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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 9 January 2014
Northern Ireland
National Crime Agency
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what extra resources and funding her Department has allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive to take account of those aspects of the National Crime Agency's work which it does not carry out in Northern Ireland. [181286]
Mrs Villiers: No additional resources have been allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive to take account of differences in the National Crime Agency’s powers in Northern Ireland as compared to the rest of the UK.
Although the focus of the National Crime Agency's work is different, the resources allocated by the National Crime Agency to Northern Ireland are the same as those allocated by the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
Police Service of Northern Ireland
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much additional funding has been allocated for policing in Northern Ireland over and above the block grant in each year since 2007. [181291]
Mrs Villiers: Between 2007 and 2010 policing in Northern Ireland was not funded through the block grant. Funding for the PSNI only became part of the block grant following devolution of policing and justice functions to the Northern Ireland Executive in April 2010. The figures for additional funding provided by the UK Government for policing in Northern Ireland to tackle the severe threat for terrorism since 2010 are as follows:
| £ million | |
As the right hon. Gentleman is aware, this additional funding has been committed despite this being a time of unprecedented pressures on the public finances as a result of the fiscal position inherited by the Government in 2010.
Public Expenditure
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of the block grant allocated to Northern Ireland is related to (a) national security and (b) border security and immigration controls. [181287]
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Mrs Villiers: Decisions about, and information on, the allocation of resources from within Northern Ireland's block grant are a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.
Terrorism
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received from the Chief Constable or the Northern Ireland Policing Board about resources for the Police Service of Northern Ireland following recent terrorist attacks in Belfast. [181288]
Mrs Villiers: I have regular dialogue with both the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Minister of Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive on a range of policing and justice related issues, including police resources. My most recent conversation on police resourcing with the Chief Constable took place yesterday morning.
The issue of police resources is primarily a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive. However, in recognition of the security situation in Northern Ireland, the UK Government is providing the PSNI with additional funding totalling £199.5 million over four years (2011-15) to enhance the PSNI's ability to proactively tackle the terrorist threat. The PSNI will receive a further £31million in 2015-16 from the Government to help protect the people of Northern Ireland from terrorist activity, while ensuring the continuation of day to day policing responsibilities.
Scotland
Immigration
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Government plan to produce a report on asylum and immigration as part of their Scotland Analysis Programme. [181905]
David Mundell: The Scotland analysis programme has published eight papers to date examining how Scotland contributes to, and benefits from, being part of the UK.
The programme will continue to look in detail at the main issues in the Scottish independence debate.
Prime Minister
European Council
Paul Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his written statement of 6 January 2013, Official Report, column 7WS, on European Council, for what reason he did not make an oral statement to the House on the European Council on that day. [182125]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) by the Minister for Europe, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington) on 7 January 2014, Official Report, columns 174-175.
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Justice
Human Trafficking
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many victims of trafficking for labour exploitation received civil or criminal compensation in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012. [181074]
Damian Green: Victims of trafficking for labour exploitation can apply for compensation from a number of different sources and through different legal proceedings. The Government do not currently compile statistics in relation to these awards.
Sir John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the (a) nationality and (b) gender was of each suspected victim of trafficking referred to the Trafficking Victim Support Scheme operated by the Salvation Army in November 2013; in which (i) region, (ii) country and (iii) parliamentary constituency each of the suspected victims were found; and which agency referred each person to the scheme. [181260]
Damian Green: In November 2013 there were 92 referrals to the Government-funded support service for adult victims of human trafficking in England and Wales administered by the Salvation Army. In the interests of victim safety only the region in which the victim was encountered is provided, and not the county or parliamentary constituency. Details are provided as follows.
| Nationality | Gender | Region | Agency type |
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House of Commons Commission
Voting: Child Care
Mr Winnick: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will undertake a consultation on measures to enable hon. Members carrying babies to be able to do so in the division lobbies. [181636]
John Thurso: This is not directly a matter for the Commission. Any hon. Member experiencing practical difficulties in voting in person should speak to their Whips in the first instance.
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Work and Pensions
Child Poverty
Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the trends in the number of baby banks; what estimate he has made of the number of baby banks in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the number of families accessing baby banks. [181576]
Esther McVey: Baby banks are not related to the work of the Department for Work and Pensions.
The Government are committed to ending child poverty in the UK. Evidence is clear that work remains the best route out of poverty and we are helping more people back into work through our welfare reform programme. We also provide support to low income families to help with the cost of living, including new born babies. For example, we are investing £105 million per year in Healthy Start Vouchers for low income families with young children to help with essential foods and vitamins. In addition the Department for Education has been allocated funding of over £1 billion (£449 million in 2014-15 and £634 million in 2015-16) to fund universal free school meals for infant pupils. Further, some low-income mothers will also be eligible for the £500 maternity grant benefit, which directly helps with the costs of new born children.
We have not made any assessment of the use of baby banks nor do we collect any statistics.
Cold Weather Payments
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on cold weather payments in each year since 2008. [181553]
Steve Webb: Table 1 gives the expenditure on cold weather payments in Great Britain in each year between 2008 and 2013. The cold weather payment season runs from November to March each year. Consequently, the calendar year figures given in Table 1 will include expenditure from two separate cold weather payment seasons.
Expenditure figures for the 2011-12 cold weather payment season onwards are estimated based on the number of eligible recipients on 31 October at the start of each relevant season. Figures prior to this are actual expenditure derived from scans of the payment systems. Only the estimated figures are available from November 2011 onwards.
