Communities and Local Government
Empty Property: Retail Trade
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he has taken to prevent landlords from leaving retail units vacant. [161818]
Brandon Lewis: A property may be empty on account of various issues, not least lack of interest from a suitable tenant. Punitive measures to force landlords to lease their properties would not be effective in creating a sustainable high street and would risk interfering with fundamental private property rights.
Government are introducing planning reforms which will encourage the effective use of underused and empty buildings. The new regulations which came in to force on 30 May enable the freer movement of use across town centre properties lifting many restrictions on the type of business which can use a property. This will make it easier for businesses to access property.
The reforms also allow offices to change use to housing without the need for a planning application. Last year we increased the permitted development for flats created above shops. Together these reforms provide a substantial opportunity to bring more life into town centres and increase footfall.
1 July 2013 : Column 412W
Empty property rate relief is time-limited so ultimately does deter landlords from leaving units vacant, though note that this applies to England only and separate arrangements may be in place in the devolved Administrations.
Energy Performance Certificates
Mr Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) if he will estimate the level of non-compliance with the requirement to (a) commission an energy performance certificate (EPC) for domestic properties listed for sale, taking into account the additional EPCs which would be expected to have been commissioned for the 30 per cent of listings which do not proceed to sale, (b) commission an EPC on domestic rental properties and (c) display a current Display Energy Certificate in public buildings of over 500 square metres; and what steps he plans to take to improve such compliance; [162086]
(2) what information his Department holds on how many fixed penalty notices have been issued by trading standards officers in respect of breaches of the Energy Performance and Buildings Directive regulations in the last 12 months. [162087]
Mr Foster: Enforcement of the regulations is the responsibility of local authority trading standards. We do not collate the information requested. More broadly, we are seeking to reduce the burden of data reporting requirements on local government rather than increase it.
We have issued and updated clear guidance on the requirements of the regulations.
Enterprise Zones
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how many jobs have been (a) created and (b) safeguarded in each of the 24 enterprise zones since May 2010; [162156]
(2) how many business tenants are in place in each of the 24 enterprise zones. [162157]
Mr Prisk: Enterprise zones have created over 3,000 jobs since going live in April 2012. They have also generated 105,000 square metres on new commercial floorspace and secured almost £229 million of extra private sector investment.
Enterprise zone policy is aimed at unlocking development on new sites to create jobs and business growth. We therefore do not monitor jobs safeguarded.
We are aware of 126 new businesses being attracted to Enterprise zones since April 2012.
Families: Disadvantaged
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the cost of expanding the troubled families project. [162022]
Brandon Lewis:
On Monday 24 June, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the right hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander), and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), announced
1 July 2013 : Column 413W
£200 million of funding for 2015-16 for the expansion of the troubled families programme. This is intended to be the first of five years of investment. This information is outlined here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/massive-expansion-of-troubled-families-programme-announced
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how his Department will fund the proposed expansion of the troubled families project. [162023]
Brandon Lewis: On Monday 24 June, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, announced £200 million of funding for 2015-16 for the expansion of the Troubled families programme. This is intended to be the first of five years of investment. This funding was drawn from the budgets of six Departments. Those Departments who stand to benefit the most from this approach have agreed to contribute to it.
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total budget of the troubled families programme will be in 2015-16; how many families he expects to be helped by the programme in that year; and how many such families he expects to be entering the programme for the first time that year. [162191]
Brandon Lewis: On 24 June, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced £200 million of funding for 2015-16 for the expansion of the troubled families programme. This is intended to be the first of five years of investment.
The detail of the delivery model, including the precise number of families to be helped in that year, will be developed in collaboration with local authorities and their partners over the coming year. Further details will be announced following this process.
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average expenditure on a troubled family under the current programme has been to date; and what he expects the average expenditure on a troubled family to be under the new programme starting in 2015-16. [162299]
Brandon Lewis: Under both the current troubled families programme' and the expanded programme from 2015-16, the average expenditure on a troubled family will vary according to the types of interventions used by local authorities and the complexity of the families' needs. DCLG does not hold this information centrally.
For the current troubled families programme, we expect further information on this issue to be gathered through our evaluation. Further information on this is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/study-to-assess-impact-of-troubled-families-work
Further detail on the expanded programme is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/massive-expansion-of-troubled-families-programme-announced
1 July 2013 : Column 414W
Fire Extinguishers
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate the Government made of the cost to the public purse of introducing fire sprinklers into new domestic properties in (a) 2002 and (b) 2013. [160730]
Mr Foster: The Government made no estimate of the cost to the public purse of introducing fire sprinklers into new domestic properties in (a) 2002 and (b) 2013.
The Department did commission a cost-benefit study to look at the provision of sprinklers in residential buildings; the final report was published in 2005. This concluded that sprinklers are not cost effective for most dwellings.
In 2008, further research was commissioned to consider the cost benefit case for installing sprinklers in the planned new homes in the Thames Gateway area compared to the costs of building and running new fire stations.
The research findings were consistent with the previous 2005 study, and concluded that the value of the benefits of installing sprinklers would fall far short of the costs.
New regulation on housing needs to be balanced and proportionate. Making sprinklers compulsory in all new homes would add an estimated £2,000 to £3,000 to the regulatory cost of a new-build home, meaning fewer new homes, making home ownership less accessible especially for first-time buyers, and potentially pushing up rents in the private rented sector.
Smoke alarms, which have been shown to be very effective in saving lives and reducing injuries, are required in all new homes. We also strongly recommend that people should fit alarms in older homes and check them regularly.
Fracking: Planning Permission
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to his Statement of 6 June 2013, Official Report, column 113WS, on Onshore Wind (Local Planning), whether the provisions on greater community consultation and new planning practice guidance will apply to the installation of fracking rigs. [161071]
Nick Boles: We have recently made clear our intention to require compulsory pre-application consultation for more significant onshore wind development. We are keeping under review the case for using the powers introduced by the Localism Act for other types of development, and encourage pre-application consultation with local communities for all onshore oil and gas developments.
Furthermore, the Department for Energy and Climate Change will publish before the summer proposals on the role community benefits might play in future shale gas development.
At this stage the Government are keen to enable industry to carry out exploratory drilling to determine whether it is economically feasible to extract shale gas on a commercial basis.
