Written Answers
Monday 24 March 2014
Abortion
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health, Jane Ellison MP, on 6 March (HC Deb, col 948W) on abortion, whether they consider that publication of the Department of Health's interpretation of the requirements of the Abortion Act 1967 is likely to have any significant impact on the willingness of medical practitioners to authorise abortions under the Act; and what is the basis for any such assessment.[HL5865]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The purpose of the guidance is to clarify for medical practitioners what is required of them when making a decision under the Abortion Act.
Agriculture: Genetically Modified Crops
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recommendation of the Council of Science and Technology that genetically modified crops should be licensed at a national level.[HL6049]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): An EU proposal is currently under discussion that would give Member States more power to decide whether to accept GM cultivation in their own respective territories. The Government is supporting this initiative, because we want GM crops that have passed a robust safety check to have fair access to the market.
Air Quality
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the launch of legal proceedings by the European Commission against the United Kingdom in respect of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels, what action they propose to take to reduce NO2 values.[HL5533]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The UK has met all EU air quality limits except those for nitrogen dioxide, where the majority of EU Member States face significant challenges. This is largely as a result of the underperformance of EU diesel emission standards.
The UK has previously submitted plans under the Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC setting out the measures being taken to meet EU limit values for nitrogen dioxide as quickly as possible. The UK is investing significantly in transport initiatives that will reduce air pollution, especially in our towns and cities. These include: over £900 million to support the uptake of ultra-low and zero emission vehicle technologies between 2010 and 2020, £2 billion for the electrification of the rail network, £600 million for the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, £107m to support cycling and £106.5 million to support the purchase of new low emission buses and fund the cleaning up of older buses.
The UK Government remains committed to working towards full compliance with current EU air quality standards. We are currently considering our response to this first stage of legal proceedings from the European Commission.
Apprenticeships
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are considering how public procurement policies can be used to increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities.[HL5829]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require companies bidding for large public contracts to offer apprenticeships.[HL5830]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The Government supports apprenticeships across the economy as they can contribute to encouraging growth.
It is government policy to award contracts on the basis of overall value for money, which means the optimum combination of cost and quality over the lifetime of the project. Our reforms to procurement helped save taxpayers £3.8bn last year alone. Conditions relating to apprenticeships should be included only when it is proportionate to do so. This is for individual departments to decide.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many apprenticeships that were part of the Train to Gain scheme have been (1) transferred to their apprenticeship programme, and (2) classified as new apprenticeships. [HL5831]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): Train to Gain was introduced in April 2006 to support employers in improving the skills of their employees and to contribute to improved business performance. It provided advice to businesses on skills needs and how to source training to meet those needs as well as funding for some training. In the 2009/10 academic year there were 574,900 Train to Gain starts.
The abolition of the Train to Gain programme was announced in the Spending Review October 2010. At the point of change Train to Gain learners would have been expected to complete their training under the
Train to Gain scheme. Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth set out the need for Government investment to be focused on delivering high quality provision such as Apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships are a separate programme supported by Government. Following a full scale review of Apprenticeships in 2012, we are well on our way to reforming to the Apprenticeship programme to make it even more rigorous and responsive, introducing a minimum duration and putting employers in the driving seat in designing Apprenticeship standards.
Atos Healthcare
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Atos Healthcare is seeking to opt out of or end its contract to provide assessment services for Disability Living Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance benefit applications.[HL5917]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): The Department is in discussions with Atos Healthcare regarding its contract; Atos Healthcare continues to be committed to and obliged to deliver the services under the contract until such time as the contract ends.
Bank of England
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the appropriateness of the Bank of England investigating its own management of its activities in foreign exchange markets and its regulation of those markets; and whether they consider that such inquires should be led by an independent third party.[HL5873]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Oversight Committee of the Bank of England's Court has appointed Lord Grabiner QC to lead its investigation into the role of Bank officials in relation to conduct issues in the foreign exchange market. The investigation, supported by Travers Smith LLP, will focus on matters relevant to the current Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) investigation into trading on the foreign exchange market and specifically whether, during the period July 2005 to December 2013, any Bank officials were involved in the manipulation of the foreign exchange markets or were aware of any such action.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the oversight role played by the Court of the Bank of England in matters relating to the management of the Bank of England. [HL5874]
Lord Deighton: The Financial Services Act 2012 strengthened the governance arrangements of the Bank of England to take account of its expanded responsibilities. Under these arrangements, a new Oversight Committee has been created, made up of the Court's non executive directives, which is responsible for overseeing the Bank's policy performance and operational and financial effectiveness.
The government believes that the Oversight Committee, which has considerably extended powers, represents an important step in improving the management of the Bank of England. As with all the new structures that have been introduced, the government continues to monitor their progress and development.
BBC World Service
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the reply by the Deputy Prime Minister on 12 March (HC Deb, cols 315–6) concerning proposals to initiate BBC World Service transmissions to the Korean peninsula, whether the approval of “new services” remains the prerogative of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.[HL6004]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): As stated in my response to an oral question on 12 March, Official report, column 1753, the Secretary for State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), will continue to approve the opening and closing of the World Service language services, as he does at present, based on recommendations put to him by the World Service.
Children: Drugs
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures are in place to ensure that schoolchildren are not criminalised in connection with drug offences.[HL5985]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): In dealing with any offence committed by a child or young person aged 10 to 17 years old the police have a range of options available to them:
a. take no further action;b. use a community resolution, for example an instant apology and reparation for a minor first time offence;c. use a youth caution;d. use a youth conditional caution; ore. charge the child or young person with the offence.
