Speeches and parliamentary questions in the House of Commons in the 2010 -2011SessionWhile speaking in the chamber of the House is a high profile activity for an MP, much other work is done elsewhere, in committee, as well as a large casework load for constituents. |
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether new academies will recognise the service of staff in the period before the school obtained academy status for the purposes of calculating redundancy payments. [9103]
Mr Nick Gibb, Minister of State (Schools): Staff who transfer to employment by an academy would be entitled to redundancy payments in respect of service prior to conversion. This is in so far as their statutory and contractual rights to redundancy payments are trans erred under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions his Department has had with the Charity Commission on proposals to make academy schools exempt charities with no public reporting requirements. [9076]
Mr Gibb: The Permanent Secretary and the chief executive of the Charity Commission have discussed proposals to make academies exempt charities and other officials have met or spoken to their Charity Commission counterparts on several occasions.
It is not the case that there will be no public reporting requirements. Academy trusts will be required to publish their annual accounts, annual report, memorandum and articles of association, funding agreement and a list of the names of the governors of the academy trust.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether academy schools will continue to have to obtain admitted body status to the Local Government Pension scheme as a condition of their funding. [8979]
Mr Nick Gibb, Minister of State (Schools): Academies are scheduled bodies under the Local Government Pension scheme and are therefore automatically members. Academy Trusts will continue to be required to ensure that all employees at Academies other than teachers have access to the LGPS. This requirement is included in their funding agreement. A similar requirement applies to teachers in respect of the Teachers' Pension scheme. The ongoing funding of Academy Trusts is contingent upon the conditions in their funding agreements being met.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether (a) individual funding agreements and (b) supplementary funding agreements between him and academy schools will be published on his Department's website. [9082]
Mr Gibb: All new funding agreements between the Secretary of State for Education and academy trusts, whether individual or supplementary, will be published in due course on the Department's website.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he plans to consult parents, governors and school staff on the contents of the new model funding agreement for academy schools. [9083]
Mr Gibb: The new model funding agreement has not been finalised yet. However, we have published a draft on the Department's website and would welcome comments from any interested parties. In addition, we have amended the Academies Bill so that it requires governing bodies of converting schools to consult with those persons whom they think appropriate before entering into funding arrangements with the Secretary of State.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he plans to re-negotiate the funding agreements of existing academy schools if the Academies Bill is passed. [9102]
Mr Gibb: We intend to discuss with each academy trust whether they wish to adopt the new model funding agreement which is being developed.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effect on the ability of staff transferring to new academy schools in September 2010 to participate in a consultation on that transfer under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations of the holding of such a consultation during the school summer holidays. [9623]
Mr Gibb: Guidance issued to schools recommends that schools have early discussions with their staff and unions when considering conversion to Academy status. Whilst there is no set period in law for the duration of a Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations, where the employer is proposing changes before the transfer, the guidance recommends that consultation should be of a suitable length to agree changes with staff. The governing body of a school will be best placed to determine the timing and length of the TUPE consultation. Outstanding schools that have applied for academy status for September 2010 will be aware of their obligations to consult.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether local authority scrutiny committees may examine the performance or operations of academy schools [8980]
Mr Nick Gibb, Minister of State (Schools): We want local authorities to continue to be powerful champions of educational excellence. It is up to local authority scrutiny committees to determine the areas or issues that they wish to examine and for each academy to determine the level of their involvement.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether (a) schools and (b) local authorities will be required to consult staff and trade unions before plans to transfer schools to academy status are taken forward. [9081]
Mr Gibb: The current employer of school staff (either the local authority or the governing body, depending on the type of school) will need to conduct a TUPE consultation with all staff and the unions as part of the staff transfer process. We have also amended the Academies Bill so that it now requires governing bodies of converting schools to consult with those persons whom they think appropriate before entering into funding arrangements with the Secretary of State.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether new academy schools will take responsibility for legal liabilities and cases from the predecessor schools. [9098]
Mr Gibb: Where the predecessor school is an employer of staff, and in relation to its position as an employer, transfer of legal liabilities and responsibilities will be governed by Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment) Regulations.
In general, the legal liabilities of the predecessor school will not automatically pass to the academy trust, but what will transfer will vary from project to project. This will depend on the nature of the legal liabilities concerned. However, it is open to the predecessor school and/or the local authority to agree with the academy trust the transfer of assets and contracts from the predecessor school/local authority to the academy trust, and as part of this agreement it may be that they would agree that some related legal liabilities would be transferred to the academy trust.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department and its agencies spent on the academies programme in the latest period for which figures are available; how many staff are employed by his Department and its agencies on the programme; how much is planned to be spent on the programme in 2010-11; and how many staff will be working on the programme in 2010-11. [9466]
Mr Gibb: In financial year 2009-10, the revenue spend on the academies programme was £1,272.09 million. The expected revenue spend in 2010-11 is currently estimated at £1,996.0 million. This excludes any expenditure on schools converting under the Academies Bill, which will depend on the numbers of schools. The capital spend in 2009-10 was £388.6 million through grant paid by the Department for Education and £307.3 million for projects funded through Partnerships for Schools (PfS). In 2010-11 the estimated spend is £301.0 million through departmental grant and £665.0 million for projects funded through PfS.
The Department is employing 115 staff engaged directly on the academies programme. The Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) has 47 members of staff working specifically on the academies programme; this is expected to increase to 81 during FY2010-11 through transfers from elsewhere in the Agency. In PfS, 17 members of staff work on the academies programme with no increase expected in 2010.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will put in place contingency plans to compensate companies contracted to provide goods or services to academy schools in circumstances in which such schools default on payments under those contracts. [9622]
Mr Gibb: Academies are independent schools established by academy trusts, which are charitable companies receiving grant from the Secretary of State for the academy's running costs. It is for potential suppliers to decide whether to enter into contracts with trusts, and in the event of any default, to pursue payment in line with the terms of the contract.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether protection of staffing structures and terms and conditions of employment in new academy schools under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations will remain in place beyond the point of transfer. [9101]
Mr Gibb: Under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations contracts are transferred with their existing terms and the protection is indefinite. The contracts remain in force until they are brought to an end or changed in accordance with normal contractual principles.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what estimate he has made of the effect on the number of Jobcentre Plus jobs of the implementation of proposals in the June 2010 Budget; [10993]
(2) what estimate he has made of the likely change in the number of front-line Jobcentre plus posts in the next two years. [11020]
Chris Grayling, Minister of State (Employment): The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
Letter from Darra Singh:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking i) what estimate he has made of the change in the number of Jobcentre Plus jobs resulting from the proposals in the June 2010 budget; and ii) what estimate he has made of the change in the number of front-line Jobcentre Plus posts in the next two years. These are issues that fall within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The impact of the proposals in the June 2010 budget will be a staffing reduction in Jobcentre Plus of 2,000 full time equivalents in 2010/11. That figure comprises a headcount efficiency of 1,000 people, with the remaining reduction of 1,000 people being due to falling work volumes. However, we continue to monitor workloadsand economic forecasts, and Jobcentre Plus staffing levels are reviewed on a regular basis as part of that.
Future staffing and spending plans for Jobcentre Plus will be dependent on the levels to be announced on 20 October 2010 in the Spending Review settlement set out by HM Treasury.
I hope that this is helpful.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect of proposed staffing changes at Jobcentre plus on the ability of Jobcentre Plus Centres to help those on incapacity benefit back into work; and if he will take steps to alleviate any negative effects of any such changes on such activities. [11036]
Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
Letter from Darra Singh:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what assessment been made of the effect of proposed staffing changes at jobcentre plus on the ability of Jobcentre Plus Centres to help those on incapacity benefit back into work; and if we are taking any steps to alleviate any negative effects of any such changes on such activities.
The impact of the proposals in the June 2010 budget will be a staffing reduction in Jobcentre Plus of 2,000 full time equivalents in 2010/11. However, we continue to monitor workloads and economic forecasts and Jobcentre Plus staffing levels are reviewed on a regular basis as part of that. We have developed plans to ensure that these headcount changes will not negatively affect Jobcentre Plus' ability to help incapacity benefit claimants back to work.
Future staffing and spending plans for Jobcentre Plus will be dependent on the levels to be announced on 20 October 2010 in the Spending Review settlement set out by HM Treasury. However, we will ensure that plans are in place to support incapacity benefits claimants following these decisions.
I hope that this is helpful.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of her Department's regulations are under review; and if she will make a statement. [7150]
Nick Herbert, Minister of State: In the Budget the Government announced plans for reducing regulatory burdens, including the introduction of a one-in-one out system for new regulations and a fundamental review of all regulation inherited from the previous Government scheduled for introduction over the coming year. These regulations will not be implemented until they have been reviewed and re-agreed by the Reducing Regulation Cabinet Committee.
The Your Freedom website launched by the Deputy Prime Minister on 1 July 2010, will also give members of the public the opportunity to suggest existing regulations for removal:
http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk/
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if she will make a statement. [9251]
Nick Herbert, Minister of State: The Home Department does not hold this information centrally and to obtain it would incur disproportionate cost.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with representatives of trade unions representing workers who are covered by the Agricultural Wages Board on her plans for the future of that Board. [12009]
Mr James Paice, Minister of State (Agriculture and Food): There have been no specific discussions, but views of the representatives of the two sides of the Agricultural Wages Board have been well known for many years. I have spoken to Ian Waddell, the leader of the workers' side to explain the reasons for the Government's decision, which is that the agricultural wages legislation is outdated, inflexible and imposes regulatory burdens on farmers which are often small businesses. I firmly believe that by lifting the cumbersome requirements of the agricultural wage framework, the industry will be better able to attract new and young entrants to the industry and to meet the challenges of 21st century farming and increasing domestic food production. The abolition of the Board will require amendments to primary legislation and therefore will be subject to proper parliamentary scrutiny and debate.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7140]
Norman Baker, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Regional and Local Transport): In the Budget the Government announced plans for reducing the regulatory burdens on business, including the introduction of a one-in-one out system for new regulations and a fundamental review of all regulation inherited from the previous Government scheduled for introduction over the coming year. These regulations will not be implemented until they have been reviewed and re-agreed by the Reducing Regulation Cabinet Committee.
As part of a wider review of employment law, the Department will also be reviewing laws within relevant policy areas to "ensure they maximise flexibility for both parties while protecting fairness and providing the competitive environment required for enterprise to thrive".
The Your Freedom website launched by the Deputy Prime Minister on 1 July 2010, will also give members of the public the opportunity to suggest existing regulations for removal, in order to reduce the burden on business.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9243]
Norman Baker, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Regional and Local Transport): In general, the Department for Transport does not hold information on the time taken by contractors it employs to pay sub-contractors. Although the Highways Agency, for instance, has undertaken some limited sampling of supplier performance in relation to the prompt payment of sub-contractors, it does not have any full, routine, verified system for monitoring supplier performance in this area.
We are taking the following steps to promote the prompt payment of sub-contractors:
We remain committed to paying invoices within five working days and encouraging our suppliers to ensure that the benefits are felt by all in the supply chain.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7149]
Stephen O'Brien, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: In the Budget the Government announced plans for reducing the regulatory burdens on business, including the introduction of a one-in-one out system for new regulations and a fundamental review of all regulation inherited from the previous Government scheduled for introduction over the coming year. These regulations will not be implemented until they have been reviewed and re-agreed by the Reducing Regulation Cabinet Committee.