1 July 2013 : Column 415W
Housing Improvement
Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 15 May 2013, Official Report, columns 286-7W, on housing improvement, (1) when he expects discussions with the Local Government Association on the effect of the neighbours' consultation scheme to conclude; [162257]
(2) if he will publish the conclusions of his discussions with the Local Government Association on the impact of the neighbours' consultation scheme. [162334]
Nick Boles: As set out in the “Extending Permitted Development Rights for Homeowners and Businesses Impact Assessment”, published on 9 May 2013, the Department has held discussions with the Local Government Association and shared its assessment of the overall impact of the neighbours' consultation scheme on local authorities. There is an open invitation to the Local Government Association to discuss our approach should operational experience suggest a need to revise the assumptions made.
Housing: Disability
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will introduce a national wheelchair-accessible housing register. [161876]
Mr Prisk: The Government recognise the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities are able to access suitable accommodation which meets their needs.
Accessible housing registers can be useful and we are aware that some councils and social landlords have incorporated such an approach within their lettings scheme. We have no plans to introduce a national register.
The Government believe it is more important that people who require accessible housing are given the right level of priority under a council's housing allocation scheme, and that councils and social landlords are able to make the best use of affordable housing in their area, including accommodation which is accessible or has been adapted.
That is why through the Localism Act we have retained the statutory reasonable preference requirements which ensure that priority for social housing is given to those who need to move on medical and welfare grounds (including grounds relating to a disability). We have also made sure that council and housing association landlords have the flexibility to use their social housing stock in a way which best meets the needs of individual households and their local area.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many wheelchair-accessible properties have been built in the UK in each of the last five years. [161877]
Mr Prisk: DCLG does not collect information on the number of wheelchair-accessible properties built each year.
1 July 2013 : Column 416W
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many wheelchair-accessible properties there are in the UK. [161882]
Mr Prisk: According to DCLG's English Housing Survey, in 2010, there were an estimated 1.1 million wheelchair-accessible homes in England. This equates to around 5% of the English housing stock. These homes were assessed against four basic provisions included in part M of the Building Regulations, ie level access, a flush threshold, a sufficiently wide door and circulation space to move around, and use of a WC on the ground or entry floor.
Local Plans
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will bring forward legislative proposals to include the outcome of parish polls in lists of those matters that can be considered valid objections to a local authority's draft local plan. [162062]
Brandon Lewis: There are no plans to amend legislation on this issue. Parish councils and local communities have the opportunity to put forward their views as part of the consultation process into the development of the local plan.
At examination local planning authorities have to show how they have taken account of representations made during the development of the draft plan. Any representations are considered by the inspector during the examination.
More broadly, the content of local plans is ultimately a matter for elected local councillors on the local planning authority. Councillors will rightly want to consider prevailing public opinion, as they are accountable to the public via the ballot box.
Markets
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what progress he has made following the Portas Review to make it easier for people to become market traders by removing unnecessary regulations; [161719]
(2) what progress he has made following the Portas Review to establish a new National Market Day. [161720]
Mr Prisk: The Government have been working closely with the retail markets industry to help deliver a revival in local markets in England since publication of its response to the Portas review. A National Market Day was held on 15 June 2012, but the retail markets industry concluded that a fortnight would be better than a day. So last summer, the national market day was part of two weeks of markets under the banner of “Love Your Local Market”, where new traders could take the first step on the entrepreneurial ladder with subsidised or free tables and support from market operators. 400 markets were held and 2,200 new traders took part in 2012. This has been repeated in May this year, when 700 places ran 3,500 markets. Government have supported the National Association of British Market Authorities with a grant of £25,000 to run this year's campaign.
1 July 2013 : Column 417W
The Government issued a consultation on draft regulations to make it easier for street traders to set up and conduct legitimate business on the streets. The consultation period has now ended and a Government response will be published in the summer.
The Department for Communities and Local Government also supports the Working Group on Retail Markets. It has endorsed a number of measures to make it easier for people to become market traders: by creating new markets through the "Love Your Local Market" campaign; encouraging market operators to become more relaxed in pursuing market rights policies; and supporting a range of local initiatives introduced by market operators and the National Market Traders' Federation through "First Pitch" and market apprenticeship schemes. The Working Group has also given detailed consideration to introducing a more flexible markets arrangement in London by utilising the Food Act 1984 instead of the existing London legislation.
Non-domestic Rates
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) if he will estimate the cost to (a) local authorities and (b) the Exchequer of exempting childcare providers from business rates; [161032]
(2) what estimate he has made of the average annual business rates charge on properties used for the provision of childcare in each local authority. [161033]
Brandon Lewis: This cost cannot be calculated because we do not hold information on business rates yield specifically from child care providers.
We have doubled small business rate relief until April 2014 and estimate that approximately half a million businesses in England are benefiting, with approximately a third of a million businesses paying no rates at all. We have made it easier for small firms to claim the small business rate relief to which they are entitled. We have also given authorities powers to provide their own business rates discounts which they can use as they see fit. Where they do so, central Government meet 50% of the costs.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the recommendations of the Portas Review, what consideration he has given to a review on the basis on which business rates are calculated from RPI to CPI. [161870]
Brandon Lewis: The Government have committed to review the current use of RPI for business rates indexation once its fiscal consolidation plans have been implemented. Business rates in Wales are a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government.
Retail Trade: Urban Areas
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress has been made since the publication of the independent review into the future of the high street following the Portas Review to shift town teams' focus on to making high streets accessible, attractive and safe. [162246]
1 July 2013 : Column 418W
Mr Prisk: The Government agree with the importance of safe and accessible high streets and are committed to giving councils and their partners the powers and support to do this. For example, councils can introduce a late night levy for places selling alcohol after midnight to cover the cost of late night policing. The Government are actively promoting good town centre design and have published a guide to developing urban spaces to revitalise high streets.
The Department for Transport is giving £1.8 billion to local authorities to improve transport infrastructure, including roads, pathways and cycle routes, with a further £560 million for sustainable transport and £15 million for cycle routes and facilities.
The Association of Town and City Management is leading a £1 million two-year programme of work funded by DCLG to support and develop high streets and town centres, providing support on business planning, offering advice and developing “how to” guides. The programme is designed to develop high streets fit for the 21st century, and will look at how communities can plan to meet their changing needs.
