Work Capability Assessment
Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy that reminders should be sent by text or other telephonic means informing people of the date, time and location of their upcoming work capability assessments. [201091]
Mike Penning: The Department is keen that claimants are encouraged to attend their work capability assessments, however any adjustments to the process which involve the means described would be subject to commercial and operational considerations. As such I am unable to commit to making this departmental policy.
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Justice
Children: Advocacy
Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many registered intermediaries are available for use by child victims and witnesses in (a) Bolton, (b) Lancashire, (c) England, (d) Scotland and (e) Wales; [201141]
(2) how many child victims and witnesses involved in sexual abuse cases have been given access to and use of a Registered Intermediary in each of the last five years; [201143]
(3) what plans his Department has to increase the number of Registered Intermediaries available for use by child victims and witnesses of sexual abuse; and if he will make a statement. [201144]
Damian Green: As at 19 June 2014, 29 Registered Intermediaries (RIs) were available for use by child victims and witnesses in the Greater Manchester police force area that covers Bolton, 25 RIs for Lancashire, 81 RIs for England and 26 RIs for Wales. Support for vulnerable witnesses is a devolved matter in Scotland.
We recruited over 25 RIs this year, to increase the numbers of Active Registered Intermediaries to be used across the 43 police forces to help vulnerable witnesses.
Registered Intermediaries are available for work across multiple police force areas and the numbers quoted above do not reveal the total number of active RIs.
The number of child victims and witnesses involved in sexual abuse cases that have benefitted from the use of an RI in the last four years since the Witness Intermediary Scheme has been operational are provided in the following table. We do not hold data on cases before this time.
| Age 0 to 4 | Age 5 to 11 | Age 12 to 17 | Yearly total | |
The Ministry of Justice continues to monitor the number of Registered Intermediaries and is considering future recruitment plans. We are working with the CPS and police so that RIs are used to help more vulnerable witnesses to give their best evidence.
Claims Management Services
Mr Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) on what earliest date a still unresolved investigation by the Claims Management Regulation Unit under regulation 35 of the Compensation (Claims Management Services) Regulations 2006 was begun; and on what earliest date such an investigation was begun but no proceedings have yet commenced; [200998]
(2) what average period of time is taken between the date of the opening of an investigation under regulation 35 of the Compensation (Claims Management Services) Regulations 2006 and the date on which (a) proceedings are commenced and (b) the case is closed without proceedings being brought; [200999]
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(3) how many investigations are being carried out by the Claims Management Regulation Unit under regulation 35 of the Compensation (Claims Management Services) Regulations 2006. [201004]
Mr Vara: The CMR Unit aims to conduct all investigations in a proportionate and efficient manner. This means determining as quickly as possible whether a CMC under investigation is in breach of the conditions of its authorisation. If following an investigation it is clear that those conditions have been breached and there is a public protection issue, any proposed enforcement action will be expedited.
(1) 6 June 2013 was the earliest date from when the Claims Management Regulation (CMR) Unit began an investigation under regulation 35, which remains unresolved but no enforcement proceedings have yet commenced.
(2) Information is available for the period, 12 months to 18 June 2014. The CMR Unit conducted 46 investigations under regulation 35, which took an average of five months, 21 days before enforcement proceedings were taken, and an average of two months, eight days before being closed without the requirement for enforcement proceedings.
(3) As at 18 June 2014, the CMR Unit was investigating 24 CMCs under regulation 35.
Community Rehabilitation Companies
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how he plans to allocate National Probation Service staff to new community rehabilitation companies. [201196]
Jeremy Wright: On 1 June, as part of our ongoing Transforming Rehabilitation Programme of reform, the new National Probation Service (NPS) and Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) formally commenced operation. All probation staff were allocated to either the NPS or CRC and many have been working in their new teams since April.
The probation work force was allocated to the new organisations in line with future capacity needs. This was calculated on the basis of existing staffing needs for the different operational functions. The process was based on an objective consideration of the future functions and offender groups that each organisation will be responsible for.
There are no plans to allocate NPS staff to CRCs. However to help ensure effective working relationships between the bodies, we are in favour of an arrangement that would facilitate interchange between the NPS and CRCs where it was in the interests of both employers.
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent discussions he has had on tendering for contracts to run community rehabilitation companies. [201204]
Jeremy Wright:
The tendering process is being run in accordance with standard Government procurement practice. Ministers are being kept updated on progress and throughout the programme have engaged in discussions with a wide range of stakeholders. Bids to run the Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) are expected
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in June 2014 and the contract winners for each Community Rehabilitation Company will be announced by the end of 2014.
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) whether community rehabilitation companies have access to National Probation Service case records; [201206]
(2) whether the National Probation Service will have access to case records of community rehabilitation companies. [201208]
Jeremy Wright: Staff in the National Probation Service (NPS) and the Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) have, and will continue to have, necessary access to each other's case records. NPS staff are able to read all CRC records and update any case they are working on. CRC staff will be able to see and update records that relate to offenders they are working with.
