Trade Unions

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has any plans to end the employee trade union membership dues check-off system. [196772]

Stephen Hammond: The Department has undertaken a review into the removal of check-off arrangements and is considering the next steps following this review.

West Coast Railway Line

Mr O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of changes in passenger numbers on the west coast main line over the next 10 years. [196604]

Stephen Hammond: I refer my right hon. Friend to my answer of 28 April 2014, Official Report, columns 517-18W.

Energy and Climate Change

Fossil Fuels: Exports

Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the answer of 10 January 2013, Official Report, column 424W, on fossil fuels: imports, how much (a) oil and (b) gas was exported from the UK to (i) Russia, (ii) Norway, (iii) the Middle East and (iv) Latin America in each year from 2002 to 2013. [196814]

Michael Fallon: The following table shows the export of oil and gas from the UK to Russia, Norway, the Middle East and Latin America for the years 2002 to 2013.

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Fossil Fuels: Imports

Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the answer of 10 January 2013, Official Report, column 424W, on fossil fuels: imports, how much (a) oil and (b) gas was imported into the UK from (i) Russia, (ii) Norway, (iii) the Middle East and (iv) Latin America in each of the last two years. [196815]

Michael Fallon: Oil imported into the UK from Russia, Norway, the Middle East and Latin America in each of the last two years:

Gas imported into the UK from Russia, Norway, the Middle East and Latin America in each of the last two years:

Green Deal Scheme: Sussex

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will write to Sussex county councils setting out detailed reasons why the bid to the Green Deal Communities Fund from Sussex Energy Saving Partnership was turned down and how the organisations involved could have strengthened their bid; whether there is a process for unsuccessful bids to be reviewed; if he will publish (a) copies of all bids received and (b) the reasons for each decision on such bids; whether there are funds remaining in the fund; whether there will be further opportunities for projects to bid; and when further bids will be entertained. [196839]

Gregory Barker: All Green Deal Communities bids were assessed against the criteria set out in the published application pack using a consistent process, treating each bid equally. The following table lists the lead LAs for the 24 successful bids. These utilised all the available Green Deal Communities funds.

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Radioactive Waste: Cumbria

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to ensure that for future generations the Cumbrian coast is not contaminated by radioactive waste; what plans he has to ensure the resilience of nuclear waste sites to rising sea levels and flood risk; what steps he plans to take in response to the Environment Agency document of 9 January on the site of the Drigg Low-Level Waste Repository; and if he will place a copy of the document in the Library. [196734]

Michael Fallon: Radioactive waste management activities are subject to permitting by the Environment Agency under legislation introduced by the Department.

The agency requires radioactive waste management sites to prepare and maintain an Environmental Safety Case (ESC). Its purpose is to demonstrate that any impacts now and into the far future resulting from disposals of radioactive waste at the site are acceptable in accordance with relevant UK legislation, standards and guidance. This assessment must consider all reasonable futures for the site, including coastal erosion and flooding scenarios. The Environment Agency will only permit further disposals at the site if it is satisfied that the operator has demonstrated that the short and long-term impacts of disposals are in accordance with this legislation, standards and guidance.

The January document referred to is “Advice to Environment Agency Assessors on the Disposal of Discrete Items, Specific to the Low Level Waste Repository, Near Drigg, Cumbria” was prepared to support the Environment Agency in assessing the ESC for the LLWR, submitted by LLW Repository Ltd in May 2011. The agency conducts such assessments independently and therefore I do not plan to respond to this document.

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Home Department

Alexander Litvinenko

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in the light of the High Court decision of 11 February 2014, she will now set up a public inquiry into the death of Alexander Litvinenko. [195699]

James Brokenshire: The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), has decided not to seek permission to appeal the judgment and is giving fresh consideration to the exercise of her discretion to establish an inquiry. The Government continue to co-operate fully with the inquest into Mr Litvinenko’s death.

Animal Experiments

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce the number of animals used in medical research. [196924]

Norman Baker: In 2010, the coalition Government made a commitment to work to reduce the use of animals in scientific research and our Delivery Plan was published in February 2014.

The commitment is being delivered through a science-led programme. At the core of the programme is a commitment to the 3Rs, led by the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), an organisation with a strong record in reducing animal use. The NC3Rs closely involves Government Departments and agencies, the Home Office Inspectorate, the research community in both academia and industry, and others with relevant animal welfare interests.

I am committed to reducing the use of animals in research and the Delivery Plan shows how alternative methods can deliver fast, high quality research that also boosts economic growth. The commitment is not concerned with just baseline numbers, but encompasses the replacement, refinement and reduction (3Rs) more broadly. Aiming to achieve a target of reduction would be a flawed approach because numbers are not within our control. Instead, the Delivery Plan looks to support an agenda with the 3Rs at its heart.

The scientific case for developing new techniques that do not require the use of animals is now as strong as the moral one. This Delivery Plan is therefore our starting point for the future and it will pave the way for future practice, both at home and abroad, and will cement the UK’s place as an international leader in this field.

Emergency Services: Telecommunications

Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the timetable is for the Emergency Services Mobile Communication programme; and what steps she is taking to ensure that commercial operators offer a service at least equivalent to the existing service. [195915]

Karen Bradley: The current Airwave Solutions Ltd contracts were let under a 20-year private finance Initiative arrangement, with a series of 15 year contracts, which expire over the period from September 2016 to December 2020.

