 million, (iii) £350 million.
Transport: Young People
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the affordability of transport for people aged 16 to 18 who are (a) apprentices and (b) in full-time education; [156254]
(2) which (a) transport providers and (b) local authorities are currently providing concessionary fares to 16 to 18 year old (i) apprentices and (ii) full-time students. [156255]
Norman Baker: On the national rail network discounted fares for young people are available through the 16-25 Railcard. The card costs £30 for one year or £70 for three years. It saves around one third on a wide range of tickets including all Standard and First Class Advance fares.
The legislation which regulates the bus industry, and which we inherited in 2010, does not require bus operators to offer reduced fares for young people, including those accessing training or further education. However, in many areas reduced fares are available from bus operators or through local authority concessionary fare schemes. The level of discount and age at which it applies varies from one operator to another, creating a confusing patchwork of fares.
In 2011/12, 28 out of 89 Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs) outside London offered concessions to young people. In addition, bus operators in 80 TCA areas offered their own commercial discounts. That notwithstanding, I am working with the bus industry and others to see how the offer to young people might be improved.
Statistics on the provision of youth discounts can be found in National Statistics Table BUS0842 at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/bus08-concessionary-travel
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress he has made on delivering discounted travel to all persons aged 18 years and under. [155722]
Norman Baker: Affordable and accessible transport is important for enabling young people to make progress in education, training and employment. I have challenged the bus industry to improve their offer to young people, and I am pleased that progress is already being made.
Over 90% of the bus industry is now represented on the BUSFORUS web portal, and upcoming developments will bring together fares information with real-time data, providing a significant step-change in the accessibility of travel information aimed at young people.
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By working in partnership local authorities and bus operators hold the key to unlock access to local transport for young people, and I remain committed to working with the industry to improve things further.
Travel
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible claimed reimbursement for travel subsistence expenses in each of the last five years; what the total cost was of such claims; and what the monetary value was of the 20 highest subsistence claims in each such year. [155416]
Norman Baker: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, between 2009-10 and 2012-13, total expenditure on travel and subsistence for the central Department has fallen by 16%.
Work and Pensions
Fraud
17. Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of his Department’s counter-fraud activities. [155875]
Mr Hoban: At a cost of £5.8 billion a year, benefit and tax credit fraud and error is still too high.
This is why we are piloting a Single Fraud Investigation Service to bring together the expertise of fraud agencies across Government.
We have introduced tougher punishments for benefit fraud, including a minimum penalty of £350, and loss of benefit for up to three years for those convicted by the courts.
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether (a) his Department or (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible or any of its agencies and (c) his Department's Executive agencies use (i) Atos and (ii) any other company for the provision of counter-fraud activities and related services. [156472]
Mr Hoban: The Department does not use Atos or any other company to deliver counter-fraud activities on our behalf. We do, however, use two other companies to help us to deliver some fraud-related services. We recently completed a data matching pilot which used information provided by Experian to help us identify potentially fraudulent cases, and we also work with Equifax to obtain financial information to assist departmental fraud investigators in their work.
Since January 2011, central Government Departments have been required to publish on Contracts Finder information on the contracts they award:
www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/
In addition, Departments publish details of spend in excess of £25,000.
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Separated Parents
18. Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to help separated parents work together in the best interests of their children. [155876]
Steve Webb: I have today announced next steps in reforming the child maintenance system in a way that incentivises separated parents to collaborate in the interests of their children.
This is supported by up to £20 million of investment in the Help and Support for Separated Families initiative. So far, we have awarded £6.5 million to seven organisations, to provide 280,000 families with assistance, which we will carefully evaluate.
Personal Independence Payment
20. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the implementation of the personal independence payment to date. [155878]
Esther McVey: Personal independence payment successfully went live in the controlled start area, supported by a brand new IT and delivery system, on 8 April.
This has been one of the biggest, most challenging and significant reforms of the welfare system to date. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those people who have been involved in helping us get to where we are now, including both staff and stakeholders such as user-led organisations.