The Department for International Development (DFID) is not responsible for any regulations that affect businesses.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities which of the Government Equalities Office's regulations are under review; and if she will make a statement. [7139]
Lynne Featherstone, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Equalities): In the Budget the Government announced plans for reducing the regulatory burdens on business, including the introduction of a one-in-one-out system for new regulations and a fundamental review of all regulation inherited from the previous Government scheduled for introduction over the coming year.
The Government have agreed to implement the core simplification provisions of the Equality Act 2010 in October this year and is looking at how the rest of the Act can be implemented in the best way for business.
The Your Freedom website launched by the Deputy Prime Minister on 1 July 2010, will also give members of the public the opportunity to suggest existing regulations for removal, in order to reduce the burden on business.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7152]
Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: We currently have no regulations under formal review, but we will consider any suggestions relevant to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office made through the Your Freedom website:
launched by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 1 July 2010. This gives members of the public the opportunity to suggest existing regulations for removal.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many tax credit overpayments have been written off in circumstances where claimants were diagnosed with mental health and related illnesses in each of the last three years; [10994]
(2) whether HM Revenue and Customs has discretion to write off tax credit overpayments in circumstances where claimants have been diagnosed with mental health and related illnesses. [10995]
David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) does not separately record the information requested.
Code of Practice 26 'What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit?' sets out how HMRC deal with overpayments of tax credit. If a customer, or more likely their representative, contacts HMRC and advises them that they are suffering from a mental health problem, then HMRC staff will deal with these cases carefully and sympathetically and in some circumstances will agree not to pursue the claimant for payment.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9245]
Mr Davey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The Department does not hold any central information on the time taken by contractors (tier one suppliers) to pay their sub-contractors (tier two suppliers). However, we are working closely with tier one suppliers to ensure that tier two suppliers receive payment promptly by:
BIS remains committed to pay its own invoices within five working days and continues to work closely with its suppliers to ensure that the benefits are felt by all in the supply chain.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what steps he plans to take to assist people who are on benefits back into employment; [11018]
(2) what steps he plans to take to assist long-term unemployed people back into employment. [11019]
Chris Grayling, Minister of State (Employment): We have announced plans for radical reforms of the welfare to work system and the implementation of the Work Programme. The Work Programme will be an integrated package of support providing people with personalised back-to-work help based on need and not the benefit they claim. No final decisions have been taken on which customers will be supported by the Work Programme but we expect long-term unemployed people to be among those eligible.
We are also looking to make radical changes to the benefit system to make it much simpler, and to make the financial gains from moving into work stronger and more transparent.
We are determined to move quickly and are aiming to have the Work Programme in place nationally by the summer of 2011. Alongside the core Work Programme a series of individual support measures will be introduced to get Britain working, including Work Clubs and help with moving into self-employment.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9256]
Gregory Barker, Minister of State (Climate Change): The Department does not hold any central information on the time taken by contractors (tier one suppliers) to pay their sub-contractors (tier two suppliers). However, we are working closely with tier one suppliers to ensure that tier two suppliers receive payment promptly by:
We remain committed to paying invoices within five working days and continue to work closely with our suppliers to ensure that the benefits are felt by all in the supply chain.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information her Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if she will make a statement. [9255]
Richard Benyon, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The Department does not hold this information and would incur disproportionate cost to obtain it.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what estimate has been made of the number of individuals that will enter into debt management plans where fees have been charged in each month until the end of 2010; [9832]
(2) which organisations responded to the consultation on debt management schemes that closed on 18 December 2009; and when a Government response to that consultation will be published. [9833]
Mr Djanogly, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: There are currently very little empirical data relating to debt management plans. It is estimated that 100,000 to 150,000 individual plans are created each year. However, there are no definitive data on the proportion of these where fees are charged.
The consultation on debt management schemes that closed on 18 December 2009 looked at the way that debtors deal with their indebtedness. It asked for evidence on whether the powers contained in chapter 4 of part 5 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act (TCEA) 2007 to approve operators of debt management schemes (DMS) should be introduced or whether the taking of other steps to make sure that debtors are protected and creditors' interests are safeguarded would be more appropriate.
An initial impact assessment was published alongside the consultation paper which considered the potential effectiveness of all of the options contained in the consultation paper. The impact assessment contained a number of questions which sought to obtain information relating to debt management plans. However, the few responses to these questions contained very little factual information relating to these plans.
A total of 57 responses to the consultation were received from a variety of organisations, including those from the creditor, debt management scheme operator, debt advice, legal and Government sectors as well as individuals.
Officials at the MoJ have recently completed a full analysis of the views and opinions offered by all interested parties to the debt management consultation and the Government intend to publish their response to the consultation shortly
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9260]
Robert Neill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The Department does not hold any information about the time taken by its contractors to pay invoices from their sub-contractors.
OGC is establishing a voluntary charter with suppliers in 2010 which will cover mutual commitments on a range of policy agendas that Government are pursuing through public procurement including SMEs. The charter will include commitments from signatory suppliers to open appropriate sub-contracting opportunities to SMEs and to pass on favourable terms, including prompt payment, in supply chains.
We will issue guidance to category managers in Corporate Procurement Division (CPD) encouraging this approach when the charter is in place.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7147]
Mark Prisk, Minister of State (Business and Enterprise): In the Budget the Government announced plans for reducing the regulatory burdens on business, including the introduction of a one-in-one out system for new regulations and a fundamental review of all regulation inherited from the previous Government scheduled for introduction over the coming year. These regulations will not be implemented until they have been reviewed and re-agreed by the Reducing Regulation Cabinet Committee.
As part of a wider review of employment law, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills will also be reviewing laws within relevant policy areas to
"ensure they maximise flexibility for both parties while protecting fairness and providing the competitive environment required for enterprise to thrive."
The Your Freedom website launched by the Deputy Prime Minister on 1 July 2010, will also give members of the public the opportunity to suggest existing regulations for removal, in order to reduce the burden on business.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether academies are considered to be in the private sector for the purposes of compiling the national (a) accounts, (b) economic and (c) labour market statistics. [9062]
Mr Hurd, Parliamentary Secretary: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 16 July 2010:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking whether academies are considered to be in the private sector for the purposes of compiling the national (a) accounts, (b) economic and (c) labour market statistics. 9062.
ONS produces the United Kingdom's National Accounts. The National Accounts are an internationally comparable accounting framework that describes the activities in a national economy, including the transactions that take place between sectors of that economy. The relevant international manuals are the System of National Accounts 1993 (SNA93) and the European System of Accounts 1995 (ESA95) in particular.
As part of the process of producing the National Accounts, ONS decides on the classification of institutions and transactions within the economy. This well-established process is published on the ONS website at
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/national_statistics/cop/downloads/NAclassification.pdf
and classification decisions are recorded in the Sector Classification Guide which is available at
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=7163
City Academies were initially examined by ONS in 2001, and classified in the Central Government Sector. They were reviewed again in 2005 and the initial classification decision was reconfirmed by the National Accounts Classification Committee, consequently ONS continues to classify City Academies within the public sector, as Central Government entities.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9246]
Chris Grayling, Minister of State (Employment): It is Government and departmental policy to pay in arrears after the goods or services have been satisfactorily provided and to pay promptly. DWP is a signatory to the Prompt Payment Code which aims to encourage good practice throughout the supply chain. DWP is committed to paying invoices within 10 days of receipt of a valid invoice. However the terms of the standard departmental contract state that payment will be within 30 days. Suppliers have a contractual requirement to pay subcontractors on these same standard terms.
As there is not currently a contractual requirement for suppliers to pay subcontractors within 10 working days DWP does not monitor or record the time taken by contractors to pay invoices of their subcontractors under prompt payment arrangements.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9259]
John Penrose, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: This Department does not hold data on payments to sub-contractors by our first tier suppliers.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9257]
Tim Loughton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The Department does not have a central record of the time taken by contractors to pay their sub-contractors and the information could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to make specific tax arrangements in respect of the (a) revenue and (b) capital funds of academy schools. [9489]
Justine Greening, Economic Secretary: The Government keep all taxes under review and any changes are considered as part of the normal Budget process. Academy trusts are exempted charities that can claim exemption from corporation tax. However, they are not exempt from VAT.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what information the Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by his Department to pay the invoices of its sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9262]
Mr Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office: The requirement to pay sub-contractors within 30 days is passed on to all contractors through the Department's standard terms and conditions of contract. However, the Department does not routinely monitor the prompt payment of sub-contractors. To do so would require individuals to establish contact with all suppliers to the Cabinet Office in order to ascertain their prompt payment times.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9248]
David Mundell, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The Scotland Office encourages its contractors to pay their sub-contractors as quickly as possible. However, no information or statistics are held by the Scotland Office regarding this process.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9250]
Mr Alan Duncan, Minister of State: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not maintain records on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors. In line with the Government's policy to improve supplier payment, DFID routinely pays its suppliers within 10 days in over 90% of transactions.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the re-opening of closed rail lines; and which closed lines have been identified for re-opening since May 2010. [4423]
Mrs Theresa Villiers, Minister of State (Rail and Aviation): The Government have made clear that their most urgent priority is to tackle the UK's record deficit. The scope for future rail investment will depend on decisions that will be made in the comprehensive spending review in the autumn. In these circumstances we have not identified any closed lines for re-opening since May 2010.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on a moratorium on construction on disused rail lines. [4422]
Mrs Villiers: Planning Policy Guidance (PPG13) gives guidance on the safeguarding of transport routes. We are considering issues around disused rail paths but have not yet had discussion with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Communities and Local Government. In due course, the Government will publish and present to Parliament a consolidated national planning framework covering all forms of development and setting out national economic, environmental and social priorities.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9249]
Crispin Blunt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Prisons and Probation): The Department does not hold information on the time taken by its contractors to pay their sub-contractors.
However, the Department's standard contractual terms and conditions include a stipulation that contractors ensure that a provision is included in sub-contracts which requires payment to be made of all sums due by the Contractor to the sub-contractor within a specified period not exceeding 30 days from the receipt of a valid invoice.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): I welcome my hon. Friend the Member for Houghton and Sunderland South (Bridget Phillipson) to the House. It is great that she is now the MP for the place where I spent some of the happiest years of my life.
The Minister makes a point that we hear continuously-that there was no choice. The truth is that there was a choice. We all agree that we have a terrible deficit to sort out, but the choice that the Government parties are taking is different from the one that my party would have taken if it had been in government. We do not have to choose what the Minister has chosen. That needs to be nailed to the wall now.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Andrew Stunell): I thank the hon. Gentleman for his contribution, which is one that I have heard several times from Members on the other side of the House. Unfortunately, it is no more relevant or close to reality than the projections that were made before the election, which were that everything was fine and that we could just carry on.
+++
Mr Anderson: I thank the Minister for taking this intervention; I did not want to interrupt his flow. Will he provide us with the figures? I lost track a little, but I think he said that 600,000 houses could be built for £7 billion. Can those figures be put in the Library or shared with Members so we can check them out?