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The Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme aims to introduce a replacement for Airwave, as current contracts expire from September 2016. The requirements have been developed in partnership with the emergency services and we are running an open and fair competition in accordance with Government guidelines.

The aim is to provide a replacement solution which is at least equivalent to the existing service, but not necessarily delivered in the same way.

Human Trafficking: Children

Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria were used to select organisations or local authorities to pilot the advocacy scheme for trafficked children; how that scheme was commissioned; when such schemes will start in which location and for what duration; and if she will make a statement. [196686]

Karen Bradley: The modern slavery Bill will enable us to strengthen our response to human trafficking and modern slavery for both adults and children. We announced in January our intention to trial specialist independent advocates for victims of child trafficking.

23 local authorities have agreed to participate in the trial: Greater Manchester including Manchester city, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Bolton, Wigan, Salford, Trafford; West Midlands including, Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton; Croydon; Derbyshire; Kent; Lancashire; Oxfordshire; and West Sussex.

These local authorities represent a wide demographic range as well as major transport hubs and asylum screening units. These areas also have the highest rates of trafficking referrals to the National Referral Mechanism or are areas where we are aware of a high number of trafficking investigations by law enforcement agencies.

We remain committed to trialling this approach. We are currently considering bids from a number of voluntary and community services organisations that were identified as potential providers of the advocacy service because of the particular expertise they hold. We will announce the outcome of the process in due course.

Violence against Women and Girls Ministerial Group

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates the Violence Against Women and Girls Inter-Ministerial Group has met since 1 February 2013. [196822]

Norman Baker: The Violence Against Women and Girls Inter-Ministerial Group has met on the following dates since 1 February 2013:

6 February 2013

4 June 2013

11 December 2013

11 February 2014.

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International Development

Afghanistan

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what arrangements his Department plans to leave in place in Afghanistan to protect education for female children. [196925]

Justine Greening: The UK Government support girls' education in Afghanistan through DFID's Girls' Education Challenge programmes and our financial support to the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund—a multi-donor fund that supports the provision of primary education across Afghanistan. We are committed to Afghanistan for the long term, including supporting education for girls.

Pakistan

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent work her Department has undertaken with the Pakistani building and construction improvement programme to deliver sustainable safe stoves and hot water tanks in the remote Pakistani mountains. [196747]

Justine Greening: DFID has not undertaken any work with the Pakistani building and construction improvement programme.

Treasury

Banks

Mr Ronnie Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the banking crisis of 2008 has cost the public purse to date. [195755]

Nicky Morgan: Table M9 of the Office for National Statistics’ release on EU Government Deficit and Debt of March 2014 sets out the Government’s activities undertaken to support financial institutions during the financial crisis. The release is available at:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_358053.pdf

Banks: Closures

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with banks about the closure of branches; and if he will make a statement. [196915]

Andrea Leadsom: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with, and receive representations from, a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sector as part of the usual policymaking process. It is not Government practice to provide details of all such representations.

Banks: Pay

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the prevalence of allowances being paid to senior bank executives to enable them to avoid the EU bonus cap. [196644]

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Andrea Leadsom: The UK is at the forefront of global efforts to tackle excessive pay in the financial sector and ensure that pay is aligned with performance; our tough Remuneration Code requires deferral of at least 60% of bonuses of senior bankers and limits the amounts that can be paid in cash. Bonuses are down significantly since their peak under the last Government, and are now largely deferred and paid in shares.

In contrast, the EU’s bonus cap is a poorly thought through measure that undermines rather than reinforces our efforts by pushing up fixed pay. It was introduced without any proper impact assessment and has serious issues around its compatibility with the EU treaty, and for these reasons we are challenging it in the European Court of Justice. However, pending the outcome, the Government are fully implementing the cap in the UK.

The Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority have responsibility for ensuring that remuneration practices in the banking sector are compliant with the new rules.

Conditions of Employment

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of employees hired under the Employment Allowance Scheme are (a) employed on zero-hours contracts and (b) paid below the living wage as set by the Living Wage Foundation. [196856]

Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available.

The employment allowance is available to businesses and charities and is worth up to £2,000 off their total employer Class 1 national insurance contributions (NICs) bill.

Employers are likely to use the NICs savings from the allowance in a variety of ways. Research by the Federation of Small Businesses suggests that employers may use these savings to increase wages, employ more staff or invest in their business.

Debt Collection

Ian Lavery: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average cost is of recovery of £1 of debt by HM Revenue and Customs debt management staff. [196353]

Mr Gauke: HMRC collects about £475 billion of tax revenue every year. 90% of this is collected by the due date; just 10% of it becomes overdue and a debt that HMRC has to recover or enforce.

It would be misleading to attribute the effect of enforcing tax that is not paid on time outside the context of collecting tax that is collected on time.

Accordingly, we do not routinely measure the ‘average’ cost of collecting £1 of debt.

HMRC uses a number of different methods to recover outstanding debts ranging from automated processes to more targeted enforcement tools as well as partnering initiatives with private sector companies. The application of specific interventions depends on a number of factors including customer behaviour, the economic climate, and our overall approach to maintaining the health of the tax system and tackling non-compliance.

