Communities and Local Government

Anti-Semitism

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to tackle anti-Semitic attacks (a) in Greater Manchester and (b) across the UK. [203568]

Stephen Williams: The Government committed to reduce the harm caused by hate crime, including anti-Semitic crime, in ‘Challenge it, Report it, Stop it: The Government’s Plan to Tackle Hate Crime’ published in 2012 and refreshed in May 2014. Since 2010 this Government have done more than ever to tackle anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic attacks.

The Department for Communities and Local Government hosts the Anti-Semitism Working Group which brings community representatives together with officials from across Government to ensure a coordinated response to emerging challenges, whether they are domestic, online or international. The Department also partially funds the Cross-Government Hate Crime Programme which leads on a broad range of activities including the development of 'True Vision' an online facility to provide information to victims and practitioners and to allow anyone to report hate crime online.

The Department works closely with the Community Security Trust, the police and the Home Office to tackle anti-Semitic incidents. For example, in the wake of the recent desecration of Jewish graves in Blackley in Greater Manchester, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government wrote to the CEO of the Community Security Trust, an organisation that looks after the security needs of the Jewish community, expressing his sadness at the desecration and offering support.

To ensure we remember the Holocaust, and keep the memory of those lost alive, the Department also supports the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and the Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission.

Fire Services

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average response time was for a first appliance to a fire incident in England in a (a) dwelling and (b) non-dwelling in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13 and (iv) 2013-14 for each brigade in England. [205672]

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Penny Mordaunt: To assist the right hon. Member, a table giving the latest available information has been placed in the Library of the House. Information for 2013-14 response times is not currently available and will be published on 7 August 2014.

Overall, average response times in England in the most recent year available are broadly unchanged from 2010-11.

Fire Services: Industrial Disputes

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 25 June 2014, Official Report, column 311, on the firefighters' dispute, what his proposals are to resolve the firefighters' dispute; and if he will make a statement. [205671]

Penny Mordaunt: The consultation on the draft regulations has now concluded and whilst final decisions are still to be taken on the detail of the scheme design, representative bodies and the employers were informed on 9 July that the Department had decided to reinstate the offer made in June last year, regarding more generous actuarial reductions to the pensions of firefighters who retire between the ages of 55 and 57. The actuarial reduction rate applied to benefits accrued in the 2015 scheme would be 21.8% at age 55, and 17.9% at age 56, using today’s assumptions. This compares favourably with the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006, where the reduction at age 55 is around 40%, and at age 56 is around 38%. All pension benefits built up by a member in their current scheme will be fully protected, calculated on their final salary, and can be taken on retirement from the member’s current pension age without actuarial reduction. On top of this, as set out in the recent consultation, our proposals include a significant reduction in employee contribution rates for firefighters transferring from the 1992 Scheme to the 2015 Scheme. Contributions for such a firefighter earning £29,000 a year will go down from 14.2% to 12.2% in April 2015.

Despite these arrangements, the Fire Brigades Union has continued with its campaign of strike action. Progress towards resolving this dispute remains entirely in its hands.

Fire Services: Northern Ireland

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what the terms are of the firefighter pensions offer agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive; [205751]

(2) what assessment he has made of the suitability for other negotiations of the accrual rate for pension entitlement used within the offer agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive in negotiations on firefighter pensions; [205752]

(3) whether the Northern Ireland Executive’s offer to firefighters on pensions is cost neutral. [205937]

Penny Mordaunt: The pension arrangements to apply to firefighters in Northern Ireland are a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive. Northern Ireland is not covered by the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 which requires a normal pension age of 60 to apply to firefighters in England, Scotland and Wales.

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Fire Services: Pensions

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what reasons the actuarial reduction for a firefighter who retires earlier than normal pension age under the proposed new pension scheme for firefighters is calculated from the state pension age and not the scheme's normal pension age. [205715]

Penny Mordaunt: Under the terms of the Proposed Final Agreement for the firefighters’ pension scheme 2015 in England the actuarial reduction for a firefighter who retired earlier than the scheme’s normal pension age but at the age of 57 or above would have been calculated from the normal pension age. The actuarial reduction for a firefighter who retired between the ages of 55 and 57 would have been calculated from their state pension age. However, in the light of responses received to the second consultation on the firefighters’ pension scheme 2015, the Government decided to reinstate their offer, first made in June 2013, under which all actuarial reductions in the case of early retirement are calculated from the normal pension age. This decision was communicated in a letter to chief fire officers and chairs of fire authorities on 9 July 2014. The letter can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firefighters-pension-scheme-reforms

and I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether a formal valuation of the existing firefighters' pension schemes has been carried out since the Government Actuary's Department published its formal valuation in 2009. [205716]

Penny Mordaunt: The Government Actuary's Department is currently undertaking a valuation of the firefighters' pension schemes in England as at 31 March 2012, which is expected to report later this year. There have been no other valuations of the schemes since 2009.

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the Government Actuary's Department has considered what accrual rate for the proposed 2015 firefighters' pension scheme would allow retirement at 55 without an actuarial reduction. [205755]

Penny Mordaunt: A reformed firefighters’ pension scheme that provided for early retirement before the Normal Pension Age of 60, without an actuarial reduction, would be unlawful under the terms of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013.

