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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 13 June 2013
Health
Dementia
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the need to raise awareness of dementia in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to remove stigma, achieve better understanding and acceptance of the disease and allow better access to service provision. [159247]
Norman Lamb: In July 2011, the Department published an equalities action plan for the National Dementia Strategy. Local national health service and social care commissioners should consider the needs of their local population when commissioning services for people with dementia.
The latest Government dementia campaign, which ran from September 2012 to January 2013, consisted of national television, radio, press and digital advertising supported by public relations. Its objective was to raise awareness of the signs of dementia across all communities, and encourage people to visit their doctor if they are concerned about their memory.
Diabetes: Children
Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children aged up to 18 years in (a) Haltemprice and Howden constituency, (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire, (c) Yorkshire and the Humber and (d) England were diagnosed with diabetes in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012. [159533]
Anna Soubry: Information is not collected in the format requested. The table shows the number of children up to 18 years newly diagnosed with diabetes in the East Riding of Yorkshire primary care trust (PCT) area, the Yorkshire and Humber strategic health authority (SHA) area and in England in the latest two years for which data are available.
| Geographical area | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
| Notes: The National Diabetes Audit (NDA), which audits diabetes registrations in primary and secondary care, is not mandatory (NDA does not have 100% coverage or participation and therefore cannot accurately provide the information required). Source: National Diabetes Audit (NDA). | ||
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Fertility
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 5 June 2013, Official Report, column 1138W, on fertility, what progress has been made by clinical commissioning groups on implementing the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Fertility Guideline to date; what steps he is taking to encourage further progress on implementation; what mechanisms he is putting in place to monitor future progress; and if he will report the results of such monitoring to the House. [159252]
Anna Soubry: We have been advised by NHS England that there is not a separate approach to oversight of the commissioning of NHS fertility services. However, NHS England has general intervention powers in relation to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), should it be satisfied that a CCG is failing or has failed to discharge any of its functions, or there is a significant risk that it will fail to do so. These include directing the CCG to discharge a function in a particular way and within a specified period. NHS England also has powers to require documents and information, and to require from a CCG explanation of how it is proposing to exercise any of its functions. Legislation requires NHS England to publish guidance setting out how it proposes to exercise its intervention powers, so as to ensure that the arrangements are clear and transparent.
The planning framework ‘Everyone Counts' sets out the approach NHS England will take to seek assurance that CCGs deliver improved quality at a time of limited resource growth. Thus, NHS England will receive systemic oversight through assurance by:
each clinical commissioning group providing confirmation that it has carried out a clinically-led quality impact assessment of all cost improvement schemes undertaken by its providers;
the use of local metrics and intelligence such as the views of staff and patients, more clinically based tools such as the NHS Safety Thermometer and other resources developed locally to reflect the needs of the local health economy; and
a line of sight on the clinical assurances that there has been no clinically inappropriate reduction in the availability of local services.
Health Services: Bradford
George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many compromise agreements have been made with NHS employers in Bradford since 2000; and what the total cost to the public purse was of those agreements. [159179]
Dr Poulter: The information requested is not held centrally. Such information as is available is as follows.
From the 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2013, HM Treasury approved eight non-contractual severance payments to employees of Bradford NHS employers, (excluding foundation trusts). All eight cases were for Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust. The value of the approved payments totalled £75,240 in 2009-10.
Business cases submitted to the Department prior to seeking HM Treasury approval do not include compromise agreements and therefore the use and content of compromise agreements are not routinely monitored.
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We do not know if any payments were actually paid or if so, at what cost to the public purse. HM Treasury approval is given for the maximum amount payable.
The procedure requiring the submission of business cases to the Department was introduced from April 2008.
Herbal Medicine: Regulation
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made towards developing a framework for statutory regulation of herbalists; and if he will make a statement. [159187]
Dr Poulter: The legislation around this policy is complex and there are a number of issues that have arisen which we need to work through. We appreciate that the delay is causing concern; however, the Department will make an announcement on the progress of this policy once the issues have been resolved.
Maternity Services
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish statistics on the number of home maternities in each local health authority area in England in 2012. [159571]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question to the Secretary of State for Health, asking when we expect to publish statistics on the number of home maternities in each local health authority area in England in 2012 [159571].
The number of home maternities by strategic health authority in England will be published in the Characteristics of Birth 2, 2012 release which has a provisional publication date of November/December 2013. The exact release date will be announced at least four weeks before the publication on the UK National Statistics Publication Hub:
www.statistics.gov.uk/hub/index.html
Following the release, home maternities by local authority can be requested.
The latest Characteristics of Birth 2 release is available on the ONS website:
www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/characteristics-of-birth-2--england-and-wales/index.html
Mental Health Services: Children
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to (a) improve child suicide prevention, (b) tackle depression in children and (c) improve provision for mental health issues arising from bullying; and if he will make a statement. [159253]
Norman Lamb: Children under 18 have the lowest risk of suicide of any age group. However, the risk is higher among some vulnerable groups of teenagers, including those with depression and those who are bullied, and so we identified children in the suicide strategy, which we launched in September 2012, as a group for which tailored approaches are needed.
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The implementation framework of the mental health strategy, published in July 2012, outlines the important role schools and colleges play in relation to health and well-being and that includes addressing bullying.
The Children and Young People's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies project is transforming Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). It provides training in therapies that have been proven to be effective in treating mental health problems in children, including depression. It focuses on building a more collaborative relationship between children, young people, families and therapists through use of frequent outcome monitoring and extending participation in service design and feedback, extending training to staff and service managers in CAMHS and embedding evidence-based practice across services.
NHS: Apprentices
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many apprentices are employed in the national health service; and what the average wage is of a full-time NHS apprentice. [159421]
Dr Poulter: Data provided by NHS Employers, who collect information on the number of apprentices in the national health service from strategic health authorities, show that as at March 2013 there were 7,894. These data do not include the number of apprentices within the former London strategic health authority who did not provide their data for the reported period.
The NHS has already seen significant progress in the development of apprenticeships in recent years. Health Education England has an objective in its mandate for 2013-15 to increase the number of health care apprentices and will work with key delivery organisations such as Skills for Health to achieve this.
Information on the average wages of apprentices in the NHS is not centrally held but wages for apprentices across the sector vary and are subject to local pay decisions.
NHS: Disclosure of Information
George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many compromise agreements have been made in the NHS since 2000; and what the total cost to the public purse has been of such agreements. [159227]
Dr Poulter: The information requested is not held centrally. Such information as is available is as follows.
From 2008-09, all national health service bodies other than foundation trusts were required to submit business cases proposing non-contractual severance payments to the Department. Where these were supported by the Department they were sent to Her Majesty's Treasury for approval. Such payments may be made under a compromise agreement. However, neither the Department nor HM Treasury had sight of any compromise agreements, where used, as they are confidential between the employer and employee and do not form part of the business case.
From 1 April 2013 NHS trusts are required to send business cases to the NHS Trust Development Authority, and clinical commissioning groups are required to send cases to NHS England before HM Treasury approval is sought.