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In 2011 HMRC published the results of an international benchmarking study which compares HMRC's operational performance to nine other international tax administrations. Results from this study showed HMRC had the lowest cost of all ten countries.

Over the long term 99% of taxes due are collected with only 1% being lost to the Exchequer, almost all of which is due to insolvency.

Drinks

Simon Danczuk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal steps he is taking to incentivise the sale of alcohol-free beers and ciders. [196848]

Nicky Morgan: Beers and ciders below 1.2% alcohol by volume are exempt from alcohol duties.

Financial Services

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the level and practice of undeclared costings charged by financial institutions to private investors on open-ended investment trusts and other products. [196864]

Andrea Leadsom: The Government are aware of the impact that costs can have on investment returns. While there are currently no plans for HM Treasury to undertake a review, the Government are working with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which regulates the disclosure of fees and expenses in accordance with existing regulation.

The FCA has conducted a review on the clarity of fund charges within the current regulatory framework to ensure costs are clearly set out to consumers. It will publish its findings in quarter 2 2014. The FCA has also worked closely with the Treasury to shape future European legislation which will improve the disclosure of fund charges across Europe.

Fines: Northern Ireland

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many fines of what total value have been imposed by HM Revenue and Customs on employers in Northern Ireland in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2014 to date. [196656]

Mr Gauke: This question has been taken as asking about fines related to non-payment of the NMW.

The Government take the enforcement of NMW very seriously and HMRC enforce the national minimum wage legislation on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). It does that by investigating all complaints made about employers suspected of not paying the minimum wage, in addition to carrying out targeted enforcement where it identifies a high risk of non-payment of NMW across the whole of the UK.

Prior to 6 April 2009, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issued penalty notices to those employers who failed to comply, within 28 days, with an enforcement notice. A new enforcement regime, introduced in April 2009, saw the introduction of automatic penalties for employers who are found to have underpaid their workers.

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The number and value of penalties issued to Northern Ireland employers for the calendar years 2010-14 is set out in the following table:

Loans: Republic of Ireland

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Government of the Irish Republic currently owe the UK; and when he expects the amount outstanding to be repaid in full. [196865]

Nicky Morgan: In accordance with the Loans to Ireland Act 2010, HM Treasury reports to Parliament every six months including information on the outstanding principal. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the report laid on 28 April 2014 which is also available online, alongside all previous reports submitted by HM Treasury, on the following site:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bilateral-loan-to-ireland

Mortgages

Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what steps he plans to take to resolve unresolved cases of the mis-selling of mortgage endowment policies; [195852]

(2) what estimate he has made of the number of unresolved cases of mis-selling of mortgage endowment policies. [195851]

Andrea Leadsom: The Government have not made an estimate of the number of unresolved cases of mis-selling of mortgage endowment policies.

If a borrower feels the risks were not explained properly to them when they took out an endowment mortgage, in the first instance they should complain to the company through which they bought the product. Customers who then feel that their complaint has not been dealt with satisfactorily are able to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)—an independent body set up to provide arbitration in such cases, which is free for consumers to use.

National Insurance Contributions

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters were sent to businesses on the employment allowance; how many such letters have been returned undelivered; and what the total cost has been of production and postage of such letters. [196675]

Mr Gauke: For the total number and costs of letters sent, I refer to the answer I gave on 10 April 2014, Official Report, column 365W, to the hon. Members for Streatham (Mr Umunna) and for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) and the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw).

Letters returned undelivered are handled externally as part of a contracted service.

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Stationery

Mr Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what levels of stock his Department holds of (a) stationery, (b) printer cartridges, (c) treasury tags and other fasteners and (d) other office consumables. [196218]

Andrea Leadsom: In line with Government policy and to benefit from public sector buying power, HM Treasury has centralised common commodity procurements, such as stationery, through contracts awarded and managed by the Crown Commercial Service.

The stock information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Students: Loans

Mr Byrne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's target impairment for student loans is; how that level was decided on; when that target was introduced; what changes there have been to that target since its introduction; and if he will publish regular information on the level of that target. [195774]

Mr Willetts: I am replying on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 April 2014, Official Report, column 11W.

Tax Allowances: Pensions

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much in income tax relief was added to the personal pensions of higher rate taxpayers in 2013-14. [196866]

Mr Gauke: Figures for 2013-14 are not yet available.

The latest available estimates (from 2011-12) of the number of people receiving income tax deductions for their personal pension contributions and the value of deductions by different income levels can be found in Table 3.8 at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/276037/tables3-1_3-11.pdf

Welfare Tax Credits: Foreign Nationals

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many awards of tax credits there have been where the national insurance number of one or more claimants was identifiable as one issued to a person who was not a UK national at the time of issue of the number in the latest period for which figures are available; and what the total amount was of those awards. [190311]

Nicky Morgan: In March 2013, information was extracted from HMRC’s tax credit system in respect of the number of families claiming tax credits where, if claiming as a couple, at least one of the family members was recorded as being a non-UK national when they registered for a national insurance number.