Fire Services: Retirement

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has tasked the National Board with setting guidelines on making decisions on ill-health retirement for firefighters. [205753]

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Penny Mordaunt: The rules governing entitlement to an ill-health pension are set out in the firefighters' pension schemes regulations. A firefighter is entitled to an ill-health pension if they are permanently incapacitated from undertaking their role. Decisions on ill-health retirement are taken by the fire and rescue authority in the first instance and the authority is bound by the opinion of an independent qualified medical practitioner. A firefighter may appeal against an authority's decision on an issue of a medical nature to a board of medical referees.

Housing: Construction

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to promote off-site methods of house building construction. [204425]

Brandon Lewis: The Government want to see high quality housing built quickly and efficiently and are working closely with the housebuilding and construction industry to encourage greater use of innovative approaches, including advanced housing manufacturing and construction.

We are also encouraging the use of innovative construction techniques through our National Planning Practice Guidance, published in March 2014 and our Build to Rent and Affordable Homes 2015-18 programmes.

In addition, Ministers have made a number of visits to developments recently, highlighting the quality and speed of construction benefits that advanced manufacturing can bring.

Mr Raynsford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to publish his Department's review of the New Homes Bonus. [206022]

Brandon Lewis: Officials are currently finalising the evaluation report before submitting it to Ministers. The findings of the evaluation will then be published in due course.

Land

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much land his Department has released for the purpose of building new homes since May 2010. [205473]

Brandon Lewis: As of the end of March 2014 the Public Sector Land Programme had disposed of land capable of delivering over 76,000 homes in England.

The Department for Communities and Local Government, through the Homes and Communities Agency, has contributed land capable of delivering over 14,000 homes to the Programme. We are continuing to rationalise our estate, delivering cost savings and better value for money for the taxpayer.

In the final year of this programme we are continuing to dispose of land capable of delivering much needed homes and are on course to meet our ambition to dispose of land capable of delivering 100,000 homes by April 2015.

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Mass Media: Subscriptions

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what subscriptions to (a) magazines and (b) television channels his Department funds. [205337]

Kris Hopkins: The Department subscribes to Swets Information Services Ltd and Jones Yarrell Leadenhall Ltd for our newspapers and magazines.

The Department spent £113,308 on newspapers, periodicals and magazines in 2009-10; this was reduced by 78% to £24,879 in 2013-14 and we are taking further steps to reduce administrative spending across the board.

On television channels, we do not currently subscribe to any channels. By contrast, the Department under the last Administration spent £5,549 on premium Sky channels, which included television for the (now closed) Darts Bar.

Private Rented Housing

Mr Raynsford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to publish his Department’s response to the Review of Property Conditions in the Private Rented Sector and a summary of the views submitted in response to that consultation. [R] [205934]

Brandon Lewis: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on 9 July 2014, Official Report, column 292W.

Ramadan

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Iftari events he is attending during Ramadan. [205630]

Stephen Williams: Ministers in the Department have undertaken the following events:

Baroness Stowell

CSCA Centre Iftar, Manor House—12 July 2014

Baroness Warsi

Lambeth Palace Iftar—16 July 2014

Stephen Williams

Chaul End Community Centre Iftar, Luton—6 July 2014

Alyth Synagogue Iftar, Alyth Gardens—7 July 2014

Easton Community Centre Iftar, Bristol—13 July 2014

The Secretary of State and Baroness Warsi are due to attend more Iftari events during Ramadan.

Revenue and Customs

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions have taken place on the future of sites in Telford as part of the Building for the Future programme. [205800]

Penny Mordaunt: There have been no explicit discussions abut a ‘Building for the Future’ programme.

However as part of the recently announced Growth Deal with The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership my officials are in regular discussion with both the Partnership and Telford and Wrekin council about the

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use of land assets in Telford managed by the Homes and Communities Agency and the joint stewardship arrangements.

Training

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent on what (a) media training and (b) social media training for (i) him and (ii) Ministers in his Department since May 2010. [205305]

Kris Hopkins: The Department for Communities and Local Government has not spent any money on (a) media training or (b) social media training for Ministers in the Department since May 2010.

I note that the parliamentary record states that Ministers in the last Administration from 2008 to 2010 spent £2,115 on public speaking training and £650 on professional development (as outlined in 30 March 2009, Official Report, column 966W).

Culture, Media and Sport

Alcoholic Drinks

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his Department's policy is on alcohol consumption on the premises (a) in general and (b) during parties in his Private Office. [205322]

Mrs Grant: DCMS policy on alcohol consumption on the premises is that managers are expected to ensure that office parties do not cause disruption to the work of the office, and that drinking during working hours does not otherwise impact on the performance and reputation of the Department. In addition, all civil servants are expected to carry out standards of behaviour as set out in the Civil Service Code. Private Offices are subject to the same policy as the rest of DCMS:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-code/the-civil-service-code

Mobile Phones

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport When he expects the Mobile Infrastructure Project to be completed. [205801]

Mr Vaizey: The news release issued on MIP in July last year referred to sites being acquired and built by 2015. Intensive work is continuing to deliver coverage to areas currently without, and this project remains a high priority for the Government. Providing coverage to some of the more remote and sensitive locations has been challenging but this project has brought together the four mobile network operators for the first time to find solutions. Proposals and timeframes to tackle these issues and to secure long-term mobile coverage capabilities for the future are being finalised with further communications expected in the autumn.