Since November 2008, a cold weather payment of £25 is made when the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be 0°C or below over seven consecutive days at the weather station linked to an eligible recipient's postcode. Prior to November 2008, the amount per cold weather payment was £8.50.
| Table 1: Annual expenditure on Cold Weather Payments between 2008 and 2013 | ||
| Actual/Estimated | Expenditure (£) | |
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| Notes: 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics. 2. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. | ||
Disclosure of Information
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) whether Ministers in his Department have discussed or received recommendations from other governmental agencies improving his Department's response to subject access requests; [181563]
(2) how many officials in his Department were (a) responsible for and (b) available to complete subject access requests (i) nationally and (ii) in each region in 2013; [181566]
(3) what procedures and contingencies his Department has put in place to ensure that responses to subject access requests are completed within the 40 day deadline stipulated by the Data Protection Act 1998. [181624]
Mike Penning: DWP Ministers have not discussed or received recommendations from other governmental agencies improving DWP's response to subject access requests. DWP compliance with the Data Protection Act is regularly reviewed by the Information Commissioner's Office.
DWP takes its data protection responsibilities seriously and has a network of 86 Data Protection Officers (DPOs) supported by 145 Deputy Data Protection Officers (DDPOs) who are available to cover for periods of absence. They are responsible for dealing with subject access requests for personal information held by DWP, are all suitably trained and work to the statutory deadline. Data Protection Officers make themselves visible to other staff so they know who to pass requests to. All DWP staff are provided with data protection awareness training emphasising the timescales in which to handle subject access requests.
Employment and Support Allowance
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answers of 19 December 2013, Official Report, column 758W, on jobseeker's allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber and 19 December 2013, Official Report, column 756W, on employment and support allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber, (1) how many people receiving employment and support allowance were moved from the support group to the work-related group; of those how many appealed that decision and of those appealing how many were (a) moved back to the support group as a consequence of the appeal, (b) not moved back to the support group as a consequence of the appeal and (c) still awaiting their appeal decision in October 2012 and each month since then; [181648]
(2) how many people receiving employment and support allowance were moved from the support group to the work-related group; of those how many sought a review of that decision and of those seeking a review
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how many were
(a)
moved back to the support group as a consequence of the review,
(b)
not moved back to the support group as a consequence of the review and
(c)
still awaiting the decision on their request for review in each month since October 2012; [181649]
(3) how many people receiving employment and support allowance were moved (a) from the support group to the work-related group and (b) from the work-related group to the support group in each month since October 2012. [181650]
Esther McVey: The information requested to answer the above three questions is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Housing Benefit: Barrow in Furness
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals in Barrow and Furness constituency are in receipt of housing benefit; and how many such people are (a) under 25 and (b) under 25 and with a dependent child. [181611]
Steve Webb: The information requested regarding the number of housing benefit recipients in Barrow and Furness constituency 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
Housing Benefit: Liverpool
Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals in Liverpool West Derby constituency are in receipt of housing benefit; and how many such people are (a) under 25 years old and (b) under 25 years old and with a dependent child. [182190]
Steve Webb: The information requested regarding the number of Housing Benefit recipients in Liverpool West Derby constituency 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
Jobseeker's Allowance
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether a claimant of jobseeker's allowance who is accepted onto a course of higher education beginning in January is eligible to claim benefit until that course begins. [181362]
Esther McVey: To be entitled to jobseeker's allowance, a person must satisfy the relevant conditions for benefit. These include being available for and actively seeking employment.
A person who has been accepted onto a course of higher education may still be entitled to jobseeker's allowance, provided that they can satisfy these conditions, during the period before they begin their course.
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Generally speaking, when a higher education course begins, a person would no longer be entitled to jobseeker's allowance and would need to rely on the education maintenance system for financial support.
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate (a) the proportion of people who have received jobseeker's allowance sanctions who are disabled and (b) the proportion of people of working age who have a disability in the UK. [181401]
Esther McVey: In answer to part (a) the latest figures for those who have received jobseeker's allowance sanctions and are disabled, in Great Britain, can be found in table 1.7a of the publication at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jobseekers-allowance-and-employment-and-support-allowance-sanctions-decisions-made-to-june-2013
The numbers from this published information can be used to calculate the proportions requested.
In answer to part (b) the following table shows the proportion of working age people in the UK who have a disability:
| People aged 16 to 64 by disability status United Kingdom, January to December 2012 | ||
| Level (thousand) | Percentage | |
| 1 People, aged 16-64, who have either work-limiting disabilities only, disabilities that limit their day-to-day activities only, or both kind of disabilities. Source: Annual Population Survey. | ||
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what measures are in place to record whether people terminating their jobseeker's allowance claims enter employment; [181420]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of people who terminated their jobseeker's allowance claims that (a) entered employment and (b) continued to be unemployed in each of the last 12 months. [181421]
Esther McVey: Jobseeker's allowance claimants are encouraged to tell the Department when they want to terminate their claim, and the reason for doing so, through the Department's claim closure telephony service. Alternatively, they can notify the Department by post or in person at a Jobcentre Plus office. It is not mandatory for a jobseeker's allowance claimant to give the reason for terminating their claim but when they do so this is recorded on the Department's computer systems.
The information is not complete enough to produce regular statistics as a significant minority of claimants do not provide a reason for ending their claim. A destinations survey in 2011 found that 68% of those leaving JSA moved into work. People leaving for other destinations do not necessarily remain unemployed, as the figures will include those starting an education or training course and people who have retired or left the labour force for other reasons.