State Pension
23. Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which groups will benefit from the reforms to the state pension planned for 2016. [155881]
Steve Webb: All pensioners retiring under the single tier will benefit from greater certainty of income in retirement under single tier, providing a firm foundation to support people in saving for retirement.
The single-tier pension will be fairer for women, especially those that have spent time in low-paying jobs or caring for others in the past.
Self-employed people will also be brought fully into the state pension.
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Universal Credit Pathfinder
24. Claire Perry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the introduction of the universal credit pathfinder. [155883]
Mr Hoban: It is too early to make a formal assessment of universal credit yet.
Child Maintenance
Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 7 March 2013, Official Report, column 198W on children: maintenance, what plans he has to ensure that parents with care who benefit from active arrears collection arrangements and who do not have a Child Support Agency (CSA) case with a current liability will continue to receive the child maintenance arrears they are legally owed once their CSA case is closed. [155540]
Steve Webb: It is the intention that parents with care who do not have a current CSA child maintenance liability, but benefit from arrears collection, will continue to have those arrears collected where their case details are transferred to the new child maintenance system.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of Child Support Agency (CSA) assessed cases with a positive liability, excluding maintenance direct cases, have been fully compliant with the payments required to be made under the Child Support Act 1991 in each of the last four quarters; and how many such cases are (a) fully compliant without deductions being made from a paying parent's earnings or benefits and (b) fully compliant where the CSA is making deductions from earnings or benefits. [155950]
Steve Webb: The following table shows over the last four quarters the number of CSA cases where maintenance has been paid in full, split by whether payment is being made by a deduction from earnings or deduction from benefits and the number of cases where the method of collection is not a deduction from earnings or deduction from benefit eg standing order, direct debit.
Figures are based on the method of collection at the end of each quarter.
| Of which: | |||||
| Quarter ending: | Number of cases where maintenance is due (excluding Maintenance Direct cases) | Number of cases paying in full (excluding Maintenance Direct cases) | Percentage of cases paying in full | Number of cases where method of collection is deduction from benefit or deduction from earnings | Number of cases where method of collection is not deduction from benefit or deduction from earnings |
Cases are classed as having maintenance due if an ongoing liability to pay maintenance exists, or if arrears of maintenance exist and payment has been requested.
Method of collection is not available for off system cases, figures have therefore been increased proportionately to account for off system performance so the totals shown are representative of our case load as a whole.
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Conditions of Employment
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in his Department are employed on zero-hours contracts. [156097]
Mr Hoban: I can confirm that there are no people employed by the Department for Work and Pensions on a zero-hour contract.
Fuel Poverty
Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent progress he has made on reducing fuel poverty. [155977]
Gregory Barker: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
This Government are strongly committed to helping households, especially low income and vulnerable households, heat their homes at an affordable cost.
On 16 May 2013, the latest official statistics were published. They show that the number of households in fuel poverty in 2011 was lower than in 2010, as measured under both the 10% indicator and the low income high costs (LIHC) indicator proposed by Professor John Hills in his independent review of fuel poverty. The statistics also reveal an increase in the fuel poverty gap in 2011 compared to 2010. The full statistics are available at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/fuel-poverty-report-annual-report-on-statistics-2013
Housing Benefit
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the potential effects of eviction on the (a) education and (b) emotional stability of children. [154311]
Steve Webb: No such assessment has been made.
The Government do not expect an increase in evictions. In respect of universal credit, the Department published on 11 February 2013 guidance on personal budgeting support for claimants and those who may provide advice to them.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what provision is made in housing benefit regulations to cover the situation in which a household member is absent for part of the year in residence at an educational institution. [155762]
Steve Webb: Details can be found in:
The Housing Benefit Decision Maker's Guide,
Chapter A3, paragraphs 3.370 to 3.372:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/hbgm-a3-liability-to-make-payments.pdf
Chapter A5, paragraph 5.504:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/hbgm-a5-calculating-benefit.pdf
Chapter C1, paragraph 1.140:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/hbgm-c1-aggregation-of-needs.pdf
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New Enterprise Allowance
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress he has made on the introduction of the new enterprise allowance in (a) England and (b) Northamptonshire. [156094]
Mr Hoban: From January 2011 up to and including November 2012 there have been 27,160 starts with a new enterprise allowance (NEA) business mentor and 13,150 starts to the weekly allowance in England. 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
We have not published data at county level but have published data on the number of NEA mentor starts and weekly allowance starts by local authority, Jobcentre Plus district and 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
Note:
The numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.