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) masts are operational and (b) premises receive a mobile signal as a result of the Mobile Infrastructure Project. [205802]

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Mr Vaizey: The first site to go live was Weaverthorpe in North Yorkshire in September 2013, providing coverage to over 200 premises in North Yorkshire. The second site has been built in North Molton in Devon and will be operational shortly, estimated to reach more than 200 premises. Once potential sites have been identified, network connections need to be found, sites need to be acquired and planning consent achieved. This work is underway and ongoing.

Mobile Phones: Cambridgeshire

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many masts will be erected in Cambridgeshire as part of the Mobile Infrastructure Project. [205803]

Mr Vaizey: The Mobile Infrastructure Project implementation plan identified seven potential masts for Cambridgeshire. Coverage by the mobile network operators has shifted as they begin roll out of 4G, leading to improvements in coverage in some areas and changes in the number and locations of not spots. DCMS officials and Arqiva, delivery partner for the Mobile Infrastructure Project, are incorporating these changes into the project's planning. Once this planning is finalised any changes will be communicated to planning authorities.

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of how many premises in Cambridgeshire will benefit from the Mobile Infrastructure Project. [205804]

Mr Vaizey: We expect that over 150 premises in Cambridgeshire will benefit from the Mobile Infrastructure Project. The build of all masts under the Mobile Infrastructure Project is dependent on a number of unknown factors for each potential mast, including finding a willing landlord for the mast and obtaining planning permission.

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many masts are operational in Cambridgeshire as a result of the Mobile Infrastructure Project. [205805]

Mr Vaizey: There are not yet any masts operational in Cambridgeshire. We estimate that work will commence on Cambridgeshire masts over the coming months. The build of all masts under the Mobile Infrastructure Project is dependent on a number of unknown factors for each potential mast, including finding a willing landlord for the mast and obtaining planning permission.

Mobile Phones: Herefordshire

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2014, Official Report, column 15W, on mobile telephones: Herefordshire, whether officials of his Department commissioned or carried out drive testing to check the level of coverage in Fownhope. [205593]

Mr Vaizey: No drive testing has been carried out in Fownhope but Government are currently looking at what can be done to extend mobile coverage across the country.

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National Lottery: North Yorkshire

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the total amount of money awarded to good causes by the National Lottery in (a) Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency and (b) North Yorkshire in each of the last five years. [206563]

Mrs Grant: National Lottery funding figures for the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency in each of the last five years:

National Lottery funding figures for North Yorkshire in each of the last five years:

National Lottery: Video Games

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the national lottery about extending funding to the video games industry. [205946]

Mr Vaizey: No specific discussions have taken place with the national lottery about the use of lottery funding in relation to the video games industry. This Government have restored the lottery shares for heritage sports, and arts good causes to 20%, so contributing to a significant increase in lottery funding for those areas since the beginning of this Parliament. It is for individual distributing bodies to determine the beneficiaries of lottery monies in making awards within their good cause sectors, taking account of their policy directions.

Television: Licensing

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households in Northern Ireland held a black and white television licence in January (a) 2009 and (b) 2014. [206164]

Mr Vaizey: The number of black and white TV licences held in Northern Ireland at the end of 2013 was 818. TV Licensing, the agency which administers the TV licensing system, does not have enough detail from 2009 to perform the same calculation for that year.

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Video Games

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether he has had discussions with Pan European Game Information on its pricing structure and effect on the UK video games industry. [205813]

Mr Vaizey: While we have not had any recent discussions about pricing structure, PEGI—via the UK Games Rating Authority—formally notified my Department recently that the general fees for obtaining a PEGI classification are being increased by 5% from 1 July 2014, the first increase for five years.

In 2012 my Department brought into force a statutory requirement for PEGI classifications for hard copy video games that are unsuitable for younger children. A full business impact assessment was produced for this policy in discussion with industry and with PEGI. My Department will continue to monitor the impact of the statutory classification requirements for video games sold in the UK and we are committed to a formal review of the policy in 2015.

Energy and Climate Change

Air Conditioning

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the monthly electricity demand deriving from air conditioning in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) England, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland in each month since June 2010. [205567]

Matthew Hancock: DECC publishes estimates of annual consumption from air-conditioning in Energy Consumption in the UK, 2013, Table 5.15.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-consumption-in-the-uk

Energy: Meters

David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the total cost of purchasing and installing smart meters in homes; and how it is intended that the costs will be recouped. [205512]

Mr Davey: The Government’s Smart Metering Impact Assessment estimates a net present value benefit of £6.2 billion based on present value costs of £10.9 billion and present value benefits of £17.1 billion for an appraisal period up to 2030.

The Government expect that both costs and cost savings will be passed to consumers by competing energy suppliers through energy bills as is the case with traditional meters.