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Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answers of 19 December 2013, Official Report, column 758W, on jobseeker's allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber and 19 December 2013, Official Report, column 756W, on employment and support allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber, how many people receiving jobseeker's allowance (JSA) had their JSA withdrawn as a result of their alleged failure to comply with conditions laid down by his Department in October 2012 and each month since then. [181651]
Esther McVey: The information requested, by Jobcentre Plus Office and District Group which includes North Yorkshire and the Humber can be found on table 1.2 of the publication at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/jobseekers-allowance-sanctions
Guidance for users is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/203439/tab-tool-guidance.pdf
Jobseeker's Allowance: Young People
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young people who have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance for over a year have a degree. [181551]
Esther McVey: The information is not readily available and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs.
Pension Credit: Hyndburn
Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been in receipt of pension credits in Hyndburn constituency in each of the last five years. [181585]
Steve Webb: Statistics on pension credit are available from 100% data and are published on the Department's website at:
http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/100pc/pc/tabtool_pc.html
Guidance for users is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-tabulation-tool-guidance
Personal Independence Payment
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will require Capita to provide a freephone or 03 number for its personal independence payment claimant helpline. [181361]
Mike Penning: The Capita personal independence payment claimant helpline telephone number, referred to in the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 17 December 2013, Official Report, column 583-84W, is a freephone number for landline users.
Personal Independence Payment: Wales
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many claims for personal independence payments have been (a) begun and (b) concluded in (i) Wales and (ii) Wrexham since June 2013; [181442]
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(2) what the current average waiting time in Wales from a consultation being carried out by an independent health professional in relation to a personal independence claim to an assessment being made in respect of that claim is; [181443]
(3) what the current average waiting time in Wales from commencement of a personal independence claim to a consultation being carried out by an independent health professional in relation to that claim is. [181444]
Mike Penning: Although limited data have started to feed through from the PIP Computer System, we need to wait until the data have been quality assured and meaningful figures for publication can be developed. The Department is working to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority to ensure we are able to publish statistics that meet high quality standards at the earliest opportunity. We intend to publish official statistics on new claims to PIP for the first time in spring 2014 aligned to the DLA National Statistics release.
Social Security Benefits
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to ask the Child Poverty Action Group for its views when policies are being changed on (a) expenditure and (b) those of working age claiming benefits. [181554]
Esther McVey: Consultation is an important part of the policy making process and we will continue to seek the views of the public and interested groups when developing policies in the future.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answers of 19 December 2013, Official Report, column 758W, on jobseeker's allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber and 19 December 2013, Official Report, column 756W, on employment and support allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber, how many people were receiving (a) jobseeker's allowance, (b) employment and support allowance support group and (c) employment and support allowance work-related group in (i) October 2012 and (ii) each month since then. [181647]
Esther McVey: Monthly statistics on the number of jobseeker's allowance claimants and quarterly statistics on employment and support allowance claimants can be found at:
https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp
Guidance for users can be found at:
https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp
Employment and support allowance case load statistics are not available monthly.
Standard of Living
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2013, Official Report, columns 48-49W, on standard of living, which reports and policy evaluations on the subjective well-being of jobseekers and employment interventions his Department has published in the last 12 months; and if he will publish a web-link to each such report and evaluation. [181345]
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Esther McVey: The Department has within the last 12 months published a number of reports in the area of health work and well-being, listed below:
Evaluation of employment advisers in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (DWP Research Report826)
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-employment-advisers-in-the-improving-access-to-psychological-therapies-programme-rr826)
Wellbeing and civil society: Estimating the value of volunteering using subjective wellbeing data (DWP Working Paper 112)
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wellbeing-and-civil-society-estimating-the-value-of-volunteering-using-subjective-wellbeing-data-wp112)
General Practitioners' attitudes towards patients' health and work, 2010 to 2012 (DWP Research Report 835)
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/general-practitioners-attitudes-towards-patients-health-and-work-2010-to-2012-rr-835)
An evaluation of the Statement of Fitness for Work (fit note): Survey of employees (DWP Research Report 840)
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/an-evaluation-of-the-statement-of-fitness-for-work-fit-note-survey-of-employees-rr-840)
Evaluation of the Statement of Fitness for Work (fit note): quantitative survey of fit notes (DWP Research Report 841)
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-statement-of-fitness-for-work-fit-note-quantitative-survey-of-fit-notes-rr-841).
The work of the Department in this area has been summarised by a Cabinet Office publication entitled “Wellbeing Policy and Analysis: An Update of wellbeing across Whitehall—June 2013”.
(https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/224910/Wellbeing_Policy_and_Analysis_ FINAL.PDF)
In addition, the Department has published two reports which focus specifically on the subjective well-being of jobseekers, which were published more than one year ago. These are:
Evaluation of Support for the Very Long-Term Unemployed Trailblazer (RR824)
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-support-for-the-very-long-term-unemployed-trailblazer-rr824)
Mental health in context: the national study of work-search and wellbeing (DWP Research Report 810)
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-in-context-the-national-study-of-work-search-and-wellbeing-rr810)
Trussell Trust
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) for what reasons he has declined recent requests to meet representatives of the Trussell Trust; [181547]
(2) what plans he has to meet representatives of the Trussell Trust; and if he will make a statement. [181552]
Esther McVey: As food banks are not a Government responsibility, no regular departmental discussions have taken place. Ministers have met with Trussell Trust representatives in their role as constituency MPs.
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Work Capability Assessment
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2013, Official Report, columns 50-2W, on work capability assessment: Wales, what the (a) number and (b) proportion has been of people who underwent work capability assessments and had a mental health condition in each region and constituent part of the UK to date. [181347]
Mike Penning: The information requested is shown in the following table.