Courts: Children
Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what assessment he has made of the treatment of child victims and witnesses within the courts system; [201135]
(2) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provisions available to support child victims and witnesses within the courts system; and if he will make a statement. [201136]
Damian Green: We do everything we can to support child witnesses and help them give their best possible evidence to bring offenders to justice. We are piloting recorded pre-trial cross-examination, allowing vulnerable witnesses for the first time to give evidence in advance of trial.
In ‘Transforming the Criminal Justice System: Strategy and Action Plan’ (June 2013)', the Ministry of Justice committed to improving the consistency and take-up of special measures for vulnerable and intimidated victims and witnesses, such as the use of live-link, screens in court and the use of an intermediary (communication specialist). We are working with other criminal justice agencies to deliver this.
Child victims and witnesses are automatically eligible for special measures when giving evidence in court. The presumption in most cases is that they should give their evidence by video-recorded statement, and that any subsequent cross-examination is conducted by live-link with a supporter present who has been approved by the court.
The pre-trial cross-examination pilot ends in October 2014 and the evaluation of the pilot will inform plans for any future rollout of the measure.
Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what representations he has received from (a) charities, (b) hon. Members and (c) other individuals on the provisions available to support child victims and witnesses. [201137]
Damian Green: My Department from time to time receives representations about provisions to support child victims and witnesses. In recent months, my officials have held discussions with NSPCC and Barnardo's on the subject, and a number of hon. Members and members of the public have written to Ministers.
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Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many child victims and witnesses have given evidence from inside a court building in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [201138]
(2) how many child victims and witnesses have given evidence from a remote site in each of the last five years; [201139]
(3) how many remote sites are available and in use by child victims and witnesses in (a) each region of England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland. [201140]
Damian Green: We must do everything we can to support child witnesses and help them give their best possible evidence to bring offenders to justice.
The Department does not hold data on the number of child victim and witnesses that use video links to give evidence (either a court building, or from a remote site).
The following table sets out the number of courthouses in each of the seven HMCTS regions in England and Wales; criminal justice is a devolved matter for Scotland and Northern Ireland. These facilities enable any victim or witness to appear by video link from a different court location to that of the trial court; it is also possible for third party users to access the court system through a secure bridge.
| HMCTS region | Number of courthouses enabled for remote video link. |
Employment Tribunals Service
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will initiate an independent audit of his Department’s employment tribunal statistics. [201467]
Mr Vara: The Ministry of Justice publishes quarterly official statistics on the tribunals which come under it, including employment tribunals. These are produced by statisticians in the Analytical Services Division using data produced by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. There are no plans for a review of the statistics at this time.
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HM Inspectorate of Prisons
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what meetings he and his Ministers have had with the Chief Inspector of Prisons; when each such meeting took place; and what was discussed at each such meeting. [201486]
Jeremy Wright: The ministerial team and senior officials are in regular dialogue with the Chief Inspector of Prisons. This includes but is not limited to the meetings set out as follows.
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) met with the Chief Inspector on 29 October 2012 and 29 October 2013.
The Secretary of State and I are due to see the Chief Inspector on 24 June 2014.
In addition, I met with the Chief Inspector on 24 October 2012, 28 January 2013, 11 June 2013, 3 September 2013, 10 December 2013, and 10 March 2014. I also attended a prison inspection, with the Chief Inspector on 1 May 2013.
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice, the right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes) met with the Chief Inspector on 24 March 2014 and 18 June 2014.
A range of issues relevant to the Chief Inspector’s responsibilities have been discussed at these meetings.
Human Trafficking
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were (a) prosecuted for, (b) convicted of, (c) cautioned for and (d) given a non-custodial sentence for human trafficking offences in each year since 2008. [201068]
Jeremy Wright: Severe maximum penalties are available for serious offences. Where an offender is prosecuted and convicted, sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the courts, taking account of all the circumstances of each case. This will include the seriousness of the offence, including all aggravating and mitigating factors, and a guilty plea.
Since 2010, crime has continued to fall. At the same time offenders are more likely to be sent to prison and for longer.
The number of offenders cautioned and defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty and sentenced at all courts for offences related to human trafficking, in England and Wales, from 2008 to 2013, can be viewed in the table.
| Offenders cautioned and defendants proceeded against at magistrates court, found guilty and sentenced at all courts for 'human trafficking' offences,1 England and Wales, 2008 to 20132, 3, 4 | ||||||
| Outcome | 20085 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
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| '—' = Nil. 1 Offences under section 4(1) to 4(3) of the Asylum and Immigration (treatment of Claimants) Act 2004 and S 57 - 59 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. 2 The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for or found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 4 The number of offenders sentenced can differ from those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty in a particular year, and committed for sentence at the Crown court, may be sentenced in the following year. 5 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. 6 The category Otherwise Dealt With (ODW) includes: one day in police cells; disqualification order; restraining order; confiscation order; travel restriction order; disqualification from driving; recommendation for deportation; and other miscellaneous disposals. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. | ||||||
Insolvency
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what representations he has had on including insolvency litigation in the scope of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. [200893]
Mr Vara: We have recently received representations from insolvency practitioners, including the Association of Business Recovery Professionals (R3), regarding a permanent exemption for insolvency litigation from the scope of the costs and funding provisions in part 2 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012. Ministry of Justice officials have met with R3 on this matter.