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David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change who is responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing smart meters which develop faults (a) less than 12 months and (b) more than 12 months after installation. [205538]

Mr Davey: Energy suppliers are responsible for maintaining all meters in domestic premises. It is standard industry practice to obtain warranties from meter manufacturers to cover the cost of repair and replacement of several years’ duration.

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what sanctions suppliers will face if their smart prepayment meters are not ready by the deadline. [205578]

Mr Davey: Energy suppliers are required as part of their licence conditions to take all reasonable steps to install smart meters in domestic and smaller non-domestic premises by the end of 2020. Ofgem is responsible for ensuring compliance with this obligation and monitor suppliers to ensure that they abide by their licence conditions. If suppliers are found in breach of these conditions, Ofgem can issue an enforcement order to ensure suppliers comply with their licence conditions, and impose financial penalties of up to 10% of the licensee’s turnover.

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the highest amount is that suppliers can charge an individual customer to recover the cost of installing a smart meter. [205579]

Mr Davey: It is a matter for competing energy suppliers to determine the charge to their customers.

David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether smart meters will be connected to the internet; and what steps have been taken to ensure that they cannot be hacked into. [205611]

Mr Davey: Smart meters will operate on a secure machine-to-machine system that only authorised parties, such as energy suppliers and network companies, can access. A robust smart metering security architecture has been established to prevent unauthorised access. This was developed in consultation with leading experts from within industry and Government and is underpinned by appropriate regulatory and technical security requirements.

Energy: Northern Ireland

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether charity and community organisations in Northern Ireland can apply for grants to the Big Energy Saving Network. [205564]

Matthew Hancock: The Big Energy Saving Network provides grant funding to charity, community and other third sector organisations to provide help and advice to electricity and gas consumers in the energy markets of England, Scotland and Wales. The Network is not operational in Northern Ireland as domestic gas and

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electricity policy and regulation are transferred to the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (the Regulator) is proposing to introduce a new Consumer Protection Strategy which will coordinate the approach to further protection of electricity, gas and water consumers, particularly those deemed vulnerable consumers.

Energy: Prices

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much carbon dioxide is saved per pound of CfD strike price offered for (a) advanced conversion technologies, (b) anaerobic digestion, (c) biomass conversion, (d) dedicated biomass (with chp), (e) energy from waste (with chp), (f) geothermal, (g) hydro, (h) landfill gas, (i) offshore wind, (j) onshore wind, (k) sewage gas, (l) large solar photo-voltaic (m) tidal stream and (n) wave. [205381]

Matthew Hancock: The amount of carbon saved per MWh of renewable generation will depend upon what is assumed about the mix of technologies displaced, which is uncertain. In order to determine the carbon saved per pound of support, CfD strike prices should also be adjusted for wholesale electricity prices.

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent steps he has taken to make switching energy supplier quicker. [205501]

Matthew Hancock: Since our challenge to industry in the Annual Energy Statement to cut switching times, the Department has worked with Ofgem and the industry to bring forward changes to industry rules to enable and secured industry commitment to a halving switching time from 5 weeks to 2 weeks and 3 days by the end of this year.

My ambition is to see switching times reduced to 24 hours and Ofgem has now brought forward a consultation on how this can be achieved. The Department will continue to work with Ofgem and industry to deliver this in a reliable and cost effective way as quickly as possible.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the total cost to consumers over the next 25 years of contract for difference and renewables obligation levy payments for (a) new nuclear, (b) offshore wind, (c) onshore wind, (d) hydro and (e) large-scale solar PV. [205511]

Matthew Hancock: The contract for difference and renewables obligation levy payments over 25 years will depend on a number of factors, for example the post-2020 deployment pathway, strike price degression, long-term electricity prices and the timing of moves to a competitive price discovery process. For a detailed assessment of EMR, including cost-benefit analysis and consumer bill impacts, please refer to the Delivery Plan Impact Assessment.¹

The Electricity Market Reform Delivery Plan² set out strike prices for renewable technologies for the period 2014-15 to 2018-19. They provide a basis for renewable

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electricity to achieve at least 30% of generation by 2020, in line with the EU renewables target. The generation mix beyond the period of the first Delivery Plan, from 1 April 2019, will be influenced by how individual technologies develop in the coming decade. We are committed to maximising value for money for consumers.

Chapter 6 of the Delivery Plan describes potential deployment requirements beyond 2020. It explores three levels of carbon intensity and three technology deployment scenarios as an illustration of a range of alternative pathways to meeting our post-2020 objective to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80% of 1990 levels by 2050. These scenarios are indicative: the electricity generation mix through the 2020s is unlikely to match any one of these scenarios exactly.

As an indicative estimate, the ranges of costs in the six scenarios set out in Chapter 6 of the Delivery Plan are shown in the following table.³ Costs are aggregated over the next 25 years from 2015 to 2040, discounted to 2012 and in 2012 prices.

The Levy Control framework, already agreed to 2020-21, is in place to control future costs to consumers and ensure these policies achieve their objectives cost effectively and affordably.