All new claims to employment and support allowance (ESA) and for claimants with mental and behavioural disorders recorded as the main disabling condition that underwent work capability assessments October 2008 to February 2013.
| Region | Total | Total with mental and behavioural disorders as the recorded condition | Proportion with mental and behavioural disorders as the condition (percentage) |
| Notes: 1. There is a reporting lag of approximately eight months at the issuing date of this statistical output owing to the time needed to process data and time allowed to enable each cohort's assessment phase to elapse. 2. Case load figures rounded to nearest hundred. Totals may not sum due to the rounding method used. Proportions are rounded to the nearest whole number. 3. Figures include those cases where the functional assessment has not been completed. 4. Condition Groups are based on the International Classification of Diseases (2010). Source: Department for Work and Pensions benefit administration dataset | |||
Information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Social Development. Northern Ireland statistics can be found at:
http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/stats_and_research/benefit_ publications.htm
Education
Children: Day Care
Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of (a) childminders, (b) school nurseries and (c) private and voluntary nursery providers offering free nursery provision for (i) two year-olds and (ii) three and four year-olds. [181575]
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Elizabeth Truss: Information on the number of two-year-olds accessing funded early education provision by provider type will first be collected in January 2014 and published in summer 2014.
The number of providers delivering funded early education to three- and four-year-olds are given in the table:
| Type of provider | Number of providers |
| 1 It is not possible to distinguish between child minding networks and individual child minders in the data. A figure for the number of child minding networks has therefore been provided. 2 Includes maintained nursery schools, state-funded primary schools, state-funded secondary schools and special schools. 3 Includes private day nurseries, playgroups or pre-schools, nurseries, family combined integrated centres, Sure Start children centres (main and linked), local authority day nurseries and other types of private and voluntary providers. Source: Early Years Census, School Census, and School Level Annual School Census | |
A full breakdown of types of providers delivering funded early education to three- and four-year-olds can be found in the ‘Provision for children under 5 years of age in England: January 2013' Statistical First Release available on GOV.UK1.
1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/provision-for-children-under-5-years-of-age-in-england-january-2013
Free Schools: Autism
Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many free schools for autistic children have been set up in the UK; and how many such applications are currently being considered by his Department. [181364]
Mr Timpson: The free schools programme has made it easier than ever before for parents, charities and other organisations to set up new schools, including special schools for autistic children.
There are currently three open special free schools and three special free schools in the pipeline that cater specifically for autistic children.
There are also three open special schools and three special free schools in the pipeline that cater in some way for autistic children.
These schools are being set up by groups such as the National Autistic Society (NAS). NAS has one open free school in Reading and two in the pipeline, which will be located in Cheshire and Lambeth.
We are currently assessing the most recent round of free school applications. Successful applicants will be announced shortly.
Further Education: Finance
Mr Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to publish an impact assessment on recent changes to further education support for 18-year-olds. [181567]
Matthew Hancock: We will publish an impact assessment shortly.
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High Tunstall College of Science
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if his Department will provide funding to High Tunstall College of Science in Hartlepool constituency to replace the roof and building damaged in extreme weather in December 2013; and if he will make a statement. [181539]
Mr Laws: The cost of the work to repair the roof at High Tunstall College of Science will be met from Hartlepool borough council's insurance cover.
The local authority has also confirmed that it is carrying out work to repair the covering of another roof at the school that was found to be in a similar condition to the roof covering that was dislodged in the recent high winds using the contingency fund, which it sets aside for such matters.
Kings Science Academy
Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish the report Validation of Kings Science Academy Financial Management and Governance Self-Assessment covering the period 12 September 2011 to 21 October 2011. [181447]
Mr Timpson: The report of the Education Funding Agency's validation of Kings Science Academy's Financial Management and Governance Self-Assessment (FMGS), covering the period September 2011 to December 2012, was published on the Department's website on 29 November 2013. This can be found at:
http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/r/kings_science_academy_final_report.pdf
A copy has been placed in the House Library.
Teachers: Training
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the potential effect of more schools providing school-centred initial teacher training on the role of universities in the provision of initial teacher training. [181542]
Mr Laws: Department officials and Ministers are working closely with universities and representative bodies, for example the Universities’ Council for the Education of Teachers and Million Plus, to discuss the impact of initial teacher training (ITT) reforms.
The proportion of ITT places allocated to new school-centred initial teacher training providers since March 2012 represents a very small percentage of the total provision: 1% of all places for 2014/15.
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what communications his Department has issued to (a) universities and (b) other providers in respect of the expansion of school-centred initial teacher training. [181546]
Mr Laws: The Department for Education informed schools how they could become a school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) provider in the School Direct bulletin in November 2013. This bulletin is copied to universities and other providers.
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Officials also regularly attend meetings and liaise with organisations representing universities and other providers including UCET and the National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers where operational initial teacher training policy, including the expansion of SCITT, is discussed.
Defence
Armed Forces Covenant
Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2013, Official Report, columns 474-5W, on armed forces covenant, what funding has been allocated to military charities covering Devon and Cornwall. [181357]
Anna Soubry: The major military charities have received LIBOR awards for some 40 projects with UK wide benefit. The awards to these 40 projects alone have totalled some £16.16 million. Examples include £2 million for Combat Stress Community Outreach Teams, £2.7 million for the Help for Heroes ‘Hidden Wounds' programme, £230,000 for Reading Force, and £325,000 to the RAF Benevolent Fund for Airplay Play parks.
With regard to charities covering Devon and Cornwall specifically, the LIBOR awards allocated are set out in the following table:
Armed Forces: Pensions
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will amend the 1975 Armed Forces Pension Scheme so that no surviving spouse loses their entitlement if they re-marry or cohabit with a new partner. [181402]
Anna Soubry: There are no plans to amend the 1975 Armed Forces Pension Scheme legislation to allow surviving spouses who remarry or cohabit to keep their pension.