Social Security Benefits
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the introduction of the benefit cap. [155882]
Mr Hoban: The benefit cap was successfully implemented in four London boroughs on 15 April.
Households are now being capped and support continues to be provided to help claimants adjust their circumstances.
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of sanctions that have been placed on (a) employment and support allowance and (b) jobseeker's allowance claimants as a result of a missed appointment or the claimant failing to follow-up written correspondence. [156408]
Mr Hoban: The information requested on claimants who fail to follow-up on written correspondence is not recorded as a reason for sanction and is therefore not available.
The information requested on the number of sanctions that have been placed on employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants for failure to attend is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
The latest statistics on the number of jobseeker's allowance (JSA) sanction and disallowance referrals, where a decision has been made, by reason for referral, including “Failure to attend advisory interview (post April 2010)” and “Failure to attend place on training scheme/emp prog”, can be found at:
http://83.244.183.180/sanction/sanction/LIVE/dec_fix_dec/q_2gp/dct_gp/a_stock_r_q_2gp_c_dct_gp_oct12.html
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Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received from (a) employment and support allowance and (b) jobseeker's allowance claimants who have not attended meetings relating to their claim or failed to take required actions because they did not receive a letter notifying them of these. [156409]
Mr Hoban: The DWP does not hold a record of the information requested. The information requested on claimants who fail to take required actions due to them not receiving an appropriate letter by the Department is not recorded as a complaint reason and is therefore not available.
Sodium Valproate
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the potential implications for the benefits system of the effects of sodium valproate on (a) the women who took it during their pregnancy and (b) their children. [155920]
Mr Hoban: Although we record the conditions of people claiming disability benefits and other benefits relating to their condition, we do not record the specific causes of their condition ie disability due to mother taking prescribed drugs during pregnancy which caused birth defects.
State Retirement Pensions
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people in receipt of the state pension who contracted out of additional elements are now worse off than they would have been had they not done so. [155832]
Steve Webb: The information is not held and no reliable estimates could be obtained.
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish an updated version of his Department's paper, “State Pension entitlements derived from a current or former spouse's or civil partner's national insurance contributions” to take into account the changed introduction date of the single-tier state pension. [156400]
Steve Webb: The Department has no plans to update this document. This is because the principles and mechanics of this aspect of the single-tier reforms have remained unchanged following the announcement that the single-tier pension will be implemented in 2016. Reference to the implementation date should be understood as ‘April 2016’, and not ‘April 2017 at the earliest’. This is made clear on the Gov.uk website.
The assertion that approximately 8,000 women will benefit from the reduced rate election transitional protection measures would not change substantially with a 2016 start date.
John Woodcock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of women nearing state pension age who will be financially disadvantaged by the introduction of the
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single-tier state pension as a result of an expectation of being able to rely on their husband's contributions to provide entitlement to a basic state pension. [156401]
Steve Webb: Estimates of the impact on women of the ending of derived entitlement to basic state pension based on a partner's national insurance contribution record are presented in section 3.2 of the recent update to the impact assessment of “The single-tier pension: a simple foundation for saving”. This is available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/197841/single-tier-ia-april-2013.pdf
Statistics
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions his Department has been rebuked by the chair of the UK Statistics Authority for misusing statistics since May 2010. [155948]
Mr Hoban: Correspondence between the UK Statistics Authority and the Department for Work and Pensions is published on the authority's website:
http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/reports---correspondence/correspondence
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the letter sent to him from the chair of the UK Statistics Authority, dated 9 May 2013, whether he plans any changes to his Department's procedures in response. [155949]
Mr Hoban: DWPs permanent secretary wrote to the UK Statistics Authority on 14 May 2013, addressing the issues raised in Mr Dilnot's letter of 9 May 2013. This correspondence is available on the Authority's website:
http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/reports---correspondence/correspondence
Unemployment: Young People
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the International Labour Organization report published on 8 May 2013 on the societal implications of the failure to increase work opportunities for young people. [155509]
Mr Hoban: The International Labour Organization (ILO) makes a valuable contribution to sharing information and best practice from around the world and we welcome its report, “Global Employment Trends for Youth 2013”. We will consider the report and will continue to engage with the ILO on employment issues, including at the forthcoming G20 Labour and Employment Ministers meeting.