The LASPO reforms were implemented generally from 1 April 2013, although they were delayed for insolvency proceedings in order to allow stakeholders time to adjust. The Government’s position remains—as announced by written ministerial statement in May 2012 (24 May 2012, Official Report, column 94WS)—that the reforms should apply to insolvency proceedings from April 2015.
Prison Accommodation
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners are being held in police cells; what the daily cost is of holding such prisoners; and how many prisoners were held in police cells in (a) Bury St Edmunds constituency, (b) Suffolk and (c) England and Wales in each of the last five years. [200745]
Jeremy Wright: The number of prisoners held overnight in a police cell has come down to around 1,400 in 2013-14, after reaching a peak of over 50,000 in 2007-08.
Prison numbers fluctuate throughout the year and we have sufficient accommodation for the current and expected population. We will always have enough prison places for those sent to us by the courts. There will be more adult male prison capacity in May 2015 than there was at the start of this Parliament.
Police cells, under Operation Safeguard, have not been used since 22 September 2008 and no police cells under Operation Safeguard have been on stand by since the end of October 2008.
We are not using police cells due to a lack of space, but because it is not always possible to transfer prisoners from courts to prisons in the time available at the end of court sittings—we have over half a million prisoner transfers a year so it is unsurprising that occasionally we cannot get prisoners back to their prison for one night.
As part of standard logistical arrangements, there are occasions where prisoners may be temporarily held overnight in police cells. This is solely for overnight accommodation by the police before collection and onward transmission to the prison establishment the following working day. This is not the same as using Operation Safeguard, as in 2007-08.
For the above occasions, under the existing National Offender Management Service/Association of Chief Police Officers National Framework Agreement, it costs £55 for a prisoner to stay in a police cell overnight
The following table shows (i) the total number of prisoners who were temporarily held overnight in police cells in England and Wales in each year since 2005-06 and (ii) of which, the numbers held in police cells in the Suffolk police force area (identified by the number in brackets), in each year since 2009-10. The totals include adults, young adults (18 to 20-year-olds) and young people (15 to 17-year-olds). In order to identify individual police station locations to identify those in the Bury St Edmunds constituency would require a manual check of each record and this could not be done without incurring disproportionate cost.
| Number | |
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Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions prisoners were held in (a) police station and (b) court cells in each month since January 2014. [201489]
Jeremy Wright: The number of prisoners held overnight in a police cell has come down to around 1,400 in 2013-14, after reaching a peak of over 50,000 in 2007-08.
Prison numbers fluctuate throughout the year and we have sufficient accommodation for the current and expected population. We will always have enough prison places for those sent to us by the courts. There will be more adult male prison capacity in May 2015 than there was at the start of this Parliament.
Police cells, under Operation Safeguard, have not been used since 22 September 2008 and no police cells under Operation Safeguard have been on stand by since the end of October 2008. Court cells have not been used since 28 February 2008 and have been stood down since March 2008.
As part of standard logistical arrangements, there are occasions where prisoners may be temporarily held overnight in police cells.
We are not using police cells due to a lack of space but because it is not always possible to transfer prisoners from courts to prisons in the time available at the end of court sittings-we have over half a million prisoner transfers a year so it is unsurprising that occasionally we cannot get prisoners back to their prison for one night.
This is solely for overnight accommodation by the police before collection and onward transmission to the prison establishment the following working day. This is not the same as using Operation Safeguard, as in 2007-08.
The following table shows (i) the total number of prisoners who were temporarily held overnight in police cells in England and Wales in each month since January 2014. The totals include adults, young adults (18 to 20-year-olds) and young people (15 to 17-year-olds).
| Number of prisoners | |
Prisons: Capital Investment
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the capital investment budget was for prisons in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13 and (d) 2013-14; and what the equivalent budget allocation is for 2014-15. [201498]
Jeremy Wright: Details of the major capital expenditure (funded centrally) for prisons (excluding immigration removal centres) in each year since 2010-11 are shown in the table below. Note that for 2010-11 to 2013-14 actual expenditure is given to reflect the true value of investment. The figure for 2014-15 shows the budget for major capital expenditure and includes the capital maintenance budget as well as investment in new houseblocks, the new prison for North Wales in Wrexham and the Secure College.
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| Financial year | Major capital expenditure (rounded) (£ million) |
Prisons: Crimes of Violence
Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that the perpetrators of assaults against prison staff are appropriately punished; [201178]
(2) what action he is taking to ensure that incidents of assault against prison staff are being effectively investigated. [201179]
Jeremy Wright: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) takes assaults on prison staff very seriously. There are systems in place to deal with perpetrators quickly and robustly, with serious incidents referred to the police for prosecution.
Prisoners engaging in violent behaviour will be subject to an immediate review of their Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) level. There is a strong presumption that such incidents will lead to an immediate downgrade to Basic level unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Assaults on staff in prison are a particularly serious matter given the need for staff to be able to maintain control and order in what can be a volatile environment. NOMS is working closely with the police and CPS to develop a new joint protocol for the management, reporting and prosecution of crime in prisons. Part of this work will involve the development of more effective measures to enable successful prosecution of prisoners who assault NOMS staff.