Defence Support Group
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the privatisation of the Defence Support Group on (a) the provision of military vehicle maintenance investigations and (b) road safety. [181503]
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Dr Murrison: The responsibility for ensuring the safety of vehicles operated by the Army ultimately rests with the Ministry of Defence. Vehicle inspections are an essential aspect of the overall assurance regime and shall remain so. Any diminution in safety standards would be inconsistent with the objectives of the sale and totally unacceptable.
European Fighter Aircraft
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the breakdown in negotiations between BAE Systems and the United Arab Emirates regarding the purchase of Typhoon fighter jets. [181363]
Mr Dunne: BAE Systems, with Government support, has worked very hard over the past 14 months to secure a deal that would have seen the United Arab Emirates (UAE) become the eighth nation to select Typhoon for their air force. The Government therefore share the Company's disappointment that, for commercial reasons, the Emiratis have decided not to pursue this option any further at this time.
Nevertheless, both the UK Government and BAE Systems remain confident that, given the extent of Typhoon's current and planned future capabilities, it represents the best value-for-money advanced multi-role combat aircraft available on the export market today. We continue to support other Typhoon export campaigns in the Gulf region and beyond.
Energy and Climate Change
Green Deal Scheme
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of people who have had Green Deal assessments but chosen not to install Green Deal measures have made that choice for each known reason. [181797]
Gregory Barker: DECC has carried out research on Green Deal assessments that has gathered evidence on barriers to installation. Households that have had an assessment were asked if they plan to install and if not, why not. The latest research found that 81% of households said they had installed, were in the process of installing or intend to install at least one recommended measure. Of the 5% of households that said they will probably or definitely not install a measure, cost of improvements (37%), hassle/disruption of making improvements (14%), would not save enough money to make worthwhile (12%) and structural considerations (12%) were the most prominent answers.
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 2 December 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Dr R. Kelly. [181601]
Gregory Barker: I replied to the right hon. Member on 8 January 2014.
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Water-cooled Reactors
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects the generic design assessment for the Hitachi-GE advanced boiling water reactor to be completed by the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of completing that assessment. [181660]
Michael Fallon: The Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency announced on 6 January that they are progressing to the next phase of Generic Design Assessment of the UK Advanced Boiling Water Reactor. The assessment is a matter for the regulators but I understand that they expect to complete GDA by 2017. As with other such assessments, the full cost of GDA will be charged to the Requesting Party which submits the design for assessment.
Wind Power
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to update the ETSU-R-97 assessment methodology for the noise impact of wind turbine generators. [181385]
Gregory Barker: In May 2013, the Institute of Acoustics published a Good Practice Guide, which addressed various technical issues regarding the application of the ETSU-R-97 methodology. The Guide, which was endorsed by the Department, provides a valuable technical supplement to ETSU-R-97, helping to improve the consistency of its application in the consideration of wind farm projects.
The Department has no current plans to update the ETSU-R-97 methodology for the assessment and rating of noise from wind turbines.
Communities and Local Government
Bellwin Scheme
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how many local authorities have made applications for assistance under the Bellwin Scheme to meet the costs of flooding in the last three months; [181548]
(2) whether his Department plans to provide assistance under the Bellwin Scheme in respect of current flooding at a rate of 85 per cent or 100 per cent of eligible expenditure; [181549]
(3) how many households have left their homes as a result of flooding in the last three months. [181550]
Brandon Lewis: The Bellwin Scheme provides emergency financial assistance to local authorities to help them meet uninsurable costs they incur when responding to a major emergency in their area. It operates by local authorities retrospectively claiming spending back that they have incurred. Assistance under the Bellwin Scheme in respect of the current flooding will be at the rate of 85% of eligible expenditure above threshold, which is the default position under the scheme.
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I also refer the right hon. Member to the statement by the Under-Secretary of State, my noble Friend Baroness Stowell, in her answer to the private notice question of 8 January 2014, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 1509-12.
No local authorities have made formal applications yet for assistance to meet the costs of flooding in the last three months. As of 8 January 2014, my Department has received 22 notifications from local authorities that they intend to make a claim under Bellwin for the recent severe weather events in due course.
My Department does not centrally hold information on households who have left their homes as a result of flooding. Individual local authorities may hold this information.
Floods
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what additional resources he has made available to each local authority for clear up and repairs following the floods of December 2013 and January 2014. [181613]
Brandon Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the statement by the Under-Secretary of State, my noble Friend Baroness Stowell, in answer to the private notice question of 8 January 2014, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 1509-12.
I would note that the Bellwin Scheme provides emergency financial assistance to local authorities to help them meet uninsurable costs they incur when responding to a major emergency in their area. It operates by local authorities retrospectively claiming spending back that they have incurred. As of 8 January 2014, my Department had received 22 notifications from local authorities that they intend to make a claim under Bellwin for the recent severe weather events.
Food Banks
Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funds his Department has provided to local councils to support foodbanks since June 2010; and what estimate he has made of how much will have been provided by May 2015. [181211]
Stephen Williams: Department has not provided any specific funding to local authorities to support food banks; this was similarly the case under the last Administration.
Food banks which are charitable organisations and paying business rates are likely to be eligible for mandatory rate relief, and other food banks may be eligible for voluntary sector discretionary rate relief.
Rented Housing: Overcrowding
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) social and (b) private rented households were deemed overcrowded in (i) April 2010 and (ii) the most recent date for which data are available. [176097]
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Kris Hopkins: Based on the English Housing Survey, the figures are:
| Social renters | Private renters | |
The absolute figures for the private rented sector may reflect the fact that the size of the private rented sector has increased over the period.