There are no specific references to the UK in the report; however, the labour market for young people in the UK is showing signs of improvement. The ILO measure of 16-24 unemployment is down 57,000 over the past year, and the number of young people claiming jobseeker’s allowance has fallen for the eleventh consecutive month.
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Universal Credit
Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to recognise the situation of self-employed people and the unpredictable flow of income such people may receive in designing the universal credit system. [155754]
Mr Hoban: Self-employed earnings will be reported on a simplified “cash accounting” basis which asks for the total income from receipts into the business and details of payments out of the business under defined categories. The requirements have been designed to be as simple as possible and to align, where possible, with HMRC's new cash basis and simplified expenses system, in order for claimants to easily report their earnings.
We are aware that self-employed earnings often fluctuate from month to month. We are therefore looking at the feasibility of introducing a mechanism for carrying forward profits and losses in universal credit.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many universal credit staff ambassadors are working with Ashton-under-Lyne Jobcentre Plus to assist with the introduction of universal credit. [155947]
Mr Hoban: The role of the universal credit ambassador is to cascade key messages, help staff at a local level to understand what universal credit means to them and why we need to think and act differently to deliver it successfully, and to promote a new culture where we expect more from our claimants.
We have one universal credit ambassador in Ashton-under-Lyne with this person being part of a wider local support team.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has spent on external consultants for the universal credit project, in addition to spending on the universal credit IT system, since May 2010. [156341]
Mr Hoban: The total cost of the consultants employed on the universal credit programme in each of the last three years is as follows: £5.6 million in 2011-12 and £3.2 million in 2012-13.
There was no consultancy expenditure in 2010-11 recorded against the universal credit programme.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which external consultants have worked on the universal credit project, other than on the universal credit IT system, since May 2010. [156343]
Mr Hoban: The following consultancy firms have worked on the universal credit project:
Bramble Ltd
Capgemini UK plc
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CESG
Compass Management Consulting
Deloitte LLP
Ernst and Young
Emergn Ltd
Evolve Business Consultancy Limited
IBM United Kingdom Ltd
Mckinsey and Company Inc.
Notum Associates Ltd
Xantus Consulting.
Winter Fuel Payments: Northern Ireland
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households are in receipt of winter fuel allowance in each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland. [156256]
Steve Webb: This is a matter for Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive.
Work Programme
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of payments by results in the context of the Work programme; and whether it will continue. [156360]
Mr Hoban: It is too soon to judge the Work programme payment by results model; however, it is already clear that the Work programme is helping people off benefit and into employment. We will be publishing further data on Work programme outcomes on June 27 2013.
The Department remains committed to payment by results and to the Work programme.
Health
Accident and Emergency Departments
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients waited four hours or more in accident and emergency departments in (a) each London hospital trust and (b) all such trusts in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [156480]
Anna Soubry: Officials are currently collating the information requested. I will write to the hon. Member with the information when it is available and place a copy in the Library.
Accident and Emergency Departments: Bassetlaw
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in Bassetlaw constituency have had to wait more than four hours before being treated at an accident and emergency facility in the latest period for which figures are available. [155639]
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Anna Soubry: The information is not held in the format requested. For the week ending 5 May 2013, data published by NHS England shows that 184 patients waited longer than four hours for admission following a decision to admit at the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Note:
Data showing how many patients waited longer than four hours before being treated at an accident and emergency facility is not available at constituency level.
Source:
NHS England statistics, accident and emergency waiting times and activity.