NOMS is committed to exploring options to continue to improve how violence is managed in prisons to keep both staff and prisoners safe. It is currently reviewing the policy and practice of the management of violence.
Prison Service Instructions set-out the range of options available to Governors to investigate serious assaults. The Governor must ensure that an appropriate level of investigation is commissioned. They must also ensure that any lessons are learned from the incident and disseminated appropriately, those harmed are supported and perpetrators of harm are sanctioned.
Rape
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many people were (a) prosecuted for, (b) convicted of, (c) cautioned for and (d) given a non-custodial sentence for rape in each year since 2008; [201067]
(2) how many people were (a) prosecuted for, (b) convicted of, (c) cautioned for and (d) given a non-custodial sentence for child cruelty and neglect in each year since 2008. [201070]
Jeremy Wright:
Severe maximum penalties are available for serious offences. Where an offender is prosecuted and convicted sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the courts, taking account of all the circumstances
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of each case. This will include the age of the offender, the seriousness of the offence, including all aggravating and mitigating factors, and a guilty plea.
Since 2010, crime has continued to fall but at the same time offenders are more likely to be sent to prison, and for longer. The average custodial sentence length is 15.5 months across all indictable offences, which is the highest in more than a decade, and the use of cautions is at its lowest level for 40 years. We are continuing to overhaul sentencing to ensure that the toughest sentencing measures are available to the courts. We have introduced an automatic life sentence for a second very serious sexual or violent offence and we propose to end automatic early release for all dangerous offenders. All serious offences should always be prosecuted at court. We are clamping down on the use of cautions for serious offences and repeat offenders, and reviewing the whole spectrum of out of court disposals so we have clarity and consistency and most importantly we have a system that victims and the public have confidence in.
Data for 2009 to 2013 on cautions and court outcomes for rape and neglect and cruelty to children are available at the following link to the new ‘Outcomes by offence’ table. The rape data can be found in the sexual offences section, and the neglect and cruelty to children data can be found in the ‘violence against the person’ section.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/311319/8-outcomes-by-offence.xls
For the period 2008 please use the following links and select Volume 5, where the classification of the offences remains the same:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110322191207/http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/criminal-statistics-2008-v5.zip
For 2008 cautions, please use the following link. Select Volume 3 Part 7, which provides data on ‘Persons
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cautioned for indictable offences by Offence, sex and age in table S3.7a’. As above, the classifications remain the same:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110322191207/http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/criminal-statistics-2008-v3.zip
Repossession Orders
Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department expects to raise from increased Notice to Seek Possession fees in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17. [201089]
Mr Vara: We expect to generate around £35 million in additional gross income in 2014-15 and subsequent years from increased Notice to Seek Possession fees.
However, as part of our reforms, we also removed the listing and allocation fees for possession claims in the county and High Court.
Stalking
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were (a) prosecuted for, (b) convicted of, (c) cautioned for and (d) given a non-custodial sentence for each of the stalking offences in sections 2A and 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 in 2013. [201066]
Jeremy Wright: The number of offenders cautioned and defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty and sentenced at all courts under sections 2A and 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, in England and Wales, from 2012 to 2013 (the latest data available), is shown in the following table. These offences came into force in November 2012.
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| “—” = Nil. 1 The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for or found guilty of two or more offences, it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 The number of offenders sentenced can differ from those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty in a particular year, and committed for sentence at the Crown court, may be sentenced in the following year. 4 The category otherwise dealt with (ODW) includes: one day in police cells; disqualification order; restraining order; confiscation order; travel restriction order; disqualification from driving; recommendation for deportation; and other miscellaneous disposals. Note: Offences introduced 25 November 2012. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services: Ministry of Justice. | ||||
Treasury
Fuel Duty
17. Gordon Henderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of freezing fuel duty on the price of petrol. [904410]
Nicky Morgan: Since 2011, the Government have abolished the previous Government’s fuel duty escalator, cut duty by 1 penny per litre and scrapped four planned duty increases. As a result, by the end of the Parliament, petrol will cost nearly 20 pence per litre less than under the previous Government’s plans.
Employment Levels
18. Angie Bray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effect on the economy of the level of employment. [904411]
Nicky Morgan: There are more people in work than ever before with the latest figures showing the fastest increase in employment since records began in 1971. Since the coalition came into power, employment has increased by more than one and half million and unemployment has fallen by over 300,000, with over 2 million private sector jobs created since early 2010. Over this period, for every public sector job lost, over five have been created in the private sector. The female employment rate is at its highest since records began in 1971.
By tackling the economy’s problems head on and getting people back into work, we are helping to boost living standards for hard-working families.
Financial Devolution
19. Bob Blackman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what analysis his Department has undertaken of the feasibility of further financial devolution to London and other cities. [904413]
Mr Gauke: The Government keep all decisions on tax policy under review. In addition, the Government has recently devolved a range of responsibilities and funding through the Localism Act 2011 and have decentralised local government finance through the Local Government Finance Act 2012. Any further fiscal devolution to sub-national authorities in England would represent a significant change to the existing tax landscape with potentially significant legal, economic and constitutional implications.