Portas pilots containing elements that are addressing this recommendation are Wolverhampton, Stockport, Nelson, Liskeard, Bedminster, Dartford, Market Rasen, Brighton London Road, Tiverton, Morecambe Town, Margate and Liverpool.
Termination of Employment
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many compromise agreements were agreed with staff leaving his Department in the last 12 months; how many such agreements contained confidentiality clauses; and what the value of severance and pension payments associated with these agreements was. [162342]
Brandon Lewis: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Harrow West (Mr Thomas) on 25 June 2013, Official Report, column 193W.
Urban Areas: Parking
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress he has made following the Portas review to encourage local areas to implement free controlled parking schemes for their town centres and a parking league table. [161822]
Mr Prisk: Government have changed planning rules on parking. We have removed the previous Government's approach to setting parking fees to discourage car use and provide “maximum” parking levels. We have issued guidance that encourages councils to attract shoppers by setting competitive parking charges, and to improve the quality of parking in town centres so that it is convenient safe and secure.
A number of the Portas Pilots have addressed parking issues over the last year. Braintree has introduced parking charges of 10p after 3 pm and all day on Sunday. More than 44,000 extra cars took advantage of this over the course of the year, representing a significant increase in footfall in the late afternoons.
1 July 2013 : Column 419W
We encourage all local authorities to be transparent and publish parking charges. We have consulted on whether or not parking information, including the number of spaces available and revenue from parking charges and fines, should be included as a dataset for publication in the Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency. We will publish our response by summer. We are considering what further steps can be taken to ensure that parking policies and practices support local high streets.
Urban Areas: Regeneration
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans the Prime Minister has to meet Mary Portas on the issue of regenerating high streets. [161285]
Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply as the Minister with responsibility for high streets and town centres.
In May 2011, the Government asked Mary Portas to undertake an independent review into the future of the high street. Mary Portas presented her findings to Government in December 2011. The Government issued their formal response to the Portas review in March 2012 and have since been taking action to support the high street. Mary Portas has continued to take an interest in and has generously given her time to support a number of the Portas pilots that were set up in response to her review. I wrote to Mary Portas last month to update her on progress on high streets issues. I have placed a copy of the letter in the Library.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the Portas review on the future of high streets, published in December 2011, what progress has been made on enabling successful business improvement districts (BIDs) to take on more powers and responsibilities and become Super BIDs. [161624]
Mr Prisk: We have engaged with business improvement district partners and interested groups to discuss the concept of Super BIDs. Many of these are already taking on additional roles reflecting the local issues they face and it was felt there would be little value in meeting national criteria to be a Super BID. However there was strong support for providing help to those who wish to take on more responsibilities in their local areas. We will shortly be implementing new regulations to allow business improvement districts in England to operate across more than one local authority area, consulting on a new model led by property owners, and seeking tenders to operate a £500,000 recyclable loan fund to help proposed new business improvement districts with their start up costs. Business improvement districts policy in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government.
Energy and Climate Change
Electricity Generation
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 3 June 2013, Official Report, column 819W, on electricity generation, if he will set out his modelling of spending on Renewables Obligation and Contracts for Difference for each year from 2015. [161008]
1 July 2013 : Column 420W
Michael Fallon: This Government have set out the Levy Control Framework total maximum spend profile to 2020-21.
Actual spending is subject to a great deal of uncertainty as it depends on how technology costs evolve, as well as future gas prices and wholesale electricity prices to 2020-21.
We will publish modelling of forecast spending on Renewables Obligation and Contracts for Difference in a number of scenarios as part of the draft Electricity Market Reform (EMR) Delivery Plan in July 2013.
Energy
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of people who will switch energy supplier in (a) 2013, (b) 2014 and (c) 2015. [162264]
Michael Fallon: A number of DECC's policies, including the establishment of a new Big Energy Saving Network, are geared towards increasing consumer engagement in the energy market as well as helping households keep their energy bills down. We do not project the impact of these policies on switching levels.
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to his Department's quarterly domestic energy switching statistics, what assessment he has made of the factors that encourage consumers to switch energy supplier. [162265]
Michael Fallon: Consumers switch energy supplier for several reasons, but by far the biggest is moving to a cheaper tariff to save money on their energy bills (Ofgem Customer Engagement with the Energy market—tracking survey 2013). Other, reasons include switching energy supplier because they are unhappy with their current supplier, choosing a tariff that may not be available with their current supplier for example one that provided energy from renewable sources, or a fixed rate tariff to protect from future price rises.
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the reasons for changes in the overall numbers of people switching energy supplier since 2008. [162266]
Michael Fallon: The following table shows the total number of switches that took place between 2008 to 2012 (possible, that consumers may have switched more than once in a year). The decision by the big six energy suppliers during 2011 and 2012 to end doorstep selling is likely to have been a factor in the decline.
| Electricity | Gas | |
John Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many payments have been made by his Department to any energy supplier of
1 July 2013 : Column 421W
(a)
less than £250,
(b)
£251 to £500,
(c)
£501 to £1,000,
(d)
£1,001 to £5,000 and
(e)
over £5,000 in each of the last five years. [162270]
Michael Fallon: The Department of Energy and Climate Change publishes payments data in accordance with the Transparency Agenda requirements. Details of the Department's transactions over £500 since April 2010 are published and can be found using the following link.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/departmental-spend-over-500-april-2013
For transactions before April 2010 and for transactions below £500, all of the details the hon. Member has requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Energy Companies Obligation
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward legislative proposals to cap the total costs of the Energy Company Obligation should those costs increase above the figure forecast in his Department's impact assessment. [161909]
Gregory Barker: The Department does not have the legislative powers to establish a buy-out or cost cap for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO); nor does the Department have plans to implement one at present. However, we will be closely monitoring the costs associated with delivery. Based on the prices of lots traded on the ECO brokerage platform to date, initial estimates indicate that ECO is broadly on track to be delivered at around the estimated costs in last year's final impact assessment.
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with (a) British Gas, (b) SSE, (c) Scottish Power, (d) First Utility, (e) EDF and (f) E.On on the costs of delivery the Energy Company Obligation; and if he will make a statement. [161910]
Gregory Barker: The Department has had close engagement with obligated suppliers regarding their Energy Company Obligation (ECO) obligations and the costs of their delivery and we are committed to the ongoing monitoring of the actual costs of ECO. Based on the prices of lots traded on the ECO brokerage platform to date, initial estimates indicate that ECO is broadly on track to be delivered at around the estimated costs in last year's final impact assessment.