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| Data on the number of business cases and value of approvals for non-contractual payments by HM Treasury | ||||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | ||||
| Number | Value (£) | Number | Value (£) | Number | Value (£) | |
| 2011-12 | 2012-13 | Total | ||||
| Number | Value (£) | Number | Value (£) | Number | Value (£) | |
| Notes: 1. The above data do not include foundation trusts. From May 2008 foundation trusts have been required to submit business cases to Monitor before HM Treasury approval is sought. 2. The above data do not include payments made under local mutually agreed resignation schemes (MARS). 3. A business case may cover more than one individual. 4. The values shown are the maximum amounts approved by HM Treasury for payment. The actual payment may be less than the approved value or may not be made at all depending on the outcome of subsequent negotiations between the parties. The approved value and/or payment could also contain some contractual elements. Source: Business cases submitted to the Department and approved by HM Treasury | ||||||
Patients
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the recommended maximum number of patients is per individual nurse ration on a general adult ward. [159192]
Dr Poulter: It is not appropriate for the Department to mandate nurse to patient ratios. Local health care organisations, with their knowledge of the patients they serve, are best placed to plan and employ a workforce appropriate to the needs of their patients, based on clinical need and sound evidence. Where changes are planned to the size and shape of the workforce, health care organisations must provide assurance that the safety and quality of patient care is maintained or improved. The process should include clinical involvement, leadership and sign off.
Commissioners of services will want to know that their workforce is fit to support the quality of care they want for patients and we are expecting boards who provide services to publish their staffing numbers for the first time this year.
The NHS Mandate makes it clear that quality of care is as important as quality of treatment. Nursing leaders must ensure that their teams are focused on delivering person-centred, intelligent and compassionate care where the patient's fundamental requirements for daily living have the priority they deserve.
Education
Education: Assessments
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many readers were used in public examinations to help pupils in the latest period for which figures are available; and which other organisations hold such information. [159487]
Elizabeth Truss: Information on applications for the use of readers in public examinations, along with other access arrangements granted to support GCSE and A level examination candidates, is not held by the Department. This information is collated by the qualifications and examinations regulator, Ofqual.
I have asked Glenys Stacey, Ofqual's chief regulator, to write to my hon. Friend with such information relevant to the question as Ofqual holds. A copy of Glenys Stacey's reply will be placed in the Library.
Education: Cumbria
Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the statement of 4 June 2013, Official Report, columns 89-90WS, on school funding reforms, how this change will affect the education budget for Cumbria County Council. [159419]
Mr Laws: The arrangements for funding schools in 2014-15 will not affect the overall education budget which the Department allocates to local authorities, including Cumbria County Council.
The new arrangements build on the reforms we made in 2013-14 which sought to simplify the school funding system. Following the Department’s review of the 2013-14 arrangements, we are making a number of small changes which will give local authorities some additional flexibility to, for example, support small schools in rural areas.
GCSE
Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to the answer of 10 April 2013, Official Report, column 1190W, on GCSE, whether those results data can be further disaggregated by ethnicity from the broad categories of ethnicity listed. [159193]
Mr Laws: The requested information has been placed in the House Libraries.
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Pupil Exclusions: Health
Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to prevent children being excluded from school solely on the grounds that they have (a) diabetes or (b) other health conditions. [159534]
Elizabeth Truss: It is totally unacceptable for any school to exclude a child purely on the basis of the fact that they have diabetes or another health condition.
Schools are under a specific duty through the Equality Act 2010 not to discriminate against disabled children in relation to their access to education and associated services. The Equality Act 2010 states that children with additional health needs may be classified as disabled for the purposes of the Act. Schools are also under an obligation to ensure that children with health conditions are not put at a substantial disadvantage.
Schools should be aware of their responsibilities in this respect and mindful of the potential to be legally challenged by parents or pupils if it is shown that they have contravened their duties as set out in the Equality Act 2010. In addition, cases that are brought to the Department’s attention will be dealt with appropriately and, if necessary, through the Secretary of State’s powers of intervention.
Schools: Birmingham
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many surplus places there were in (a) secondary and (b) primary schools in the Birmingham local authority area in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013 to date. [159190]
Mr Laws: The Department collects information from each local authority (LA) on the number of available and unfilled places in state-funded primary and secondary schools (except special schools) via the annual School Capacity Collection. The tables below show the number of unfilled places in secondary and primary schools in Birmingham between 2010 and 2012. Data for 2013 are not available.
| Unfilled places in state-funded secondary schools, Birmingham LA | |||
| Unfilled places | |||
| 2010(1) | 2011 | 2012 | |
| (1) 2010 data do not include unfilled places in academies. Note: Number of places relate to position as at May in each year. Source: School Capacity Collection | |||
| Unfilled places in state-funded primary schools, Birmingham LA | |||
| Unfilled places | |||
| 2010(1) | 2011 | 2012 | |
| (1) 2010 data do not include unfilled places in academies. Note: Number of places relate to position as at May in each year. Source: School Capacity Collection | |||
Birmingham LA has increased school capacity between 2010 and 2012 in response to a rising primary population, which is expected to continue to increase over the next few years. The LA has been allocated £61.46 million basic need funding to support the provision of additional
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school places in this spending review period (2011/12 to 2014/15). This compares with £45.03 million allocated in the previous four years (2007/8 to 2010/11).
Schools: Finance
Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the statement of 4 June 2013, Official Report, columns 89-90WS, on school funding reforms, what discussions he has had with stakeholders to inform this policy. [159420]
Mr Laws: On 12 February 2013, the Department for Education published ‘Review of School Funding Arrangements for 2013-14’ which sought views on how the new school funding arrangements have been received across the country and whether changes should be made for 2014-15.
Officials from the Department also undertook fieldwork visits to 11 local authorities (including Cumbria) where they spoke to local authority representatives, head teachers and governors. Officials have also held ongoing discussions about reforms to school funding with representatives from local authorities, academies, maintained schools and the main teaching trade unions.
Over recent months, I have had meetings with around 10 Members of Parliament to discuss how the school funding reforms have affected schools in their constituencies. This included a meeting with the hon. Members and councillors representing Cumbria county council.
Home Department
Homicide
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many domestic violence-related homicides were committed in England and Wales in 2012. [159735]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The available information relates to crimes recorded by the police on the Homicide Index in England and Wales in 2011-12.
The ONS publication “Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences”:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/focus-on-violent-crime/stb-focus-on--violent-crime-and-sexual-offences-2011-12.html
provides figures on the number of homicides where the victim's relationship to the principal suspect was partner or ex-partner. In 2011-12, 105 such homicides were recorded.
Misuse of Drugs Ministerial Group
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2013, Official Report, column 695W, on Misuse of Drugs Ministerial Group, if she will provide the link to the Cabinet Office webpage on which the details of meetings of the Inter-ministerial Group on Drugs are published and indicate the location of that information on that webpage. [159239]
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Mr Jeremy Browne: Further to the answer I gave on 21 May 2013, Official Report, column 695W, I can inform you that the details of meetings requested are not available on the Cabinet Office website; the Cabinet Office website only gives the details of external meetings and not internal meetings like the Inter-Ministerial Group on Drugs. I would like to apologise for this inaccuracy.