The social housing reforms in the Localism Act 2011 have given local authorities and social landlords the tools they need to tackle overcrowding, while retaining the ‘reasonable preference' provisions in the allocation legislation which ensure that overcrowded families continue to get priority for social housing. HomeSwap Direct is there to make it easier for overcrowded social tenants to swap with those who want to downsize. The removal of the spare room subsidy also encourages the more effective use of social housing, by addressing the under-occupation of family homes.
This Government are committed to a bigger and better private rented sector, which is why, following the Montague review, we have put in place the £1 billion build to rent fund and the £10 billion housing guarantee schemes, to help boost the provision of private rented accommodation. We have also avoided excessive regulation which would result in higher rents and restrict choice and supply, whilst helping councils take action against the very small minority of rogue landlords.
Treasury
Children: Day Care
Lucy Powell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2013, Official Report, column 366W on children: day care, what information his Department collects on claims made for tax relief for workplace nurseries. [181465]
Nicky Morgan: Taxable benefits in kind have to be reported to HMRC but there is no requirement for employers or employees to report non-taxable benefits, such as those in the form of workplace nursery schemes.
Therefore no “claims for tax relief” of the type in the question are made and no corresponding information is collected.
Government Securities: Greece
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that all holders of Greek Sovereign Bonds comply with the agreed 2012 debt restructuring, including bonds governed under UK law. [181836]
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Sajid Javid: The 2012 restructuring of Greece’s sovereign debt is a matter for the Greek Government.
Motor Vehicles: Insurance
Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what responsibilities GPs have to inform patients of the implications for insurance of ignoring medical advice to surrender a driving licence for medical reasons. [181145]
Dr Poulter: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Health.
General practitioners are not required to inform patients of the implications for insurance of ignoring medical advice to surrender a driving licence for medical reasons.
It is the responsibility of individual drivers to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of any medical condition which could affect their driving. Failure to inform the DVLA could result in a fine of up to £1,000. An individual may also be prosecuted if they are involved in an accident.
Public Finance: Scotland
Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) with reference to the report, Fiscal sustainability of an independent Scotland, published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in November 2013, if he will make an estimate of the tax rise or public expenditure reduction that would be required (a) per person and (b) per household to close the fiscal gap identified in that report. [181224]
(2) with reference to the Institute for Fiscal Studies paper, The fiscal implications of an independent Scotland, if he will estimate the change in (a) taxation and (b) public spending per household and per person if Scotland became an independent country. [180847]
Danny Alexander: Based on the main IFS projections, an independent Scotland would need to make permanent tax increases or spending cuts in 2020 equivalent to £6.1 billion (in 2012-13 prices) to put debt on course to reach 40% of GDP in 2062-63. This is equivalent to tax increases or spending cuts of £1,150 per person and £2,560 per household. Under their most optimistic scenario, the IFS determined that an independent Scotland would need to make a permanent adjustment in 2020 equivalent to increasing the basic rate of tax by 8 pence, which would add an average of £1,000 per year to the income tax of a basic rate taxpayer (in 2012-13 prices).
The most optimistic IFS scenario for an independent Scotland still therefore means an adjustment that would be two and half times the size that the IFS forecast would be required for the UK.
Sovereignty: Scotland
Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost incurred by the UK Exchequer is for national security; and what the difference is between a pro rata allocation of those costs to Scotland and the estimates by the Scottish Government of the costs in 2016-17. [180844]
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Danny Alexander: National security is organised, resourced and managed on a UK-wide basis to provide a high level of protection for all parts of the UK and its citizens. The security budget is for the whole of the UK and is not apportioned on a regional basis. Scotland and the rest of the UK derive mutual benefit from an integrated approach to national security and cyber, as well as from security exports and international alliances and relationships.
The UK Government's paper “Scotland analysis: security”, set out that the costs of providing both defence and national security in an independent Scotland would have to be met from within the Scottish Government's proposed budget of £2.5 billion per year. This is only about 7% of the combined UK budgets for defence, intelligence and cyber—the UK spent over £34 billion on defence in 2012-13 and over £2 billion per year for the security and intelligence agencies and the National Cyber Security Programme. The Scottish Government's proposed budget for both defence and national security in an independent Scotland is less than countries such as Denmark and Norway spend on defence alone.
The UK Government are not planning for an independent Scotland and cannot pre-negotiate details of independence ahead of the referendum. It is for those advocating independence to explain the security implications of the establishment of an independent Scottish state. In the event of a vote to leave the UK, it would be for the Scottish Government to determine the security budget for an independent Scottish state.
Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of renewable subsidies for projects in Scotland in each year to 2016-17. [180868]
Gregory Barker: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 January 2014, Official Report, column 248W.
Tax Avoidance
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and which tax avoidance partnership schemes are undergoing legal proceedings. [181573]
Mr Gauke: Under their statutory duty to maintain taxpayer confidentiality, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is unable to provide details of individual cases which have not already been published by the courts.
HMRC is however very successful in tackling avoidance through litigation—over 80% of cases were won in the past year, with over £1 billion of revenue protected from court wins.
The latest example of success against tax avoidance using partnerships was a judgment handed down in December 2013 in the case of the Eclipse 35 scheme. The Upper Tribunal found that this scheme did not work because the partnership was not carrying on a trade.
This is only the latest in a series of successful challenges on tax avoidance schemes involving partnerships, and on its own it protected £117 million of tax.
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Health
Brain: Tumours
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps his Department is taking to ensure that GPs diagnose brain tumours as quickly as possible; [181449]
(2) if he will take steps to ensure clinical nurse specialists are available to everyone living with a brain tumour; [181452]
(3) what steps he is taking to ensure that quality of life issues inform the process of deciding which treatments are available nationally for people living with brain tumours; [181454]
(4) what performance indicators his Department uses to measure the quality and accessibility of care and support services for people living with rare cancers; [181460]
(5) what his Department and the NHS are doing to improve access to care and quality of life services for patients and carers affected by brain tumours in light of the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2012-13. [181461]
Jane Ellison: Through the Mandate, we have asked NHS England to deliver continued improvements in relation to patients' experience of care, including cancer care.