Broadmoor Hospital
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of whether the number of beds proposed under the redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital is consistent with (a) reductions in the length of stay in high secure hospitals over the last 10 years and (b) the Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention programme; [155533]
(2) what steps he is taking to evaluate alternative proposals to the redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital to meet future needs of the High Secure Service. [155534]
Norman Lamb: National health service commissioners undertook a capacity review in 2009. Since then the Offender Personality Disorder Strategy has been implemented, reconfiguring services so that increased numbers of high harm offenders with personality disorder are treated within the prison system.
This year NHS England is required by The High Security Psychiatric Services (National Health Service Commissioning Board) Directions 2013 to undertake an assessment of the needs of the people of England for high secure psychiatric services and the availability of services to meet those needs.
The Capacity Review undertaken in 2009 considered a number of factors including length of stay. The National High Secure Services Strategic Commissioning Plan (2010 to 2015) set out how high secure services, including the proposed redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital, would contribute to the NHS Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention programme by improving quality and achieving sustainable efficiency.
NHS England has responsibility for arranging the provision of high security psychiatric services in England. It will evaluate alternative proposals to meet future needs as part of that responsibility.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the reasons are for the length of time taken to develop the business case for the redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital; [155535]
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(2) on what date the process to develop a business case for the redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital began; [155902]
(3) what assessment he has made of the business case for the redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital. [155903]
(4) what the reasons are for the length of time it has taken to develop a business case for the redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital. [156345]
Norman Lamb: The redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital has followed the Department’s process for the development and approval of major capital build schemes of this size and complexity to ensure it demonstrates affordability and has commissioner support in order to deliver care in a modern, safe and secure environment for patients and staff.
West London Mental Health National Health Service Trust began work developing the strategic outline case for the redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital in 2004.
The strategic outline case was approved by London strategic health authority in November 2005.
While the trust was developing the business case, work was undertaken to agree the size of high secure hospital sector and commissioned bed numbers, and to confirm service requirements at Broadmoor.
As a result, the trust submitted the outline business case (OBC) to the Department in 2010. Due to a number of site-specific issues around ecology and the listed buildings, the trust was required to apply for full planning permission before OBC approval could be given. This required the trust to undertake further detailed work, which resulted in full planning permission being given in March 2012. Following this, the OBC was approved by the Department and HM Treasury in June 2012.
The full business case for the £286 million redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital was approved by NHS London strategic health authority in January 2013 and is currently being reviewed by the Department to assess the scheme’s affordability to the trust, and it will need approval by HM Treasury before a final approval decision can be made. The Department would expect to be able to make an approval decision shortly.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of whether the number of beds proposed under the redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital is consistent with (a) reductions in lengths of stay in high secure hospitals over the last 10 years and (b) the Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention Agenda. [156346]
Anna Soubry:
National health service commissioners undertook a capacity review of the high secure estate, Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton hospitals, in 2009.
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Since then the Offender Personality Disorder Strategy has been implemented, reconfiguring services so that increased numbers of high harm offenders with personality disorder are treated within the prison system.
This year NHS England is required by the High Security Psychiatric Services (National Health Service Commissioning Board) Directions 2013 to undertake an assessment of the needs of the people of England for high secure psychiatric services and the availability of services to meet those needs.
The capacity review considered a number of factors including length of stay. The National High Secure Services Strategic Commissioning Plan (2010-15), published in 2011, set out how high secure services, including the proposed redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital, would contribute to the NHS Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) programme by improving quality and achieving sustainable efficiency.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to evaluate alternative proposals to the redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital to meet the need for a highly secure service. [156347]
Anna Soubry: NHS England has responsibility for arranging the provision of high security psychiatric services in England. It will evaluate alternative ways to meet future needs as part of that responsibility.
Cancer
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people accessing specialised cancer services have a positive experience of care. [155400]
Anna Soubry: The mandate requires NHS England to deliver continued improvements in relation to patients' experience of care, including specialised cancer care.