Andrew Stunell: It is a good job that I did not say that, because if I had it would have been completely incorrect. If I conveyed that impression, it is a good job I am responding now, because that allows me to say that the difference in the cost of housing benefit in real terms between 10 years ago and now is £7 billion a year. I believe that the hon. Gentleman has seen my point. I do not think that there was anything wrong with what I meant to say. If there was something wrong with what I actually said, I am happy to put that right.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): I am really depressed by what is happening, particularly in relation to consultation. For years and years, quite rightly, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives attacked the previous Government for not having full consultation with people when measures such as this were going through. But to have a consultation process, or not to have a consultation process, when the people who run our schools - the teachers, the support staff, the people who do school meals and the people who clean the schools - are not even at work but are on holiday, if they can afford to take one, and to say that the head will decide and that when they come back in December they will be told what will happen to them, is clearly out of order. It is almost certainly not legal and I am convinced that there will be challenges.
Let us just think about some of the things that could happen during the summer. People who may finish work this week and return in the first week in September may not have these questions answered. Will I, or will I not, still be entitled to the sickness agreements that I have had for years in my previous employment? Will I still be entitled to the same rights of annual leave? Will my salary be the same? Will my pension be the same? Will my redundancy rights be the same? Will my access to training be the same? Will my redeployment rights be the same? Will my career development still be the same? Will any rights that I have accrued in possibly decades of service for the people of my community be the same?
In any normal consultation process - I have had long experience in six to 10 years of working for a local authority - under both the last Labour Government and the previous Conservative Government, even at the hardest of times, when there were real issues and really dogma-driven changes, people were still allowed the right to consult and to have their questions answered. There is no way, in six weeks, even if the staff were still at work, that these questions could be answered, and to say that this is the right way forward and to pretend that somehow it fits into the concept of the big society is clearly and utterly wrong. Staff will be going back to work in six weeks' time and they will be told by the head, by the board of governors, "You either take it or leave it." That has to be wrong.
+++
Mr Anderson: Does the Minister also think it correct that the professionals who deliver the education of our children have the right to be consulted and that that should be set out in the Bill?
Mr Gibb, Minister of State (Schools): I do not think that it needs to be set out in the Bill, but the hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: of course staff should be consulted, and they would be. TUPE--the transfer of undertakings (protection of employment) regulations-will govern the contracts of all the employees of the school and the transfer of employment on the same terms. He should feel assured that the necessary statutory consultation, by the employer and with the employee, will take place as part of the process
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub - contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9254]
Justine Greening, Economic Secretary: The Treasury does not hold any information on the time taken by contractors to pay sub - contractors invoices.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7155]
Gregory Barker, Minister of State (Climate Change): DECC are actively engaged in adopting the principles of regulation of the coalition Government. As part of this work all policies inherited by the last Government and yet to be implemented are being reviewed. Lord Marland has also written to DECC stakeholders asking for their views on possible existing or planned DECC regulations that may be simplified or repealed. I will consider the need for a statement once the review has been finalised.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub - contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9252]
Mr Simon Burns, Minister of State (Health): The Department does not collect this information centrally.
However, all departmental contracts contain the following clause:
"Where the Contractor enters into a sub - contract for the provision of any part of the Services, the Contractor shall ensure that a term is included in the sub - contract which requires the Contractor to pay all sums due to the sub - contractor within a specified period, not exceeding 30 days from the date of receipt of a valid invoice as defined by the terms of that sub - contract."
This clause is consistent with Office of Government Commerce best practice on payments to sub - contractors.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub - contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9253]
Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not capture data covering payments between contractors and sub - contractors. All FCO contracts include the following paragraph to ensure that payments are made promptly:
"Where the Contractor enters into a sub - contract for the provision of any part of the Services, the Contractor shall ensure that a term is included in the sub - contract which requires the Contractor to pay all sums due to the sub - contractor within a specified period, not exceeding 30 days from the date of receipt of a valid invoice as defined by the terms of that sub - contract."
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub - contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9244]
Mr Paterson, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: The Department does not hold this information.
In line with the recent Budget announcement, the Department is including a clause in all new contracts awarded with suppliers to ensure that suppliers pay their sub - contractors within 30 days. The Department will also be encouraging its suppliers to pay faster than 30 days where the Department itself is paying in 10 days or fewer.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Attorney - General what information he holds on the time taken by contractors employed by the Law Officers' Departments to pay the invoices of their sub - contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9261]
Dominic Grieve, the Attorney-General: Like other Government offices the Law Officers' Departments follow the principles of the Prompt Payment Code, but no records are maintained on the time taken by contractors to pay sub - contractors. Such information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): I am speaking as a former miner and as the chair of the all-party coalfield communities group. We recognise and welcome the trust's work. However, the Audit Commission, in its 2008 report, praised the physical and economic regeneration, but made the point that in former mining areas throughout the country, there were still high levels of worklessness, low skills and poor health.
John Healey: Indeed, and my hon. Friend chairs the all-party coalfields group very ably and plays an important role. He is right, and the National Audit Office recognised that progress had been made. Some of the gap with the rest of the country in jobs and skills has been closed, but a big challenge remains ahead. That is why the work of the trust and the wider programme is necessary for the future.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): Will my right hon. Friend also comment on the potential for challenges from some of the tens of thousands of workers who will be affected by this decision? They do not know whether they are going to be made redundant, or what their terms and conditions will be. Surely there is a legal imperative for them to be consulted properly, but that consultation will take place while most of them are on their summer holidays.
Mr Speaker: Order. The debate is starting to broaden somewhat. I know that the right hon. Gentleman will want to focus his reply in a way that relates to the Bill.
Ed Balls: Thank you, Mr Speaker.
On the subject of the consultation, we had an interesting answer on the question of schools becoming academies. We were told that there would be consultation. The fact is that the Bill that was published a few weeks ago contained no obligation for any consultation at all. It was only as a result of intervention in the other place that a provision was added to say that there should be consultation, but what obligation does that provision place on schools and governing bodies? It says that they need only consult whomever they think appropriate, and that they can consult before they decide to become an academy or after they have done the deed. The idea that that represents consultation is complete and utter nonsense.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will bring forward proposals to reduce passenger fares through changes to franchise agreements with train operating companies; [4425]
(2) if he will instruct the Office for Rail Regulation to undertake a review of the affordability of (a) walk - on fares and (b) advanced purchase national rail fares. [4426]
Theresa Villiers, Minister of State (Rail and Aviation): The Government have pledged to put fairness at the heart of their approach to rail fares. The level of rail fares will be considered as part of the overall spending review that the Government are conducting. The Rail Value for Money Study, jointly sponsored by the Office of Rail Regulation (being carried out by Sir Roy McNulty), and the Association of Train Operating Companies' review of fares are expected to provide valuable input going forward in the medium term.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): Can the Leader of the House explain why we are rushing through the Academies Bill when no consultation has taken place with parents, with governor groups or, in particular, with staff? The consultation period will apparently be during the school holidays when people either will not be in the country or will not be getting paid. Surely there is no need to rush this through, so why is that happening.
Sir George Young, Leader of the House: The hon. Gentleman is referring to the Academies Bill.
Mr Anderson: Yes, that's what I said.
Sir George Young: I believe we have offered the House adequate time to deal with the Bill. It will be taken on the Floor of the House and additional time is being made available for Members to discuss it. It has also been through the other place, so there have been opportunities for the public to comment on it since its introduction there.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority whether the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has assessed the merits of introducing a paper - based system for claiming allowance payments. [8097]
Mr Charles Walker: IPSA has advised me that the merits of introducing a paper - based system for claiming expenses were considered during the start - up phase of IPSA. It was concluded that in line with current expectations of IT - led delivery within the public sector, it would be inappropriate to design a new expenses process which was not based at least in part on an IT - led solution.
IPSA remains of the view that an IT - led, rather than paper - based, system is most appropriate. Using an IT - led solution allows IPSA to achieve a high level of transparency more easily and cheaply than an equivalent manual approach. It will also allow any future changes to processes to be more easily implemented.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority what the policy of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority is on provision of additional staff resources for hon. Members to assist with the processing of claims for allowance payments. [8098]
Mr Charles Walker: IPSA does not provide additional staff resources specifically to assist with the processing of claims under the MPs' expenses scheme. If MPs are unable to remain within their staffing budget for the current financial year, they can apply to IPSA for support from the contingency fund. All such applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7142]
Jonathan Djanogly, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The Government are currently completing a review of regulatory measures planned for introduction by the previous Government over the coming year and listed in The Forward Regulatory Programme published March 2010
The purpose of the Forward Regulatory Programme is to improve the management and scrutiny of new regulations as they are developed to reduce burdens on businesses. The programme only includes those regulations that have an impact on the private and third sectors.
These regulations will not be implemented until they have been reviewed and re - agreed by the Reducing Regulation Cabinet Committee.
The MoJ will be considering suggestions made through the 'Your Freedom' exercise which is currently asking the public for their ideas to reduce pointless regulation and unnecessary bureaucracy.
http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/1atest - news/2010/07/your - freedom - 52709
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7145]
Grant Shapps, Minister of State (Housing and Local Government): The Department is reviewing all regulation in the pipeline for implementation inherited from the previous Administration. This is in line with the cross Government action plan for reducing regulation launched by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills on 3 June.
I am also reviewing the secondary legislation, statutory guidance and regulation sponsored by this Department already on the statute. The direction of travel on the first 11 pieces of secondary legislation was published on 7 July 2010 and is available on the Department's website at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/doc/1633576.doc
Copies have also been placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of her Department's regulations are under review; and if she will make a statement. [7154]
James Paice, Minister of State (Agriculture and Food): The Government are taking steps to reduce the burden of regulation, including a fundamental review of regulations in the pipeline. DEFRA is playing a full part in this process.
As part of this commitment, Richard Macdonald will head an industry - led Task Force on Farming Regulation to identify ways to reduce the regulatory burden and advise on how best to achieve a risk - based system of regulation.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7148]
Chris Grayling, Minister of State (Employment): The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for a wide range of regulations; by necessity the Department is constantly reviewing regulations in relation to delivering its business. Details of those specific regulations currently under review could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7151]
Mr Simon Burns, Minister of State (Health): The Department is currently in the process of identifying regulations for review. The current focus is on those regulations which impact on the private sector.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7146]
Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office: The Cabinet Office currently has the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and its associated regulations under review. The Charities Act 2006 contains a requirement that it is reviewed in 2011.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7153]
Justine Greening, Economic Secretary: In the Budget the Government announced plans for reducing the regulatory burdens on business, including the introduction of a one - in, one - out system for new regulations and a fundamental review of all regulation inherited from the previous Government scheduled for introduction over the coming year. These regulations will not be implemented until they have been reviewed and re - agreed by the Reducing Regulation Cabinet Committee.
The Your Freedom website, launched by the Deputy Prime Minister on 1 July 2010, will also give members of the public the opportunity to suggest existing regulations for removal, in order to reduce the burden on business.