¹Available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/288463/final_delivery_plan_ia.pdf

²Available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/268221/181213_2013_EMR_Delivery_Plan_FINAL.pdf

³ Scenario with 100g CO2/kWh in 2030; Deployment Mix with Lower Grid Carbon Intensity in 2030 (50g CO2/kWh); Deployment Mix with Higher Grid Carbon Intensity in 2030 (200g CO2/kWh); Scenario showing higher deployment rates of CCS; Scenario showing higher deployment rates of nuclear generation; Scenario showing higher deployment rates of offshore wind.

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of energy costs paid by the consumer will be attributable to the capacity market in each year between 2016 and 2026. [205568]

Matthew Hancock: The Government published their latest Impact Assessment on the Capacity Market in June 2014.¹ This shows that the impact of the capacity market is estimated to be an increase in the average annual domestic electricity bill of £2 (or 0.3%) over the period 2016-30 (in 2012 prices). In percentage terms, the impacts on non-domestic bills are of similar magnitude. The impacts on electricity bills for individual years are uncertain but Table 7 of the Impact Assessment sets out the impact for each five-year period from 2011 to 2030.

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We will shortly be publishing updated Capacity Market analysis, including revised household bill impacts, to take account of the decision of the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on the amount of capacity to procure in the first delivery year (2018-19). We do not expect this change to have a material impact on the costs to consumers.

¹ Available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/324430/Final_Capacity_Market_Impact_Assessment.pdf

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of National Audit Office analysis indicating that £29 million will be available for Contracts for Difference contracts in 2015-16; and if he will make a statement. [205848]

Matthew Hancock: Indicative CfD budgets, including for Contracts for Difference contracts in 2015-16, will be published later this month.

Fracking

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the volume of water required in shale gas extraction for (a) a single hydraulic fracture and (b) over the course of a well's lifetime. [205583]

Mr Davey: The recent Strategic Environmental Assessment for further onshore oil and gas licensing, carried out by AMEC on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change, estimated that between 10,000 and 25,000 cubic metres of water would be required for hydraulic fracturing of each well and it is predicted that each well might be re-fractured once during its lifetime.

In this context, Water UK, which represents the water industry, and UK Onshore Operators Group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which ensures their respective members will cooperate throughout the shale gas exploration and extraction process in order to minimise adverse effects on water resources and the environment.

Meetings

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on what dates he has met representatives from (a) Cuadrilla, (b) Dart Energy, (c) iGas, (d) Europa Oil and Gas, (e) Greenpeace, (f) Friends of the Earth and (g) the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in each month since June 2010. [206006]

Matthew Hancock: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State’s meetings with external organisations from July 2012 to December 2013 have been published and can be found on the www.gov.uk website at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments%5B%5D=department-of-energy-climate-change&publication_type=transparency-data

Meetings prior to July 2012 are now available on the National Archives website at the following link:

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http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130102164008/http:/www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/accesstoinform/registers/ministermtgs/ministermtgs.aspx

Meetings from January 2014 to date are currently being collated and checked prior to publication. Please be assured that the Department is committed to publishing this information.

Natural Gas

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the total amount of gas consumed in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland in each month since June 2010. [206004]

Matthew Hancock: Gas consumption estimates for Great Britain are based on annualised meter consumption readings supplied to DECC by energy companies. Monthly estimates are not available.

Annual data are also available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sub-national-gas-consumption-data

Natural Gas: Imports

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the quantity of gas imported to the UK through the (a) Bacton-Zeebrugge pipeline and (b) the St Fergus-Frigg/Heimdal pipeline in each month since June 2010. [206005]

Matthew Hancock: The Department publishes monthly statistics back to January 2000 on gas imports to the UK within Energy Trends table 4.4. The table includes the quantity of gas imported to the UK through the Bacton-Zeebrugge Interconnector and the Vesterled pipeline to St Fergus-Frigg sub terminal. The latest version of Energy Trends table 4.4 can be accessed here:

http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/323246/et4_4.xls

Natural Gas: Rural Areas

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assistance the Government are offering rural communities to connect to mains gas supplies where no such infrastructure currently exists. [204996]

Matthew Hancock: Ofgem, the regulator for the gas and electricity markets, administers two schemes that assist customers wishing to connect to the gas grid.

All households are eligible for the Domestic Load Connection Allowance if they are situated within 23 metres of an existing gas distribution network. The cost of the first ten metres of connection on public land is borne by the gas network operator.

The Assisted Gas Connection Scheme is aimed at consumers who live in fuel poverty. Ofgem announced earlier this year that they would continue with the scheme for the 2013-21 price control period, with an objective to connect 80,000 new vulnerable households

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to the gas network. The amount of money available for each connection is capped at a level set by Ofgem to ensure cost-effectiveness of the scheme.

Natural Gas: Scotland

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the amount of gas transferred from (a) Scotland to England and (b) England to Scotland through onshore interconnectors in each month since June 2010. [206341]

Matthew Hancock: The Department does not collect or publish statistics on the flow of gas between Scotland and England and vice-versa.