Since 1 April 2013, NHS England has been responsible for the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, which provides an invaluable insight into cancer patients' experience of care and support across the whole treatment pathway. The survey includes the responses of patients with brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumours.
On 30 August 2013, NHS England published the report of the 2013 Cancer Patient Experience Survey which included the responses of over 68,000 patients. With regard to local support services, according to the 2013 survey's findings, 85% of patients diagnosed with brain or CNS tumour stated that they had been given information about support or self-help groups, compared to 80% in the previous survey. In addition to this, the survey found that 90% of patients diagnosed with brain and CNS tumours said that they were given the name of a clinical nurse specialist, compared to 87% in the previous survey. NHS England's service specification for brain and CNS cancers sets out that patients should have access to a clinical nurse specialist as part of their multidisciplinary team to support them through the care pathway.
To drive improvement locally, reports have been produced for individual trusts, so that commissioners can directly challenge and incentivise improvements; and so providers can benchmark their performance against one another.
NHS England is also working with high performing trusts in the survey to identify best practice that can be shared and developed into toolkits and will then work with trusts with poorer scores to review how they use insight to develop service improvement plans.
“Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer”, published on 12 January 2011, stated that general practitioners need easy access to the right diagnostic tests to diagnose or exclude cancer earlier. The strategy committed over £450 million to achieve early diagnosis of cancer, including
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improving access to key diagnostic tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging scans to support the diagnosis of brain cancer.
In addition to this, since 2005, the “Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer”, published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have supported GPs to identify patients with the symptoms of suspected cancer, including brain tumours, and urgently refer them as appropriate. NICE is in the process of updating this guidance to ensure that it reflects the latest evidence.
To increase GP awareness of brain tumours, in 2012, the Department funded British Medical Journal Learning to provide an e-learning module for GPs on diagnosing osteosarcoma and brain tumours in children.
Finally, to ensure that quality of life issues inform the process of deciding which treatments are available nationally for people living with brain tumours, NICE takes into account health benefits, including quality of life, in developing its guidance to the NHS on the use of new and existing medicines and treatments and on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions.
Further to this, NHS England's service specification for brain and CNS tumours makes it clear that one of the aims of the service is to deliver care that promotes optimal functioning and quality of life for each individual patient. Service specifications clearly set out what providers need to have in place to offer evidence-based, safe and effective services.
Breastfeeding
Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has allocated to fund the breastfeeding pilot scheme in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire. [181577]
Dr Poulter: The Department has allocated no funds for the pilot scheme in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds the Government have spent on research for myalgic encephalomyelitis since 2010; and what funds the Government plan to spend on the study of that condition in the next five years. [181399]
Dr Poulter: Expenditure by the Department on research on chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) through research programmes, research centres and units, and research training awards is shown in the following table.
| £ million | |
Total spend on CFS/ME research by the Department is higher than this because expenditure by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) on CFS/ME research cannot be disaggregated from total CRN expenditure.
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Total spend in future years by the NIHR on CFS/ME research depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity. The usual practice of the NIHR is not to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics: research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including CFS/ME. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made.
Over the period 2010-11 to 2012-13 the Medical Research Council (MRC) spent over £0.4 million on research into CFS/ME.
Research into CFS/ME is a priority area for the MRC. In 2011 £1.6 million was awarded to support five research grants following a call for proposals which aimed to improve understanding of the mechanisms of CFS/ME. A highlight notice identifying further areas where applications are encouraged is currently in place. The MRC does not normally allocate funds to particular topics and research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. Awards are made according to their scientific quality and importance to human health.
Details of MRC research can be found on the RCUK Gateway to Research website at:
http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
and further information on MRC support for CFS/ME can be found on the MRC website at:
www.mrc.ac.uk/Ourresearch/ResearchInitiatives/CFSME/index.htm
Headaches
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the total number of emergency hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis of migraine or other headache syndrome for each year recorded by the Health and Social Care Information Centre was for each primary care trust and clinical commissioning group in England; [181166]
(2) how many emergency hospital admissions in England with a primary diagnosis of migraine or other headache syndrome had a pre-existing medical diagnosis of migraine or primary headache syndrome prior to the emergency admission between 2011 and 2013. [181167]
Jane Ellison: Information on finished emergency admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of migraine or other headache syndrome (ICD10 codes G43 and G44) by primary care trust (PCT) and clinical commissioning group (CCG) of residence for the years 2010-11 to 2012-13 has been placed in the Library.
For the years specified PCT boundaries were applicable. CCG geographies have been applied retrospectively for the years 2010-11 to 2012-13.
Reference should be made to the notes when interpreting these data.
Data cannot be provided on how many emergency hospital admissions in England with a primary diagnosis of migraine or other headache syndrome had a pre-existing medical diagnosis of migraine or primary headache syndrome prior to the emergency admission between 2011 and 2013 as information about pre-existing conditions is not available, only the conditions for which the patient received treatment.
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Notes:
1. Finished admission episodes
A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period.
2. Primary diagnosis
The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital.
3. ICD10 Codes
The following ICD10 codes were used to identify migraine and other headache syndromes:
G43 Migraine
G44 Other headache syndromes
4. SHA/PCT of residence
The strategic health authority (SHA) or PCT containing the patient's normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to another SHA/PCT for treatment.