I can confirm that the Inter-Ministerial Group on Drugs met on the following occasions:
14 March 2012
8 May 2012
13 June 2012
12 November 2012
10 January 2013
30 April 2013.
As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to publish details of such meetings.
Police Custody: Death
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on investigations by the Independent Police Complaints Commission on cases relating to deaths during or following police contact in each of the last three years. [158861]
Damian Green: The Home Office does not hold this information.
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost of legal representation of the Government at inquests into all cases relating to deaths during or following police contact in each of the last three years. [158862]
Damian Green [holding answer 12 June 2013]: The Home Office has made no such estimate.
Telephone Services
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department receives any financial or non-financial benefit from its telephone providers for telephone lines that (a) her Department and (b) the agencies for which she is responsible operate, including but not limited to (i) a share of call revenue, (ii) a reduction in the Department's telephone bill or tariff and (iii) telephony services for free or at a reduced price. [157740]
James Brokenshire: The Department and its agencies:
(i) have no revenue sharing arrangements on any of their telephony services.
(ii) receive a volume based discounted tariff on internal audio conferencing services based on minutes used per month. These volumes are aggregated across core Home Office (incl. ex UKBA) and Her Majesty's Passport Office.
(iii) do not receive any other free or reduced rate telephony services.
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Leader of the House
Business Committee
Mr Meacher: To ask the Leader of the House with reference to page 27 of the Coalition Agreement, when he plans to bring forward proposals for a House Business Committee. [159493]
Mr Lansley: I explained to the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee in my evidence on 16 May that I have not yet been able to find a basis on which to bring forward a workable proposal for a House Business Committee. The Government will consider the recommendations of that Committee in due course.
Communities and Local Government
Green Belt
Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) whether the effect upon agriculture, including the need for food security, is a factor to be considered when an application is made to remove a greenbelt designation from agricultural land; [159263]
(2) whether the decision-making process to remove a greenbelt designation is required to include a formal consultation with the (a) local community and (b) local authority. [159265]
Nick Boles [holding answer 13 June 2013]: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to him of 11 June 2013, Official Report, column 222W.
Information Officers
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) press officers, (b) internal communications officers, (c) external communications officers, (d) communications strategy staff and (e) any other communications staff were employed by his Department in 2012-13; and what the total cost of their salaries and any on-costs was in that period. [158394]
Brandon Lewis [holding answer 6 June 2013]: Since May 2010, my Department has made significant savings from the consolidation of communications spending, as part of our wider agenda of delivering a smaller and more effective Department.
Including the Government offices for the regions, the Department for Communities and Local Government had 95 communications staff in 2009 (source: Central Office of Information, ‘White Book’, March 2009). There were a further eight “embedded communicators” staff members who were not listed in the White Book (as stated at 5 February 2010, Official Report, column 632W), bringing the total to 103.
By contrast, as at 31 March 2013 there are 44 staff working in communication roles (42.6 full-time equivalent posts) in the Department; the Government offices for the regions have been abolished completely. This represents a reduction in communications staffing of 57%.
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(a) Press office staff: 18.3
(b) Internal communications staff: 4.8
(c) External communications (marketing) staff: 3.6
(d) Communications strategy staff: 4
(e) Other communications (digital, corporate and senior management) staff: 11.8.
The Department does not allocate ‘on costs’ on a Directorate or employee basis. The total cost of salaries for the 42.6 full-time equivalent staff for 2012-13 amounted to £2.5 million. This compares with (extrapolated) estimates for the 103 staff in 2009-10 of £4.5 million—thus representing a yearly saving of £2 million in cash terms (and more in real terms).
The last Administration also frequently used taxpayers' money to pay for external public relations agencies, on top of its 103 in-house communications staff, spending a further £1.1 million in 2009-10 (source: DCLG, ‘Communication directorate: Marketing expenditure report 2009-10’). We do not see the need for using such external public relations firms—thus saving a further £1.1 million in cash terms.
The last Administration was also spending £299,229 a year on press cuttings in 2009-10; as outlined in our answer of 22 March 2012, Official Report, column 832W, we have cut this to a quarter of that.
The last Administration also wasted taxpayers' money on vanity marketing. They spent £22,000 of taxpayers' money on home information packs branding; £21,090 on Homebuy scheme branding; £15,000 on branding the Sustainable Communities summit (subsequently cancelled); £10,000 on branding the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit quango; £25,000 on Community Builders branding; £7,260 on Code for Sustainable Homes branding; £33,400 on Cleaner Safer Greener Communities branding; £3,520 on re-branding Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services as the Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser; £3,830 on a logo for the Department and Communities and Local Government followed by spending £24,765 on renaming it Communities and Local Government; and £1,371 on re-branding the ‘Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’ to the ‘Deputy Prime Minister's Office’.
Across the board, under this Government, the DCLG Group is making a 41% real terms saving against its running costs over this spending review period by 2014-15. This equates to savings of at least £532 million by 2014-15.
Local Government: Billing
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking against late payment of invoices by local authorities. [159418]
Brandon Lewis: Small and medium businesses are an essential part of local economies, and rely on prompt payments for survival. The Government are therefore taking steps to tackle instances of late payment across the whole public sector, not just by local authorities. We recently amended the law to introduce a statutory obligation for public authorities to pay invoices in 30 days.
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Many local authorities already have prompt payment clauses in their contracts, and the winners of the recent ‘Best councils to do business with' contest showed examples of this working throughout the supply chain. We are working with BIS to raise further awareness of this best practice and the impact of the Late Payment Directive, and we will be taking forward the recommendations in Lord Young's report to create a ‘single market' in public sector procurement.
Outdoor Advertising: Broadband
Mr Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance he has issued to local authorities on commercial advertising being placed on broadband cabinets without planning consent; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of powers available to local authorities to prosecute those who place advertising in that way. [159259]
Nick Boles: I published a letter on 11 February 2013 setting out the Government's view on commercial advertising on broadband cabinets, and placed a copy in the Library of the House. The letter is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advertising-on-broadband-cabinets-ministerial-letter
In summary, the Government's view is that there are no deemed consent provisions in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 (as amended) that would, in our opinion, apply for the purpose of commercial advertising on broadband boxes. Therefore our view is that advertisements should only be placed on broadband boxes with the permission of the local planning authority.
Local authorities have a range of relevant enforcement powers. Circular 03/2007 on the Control of Advertisements Regulations contains guidance on the enforcement options available to local authorities including applying to the Courts for a decision on a particular case.
I understand that BT was recently fined by Bridgend magistrates court (a £500 fine and a requirement to pay £800 costs) for breach of these regulations following local authority enforcement.
Renewable Energy: Peterborough
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he plans to call in the planning proposals by Peterborough City Council for a renewable energy park east of Peterborough; and if he will make a statement. [159486]
Nick Boles: The proposals for a renewable energy park are split into three separate planning applications, the first of which, Morris Fen, is due before Peterborough city council's planning committee on 17 June. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), has received a number of requests to call-in the three applications for his own determination, and should Peterborough council be minded to approve them, the Secretary of State will carefully consider this case against call-in policy, as set out in the written ministerial statement on 26 October 2012, Official Report, columns 71-72WS. In the meantime, it would be inappropriate to comment on the detail of the applications, while considerations are still ongoing.