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will publish a review of the operation of the first six months of the Energy Company Obligation to ensure that the costs of that programme are not exceeding the figure forecast in his Department's impact assessment. [161911]
Gregory Barker: DECC has a legal obligation to publish a progress report on the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO). Through the ECO Order we are now able to gather appropriate information on delivery costs from energy suppliers to enable us to monitor and analyse the costs of delivering ECO in a way that was not possible under previous schemes.
1 July 2013 : Column 422W
Fuel Poverty
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2013, Official Report, columns 622-23W, on fuel poverty, what the monetary value of expenditure on (a) Warm Front, (b) the super priority group of the carbon emissions reduction target, (c) the community energy saving programme and (d) the voluntary agreement to support vulnerable and fuel poor households was in (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10, (iii) 2010-11, (iv) 2011-12 and (v) 2012-13. [162000]
Gregory Barker: The answer given on 18 June 2013, Official Report, columns 622-23W, uses a combination of actual reported figures on the resources available where they exist and estimated monetary values of resources available where they do not. In the year 2008-09 to 2012-13, available resources for (a) Warm Front and (d) the Voluntary Agreement is shown in the following table.
| £ million | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| (1) The figures listed here are the target levels of expenditure required under the Voluntary Agreement and Warm Home Discount scheme. The Voluntary Agreement expired in March 2011 and was replaced by the Warm Home Discount. | |||||
The carbon emissions reduction target (CERT) and community energy saving programme (CESP) were legal obligations on the larger energy companies. Energy companies were not required to report cost information, and we do not hold information about actual delivery costs. However, the final evaluation of both schemes will be published later in 2013 and we intend that this will, to the extent possible, include an assessment of overall delivery costs.
Broad interim estimates were made of the available support to (b) those eligible for the super priority group (SPG) of the CERT scheme, and (c) CESP eligible households, based on published estimates from the CERT impact assessments(1) and CESP impact assessment(2). These are not reported expenditure levels by obligated suppliers under these schemes, but based on broad estimates made at the start of the schemes, reflecting only the approximate level of resources expected to be available to households at risk of fuel poverty. The estimated resources available for the requested years are shown in the following table.
(1) (i) Original CERT impact assessment:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/48491/121-iacertextension.pdf
(ii) CERT uplift impact assessment:
1 July 2013 : Column 423W
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121217150421/http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/consultations/carbon%20emissions%20reduction%20target/1_20090630122512_e_@@_certimpactassessment.pdf
and
(iii) CERT extension impact assessment
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/42587/899-ia-cert-role-appliances-consumer-electroni.pdf
(2) CESP impact assessment:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100404202125/http://man270109a.decc.gov.uk/Media/viewfile.ashx?FilePath=Consultations/CESP/1_20090710121840_e_@@_CESPIA.pdf&filetype=4
| £ million | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| (1) No estimate available. (2) The answer relates to immediately prior to and over the current spending review period, therefore no estimate for 2008-09 has been made. | |||||
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2013, Official Report, columns 622-3W, on fuel poverty, what estimate his Department has made of the likely monetary value of expenditure on (a) the Warm Homes Discount scheme and (b) the affordable warmth and carbon saving communities elements of the energy companies obligation in (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15. [162002]
Gregory Barker: The anticipated expenditure on the Warm Home Discount scheme is currently £300 million in 2013-14 and £310 million in 2014-15, in nominal prices, as per the target expenditure profile in the scheme regulations.(1)
The Affordable Warmth and Carbon Saving Communities elements of the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) are specified in terms of outcomes—notional heating cost reduction and carbon emissions reduction; rather than expenditure. The analysis in the final Green Deal and ECO Impact Assessment(2) estimated that the combined expenditure on both Affordable Warmth and Carbon Saving Communities obligations combined would be around £540 million per year, in 2011 prices. While actual expenditure under these elements of the ECO may vary between years, it is anticipated that expenditure in both 2013-14 and 2014-15 will be approximately at this level.
(1) Available at:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2011/9780111507650/contents
(2) Available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/42984/5533-final-stage-impact-assessment-for-the-green-deal-a.pdf
1 July 2013 : Column 424W
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2013, Official Report, columns 622-3W, on fuel poverty, what forecast his Department has made of the number of households that will receive assistance under (a) the Warm Homes Discount scheme and (b) the affordable warmth and carbon saving communities elements of the energy company obligation in (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15. [162003]
Gregory Barker: It was estimated in the final Warm Home Discount scheme Impact Assessment(1) that around 2 million households would be assisted in 2013-14, with around 2 million households also assisted in 2014-15.
Under the Affordable Warmth and Carbon Saving Communities elements of the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) it is estimated that, based on analysis from the final Green Deal and ECO Impact Assessment(2), around 230,000 households per year could benefit from heating and/or insulation measures. While actual delivery may vary year to year, it is anticipated that the number of households assisted in both 2013-14 and 2014-15 will be approximately at this level.
(1) Available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/42595/1308-warm-home-disc-impact-assessment.pdf
(2) Available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/42984/5533-final-stage-impact-assessment-for-the-green-deal-a.pdf
Green Deal Scheme
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for what reason the Green Deal computer software will not make a recommendation for insulating a timber frame wall in the Energy Performance Certificate; and if he will make a statement. [162553]
Gregory Barker: Some construction types, including timber framed walls, are not always suitable for standard insulation measures and require specialist surveys to determine the correct course of action. This makes it impractical for the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to include recommendations for wall insulation for these sorts of property. However, the Department is exploring the scope for allowing insulation measures for timber framed homes to be recommended in Green Deal Advice Reports.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the total tonnage of greenhouse gases emitted through business operations by (a) npower, (b) EDF, (c) Scottish Power, (d) E.ON, (e) British Gas and (f) SSE in each of the last five years. [162267 ]
Gregory Barker: The Government do not hold this data in the format requested. Direct carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from some sites operated by these companies are recorded under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
1 July 2013 : Column 425W
Cumulative EU ETS emissions data 2008-12 at site level:
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ets/registry/docs/compliance_2012_en.xlsx
The EU ETS data only indicate the site name and not the name of the operator/parent company.