Pensioner Savings
20. Chloe Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to give pensioners more control over their savings. [904414]
Mr Gauke: Budget 14 announced the most radical change to the way people take their pensions for nearly a century. From April 2015, individuals aged 55 or over with defined contribution savings will have much greater flexibility over access to their pension savings, which they will be able to withdraw subject only to their marginal rate of income tax and their scheme rules. We have also made changes to allow more people to access greater flexibility.
In addition, ISAs, popular with over 24 million UK savers, are to be reformed from 1 July 2014 into a more flexible product. The new ISA will leave savers free to choose how to split their increased £15,000 annual allowance between cash and stocks and shares ISAs and to transfer funds in any direction between accounts.
Long-term Economic Plan
21. Mr Simon Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his long-term economic plan. [904415]
Nicky Morgan: The Government’s long-term economic plan is working, and the UK is expected to grow faster than any other G7 country this year. Inflation is below target, the deficit has been reduced by over a third since 2009-10, and employment is at record levels. But the job is not yet done and the biggest risk now to the recovery would be abandoning the plan that is delivering a brighter economic future.
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Money Advice Service
22. David Mowat: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the future of the Money Advice Service. [904416]
Andrea Leadsom: The Government have commissioned an independent review of the Money Advice Service, led by Christine Farnish, which will report to me by the end of the year.
MAS has an important responsibility to increase financial knowledge and capability in the UK. The review will consider how effectively and efficiently MAS is meeting the consumer need for education and advice; and make recommendations on any changes to MAS’s approach that would better enable it to meet this need.
Job Creation
23. Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal steps he has taken to support small and micro-businesses in creating new jobs. [904417]
Nicky Morgan: Support for small and micro businesses is part of the Government’s long term economic plan to back business and create jobs. From April this year, businesses can access a £2,000 employment allowance. Over 90% of the benefit of this allowance will go to small businesses—reducing the cost of creating new jobs.
In addition, from April 2015 we will abolish employer NICs for all under 21-year-olds making it cheaper for businesses to employ young people.
Air Passenger Duty: Scotland
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the Scottish Government to discuss air passenger duty. [200629]
Nicky Morgan: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings and discussions with a wide variety of organisations as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings and discussions.
Children: Day Care
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of divorced and separated parents who will have to decide which of them should own a tax-free childcare account; how HM Revenue and Customs plans to resolve disputes over such decisions; and what additional resources will be committed for this purpose. [200674]
Nicky Morgan: It is estimated that of the families that will directly benefit from the tax-free child care scheme around 95% are couples and 5% are lone parents. Based on the best available data, we estimate that around half of these lone parents will be either divorced or separated.
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Working lone parents are more likely to have lower income levels than working couples. More lone parents will therefore receive support for child care through tax credits and then subsequently universal credit which is generally more generous than tax-free child care.
On 18 March the Government published their response to the consultation on design and operation of tax-free child care which sets out that where adults in a family are unable to reach agreement about which of them should claim, HMRC will consider the facts of the case and make a decision.
The resource requirements of the scheme will be settled once the scheme’s details have been finalised.
Dover Priory Station
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons Mapeley has not come to an agreement with Network Rail regarding the sale of land on the western perimeter of the Priory Court site for the construction of new parking facilities for Dover Priory railway station. [201325]
Mr Gauke: Commercial arrangements in relation to the land at the Priory Court site are a matter for discussion between Network Rail and Mapeley. The Crown does not own the land.
Fracking
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government's proposed fiscal framework for onshore oil and gas exploration, as established within the Finance Bill 2014, has been notified to the European Commission under State Aid procedures. [201592]
Nicky Morgan: The changes in tax treatment for onshore oil and gas do not constitute state aid and notification is therefore not required.
Gambling
Graham Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to hypothecate funds received from the increased fixed-odds betting terminals levy to fund NHS gambling addiction treatment. [201439]
Mr Gauke: The Responsible Gambling Trust (which is funded by the gambling industry and further donations) expects to distribute £6,292,000 on treatment, education and research in 2014-15. This provides funding to specialist charities, such as GamCare, which provide gambling addiction treatment.
Income Tax
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to display changes to the amount of income tax levied on an individual on their end of year statement. [200661]
Mr Gauke:
From October 2014 around 24 million people will receive a personal tax summary from HMRC setting out how their income tax and national insurance contributions have been calculated for the previous year
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(2013-14) and how it contributed to public expenditure. Tax summaries will also show taxpayers their taxable income and average tax rate, allowing the individual in future to compare one year’s tax record with another.
Infrastructure
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2014, Official Report, column 598W, on infrastructure, which projects included in the UK Guarantees Scheme have required additional emergency funding from the Exchequer. [201327]
Danny Alexander: No additional emergency funding has been provided to any of the signed projects that have received support under the UK Guarantees Scheme.
Mapeley
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2014, Official Report, column 394W, on Mapeley, what contingency plan HM Revenue and Customs has for dealing with a supplier which (a) becomes unprofitable and (b) is in a weak financial position. [201574]
Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC's) major contracts contain commercial provisions in case of supplier difficulties, for example step in rights or other contractual remedies. HMRC is unable to publish details of contingency plans for commercial reasons.