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Treasury
Accountancy
Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will initiate an inquiry into the advice given and sold by the big four accountancy firms. [159178]
Jo Swinson: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
No, this is a matter which the independent competition authorities are taking forward. The Office of Fair Trading, under sections 131 and 133 of the Enterprise Act 2002, on 21 October 2011 referred the market for statutory audit services to the Competition Commission (CC). The CC published its summary of provisional findings on 22 February 2013, and on 5 June 2013 issued a notice of a Further Possible Remedy under Rule 11 of its rules of procedure. These can be viewed at:
http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/our-work/statutory-audit-services/provisional-findings-report
Domestic Visits
Mr Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times he has visited (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland in an official capacity since May 2010. [159255]
Sajid Javid: Treasury Ministers' official duties entail visits throughout the United Kingdom. As was the case with previous Administrations it is not normal practice to disclose details of such visits.
Fuels: Tax Evasion
Mr Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the working relationship between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and HM Revenue and Customs in tackling oil fraud in Northern Ireland. [158838]
Sajid Javid: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is an active member of the Northern Ireland Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) and works closely with its partner agencies in the OCTF, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), to tackle a range of organised crime, including fuel fraud.
HMRC chairs the Cross Border Fuel Group which includes: (a) from Northern Ireland, representatives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Serious Organised Crime Agency and Department of Justice and (b) from the Republic of Ireland, The Revenue Commissioners, An Garda Siochana, Criminal Assets Bureau and the Department of the Environment. This group meets quarterly to discuss strategic issues relating to tackling fuel fraud. However, the agencies work together on operational matters on an ongoing basis.
HMRC in Northern Ireland has an excellent working relationship with the PSNI. The PSNI regularly provide support for HMRC operations. In the 2012-13 year, HMRC detected 22 fuel laundering plants. The PSNI routinely assisted HMRC Officers during these operations and continue to be present on site when laundering plants are dismantled.
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Income Tax: Scotland
Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials of his Department are engaged on the project to implement the Scottish rate of income tax. [159550]
Mr Gauke: The estimated HMRC project costs for 2013-14 equate to around 11 full-time staff. However this draws on the expertise of over 75 HMRC staff and includes contributions from individuals on specific technical issues as part of their full-time duties.
Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 6 June 2013, Official Report, column 1239W, on income tax: Scotland, how many pensioners in each parliamentary constituency in Scotland pay income tax at (a) the highest rate or (b) the additional rate. [159552]
Mr Gauke: Data on the number of (a) higher and (b) additional rate taxpayers above state pension age at parliamentary constituency level are not published, due to small sample sizes.
Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 5 June 2013, Official Report, column 1167W, on income tax: Scotland, what steps he has taken to control the costs of the implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax. [159553]
Mr Gauke: Work to implement the Scottish rate is being managed by HMRC's implementation project. Board members, including the Scottish Government, Scotland Office and HM Treasury are involved in decision making to ensure that the project provides effective solutions and value for money. A Memorandum of Understanding between HMRC and the Scottish Government sets out arrangements for implementing the Scottish rate including how HMRC will ensure that its expenditure represents value for money. The Memorandum was published on the HMRC and Scottish Government's websites.
Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 5 June 2013, Official Report, column 1167W, on income tax: Scotland, when he expects to be able to report a revised estimate of the costs of implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax. [159554]
Mr Gauke: HMRC expects to be able to provide a more accurate estimate of the operational cost of implementing the Scottish rate of income tax later in 2013-14 when the planned work on designing the process for identifying Scottish taxpayers is undertaken. Detailed work on the implementation of the IT changes will begin in 2014; a more accurate estimate of these costs is expected to be available during 2014-15.
PAYE
Mr Byrne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what his most recent estimate is of the cost to the public purse of implementing PAYE Real Time Information; [159530]
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(2) what recent estimate he has made of the cost of implementing PAYE Real Time Information. [159732]
Mr Gauke: The latest version of the full business case for PAYE Real Time Information (RTI) shows a cost to Government of £273.84 million for the spending review period to March 2015.
Revenue and Customs
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many and what proportion of telephone calls to HM Revenue and Customs have been unanswered in (a) the first quarter of 2013 and (b) 2013-14 to date; [159449]
(2) how many and what proportion of letters to HM Revenue and Customs have remained unanswered in (a) the first quarter of 2013 and (b) 2013-14 to date. [159450]
Mr Gauke: HMRC does not count letters separately from other incoming post such as certain forms, faxes and email.
HMRC periodically publishes performance statistics which include:
the proportion of telephone calls handled in total and by line of business; and
the number and proportion of post items (including letters) to HMRC from customers which remained unanswered at the end of each quarter
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/bus-plan-qds.htm
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/business-plan-indicators
HMRC plan to publish 2012-13 quarter 4 figures at the end of June 2013, and the quarter 1 results for 2013-14 in August 2013.
Revenue and Customs: Nurseries
Mr Anderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the potential effect on parents and children who use the nursery school on the HM Revenue and Customs site at Waterview Park, Washington, of a closure of the school. [159241]
Mr Gauke: HMRC wrote to affected parents on 7 May, inviting them to face-to-face consultations about what the impact of not re-tendering the nursery provision in three sites in the North East (Waterview Park, Benton Park View and Tyne View Park) would be on them.
Face-to-face consultation meetings were held in all three sites and parents and interested parties were invited to attend and offer their views. These impacts were noted down throughout the meetings.
A dedicated mailbox was also set up to allow parents to e-mail their questions and feedback directly. This has been monitored daily and every e-mail has been responded to.
Parents submitted a range of views. A summary of this feedback was shared with all affected parents on 10 June. This summary and a People Impact Assessment form part of a decision paper that will be discussed by HMRC's Executive Committee on 18 June.
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The impact assessments will also be used to put together a support package for parents, similar to that made available in 2012, which will be used if the decision is not to re-tender for the nursery provision in these three sites.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on parents and children who used nursery schools on HM Revenue and Customs sites which have recently been closed. [159242]
Mr Gauke: In 2012, HMRC announced the closure of eight nurseries that were on HMRC premises. These nurseries had varying levels of occupancy and many of the nursery places were available to non-HMRC staff.
Following the announcement, HMRC put in place a series of support measures for affected parents. This included some short-term financial support, flexible working and special leave to give them time to find alternative arrangements. Members of HMRC's HR support were also on hand to support parents with agreeing what measures they needed to make use of.
The take up of these measures varied. In some cases parents found alternative nursery provision very easily and did not approach HMRC for additional support. In others they needed some support to do so.
Six of the nurseries closed in November 2012 and HMRC has not received any further requests for help from affected parents. Two nurseries, East Kilbride and Cardiff, were given a commercial lease and will continue until August 2015. These two nurseries were granted these leases as over 50% of those using them worked for HMRC. Both the nursery provider and the parents are aware of this arrangement.