The Money Laundering Regulations 2007 are currently under review by HM Treasury following a "call for evidence" undertaken last year.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Attorney-General which regulations of the Law Officers' Departments are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7137]
Dominic Grieve, The Attorney-General: None.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7144]
John Penrose, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: In the Budget the Government announced plans for reducing the regulatory burdens on business, including the introduction of a one - in - one out system for new regulations and a fundamental review of all regulation inherited from the previous Government scheduled for introduction over the coming year. These regulations will not be implemented until they have been reviewed and re - agreed by the Reducing Regulation Cabinet Committee.
As part of a wider review of employment law, the Department will also be reviewing laws within relevant policy areas to "ensure they maximise flexibility for both parties while protecting fairness and providing the competitive environment required for enterprise to thrive".
The Your Freedom website:
launched by the Deputy Prime Minister on 1 July 2010, will also give members of the public the opportunity to suggest existing regulations for removal, in order to reduce the burden on business.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the budget is of each current project in Iraq funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [4783]
Tim Loughton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The Department for Education funds no projects in Iraq.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will bring forward proposals to ensure that academy schools meet the same requirements as other schools in respect of the (a) provision of school meals and other food in schools and (b) teaching about food and nutrition. [4719]
Mr Gibb, Minister of State (Schools): The freedom and autonomy enjoyed by Academies is crucial to enabling them to drive up standards.
We believe that Academies should have the freedom to respond to parental demand and provide a high standard of food and an appropriate curriculum that best meets the needs of their pupils. We will require Academies to provide free school meals for pupils who are entitled to them in the same way as for maintained schools.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of her Department's regulations are under review; and if she will make a statement. [7141]
Mr David Jones, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The following regulations will be reviewed and updated:
The National Assembly for Wales (Disqualification) Order 2006
The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of his Department's regulations are under review; and if he will make a statement. [7143]
Mr Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Following devolution, much of the regulatory framework in Northern Ireland is now the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is not currently reviewing any regulations within its own area of responsibility.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether proposed Academy Arrangements will require academies to comply with nutritional standards for school meals. [4074]
Mr Gibb, Minister of State (Schools): Some existing academies are required to comply with these standards through their funding agreements. However, new academies will not be required to comply with nutritional standards for school meals: they will be free to promote healthy eating and good nutrition as they see fit.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether there will be a standard Academy Arrangement which will be used between new Academy Schools and his Department. [4075]
Mr Gibb, Minister of State (Schools): We intend to publish a model funding agreement shortly to be used between new Academy schools and the Department.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on funding local railway improvements; and if he will make a statement. [4424]
Mrs Villiers, Minister of State (Rail and Aviation): Local authorities have the power to fund railway improvements and can use locally determined budgets for this purpose. Government funding for local transport will be considered as part of the Spending Review.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): Further to the point made by the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr Jackson), a lot of people were made wealthy in the 1980s, and 200,000 coal miners got £20,000 to go on the dole queue - paid out of the public purse.
Nadhim Zahawi: And your point is? At the end of the day, you only have to look at the facts. The facts are that you have left us with a legacy of £500 million a day-
Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. I did not leave anybody with a legacy of anything.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): Does the hon. Gentleman recollect the closure in 1986 of this country's coal mining industry by the Conservative Government? That included closing the most advance clean-coal technology site in the world-at Grimethorpe colliery in Barnsley.
Zac Goldsmith: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. Times change: the case now for clean coal has been renewed on the back of emerging evidence for climate change. If he does not mind, I will not go back 25 years, but I shall continue with a very brief description of what I regard as a huge failure over the past 10 years.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): The whole House will be aware of and concerned by the ongoing incident in the north-east. The killing of Chris Brown and the wounding of Samantha Stobbart took place in my town of Birtley, and our thoughts and prayers should go out to their families and friends, and to PC David Rathband and his folk. Can the Prime Minister update the House on this issue, and can he assure us that all lessons will be learned from this incident? Can we especially look again at getting guns off our streets?
The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman is right to raise this case, and the whole country is thinking of those who have lost their lives and those who have been injured. It is a horrific case. I do not think that it is right now to start to talk about learning lessons: this is an ongoing case. The Home Secretary has been briefed by the chief constable and I know that the House and the country will wish the police well in their search for this individual, so that we can put a stop to the horrendous spree that is taking place.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) front line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) her Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what her most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. [539]
Nick Herbert, Minister of State (Police): There is no standard, commonly agreed definition of front line staff. For the purposes of this question we have taken it to mean staff working in operational business areas including ports, airports and passport offices. This is consistent with the definition applying in the context of the current recruitment freeze. This definition of front line excludes staff carrying out other vital public services, for example, supporting national security. The Home Office front line and non front line employee full-time equivalent for 2008/09 in table one is calculated on that basis.
The average staff pay cost per full-time equivalent in 2009/10 was £33,130 covering national pay, earnings related national insurance contribution, superannuation and London weighting (excluding specific grade allowances and overtime). It is not possible to provide separate costs for front line and other staff without incurring disproportionate cost.
| Table 1: Home Office employee FTE, by front line and non front line categorisation, 2009/10 | ||
| Front line( 3) | Other( 4) | |
| IPS | 3,106 | 892 |
| CRB(1) | 308 | 328 |
| UKBA | 19,175 | 2,922 |
| HQ(2) | 390 | 2,660 |
| (1) CRB excludes temporary staff. (2 )Excludes Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. (3 )Front line equals those based in cost centres identified as activity public facing/effecting decisions directly supporting such actions, or serving a mixed function where roles cannot be separated. (4) Other refers to central or local corporate support. Notes: 1. Figures rounded to nearest whole number. 2. Includes permanent and temporary staff unless stated. 3. Agency workers, consultants and contingent labour are excluded unless stated. Source: Local Home Office HR data: there are discrepancies with other published statistics where definitions differ. | ||
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will bring forward proposals for a minimum-funded annual entitlement for teachers' professional development before assessing the merits of a teachers' licensing scheme. [1956]
Mr Nick Gibb, Minister of State (Schools): There are provisions within the existing School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document which provide for teachers to be able to access professional development.
We are currently undertaking a review of all our policies and as soon as we are able to provide more information, we will, of course, make a formal announcement. However, we have no plans to introduce licensing for teachers.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what projects in Iraq are being funded by his Department; what the budget of each such project is; and if he will make a statement. [4014]
Mr David Willetts, Minister of State (Universities and Science) - Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: This Department currently supports two education programmes with Iraq:
(i) A programme of capacity building and support for the rebuilding of a modernised and robust technical and vocational education system responsive to the economic and social needs currently facing Iraq-the Rawabit Programme. This programme has been running since 2004. BIS has contributed funding of £950,000 towards the programme since 2006. A further £300,000 will be provided this financial year bringing the total to £1.2 million.
(ii) The Higher Education Leadership and Management for Iraq programme (HELMI). Two year programme started in 2009/2010 to strengthen academic and leadership management in Iraqi HE. The budget for this programme over the two years is £237,144. The programme will finish in March 2011.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the budget is of each current project in Iraq funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [4782]
Mr Crispin Blunt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Prisons and Probation): There are no current projects in Iraq which are directly funded by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
One member of staff from HM Prison Service (HMPS) is currently on secondment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office supporting the European Community's Rule of Law Programme in Iraq. MoJ's contribution towards this secondment is £25,000 pa.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will undertake an investigation to establish whether mobile telecommunications masts have any effects on populations of honey bees. [4819]
Mr James Paice, Minister of State (Agriculture and Food): The Food and Environment Research Agency's National Bee Unit (NBU) has recently been investigating the causes of colony losses in England and Wales and the key results have been published on its website:
The results have shown that the most important risk factor in the mortality or weakening of colonies is deformed wing virus, a virus transmitted by the parasitic varroa mite, clearly indicating failed or unsuccessful treatments of mite infestations.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that mobile telecommunications masts are having an effect on bee populations and this is not an avenue of research that is being considered in the USA, where Colony Collapse Disorder has been confirmed.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget is of each current project in Iraq funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [4784]
Mr Simon Burns, Minister of State (Health): The Department is currently funding no projects in Iraq.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front line staff in his Department and its agencies. [497]
Mr Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport: Possible reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in this Department and the potential resulting costs will be considered, alongside all other departmental functions, in the context of the review of all Government spending now under way.
Like any good employer, the Department seek to manage downsizing through natural wastage, redeployment and voluntary departures.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) front line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. [542]
Mr Philip Hammond: Typically, front line services in the Department for Transport are provided by the Department's Executive agencies. The 2008-09 Annual Report and Resource Accounts (tables A5 and A6 in Appendix A, pages 227-28 copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House) identify 16,613 full-time equivalent's (FTE's) working in the Department's Executive agencies and 1,932 FTE's working within the central Department.
As stipulated in the 2010 Spending Review Departmental Guidance, costings will come with greater clarity where our Executive agencies are concerned:
"In order to control the administration costs of ALB's (Arm's Length Bodies) the Treasury is proposing to bring the administration costs of ALB's within the overall administration budget regime. To do this, departments will need to determine 10/11 administration spending within each of their ALBs."
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, answering for the House of Commons Commission when the security entrance between the Victoria Embankment and Norman Shaw Buildings will be reopened. [6472]
Sir Stuart Bell: Security audits in 2004 and 2009 both recommended that the Embankment entrance by the Norman Shaw South building should be closed. This recommendation was endorsed by Members of both Houses on the Joint Committee on Security (JCOS). A significant amount of upgrade work would be needed to make the entrance safe-both for the occupants of the adjacent Norman Shaw Buildings and for the security staff on duty at the post. The entrance was therefore closed in May 2010.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead (Ian Mearns) for doing the job of the Secretary of State and bringing us the documents from the Library. As a result, I now know that four schools in Blaydon will not get support. Are we not seeing the real cost of the Tory Budget? Is it not the truth that the Government are giving corporation tax cuts, introducing a very timid bank levy and doing nothing about tax evasion and avoidance, but the people paying for it are the schoolchildren of Blaydon?