Network Rail
John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects Network Rail to be officially re-classified as a public sector company. [200861]
Danny Alexander: On 17 December 2013, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced that Network Rail will be classified as a central Government body in the public sector. This is an independent statistical decision taken by the Office for National Statistics in light of the European System of National Accounts 2010 (ESA10) manual from Eurostat. The reclassification will be effective from 1 September 2014 when ESA10 comes into force across the European Union.
Nuclear Power Stations
Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to complete the loan guarantee arrangement for the proposed nuclear power station investments. [200778]
Nicky Morgan: Completion of the loan guarantee arrangements for the proposed nuclear power station for Hinkley Point C will coincide with the European Commission's closing decision on the Government's state aid notification in relation to the project. This is expected by the end of 2014.
If a guarantee is signed it will be reported to Parliament as required by the legislation, Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Act 2012, underpinning the scheme.
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Roads: City of Westminster
Michael Fabricant: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what works are currently being undertaken in King Charles Street, Westminster; and when the scaffolding and road and pavement equipment related to the works will be removed. [201274]
Andrea Leadsom: The scaffolding and pavement equipment on King Charles Street are in support of works being undertaken by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Sanitary Protection: Taxation
Naomi Long: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to abolish tax on sanitary products. [201305]
Mr Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 12 June 2014, Official Report, column 256W.
Taxation
Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what fiscal measures he has introduced to reduce taxes on families; [904409]
(2) what fiscal measures he has introduced to reduce the level of taxes paid by families. [201312]
Mr Gauke: This Government appreciate that times are tough and budgets are squeezed for families, which is why we have taken continued action to help ease the burden on hard working families.
Measures have included raising the personal allowance to £10,500, abolishing the previous Government's fuel duty escalator, and introducing a further two years of council tax freeze funding in 2014-15 and 2015-16 for local authorities which choose to freeze council tax.
Video Games: Tax Allowances
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to promote the video games tax relief to video games producers. [200659]
Mr Gauke: The video games tax relief came into effect from 1 April 2014. This generous new relief will provide support for the growing video games sector in the UK.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is currently presenting a series of events across the country to promote and explain the new relief to the industry. A specialist unit has been provided to assist businesses with making claims. Guidance is available on HMRC's website to explain the relief and help businesses decide whether they are eligible for relief. HMRC is working closely with the video games industry to develop more detailed guidance, which will be published shortly.
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Bahrain
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Bahrain. [201203]
Hugh Robertson: We believe that the only way to promote peace and stability in Bahrain and address the legitimate aspirations of all Bahrainis is through dialogue leading to an inclusive political settlement. With elections in October, we hope that this is an opportunity to reach a deal. We encourage all sides to engage constructively in this process.
Bangladesh
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the political situation in Bangladesh since the elections in that country. [201432]
Hugh Robertson: Bangladesh’s political parties must address political accountability and find a long-term solution to run participatory and non violent parliamentary elections. The Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi, last discussed this issue with the Bangladesh Foreign Minister on 12 June. Reports of intimidation, violence and interference in local elections must be addressed. We have urged the Election Commission to fully and transparently investigate. The British Government are also deeply concerned at reports of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. We have pressed the Bangladesh Government to conduct impartial, credible and transparent investigations.
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the Bangladeshi Government hold free and fair elections in future. [201433]
Hugh Robertson: The 10th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh were held on 5 January in accordance with Bangladesh’s constitution. Voters in more than half the constituencies did not have the opportunity to express their will at the ballot box and that turnout in most other constituencies was low.
The British Government continue to encourage Bangladesh’s political parties to support political dialogue to find a long term solution to running participatory and non-violent elections, and urge that parties address the matter of political accountability. All parties should build the willingness and capacity to hold future participatory elections without fear of intimidation or reprisals.
The British Government have also called on the Election Commission to mount a full and transparent investigation into reports of violence, harassment and interference in the voting process in recent local elections and take appropriate action.
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of British Bangladeshis who visit or live in Bangladesh. [201434]
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Hugh Robertson: The FCO Travel Advice is designed to provide information that will help British nationals stay safe when they travel abroad. It is updated frequently with information and advice for those planning to travel abroad. Any threats to British nationals are reflected in the advice we publish and this is reviewed and amended as necessary on a regular basis.
Campaigns under the Know Before You Go umbrella look at different issues, including for example "Living Abroad"-which launched in September 2013 and encouraged British nationals considering a move overseas to research and prepare properly before taking that step.
It is the responsibility of the local police in Bangladesh to ensure the safety of British nationals. Should British nationals have concerns about their safety we can, with their permission, raise with the local authorities as appropriate.
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of the recent actions by the US against Bangladesh. [201435]
Hugh Robertson: We are not aware of any recent action taken by the US against Bangladesh.
Burma
Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken to help the Rohingya peoples in Burma; what recent discussions he has had with the Burmese Government on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [201487]
Mr Swire: The UK is giving £12 million in aid to Rakhine State to support shelter, water sanitation and hygiene programmes, nutrition and protection activities, as well as non-food items for 115,000 people. We are also funding £4.5 million towards livelihoods projects in Rakhine and support to the UN's co-ordination of the international humanitarian response.