Where a youth caution is given the police constable must refer the child or young person to the youth offending team. Where the child or young person has previously been referred or previously been given a youth conditional caution the youth offending team must assess them and, unless considered inappropriate to do so, arrange their participation in a rehabilitation programme.
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, youth cautions are considered spent as soon as they are delivered. Youth Conditional Cautions are spent within three months of the date on which they are given. While cautions are still recorded by the police, they help to keep children and young people out of the court process and do not leave them with a criminal record.
In September 2012, the Department for Education and the Association of Chief Police Officers published advice for schools on managing drugs and drug-related incidents on school premises. It states that school staff are best placed to make a decision on the most appropriate response to a drug-related incident, including whether to involve the police. The advice includes a model drug policy framework which recommends that schools have “agreed criteria for if and when police should be informed, and what action is expected if police involvement is requested.”
Civil Service: Trade Unions
Question
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have asked departments to end the system of check- off for trade union subscriptions for civil servants.[HL6016]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The deduction of Trade Union subscriptions from payroll through check-off is a matter delegated to individual Departments in the Civil Service.
Cyprus
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the impact of the unification of Cyprus on the people of Cyprus and its effect on regional stability.[HL5999]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The reunification of Cyprus would once again see both communities living and working together peacefully. A comprehensive settlement would bring significant economic benefits through increased opportunities for trade, investment and tourism. It would strengthen regional stability by removing an obstacle to Turkey’s EU membership, enabling greater EU-NATO co-operation, and opening up the possibility of new energy and economic partnerships in the region. The United Kingdom will continue to support the Cypriots’ efforts to end the division which has affected their island for too long.
Dredging
Question
Asked by Lord Morris of Aberavon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in each of the last five years, their annual plans of expenditure in respect of dredging were approved by ministers; and if so, what alterations of, or observations on, such plans were made as a result.[HL5867]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Defra allocates funding to the Environment Agency and other flood risk management authorities to reduce the risks of flooding and coastal erosion. The Department requires that funding is deployed to ensure the best possible value for money in terms of the economic damage of flooding avoided and properties protected. Defra does not dictate which methods should be used to reduce flood risk as each catchment and locality is different.
Energy: Power Stations
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the expected timetable from now until completion of the nuclear power stations which they have authorised at (1) Hinkley Point, and (2) Sizewell.[HL6193]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): EDF’s current aim is for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station to begin generating electricity in 2023. The UK Government and EDF Group reached commercial agreement on the key terms of a proposed investment contract for the Hinkley Point C, details of which were published on 21 October 2013. Furthermore, the publication of the Opening Decision on the Hinkley Point C State aid case by the European Commission is another important step forward in the consideration of the case and an investigation is a standard part of the State aid process for cases like Hinkley. The Commission have opened a public consultation on 7th March 2014 on their Opening Decision and Government welcome all to participate in this.
No date has been set for Sizewell C to begin generating electricity. But EDF completed last year the first stage of the local consultation which is necessary before an application for development consent can be made.
EU: Imports
Question
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which categories of United States exports of goods to the United Kingdom are free of European Union tariff and non-tariff barriers; and what was their aggregate value in the last year for which figures are available.[HL6087]
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Livingston of Parkhead) (Con): As official detailed measures of non-tariff barriers are not available it is not possible to estimate the value or categories of US exports to the UK that are free of tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Around 31% of US agricultural product lines and 26% of non agricultural product lines face no EU tariffs.
Exports
Question
Asked by Lord Renton of Mount Harry
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of United Kingdom exports, excluding oil and gas, went annually to other countries in the European Union 10 years ago, five years ago, and last year.[HL5925]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, Director General for ONS, to Lord Renton, dated March 2014.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question to Her Majesty’s Government asking what percentage of United Kingdom exports, excluding oil and gas, went annually to other countries in the European Union ten years ago, five years ago and last year. [HL5925]
Total exports of goods and services to European Union (EU) countries and countries outside the EU are published in Tables B6 and B6B of the United Kingdom Economic Accounts (UKEA).
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/naa1-rd/united-kingdom-economic-accounts/q3-2013/tsd-united-kingdom-economic-accounts-q3-2013.html
The attached table shows the value and percentage of exports to EU countries. The second part of the table presents these estimates excluding oil as requested. Unfortunately gas cannot be excluded.
| UK Exports of goods and services to EU and non-EU countries 2003 to 2012 | |||||
| £ million and per cent | |||||
| UK Exports of goods and services to EU and non-EU countries 2003 to 2012 | |||||
| £ million and per cent | |||||
Source
: ONS
1exports of oil to EU (series SIHY) and non-EU countries (series SIJK) have been deducted from total exports
Finance: Boiler Room Scams
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to combat “boiler room” scamming from overseas.[HL6047]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Government takes “boiler room” scams, where fraudsters cold-call investors and use pressure sales tactics to offer worthless, overpriced or even non-existent shares, very seriously. They are believed to be responsible for millions of pounds of investment fraud. They often involve criminals operating overseas targeting victims in the UK.
The Government is committed to tackling serious and organised crime. In 2013 we established the National Crime Agency (NCA) to lead the UK's fight to cut serious and organised crime. Organised criminals operate across international jurisdictions. As a result, we are seeking to bolster international coordination and cooperation in response to the threat they pose.
In February 2014 we saw the culmination of a significant international law enforcement operation across the UK, Spain and other parts of Europe, and the USA, which targeted those suspected of boiler room operations. The operation saw the NCA, the City of London Police and others working in partnership to make over 100 arrests of those believed to be responsible for millions of pounds of investment fraud.