The national report and 160 trust level reports from the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2011-12, published in August 2012, continue to support both commissioners and providers to drive and inform local service improvement. The trust level reports provide benchmarked data both nationally and between teams. This supports providers to identify priority improvement areas and enables clinical commissioning groups to better commission high quality cancer services for local populations.
Work on the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2012-13 is currently under way. It is anticipated that national and trust level reports will be published in summer 2013.
More generally, NHS Improving Quality (NHS IQ), the new NHS Improvement body, has made
“ensuring that experience of care is central to commissioning and care delivery”
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one of its 10 key work programmes for 2013-14. NHS IQ will be working on the design and testing of an improvement framework for engaging, involving and improving experience of care; a capability building programme for commissioners and providers; and specific interventions to improve experience, such as the NHS Friends and Family Test, where, since April 2013, patients are being asked whether they would recommend hospital wards and accident and emergency departments to their friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment.
Clinical Commissioning Groups
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether financial incentives will be attached to the Clinical Commissioning Group Outcome Indicator Set to reward the high quality commissioning of services. [155529]
Anna Soubry: The Quality Premium will be paid to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in 2014-15 (to reflect the quality of the services commissioned by them in 2013-14) and will be based on four national measures and the three local measures (that are agreed between CCGs and their local Health and Wellbeing Board).
The four national measures are based on indicators in the NHS Outcomes Framework, which are also included in the CCG Outcomes Indicator set. CCGs, should they wish, may also choose to select their three local quality premium measures from the Outcomes Indicator set. For each of these measures (national and local) where the identified quality threshold is achieved the CCG will be eligible for the indicated percentage of the overall funding.
However, the primary purpose of the CCG Outcomes Indicator Set is to provide CCGs and Health and Wellbeing Boards with clear comparative information about the quality of health services commissioned, and as far as possible the associated health outcomes.
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he will incentivise clinical commissioning groups to work in collaboration with cancer strategic clinical networks. [155530]
Anna Soubry: Strategic clinical networks (SCNs), including cancer SCNs, hosted and funded by NHS England, will help local commissioners of national health service care to reduce unwarranted variation in services and encourage innovation.
Active involvement and engagement in the SCNs by NHS commissioners will not be mandated; however, it is expected that commissioners will want to actively engage in SCNs to enable them to provide assurance that they are fulfilling their core purpose of quality improvement. Where commissioners are not actively engaged and as a consequence are not achieving the improvements required, there will be an opportunity for the SCN support team to raise concerns through its responsible area team medical director.
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By clinical commissioning groups and SCNs working together across all domains of the NHS Outcomes Framework, and using evidence-based improvement tools, it is expected that we will continue to see improvements in cancer care and outcomes.
Clothing
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible have made a claim for evening dress allowance in each of the last five years; and what the total cost of such claims has been. [155450]
Dr Poulter: The Department's travel and expenses policy does not explicitly cover claims for evening dress allowances. Consequently, the Department does not hold records of claims made for evening dress allowances.
The six non-departmental public bodies that were in existence at 31 March 2013 have informed us that no official has made a claim for evening dress allowance in each of the last five financial, years.
Defibrillators
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission research on the effectiveness of investment made in the availability of defibrillators in (a) Vancouver, (b) Stavanger and (c) other cities and states that have invested heavily in defibrillators in order to assess the case for greater investment in defibrillators in England. [155647]
Anna Soubry: The Department has no plans to commission research on the effectiveness of investment made in the availability of defibrillators in (a) Vancouver, (b) Stavanger and (c) other cities and states that have invested heavily in defibrillators in order to assess the case for greater investment in defibrillators in England.
More generally, ambulance trusts have had responsibility for sustaining the legacy of the National Defibrillator Programme since February 2007. They are best placed to understand the requirements for their local populations.
As set out in the Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Strategy, NHS England will work with the Resuscitation Council, the British Heart Foundation and others to promote the site mapping and registration of defibrillators and to look at ways of increasing the numbers trained in using defibrillators.