The extract shows that as at March 2013, 715,900 such families were claiming tax credits. If we assume no further changes until the end of the relevant year, the annual tax credits entitlement of these awards was

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£4.9 billion. The same extract showed that the total number of families claiming tax credits was 4,705,100 with an annual entitlement of £29.55 billion.

For this purpose, as nationality was based on nationality at the time a claimant first registered for a national insurance number (NINO)the nationality of some of those claimants may have since changed. The information is not therefore sufficiently reliable to be used for formal statistical purposes.

Based on this information the numbers of non-UK nationals claiming tax credits as a percentage of the entire tax credits population are broadly in line with the percentage of non-UK nationals in the UK work force (according to figures in the 2013 Labour Force Survey complied by the ONS).

Communities and Local Government

Community Relations: Religion

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people of no faith are consulted and listened to when formulating policy on faith and communities. [196267]

Stephen Williams: The ‘Creating the Conditions for Integration’ paper sets out the Government’s approach to achieving a more integrated society, for everyone of faith and of no faith to live and work successfully alongside each other. In September 2012 the Prime Minister appointed my noble Friend Baroness Warsi as Minister for Faith and Communities. Along with colleagues, such as myself, the Minister has worked closely with faith and non-faith groups on an approach to integration.

Homelessness: Females

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has to publish data on (a) women's homelessness, (b) the number of women who become homeless in a reporting period and (c) the length of their homelessness. [196818]

Kris Hopkins: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 13 March 2014, Official Report, column 311-12W.

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to prevent and tackle women's homelessness. [196820]

Kris Hopkins: This Government have invested £470 million to prevent and tackle all forms of homelessness over the spending review period. The homelessness legislation in England provides one of the strongest safety nets in the world for families with children and vulnerable people who become homeless through no fault of their own.

The Government are committed to tackling and preventing all forms of homelessness and rough sleeping. We have:

Invested nearly £2 million to stop unlawful practice of councils placing families in B&Bs for more than six weeks;

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Supported the roll-out of ‘No Second Night Out’ schemes across England, helping 67% of rough sleepers off the streets after a single night;

Invested £42.5 million to improve rough sleeper hostels;

Made it easier for councils to help move homeless families out of temporary accommodation more quickly by using good quality privately rented accommodation—backed up by a £1 billion investment to expand the rented sector; and

Supported local authorities to deliver high quality housing solutions for vulnerable people through the Gold Standard scheme. Councils aiming for the standard are supported by £1.7 million worth of training and other support.

The dynamics of domestic abuse mean that accommodation can play an important role in the resolution of interpersonal abuse and conflict. This is why local authorities provide a range of support for victims of domestic abuse. Some victims will be accommodated in refuges, but sanctuary schemes and mainstream local authority accommodation may be an option for others, while some victims will pursue independent solutions with help and advice from support schemes as necessary.

This Department also funds UKRefugesOnline a UK-wide database of domestic violence services which supports the national 24-hour free phone domestic violence helpline. It enables those working with victims of domestic violence to identify appropriate services and potential refuge vacancies around the country so that victims can get the help they need as quickly as possible.

Housing: Older People

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to help older people with their housing needs; and if he will make a statement. [196350]

Kris Hopkins: The Government are committed to increasing the supply of suitable housing for older people and also to helping people to live independently at home for longer.

The Government are improving choice for those who wish to move by providing £315 million between 2013-14 and 2017-18 through the Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund. Phase I of the fund was announced last year and will deliver more than 3,500 affordable homes for older people and adults with disabilities or mental health needs. The successful bids for phase II of the programme, which aims to stimulate development in the wider private market, will be announced later this year.

The National Planning Policy Framework asks local planning authorities to assess the full housing requirements in their area and plan for a mix of housing based on demographic trends and the needs of different groups in the area, including older people. The planning guidance advises that local planning authorities should count housing provided for older people, including residential institutions in Use Class C2, against their housing requirement. The approach taken, which may include site allocations, should be clearly set out in the local plan. Copies of the framework and the guidance have been placed in the Library of the House.

To help extended families, the Government introduced in April a 50% council tax discount on family annexes. We have also made amendments to the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations, exempting from the levy those wanting to extend their own homes, or install residential annexes within their own property boundary.

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The Department for Communities and Local Government is providing funding of £785 million between 2011-12 and 2014-15 for the Disabled Facilities Grant which is administered by local authorities in England and provides adaptations to the homes of disabled people to help them to live as independently as possible in their own home. A further £220 million will be made available in 2015-16.

Since 2011-12, the Government have funded FirstStop with over £2 million to provide a national information and advice service to older people, their families and carers on housing, care and finance.

Planning Permission: Appeals

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to ensure that the wishes of the local people and decisions of the local council are given priority in appeal decisions by the Planning Inspectorate. [196030]

Nick Boles: Planning is a quasi-judicial process; it is a long-standing feature of the planning system that there is a right of appeal, just as there are with other local quasi-judicial decisions such as on licensing applications, gambling applications or parking fines.

The Localism Act 2011 has strengthened the role of local plans and abolished the last Administration’s top-down regional strategies. Our streamlined National Planning Policy Framework strongly encourages areas to get up-to-date local plans in place, and we have been actively supporting councils in doing so. Local plans now set the framework in which decisions on particular applications are taken, whether locally or at appeal, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Once adopted a neighbourhood plan will also become part of the area’s statutory development plan—an example of this Government’s localist agenda. Both local and neighbourhood plans are founded on thorough community involvement and are subject to public examination and consultation. Almost 1,000 communities have applied for a neighbourhood planning area to be designated, with 850 areas now designated.