Action Fraud and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) play an important role in such activity. Action Fraud receives reports on these crimes and passes them to the NFIB run by the City of London Police. The NFIB analyses the reports, draws out links between cases and sends out actionable intelligence packages for forces to investigate. The NFIB also issues intelligence assessments to inform the police response
Flooding
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the financial promise to flood victims by the Prime Minister includes help where there is inadequate insurance cover.[HL5972]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The Government has put in place a range of support measures to help all victims of flooding return to their homes and businesses as quickly as possible.
The measures are intended to supplement, not replace, existing insurance arrangements.
Legislation to introduce affordable flood insurance to those households at the very highest risk of flooding is currently going through Parliament as part of the Water Bill.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the financial promise to flood victims by the Prime Minister includes help in preventing damage from possible future floods.[HL5973]
Lord De Mauley: To help homeowners and businesses better protect their properties against the future risk of flooding, the Government has announced a Repair and Renew Grant scheme. The scheme is due to be launched on 1 April 2014. The Repair and Renew Grant
will be available to all those who experienced internal property damage from flooding between 1 December 2013 and 31 March 2014. Homeowners and businesses can apply for grants of up to £5,000 to cover the costs of assessing, purchasing and installing appropriate resistance and/or resilience measures, helping to reduce the likelihood and impact of flooding. Local authorities in flood-affected areas will administer the scheme.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the financial promise to flood victims by the Prime Minister covers all parts of the United Kingdom.[HL5974]
Lord De Mauley: The Government has announced a £300 million package of measures. Some will apply across the UK, while others will apply to England only. This is because many areas of flood response are devolved.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Prime Minister has ordered any extensions or changes, including any kind of prioritisation, to be considered in relation to his financial promise to flood victims; and if so, when.[HL5975]
Lord De Mauley: The Government has committed financial help to those affected by this winter’s flooding. A package of measures has been announced including specifically targeted support for householders, businesses and farmers. Details of the schemes can be found on the government website at the following link:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/flood-support-schemes-funding-available-from-central-government
As part of this package several changes and extensions to existing measures have been made in order to help ease the burden on those affected by flooding.
Up to £4 million will be available to local authorities in support of council tax discounts for homes that have been flooded. For eligible businesses, full business rate relief can be provided for three months and the Time To Pay scheme also gives affected businesses an extra three months to pay the business taxes they owe to HM Revenue and Customs.
Defra has already announced changes to existing schemes to help businesses access EU funds for flood hit areas. For example, applications can be made to the European Fisheries Fund to help replace fishing gear damaged or lost in this winter’s storms, and the Farming and Forestry Improvement scheme will now fund and prioritise items for those in flood-hit areas to help build resilience against future flooding.
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they have initiated through the Environment Agency to mitigate flooding (1) on the Somerset Levels, (2) in the Thames Valley, and (3) in the Severn Valley; and whether their plans have changed as a result of the flooding over the winter months. [HL5992]
Lord De Mauley: The Somerset Action Plan reflects on the recent flooding on the Somerset Moors and Levels and sets out measures to reduce flooding including the dredging of eight kilometres of the rivers Parrett and Tone.
Major schemes are planned to mitigate flooding in the Thames Valley including Oxford and below Maidenhead to Teddington. The plans will be reviewed in light of the flooding to ensure that the latest evidence is used in the planning and design of schemes and securing approvals and funding.
A significant number of schemes along the Severn Valley were constructed after the 2007 floods. These schemes prevented widespread property flooding over the winter even though river levels were similar to 2007 in places.
Gibraltar and Spain
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Spain about the possible fining and prosecution of anyone who uses Gibraltar's bunkering facilities; and what was the outcome of any such discussions.[HL6019]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We have not held general discussions with the Spanish government on this issue. However, on 26 June 2013, the Spanish Environment Ministry wrote to one of the companies involved in supplying bunkers in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW). That letter alleged the company was carrying out activities contrary to a Spanish Royal Decree. It warned the company to cease this activity or the Ministry would initiate unspecified sanctions against them. Our Embassy in Madrid protested against this action pointing out that the company operated under a licence issued by the Gibraltar Port Authority and rejecting any effort by Spain to exercise control over BGTW as a violation of British Sovereignty. The Embassy followed this up with the Spanish government at Ministerial level in July 2013. The Spanish government replied on 1 August, rejecting our protest and claiming that the waters adjacent to Gibraltar are Spanish – a claim we unreservedly reject. Since then we have heard no more about this matter and the company concerned continues to operate.
We are in contact with the bunkering industry in Gibraltar, which remains confident of its ability to conduct business. These actions have no impact on the strength of UK sovereignty over BGTW, nor on the right of bunkering vessels to operate in BGTW under Gibraltar's laws. The Government of Gibraltar is the only authority able to set and apply laws within BGTW.
Government Departments: Staff
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many staff are currently employed for more than 50 per cent of their working week to support the Permanent
Secretary of the Department for International Development in his role as Accounting Officer; and what are their job titles.[HL5858]
Baroness Northover (LD): Staff right across DFID are responsible for maximising the value for money and impact of DFID’s work, which is at the heart of the Accounting Officer’s responsibilities. The distinction requested cannot be measured in such precise percentages.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many staff are currently employed for more than 50 per cent of their working week to support the Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury in his role as Accounting Officer; and what are their job titles.[HL5863]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Permanent Secretary to the Treasury is supported in all his duties by three full time members of staff.
The Treasury Officer of Accounts has eight full time staff that support and advise the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury and all other Permanent Secretaries across Government in the delivery of their Accounting Officer duties.