For compliance years 2010-11 and 2011-12 of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, the Environment Agency published Performance League Tables (PLTs) showing the CO2 emissions of participants based on their qualifying energy usage under the scheme. This is set out in the following table and the full tables are available online at the links underneath:
| Tonnes CO2 equivalent | ||
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | |
http://crc.environment-agency.gov.uk/pplt/web/plt/public/2010-11/CRCPerformanceLeagueTable20102011
http://crc.environment-agency.gov.uk/pplt/web/plt/public/2011-12/CRCPerformanceLeagueTable20112012
The CRC data exclude emissions from electricity generation by these companies as those emissions do not form part of the CRC but are reported under the EU ETS.
From 1 October 2013 all UK quoted companies will be required to report on their greenhouse gas emissions as part of their annual directors' report.
Hinkley Point C Power Station
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 17 April 2013, Official Report, column 403W on Hinkley Point C Power Station, if he will publish the documents which formed the evidential basis for the conclusion of the Planning Inspectorate, that the proposed development is not likely to have a significant impact on the environment of another European state. [162189]
Gregory Barker: The Planning Inspectorate's Transboundary Screening Matrix and Report are referenced as the following documents:
http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/EN010001/Enquiries/04-11-2011%20-%20Richard%20Mayson%20-%20Enquiry%20918820/Hinkley%20Transboundary%20Screening%20Matrix.pdf
http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/EN010001/2.%20Post-Submission/EIA/Regulation%2024/120522_EN010001_%20Hinkley_Transboundary%20Screening.doc.pdf
These can be found in the Hinkley Point C (HPC) examination library in the Planning Inspectorate's website.
1 July 2013 : Column 426W
All the reports and documents referred to in the Screening Matrix and Report are available in the HPC examination library:
http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/south-west/hinkley-point-c-new-nuclear-power-station/
Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which companies supply (a) mobile telephones and (b) mobile data services to his Department. [162685]
Gregory Barker: Vodafone is the single supplier of mobile telephones and mobile data services to the Department.
Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the budget is of the Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil; and how many staff that office has. [161849]
Michael Fallon: The allocated staff and programme budget for the Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil in 2013-14 is £558,000. It has eight allocated staff.
Renewable Energy
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2013, Official Report, column 461W, on renewable energy, how much of the renewable electricity capacity installed between the end of March 2010 and the end of 2012 had (a) planning determined and (b) construction begun before May 2010. [161752]
Michael Fallon: “Energy Trends” does not capture this information.
However, the renewable energy planning database (REPD) tracks the progress of projects from planning through to generation, available at:
https://restats.decc.gov.uk/app/reporting/decc/monthlyextract
The database shows that in the period May 2010 to December 2012, 5.2 GW became operational. Of this, 4.1 GW (78%) had received planning consent before May 2010. The REPD does not routinely track the date construction begins.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2013, Official Report, columns 461-62W, on renewable energy, what proportion of the £29 billion of new investment in renewable energy since 2010 is (a) operational, (b) had planning determined before May 2010 and (c) construction begun before May 2010. [161753]
Gregory Barker: There is no central database which records jobs and investment in renewable energy.
In order to arrive at these figures, DECC used the renewable energy planning database (REPD) to identify projects which have publicly announced jobs and/or investment details, available at:
https://restats.decc.gov.uk/app/reporting/decc/monthlyextract
1 July 2013 : Column 427W
Of the £29 billion-worth of large-scale investment in renewable energy publicly announced since 2010 and recorded by DECC, 0.6% (£185 million) was operational as at May 2010 and 5.4% (£1,575 million) had received planning consent between 1 January and 30 April 2010. The REPD does not routinely track the date construction begins.
Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will make it his policy to cap subsidies to renewables at a level of the calculated social cost per tonne of carbon which would otherwise have been emitted into the atmosphere. [162085]
Michael Fallon: We do not plan to cap subsidies to renewables in that way. A range of factors is taken into account in determining appropriate levels of support for renewable energy technologies. The Government's consultations and policy documents on renewable energy support schemes, and their associated impact assessments, set out the detailed rationale in each case.
Wind Power
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change at what stage during the planning process the wind farm developer becomes eligible for the Government subsidies offered for the development of a wind farm. [161981]
Gregory Barker [holding answer 27 June 2013]: Wind generating stations are eligible for support under the Renewables Obligation. Stations up to 5 megawatts in scale may, alternatively, apply for support under the Feed-in Tariff scheme. The developer of such a station would have to have obtained planning consent before installing the turbines, and only once the station is commissioned could the developer apply for accreditation under either scheme. Support is only issued to accredited stations in respect of the renewable electricity they generate.
Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what proportion of constraint payments were made to wind farms from 1 June 2012 to 31 May 2013; [162381]
(2) what the average constraint payment to wind farm operators per megawatt hour was in the 12 months from May 2012. [162479]
Michael Fallon: The Department does not hold this information. Constraint payments are made by National Grid plc through competitive market arrangements in order to help ensure the secure operation of the electricity system. National Grid has advised that details of most individual constraint payments to wind farms are published at:
www.elexon.co.uk
and
www.bmreports.com
and aggregated data is published in its Monthly Balancing Services Summary:
www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/Balancing/Summary
1 July 2013 : Column 428W
Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department paid in constraint payments to power generators in the 12 months from May 2012. [162382]
Michael Fallon: The Department does not make constraint payments. These are made by National Grid plc through competitive market arrangements in order to ensure the secure operation of the electricity system. National Grid's “Monthly Balancing Services Summary” publication shows that total constraint payments from May 2012 to April 2013 were £180 million.
Wind Power: Birds
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds regarding the location of wind farms to ensure that such farms will not interfere with the flight path of migrating birds. [161836]
Gregory Barker: The Department publishes quarterly lists of all Ministers' meetings that involved outside interested parties on the gov.uk website. The RSPB is able to make representations in respect of proposals for wind farms as part of the statutory planning process and its views are considered by the determining authorities.
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many wind farms have been granted permission to be located close to migrating birds (a) on land and (b) at sea since May 2010. [161837]
Michael Fallon: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), has consented six offshore wind farms and five onshore wind farms in and off the coast of England and Wales since May 2010. In compliance with legislative requirements, potential impacts on birds were considered as part of the decision-making process for those projects, which included consultation with appropriate statutory nature conservation bodies and others with a relevant interest. In each case, the Secretary of State concluded that the wind farms in question could be granted consent without significant impacts on birds.