Planning inspectors will take full account of all the evidence that is before them, including representations made by local residents and other interested parties. Each representation should be considered on its merits, paying careful regard to the relevant policy and material planning considerations.

Since the National Planning Policy Framework was introduced, the number of appeals received has fallen as has the number allowed. The quality of local decisions also remains high—99% of decisions are made locally with only approximately 1% of planning applications overturned on appeal. Housing starts and housing construction are also up, as are permissions for new homes. This means there is more local decision-making, and our reforms are supporting badly-needed new homes within a locally-led planning system.

Racial Discrimination

Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much financial support his Department provided to Show Racism the

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Red Card in each of the last three years; and what controls are in place to prevent the use of such monies for party political campaigning. [196797]

Stephen Williams: The Department for Communities and Local Government provided the following funding to Show Racism the Red Card:

We are satisfied that the funding for Show Racism the Red Card was used for purposes outlined in the funding agreement—the provision of education workshops to equip young people with skills to reject the divisive messages of groups like the English Defence League—and that no funding was used for purposes of a political nature. Conditions in the funding agreement prevent funds being spent on anything other than educational work (including a prohibition on any political campaigning) and the campaign’s status as a charity further preludes it from engaging in political activities.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to answer question No. 191956 tabled by the right hon. Member for Leeds Central on 13 March 2014. [194894]

Stephen Williams: I will provide a comprehensive answer to the right hon. Member in due course. We are currently gathering historic files, given that some of the information requested predates the establishment of the National Planning Casework Unit in 2011.

Cabinet Office

Population

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the population in (a) 2025 and (b) 2050 of those built-up areas showing a population of 100,000 or more in the 2011 census. [196960]

Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.

Letter from Glen Watson:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the population in (a) 2025 and (b) 2050 of those built-up areas showing a population of 100,000 or more in the 2011 Census. [196960]

Estimates of future population are available as population projections but ONS does not produce them for built up areas.

Population projections are available for local authorities in England which usually project forward for a 25 year horizon. However, the most recent set of projections are based on the population in 2011 are only available to 2021. These can be found at:

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www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/snpp/sub-national-population-projections/Interim-2011-based/index.html

Updated population projections, based on more recent information and covering a period to 2037, will be published on the 29 May.

Public Sector: Procurement

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will take steps to require companies running public services to become more transparent about their performance and financial data and be subject to Freedom of Information legislation; and if he will make a statement. [196854]

Mr Maude: The Public Accounts Committee report “Contracting out public services to the private sector”, published on 14 March 2014, covered both of these issues.

The Government are currently preparing their response, which will be published in due course.

The report can be found at:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmpubacc/777/77702.htm

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make it his policy to ensure that public sector, in-house, social enterprise and not-for-profit provision are given full consideration before public services are contracted out to the private sector; and if he will make a statement. [196855]

Mr Maude: The Government believe that public service commissioners should consider all options when tendering contracts, securing best quality service for users at the best value for taxpayers. This includes social enterprises, not-for-profit organisations and public sector mutuals.

We have provided support through the £10 million Mutuals Support Programme, another £10 million through the Investment and Contract Readiness Fund, and also established a programme of ‘commercial masterclasses’ on the skills needed to win public sector contracts.

Public Sector: Staff

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the change in the percentage of working age population employed by the public sector was in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland between 2012 and 2013. [196862]

Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.

Letter from Glen Watson, dated April 2014:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the change in the percentage of working age population employed by the public sector was in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland between 2012 and 2013. (196862)

The estimates supplied have been calculated from the Annual Population Survey (APS). Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey. In the APS the distinction between public and private sector is based on respondents’ views about the organisation for which they work. The public sector estimates provided do not correspond to official Public Sector Employment estimates. Those

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are derived directly from employers, based on a National Accounts’ definition and would include those working beyond pension age.

Table 1 shows the number and percentage of people aged 16 to 64 years, who were employed in the public sector resident in each country of the UK, compiled from APS interviews held during the period January 2013 to December 2013, the latest period available, and the 12 month period ending December 2012, along with the net changes.

As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates is given in the table.

National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at

http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Trade Unions

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish copies of the correspondence sent by his Department to other Government Departments requesting that they review the check-off system for union subscriptions. [196853]

Mr Maude: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman) on 3 March 2014, Official Report, column 663W.

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office for what reasons his Department requested that Government Departments review the check-off system for union subscriptions. [196913]

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Mr Maude: The deduction of trade union subscriptions from payroll through check-off is a matter delegated to Departments.

Departments should keep these arrangements under review to ensure that they are appropriate and meet the needs of a modern workplace, as per section 7.3.3 of the civil service management code.

Unemployment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office in which years from 1984 to 2010 was there a reduction in the number of workless households. [196932]

Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.

Letter from Glen Watson, dated April 2014:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office in which years from 1984 to 2010 was there a reduction in the number of workless households (196932).

Information on workless households comes from the Labour Force Survey household datasets and is only available from 1996 onwards.