Natural Gas: Storage

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of total gas storage capacity in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland; and how much such capacity is (i) short range storage and (ii) long range storage. [206007]

Matthew Hancock: Total gas storage capacity in England is 4.63 bcm. This includes the 3.3 bcm Rough facility located in the southern North Sea. In addition, there are two projects currently under construction in England which will bring full gas storage capacity to 5.13 bcm when completed.

There are no gas storage facilities currently located in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

Of the existing gas storage capacity, 3.3 bcm (the Rough facility) is long range and 1.33 bcm is short range. The two projects currently under construction, totalling 0.5 bcm, are both short range facilities.

Office for Nuclear Regulation

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many (a) safety and (b) security events were reported to him by the Office for Nuclear Regulation in each 12 month period since May 2010; and what action was taken to correct the problems highlighted in each such case. [205875]

Matthew Hancock: Information provided to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, on reportable nuclear safety and security events since May 2010 (including transportation of radioactive material) can be found in the following published documents, which also describe actions taken by the regulator:

Nuclear safety

Office for Nuclear Regulation quarterly statements of nuclear incidents at nuclear installations:

http://www.onr.org.uk/quarterly-stat/index.htm

Transportation of radioactive material

Radiological Consequences Resulting from Accidents and Incidents Involving the Transport of Radioactive Materials in the UK – 2010 and 2011 respectively:

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/Radiation/CRCEScientificAndTechnicalReportSeries/HPACRCE024/

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and

http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1317135870611

Nuclear security

The state of security in the civil nuclear industry and the effectiveness of security regulation, April 2009 to March 2011 and April 2011 to March 2012 respectively:

http://www.onr.org.uk/ocns/ocns0911.pdf

and

http://www.onr.org.uk/documents/cn-security-annual-review.pdf

ONR Annual Reports

Office for Nuclear Regulation Chief Nuclear Inspector’s Annual Report 2013:

http://www.onr.org.uk/documents/cni-annual-report-2013.pdf

and Office for Nuclear Regulation Annual Report and Financial Position (including Chief Nuclear Inspector’s Annual Statement) 2013/14:

http://www.onr.org.uk/documents/2014/onr-annual-report-1314.pdf

Pay

Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many officials employed by his Department, of each grade, have remained at that grade since 2010 but received a pay rise; and how much of a rise each such person at each such grade has received. [205454]

Amber Rudd: Gathering and analysing the information necessary to respond to the question would incur disproportionate cost.

Solar Power

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when his Department will next review the 2.4-4GWp range for large-scale deployment of solar PV to 2020-21 indicated in the Electricity Market Reform delivery plan: solar PV and other technology feed-in tariffs up to 50 kWp; and if he will make a statement. [205560]

Matthew Hancock: We plan to re-assess the likely deployment ranges for all low carbon technologies, including that for large scale solar PV, in the 2015 update to the electricity market reform delivery plan. We will consider the amount of small-scale solar deployed to date as part of the feed-in tariff scheme review planned for 2015.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Alcoholic Drinks

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's policy is on alcohol consumption on the premises (a) in general and (b) during parties in her Private Office. [205325]

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Dan Rogerson: Policy on the consumption of alcohol on the premises applies to all civil servants working in core DEFRA.

The Core DEFRA Code of conduct states that employees must not consume alcohol on DEFRA premises except in organised social/launch events where permission is granted by a Senior Manager (Grade 6 or above). Civil servants must present for work in a fit state and never under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Antibiotics: Agriculture

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will bring forward legislative proposals to restrict the use of antibiotics on farms to the treatment of sick animals. [206200]

George Eustice: The EU veterinary medicinal products directive is the core legislation which sets out the framework for controls on veterinary medicines, including veterinary antibiotics, within EU member states. The European Commission is expected to publish proposals for the revision of the EU legislative framework later this year.

The Government's position is that any changes to the EU legislation, including changes to controls on veterinary antibiotics, should be evidence based and take into account the potential impact on animal health and welfare.

Billing

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the value is of duplicate supplier payments identified by her Department since 2010; and what proportion of such payments have since been recovered in each of the last two financial years. [205971]

Dan Rogerson: Core DEFRA has controls in place to prevent duplicate payments being made to suppliers. These include careful checking of each invoice against evidence of delivery and against any previous payments in respect of the relevant purchase order. External and internal audit reviews of key financial controls have found no evidence of weakness that would lead to duplicate payments. There are also regular reviews of expenditure against budgets which would quickly bring to light unexpected payments and would lead to immediate action for recovery.

Core DEFRA is carrying out a spend recovery audit, as part of a Cabinet Office initiative on fraud and error which we expect to conclude by autumn 2014.

Common Agricultural Policy

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effects of the CAP reforms on farmers. [205877]

George Eustice: I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer of 23 June 2014, Official Report, column 63W.

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Correspondence

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the annual cost to her Department of (a) stationery and (b) postage incurred when sending a ministerial reply to hon. Members; and if she will make a statement. [206147]

Dan Rogerson: This information is not recorded.

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has any plans to increase the number of replies within her Department’s working day standard; and if she will make a statement. [206478]

Dan Rogerson: Guidance for Departments on handling correspondence from Members of Parliament allows Departments to set a target for replying of up to a maximum of 20 working days. Within this limit, core DEFRA has set a target of 15 working days.