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his point. I am afraid that Blaydon will not benefit because it falls within one of the local authorities that has not reached financial close. However, two schools in his constituency have already opened under Building Schools for the Future - [Interruption.] In Blaydon. I hope the pupils in those schools are benefiting. They will certainly benefit in future from the expansion into the north-east of Teach First, which will result in supremely talented teachers in secondary and primary schools who can help to raise attainment in his constituency.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the results of the Health Technology Assessment's pilot study undertaken as part of the UK Lung Cancer Screening Trial; and if he will make a statement. [4688]
Mr Burstow, Minister of State (Care Services): The Department's current expectation is that the United Kingdom lung cancer screening trial pilot study will start in early 2011. The result of the study is likely in these circumstances to be published in the second half of 2013.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what projects in Iraq are being funded by his Department; what the budget is of each; and if he will make a statement. [4016]
Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Afghanistan/South Asia, counter terrorism/proliferation, North America, Middle East and North Africa): The tri-departmental conflict pool's middle east programme, which is jointly managed by the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development, has an allocation of £6.8 million to support projects in Iraq in the current financial year. The objective of the middle east conflict pool is to support the development of effective and accountable public institutions to protect citizens and deliver services in Iraq. All three Departments deliver projects funded by the conflict pool. Projects to be delivered by the FCO in 2010-11 are:
| Name | Allocation (£) |
| Provision of justice and forensic advisers to support the Iraqi criminal justice system in its efforts to increase the use of forensic evidence and reduce reliance on confessions. (April 2010-March 2011) | 1,639,489 |
| Provision of secondees to the EU Integrated Rule of Law mission to Iraq (EUJUST LEX), which trains police, judiciary and penitentiary officers through workshops and secondments, with an emphasis on human rights. (April 2010-March 2011) | 365,000 |
| Supporting the Iraqi Parliament in the creation of scrutiny committees, which will lead to more thorough and rigorous scrutiny of the executive. (April 2010-March 2011) | 356,000 |
| Total | 2,360,489 |
In addition to conflict pool funded projects, the FCO also has an allocation of £147,555 for 2010-11 to deliver targeted projects aimed at enhancing bilateral relations with Iraq. Previous projects include training for journalists, a human rights public awareness campaign and an electoral awareness project.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what projects in Iraq are being funded by his Department; what the budget of each such project is; and if he will make a statement. [4015]
Nick Harvey, Minister of State (Armed Forces): The tri-departmental conflict pool's middle east programme is jointly managed by Ministry of Defence (MOD), Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the Department for International Development, and has an allocation of £6.8 million to support projects in Iraq in the current financial year. The objective of the middle east north Africa conflict pool is to support the development of the effective and accountable public institutions to protect citizens and deliver services in Iraq. The solely MOD element of these projects amounts to £342,000 and has been allocated in support of the MOD-sponsored Iraqi officer training programme, which is developing the capability and capacity of the Iraqi security forces.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the budget is of each current project in Iraq funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [4781]
Mr Ed Vaizey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: This Department does not directly fund any project in Iraq. However, the British Library and the British Museum are providing valuable support for the preservation of the Iraqi cultural heritage through their work in Baghdad and Basra.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what projects in Iraq are being funded by his Department; what the budget of each such project is; and if he will make a statement. [4013]
Mr Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development: Details of projects funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) in Iraq are provided in the following table.
| Name | Duration of Project | Budget (£) |
| Iraq Infrastructure Services Programme (MSP)-repairing power and water infrastructure in southern Iraq. | June 2005 to July 2010 | 34,664,000 |
| Development Partnerships in Higher Education (DelPHE) Iraq | September 2009 to March 2012 | 3,000,000 |
| Technical Support for Iraq (TSI)-building effective government structures. | July 2008 to March 2011 | 17,400,000 |
| World Bank Private Sector Development (PSD) Trust Fund-improving conditions for private sector development. | September 2009 to September 2011 | 4,000,000 |
| Small Business Finance-loans programme in Basra. | June 2009 to March 2011 | 1,380,000 |
| Youth Employment Pilot Programme (YEPP) in Basra | July 2009 to March 2011 | 985,647 |
| Az Zubayr Water Treatment Plant (Phase One) in Basra. | July to December 2010 | 610,000 |
| Contribution to 2010 UNICEF Annual Humanitarian Appeal | January to December 2010 | 2,500,000 |
| Contribution to 2010 UNHCR Annual Humanitarian Appeal | January to December 2010 | 1,500,000 |
| Contribution to 2010 International Red Cross Humanitarian Appeal | January to December 2010 | 1,000,000 |
The tri-departmental Conflict Pool's Middle East programme is jointly managed by MOD, FCO and DFID. DFID is managing the following Conflict Pool project:
| Name | Duration of Project | Budget (£) |
| Basra Governance Support Programme-strengthening Basra provincial functions and structures. | October 2009 to September 2010 | 900,000 |
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what plans the Government Equalities Office has to consult trade unions concerning deficit reduction plans. [616]
Lynne Featherstone, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Equalities): The Government Equalities Office (GEO) has already informed, in writing, the trade union representatives within the GEO about possible deficit reductions.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agency. [629]
Mr Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office: No front line or other staff have been made redundant and consequently there are no redundancy costs at this time.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in his Department and its agencies. [483]
Mr Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office: No cost estimate has been produced at this stage. The detailed allocation of the Cabinet Office's share of the £6 billion savings is still being finalised.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) front-line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) her Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what her most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. [535]
Richard Benyon, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Natural Environment and Fisheries): The Department and its Executive Agencies contain a mix of staff working in a wide range of areas, including policy development, analysis and research, operational services to the public, and support functions. We have not at this stage carried out a detailed analysis of how many posts fall into which category and so information on the breakdown between front-line and other staff is not held by the Department.
The following table shows the total number and cost of staff employed by the Department.
| Department/Agency | Number of staff | Cost of staff (£ million) |
| DEFRA (core department) | 2,516 | 121.7 |
| Animal Health | 1,590 | 56.2 |
| CEFAS | 561 | 20.2 |
| FERA | 852 | 30.4 |
| MFA | 268 | 9.7 |
| RPA | 3,528 | 123.1 |
| VLA | 1,203 | 41.2 |
| VMD | 155 | 6.8 |
The numbers of staff shown are full-time equivalents as at 31 March 2010.
The cost of staff includes salaries plus employers' National Insurance and Superannuation contributions, and covers the 2009-10 Financial Year.
The Marine and Fisheries Agency is included in the table as it was not subsumed into the Marine Management Organisation NDPB until 1 April 2010.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with his colleague, the hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes), who said, only on 15 June:
"I hope we don't get a VAT rise because it is the most regressive form of tax"?
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander): No party went into the election promising to increase VAT, but the hon. Gentleman should make no mistake: the rise in VAT is a result of the public finances that we inherited from his Front-Bench colleagues. One could say that it is a Labour inheritance tax.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): I remember a similar situation. Does my hon. Friend remember also that in the 1980s people continually said, "There is no alternative"? Now, the code for that is, "This is unavoidable", and it is sad that the Liberal Democrats have been taken in by the Conservative party. The Lib Dems are the real dupes in this House.
Katy Clark: I agree. I listened with care to the hon. Member for Solihull (Lorely Burt), who basically said that we could not afford the benefit system and, therefore, it was necessary to take these steps, but the House must remind itself again and again that we are a hugely wealthy country. We have the fifth wealthiest economy in the world, but the wealth and power in society are unevenly distributed, and that has to be the backdrop whenever we have these discussions.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): Does the hon. Lady disagree with the OECD, which said that the previous Government's actions prevented this country from going from a recession into a depression? If those actions had not been taken, we really would have been in a mess.
Lorely Burt: The hon. Gentleman makes a fair point. Indeed, the Liberal Democrats supported some of the steps that the Labour Government took, but that does not allow Labour Members to wash their hands completely of this country's financial state.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): I understand the long and proud record that the Secretary of State has in this House. Does the hon. Gentleman understand, however, that some Labour Members have not just been there for 10 years, but have lived this? We lived this same experiment in the 1980s and we saw the devastating impact on the people we represent-the people who had to pay for the failure of the Government at that time, when unemployment was not a price worth paying in the areas where I and many other Labour Members come from.
Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): Nobody doubts the hon. Gentleman's commitment to relieving poverty, but does he think that the system that we have at the moment is perfect? Of course it is not. We are trying to create a fairer system in which there are real opportunities to create a society where people are given incentives to climb out of unemployment, despair and poverty. That is what this Budget is trying to do.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): Does my right hon. Friend share the concerns of the Royal College of Nursing, which, in relation to a Department that allegedly is protected, suggests that at least 5,500 and, possibly, as many as 30,000 front-line nurses' jobs will go?
Yvette Cooper: My hon. Friend is right that the Government's proposals do not even include the consequences of the spending review and the proposed additional £17 billion of cuts in public services.
We think that it is better for people to be in work than on the dole, and that is why we funded the future jobs fund and additional support and jobs. They were often in the community and run by the voluntary sector, and they helped young people to obtain the skills that they needed and to stay off the dole. Yet, shockingly, the Government have cut 90,000 jobs through the future jobs fund, putting all those people-additionally-back on to the dole and pushing up unemployment bills. As a result, even on the OBR's calculations, those measures will cost the Government £2 billion more over the next four years. They will have to pay additional benefits for the unemployed, and the financial, economic and social price of higher long-term unemployment will cost us more for years.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects to announce the results of the universal free school meals pilot schemes; and if he will make a statement. [1531]
Nick Gibb, Minister of State (Schools): The pilots in Newham, Durham and Wolverhampton, started in the autumn term 2009 and will run until July 2011. We have commissioned NatCen (National Centre for Social Research) to undertake the evaluation of the pilots. We will closely evaluate them for evidence on how each option affects take up of school lunches; impacts on children's outcomes including diet at school and at home, health, behaviour and attainment; and value for money. We expect the full evaluation results to be available early in 2012. Some results, such as the effect on school lunch take-up, will be available earlier.
As the Secretary of State made clear in his letter of 7 June to the right hon. Member for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls) which has been placed in the Library, the Government will not be funding the additional free school meals pilots in Islington, Bradford, Nottingham, Cumbria and Medway that were due to start in September 2010.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) front line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. [544]
Chris Grayling, Minister of State (Employment): The number of staff employed by the Department and each of its agencies as at 31 March 2010 is set out as follows:
| Jobcentre Plus | Pension, Disability and Carers Service | Departmental staff (shared services) | |
| Front-line staff | 80,742 | 12,737 | 1,392 |
| Other staff | 1,905 | 1,232 | 10,847 |
| Total | 82,647 | 13,969 | 12,239 |
| Note: Staff figures are shown as full-time equivalents. | |||
The Department categorises 'front-line' staff as operational staff serving external customers and other staff directly supporting these functions.
The costs associated with the figures cannot be supplied without disproportionate cost.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front-line staff in his Department and its agencies. [487]
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education: The Department for Education is subject to the same recruitment restrictions as all other Government Departments. It has not yet identified any necessary additional reductions to its non-front-line staff and therefore cannot provide any estimate in relation to cost.
The cost to the Department of any release payments this year will be disclosed in the Department's resource accounts for 2010/11.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) front-line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. [532]
Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for Defence: We do not distinguish between front-line and non-front-line staff. Information in this format could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front line staff in her Department and its agencies. [493]
Nick Herbert, Minister of State: We do not yet have a precise estimate of the reductions in non-front-line staff which will be needed this year. But we will be seeking to minimise the costs of those reductions, by using, in the first instance, recruitment freezes and normal turnover.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) front-line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. [529]
Mr Edward Davey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs): The latest figures published by the Office of National Statistics for Q4 2009 show total BIS staff numbers at 4,100 which includes 353 BIS staff in regional offices that are not paid by BIS. These figures are not yet broken down by frontline and other staff. The pay costs of employing BIS staff for 2009-10 was £186 million.
I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service, Companies House, the National Measurement Office, the Intellectual Property Office and the Skills Funding Agency and they will respond to the hon. Member directly.
Letter from Peter Mason, dated 22 June 2010:
I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (NMO) (formerly National Weights and Measures Laboratory) to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 26 May 2010 2010/39 to the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, asking how many a) front line and b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies.
NMO employed 21 FTE front line staff at a cost of £933.222, and 43 other FTE staff at a cost of £2,361,778 in 2009/10.
Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 21 June 2010:
I am replying on behalf of the Skills Funding Agency to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 26 May (UIN 529), to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, concerning numbers and costs of employing frontline and other staff in the Department and its agencies.