In addition, a significant number of staff across the department will support the Permanent Secretary on specific Accounting Officer decisions and governance issues as and when they arise.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many employees were recruited by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in 2013; and, of that number, how many were graduates.[HL6083]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): In the period 1 Jan 2013 – 31 Dec 2013, there were 123 new recruits to the Civil Service who joined the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (this figure excludes new recruits joining UKTI in 2013).
Information on the proportion of these new recruits who were graduates is not available as the Department’s recruitment and selection is based around the Civil Service Competency framework rather than educational qualifications.
The information on how many of the 123 new recruits are graduates could only be provided at disproportionate costs as it would mean each individual being contacted separately.
Government Departments: Surveys
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what customer, user and satisfaction surveys were conducted in the last 12 months in the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the agencies that report to it;
which of them have been reported to the management board in the last 12 months; and which were commissioned by the management board.[HL6035]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): The Department of Energy and Climate Change has conducted 15 quantitative customer, user and satisfaction surveys in the last 12 months, the details of which are appended below. The results of all these surveys have been, or will be, published on gov.uk/decc.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change does not have any agencies which report to it.
No surveys were commissioned by the DECC Executive Committee: surveys are managed within individual policy areas, programmes and projects, with results reported to relevant internal boards
* Publication date to be confirmed.
Gross Domestic Product
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of European Union regulations requiring black market activities, including prostitution and illegal drug dealing, to be taken into account in the calculation of the United Kingdom gross domestic product.[HL5890]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, Director General for ONS, to Lord Stoddart, dated March 2014.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking, what is Her Majesty’s Government’s assessment of European Union regulations requiring black market activities, including prostitution and illegal drug dealing, to be taken into account in the calculation of the United Kingdom gross domestic product. (HL5890)
Inclusion of black market activity within the calculation of the United Kingdom National Accounts is in line with international requirements. These standards are known as the ‘System of National Accounts (SNA) and are agreed by national accounting experts across the world under the guidance of the United Nations, OECD, IMF and the World Bank. They are designed to reflect economic reality and ensure consistency of treatment between countries. Countries have different laws and these laws can change over time, so including all economic activity (regardless of its legality) leads to greater consistency and comparability both in the long-run time series and between countries.
Within the European Union, these worldwide standards are legally enshrined in a Regulation known as European System of Accounts 2010 (ESA 2010) which becomes operational in September 2014. The UK is legally obliged to comply with the ESA10 regulation from that time and hence will be consistent with the latest version of the SNA (SNA08).
Health and Nutrition
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what investigations they are undertaking into the nutrition and health of children and vulnerable adults when sanctions are imposed on individuals who lose their benefits.[HL6053]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): The Department does not monitor nutrition.
Health: Maternity Services
Question
Asked by Baroness Lister of Burtersett
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research has been conducted on the impact of early engagement with maternity services by vulnerable women. [HL5959]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): A range of research has been conducted which demonstrates that women who access antenatal care late have poorer outcomes than
those who access it at an earlier stage. The Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health report, Saving Mothers Lives: Reviewing maternal deaths to make motherhood safer 2003-2005, published in 2007, found that 20% of the women who died from direct or indirect causes either accessed maternity care after 20 weeks gestation, missed over four routine antenatal visits, did not seek care at all or actively concealed their pregnancies. In addition, a national survey of maternity care by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit in 2006 found that women from ethnic groups, a deprived background or who are single parents are more likely to recognise their pregnancy later, and therefore access care later and have poorer outcomes.
The Family Nurse Partnership is the Government's flagship programme for engaging with vulnerable first time young mothers. Known as Nurse Family Partnership in the United States of America, it has been developed by Professor David Olds and colleagues at the University of Colorado on the basis of over 30 years of extensive research. Three large scale randomised control trials have tested the programme with diverse populations in different contexts starting in Elmira, New York in 1977, then in Memphis Tennessee in 1988 and in Denver, Colorado in 1994. These have shown a range of benefits for children and mothers over the short, medium and long term. Long term follow up of the children and mothers in these studies continues. A large-scale independent randomised control trial that will rigorously evaluate the programme's effectiveness in the English context is due to report initial findings later this year.
Health: Prescriptions
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the Department of Health monitors the extent to which National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines are being adhered to in respect of prescriptions.[HL6072]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance is based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and is developed through wide consultation with stakeholders. Clinicians are expected to take NICE guidance fully into account in their prescribing decisions but it does not replace the judgement of clinicians to determine the most appropriate treatment for individual patients. NICE guidance is not mandatory for clinicians and the Department does not monitor its implementation.
Health service commissioners are legally required to fund those treatments recommended by NICE in its technology appraisal guidance.
The latest report on the, Use of NICE appraised medicines in the NHS in England was published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre on 21 January 2014. The report looks at the use of medicines recommended by NICE in relation to the estimated number of eligible patients, where possible, and variation in use of medicines over time. The report is available at:
www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13413
The most recent release of NICE Technology Appraisals in the NHS in England, Innovation Scorecard (to September 2013) was published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre on 5 March 2014. The Scorecard uses National Health Service and industry data to provide patients and the public with information on the treatments available within their local hospitals and NHS services. It is available at:
www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13669
Higher Education: Overseas Students
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in considering the introduction of a health surcharge for non-European Economic Area students, to what extent they have looked at the policies of competitor countries.[HL6009]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): Compared to the UK, our competitor countries operate a very different healthcare system in which private medical insurance for students and working migrants is a common requirement. The Government published an Impact Assessment in October 2013 that includes a comparison of the costs of basic medical health insurance in some of these countries.