The table shows both the number and proportion of workless households in the UK between 1996 and 2010. The data refers to the April-June quarter in each year.

In absolute terms, the number of workless households fell between 1996 and 2000, between 2002 and 2004 and between 2005 and 2006. Proportionally the number of workless households fell between 1996 and 2004, between 2005 and 2006 and between 2007 and 2008.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Egypt

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Egypt; and if he will make a statement. [196926]

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Hugh Robertson: Egypt has been going through a difficult political transition for over three years. In July 2013, the interim Egyptian Government set out a new roadmap towards presidential and parliamentary elections. A referendum on a new constitution was held in January 2014 and was an important milestone. We welcomed the provisions in the new constitution for the protection of the rights of minorities and women and the transition to democracy in Egypt. However, we were concerned by the closure of political space for opposition groups in the run-up to the referendum and the arrest and sentencing of human rights activists. Egypt is now preparing for presidential elections to be held from 26 to 27 May, which will be observed by an EU Election Observation Mission. Parliamentary elections are due to take place later in the year and are an important step.

We continue to monitor closely political developments in Egypt. We are concerned about the Protest Law; the prison sentences handed down to three democracy and human rights activists; restrictions on freedom of the press; and the sentencing to death of a large number of people without proper legal process in an Egyptian court in Minya. These cases undermine international confidence in the progress towards reform and democratisation in Egypt. We are also concerned at the rising number of terrorist attacks in Egypt. Our thoughts are with the families of those killed and wounded and all those affected.

The UK continues to believe that the only sustainable way for Egypt to address its current challenges is through an inclusive political process which allows all Egyptians a voice in the country’s future. The UK stands ready to support the Egyptian people in achieving this.

Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation the UK will have at the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in New York in May. [196792]

Hugh Robertson: The UK Head of Delegation is Dr Matthew Rowland, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament. Dr Rowland is supported by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and Department for Energy and Climate Change.

Spain

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to take steps against Spain other than to appeals to the Government should incursions on the UK border continue. [196316]

Mr Lidington: We will continue to uphold British sovereignty by challenging and protesting each and every unlawful incursion into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. We will also continue to lodge formal diplomatic protests about delays at the border.

In addition to these formal measures, we will continue to make representations to the Spanish Government at the highest level, making clear the damage that unlawful

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incursions and disproportionate measures at the border cause to our bilateral relationship.

The Prime Minister has spoken twice to the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, about delays at the border. As a result of those conversations, the Commission sent a monitoring mission to the border and we now expect the Commission to insist that Spain implements the recommendations it received on improving the flow of people and traffic.

We do not rule out further measures. However, it is important that we act in ways that do not make life still more difficult for businesses and ordinary citizens in Gibraltar. We are continuing to seek a way forward on the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs’ proposal for ad hoc talks as the best means of discussing and resolving issues of concern.

Stationery

Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what levels of stock his Department holds of (a) stationery, (b) printer cartridges, (c) treasury tags and other fasteners and (d) other office consumables. [196206]

Mr Lidington: Responsibility for stationery is devolved to all posts and directorates and procured as required. Data on levels of stationery are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Stationery in the UK is procured through the Crown Commercial Services frameworks, in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance.

United Arab Emirates

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consular assistance has been given to Mr Hasnain Ali during his trial in United Arab Emirates. [196589]

Hugh Robertson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London and our embassy in Dubai have provided full consular assistance to Mr Hasnain Ali since we were informed of his detention, and throughout his trial. This has included regular prison visits by consular officials, assisting family members to visit and attending court hearings. On 15 April 2014, Mr Hasnain Ali was found innocent and his court case concluded. Consular officials are providing ongoing assistance as Mr Hasnain Ali prepares to leave Dubai.

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his United Arab Emirates counterpart on the treatment of Mr Hasnain Ali. [196591]

Hugh Robertson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not comment on individual cases. However, we take all allegations of the mistreatment of British nationals extremely seriously. With an individual's permission, we take up any complaint about ill-treatment with the relevant authorities.

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Culture, Media and Sport

Music Video Ratings

14. Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to take steps to bring music video ratings into line with BBFC standards. [903819]

Mr Vaizey: Parents tell us they want age ratings on music videos which are unsuitable for younger children.

We recently consulted on legislation to introduce BBFC age ratings for music DVDs unsuitable for children under 12. We expect to introduce the legislation to Parliament within the coming months and will bring the new age rating requirements into force as soon as possible.

I also welcome the commitment the music industry has made to pilot BBFC age ratings for online music videos.

Rural Broadband

15. Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that superfast broadband is available in remote areas of the UK. [903820]

Mr Vaizey: A new £10 million competitive fund opened on 21 March to market test innovative solutions to deliver superfast broadband services to the most difficult to reach remaining areas of the UK.

The pilot projects will explore how to reach these areas; and we will use learning from the pilots to inform future Government investment decisions.

BBC Finance

17. Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the value of regional and local BBC services in discussions on the future financing of the BBC. [903822]

Mr Vaizey: The value of all BBC services, including its local and regional services, should be considered as part of the review of the BBC’s Charter. Government have yet to announce the timing, scope and process for Charter Review, so it would be premature to make any assessment at this point.