Unpaid Taxes: Football
John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many English and Welsh football teams with an up-to-date arrangement with HM Revenue and Customs to pay by instalments their PAYE and national insurance contribution (NIC) deductions have not paid fully their PAYE or NIC deductions in tax year (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14 to date; [159585]
(2) what sums in PAYE and national insurance contributions remain unpaid by football clubs who are members of the FA Premier League and the Football League in respect of the tax year ended 5 April (a) 2013 and (b) 2014; and what sums are outstanding in cases where clubs (i) have not yet been contacted by the local tax office or debt management office, (ii) are working with the local tax or debt management office and are either subject to an arrangement to pay or are having the case forwarded to an enforcement office, (iii) are working with an enforcement office and are either subject to an arrangement to pay or are having the case forwarded to the solicitor's office and (iv) have had their case forwarded to the solicitor's office for action in the High Court; [159581]
(3) how many football clubs who are members of the FA Premier League and the Football League have not fully paid PAYE and national insurance contributions due in respect of the tax year ended 5 April (a) 2013 and (b) 2014; and how many such clubs (i) have not yet been contacted by the local tax office or debt
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management office, (ii) are working with the local tax or debt management office and are either subject to an arrangement to pay or are having the case forwarded to an enforcement office, (iii) are working with an enforcement office and are either subject to an arrangement to pay or are having the case forwarded to the solicitor's office and (iv) have had their case forwarded to the solicitor's office for action in the High Court. [159582]
Mr Gauke: There are fewer than five English and Welsh football clubs that have an up-to-date arrangement with HMRC covering their PAYE or NIC deductions for either of the tax years (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14 to date. In view of the small number involved, HMRC is not able to disclose the actual number of clubs, as to do so would breach statistical standards that protect the confidentiality of information relating to HMRC's customers.
HMRC is not able to disclose the sum of PAYE and national insurance contributions remaining unpaid by FA Premier League and Football League clubs for the tax year ended 5 April 2013, as to do so would breach statistical standards that protect the confidentiality of information relating to HMRC's customers.
The sum of PAYE and national insurance contributions remaining unpaid by FA Premier League and Football League clubs for the current tax year is £1,025,731.
HMRC is not able to disclose the sums outstanding in cases where clubs have not yet been contacted by the debt management office, as to do so would breach statistical standards that protect the confidentiality of information relating to HMRC's customers.
HMRC is not able to disclose the sums outstanding in respect of cases that are working with the debt management office and are either subject to an arrangement to pay or are having the case forwarded to an enforcement office, as to do so would breach statistical standards that protect the confidentiality of information relating to HMRC's customers.
HMRC is not able to disclose the sums outstanding in cases that are working with an enforcement office and are either subject to an arrangement to pay or are having the case forwarded to the solicitor's office, as to do so would breach statistical standards that protect the confidentiality of information relating to HMRC's customers.
HMRC is not able to disclose the sums outstanding in cases that have been forwarded to the solicitor's office for action in the High Court, as to do so would breach statistical standards that protect the confidentiality of information relating to HMRC's customers.
There are fewer than five Premier League and Football League clubs that have not fully paid PAYE and national insurance contributions due in respect of the tax year ended 5 April 2013. There are nine Premier League and Football League clubs that have not fully paid PAYE and national insurance contributions due in respect of the current tax year. And of those clubs:
There are fewer than five clubs that have not yet been contacted by the debt management office.
There are nine clubs that are working with the debt management office and are either subject to an arrangement to pay or the case is being forwarded to an enforcement office.
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There are fewer than five clubs that are with an enforcement office and are either subject to an arrangement to pay or the case is being forwarded to the solicitor's office.
There are fewer than five clubs that have had their case forwarded to the solicitor's office for action in the High Court.
Where there are small numbers involved, HMRC is not able to disclose the actual number of clubs, as to do so would breach statistical standards that protect the confidentiality of information relating to HMRC's customers.
Welfare Tax Credits
Hilary Benn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims for tax credits are being appealed; and what the average waiting time for an appeal to be (a) heard and (b) concluded was in each of the last two years. [154648]
Sajid Javid: In 2011-12 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) received 24,001 tax credit appeals, and in 2012-13 received 23,745 appeals.
Figures for appeal waiting times, hearings and conclusions are provided by HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS). HMCTS split tax credits into working tax credits and child tax credits and their figures are:
| Working tax credit appeals | ||||
| Weeks | ||||
| Period | Number of receipts | Total disposals (number) | Average time receipt to first hearing | Average time receipt to outcome |
| Child tax credit appeals in Britain | ||||
| Weeks | ||||
| Period | Number of receipts | Total disposals (number) | Average time receipt to first hearing | Average time receipt to outcome |
| Data for April to December 2012 are provisional. | ||||
The number of appellants opting for an oral hearing increased from 26% in 2011-12 to 50% in the first nine months of 2012. This has led to an increase in the average time to dispose of appeals because in addition to the time taken for the tribunal to consider written evidence, time is needed for oral evidence to be given, for any follow-up questioning, and for that evidence to be considered by the tribunal alongside the written evidence.
World Environment Day
Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department took to mark World Environment Day on 5 June 2013. [159174]
Sajid Javid:
HM Treasury did not take specific steps to mark World Environment Day. As set out in the Annual Report and Accounts, the Treasury takes a
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range of measures to reduce its environmental impact, raise awareness of environmental issues amongst staff, and co-ordinate its consideration in policy development.
Justice
Autism
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what procedures are in place to ensure that training in autism is available to all staff in the criminal justice system. [157883]
Mrs Grant: Disability and diversity guidance and training, including on learning disabilities, is available for staff of the Ministry of Justice.
Autism training, including for criminal justice system staff, is currently being looked at as part of the review of the 2010 Autism strategy ‘Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives', being led by the Department of Health, and my Department is contributing to this work.
Immigrants: Detainees
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many applications for immigration bail were heard by an immigration judge in each of the last five years; and in how many such cases applicants received legal aid. [156775]
Jeremy Wright: In each of the last five years judges of the First-tier and Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) have heard the following number of bail applications:
| Bail application hearings | |
| Calendar year | Number |
These figures do not represent the number of appellants applying for bail, as the same appellant may apply for bail on multiple occasions. These figures also exclude bail renewals, variations and forfeitures.
The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) does not hold information on which of the applications set out in the table received legal aid. In such cases providers assist clients directly, and the LAA does not hold records of applications.
Legal Aid Scheme
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the potential effect of his planned changes to legal aid on client choice. [159275]
Jeremy Wright:
Between 9 April and 4 June 2013 the Government consulted on a number of proposals to reform legal aid via the ‘Transforming Legal Aid: delivering a more credible and efficient system’ consultation. This included a proposed model of competitive tendering for criminal legal aid services. We have been clear we must continue to bear down on the cost of legal aid, including
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the £1 billion of taxpayers' money spent on criminal legal aid a year, to ensure we are getting the best deal for the taxpayer.
An assessment of the potential effect that proposals to reform legal aid would have on client choice was published in the impact assessment alongside the ‘Transforming Legal Aid: delivering a more credible and efficient system’ consultation.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will meet the Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association to discuss proposals to reform the legal aid system; and if he will make a statement. [159319]
Jeremy Wright: Between 9 April and 4 June 2013 the Government consulted on a number of proposals to reform legal aid via the ‘Transforming Legal Aid: delivering a more credible and efficient system’ consultation. This included a proposed model of competitive tendering for criminal legal aid services. We have been clear we must continue to bear down on the cost of legal aid, including the £1 billion of taxpayers' money spent on criminal legal aid a year, to ensure we are getting the best deal for the taxpayer.