We remain one of the most vocal and active members of the international community in supporting those calling for human rights and democracy in Burma. I was the first western Minister to visit Rakhine State in December 2012. I raised concerns again with the Burmese Government during my second visit to Burma in January this year, and I again saw Rohingya leaders to hear from them about the many issues they are facing.
The plight of the Rohingya was also at the top of the agenda during the Prime Minister’s meeting with President Thein Sein in London in July 2013. In March this year, I summoned the Burmese ambassador and called on the Burmese Government urgently to restore humanitarian access to all communities in need, and to ensure the security of humanitarian aid workers and all communities in Rakhine State. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), again raised our concerns in a call with his Burmese counterpart in April, and I most recently discussed the situation with the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister on 12 June.
We will continue to urge the Burmese Government to take swift and decisive action to protect the lives and
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rights of Rohingya and other minorities in Rakhine State, and to address the underlying causes of ethnic and religious discrimination and violence.
Central African Republic
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that the UN-led peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic is prepared to protect civilians and is fully operational as soon as possible. [201456]
Mark Simmonds: We are working closely with partners to support UN planning for MINUSCA’s deployment as mandated on 15 September, ready to assume immediate responsibility for the protection of civilians. We will continue to provide expertise and resources to ensure a well planned, phased approach that prioritises protection of civilians, and enables a smooth transition of responsibility for security from the African Union led mission, MISCA. We will also continue to support efforts to identify troops and equipment to contribute to MINUSCA’s military component.
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to ensure that survivors of sexual violence in the Central African Republic have access to lifesaving services that respond to the specific needs of women and girls. [201466]
Mark Simmonds: The UK remains extremely concerned about the grave humanitarian and security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) and is working closely with international partners and CAR's Transitional Government to bring stability to CAR and ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
We welcome the announcement made by the African Union at the 10 to 13 June global summit to ending sexual violence in conflict about the deployment of a team of experts to CAR to investigate sexual violence abuses. This will be funded by the UK and Japan.
The decision by Transitional President Samba-Panza to refer CAR to the International Criminal Court is a positive step towards tackling impunity and bringing charges against those most responsible for crimes, including sexual violence.
Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the Government have paid to the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus in each of the last four years; and what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of that committee. [201573]
Mr Lidington: In 2010 the Government made a bilateral contribution of US$4,037, and in 2013 the Government provided US$56,797. The Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) has used the UK’s most recent contribution to buy a backup generator and DNA matching software. EU funding of the CMP, to which the UK contributes, totalled US$16,289,719 from 2006-14. We did not provide any bilateral funds in 2011 or 2012.
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In addition to this financial support, the Government support the CMP by allowing it to work from a British-owned site in the Buffer Zone, thus easing its administration costs. The UK also indirectly supports the CMP through lobbying of parties which can facilitate the Committee’s work. We hope that our political support and contributions through the EU will continue to help the CMP in its important work.
CMP funds are administered by the United Nations Development Programme according to international accounting standards with independent financial audits undertaken on an annual basis. We have made no specific assessment of the cost effectiveness of the CMP. We nonetheless recognise and welcome the painstaking, sensitive, and technically challenging work undertaken by the bicommunal teams of the CMP.
Roads: City of Westminster
Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what works are currently being undertaken in King Charles Street, Westminster; and when the scaffolding and road and pavement equipment related to the works will be removed. [201275]
Mr Lidington: The works currently being undertaken by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in King Charles Street are part of the Department's UK Estate Reform Project. This involves the consolidation of the FCO's London HQ presence into a single office building. The project is a major reconfiguration of the King Charles Street building and will release the Old Admiralty Building to the Department for Education. This will allow leased office space to be vacated and overall Government spending on the UK civil estate to be reduced.
The gantry being installed in King Charles Street will be completed by the end of June 2014 and will remain in situ for the duration of the project, which is due to be completed in summer 2015. The scaffold is part of the Planning and Listed Building Consent granted by Westminster council. When completed, the gantry will extend over the pavement between Clive Steps and the western side of the main entrance to the FCO building. Pedestrians will still be able to walk up King Charles Street and the main entrance to the FCO will remain fully accessible.
UK Membership of EU
Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his priorities are for renegotiating UK membership of the EU. [201038]
Mr Lidington:
The Government's priorities are to reform the EU so that it is more flexible, competitive and democratically accountable. We want to see further deepening of the Single European Market, especially in services; an ambitious and sustained drive to cut red tape, and successful free trade negotiations with the United States, Japan and other countries. We are also seeking greater powers for groups of national parliaments to block or review EU legislation; an end to benefit tourism, and the development of economic and monetary union in a way that safeguards the interests of countries that have chosen not to join the euro. The Government
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have already made progress in delivering reform, including cutting the EU budget for the first time and securing reforms of the common fisheries policy that include a ban on discards and a shift to the regional and local management of fisheries.
United Arab Emirates
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of the United Arab Emirates regarding migrant workers' rights in that country; and if he will make a statement. [201307]
Hugh Robertson: We regularly discuss migrant workers’ rights with the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In addition, we made recommendations relating to the living and working conditions of foreign workers during the UAE’s last Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council.