The health surcharge will apply to most temporary migrants, including students, who come to the UK for more than six months. The proposed surcharge rate is a lower cost over the period of stay than the cost of basic private medical insurance in these competitor counties.
Housing Benefit
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many persons received housing benefit in each of the last 10 years, broken down into those who were (1) pensioners, (2) of working age but not in employment, and (3) in work.[HL6063]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of housing benefit claimants are in work; and what was the equivalent figure in 2000.[HL6066]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of housing benefit claimants live in (1) social housing, and (2) private sector housing.[HL6067]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Detailed statistics on Housing Benefit since 2008 can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk
This includes the number of Housing Benefit (HB) recipients who a) are living in social or private rented accommodation b) those who are in employment and not on a passported benefit and c) those in receipt of HB by age.
Please note: the economic status of all HB recipients is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The information is only available for HB recipients whose claim is not passported: that is for those who do not receive Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income-Based), Employment and Support Allowance (Income-Based), or Pension Credit (Guaranteed Credit).
Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:
https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm
Housing Benefit caseload by working age / pension age split prior to 2008 can be found in table 2c of the publication, Outturn and forecast: Autumn Statement 2013 available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2013
Immigration Bill
Question
Asked by Baroness Lister of Burtersett
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research has been undertaken on the potential health impacts of the proposed changes in the Immigration Bill on vulnerable migrants, including pregnant women and children.[HL5957]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Government's assessment of the potential impact of the health provisions in the Immigration Bill on vulnerable groups is set out in the Home Office response to its public consultation Controlling Immigration — Regulating Migrant Access to Health Services in the UK and the Policy Equality Statement contained therein.
The consultation response is available online at:
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/migrant-access-to-health-services-in-the-uk
Immigration: Deportation
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when deportation will follow the end of a prison sentence served by a foreign national; whether they always arrange the necessary documents as soon as the release date is known; and to what extent problems arise from statelessness or the failure of other states to cooperate.[HL5969]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Home Office considers for deportation or other immigration enforcement action all foreign national offenders (FN0s) who are sentenced a period of imprisonment following a criminal conviction. Deportation is considered in the following circumstances:
For Non European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals
There is a duty on the Secretary of State to deport a non-EEA foreign national who is sentenced to a period of imprisonment of 12 months or more. In addition, the Home Office considers deportation action in cases where a non-EEA national is sentenced to 12 months or more as an aggregate of two or three sentences over a period of five years, or where there is a custodial sentence of any length for a drug offence (other than possession), or where a Court has recommended deportation.
The deportation consideration process in the cases of EEA nationals takes account of the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 and any human rights considerations on a case-by-case basis.
Deportation will normally be pursued where the person is sentenced to two years' imprisonment or more, or 12 months' imprisonment for a sexual, drug or violent offence. Where an EEA offender receives a shorter sentence, deportation will be pursued where it can be justified in accordance with the Immigration (EEA) Regulations, taking into account the particular circumstances of the case. These regulations state that deportation action must be proportionate and that an individual must represent a “genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society”.
We make every effort to ensure that a person's removal or deportation coincides, as far as possible, with completion of sentence, including arranging travel documentation to facilitate this. This process can sometimes be delayed as a result of non-compliance by an FNO, such as the adoption of false identities, nationality swapping, refusing to engage with the Home Office, or refusing to engage with foreign embassies.
The UK has now established safe routes and re-documentation arrangements with a significant number of countries which is aiding our ability to return foreign nationals.
Internet: Social Media Sites
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what they are doing to reduce crimes linked to Twitter and Facebook.[HL6031]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): Actions that are illegal offline are illegal online, including on social media and robust legislation is in place to deal with offences such as internet cyber-stalking, and grossly offensive, obscene or menacing behaviour online.
Guidelines for prosecuting cases involving social media communications were issued by the Director for Public Prosecutions last year. The College of Policing also wrote to all Chief Officers outlining training and guidance on tackling online abuse. These guidelines should be used by the police when investigating offences.
Prevention is a key part of the Government's commitment to tackling trolling, cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking and other forms of abuse and misuse of social networking sites. This includes working with industry, academia, charities and parenting groups to develop tools and information for users aimed at keeping society safe online.
Iran
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for increasing diplomatic involvement with Iran in order to resolve the conflict in Syria; and whether they intend to take such steps.[HL6051]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We would welcome a more constructive approach from Iran in Syria, and have urged them repeatedly both to endorse the Geneva communiqué, and to use their influence with the Assad regime to secure unhindered access for humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people. However, as things stand, Iran continues to support the Syrian regime and affiliated militias, in contravention of UN Security Council Resolution 1747. Such actions prolong the conflict. We will continue to press Iran, including through our expanded bilateral engagement, to support a peaceful political resolution to the Syria crisis.
Israel
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that the Israel Defence Force has been responsible for illegal use of lethal force on unarmed civilians; if so, what steps they will take to bring the soldiers responsible, and those giving them orders, to justice; and whether they will present any evidence about killings to the International Criminal Court.[HL6011]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The UK supports accountability for violations of international humanitarian law. Israel is not a State Party to the International Criminal Court. The Court does not currently have jurisdiction over any alleged crimes committed by the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza or the West Bank.
However, we make frequent representations to the Israeli authorities about Israeli Defence Force use of live fire in both Gaza and the West Bank, as well as about the process for investigating such incidents.
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Truro
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the recent announcement by the
Jerusalem municipal authorities of their approval of building permits for 558 new units in East Jerusalem, in Har Homa, Neve Yaakov and Pisgat Zeev. [HL6060]
Baroness Warsi: The Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), raised the issue of settlements during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories between 13-14 March. Our Ambassador to Tel Aviv has reinforced our concerns repeatedly over plans to expand Israeli settlements in and around East Jerusalem at the highest levels.