During the consultation the ministerial team and officials met with many stakeholders, and I refer the hon. Gentleman to the parliamentary question (158068) asked by the right hon. Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz), for a full breakdown of those meetings. It states that Lord McNally met with the Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association on 30 May 2013 for 45 minutes, along with a senior civil servant and a representative from the Legal Aid Agency (LAA).
This consultation has now closed and my officials and I will be considering the responses, including the response received from the Criminal Bar Association, with a view to publishing the Government response in the autumn.
Cabinet Office
Buildings
Margaret Curran: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department has spent from the public purse on modernisation of buildings that are part of the Cabinet Office estate in each of the last three years. [159545]
Miss Chloe Smith: This Government have taken a determined approach to cutting their expenditure on property to address the wasteful situation they inherited at the time of the last election where millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money were spent on unnecessary and under-occupied buildings. These efforts to consolidate and slim down the property estate ensured savings of £620 million last year alone and contributed to the £10 billion of savings made from efficiency and reform last year.
The Cabinet Office is leading by example. Our strategy for London is to consolidate as far as possible into its core freehold buildings. To achieve this the Cabinet Office is co-locating with HM Treasury at 1 Horse Guards Road. In addition the Department has vacated 22-26 Whitehall (which have been re-used by the Department for International Development) and Admiralty Arch. A long lease is being sold on the arch to allow for
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future use as an hotel. This will enable public access and provide a capital sum of £60 million. The Cabinet Office's main building at 70 Whitehall is being modernised under a programme which began in 2008-09.
Information on capital expenditure on modernisation of the Cabinet Office's buildings is published in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts.
Cabinet Committees
Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish a list of Cabinet committees currently in operation; and what the membership is of each such committee. [159695]
Mr Letwin: The list of Cabinet committees and sub-committees and their members is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-cabinet-committees-system-and-list-of-cabinet-committees
Electronic Surveillance
Dr Huppert: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will assess the consequences for the cyber security of UK companies and individuals of the US Prism programme. [159575]
Miss Chloe Smith: I refer to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), on 10 June 2013, Official Report, columns 31-43.
Employment: Lincolnshire
Austin Mitchell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion and how many of those employed in North-East Lincolnshire were employed in the public sector in each year since 2007. [159929]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated June 2013:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion and how many of those employed in North-East Lincolnshire were employed in the public sector in each year since 2007 (159929).
The ONS compiles Labour Market Statistics for areas below the UK following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions using the Annual Population Survey (APS).
Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey. The public sector estimates provided do not correspond to those derived as part of the calculation of the official Public Sector Employment estimates. These are based on a National Accounts' definition, are generally lower and are not available for areas smaller then regions.
The table shows the proportion and number of people employed in the public sector in North East Lincolnshire. These estimates are compiled from APS interviews held during the period January 2012 to December 2012, the latest period available, and the 12 month periods ending in December in each year since 2007.
As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates is given in the table.
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National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
| Proportion and number of people employed in the public sector(1) in North East Lincolnshire | ||
| Public sector employment | ||
| 12 months ending December: | Number (Thousand) | Proportion of people in employment (%) |
| (1) Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey. (2) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality below. Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV - for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: * 0 ≤ CV <5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes Source: Annual Population Survey | ||
Employment: Swindon
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the net change in the number of private sector jobs in (a) North Swindon constituency and (b) Swindon Borough was in the latest period for which figures are available. [159389]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated June 2013:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the net change in the number of private sector jobs in (a) North Swindon constituency and (b) Swindon Borough was in the latest period for which figures are available. (159389)
Information regarding the number of private sector jobs for parliamentary constituencies is not available. As an alternative, estimates relating to the number of people employed in the private sector have been provided. Employment statistics for local areas are calculated from the Annual Population Survey (APS).
Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey. The private sector estimates provided do not correspond to those derived as part of the calculation of the official Public Sector Employment estimates. These are based on a National Accounts' definition, are generally higher and are not available for areas smaller then regions.
The table shows the number and net change of people employed in the private sector in North Swindon constituency and Swindon. These estimates are compiled from APS interviews held during the period January 2012 to December 2012, the latest period available, and the 12 month period ending in December 2011.
As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates is given in the table.
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National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
| Table 1: Net change in the number of people employed in the private sector(1) in North Swindon constituency and Swindon | ||
| Thousand | ||
| 12 months ending: | North Swindon constituency | Swindon |
| (1) Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey. (2) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, See Guide to Quality. Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: * 0 ≤ CV<5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: Annual Population Survey | ||
High Speed 2 Railway Line
Mrs Gillan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2013, Official Report, column 343W, on the High Speed 2 railway line, and consequent on the Information Commissioner's decision on publication of the Major Projects Authority Report into High Speed 2, when he plans to place in the Library a copy of the report. [159498]
Miss Chloe Smith: We are reviewing the Information Commissioner's decision but in the meantime the MPA Annual Report can be accessed here:
http://engage.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/major-projects-authority
A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.
The Department for Transport has published more detailed information on HS2 which can be accessed here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-major-projects-portfolio-data-for-dft-2013
International Development
Hunger and Nutrition
Sir Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what work her Department is undertaking in respect of hunger and nutrition in developing countries. [159158]
Justine Greening: Our existing nutrition programmes will reach 20 million pregnant women and children under five by 2015 and ensure another 4 million people have enough available food by 2015.
The ‘Nutrition for Growth' event on 8 June catalysed political and funding commitments to improve global nutrition.
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Private Sector Investment
Rebecca Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to encourage responsible private sector investment, including in supply chains for retailers. [159159]
Justine Greening: Bangladesh shows the tragic consequences of ignoring the responsibilities businesses carry for the safety and well-being of the people they affect. My Department places great importance on shaping investment and business operations to improve working conditions and promote economic development.
The steps we are taking to encourage responsible private sector investment include (i) working jointly with retailers committed to improving conditions in their supply chains, (ii) strengthening standards and company reporting, and (iii) ensuring workers have a voice and can gain redress.
I intend to host a roundtable event next month with major UK retailers to discuss this issue.
Overseas Aid
Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which 10 countries received the most support from her Department in the last year for which figures are available; and which other countries received support from her Department in that year. [159115]
Mr Duncan: The following table shows the 10 countries which received the most support from DFID's bilateral aid programme in the financial year 2011-12:
| Rank | Country |
Details of all countries in receipt of DFID bilateral programme expenditure, for the last five years, are listed in Tables 14.1-14.5 of the ‘Statistics on International Development' publication, available online at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statistics-on-international-development
Information on the amount of support received by different countries in 2012-13 will be published in ‘Statistics on International Development' in autumn 2013.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance the UK gives to wildlife conservation in sub-Saharan Africa. [159551]
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Lynne Featherstone: In 2012 DEFRA gave £8.5 million to 33 new projects under the Darwin Initiative, which has backed wildlife conservation projects in some of the world's poorest countries for the last two decades. Many of these were in Africa, including a project in Liberia to build the capacity of the next generation of conservation professionals.
