Written Answers
Wednesday 5 February 2014
Burma
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what conditions are attached to the current provision of training for the Burmese army in regard to (1) the use of child soldiers, (2) sexual violence by the Burmese army, and (3) commitments by the Burmese army that it will lead to a transition to democratic, civilian oversight of the military in Burma.[HL4871]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The Government pursues a policy of addressing the issues of child soldiers, sexual violence by the Burmese Army and the civilian control of the military with the Burmese Government at every appropriate opportunity. We continue to make it known that where serious crimes have been committed; those who have perpetrated them should be held accountable for their actions.
Our defence engagement in Burma is focussed on promoting adherence to the core principles of democratic accountability, international law and human rights. We have used initial discussions to encourage the Burmese military to step back from politics, address issues such as the use of child soldiers, and take firm and decisive action to tackle sexual violence in conflict areas.
We have communicated to the Burmese military that our engagement with them is subject to continuous review and satisfaction on the part of Her Majesty's Government of their continued willingness to reform.
Children: Sexual Abuse
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect children from sexual abuse.[HL4761]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): Child sexual exploitation is an abhorrent form of child abuse no matter how, when or where it occurs, and the Coalition Government is absolutely committed to tackling it.
The Home Office has established a National Group to tackle Sexual Violence Against Children and Vulnerable People. This brings together Government Departments, agencies including the Crown Prosecution Service, the police and key organisations such as the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Rape Crisis and Barnardo's to better identify children who are at risk and to urgently address missed opportunities by agencies to protect the most vulnerable.
The National Group's first progress report and action plan was published in July 2013 and can be found at the link below. This plan contains specific activity undertaken and future actions to prevent child sexual abuse from taking place.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/230443/Sexual_Violence_against_Children_and_Vulnerable_ People.pdf
Climate Change
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 8 November 2012 (WA 224–5) stating that “the temperature rise since about 1880 is statistically significant” and the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 21 January (WA 99) stating that the Government do not use “purely statistical models” to analyse global temperatures, whether they will reconsider the earlier assertion that the rise in global temperatures since 1880 is “statistically significant”.[HL5036]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): With regards to the Written Answer I gave the Noble Lord on 8 November 2012 (Official Report, Column WA 224-5), I have nothing further to add beyond my previous answers on this subject.
Climate Change Act 2008
Question
Asked by Lord Howell of Guildford
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether carbon dioxide reduction targets specified in the Climate Change Act 2008 are conditional on other European Union countries adopting similar targets; and what is their response to the European Commission's decision to aim for different targets from those to which the United Kingdom is currently committed. [HL4896]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): Under the Climate Change Act 2008, the UK is committed to reducing emissions by 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. Government considers this target to be aligned with the EU commitment to keep average global temperature rises below 2 degrees, by reducing EU greenhouse gas emission reductions by 80-95% on 1990 levels by 2050.
The Climate Change Act is not subject to any conditions on action by other countries.
Courts: Jurors
Question
Asked by Baroness Gardner of Parkes
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they last reviewed the categories and levels of support and expenses provided to jurors; and how those amounts compare to the national minimum wage.[HL4390]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): Juror allowance rates were last reviewed February 2013. The table of juror allowances can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/jury-service/what-you-can-claim.
Jurors are reimbursed for expenses incurred and the amount of earnings that they actually lost, up to a daily maximum. This is set at £64.95 for the first 10 days, rising thereafter. A number of large employers continue to pay their jurors whilst on jury service.
The national minimum wage is currently set at £6.31 per hour. The daily maximum for the first ten days therefore represents more than ten hours’ work at the national minimum wage.
D-notice System
Question
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will conduct a public consultation on the future of the D-notice system.[HL4978]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The scope and conduct of a review into the future of the Defence Advisory Notice System has not yet been determined.
Embryology
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of adult stem cells generated by stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency. [HL5061]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): The Government has not made any assessment of the research recently described in Nature on the generation of adult stem cells by stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency (STAP).
The Medical Research Council (MRC) which is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is one of the main agencies through which the Government support biomedical research. This novel technique is an exciting development offering great promise to the field. However, in order to establish which areas of stem cell research may deliver the most
effective treatments for particular conditions, the MRC's strategy is to support research on all types of stem cells to determine which routes should be pursued in the development of cell-based therapies.