The Department does not retain data on bird impacts associated with wind farms consented through other planning regimes.
Transport
Driving Under Influence
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on steps taken in Scotland and Northern Ireland on the drink-drive blood alcohol limit; and if he will reconsider his policy on Sir Peter North's recommendation to lower the drink-drive limit in England and Wales. [R] [161996]
1 July 2013 : Column 429W
Stephen Hammond: I liaise with my counterparts from Scotland and Northern Ireland and a wide range of issues is discussed.
The Government have no plans to lower the drink- drive limit in England and Wales.
Driving: Young People
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the green paper on young driver safety; and what the reasons are for the delay in publication of this report. [161933]
Stephen Hammond: We intend to publish the green paper later in the year.
This is an important piece of work and we need to make sure we consider the issues thoroughly before we come forward with the green paper.
High Speed 2 Railway Line
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether he proposes that it will be necessary for inheritance tax to be paid on agricultural land which is to be compulsorily purchased as a result of High Speed 2; [162289]
(2) whether he proposes that it will be necessary for capital gains tax to be paid on compulsorily purchased land as a result of High Speed 2. [162290]
Mr Simon Burns: Taxation is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I am not aware of any proposals for specific changes to the rules on inheritance tax, or capital gains tax, in respect of compensation payments relating to HS2.
Network Rail
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has conducted of the effectiveness of Network Rail's voluntary transparency code. [162377]
Norman Baker: The coalition Government welcome Network Rail's transparency scheme which was launched in June 2012. The scheme responds to demand for more of the company's data and information to be made freely available, acknowledging Network Rail's status as a regulated provider of public services in receipt of public subsidy.
Given Network Rail's status as a private sector company limited by guarantee, the Government have made no formal assessment of the effectiveness of the scheme. However, we will continue to keep track of Network Rail's progress as we pursue the principle of transparency across the wider rail industry.
Rescue Services: Helicopters
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what commitment the Government have secured on the new Air and Sea Rescue Helicopter contract to ensure that the same level of response will be provided. [161913]
Stephen Hammond:
Minimum operating parameters for the new contract were established based on the
1 July 2013 : Column 430W
existing search and rescue capability and historic incident patterns. These include requirements to take off within 15 minutes by day and 45 minutes by night, achieve at least 98% aircraft availability and reach all very high and high risk areas and 75% of medium risk areas within one hour of take-off. Bristow Helicopters Ltd more than satisfied the minimum requirements and we predict that average flying times to incidents under the new contract will improve by approximately 20%.
Roads: Accidents
Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatalities there have been as a result of road traffic accidents involving (a) motorcyclists, (b) cyclists and (c) pedestrians in Cannock Chase constituency in the last five years. [161962]
Stephen Hammond: In the last five years in Cannock Chase constituency there have been the following numbers of fatalities in road traffic accidents:
| Number of fatalities in accidents involving | ||||
| Motorcyclists | Cyclists | Pedestrians | Total fatalities | |
| (1) One fatality in 2011 was as a result of an accident involving both a motor cyclist and a pedestrian, hence the total does not equal 3. Note: Uses constituency boundary as at 2010. | ||||
Roads: Repairs and Maintenance
Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what financial help his Department is making available to local authorities to help repair potholes; [161867]
(2) how much additional money was made available by his Department to (a) each local authority in the UK and (b) Cornwall Council for road repairs in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2012-13. [161968]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport is providing over £3 billion in capital funding to local highway authorities in England, outside London, for highways maintenance between 2010 and 2015.
The Department has also provided additional highways maintenance funding to local highway authorities in 2009 and in 2011. I have placed a table in the House Library on how much additional money was made available to (a) each local authority in the UK and (b) Cornwall Council for road repairs in 2009 and in 2011. The Government also announced a further £215 million for highways maintenance to be allocated over the next two financial years (2013-14 and 2014-15) in December 2012. Further information, including the share of the funding Cornwall County Council is being allocated can be found at the following weblink:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/37009/additional-highways-maintenance-funding-allocations.pdf
1 July 2013 : Column 431W
Local authorities are also able to use revenue funding, allocated by the Department of Communities and Local Government through the Revenue Support Grant for maintaining their local highways. Neither revenue or capital highways maintenance block funding is ring-fenced and it is for local highway authorities to decide upon their spending priorities across the whole range of services that they provide.
The Department for Transport is also supporting the highways maintenance sector including local highway authorities by providing £6 million for the Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme. Further information including the work that the Programme is delivering is available at the following weblink:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/hmep/
South West Trains
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what payments South West Trains made to the Exchequer in each financial year since April 2009; and what payments South West Trains received from public funds in each of those years. [162196]
Mr Simon Burns: The following tables set out the payments and receipts on the South West Trains franchise since April 2009:
| Payments made by SSWT | ||||
| £ | ||||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| Payments received by SSWT | ||||
| £ | ||||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
Speed Limits: Cameras
Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether guidance given to chief constables by his Department on the use of speed cameras has changed in the last three years. [161709]
Stephen Hammond: The Department does not give guidance to chief constables about the use of speed cameras. It is for local authorities and the police to decide whether or not to use speed cameras and how they wish to operate them.
Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines his Department gives to local authorities on ensuring that speed cameras are visible to motorists; and whether these guidelines have changed since May 2010. [161728]
Stephen Hammond: It is for local authorities and police to decide whether or not to use speed cameras and how they wish to operate them. No guidance has been issued since May 2010.
1 July 2013 : Column 432W
Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras are currently operational in the UK; and how many speed cameras were operational in each of the last four years. [161729]
Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport does not hold the requested information. Local authorities have statutory duties related to road safety and the decisions about whether they operate speed cameras are a matter for them.
Taxis
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sanctions his Department takes against taxi firms whose vehicles repeatedly fail roadside checks. [161964]
Norman Baker: Local authorities (outside London) are responsible for enforcing the law on taxi licensing. The law allows them to suspend a taxi licence where a vehicle has failed a roadside test. The Department for Transport does not have power to take sanctions against a taxi firm whose vehicles repeatedly fail roadside checks.
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average length of a licence suspension for taxi drivers whose vehicle failed a roadside check was in each of the last three years. [161965]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does not keep records of sanctions imposed by local authorities in carrying out taxi enforcement activity.