Dental Services
Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that those needing NHS dentistry do not resort to home remedies. [156106]
Dr Poulter: There should be no need for anyone to resort to home remedies for dental problems rather than seeking national health service care. NHS England has a legal duty to commission dental services to meet local need. Anyone seeking urgent care who cannot find an NHS dentist should contact the relevant NHS local area team. The new NHS 111 service is also able to signpost patients to urgent dental services.
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As well as ensuring those who need it can get urgent care, the Government are committed to ensuring those who seek it can access regular dental care. More than 29.8 million people were seen by an NHS dentist in the 24 month period ending 31 March 2013. Over a million and a quarter more people have been seen by an NHS dentist since May 2010, and the latest information published on 16 May 2013 shows a further rise. The Government are committed to increasing access to NHS dentistry and recently invested an additional £30 million of in-year funding in order to achieve this.
Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the NHS of treating patients who have complications arising from dentistry home remedies. [156107]
Dr Poulter: The Department does not hold this information.
Dermatology
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer to Baroness Masham of Ilton of 10 April 2013, Official Report, House of Lords, column 291W, if he will request NHS England to designate a named individual in the Medical Directorate to have a specific remit for dermatology. [155526]
Norman Lamb: We understand from NHS England that there are no plans to introduce a national clinical director for dermatology. However, we are informed that they are continuing to discuss with the British Association for Dermatology the best ways to improve outcomes for patients with skin conditions.
As stated in the response to Baroness Masham of Ilton on 10 April 2013, NHS England is accountable for improving outcomes for patients across all five domains outlined in the NHS Outcomes Framework. The Mandate for NHS England sets out the improvements in health and health care outcomes that the national health service is expected to deliver. It is for NHS England to decide how they achieve the objectives set out in the Mandate.
Diabetes
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to clinical commissioning groups for diabetes screening for GPs. [155376]
Anna Soubry: The Department has not issued any guidance to clinical commissioning groups on diabetes screening for general practitioners. However, diabetes is included in the “Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Strategy”, which reiterates our commitment to the NHS Health Check programme.
Local authorities have been delivering the NHS Health Check programme since April 2013, and NHS England has an objective in the mandate to work with Public Health England to support local government in this work.
The NHS Health Check is aimed at everyone aged between 40 and 74 years of age and assesses an individual's risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease and supports them to reduce their risk through individually
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tailored advice. Preventing diabetes is a key element of the programme and a systematic way of tackling diabetes prevention is one of its key drivers.
The programme has a strong evidence base and could prevent 4,000 people a year from developing type 2 diabetes and detect at least 20,000 cases of diabetes or kidney disease earlier, allowing for the better management of a patient's condition and quality of life in the long-term.
The NHS Health Check programme is a clear priority for both NHS England and NHS Improving Quality, whose role it is to drive the implementation of the NHS Operating Framework through effective improvement programmes.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue quality and outcome framework targets to GPs for diabetes screening. [155377]
Anna Soubry: The national Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) is a voluntary incentive scheme that provides additional reward to general practitioner (GP) practices for how well they care for patients based on performance against a number of agreed indicators.
Since 2004, GPs have been paid incentives for providing the nine basic checks on people with diabetes. Performance and patient care has improved considerably as a result of this.
The latest list of indicators is available here:
http://www.nhsemployers.org/Aboutus/Publications/Documents/gof-2013-14.pdf
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to his Department of rebranding NHS Diabetes to NHS Improving Quality. [155379]
Anna Soubry: NHS Diabetes was a time-limited programme which closed in March 2013 as planned.
NHS Improving Quality is a new joint venture between NHS England and the Department and is hosted by NHS England. NHS Improving Quality brings together the legacy work of several improvement teams of which NHS Diabetes was one.
NHS England advises that no NHS Diabetes work or materials have been rebranded and existing materials will be used with the old branding until stock runs out. NHS England also advises that new branding has been developed for NHS Improving Quality and that this work was carried out in-house with an estimated development cost of £235.
Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on the treatment of diabetes in (a) Hounslow, (b) London and (c) England in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2012-13. [156411]
Anna Soubry: Programme budgeting data provide an estimate of national health service expenditure on diabetes. The programme budgeting data collection requires primary care trusts (PCTs) to analyse their expenditure by specific health care conditions. Diabetes is treated within the programme budgeting framework as a sub-category within the main category ‘Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Problems’.