Embryology: Animal Testing
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 23 January (WA 153–4), what other examples they can describe in which the use of non-human primates was abandoned in favour of mice as a preclinical model due to a proposed therapeutic intervention working in the latter but not in the former; what are the known sources of suffering experienced by non-human primates during pronuclear transfer; and to what extent they consider that human patients or their offspring might be expected to have similar experiences through the application of pronuclear transfer.[HL5060]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): Any further information about the use of non-human primates being abandoned in favour of mice as a preclinical model is not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Employment: Young People
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to help prepare young people for starting a career in the United Kingdom.[HL5129]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): Recent changes to post-16 education make it easier for schools and colleges to offer students work experience. The introduction of 16-19 study programmes set clearer expectations on schools and colleges to arrange work experience.
Schools are legally required to secure independent careers guidance for pupils (12 to 18 year-olds), and that includes information on all education and training options. The Inspiration Vision published in September 2013 encourages employers and schools to work more closely together.
Energy: Biodiesel
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to support the industry that makes biodiesel from used cooking oil.[HL5039]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer): I refer the noble Lord to my answer of the 15 January [Official Report, column WA18]. The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) post implementation review published in draft for consultation will consider the support provided for biofuels made from wastes, such as biodiesel made from used cooking oil.
That consultation closes on the 7th of February. We will be considering carefully the views offered in response before publishing a final review in the spring, and considering what, if any, changes are necessary to the RTFO to support the use of biofuels made from waste products.
Energy: Electricity
Question
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Chester
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what amount and proportion of the United Kingdom’s electricity requirement in 2013 was met by inputs through interconnectors with other countries; and how much electricity the United Kingdom exported during 2013.[HL4955]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): The table below shows UK imports and exports of electricity, in GWh, January 2013 to September 2013. Data for 2013 as a whole will be available on 28th March 2014.
| Imports and Exports in the UK for January-September 2013 in GWh | |
Source: Energy Trends table 5.2 available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity-section-5-energy-trends
Energy: Paper and Online Bills
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they propose that customers who receive paper energy bills should receive billing information twice annually when those who receive online bills should receive them quarterly.[HL4999]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): The Government's proposals to regulate for minimum frequencies which consumers should receive billing information are part of the Government's proposals for implementing the Energy Efficiency Directive provisions on gas and electricity billing. Annex VII of the Directive states that 'billing information must be
provided to final customers at least twice a year, or at least quarterly at the customer's request or if they are billed electronically.'
In implementing this Directive, the Government is looking to make changes at the lowest cost to consumers, businesses and the industry. The Government's proposals are for minimum frequencies and suppliers are able to provide billing information more frequently.
The Government has set out its approach as part of a consultation on implementing the Energy Efficiency Directive provisions on gas and electricity billing:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/implementing-the-energy-efficiency-directive-provisions-on-gas-and-electrcity-billing
Energy: Prices
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will transfer the whole cost of green subsidies from energy customers to HM Treasury to reduce energy bills.[HL4997]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): The Government conducted a review of green levies over the autumn and took action to reduce the impact of those levies on consumer bills — resulting in an average £50 reduction in household energy bills. Whilst the Government will continue to monitor the cost of consumer energy bills, it has no plans to change how the current incentives for low carbon investment are delivered. Maintaining this certainty is essential for ensuring the investor confidence that is needed to deliver a low-carbon economy.
EU: Directives
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government approximately what percentage of European Union directives have been gold-plated on implementation in the United Kingdom.[HL4917]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): This information is not available. The Government is, however, taking steps to root out historic gold-plating from the UK statute book, as part of the Red Tape Challenge.
The Government has also introduced a scrutiny and challenge process to ensure Departments do not gold-plate or place unnecessary burdens on UK business when implementing new EU legislation. A review of draft legislation considered under these new rules over the 18 month period from July 2011 to December 2012 found no instances of additional burdens placed on business as a result of gold-plating. The review can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gold-plating-review-operation-of-the-transposition-principles-in-the-government-s-guiding-principles-for-eu-legislation.
Since then, there has only been one instance where additional burdens have been placed on business as a result of gold-plating. This was at minimal cost to business (some £1.35 million per annum and a one-off cost of £0.23m) and was in order to ensure greater protection for UK consumers.
Government Departments: Expenditure
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to publish their annual total expenditure, including both capital and current costs, on (1) military defence, and (2) conflict prevention, resolution and mediation.[HL5057]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Parliament requires each department to provide plans of their expenditure via the Supply Estimates process, and report their actual annual expenditure via their Annual Report and Accounts which are laid before Parliament each year. Through these processes, the Ministry of Defence publishes details of the government's military expenditure; and the Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence publish details of expenditure on conflict prevention, resolution and mediation.