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department has made an assessment of the effect of drone strikes on shifting livelihood strategies in the affected regions in Somalia and Yemen. [159422]
Justine Greening: DFID receives regular reports on persons displaced by conflict, including in countries affected by drone strikes such as Somalia and Yemen. These are not disaggregated by specific cause but provide sufficient information to assess and respond to the needs of the most vulnerable.
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department has undertaken research on retaliation attacks on local and international aid workers following drone strikes in Pakistan and Afghanistan. [159438]
Justine Greening: We have not undertaken any research on retaliation attacks on aid workers following drone strikes in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Transport
Bus Services: Concessions
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many local authorities provide free bus travel to 16 to 24 year olds not in education, employment or training. [159559]
Norman Baker: Local authorities which are travel concession authorities (TCAs) have powers to implement discretionary schemes providing concessionary fares for groups of people.
Statistics on the provision of youth discounts can be found in National Statistics Table BUS0842, at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/bus08-concessionary-travel
However, we do not have detailed or complete information on which specific age groups such concessions are provided for or what level of fare discount is offered.
Overall, in 2011-12, 28 out of 89 TCAs outside London offered concessions to young people. In addition, bus operators in 80 TCA areas offered their own commercial discounts. The age restrictions applicable to each local scheme will vary.
Railway Track
Mr Darling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what total mileage of rail track in (a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales is owned and operated by Network Rail. [158969]
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Mr Simon Burns: The total mileage of rail track owned by Network Rail in Scotland, England and Wales is shown in the following table. These figures are for the total amounts of running track owned by Network Rail, which include the running lines on the network, but exclude sidings and depots.
| Network Rail owned running track 2012-13 | |
| Miles | |
| Source: Network Rail. | |
Railways: Devon
Mr Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the railway network between London and Devon. [159180]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has not recently carried out an assessment of the railway between London and Devon. There is an industry process, led by Network Rail, for the ongoing assessment of the network's capability and prioritisation of funding for upgrades. Network Rail published the Great Western Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) in March 2010, which is available on their website, and this is currently being updated through Network Rail's Long-Term Planning Process.
Network Rail is also actively investigating the resilience of the route to Devon in light of the recent severe flooding.
Mr Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to take to improve the railway network services between London and Devon. [159181]
Mr Simon Burns: A significant programme of upgrade work is already under way on the Great Western route, including electrification to Newbury, Oxford, Swansea and Bristol, new intercity trains, and the redevelopment of Reading station.
The Rail Investment Strategy for 2014-19 provides a £300 million fund for journey time and performance improvements for which the London to Devon route would be eligible.
The outcome of Network Rail's Long-Term Planning Process, now currently under way, will consider possible improvements for the period after 2019.
Thameslink Railway Line
Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the prospects for completion of the Thameslink tender franchise by 2018. [159240]
Mr McLoughlin: The Department continues to aim for delivery of the 24 trains per hour service by December 2018.
As soon as the rolling stock contract has been awarded, the Department will work with industry partners to complete a detailed review of the cross-industry plan to confirm delivery timescales.
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With regards to the Thameslink franchise, the Department announced in March that the procurement process for the new Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) franchise has restarted with the aim of the next franchisee taking over the elements of the route currently operated by First Capital Connect (Thameslink and Great Northern) in September 2014, with those elements currently operated by Southern becoming part of the franchise in July 2015.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Accountancy
Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the names, job titles, area of work, term of appointment and Civil Service equivalent grade are of personnel currently seconded to his Department from the big four accountancy firms. [159043]
Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA does not have any personnel currently seconded from the big four accountancy firms.
Agricultural Shows
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on reducing taxation for England's agricultural county shows; and what steps he is taking to reduce the regulatory burden on such shows. [159184]
Mr Heath: I have no current plans to discuss the taxation of agricultural county shows with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and DEFRA is taking no steps at present specifically to reduce the regulatory burden on agricultural county shows. However, DEFRA is keen to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens wherever possible, so I would welcome a letter describing the specific burdens of DEFRA regulation on such shows along with suggestions for improvement. DEFRA will launch a new Red Tape Challenge theme later in the summer covering agricultural and animal health regulations and, if it is felt that these regulations place a burden on agricultural county shows, we would welcome comments on this to feed into our review.
Animal Experiments
Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on reducing the number of animals used in scientific procedures; what steps he is taking to reduce the number of animals used in such procedures; and if he will make a statement. [159410]
Mr Heath: DEFRA officials meet with Home Office officials and key stakeholders at regular intervals to discuss a range of issues relating to animal welfare, including policies on the use of animals in scientific procedures, for which Home Office is the lead Department.
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Bees
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the decline in the bee population. [159010]
Mr Heath: DEFRA Ministers have not discussed strategies to protect bee populations with their counterparts in other European countries or in the EU. However, the UK is fully engaged in all the appropriate European fora. There is a considerable body of Government funded work that benefits bee species and other important pollinators. The Government are considering whether there is added value in bringing all this work together in a holistic strategy.
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to support the declining bee population. [159072]
Mr Heath: We are reviewing the health and value of bees and other pollinators to develop a better understanding of the various factors that can harm pollinators and the changes that Government, other organisations and individuals can make to counter their impact. This review will consider the value that a National Pollinator Strategy might add in addition to the other Government initiatives that are currently under way.
My noble Friend, Lord de Mauley, and DEFRA's chief scientific adviser have already met to discuss this work with a number of interested parties, including some non-government organisations. We are seeking to host discussions with other stakeholders over the summer.
Meanwhile, there are a number of initiatives in place to support the bee population.
In 2009, DEFRA and the Welsh Government launched the Healthy Bees Plan which is aimed at improving and protecting the health of honey bees over the next 10 years.
DEFRA is providing £2.5 million over five years (from 2010-11) towards the £10 million Insect Pollinators Initiative, which is being jointly funded with the Scottish Government, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.
‘Biodiversity 2020’ committed to an increase in the overall extent of priority habitats by at least 200,000 hectares and to preventing further human-induced extinctions of known species. Further to this, Natural England funds conservation projects to support priority species such as bumble bees.
Funding is also available to encourage farmers to provide forage and nesting sites for bees. Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) provides payments for the establishment of nectar flower mixtures. Several new ELS options were introduced from 1 January 2013, including a supplement to add wildflowers to buffer strips and field corners, plus options for legume-rich and herb-rich swards to provide habitat and food for invertebrates including bees.
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to support the honey industry in light of decreasing bee yields. [159073]
Mr Heath: There are no plans to support the honey industry directly. However, there are a number of initiatives in place to support the honey bee sector through DEFRA's Healthy Bees Plan and bee health programme.
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Bees: Lancashire
Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if he will estimate the bee population of Lancashire in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; [159296]
(2) what steps he is taking to preserve the bee population in Lancashire. [159299]
Mr Heath: We are taking a number of steps to support wild bees and managed honey bees across England that will benefit their populations in Lancashire.
Currently, we are reviewing the health and value of bees and other pollinators to develop a better understanding of the various factors that can harm pollinators and the changes that the Government, other organisations and individuals can make to counter their impact. This review will consider the value that a National Pollinator Strategy might add in addition to the other Government initiatives that are currently under way.