A change in methodology in 2011-12 resulted in an increase in the number of records where the PCT or SHA of residence was unknown. From 2006-07 to 2010-11 the current PCT and SHA of residence fields were populated from the recorded patient postcode. In order to improve data completeness, if the postcode was unknown the PCT, SHA and country of residence were populated from the PCT/SHA value supplied by the provider. From April 2011-12 onwards if the patient postcode is unknown the PCT, SHA and country of residence are listed as unknown.
5. CCG of residence
The CCG containing the patient's normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to another area for treatment.
Health Services
Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost per visit was to (a) a GP, (b) accident and emergency and (c) a walk-in centre in (i) England and (ii) East Lancashire in the most recent period for which figures are available. [181586]
Jane Ellison: The Department collects reference costs annually from national health service trusts and NHS foundation trusts in England. It does not collect the cost of the provision of care by general practitioners. This means it is only possible to provide the average cost of a visit to walk-in centres provided by NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts.
The most recent period for which reference costs are available is 2012-13.
| Average cost per visit | ||
| £ | ||
| England | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | |
| n/a = Not available. Notes: 1 This includes all types of accident and emergency departments including type 04. 2 Walk-in centres provided by NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts are categorised as type 04 accident and emergency departments. | ||
There is no walk-in centre at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.
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Health Services: Foreign Nationals
Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of the Government's proposed immigration health surcharge on the NHS as an employer. [181229]
Jane Ellison: Under proposals in the current Immigration Bill, non-European economic area nationals subject to immigration control who are coming to the United Kingdom for more than six months would pay a health surcharge as a contribution to the costs of their healthcare, including those who are coming to work in the national health service.
Although in the past the NHS relied quite heavily on recruiting staff overseas, efforts to recruit, train and retain staff in this country have had a positive impact in recent years. For example data from the Nursing and Midwifery Council show a 92% decline in registrations of overseas nurses from 2004 to 2013.
We do not believe that the surcharge, which is proposed to be set at £200 a year for workers, will have a significant impact on the NHS as an employer, but we will assess this if the surcharge comes into force.
Human Papillomavirus
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when in 2014 the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation sub-committee will report its findings on the extension of HPV vaccinations to men who have sex with men or to adolescent boys. [181279]
Jane Ellison: The HPV sub-committee will report its findings to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation following consideration of a yet to be completed study by Public Health England into the cost-effectiveness of extending HPV vaccination to men who have sex with men or to adolescent boys. This study is expected to be completed in 2014 at the earliest; but it is not possible to be precise about a date until all relevant evidence has been assembled.
Midwives
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the attrition rate was for midwives in the last year for which data are available; what proportion of midwifery students (a) failed to complete their training and (b) failed to obtain their degree in the last five years; how many midwives left the profession within two years of qualifying; and how many midwives are due to retire in the next two years. [181559]
Dr Poulter: National non-medical average attrition rates are traditionally reported using data from completed cohorts. It can take up to five years for a completed cohort to move through the system, as trainees can defer, for reasons such as maternity leave.
Midwife attrition data collated by the Department, for the years 2009 to 2012, are included in the following table:
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| Percentage | |||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | |
| 2005-06 start | 2006-07 start | 2007-08 start | |
The latest quarterly data, September 2013, show that the overall number of midwives has risen by an additional 1,152 (5.7%) more than there were in May 2010. There are now 21,284 (full-time equivalent) qualified midwives and from 1 April 2013 a record 6,000 in training.
Health Education England are now responsible for this data collection and will be providing future midwife attrition data. Data regarding midwives who left the profession within two years of qualifying are not collected by the Department.
Midwives may choose to leave the profession for a number of reasons, including retirement, and specific information capturing reasons for leaving the midwifery profession is not collected.
NHS: ICT
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure cyber security and clinical safety for electronic medical applications. [181441]
Dr Poulter: An Information Governance Assurance Framework and its Information Governance Toolkit have been provided to assist care organisations determine appropriate security controls. They contain a comprehensive range of security standards and good practice guidance applicable for care organisations of all types. In addition, a new care system Cyber Security Leadership Forum has recently been established to improve awareness of cyber security issues and the sharing of relevant experience and skills.
A Health and Social Care Information Centre system exists for the reporting of data losses. This system will be extended to allow reporting of cyber security incidents affecting both clinical and other information assets.
Clinical safety requirements are addressed through Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency regulation or NHS England mandatory standards ISB 0129 and ISB 0160. Clinical incident reporting processes also exist through the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
Transport
Bus Services: Concessions
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the continuation of a national free bus pass for pensioners. [181557]
Stephen Hammond: The right to free bus travel for both older and disabled people is enshrined in primary legislation. The Government have committed to preserving the current statutory entitlement to concessionary bus travel in this Parliament.
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Car Tax
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether payment of vehicle excise duty will be monitored through (a) a chip on a vehicle windscreen or registration plate or (b) the registration plate alone following the removal of the requirement to display a paper tax disc on vehicle windscreens. [181572]
Stephen Hammond: There are no plans for the payment of vehicle excise duty to be monitored by a chip on a vehicle windscreen or registration plate once the requirement to display a paper tax disc is removed.
However, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the police continue to use the registration plate for enforcement action through the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. The DVLA will also continue to use the information contained within the vehicle register to prompt compliance and enforce from the vehicle records.
Crossrail Line
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department plans to announce its preferred bidder for the Crossrail rolling stock contract before the second quarter of 2014. [181556]
Stephen Hammond: Crossrail Limited (CRL) is managing the procurement of the Crossrail Rolling Stock and Depot contract. CRL is currently in the process of evaluating the bids, with a view to announcing the successful bidder by spring 2014.
I will give a statement to the House once this procurement has concluded.