Core DEFRA continually reviews processes with a view to improving the service we provide.

Grasslands

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the proportion of (a) limestone grasslands, (b) marshy grasslands, (c) acid grasslands, (d) lowland meadows and pastures and (e) upland hay meadows that has been lost in each of the last 10 years. [205601]

George Eustice: DEFRA has not undertaken an estimate of this nature. Natural England published an inventory of priority grassland habitats in 2013 which shows the current area of each priority grassland habitat type as follows:

An England-wide sampling framework is under development to enable monitoring activity. This is to contribute to an assessment of trends in habitat extent and condition.

Land

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much land her Department has released for the purpose of building new homes since May 2010. [205478]

Dan Rogerson: The Department has contributed land capable of delivering 11,675 homes to the Programme. We are continuing to rationalise our estate, delivering cost savings and better value for money for the taxpayer.

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Landfill

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the success of steps taken to meet the 2013 and 2020 EU landfill directive. [205986]

Dan Rogerson: We are confident that we will have met the 2013 landfill diversion target and will meet the 2020 target set out in the EU landfill directive.

In October 2013 we published an analysis of progress against the 2020 target, which can be found on the gov.uk website at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/forecasting-2020-waste-arisings-and-treatment-capacity-norfolk-county-council-residual-waste-treatment-project

The analysis concludes that there is a high likelihood of meeting or exceeding the 2020 target.

Landfill tax is a key instrument to meeting the landfill diversion targets along with our policies and initiatives such as support of infrastructure to divert waste from landfill through the Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme.

Nature Conservation

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many sites in England are designated as local wildlife sites and contain neutral grassland; how many sites in England containing neutral grassland have been de-selected as local wildlife sites in each of the last 10 years; and how many new sites in England containing neutral grassland have been designated as local wildlife sites in each of the last 10 years; [205602]

(2) how many sites in England are currently designated as local wildlife sites; how many sites in England have been de-selected as local wildlife sites in each of the last 10 years; and how many new sites in England have been designated as local wildlife sites in each of the last 10 years. [205600]

George Eustice: Local wildlife sites are usually selected within a local authority area. This process is often managed by the local Wildlife Trust along with representatives of the local authority and other local wildlife conservation groups. Local sites are afforded protection through the National Planning Policy Framework.

DEFRA receives annual reports from local authorities on the number and management of local wildlife sites. The latest data published in the 2013 update of our England Biodiversity indicators show that there were 43,500 local wildlife sites in the 2011-12 reporting period. We do not hold national information on the numbers of new or de-selected local wildlife sites, nor the specific habitat within those site.

An England-wide sampling framework is under development to enable monitoring activity to contribute to an assessment of trends in habitat extent and condition.

Pay

Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many officials employed by her Department, of each grade,

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have remained at that grade since 2010 but received a pay rise; and how much of a rise each such person at each such grade has received. [205455]

Dan Rogerson: Since 2010, 1,294 staff in core DEFRA have remained in the same grade. Of these, 1,139 have received an increase to salary. The following table shows a breakdown of the number of staff by grade. Non-consolidated awards are not included.

In 2010 and 2011 the majority of staff were subject to a pay freeze. Staff with salaries of £21,000 and below received an increase of £250 each year. In 2012 and 2013, staff received pay increases averaging 1% each year.

Procurement

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department paid to (a) G4S, (b) Serco, (c) Sodexo, (d) GEOAmey, (e) Capita, (f) Atos, (g) Mitie, (h) Working Links, (i) A4E, (j) MTC Amey, (k) GEO Group and (l) Carillion in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13 and (iv) 2013-14. [205686]

Dan Rogerson: The table below sets out details of payments made by the core Department.

No payments were made to the other organisations listed.

Regulation

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to simplify existing environmental, marine and agricultural regulations. [205985]

George Eustice: By contributing to Red Tape Challenge, DEFRA has reviewed over 1,200 of its regulations. As a result of these reviews DEFRA has made commitments to revoke or improve nearly 800 regulations and as well as a number of significant non-regulatory changes that will directly benefit business and the wider public. These include the reform of all regulatory guidance produced by DEFRA and its agencies by spring 2015, so that users can quickly access clear information on what they need; changes to data reporting obligations, to remove any duplicate and unnecessary requests for information; and plans to explore opportunities to simplify and reduce the number of compliance inspections on farms.

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These reforms are being made without reducing existing protection of the environment or animal and plant health and are detailed in a report entitled “DEFRA better for Business: A Strategic Reform Plan for DEFRA Regulations” which was published on 9 April 2014¹. DEFRA is working to deliver the vast majority of these proposals by April 2015 so that benefits can be felt quickly. Current estimates suggest that business could by then be saving £300 million per year as a result of these reforms.

¹https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302112/pb14166-defra-better-for-business.pdf

Health

Abortion

Mr Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women who underwent an abortion in 2013 had previously had an ectopic pregnancy. [205992]

Jane Ellison: Information on women who had an abortion and had previously had an ectopic pregnancy is not available.