The Annual Accounts covering the Financial Year 2012-13 can be found by using the following links:
The Ministry of Defence: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/222874/MOD_AR13_clean.pdf
Foreign and Commonwealth Office:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/210136/HC_32_v0_2.pdf
Department for International Development: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/208445/annual-report-accounts2013-13.pdf
Marine Environment: Dolphins, Whales and Porpoises
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what further representations they will make to the government of Japan about the recent killing of wild dolphins in Taiji on Japan's Pacific coast and the issue of quotas for the killing of dolphins, whales and porpoises in its coastal waters.[HL5046]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The UK has very recently made representation to the Government of Japan on these issues. On 24 January 2014, HM Ambassador to Japan wrote to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs to
reiterate the UK Government’s opposition to the hunting of small cetaceans and raised concerns over the welfare and sustainability issues surrounding such large-scale hunts. That letter also reiterated this Government’s opposition to the hunting of all cetaceans, other than some limited activities by indigenous people for clearly defined subsistence needs.
The Japanese Government is in no doubt as to the strength of feeling in the UK on these matters. The UK Government will continue to make its concerns regarding the hunting of small cetaceans, and our opposition to so called ‘scientific whaling’, known to Japan at every appropriate opportunity, including in the build up to, and at, the next IWC meeting in September 2014.
Minimum Wage
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the strategy adopted by HM Revenue and Customs in respect of prosecuting employers of agency workers who deduct commission from the minimum wage.[HL4908]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Government takes the enforcement of national minimum wage (NMW) very seriously and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) enforce the national minimum wage legislation on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and has done so since the introduction of NMW in April 1999. It does that by investigating all complaints made about employers suspected of not paying the minimum wage, in addition carrying out targeted enforcement where it identifies a high risk of non-payment of NMW.
As part of its compliance strategy, HMRC has brought in dedicated compliance staff with experience of employment agencies, and these staff are being trained to operate in the NMW context. HMRC is currently drawing up a strategic approach and a suite of compliance interventions that will, in the most extreme cases, include prosecutions.
Railways: Diesel Units and Vehicles
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many diesel units and vehicles in use as part of the Northern rail franchise will be released by the currently-programmed schemes of electrification in the north of England; and on what dates they are expected to become available for redeployment to other services within the Northern franchise. [HL5117]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer): Phase 2 of the electrification of the lines between Liverpool, Manchester and Wigan is under way with completion expected on time by Network
Rail. This will lead to a phased introduction of electric vehicles to replace diesel units over the coming years. It is for the railway industry to assess the most cost effective solutions. It is anticipated that a relatively small number of diesel trains could be released by December 2014 (or shortly thereafter) when the first electric trains become available for passenger service. By February 2016 (the end of the extended franchise) there could be in total a maximum of 14 diesel units becoming available. Northern Rail has submitted a proposal for this which is currently being reviewed by the Department for Transport.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many diesel units and vehicles in each relevant class in use as part of the Northern rail franchise will not meet the requirements for disabled passengers which come into force on 1 January 2020; and whether those vehicles will then still be available for use within that franchise.[HL5118]
Baroness Kramer: The law requires all rail vehicles to be accessible by 1 January 2020. Mandatory access standards have applied to all new trains built since 1998. For fleets built before that time, the Department has set out the level of accessibility that it expects if they are to remain in service after 2019. It is for the Rolling Stock Companies (Roscos) to decide whether to invest in life-extension works, having gauged the future demand for those vehicles. Work on a number of diesel – and electric – fleets currently with Northern has already been proposed as part of the current operator’s bid for an extension to its current franchise till February 2016. After that the next Franchisee will propose which type of vehicles it wants to operate to be compliant with requirements for disabled passengers.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the current shortfall in the number of diesel vehicles within the Northern franchise; and what are their estimates of the shortfall that will occur in each of the next five years.[HL5121]
Baroness Kramer: It is for the operator to manage their fleet capacity to match passenger demand. The Department for Transport has not received any notification from the operator of a shortfall in the number of diesels. For the new franchise (start February 2016), the bidders should base their fleet proposals on existing passenger numbers and anticipated future growth in passenger numbers.
Railways: InterCity Express Trains
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it will be possible to introduce the new InterCity Express Trains if the European Rail Traffic Management System is not commissioned by the planned date of their introduction.[HL5048]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Class 800 / 801 trains will be fitted with Automatic Train Protection and Train Protection and Warning systems which will allow them to be deployed on routes without European Rail Traffic Management System.