The Skills Funding Agency was set up as an agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 1 April 2010. Staff numbers and estimated costs for Skills Funding Agency 2010-2011 are as follows:
FTE Payroll costs (£ million) Staff employed and charged to the programme budget (includes ESF funding)(1) 834 42.0 Other staff employed by the Skills Funding Agency and charged to the Skills Funding Agency's budget 944 50.2 Staff employed by Skills Funding Agency and seconded to RDAs 32 1.8 Staff employed by Skills Funding Agency within the shared service whose costs are funded by the YPLA (Department for Education) 46 2.2 Total 1,856 96.2 (1) Staff employed and charged to the programme budget are those we classify as front line staff.
Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 3 June 2010:
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question how many (a) front-line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies.
The total number of staff employed by The Insolvency Service as at March 2010 numbered 3,125 split between front-line services at 2,817 and other 308.
In 2009-10, some 27% of The Insolvency Service's costs were met by the public purse, with the remainder being met from fee income. The front-line staff working in those activities funded from the public purse totalled 517, at a total cost of £15.5m. It is only possible to estimate the other staff numbers and costs as they are not allocated directly to public purse and non-public purse funded activities. We estimate that out of "other", some 61 staff at £3.3m cost would have been funded from the public purse.
Letter from John Alty, dated 2 June 2010:
I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 26 May 2010, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) was established as a Trading Fund to provide services to rights holders. There were an average of 913 full time equivalents (FTEs) working for the Office in 2009/10. All of these costs were met by fees from users at no cost to the public purse.
In line with its Executive Agency and Trading Fund status, the IPO is required to produce a set of Annual Report & Accounts, included in which, are its people costs. The latest set of accounts can be found at:
Letter from Gareth Jones:
I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 26 May 2010, UIN 529, to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Companies House was established as a Trading Fund to provide services to the general public. There was an average of 1063 full time equivalents (FTEs) working for the Agency in 2009/10. All of these costs were met by fees from users at no cost to the public purse.
In line with its Executive Agency and Trading Fund status, Companies House is required to produce a set of Annual Report and Accounts, which includes its people costs. The Annual Report and Accounts for 2009/10 will be laid before Parliament prior to the summer recess.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many (a) front-line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type in his Department. [534]
Gregory Barker, Minister of State (Climate Change): The numbers of staff employed by the Department in 2009-10 (subject to audit) are:
The Department has no agencies.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies on cost reduction plans. [606]
Justine Greening, Economic Secretary: The Government published its proposals for the spending review on 9 June: 'The Spending Review Framework' (Cm 7872). As part of this, the Government will consult at the sectoral level, to ensure that all issues are properly considered and priorities balanced against each other. Departments, including HM Treasury, will be asked to do this over the summer to inform the spending review.
Officials from HM Treasury hold regular meetings with their recognised trade unions, and would consult them on any changes to terms and conditions of service.
As neither the Asset Protection Agency nor the UK Debt Management Office currently recognises a trade union, those bodies intend to consult staff directly on any changes to terms and conditions of service arising from pay or pension reductions as a contribution to the Government's deficit reduction plans.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front-line staff in his Department and its agencies. [486]
Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for Defence: We do not distinguish between front-line and non-front-line staff. Information in this format could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Decisions on how many military and civilian personnel we need for the future will be made in the context of the Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review. The defence section of this review will conclude by the autumn, alongside the Government's Spending Review. Should it be necessary for any staff to be made redundant, the Department will pay compensation in accordance with its legal obligations.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in his Department and its agencies. [482]
Edward Davey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs): Plans for reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills are not sufficiently developed at this stage to enable us to estimate the cost.
I have approached the Chief Executives of the Insolvency Service, Companies House, the National Measurement Office, the Intellectual Property Office and the Skills Funding Agency and they will respond to the hon. Member directly.
Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 3 June 2010:
I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 26 May 2010, UIN 482 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Companies House is a Trading Fund and Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Companies House has not budgeted for any redundancy/severance costs, however, as a Trading Fund any costs would be met by fees from our customers and would represent no cost to the public purse.
Letter from Peter Mason, dated 1 June 2010:
I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 26 May to the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, asking about estimates of the annual cost of redundancy payments for staff employed by the Department and its Agencies.
The cost to the Agency of any redundancy or other exit payments this year will be disclosed in its Annual Report and Accounts of 2010/11. As matters stand, however, we do not envisage having to make such payments during the current year.
Letter from John Alty, dated 2 June 2010:
I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 26 May 2010, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is a Trading Fund and Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The IPO has not budgeted for any redundancy/severance costs however as a Trading Fund any costs would be met by fees from users and would represent no cost to the public purse.
Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 3 June 2010:
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in his Department and its agencies.
The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills set out its plan for 2010/11 in its Corporate Plan. This included a planned reduction in non-frontline staff working in corporate services functions during 2010-11 of 12.6 (FTE). With the recent announcements of plans to cut £61/4 billion of wasteful spending across the public sector The Insolvency Service is reviewing its Corporate plan for 2010-11 which may lead to further changes in planned numbers of non-frontline staff.
A large proportion (73%) of the Insolvency Service's functions are funded by fee income and the impact of any reductions will therefore only apply to the 27% funded from the public purse.
Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 21 June 2010:
I am replying on behalf of the Skills Funding Agency to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 26 May (UIN 482), to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, concerning the cost of proposed reductions in non-frontline staff in the Department and its agencies.
The Skills Funding Agency was set up as an agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 1 April 2010. As a new agency, we are currently looking at the implications of the recent announcements and the impact on the future shape of the organisation.
The cost to the agency of any reduction in numbers of non-frontline staff this financial year will be disclosed in the accounts for 2010/11.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which of his Department's programmes to assist industry are under review. [2354]
Mark Prisk, Minister of State (Business and Enterprise): In common with other Government Departments, this Department, in conjunction with the Treasury, has undertaken a review of all significant expenditure approvals since 1 January 2010, which included several Industry Support projects. The full list of these projects is as follows:
The results of these reviews and those of non-Business Support projects were announced to the House by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 17 June.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has to consult trade unions in his Department on cost reduction plans. [604]
Gregory Barker, Minister of State (Climate Change): The Recognition Agreement (September 2009) between the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the recognised trade unions, the Public and Commercial Services Union, Prospect, and the First Division Association, clearly sets out the agreed processes for consultation.
The formal DECC Consultative Council meetings are held twice annually, normally in September and February. DECC Consultative Council has also appointed sub-committees to discuss particular issues which may not be appropriate to the main HQ Consultative Council.
Additionally, the DECC senior management team meets frequently and less formally with the trades unions through the year to address any emerging issues as they arise.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in his Department and its agencies; [485]
(2) what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agency. [631]
John Penrose, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: To deliver savings in 2010-11, the Department is making savings on its non-pay budgets, and through reducing spend on non-permanent staff. The Department and its agency will take all possible steps to avoid compulsory redundancies. We are working closely with staff and unions to ensure this outcome. We will not be making final decision on these items until overall spending figures have been confirmed through the usual Budget and public spending review processes later this year.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to introduce a cancer screening programme using the oncimmune blood test; and if he will make a statement. [1655]
Mr Paul Burstow, Minister of State (Care Services): The oncimmune blood test is an assay for the measurement of autoantibodies against a panel of antigens known to be expressed in lung cancer. Research continues into its potential role as part of a strategy including imaging for early detection of lung cancer in individuals at increased risk.
The United Kingdom National Screening Committee (UK NSC) advises Ministers and the national health service in all four UK countries about all aspects of screening policy and supports implementation. The UK NSC draws on latest research evidence and assesses new programmes against a set of internationally recognised criteria, covering the condition, the test, the treatment options, the effectiveness and acceptability of the screening programme.
The UK NSC last reviewed screening for lung cancer in July 2006 and is due to review its position on screening again following the publication of the Health Technology Assessment's (HTA) pilot study results which are part of the HTA's UK Lung Cancer Screening Trial (UKLS). The UK NSC will also consider any additional new evidence available at that time.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff. [633]
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education: The Department for Education and its predecessor, the Department for Children Schools and Families, has made no employees redundant.
The Department is subject to the same recruitment restrictions as all other Government Departments. It has not yet identified any necessary additional reductions to its non-frontline staff and therefore cannot provide any estimate in relation to cost.
The cost to the Department of any release payments this year will be disclosed in the Department's Resource Accounts for 2010/11.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take to ensure that the views of staff and their trade unions are taken into account in the establishment of academy schools. [1764]
Mr Nick Gibb, Minister of State (Schools): The governing body, which includes staff representation, must agree that the school can become an academy before an application is made. Guidance issued for schools wishing to convert to an academy provides further detailed information and is available at:
www.education.gov.uk/academies
In addition, during the conversion process, the current employer of school staff (either the local authority or governing body) will be required to conduct a TUPE consultation with all staff and the unions as part of the staff transfer process.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies. [630]
Robert Neill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The cost for redundancies in Communities and Local Government for the financial year 2009-10 was circa £69,000.
The Department's agencies are the Fire Service College, QE11 Conference Centre and Planning Inspectorate.
The estimated cost of redundancies in the Fire Service College for the financial year 2009-10 was circa £480,000. The Planning Inspectorate and QE11 Conference Centre have not had any redundancies.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what her estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front line staff in the Government Equalities Office and its agencies. [500]
Lynne Featherstone, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Home Office: The Government Equalities Office is not proposing to cut any staff numbers in 2010-11.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how many (a) front-line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) the Government Equalities Office and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what her most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type in that office. [543]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office is a small policy department and our main function is supporting Ministers, for example in developing legislation, rather than delivering front-line services. GEO employed on average130 staff in 2009-10 in this role, at a cost of £7.4 million. The Government Equalities Office does not have any agencies.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) front line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. [541]
Mr Kenneth Clarke, Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice: In 2009, it is recorded that 27,500 employees were employed in the Ministry of Justice and its agencies, Her Majesty's Court Service and the Tribunals Service and The Office of the Public Guardian (but excluding NOMS).
It is not possible to clearly distinguish front line staff from other staff as many staff in local offices, courts and tribunals across England and Wales work in both public facing and back office roles. However, we can confirm that of the above 27,500 staff, 21,130 worked in Her Majesty's Court Service, 2,990 worked in the Tribunals Service and 370 were employed in the Office of the Public Guardian all of which have primarily a public service delivery or "front line" functions. The annual cost to the public purse of employing staff in the Ministry of Justice and its agencies (excluding NOMS) from August 2008-09 is £736,269,325.
The remaining 3,010 staff are employed in the Ministry of Justice corporate functions, including Ministerial Offices, Finance, HR, Legal, Criminal Justice Policy and Communications.
The National Offender Management Service is an Agency of the Ministry of Justice. Information on the number and cost of directly employed NOMS civil service staff (i.e. not including Probation Trust employees) at 31 December 2009 shows that 45,538 staff were employed in Public Sector Prisons and therefore in "front line" roles. The employment cost of these staff was £1,405,000,000. Non front line staff (including those working in shared operational support, area support and central headquarters) totalled 4,198 and the employment costs were £181 million.