Arts Council England

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the budget of Arts Council England for library development is in 2013-14; and how many staff that body employs to work on its library responsibilities. [196562]

Mr Vaizey: The budget set by Arts Council England (ACE) for library development in 2013-14 was £685,000. 5.5 full-time equivalent staff are currently employed on ACE library responsibilities.

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Betting Shops

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effects of betting shops located in areas with high levels of deprivation on those areas. [903815]

Mrs Grant: The Health Surveys for England and Scotland show that the relationship between gambling- related harm and deprivation is mixed. The proposals I announced yesterday will ensure that betting shop customers are subject to greater protections wherever they are based—whether that be areas of deprivation or otherwise.

Broadband

Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what comparative assessment he has made of high speed broadband coverage between (a) Northamptonshire and other counties and (b) the UK and other EU nations. [196919]

Mr Vaizey: According to the most recent data from Ofcom, in 2013 superfast broadband was available to 73.8% of premises in Northamptonshire, compared with 73% of premises across the UK as a whole. The average speed in Northamptonshire was 17.5 Mbps, compared with the UK average of 14.7 Mbps. Ofcom's European Broadband Scorecard published in March 2014 showed that the UK had the highest superfast broadband coverage of the five largest EU member states.

Broadband: Rural Areas

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to improve mobile internet connectivity in rural areas. [196538]

Mr Vaizey: One of the licences granted in the 2013 4G auction contains a demanding indoor coverage obligation. The owner of this licence, Telefonica O2 UK, is obliged to provide indoor coverage for 4G mobile services to at least 98% of the UK population (and to at least 95% of the population of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales respectively) by the end of 2017. Ofcom expects that this level of indoor coverage will result in approximately 99% outdoor coverage. As a result of the competitive UK telecoms market, all four of the UK mobile network operators have publicly committed to provide this level of coverage by the end of 2015.

There is also likely to be further improvement in 2G and 3G coverage as a result of increasing roll-out of combined 2G/3G/4G equipment by the industry.

However, sometimes it is not commercially viable for operators to install and operate base stations and associated infrastructure in areas of very low population. On 3 October 2011, the Government announced the Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP) with up to £150 million funding to extend mobile phone coverage to remote and rural area across the country that currently receive no coverage from any network. The scheme sees Government provide the capital funding for Arqiva as contractors to build the new infrastructure. The four mobile network operators (EE, Telefonica, Three and Vodafone) will

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provide coverage from the sites and cover operating costs for the 20-year life of the project. The project is currently under way and is expected to deliver by 2015. It is focused primarily on improving voice coverage but is also likely to improve data coverage. Details of this work can be found on the gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/making-it-easier-for-the-communications-and-telecoms-industries-to-grow-while-protecting-the-interests-of-citizens/supporting-pages/improving-mobile-coverage

Ofcom has also published a plan to improve mobile coverage:

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/2013/11/five-point-plan-to-improving-mobile-coverage/

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what evaluation his Department has undertaken of the roll-out of superfast broadband in rural communities in (a) the UK and (b) Scotland. [196722]

Mr Vaizey: The results of an impact study on the Government’s broadband programmes published in November 2013 showed that the programmes would achieve a return by 2024 of £20 for every £1 invested. The study did not disaggregate these results across the UK but 89% of the programme benefits were expected to accrue to areas outside London and the south-east of England. Funding of £100.8 million of the Government’s initial £530 million superfast broadband programme has been allocated to Scotland and the Government announced an indicative funding allocation of a further £20.99 million for Scotland from the additional £250 million programme in February 2014.

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to improve broadband coverage in rural areas. [903806]

Mr Vaizey: Phase 1 of the superfast roll-out programme is making good progress with all 44 projects in delivery.

Two thirds of projects (29 out of 44) have live superfast cabinets making superfast broadband available to thousands of homes and businesses across the country.

We are now investing the additional £250 million to take coverage of superfast broadband to 95% of UK premises.

Libraries: Greater London

Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many libraries in Greater London have (a) closed and (b) reduced opening hours since May 2010. [196693]

Mr Vaizey: The detail requested is not held centrally by this Department. However the Annual Report to Parliament published in January this year indicated our estimate of static library closures in England since the beginning of 2010 at around 90. While the number of public libraries has reduced there has been a notable growth in the number of libraries managed or run by the community. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) collects, annually from the individual library authorities, public library statistics

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which contain information relating to the net figure of public libraries open in each year, as well as the number and type of libraries and the average hours of opening per week. This shows the number of library service points open 10+ hours per week in England (incl. mobiles) at 31 March 2013 was 3,181. However, CIPFA does not collect data on the number of library closures or those that have reduced their opening hours. Copies of CIPFA statistics are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

Tourism: North West

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to raise the profile of the north-west as a tourist destination. [196520]

Mrs Grant: The north-west is promoted by both VisitEngland and VisitBritain, benefitting from the Holidays at Home are GREAT campaign and the international GREAT campaign. VisitEngland is running a number of thematic campaigns, in particular around Blackpool and Manchester, which can be found at:

http://www.visitengland.com/

VisitEngland also regularly promotes the countryside of Cumbria and Lancashire, featuring them in much of their imagery. The north-west is featured in VisitBritain’s current marketing campaigns including focusing on Manchester as a gateway to the Lake District, Liverpool as the home of the Beatles and the promotion of cities which have Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Manchester.