My noble Friend, Lord de Mauley, and DEFRA's chief scientific adviser have already met to discuss this work with a number of interested parties, including some non-government organisations. We are seeking to host discussions with other stakeholders over the summer.
Meanwhile, there are a number of initiatives in place to support the bee population. These include the following:
In 2009, DEFRA and the Welsh Government launched the Healthy Bees Plan which is aimed at improving and protecting the health of honey bees over the next 10 years.
DEFRA's bee health programme, delivered by the Food and Environment Research Agency's National Bee Unit (NBU), provides free inspection and comprehensive education on a wide range of beekeeping issues. The aim of the programme is to control the spread of statutory pests and diseases and improve beekeepers' disease recognition and husbandry skills. In 2012 there were 649 colony inspections and 20 training events in Lancashire.
DEFRA is providing £2.5 million over five years (from 2010-11) towards the £10 million Insect Pollinators Initiative, which is being jointly funded with the Scottish Government, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.
Our biodiversity strategy, ‘Biodiversity 2020’, committed to an increase in the overall extent of priority habitats by at least 200,000 hectares and to preventing further human-induced extinctions of known species. To help drive this commitment, the UK Government have provided funding to establish 12 new Nature Improvement Areas to create more and better-connected habitats at a landscape scale. We have provided £610,000 to support the Morecambe Bay Limestone and Wetlands Nature Improvement Area which spans Lancashire and Cumbria.
Funding is also available to encourage farmers to provide forage and nesting sites for bees. Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) provides payments for the establishment of nectar flower mixtures. Several new ELS options were introduced from 1 January 2013, including a supplement to add wildflowers to buffer strips and field corners, plus options for legume-rich and herb-rich swards to provide habitat and food for invertebrates including bees.
There are no published data on the number of honey bees in Lancashire. However, the NBU has a voluntary database of beekeepers which has the following information recorded for Lancashire:
| Beekeepers | Colonies | |
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Monitoring to detect changes in the abundance of wild insect bees accurately is not, and has never been, carried out systematically in the UK or in Europe. It is not possible therefore to estimate the size of the wild bee population at national or individual county level. In Great Britain, we do know that there has been an overall decline in the diversity of wild bees in recent decades(1) with some areas showing an increase in diversity, but a significantly greater area showing a decline. This broad trend is likely to be reflected across the country. Changes are likely to be driven, at least in part, by significant range contractions for specialist species that are associated with natural or semi-natural habitat or have narrow forage requirements.
The question of how best to measure population trends in the future will be addressed as part of our review and will be discussed at related expert workshops in autumn 2013.
(1) As measured by number of species per unit area.
Bovine Tuberculosis
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what evidential basis the badger cull has been planned. [158455]
Mr Heath: The badger cull policy is based on evidence from the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT). Using the results of this trial (based on an average of five years' culling plus a four-year post-cull period), culling over an area of 150 km(2) could be expected to lead to an average 16% reduction in TB incidence in the local area. This figure was agreed by an independent panel of scientists at a meeting with Professor Bob Watson, DEFRA's then Chief Scientific Adviser. A summary of the key conclusions from this meeting is available on the DEFRA website at:
http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/tb/documents/bovinetb-scientificexperts-110404.pdf
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the additional costs associated with cage trapping and shooting of badgers will be borne by (a) the Government and (b) the National Farmers' Union. [159035]
Mr Heath: The industry will be responsible for the operational costs of delivering culling. The methods of cage trapping (followed by shooting) or controlled shooting of badgers can be used in combination or as single control methods. It is for industry to decide which culling method(s) should be used to remove badgers.
Flood Control
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department has considered the possibility of widening and deepening rivers to help alleviate flooding in regularly affected areas. [154626]
Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency, as a risk management authority, has powers to carry out flood and coastal risk management work on main rivers in England. This includes widening and deepening rivers.
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Dredging and other types of watercourse management are routinely considered by the Environment Agency when assessing how best to manage flood risk to protect people and property.
Each site is different so the Environment Agency takes a risk-based approach and adopts the most suitable maintenance procedure for each stretch of river, ensuring that this does not adversely impact on habitats or protected species.
Food: Waste
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department has any plans to set targets for food waste reduction for producers and retailers. [158985]
Richard Benyon: The Government have set targets for food producers and retailers to reduce food and packaging waste under the voluntary Courtauld Commitment. The targets that feature food waste for the three phases are:
| Reduction | |||
| Percentage | |||
| Objective | Courtauld Commitment phase 1 targets (2005-09)(1) (tonnes) | Courtauld Commitment phase 2 targets (2010-12)(2) | Courtauld Commitment phase 3 targets (2013-15)(3) |
| (1) Against a 2008 baseline. (2) Against a 2009 baseline. (3) Against a 2012 baseline. (4) This includes food and packaging waste. (5) Not included in Courtauld 1. | |||
The third phase already has 45 signatories, representing a combined share of over 90% of the UK grocery market, based on sales.
Guide Dogs
Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to help harnessed guide dogs from being attacked by other dogs. [159297]
Mr Heath: On 9 May the Government introduced into Parliament the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, which will streamline measures designed to tackle antisocial behaviour including such instances where they involve a dog. This will allow action to be taken before a dog becomes dangerously out of control. The Bill will also amend the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 so that a dog attack on an assistance dog will be treated as an aggravated offence, as if it were an attack on a person. This will mean that the owner of the dog that attacks an assistance dog will be liable to prosecution and on conviction a potential unlimited fine and imprisonment for up to two years.
Horse Racing
Chris Williamson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2013, Official Report, column 688W,
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on horseracing; (1) if he will estimate the number of racehorses killed outright or destroyed at each British racecourse in
(a)
2010,
(b)
2011 and
(c)
2012; [159454]
(2) if he will publish the names of all racehorses (a) killed outright and (b) destroyed on British racecourses or shortly afterwards due to injury in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012. [159434]
Mr Heath: The Government do not hold this information.
Horses: Diseases
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether (a) contagious equine metritis and (b) equine viral arteritis are to remain notifiable diseases under the Animal Health Act 1981. [159549]
Mr Heath: There are no plans at present to delist any notifiable diseases, though we are keeping this under review. We will, of course, work closely with the industry on this and consult on any potential changes. Our priority will remain the safeguarding of human and animal health and to protect trade and wider society.
Insects
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements are in place to monitor the population of (a) bees and (b) other pollinators across the UK. [159008]
Mr Heath: The Government recognise the importance of all pollinators, including bees, and their value to both food security and sustaining the natural environment.
Monitoring to detect changes in the abundance of insect pollinators accurately is not, and has never been, carried out systematically in the UK or in Europe. Our current knowledge is derived from limited abundance surveys for some species groups or from analysis of occurrence records to identify changes in range or diversity.
DEFRA has been exploring ways to support more systematic approaches to monitor wild pollinator species, in collaboration with other organisations, such as the Research Councils, and the voluntary sector.
Specifically we are looking at how to build on existing expertise within the voluntary sector to develop innovative ways to collect monitoring data. The question of how best to measure population trends will also be addressed by a comprehensive review of evidence on pollinators and will be discussed at related expert workshops in autumn 2013.