Railways: Northern Rail
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what requirements they will make in the extension of the Northern rail franchise for the new service between Manchester and Burnley, Accrington and Blackburn via the Todmorden curve.[HL5065]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): Lancashire County Council (LCC) will be funding this scheme for the first three years. They will be agreeing the passenger service levels with Northern Rail. Northern has submitted a proposal for a timetable to the specification of Lancashire County Council. LCC is currently reviewing this proposal and the associated costs.
Railways: Todmorden Curve
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the line will be open for the potential operation of the new rail service from Manchester to East Lancashire following the installation of the Todmorden curve and the refurbishment of Holme Tunnel; and when they expect the new service to commence.[HL5066]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer): Network Rail is in the process of getting the infrastructure ready. They have not confirmed a date for full commissioning yet. Lancashire County Council will be funding the services and will be agreeing passenger service levels with Northern Rail and a start date for a full passenger service. With the introduction of the May 2014 timetable, Northern is planning to provide a third service each hour from Manchester Victoria to Todmorden. This will use the new track to turn back the trains at Todmorden.
Railways: Transport for London
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have they made of the case for transferring further rail services to the Mayor of London and Transport for London.[HL5037]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): Following discussions with the Mayor of London the Secretary of State for Transport has agreed in principle to the transfer of West Anglia Inner suburban services to Transport for London. This will be subject to agreeing terms with Transport
for London. Although the Mayor had also sought the transfer of certain suburban Southeastern services, the operational complexity of that network precludes transfer at this time.
Royal Mail: Shares
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will be voting their shares in Royal Mail at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.[HL4937]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): Royal Mail's Annual general Meeting (AGM) will normally be held in July each year.
The Government has a retained shareholding in Royal Mail, it has a vote at the AGM and will decide how to exercise that vote.
As set out in the Royal Mail Prospectus, the Secretary of State has confirmed to Royal Mail that he intends to manage HM Government’s shareholding in the company in a commercial manner within the context of protecting and creating value for the taxpayer as shareholder.
Schools: Academies
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria and governance arrangements are currently in place relating to decisions by the Department for Education to defer consideration of a local authority-controlled school’s application to convert to academy status; and how such criteria and governance arrangements have been applied in the case of the proposal by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to discontinue Sulivan Primary School.[HL5052]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The application form completed by schools wishing to convert to academy status asks whether the school is part of any local authority reorganisation or closure plan and if so, for details. The Department for Education’s website also makes clear that schools should explain whether there are any exceptional circumstances that the Department should consider when assessing the school’s academy application. This information is then taken into account by the Department in reaching a decision about whether a school should convert to become an academy.
Sulivan Primary School’s application form made clear that it was part of plans by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham involving the closure of the school. In order not to cut across the statutory process for the closure of the school, which was well under way, the Department decided in November 2013 to defer a decision on the academy application until the local authority had made a final decision on its plans.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 15 January (WA 29), whether, and when, they have issued, or plan to issue, guidelines concerning the criteria to be applied by local authorities when proposing to discontinue a school seeking to convert to academy status; and whether such guidance covers potential conflicts of interests faced by local authorities, officers and councillors that may have links with other educational institutions in competition with the school to be discontinued.[HL5053]
Lord Nash: Local authorities are under a statutory duty to ensure that there are sufficient school places in their area. To help them meet this duty, they have the power to propose the closure of all categories of maintained schools. The Department for Education issues statutory guidance for local authorities and others on the statutory processes surrounding school closure. Specific guidance on deciding statutory proposals for school closure and the factors that decision makers should take into account in doing so, is contained in the “School Organisation Maintained Schools Annex B: Guidance for Decision-makers” document which is published on the Department’s website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-organisation-maintained-schools
A maintained school may seek to convert to academy status at any point during the statutory process which a local authority must follow in order to close it. The Department does not issue any guidance to local authorities about this. However, the Secretary of State takes into account local authority closure plans in deciding whether to approve an application to convert to academy status. A decision on an academy application would not normally be taken until after the local statutory process had concluded.
Schools: Defibrillators
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Ministers will meet representatives of the Oliver King Foundation to discuss the provision of schools and public buildings with defibrillators.[HL5100]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Department will consider invitations from organisations or individuals to discuss these and other educational matters.