All the salary details above are calculated from average salaries, including Earnings Related National Insurance Contributions and Accruing Superannuation Liability Contributions.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff her Department employed on the most recent date for which figures are available; and what the annual staff cost was. [1572]
Mrs Gillan, Secretary of State for Wales: As at 31 March 2010, 58 staff (of a total staff complement of 65) were employed in the Wales Office; and the annual staff cost was £3,641,984.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff his Department employed on the most recent date for which figures are available; and what the annual staff cost was. [1571]
Michael Moore, Secretary of State for Scotland: Information on Scotland Office staff numbers and costs are published routinely in the Office's annual report, copies of which are in the House Library.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to visit the North East; and if he will make a statement. [2355]
The Prime Minister: I hope to make visits across the United Kingdom over the coming months.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) front line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. [538]
Mr Simon Burns, Minister of State (Health): The Department does not employ front-line staff. Its Executive Agency, the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has defined some front-line staff in its core public health operating functions of medicines licensing, pharmacovigilance, inspections, enforcement and its various devices functions as frontline.
As at 31 March 2009, the core Department employed 2,630 whole time equivalent civil servants. As at 31 March 2009, the MHRA employed 901 whole time equivalent civil servants. According to its definitions, the MHRA employs 366 front-line whole time equivalent civil servants and 535 'other', whole time equivalent civil servants.
The cost of the core Department's paybill during the 2009-10 financial year was £151.9 million. The MHRA has estimated the annual cost to the public purse of the MHRA employing staff of each type during the 2009-10 financial year was £19.3 million for front-line staff and £33.2 million for 'other' staff.
Since 31 March 2010 there has been only one Executive Agency of the Department: the MHRA.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Department holds on the number of miners who do not speak English who are employed in coal mines in the UK. [1762]
Charles Hendry, Minister of State (Renewable Energy): No such information is held.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies on lost reduction plans. [602]
Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for Defence: We are working with the trade unions in accordance with agreed arrangements. We will consult them regarding the implementation of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, and the implications for staff of the associated settlement for Defence in the wider Government Spending Review.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies. [632]
Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for Defence: We hold information centrally only on the Department-wide Voluntary Early Release schemes instigated to deliver the Spending Review 2004 and 2007 reductions in the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) civilian staff. The total liability cost averaged some £44 million a year over the period 2005-06 to 2009-10.
Beyond this, a number of smaller-scale voluntary release schemes have been run across the wider MOD to achieve specific business needs. The cost of these is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
As part of the Government's commitment to greater transparency, we plan to publish information on the cost and numbers of exit packages, including redundancy and early retirement, in our Annual Report and Accounts from 2010-11.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff. [643]
David Mundell, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: All the staff in the Scotland Office are on secondment, mainly from the Ministry of Justice or the Scottish Government and redundancy issues are a matter for these parent bodies.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison service staff of each Civil Service grade were employed at each prison in each of the last three financial years. [1227]
Crispin Blunt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Prisons and Probation): Information on the number of staff employed in each Prison Service establishment in the last three years has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her most recent estimate is of the annual cost to her Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) her Department and (ii) its agencies. [635]
Richard Benyon, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Natural Environment and Fisheries): The Department has not made any estimate of redundancy costs.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies concerning deficit reduction plans. [614]
Mr Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport: The Department for Transport and its agencies have met with the recognised trade unions informally to agree a regular forum to discuss potential impact on departmental activity of the deficit reduction plans.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies on cost reduction plans. [598]
Edward Davey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs): On 26 May 2010 the HR Director for BIS and his team met with the departmental trade unions (PCS, prospect and FDA) regarding the implications of the Chancellor's announcement on 24 May. A programme of weekly meetings is being set up to maintain the dialogue and consultation on this.
The agencies of BIS have their own trade union representatives and consultative arrangements. Meetings between management and the trade unions in the agencies are taking place to discuss the implications of the Chancellor's announcement.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her most recent estimate is of the annual cost to her Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) her Department and (ii) its agencies. [639]
Nick Herbert, Minister of State (Police): We do not yet know the full extent of early releases (voluntary or compulsory) that may be required in 2010-11. Furthermore, until we have clarity about the outcome of the legal challenge to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme by the Public and Commercial Services Union, we will not be able to make reliable calculations of any early release costs.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to reduce staffing levels in prisons in financial year 2010-11; and if he will make a statement. [1225]
Mr Crispin Blunt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Prisons and Probation): Staffing levels in prisons and young offender institutions in England and Wales are set on the basis of the delivery plan and budget that is agreed between the governor and the regional manager with responsibility for custodial services; it is subject to ongoing review. There are no plans to reduce staffing levels outside of this arrangement.
In line with the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 May 2010, a recruitment freeze has been imposed on all external recruitment to posts within the civil service. Steps have been taken not to undermine the delivery of prison services and the recruitment of key staff, such as prison officers, will continue as necessary.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the prohibition of the trimming of beaks of laying hens to take effect; and if she will make a statement. [1127]
Mr James Paice, Minister of State (Agriculture and Food): The previous Government consulted on the proposed amendments to the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007, to remove the total ban on beak trimming allowing for the routine beak trimming of day old chicks intended for laying to be carried out using the infra-red technique only. It closed on the 14 April and responses are currently being considered.
I will be discussing this matter with DEFRA officials shortly.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): If he will ensure that trade unions are involved in the work of his Department's efficiency and reform group. [1353]
The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Mr Francis Maude): We are committed to proper engagement with public service staff and their representatives. Last week I had a good meeting with the Council of Civil Service Unions, and yesterday I attended a meeting of the TUC's public service liaison group. We will invite the TUC and its member organisations, plus other representatives of public service employees, to meet regularly to discuss matters affecting the workforce who deliver our vital public services, and to build on the work of the Public Service Forum, which I am committed to continuing and which will meet in July. There will be difficult issues to discuss, no doubt, but we are determined to air them through regular dialogue.
Mr Anderson: I thank the Minister for that reply. Will he look at the report that the Public and Commercial Services Union produced last year, showing that 20,000 tax collectors were sacked at a time when at least £40 billion of tax evasion and avoidance was going on in this country? Will he work with the unions to try to resolve that matter?
Mr Maude: I hear what the hon. Gentleman says, but he will recollect the former Chief Secretary to the Treasury who said that there was no money left. We have to run the Government with less money than there was, and there will have to be cuts. We hope, to the maximum extent possible, that public spending can be cut without affecting jobs, but it is unreal to expect that that will be totally avoidable.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) front-line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. [533]
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education: The Department for Education does not have any agencies, nor does it directly employ what is described as front line staff.
The number of staff employed by the Department is available on the website of the Office for National Statistics:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=2899&;Pos=&ColRank=1&Rank=422
The most recently published data in relation to the cost of employing staff in the Department are published in the 2008-09 Resource Accounts which is available at:
The Department's 2009-10 Resource Accounts will be published in mid-July 2010.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much funding from the Building Schools for the Future programme he plans to allocate to Gateshead. [880]
Nick Gibb, Minister of State (Schools): The Department is reviewing the Building Schools for the Future programme to ensure that when we build schools for the future, we do so in a more cost-effective and efficient fashion.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) front-line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. [530]
Robert Neill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: Communities and Local Government does not hold data for its arms length bodies centrally. Our three Executive agencies have however provided data directly. There would be a disproportionate cost in trying to obtain any further information.
Available data give the following breakdown for the calendar year 2009-10 (provisional). In accordance with HM Treasury guidance a number of staff are funded from programme budgets. These staff are classified as being front-line.
| 2009-10 (provisional) | ||||
| Front line staff (FTE) | Front line pay cost ( £000 ) | Other staff ( FTE ) | Other pay cost ( £000 ) | |
| Communities and Local Government (CLG) | 286.19 | 20,477 | 1,880.54 | 96,731 |
| Planning Inspectorate (PINS) | 714 | 35,538 | 0 | 0 |
| Fire Service College (FSC) | 210 | 9,282 | 0 | 0 |
| QEII Conference Centre | 48 | 2,410 | 0 | 0 |
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies concerning deficit reduction plans. [611]
Crispin Blunt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Prisons and Probation): A schedule of meetings is being established in the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and its agencies to consult the recognised trade unions concerning deficit reduction plans.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies. [641]
Mr Kenneth Clarke, Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice: Wherever possible, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) seeks to achieve headcount reductions by means of natural wastage, recruitment controls and re-deployment of staff to avoid impacting services to the public.
Between 31 March 2009 and 31 March 2010, 16 people from across the Ministry of Justice, comprising headquarters and executive agencies (HM Courts Service, the National Offender Management Service, the Tribunals Service and the Office of the Public Guardian) were made redundant or faced compulsory severance. The overall cost was £1.4 million(1), an average of £87,500 per staff member. Redundancy packages vary based on grade and length of service.
The MoJ also operated a voluntary early departure scheme in the last financial year. The future costs of this scheme are currently being finalised and will be published in the MoJ's annual resource accounts prior to the summer recess in the "provisions" note to the accounts. Staff are offered early departure on the basis of a clear business case that the departure will deliver long term savings and efficiencies.
It is not possible to clearly distinguish front line staff from other staff as many staff in local offices, courts and tribunals across England and Wales work in both public facing and back office roles.
(1) These figures are unaudited and are subject to change following the National Audit Office's inspection of MoJ Accounts for 2009-10.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front line staff in his Department and its agencies. [495]
Mr Kenneth Clarke, Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice: The savings to be achieved in 2010-11 from the Emergency Budget were predicated on tighter recruitment controls and natural attrition.
The Ministry of Justice expects shortly to engage in the Government's spending review, as part of which work force plans will be developed. Estimates of the cost to the public purse for any reductions are not yet available.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies concerning deficit reduction plans. [608]
Mr Simon Burns, Minister of State (Health): The Department and its agency the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have well-established and constructive industrial relations. Our Partnership Agreement was signed again by both management and unions in 2009. This partnership approach commits the Department to involving unions at every stage of any change process-working together to solve difficulties and to promote best practice in all matters.
Regular dialogue with unions remains underway and the Department will continue to engage and consult unions about any deficit reduction plans.
Since 31 March 2010 there has been only one Executive Agency of the Department: the MHRA.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies. [638]
Mr Simon Burns, Minister of State (Health): No estimate of the cost of future reductions has yet been made by the Department. We do, however, have a standard, nominal budget of £2.3 million for unavoidable redundancy in the financial year 2010-11.
Since 31 March 2010 there has been only one Executive agency of the Department of Health: the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front line staff in his Department and its agencies. [492]
Mr Simon Burns, Minister of State (Health): No estimate of the cost to proposed reductions in numbers of non-front line staff has yet been made by the Department or its Agency, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The civil service wide recruitment freeze announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 May 2010, will help the Department to minimise the need for reductions.
Since 31 March 2010 there has been only one Executive Agency of the Department: the MHRA.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to consult trade unions in his Department concerning deficit reduction plans. [610]
Mr Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development: Consistent with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Informing and Consulting Employee, it is the Department for International Development's (DFID's) normal practice to consult and communicate with staff and their representatives. There are a number of mechanisms through which we do this, including departmental Whitley council meetings, frequent meetings between DFID's HR director's and the chair of the Trade Union side and regular meetings senior managers hold with their staff.
We also carry out meaningful consultation with staff and their representatives on specific change proposals. When we have any specific proposals we will engage and consult.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front line staff in his Department and its agencies; [494]
(2) what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff. [640]
Mr Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development: The Department for International Development (DFID) has initiated a programme to review our operating costs. Savings from this programme will be diverted into front-line departments to strengthen the delivery of our development programme.