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of taxis in (a) England, (b) the North West and (c) Pendle constituency have failed roadside checks in each of the last three years. [161966]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does not keep records of local authorities' enforcement activity.
Travel: Scotland
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the number of cross-border journeys between Scotland and England by (a) train, (b) air and (c) road in each of the last 10 years. [162747]
Norman Baker: The estimates for the number of cross-border journeys in both directions between Scotland and England for the last 10 years are presented in the tables below:
(a)Rail—The estimates for the number of cross-border rail journeys in both directions between Scotland and England are published by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). The estimates are based on passenger ticket sales data, and the most recent estimates available are for the 2010-11 financial year.
(b)Air—The estimated numbers of passengers travelling in both directions between Scotland and England by air are sourced from the UK Civil Aviation Authority airport statistics.
(c)Roads—For road traffic at the Scottish border, the Department only has information available about traffic flows on the Motorways and A roads (‘Major roads'). Traffic estimates for other roads are not available at that geographical level. On the major roads, the
1 July 2013 : Column 433W
table provides figures on the average number of vehicles expected to cross the Scottish border in both directions on an average day in each year. Note that these flows are vehicle flows not passenger flows.
| Financial year | (a) Rail journeys (thousand) |
| Source: ORR statistics | |
| Calendar year | (b) Air—Estimated terminal passengers (million) | (c) Roads—Average number of vehicles on an average day on motorways and ‘A' roads (thousand) |
| Source: (b) CAA airport statistics, (c) DfT Traffic survey. | ||
Work and Pensions
Housing Benefit Costs
17. Ms Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the effect of rising costs in the private rented housing sector on benefit expenditure. [162106]
Steve Webb: In the decade before this Government came to power, real-terms private rent inflation increased housing benefit expenditure by around £3 billion per year. Further information about this estimate has been published today as an ad hoc statistical analysis on the Department’s website.
We took action to get the Housing Benefit Bill under control, and as a result, by the end of the Parliament our local housing allowance reforms will save just around £2 billion annually.
Unpaid Work Experience
19. Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on unpaid work experience undertaken by jobseekers. [162108]
1 July 2013 : Column 434W
Mr Hoban: Our policy is to offer every young person the opportunity to participate in work experience if they want to, so that young people can gain work related skills and disciplines, and improve their marketability to future employers. Participation is entirely voluntary. The scheme is working well I would encourage young people to take part.
Discretionary Housing Payments
20. Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether receipt of disability living allowance should be a disqualification for receipt of discretionary housing payment. [162109]
Esther McVey: Receiving disability living allowance does not disqualify a person from receiving a discretionary housing payment.
DLA is a non means tested non taxable benefit paid in and out of work. Established guidance to local authorities on the treatment of DLA when making an assessment for DHPs is re-issued as part of the DHP guidance manual each year.
Benefit Cap
21. Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect of the benefit cap in developing strong work incentives. [162110]
Mr Hoban: It is my strong belief that there is a connection between the benefit cap and getting people into work.
This is reflected in the views of DWP staff and claimants that the cap is encouraging many of the people affected to make extra efforts to find work.
We will be thoroughly evaluating the policy including the effects on employment.
Zero-hours Contracts
22. Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the ability of his Department to deal with those on zero-hours contracts who are in receipt of benefits. [162111]
Mr Hoban: There are around 200,000 people employed on zero hours contracts—less than 1% of all workers.
The current benefit system does deal with claimants on zero-hours contracts—although because of the split between out of work benefits and tax credits, it can be complicated for someone with fluctuating earnings.
UC will make it easier for those with fluctuating earnings such as those on zero-hours contracts. The use of real-time earnings information will make the process easier and more secure.
Work Programme
Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the most recent data on the performance of the Work programme. [162103]
1 July 2013 : Column 435W
Mr Hoban: Work programme performance has significantly improved—it is working. The numbers of people finding lasting work—at least six months for most people or three months for the hardest to help—has increased significantly from 9,000 in March 2012 to 132,000 in March 2013.
Bereavement Benefits: Civil Partners
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what methodology his Department used in calculating the £18 million cost of equalising survivor pension benefits for civil partners. [162262]
Steve Webb: In calculating the estimate of £18 million, the Department has used data from the ONS and 2009 Employers Pension Provision Survey to estimate the proportion of contracted-in defined benefit members that may have a civil partner. This proportion is then applied to total contracted-in defined benefit pension liabilities to estimate the liabilities accrued in respect of these members.
The additional cost of providing survivor benefits where none was previously provided for same sex couples is estimated to be the percentage difference in the value of an annuity purchased at age 65 with and without survivor benefits. This percentage is then applied to the estimated liabilities accrued in respect of those members with a civil partnership, to provide the estimated increase in liabilities associated with paying additional survivor benefits. This also takes into account that one-third of schemes (data from the 2009 Employers Pension Provision Survey) already do provide full survivor benefits for those members in a civil partnership.
Children: Maintenance
Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that those on the 1993 and 2003 child maintenance schemes are referred to the new child maintenance scheme; [161756]
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that child support payments are administered under a single scheme. [161757]
Steve Webb: In December 2012, we introduced the new 2012 statutory maintenance scheme, using a pathfinder approach, to clients with four or more children.
Once the 2012 scheme has opened to all new applicants, and has been shown to be working well, the Government intend to begin a gradual process of ending liabilities on cases in the previous Child Support Agency schemes. Parents in these CSA schemes will be invited to consider making their own family-based arrangements for maintenance or to apply to the new Child Maintenance Service, which operates the 2012 scheme.
Arrears that have accrued on cases under the 1993 and 2003 schemes will continue to be collected by the Child Maintenance Service after the closure of these schemes, whether or not a new case is opened on the 2012 scheme, and no collection charges will be levied for this service.
1 July 2013 : Column 436W
Disability
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to deliver a cross-Government disability strategy. [162101]
Esther McVey: Our cross-Government disability strategy, Fulfilling Potential, has been developed with disabled people. We are breaking down the barriers to full participation in society.
Disabled people are seeing improvements in key outcomes and reduced inequalities with non-disabled people.
To drive further progress, we will publish a detailed action plan on 2 July 2013.
Employment Schemes: Young People
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to increase the take-up of the wage incentive in the Youth Contract. [162490]
Mr Hoban: The Department continues to take action to maximise take-up of wage incentives within the Youth Contract. We have extended the eligibility of the wage incentive so that it is now available to all 18 to 24-year-olds reaching six months on benefit.