Western Sahara
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with the Moroccan Ambassador to the UK the situation of the political prisoners in Saharawi; and what information he has received from HM Ambassador in Morocco on the state of health of Abdalah Boukiod. [201314]
Hugh Robertson: We regularly emphasise to Morocco the importance of full respect for human rights in Western Sahara. Minister Robertson discussed this issue during his trip to Rabat in March this year. We are aware of reports that Abdalah Boukiod has been on hunger strike since 20 May. We do not have further information on the state of his health.
International Development
Central African Republic
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the level of food insecurity in the Central African Republic; and what steps her Department is taking to promote short and long-term food security in that country. [201455]
Lynne Featherstone: Food security assessments in Central African Republic (CAR) have shown that 1.7 million people are in need of food assistance. Food security has been affected by lack of access to agricultural land in 2013, attacks on crop reserves, poor rainfall, non-payment of civil servants and the collapse of trading networks.
DFID is funding the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Solidarites International and the ICRC for seeds and tools distribution to improve food security in the medium to long-term, as well as supporting cash and food distribution to address the short-term food security situation. DFID has contributed £18 million in 2014 to the crisis in CAR.
Anas Sarwar:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department provides for services for survivors of
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gender-based violence in the Central African Republic and efforts to empower women and girls in that country. [201458]
Lynne Featherstone: DFID is supporting a number of agencies in the Central African Republic to provide services for survivors of sexual violence, including Save the Children, International Medical Corps, Mercy Corps, ICRC and UNHCR. DFID funds are supporting health projects where the clinical needs of survivors of sexual violence can be met, and women’s listening centres in order to address some of the psychological needs of survivors of gender-based violence.
Women in the Central African Republic have been particularly affected by the ongoing conflict. DFID programmes aim to address these vulnerabilities, for instance by catering for the specific needs of mothers, pregnant and breastfeeding women, supporting women’s associations in resuming income-generating activities or by mobilising communities to reduce the risks of gender-based violence.
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effect of recent inter-communal violence in Bangui, Central African Republic on Muslims and other communities at risk in that country. [201470]
Lynne Featherstone: The roots of the conflict in Central African Republic (CAR) are complex and while the recent inter-communal violence is primarily targeting Muslim inhabitants, Christian communities have also fallen victim to sectarian killings. Much of the Muslim population of CAR has fled, including traders who were overwhelmingly Muslim.
DFID is funding agencies such as UNHCR, Mercy Corps and the ICRC to implement protection programmes in CAR, including conflict resolution and social cohesion activities. DFID has contributed £18 million in 2014 towards the crisis. The UK is also supporting the international efforts to restore peace and security and has welcomed the adoption of UNSCR 2149 authorising the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission (MISCA).
Developing Countries: Disability
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy to support the adoption of a target to ensure that all cities are accessible and offer opportunities to persons with disabilities by 2030 in Open Working Group negotiations on the sustainable development goals. [201457]
Justine Greening: As we have already made clear, the UK agrees that all cities should be accessible and offer opportunities to persons with disabilities by 2030. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will, however, be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
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Developing Countries: Industry
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy to support the adoption of a target to retrofit existing industries on global level based on energy and resource-efficient technologies and environmentally sound industrial processes by 2030 in Open Working Group negotiations on the sustainable development goals. [201468]
Justine Greening: As we have already made clear, the UK supports a target to double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will, however, be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
Developing Countries: Migration
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy to support the adoption of a target to enhance global co-operation to facilitate orderly, safe, responsible migration and mobility of people, including through implementation of planned and managed migration policies that facilitate migrants’ contribution to sustainable development in Open Working Group negotiations on the sustainable development goals. [201454]
Justine Greening: As we have already made clear, the UK recognises that the potential for migration to be a positive force for developing countries is increased when migration is safe, legal and through regular channels; and as such global migration can contribute to sustainable development. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will, however, be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations in which the UK will play an active role.
Developing Countries: Remittances
Mr Jim Murphy:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy to support the adoption of a target to reduce to
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five % or below the transaction costs of migrants' remittances, including regulatory and administrative costs in Open Working Group negotiations on the sustainable development goals. [201469]
Justine Greening: As we have already made clear, the UK supports the target of reducing the average global cost of remittances to 5.0%. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
Freedom of Information
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many freedom of information requests on aid projects her Department has declined to provide information on in each of the last 12 months. [200669]
Justine Greening: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) publishes a quarterly statistics bulletin concerning FOI responses from all Government Departments including DFID. The bulletin includes tables showing how many requests were granted in full, or resulted in some information being withheld or all information withheld. The MOJ statistics bulletin can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics
Telephone Services
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many telephone lines with the prefix (a) 0845, (b) 0844 and (c) 0843 her Department (i) operates and (ii) sponsors; how many calls each such number has received in the last 12 months; and whether alternative numbers charged at BT local rates are available in each such case. [201443]
Mr Duncan: DFID uses one 0845 number for UK calls to the Public Enquiry Point. We do not record the number of calls made to the 0845 number. There is no alternative BT local rate number offered as the 0845 number in use is already charged to callers at the local rate.
DFID has no telephone lines with the prefix 0844 or 0843.