Alcoholic Drinks

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department’s policy is on alcohol consumption on the premises (a) in general and (b) during parties in his Private Office. [205326]

Dr Poulter: Alcohol may only be provided at special events, within strict cost limits and with the prior approval of the Department’s director-general for finance. Public money is not used to fund occasions such as social gatherings, retirement or office parties.

We also encourage the provision of non-alcohol drinks at all these events. Any parties held in Private Offices will follow the same guidelines as departmental policy.

Antibiotics

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to put in place a media campaign to educate the public about alternatives to antibiotics. [206396]

Jane Ellison: The Department is working with other Government Departments to co-ordinate implementation of the Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy including improving public and professional understanding and awareness.

Public Health England (PHE) is leading on work to improve public knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in relation to antimicrobial resistance in collaboration with partners across the health and social care sector in England.

PHE is co-ordinating work on European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) for England. EAAD is a European initiative which takes place on 18 November each year and aims to promote prudent antibiotic use among professionals and the public.

PHE are also working with the Department to explore the potential for additional targeted media work.

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Babies: Screening

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS spent on neonatal heel prick tests in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013. [205651]

Dr Poulter: The requested data are not held centrally.

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for which diseases the NHS screens by using the neonatal heel prick test for newborn babies. [205652]

Dr Poulter: Current screening for newborn blood spot programme includes: Phenylketonuria, Congenital Hypothyroidism, Cystic Fibrosis, Medium-Chain Acyl CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency and Sickle Cell Disease.

Expanded screening due to commence nationally in January 2015 will include: Maple Syrup Urine Disease, Homocystinuria, Isovaleric acidaemia and Glutaric Aciduria Type 1.

Breast Cancer

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health trusts in England provide breast cancer patients with a clinical nurse specialist. [205650]

Dr Poulter: Information on which health trusts in England provide breast cancer patients with a clinical nurse specialist is available from the National Peer Review Programme, which is a quality assurance programme managed by NHS England for the national health service and is in the following table.

The Government have supported the development of a range of specialist roles within nursing. Specialist nurses provide invaluable support for people with cancer and their families. They are able to provide specialist treatment and advice and act as a gateway to other members of the multidisciplinary team, which improves care and outcomes.

Through the Mandate, we have asked NHS England to deliver continued improvements in relation to the experience of care, including cancer care. It is for local NHS organisations with their knowledge of the health care needs of their local population to invest in training for specialist skills and to deploy specialist nurses.

In the latest Cancer Patient Experience Survey (2013), 88% of patients reported being given the name of a clinical nurse specialist. We want every cancer patient to have access to appropriate care, support and information–but this must be affordable and sustainable for the NHS. That is why it remains for local organisations to decide whether to invest in new one-to-one support roles.

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Buildings

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on refurbishing (a) gymnasium and leisure facilities, (b) cafeteria and (c) interior decoration in (i) his Department and (ii) buildings owned by his Department in (A) 2013 and (B) 2014 to date. [205357]

Dr Poulter: The Department spent the following across the seven buildings which it owns or occupies:

Gymnasium and leisure facilities:

2013—£5,000

2014 to date—£3,000

Cafeteria:

2013—£78,605

2014 to date—£26,858

Interior decoration:

2013—£50,000

2014 to date—£30,000.

Cancer

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the British Medical Association and cancer groups on studies of the potential effects of aspirin on cancer. [205824]

Jane Ellison: We know that research carried out so far shows that taking a low dose of aspirin daily may lower the risk of getting cancer and it may lower the risk of some cancers spreading to other parts of the body. However, aspirin can cause serious side effects such as internal bleeding and we have to be certain that the benefits of taking aspirin outweigh the risks.

The third annual report of “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer”, published in December 2013 reported that an international consensus statement on the use of aspirin in the general population has been developed by experts around the world, but is awaiting publication. Once the international consensus statement is published, we will assess what this means for policy in England,

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such as when the benefits might be outweighed by the disadvantages (particularly, the increased risk of gastric bleeds) and how best to manage the use of aspirin for prevention and treatment of cancer.

Cancer Research UK advises that anyone thinking of taking aspirin to reduce the risk of getting cancer should talk to their doctor first.

Cancer: Older People

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research (a) his Department and (b) NHS England is undertaking into comparative cancer survival rates for older people in the UK and other European countries. [205945]

Jane Ellison: NHS England has undertaken some initial analysis of the causes of poorer survival rates in older people. This suggests that several issues contribute to poorer survival in older adults. These include the fact that the chances of diagnosis at emergency presentation increase with age and that older patients are more likely to have co-morbidity which may impact on survival during and after surgery. There is also some evidence that access to surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for older patients has historically been worse than for younger patients. Previous work by the National Cancer Equality Initiative and the National Cancer Information Network has identified that cancer treatment rates decline with age.

The International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership has sought to understand how and why cancer survival varies between countries, including among older people. The partnership has generated insight and understanding that will help all partners improve cancer survival outcomes by optimising cancer policies and services.

Evidence from this initiative suggests that late diagnosis and treatment are crucial factors in England having lower survival rates than other comparable countries (i.e. countries with good data collection systems and similar levels of development). We also know that the most important reasons for late diagnosis are low awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer; and delays in patients presenting to their doctors.