These plans, if implemented, could put at risk the territorial contiguity between East Jerusalem and the southern West Bank.
John Anthony Downey
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they sought the extradition of Mr John Downey from the Republic of Ireland prior to his arrest at Gatwick Airport in May 2013 and subsequent trial for offences related to the Hyde Park bombing in 1982; and if not, why not.[HL5817]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): After John Downey was identified as a suspect for the Hyde Park bombing it was established that he was resident in Ireland. In the seven year period following the bombing, on a number of occasions consideration was given to the possibility of seeking Mr Downey's extradition from the Republic of Ireland but various evidential and legal difficulties prevented this from happening. In 1989, because of those legal difficulties, the decision was taken that it was not appropriate to seek Mr Downey's extradition. The reasons for this decision were explained at paragraph 22 of Mr Justice Sweeney's judgment of 21 February 2014, which is available on the judicial website.
Mental Health: Funding
Questions
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what they expect to be the impact of the decision by the National Health Service to cut the level of funding given to the mental health sector.[HL5988]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Department has, for the first time, set a clear objective for the National Health Service that mental and physical health services must be treated equally.
My. hon. Friend, the Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb), recently made it clear that he thinks that the decision by NHS England to cut the tariff for mental health and community providers in a different way from acute providers was flawed. However investment in mental health services, such as over £450 million for the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Programme, continues.
The Department will hold the health system to account for delivering real progress on parity of esteem in the NHS. Closing the Gap, launched in January this year, indicates the importance of equity between mental and physical health for this Government.
The Department will scrutinise commissioning plans of clinical commissioning groups and the draft budgets of mental health trusts to make sure that they reflect the central importance, as set out in the Government's Mandate to the NHS, of making measurable progress towards parity of esteem.
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much funding they commit annually to mental healthcare. [HL6008]
Earl Howe: The Department has, for the first time, set a clear objective for the National Health Service that mental and physical health services must be treated equally. However, we do not allocate funds directly to mental health services. Decisions about expenditure on NHS services are, and should be, decided locally.
NHS England published expenditure data from their programme budgeting dataset for 2012-13 on 21 February 2014. This shows expenditure on mental health in 2012-13 was £11.28 billion. Figures for previous years are not comparable because of the ways in which the data are collected.
My hon. Friend, the Minister of State, (Norman Lamb) has made it clear that the decision by NHS England to cut the tariff for mental health and community providers in a different way from acute providers was flawed. However, investment in mental health services, such as over £450 million for the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Programme, continues.
The Department will hold the health system to account for delivering real progress on parity of esteem in the NHS. Closing the Gap, launched in January this year, indicates the importance of equity between mental and physical health for this Government.
The Department will scrutinise commissioning plans of clinical commissioning groups and the draft budgets of mental health trusts to make sure that they reflect the central importance, as set out in the Government's Mandate to the NHS, of making measurable progress towards parity of esteem.
Migrant Domestic Workers
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to permit migrant domestic workers to change employers without breaching the immigration rules.[HL5840]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The overseas domestic worker route was reformed in April 2012 to restore it to the original purpose, which is to enable domestic workers to accompany their overseas employer on a visit to the UK.
The Government is carefully considering all of the recommendations made in the report of the Modern Slavery Bill Evidence Review which included reference to considering reinstating the right to change employer.
Mohamad al-Arefe
Question
Asked by Lord Lamont of Lerwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Mr Mohamad al-Arefe, who has been banned from the Schengen area, has been given a visa to enter the United Kingdom.[HL5631]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): We do not routinely comment on individual cases. This is because of obligations in law to protect personal information.
NHS: Patient Services
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the comments by the Chairman of the Care Quality Commission that “Parts of the NHS have developed a culture that doesn’t listen—or worse, that stigmatises and ostracises those who raise concerns or complaints”.[HL6025]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Government's response to the Francis Inquiry, Hard Truths: The Journey to Putting Patients First was published on 19 November 2013 and demonstrates our commitment to supporting NHS organisations to create a culture of openness in the NHS and supporting staff and patients who raise concerns or complaints. This Government supports the right of staff working in the NHS to raise concerns and expects all NHS organisations to support staff that wish to do so. We expect all NHS organisations to have in place whistleblowing policies that are compliant with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA).
As part of its new inspection process the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is considering its approach to examining how to use complaints and whistleblowing to effectively assess quality, improve people's experience with CQC, and encourage improvement in the wider system. The new Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, will have an important role in ensuring hospital inspections are not just seen as a ‘tick box' exercise. They will ensure that not only is the organisation complying with the law and putting policies into place; but that the culture of the organisation actively promotes the benefits of openness and transparency; encouraging the raising of concerns by staff with whistleblowing seen as a positive step to improving public and patient safety through the quality of the services provided.