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The programme budgeting data collection is complex, therefore when considering the information relating to the treatment of diabetes it is important to note that figures are best estimates rather than precise measurements. Due to the following complexities, not all expenditure on the treatment of diabetes will have been captured in the diabetes category:
Some primary care activity cannot be reasonably estimated at disease specific level so primary care expenditure is separately identified as a sub-category of 'other' expenditure, programme category 23A. Therefore, the diabetes expenditure total will not include all expenditure relating to diabetes in primary care.
Expenditure is allocated to programme budgeting categories, based on the primary health care condition of the patient. Therefore, the diabetes expenditure total will not include expenditure on patients with diabetes who have other conditions which were identified as the primary reason for treatment.
When it is not possible to reasonably estimate a programme budget category, expenditure is classified as 'Other—Miscellaneous', so some expenditure on patients with diabetes may be included in the 'Other—Miscellaneous' sub-category. The allocation of expenditure to programme budgeting sub-categories is not always straight forward, and some expenditure on patients with diabetes may be included within the 'Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Problems—Other' sub-category.
The following table includes estimated expenditure on diabetes for Hounslow, London and England for the years 2009-10 to 2011-12. Programme budgeting data for 2012-13 has not yet been collected.
Programme budgeting data cannot be used to analyse changes in investment in specific service areas between years. In order to improve the quality of the data, the calculation methodology is continually refined, as are the underlying data sources which support programme budgeting.
| Estimated expenditure on diabetes | |||
| £000 | |||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | |
| (1) Figures for Hounslow are based on the Hounslow PCT return. (2 )Figures for London are based the total estimated expenditure of all PCTs within NHS London Strategic Health Authority for this sub-category. (3) Figures for England are based on the aggregate of all PCT estimated expenditure for this sub-category. Source: Annual PCT programme budgeting returns. | |||
Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of (a) men and (b) women who have been diagnosed with diabetes in (i) Hounslow, (ii) London and (iii) England. [156414]
Anna Soubry: The Department does not hold the information as requested.
We are able to provide the number of diabetes patients by gender registered in Hounslow Primary Care Trust (PCT), in London Strategic Health Authority (SHA), and nationally, according to the 2011-12 National Diabetes Audit (NDA).
The following table details registrations by gender for patients with all types of diabetes from the 2010-11 audit period.
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| Number | |||
| Men | Women | Total (including unknown sex) | |
The NDA records diabetes registrations in primary and secondary care but participation is not mandatory.
The NDA 2010-11 comprised data from 6,774 of the more than 8,150 general practitioner practices in England.
Eating Disorders: Young People
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to promote positive body image amongst young people. [156123]
Norman Lamb: We recognise that poor body image is a common problem not only for young people but, according to the findings of the all-party group on body image, more than half of the population. It is a factor in eating disorders and other mental health problems.
Half of all people with lifelong mental health problems, not including dementia, develop them by the time they are fourteen, and early intervention is necessary to prevent the mental health problems of young people from becoming lifelong problems. That is why the Department is funding the Children and Young People's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies project, which is transforming Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services providing training for staff in National Institute for Health and Care Excellence approved best evidence-based therapies and embedding intensive, session by session outcome monitoring to make sure children and young people have improved access to the best possible psychological therapies in a way they find acceptable and relevant.
In year one, 2011-12, the therapies offered were cognitive behavioural therapy and parenting programmes for three to 10-year-olds. In 2012-13 two further therapies were added, systemic family therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy. Together these will help support children, young people and their families and address some of the major mental health problems of adolescence, including eating disorders.
We are also developing a suite of interactive e-learning programmes to extend the skills and knowledge of all staff working with children and young people, including health professionals, teachers, social workers and others to help them understand and recognise emotional and mental health problems and offer early and effective interventions. These interventions in support of children's mental health will, of course, help support the valuable work of the Body Image Campaign led by the Government Equalities Office and the Department of Culture Media and Sport.