Small and Medium-sized Businesses
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to reduce the burdens placed on small and medium-sized companies by the Companies Act 2006.[HL5093]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): Encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses are central parts of the Government’s growth strategy. In October 2013 we consulted on Red Tape Challenge proposals to improve and simplify the requirements for companies to file certain information with the Registrar of Companies to reduce burdens on business. The Government’s response will be published shortly.
In November, the Government introduced regulations reducing the financial reporting requirements for micro-entities. The new Accounting Directive will further reduce burdens.
Special Educational Needs: Code of Practice
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 29 January (WA 238–9), why the definition of progress in chapter 6 of the Draft Special Educational Needs Code of Practice, in the section on identifying needs in schools, no longer includes improvement in self-help, social skills and personal skills.[HL5101]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 29 January (WA 238–9), whether relevant information from the Autism Act 2009 statutory guidance will be included in the final Special Educational Needs Code of Practice.[HL5102]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 29 January (WA 238–9), whether the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on assessment and diagnosis of autism will be referenced in the final Special Educational Needs Code of Practice. [HL5103]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Further to written answer WA 238-9, the Department for Education is in the process of revising the draft Code of Practice. Decisions about the content of the Code will be taken in light of developments during the passage of the Children and Families Bill and the responses to the consultation. Once this work is completed, a revised Code of Practice will be placed before both Houses of Parliament for approval.
Taxation
Question
Asked by Lord Brabazon of Tara
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for each of the last ten years, what was (1) the starting threshold for the 40 per cent tax rate, (2) the percentage change year-on-year of the threshold for the 40 per cent tax rate, (3) the change in the retail prices index, and (4) the percentage of taxpayers paying the 40 per cent tax rate.[HL4881]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The information requested is in the table attached.
| Income tax year | 1) Higher Rate Threshold (HRT) | 2) Year on year change in HRT | 3) Retail Price Index (RPI) change in year to Sept | 4) Percentage of taxpayers paying 40% tax rate |
The data is drawn from the following publications:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/*/http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/rates/it.htm
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/taxonomy/search/index.html?newquery=*&newoffset=0&pageSize=50&nscl =Retail+Prices+Index&nscl-orig=Retail+Prices+Index&content-type=Reference+table&content-type=Dataset&sortBy=pubdate&sortDirection= DESCENDING&applyFilters=true
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-statistics/table2-1.pdf
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120609144700/*/http:/hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_tax/liabilities-april2011.pdf
The numbers in column 4 are estimates based on the Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) outturn for the year concerned. Footnote (a) indicates that these are the latest projected estimates in the absence of the SPI for that year and are subject to revision when the underlying SPI data becomes available.
The reductions in the Higher Rate Threshold since 2011-12 have been in conjunction with substantial increases in the personal allowance.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the impact on income tax receipts of raising the top rate of income tax on earnings over £150,000 from 45 per cent to 50 per cent. [HL4990]
Lord Deighton: The Government has made no estimate of the impact on income tax receipts of raising the top rate of income tax to 50 per cent.
The forecast Exchequer revenue effect of the change in the top rate of income tax from 50 pence to 45 pence is as follows:
| 2013/14 | 2014/15 | 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | |
The revenue effects detailed above are set out in the 2013 Budget document, available at;
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/221885/budget2013_complete.pdf
The HMRC report “The Exchequer effect of the 50 per cent additional rate of income tax” details the rationale for the rate change. The report is published and available at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/excheq-income-tax-2042.pdf.
This was recently endorsed by the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Transforming Rehabilitation
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information has been given to probation staff to assist them with the sifting process prior to their assignment to either the National Probation Service or a community rehabilitation company under the Transforming Rehabilitation plans.[HL4304]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what appeal processes are in place should a member of probation staff disagree with their assignment to either the
National Probation Service or a community rehabilitation company under the Transforming Rehabilitation plans.[HL4305]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether probation staff can register a grievance against their assignment to either the National Probation Service or a community rehabilitation company under the Transforming Rehabilitation plans; and if so how many have been lodged to date.[HL4306]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): Probation Trusts are now completing the allocation of staff to their new roles in either the National Probation Service (NPS) or a Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC). Every Trust is on track to do so by 1 April.
The National Framework on Staff Transfer and Protections, which we published on 13th November 2013, sets out the criteria to be used when allocating staff for posts in the NPS or CRCs and the grounds for appeal against assignment. Staff are able to appeal against their assignment in line with these criteria. Additionally, staff are able to raise a grievance with their Trust concerning any aspect of their employment. These grievances are handled locally by the Trust, and we do not keep records of the number of grievances centrally.