Government actions to improve openness include:
- Putting in place a statutory duty of candour as a CQC registration requirement on all providers registered with the CQC in secondary legislation. This is a major step towards implementing a key recommendation from the Francis Report. The duty
of candour will place a requirement on all CQC registered providers of health and adult social care to be open with patients and service users about failings in care. The CQC will decide when to take enforcement action for a failure to meet the duty of candour, including whether to bring a prosecution. The CQC is using staff surveys and the whistleblowing concerns it receives as part of the data in its new intelligent monitoring system and since September the CQC's new inspection system includes discussions with hospitals about how they deal with, and handle, whistleblowers;- Establishing Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations in all upper-tier local authorities in England. The latter are intended to promote a local consumer voice to ensure that the views of service users and the public inform the improvement of local health and care services;- Professional regulators are consulting on a new professional duty of candour which will provide protection for staff when they raise concerns promptly;- The Government amendment made to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 strengthened the position of whistleblowers so that an individual now has the right to expect their employer to take reasonable steps to prevent them suffering detriment from a co-worker as a result of blowing the whistle. The Government now requires the inclusion of an explicit clause in compromise agreements to make it clear that staff can make a protected disclosure in the public interest; and- Working with the professional regulators to introduce a new explicit and consistent professional duty of candour for doctors, nurses and other health professionals, making clear a requirement to be open, whether the incident is serious or not. Health professionals will have to be candid with patients about all avoidable harm and the guidance will make clear that obstructing colleagues in being candid will be a breach of their professional codes.
Non-departmental Government Bodies: Staff
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many employees were recruited by the Medical Research Council in 2013; and, of that number, how many were graduates.[HL5855]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): From 1 January – 31December 2013 the Medical Research Council (MRC), recruited 625 staff, of which approximately 550 were graduates. This includes recruits to the MRC’s head office and its research units and institutes.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many employees were recruited by the National Environment Research Council in 2013; and, of that number, how many were graduates.[HL5857]
Viscount Younger of Leckie:: From 1 January 2013 – 31 December 2013, the Natural Environment Research Council recruited 177 employees, of whom 53 are graduates.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many employees were recruited by the Office for Fair Access in 2013; and, of that number, how many were graduates.[HL5900]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): The Office for Fair Access appointed 4 new members of staff. All 4 of them were graduates.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many employees were recruited by the Skills Funding Agency in 2013; and, of that number, how many were graduates.[HL5904]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Skills Funding Agency recruited 48 employees in 2013.
Of this figure, 22 were graduates.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many employees were recruited by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority in 2013; and, of that number, how many were graduates.[HL6040]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: During 1 January – 31 December 2013 the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority recruited 105 people, 73 of whom had a degree .
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many employees were recruited by United Kingdom Trade and Investment in 2013; and, of that number, how many were graduates.[HL6043]
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Livingston of Parkhead) (Con): UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is not an employer in its own right; for the majority of its human resource requirements it draws on civil service staff employed by one or other of its two parent departments - the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO).
In the period 1 Jan 2013 – 31 Dec 2013, there were 26 new recruits to the Civil Service who joined UKTI via external recruitment. Information on the proportion of these new recruits who were graduates is not available as UKTI recruitment and selection is based around the Civil Service Competency framework rather than educational qualifications.
The information on how many of the 26 new recruits are graduates could only be provided at disproportionate costs as it would mean each individual being contacted separately.
Overseas Aid
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Northover on 5 March (WA 319), whether they have provided funding in Kenya for meetings between tribal rainmakers and meteorologists; and, if so, how much was spent and what were the outcomes of those meetings.[HL5922]
Baroness Northover (LD): Before 2010 DFID funded a project to help Kenyan farmers access modern scientific weather forecasts. As part of this project workshops were held between scientists and members of local communities. Total funding for workshops was £24,000. This project ended September 2010.
Pensions
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the European Union for the abolition of taxpayer funding of the pensions of MEPs; and when they last made any such representations.[HL5945]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): This Government believes that MEP pensions should, as with those of British Parliamentarians and Civil Servants, be kept under review and, if necessary, reformed to ensure that they do not become a inappropriate burden on taxpayers. The Government has made it clear that we expect all the EU Institutions, including the European Parliament, to make very substantial savings on pay and pensions expenditure. The Government has also, through the Public Service Pensions Act 2013, created the scope for some British MEP pensions, where the MEP continues to receive their salary directly from the British Government, to be reformed in line with the wider changes in public service pensions. Any decision on the reform of these pensions will be made by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).
Police: Promotion
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the recommendation of the Winsor Review, they intend to introduce accelerated promotion for some entrants to the police service in England and Wales; and, if not, why not.[HL5994]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what importance they place on the Winsor Review recommendation that accelerated promotion should be introduced for some entrants joining the police service in England and Wales.[HL5995]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the recommendation of the Winsor Review, what progress they have made with the introduction of accelerated promotion for some entrants to the police service in England and Wales; and what is the likely date of the introduction of such a programme.[HL5996]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): From autumn 2014 the police will, for the first time, have the opportunity to bring in talented and experienced leaders from other walks of life to senior ranks and, through the fast-track to inspector scheme, attract top graduates to policing. The College of Policing will provide those individuals with world-class training. We have committed to funding a cadre of new direct-entrant superintendents from this autumn until spring 2018. Those coming in will bring a fresh perspective and will open up policing culture.
I also refer the noble Lord to the written statement by the Minister of Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims, Damian Green on 14 October 2013, Official Report, columns 39-40 WS
Railways: London Midland
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what sanctions have been applied in the last 12 months for poor quality performance on the Birmingham Cross City line by London Midland.[HL5871]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): We have applied no sanctions against London Midland in regard to performance on the Birmingham Cross City line; we do not disaggregate performance by the train operators to that level. In the autumn of 2012 London Midland experienced a high number of cancellations, largely due to issues with availability of train crew. As a result, they breached the terms of their Franchise Agreement, and a remedial plan and package of benefits was agreed with the Department. As the Secretary of State for Transport announced to the House on 20 December 2012, this package included passenger benefits of: 500,000 discounted tickets, free travel for season ticket holders (worth up to c.£5.4m), capital investment, and additional driver training investment worth a combined £6.25m.