Jobcentre Plus continues to focus on marketing the wage incentive to employers, including local events to bring employers and young people together. We are promoting the sharing of our good practice with Work programme providers, who also market the wage incentive locally.
Wage incentives continue to be marketed nationally to all employers, particularly by working with trade organisations who encourage their members to get involved. All eligible claimants are advised to include the wage incentive on their CV and are given self-marketing cards to give to prospective employers.
We are engaging with Work programme providers to address barriers and drive up performance through clarifying guidance and streamlining the end to end process.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of barriers to employers taking up the wage incentive in the Youth Contract; and if he will make a statement. [162491]
Mr Hoban: On 1 February 2013 the Department for Work and Pensions published an independent evaluation of the Wage Incentive Scheme. The evaluation included a survey of employers. The report can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-evaluation-of-the-youth-contract-wage-incentive-scheme-rr828
Housing Benefit
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average weekly award for housing benefit was for (a) local authority, (b) housing association and (c) private sector tenants in each Government region in each month for which figures are available since November 2008. [162302]
1 July 2013 : Column 437W
Steve Webb: The information requested for average weekly housing benefit award, by tenure and region, can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk
Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:
https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average weekly eligible rent for housing benefit was for (a) local authority, (b) housing association and (c) private sector tenants in each Government region in each month for which figures are available since November 2008. [162303]
Steve Webb: The information from December 2012 to February 2013 will be placed in the Library. The information prior to December 2009 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Note:
This is based on the eligible rent variable on the single housing benefit extract administrative data. However, these figures are estimates only and are not part of the National Statistics produced by DWP. The estimates provided may be slight overestimates, particularly for private rented sector cases, due to this variable not always correctly accounting for LHA restrictions.
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average weekly award for housing benefit was for (a) local authority, (b) housing association and (c) private sector tenants in each government region in each November since November 2008 for the categories of (i) passport working age, in employment working age, other non-passport working age and (ii) passport pension, non-passport pension age. [162304]
Steve Webb: The information requested for average weekly housing benefit award, by tenure, region and passport status, can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/
Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:
https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many housing benefit claims were made by (a) local authority, (b) housing association and (c) private sector tenants in each Government region in each November since November 2008. [162305]
Steve Webb: The information from November 2010 to November 2012 is shown in the following table. Data prior to November 2010 are not available.
| Total number of housing benefit new claims, November 2010-November 2012 | ||||
| New claims | Local authority tenants | Registered social landlord tenants | Private tenants | |
1 July 2013 : Column 438W
| Notes: 1. Great Britain, England, Scotland and Wales figures are based on published data. 2. Totals are based on the available data, ignoring authorities with missing data. Hence, this total is an under-estimate of the true total. 3. Data for November 2009 and November 2008 are unavailable. This is due to the fact that previously we provided a combination of the two speed of processing measures (Changes and Events) for each local authority as a ‘Right Time Indicator'. This has now been discontinued. 4. Registered Social Landlord cases (RSL) were previously Housing Association. 5. A small number of claims with no tenancy type recorded are shown in the overall total of new claims, but not in the tenancy breakdown. Hence, the tenancy breakdown does not sum to the total of new claims. Source: Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE) | ||||
Housing Benefit: Night Shelters
Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the ruling in the case of OR v. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Isle of Anglesey CC [2013] UKUT 06S (AAC), if he will issue clarification to local authorities as to when a night shelter should and should not be eligible for funding through housing benefit. [161885]
1 July 2013 : Column 439W
Steve Webb: The Upper Tribunal judgment was about whether a person’s accommodation could be regarded, for benefit purposes, as a dwelling which the claimant occupied as his home. Housing benefit regulations do not refer specifically to homeless hostels or shelters and the law in this respect has not changed.
It remains for local authorities to make their decision in each claim after considering all the relevant facts.
Social Security Benefits
Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many staff are involved in manually checking the IT system for the benefit cap; [161722]
(2) what the cost is of employing staff to manually check the IT system for the benefit cap; [161723]
(3) what manual processes exist for checking the IT system for the benefit cap; and for how long this manual process will be in place. [161724]
Mr Hoban: Data taken from DWP, HMRC and LA systems, which are used to identify households potentially affected by the benefit cap, are subject to a manual check before data are sent to local authorities for capping to take place. This check is to verify the benefits paid to a household and to check whether any exemptions should apply. This process will remain in place until such time that an automated solution is developed and introduced.
During 2013-14, on current plans the following numbers of staff will be involved in interrogating all relevant existing departmental IT systems for benefit cap:
| Number | |
The staff cost to carry out that manual check in 2013-14 is currently expected to be around £1.3 million.
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make an assessment of the Oxfam and Church Action on Poverty report on “Walking the Breadline: The Scandal of Food Poverty in 21st Century Britain” and its conclusions on the benefit system and the benefit sanctions regime. [162721]
Mr Hoban: The Government do all that they can to help people find employment. It is also right for the taxpayer to expect those who are claiming out of work benefits to be doing all they can to find a job.
Jobseekers enter into an agreement with Jobcentre Plus that they will undertake a series of actions in order to optimise their search for work. If they do not without good reason follow these requirements then it is only
1 July 2013 : Column 440W
right that a sanction is applied. Reduced payments are made where necessary to prevent hardship.
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit payments were delayed in (a) Bristol and (b) the UK in each of the last 12 months. [162722]
Mr Hoban: The information requested is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Social Security Benefits: Fraud
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many fraud investigations undertaken by his Department in the last 12 months have been halted because of non-availability of translators; [162190]
(2) how many bookings were made for translators to be present at his Department's Fraud Investigation Service/Single Fraud Investigation Service interviews in each month since June 2011. [162356]
Mr Hoban: There are two primary providers of the translator service to the Department's Fraud Investigation Service/Single Fraud Investigation Service and these are Prestige and Bigword.
For Prestige, there have been 2,409 fraud interviews involving interpreters between August 2011 and May 2013. Between January and May of this year, 53 fraud interviews were cancelled as a result of non-availability; data before this date are not available.
DWP does not hold the information requested information for Bigword, but it can be obtained from the supplier, which will take several weeks. I will write to the right hon. Member once the information has been obtained from the supplier.