The International Festival for Business, taking place in Liverpool this summer over a six week period, is a global event which will further strengthen Liverpool’s position as a major tourist destination. VisitBritain is promoting the festival through all its platforms, while VisitEngland is hosting and participating in a series of events throughout the six-week period.

Work and Pensions

Funerals

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to support people with the rising cost of funerals. [196806]

Steve Webb: The social fund funeral payment scheme continues to provide help towards a simple, respectful, low-cost funeral. In 2012-13, over 35,000 awards were made worth £42.7 million, with an average award of £1,225.

Social fund budgeting loans are also available to those on income related benefits to cover costs relating to funeral expenses.

In addition, any arrears of benefit which were due to the deceased at date of death are disregarded. This means that such arrears are no longer deducted from the funeral payment award.

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Personal Independence Payment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department has invoked penalty clauses for unacceptable performance standards of (a) Capita or (b) other private sector companies administering personal independence payments. [196018]

Mike Penning: The Department has applied performance measures against both of the personal independence payment assessment providers and has recovered service credits (financial remedies) in accordance with their contracts.

Specific application of service credits for Capita and Atos Healthcare is commercially sensitive information.

Personal Independence Payment: Scotland

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people applied for the personal independence payment in (a) Edinburgh East constituency and (b) Scotland since June 2013; how many have been awarded the payment in each case; how many have requested that a refusal of the payment be reconsidered; how many have been awarded the payment following a request for reconsideration; how many have appealed against a refusal of the payment; and how many have been awarded the payment following an appeal. [196921]

Mike Penning: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Stephen Twigg) and the hon. Member for Airdrie and Shotts (Pamela Nash), on 5 March 2014, Official Report, column 850W.

Social Security Benefits

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many short-term benefit advances were made between April 2013 and March 2014. [196821]

Esther McVey: The total number of short-term benefit advances made between April 2013 and March 2014 was 78,021.

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the average change in the number of days people will spend claiming benefits as a result of the help to work scheme. [196911]

Esther McVey: We have a strong evidence base which shows that Help to Work has a positive impact in terms of reducing the number of days claimants spend on benefit.

Over almost two years, claimants who took part in a trailblazer for Community Work Placement (CWP) and Mandatory Intervention Regime (MIR) spent on average 21 (CWP) and 26 (MIR) fewer days on benefits than an equivalent group of JSA claimants.

They also spent more time in work than the control group: nine days for CWP and 11 days for MIR participants.

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Social Security Benefits: Lone Parents

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance he has issued to jobcentres on how claimant commitments should take into account the caring responsibilities of single parents. [196496]

Esther McVey: All advisers have access to comprehensive and clear procedures, guidance and extensive learning which equips them to agree a Claimant Commitment, taking account of each claimant’s individual circumstances, including the caring responsibilities of single parents.

As with other claimants, lone parents are still expected to be available and actively seeking employment. However, there are restrictions that can be applied to the requirements of this group, in order to take into account their caring responsibilities.

Unemployed People: Basic Skills

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseeker's allowance claimants have been made subject to a benefit sanction since 26 June 2013 because they have not been prepared to learn English. [196859]

Esther McVey: The information requested is not available.

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many jobseeker's allowance claimants were supported by Jobcentre Plus to obtain basic English, mathematics or IT skills in each of the last five years; [196861]

(2) what estimate he has made of the number of jobseeker's allowance claimants who did not have basic English, mathematics or IT skills in each of the last five years. [196858]

Esther McVey: The Department does not publish information on the number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance who lack basic skills in English, mathematics and IT.

Where a claimant's lack of skills is a barrier to them finding work, work coaches will make a referral either for an in-depth skills assessment with a training provider or direct to the most appropriate training.

Table 1 shows the highest level of learning undertaken by JSA and ESA (WRAG) benefit claimants in the first half of the 2012-13 academic year (August 2012 to January 2013) for claimants studying at Level 2 or below.

Figures are estimated based on learning data held by BIS taken from the Individualised Learner Records (ILR) dataset matched to benefits administrative data held by the DWP. Claimants studying English and maths have been grouped together, while claimants studying ICT are part of the ‘Other’ category.

DWP does not currently have equivalent data for the academic years prior to 2012-13. However, a back series of statistics on claimants who studied maths, English and ESOL from 2009-10 to 2011-12 will be published in the 2012-13 final Further Education for Benefit Claimants official statistics in summer 2014.

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Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to paragraph 1.197 of the Autumn Statement 2013, what the expected cost to the public purse will be of the basic skills pilot; how many people will benefit from that pilot; what its start and end dates will be; and if he will make a statement. [196918]

Esther McVey: The 18-21 Skills for Work pilots will be funded from within the Department's budget settlement as agreed at Autumn Statement 2013.

Under the pilot, young people making a claim to JSA between the ages of 18 and 21 years will be screened for English and maths below level 2. Those identified as having a skill need will be referred on a mandatory basis to maths or English training.

It is projected that 10,000 JSA claimants will be referred to learning. The pilot will start in late autumn 2014 and last up to nine months.