Skills Funding Statement
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 24 February (WA 224) and the Skills Study Statement 2013–16, of the 22 per cent of learners participating in the skills system, the 12 per cent in apprenticeships, the 21 per cent of those carrying out workplace learning in small and medium-sized enterprises, the 26 per cent in education, training
and retraining, the 21 per cent undertaking community learning, and the 36 per cent “supporting the justice system”, from black and minority ethnic communities, what proportion are from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller backgrounds.[HL5879]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 24 February (WA 224) and the Skills Study Statement 2013–16, of what “supporting the justice system” consists.[HL5880]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 24 February (WA 224) and the Skills Study Statement 2013–16, how many persons from Gypsy, Roma or Traveller backgrounds have been accepted into traineeships so far in each year the programme has run; and what is the target for 2014–15.[HL5881]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): Table 1 shows the proportion of Gypsy or Irish Travellers participating in the Skills System in 2012/13 compared to the proportion of all Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic Groups (BAME).
| Table 1: Adult (19+) Equality and Diversity in the Skills System, 2012/13 | ||
| Gypsy or Irish Traveller | BAME | |
Source
: Individualised Learner Record using New Challenges, New Chances (NCNC) definitions.
Notes
1. Ethnicity codes within the ILR match those used in England & Wales for the 2011 Census.
2. Ethnicity is based upon self-declaration by the learner.
3. BAME figures are taken from Figure 8a of the Skills Funding Statement 2013-2016
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278529/bis-14-p172a-skills-funding-statement-2013-2016.pdf
‘Supporting the Justice System’, as identified within the Skills Funding Statement, measures offenders that participated in Skills Funding Agency funded learning while in the adult prison system. These offenders were funded via the Offenders' Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) budget.
2013/14 is the first year of Traineeships. We do not have a reliable estimate of learners on the programme at present. The funding agencies are working with providers to ensure that they are following the guidance and we will publish information in due course. We have not set a target for Traineeships as this is a demand-led programme. We have made funding available but the number of places will be dictated by the number of employers who choose to offer a place and the number of eligible young people who wish to take one.
Ukraine
Questions
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the level of financial support provided to Ukraine by the United Kingdom (1) directly, (2) through the European Union, and (3) through the International Monetary Fund; what measures will be put in place to ensure that such support is not misused by the interim administrators; and whether the United Kingdom's contribution will be met through extra taxation or by further borrowing.[HL5893]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The IMF is engaging with the Ukrainian authorities on their request for support. Any IMF contribution to a financial assistance package will be subject to a vote at the IMF Board. The UK lends to the IMF as an institution and not to particular programmes; therefore it is not possible to provide an exact estimate of the UK's contribution to individual IMF programmes. The IMF currently has available lending resources of $415.3 billion to meet any new programme commitments.
The European Commission has proposed a package of assistance to Ukraine totalling €11 billion over the years 2014 to 2020:
The majority consists of lending that would be provided by the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which are already involved in Ukraine.The package also includes a Commission proposal to provide €1 billion of Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) to Ukraine, in addition to a loan of €610 million that has previously been approved by the EU but not yet disbursed. These loans would be funded through the European Commission borrowing from capital markets with the EU Guarantee Fund for External Actions acting as a guarantee. The loans can only be provided if an IMF programme is agreed, and some disbursements would be dependent on Ukraine meeting the agreed policy conditionality set out in a Memorandum of Understanding.There is also €1.4 billion in grants from the EU budget over the period 2014 to 2020, covering commitments from within the Multiannual Financial Framework agreed by the Prime Minister last year.
The Foreign Secretary has already announced that the UK Government is providing a package of technical assistance of up to f10 million to support economic and political stability in Ukraine. DFID is assessing needs in Ukraine, and has had a team in Kyiv in discussion with Ukrainian authorities and other international partners to plan how the UK can support the reform efforts.
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the European Union's offer to Ukraine of an Association Agreement on the subsequent crisis in that country and its relations with Russia.[HL6027]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): Russia’s violation of Ukrainian territorial integrity is wholly unjustified. As the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), said on 10 March, we must stand up to aggression, uphold international law and support the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian people, who want the freedom to choose their own future. As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), told Parliament on 4 March, the decision to sign the Association Agreement is Ukraine’s.
We believe that a closer relationship between Ukraine and the EU, and the greater stability this would bring to Ukraine, would be good for Ukraine, the EU and Russia. At a meeting on 17 March, the EU agreed to proceed to the signature and conclusion of the remaining parts of its Association Agreement with Ukraine.
UNICEF
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether UNICEF in Burma is renting office space from former General Nyunt Tin; if so, at what annual cost; and whether they have had any discussions with UNICEF regarding the decision to rent those offices.[HL5921]
Baroness Northover (LD): DFID is not responsible for UNICEF’s choice of office space or its cost. We have not had discussions with UNICEF regarding its choice of office space.
Vehicles: Low Carbon Emissions
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what incentives, other than the existing grant, are provided to encourage people to buy ultra-low carbon dioxide cars.[HL6136]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): As well as the Plug-in Car Grant, the Government is providing funding for grants for electric vehicle chargepoints, including at people’s homes and locations such as train station car parks and on the public sector estate. We have also established a favourable taxation system for company car tax and vehicle excise duty to help nudge more motorists towards these vehicles. There are also numerous local incentives such as congestion charge exemption in London and free parking.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of how many ultra-low carbon dioxide cars are currently owned by public sector organisations.[HL6137]
Baroness Kramer: Over 5% of those taking up the grant for business use are public sector organisation.