It is our policy to minimise any costs involved by redeploying affected staff and by not replacing staff that retire or leave DFID. Since specific proposal have not yet been developed, it is not possible to estimate the impact on staff numbers or potential costs.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many (a) front line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type in his Department. [540]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: On 31 March 2010 the Department for International Development (DFID) employs 1819 front-line members of staff and 518 members of staff performing a range of corporate service functions, including HR, finance, IT, procurement, security, estates and office services. Staff costs for front-line activities in the 2009-10 financial year were £98 million. Staff costs for the corporate service functions for the same period were £28 million.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies concerning deficit reduction plans. [612]
Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is preparing a deficit reduction plan. Once plans are finalised, and if they affect staff, trade unions will of course be consulted.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies. [642]
Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is not currently anticipating any expenditure on redundancies in the Department or its agencies. If any redundancy or other exit payments are made throughout 2010-11 they will be disclosed in the resource accounts for 2010-11.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans she has to consult trade unions in her Department concerning deficit reduction plans. [615]
Cheryl Gillan, Secretary of State for Wales: Should the need arise, we will apply the principles set out in the Ministry of Justice's managing organisational change framework.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what her most recent estimate is of the annual cost to her Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff. [645]
Cheryl Gillan, Secretary of State for Wales: My department has not made any redundancy payments.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what her estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front line staff in her Department and its agencies. [498]
Cheryl Gillan, Secretary of State for Wales: Nil. It is envisaged that any reductions could be achieved through a process of natural wastage.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will bring forward proposals to set standards of animal welfare for the procurement of food and meals by the public sector; and if she will make a statement. [1126]
Mr Paice, Minister of State (Agriculture and Food): The Government support moves to raise animal welfare standards both domestically and internationally, and our livestock industry already has some of the highest standards for farm animal welfare in the world.
The public sector must lead by example on this and DEFRA is taking forward the commitment in the coalition agreement to ensure that, food procured by Government Departments, and eventually the whole public sector, meets British standards of production wherever this can be achieved without increasing overall cost.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): When the most recent Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the right hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr Laws), made his debut two weeks ago - which became, of course, his swansong - my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester Central (Tony Lloyd) asked him whether he could give any idea how many jobs would be lost as a result of the deficit reduction package. His answer was that it is not right to pluck figures out of the air. Can we have some more concrete evidence from the Chancellor?
The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne): Our plan is to increase employment in this country by putting the public finances on a sound footing. It is about time the Labour party understood that it left behind the largest budget deficit in the EU and the G20. All over the world, people are looking at sovereign credit risks. This Government are determined to do something about the problem before people start looking at Britain.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front-line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies. [628]
Mr Edward Davey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs): The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has at present no plans for compulsory redundancies and has therefore made no estimate of new costs. The forecast legacy costs of previous exit schemes (both compulsory and voluntary) is estimated at £6.1 million in 2010-11.
I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service, Companies House, the National Measurement Office, the Intellectual Property Office and the Skills Funding Agency and they will respond to the hon. Member directly.
Letter from Gareth Jones:
I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 26 May 2010, UIN 628 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Companies House is a Trading Fund and Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Companies House has not budgeted for any redundancy costs; however, as a Trading Fund any costs would be met by fees from our customers and would represent no cost to the public purse.
Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 27 May 2010:
The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question regarding what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies.
The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills had no annual cost for redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed in the last financial year 2009/10.
Surplus staff were identified during 2009/10 but we were able to absorb them elsewhere within The Service by the release of temporary workers.
Letter from John Alty, dated 2 June 2010:
I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 26 May 2010, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is a Trading Fund and Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The IPO has not budgeted for any redundancy costs; however as a Trading Fund any costs would be met by fees from users and would represent no cost to the public purse.
Letter from Peter Mason, dated 1 June 2010:
I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 26 May to the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, asking about estimates of the annual cost of redundancy payments for staff employed by the Department and its Agencies.
The cost to the Agency of any redundancy or other exit payments this year will be disclosed in its Annual Report and Accounts of 2010/11. As matters stand, however, we do not envisage having to make such payments during the current year.
Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 2 June 2010:
I am replying on behalf of the Skills Funding Agency to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 26 May, to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, concerning annual costs of redundancy payments for the Department and its agencies (UIN 628).
The Skills Funding Agency was set up as an agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 01 April 2010. As a new agency, we are currently looking at the implications of the recent announcements and the impact on the future shape of the organisation.
The cost to the agency of any redundancy and other exit payments this financial year will be disclosed in the accounts for 2010/11, which will be published on-line in 2011.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the name is of each special adviser assigned to work with each Minister. [420]
Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office: I refer the hon. Members to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 June 2010, Official Report, column 99W.
The Prime Minister: Information relating to special adviser appointments will be published shortly at which time I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies. [644]
Mr Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport: The Department for Transport has introduced restrictions on recruitment in order to reduce the numbers of staff in non-frontline roles, with exceptions for frontline staff and business critical positions with appropriate control measures.
There are no departmental or agency specific redundancy programmes and the cost of capturing this information for individual cases is available only at disproportionate cost.
The cost to the Department of redundancy and other exit payments this year will be disclosed in our Annual Report and Resource Accounts for 2010-11.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what her most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the Government Equalities Office of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff. [646]
Lynne Featherstone, Home Office Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The Government Equalities Office has not made any redundancy payments since its inception and is not proposing to make any redundancy payments in 2010-11.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies on cost reduction plans. [607]
Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: Discussion of how the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will meet its current savings targets is underway. We will share relevant information with the trade unions and consult as necessary.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies. [637]
Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: We have not made any estimates of redundancy costs as we currently have no plans to make any staff redundant.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in his Department and its agencies. [491]
Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office expects to achieve all its currently anticipated reductions in UK civil service staff through a recruitment freeze and natural wastage. These would not incur compensation costs.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) front-line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. [537]
Alistair Burt: The average number of permanent front-line Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) civil servants, in London and overseas, in financial year 2009-10 was 2,868. The forecast salary cost for these staff is £157.3 million. In addition, approximately 10,000 locally engaged staff at overseas posts were employed during financial year 2009-10 costing £186.5 million.
There were an average of 1,562 other UK based FCO civil servants employed during financial year 2009-10 costing £85.7 million.
The FCO Services Trading Fund employed an average of 927 UK based staff during financial year 2009-10 costing £44.8 million.
Wilton Park Agency employed an average of 77 UK based staff during financial year 2009-10 costing £2.5 million.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its agency on cost reduction plans. [601]
John Penrose, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The Department is already in informal discussions with both staff and trade unions, both at departmental and agency level. We will continue to talk to our staff and, where relevant, their trade unions too, and will enter into formal consultations wherever there is a requirement to do so.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to consult trade unions in (a) her Department and (b) its agencies on cost reduction plans. [605]
Richard Benyon, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Natural Environment and Fisheries): It is standard practice to consult the Department's trade unions on all matters concerning the contractual terms and conditions of its employees.
DEFRA including its agencies will use its existing consultation processes to discuss future deficit reduction plans with our trade unions.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in her Department and its agencies. [489]
Richard Benyon, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Natural Environment and Fisheries): The Chancellor's statement about savings of £6.2 billion across the public sector outlined that DEFRA and its arms length bodies would contribute to £162 million of this saving. As a department we have identified some specific areas where savings will be achieved in addition to the efficiencies being implemented across the Civil Service.
At present, no decisions have been taken on reductions in the numbers of staff.
It is therefore not possible to make an estimate of the cost.
Any staff reductions will be made in line with business need and with a view to providing value for money.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will bring forward proposals to (a) set standards for welfare in cows and (b) prohibit the factory farming of dairy cows; and if she will make a statement. [1125]
Mr Paice, Minister of State (Agriculture and Food): The welfare of livestock, including cows, is protected by the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006. There are codes of recommendations published on the DEFRA website which farmers are required by law to have access to, and be familiar with, which encourage high standards of husbandry. Enforcement action can be taken against farmers who do not comply with this legislation.
The Government welcome innovative and entrepreneurial efforts by dairy farmers to improve their global competitiveness, while protecting the environment and meeting animal welfare standards. All dairy cattle, in whatever system they are kept, are protected by comprehensive animal welfare legislation in England. It is important to recognise that poor welfare can occur in both intensive and extensive systems, and the most significant influence on the welfare of livestock is the stock-keeper, not the system in which it is reared.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies; [627]
(2) what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front line staff in his Department and its agencies. [501]
Chris Grayling, Minister of State (Employment): The information requested is not available.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to consult trade unions in his Department concerning deficit reduction plans. [613]
David Mundell, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: Any deficit reduction plans which affect staff will be shared with staff and the relevant trade unions, as appropriate.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front line staff in his Department and its agencies. [496]
David Mundell, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: The Scotland Office keep its staffing complement under constant review to ensure that the most efficient use is made of public resources. It has made not made any recent decisions to reduce staff numbers.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in his Department and its agencies; [490]
(2) what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies. [636]
Justine Greening, Economic Secretary : Our aim will be wherever possible to manage any necessary staff reductions within the Treasury and its agencies through natural wastage at no additional cost.
Mr Anderson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) front-line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. [536]
Justine Greening: Details of Treasury Group staff numbers and the administration budget outturn for the Group in 2008-09 are shown in the Treasury's Annual Report and Accounts available from
Neither the Treasury nor any of its agencies employs front line staff.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff. [634]
Gregory Barker, Minister of State (Climate Change): The Department has made no estimate of any such costs.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its agency on cost reduction plans. [599]
Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office: I already do and will continue to consult with the trade unions about a wide range of topics of mutual interest. This will include the Department's contribution to deficit reduction plans.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he plans to provide to hon. Members a list of Ministerial responsibilities including contact details. [521]
Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office: The 'List of Ministerial Responsibilities' will be published as soon as possible.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): What the terms of reference are of the review of employment law referred to in the coalition agreement. [000774]
The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts): We are reviewing employment law to maximise flexibility for employers and for employees. Our aim is fairness for employees within a competitive environment for business.
Mr Anderson: I thank the Minister for that response. During the election campaign, the Secretary of State said that he and the Liberal Democrats believed that the link between the Labour party and the trade unions was corrupt. Can we have an assurance from the team that that prejudice will in no way influence the employment law review?
Mr Willetts: The Secretary of State has made it clear that he did not make those remarks. We are looking at a review that will not cut the rights of individuals, but we want a streamlined process to cut the costs of compliance for employers. We have noticed the comments that have been made by, for example, British Chambers of Commerce and the Institute of Directors, which have called for changes to the employment tribunal system so as to streamline the process. That is what we are considering.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies on cost reduction plans. [600]
Robert Neill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: Full consultation with our trade unions will take place in accordance with the agreed protocols of the Department and its agencies.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in his Department and its agencies. [488]
Gregory Barker, Minister of State (Climate Change): The Department has made no estimate of any such costs.
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Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in his Department and its agencies. [484]
Robert Neill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: Communities and Local Government is implementing an external recruitment freeze in line with the rest of Government. The recruitment freeze has no direct or underlying costs to the public purse.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding he plans to allocate to Nexus for the purposes of the Tyne and Wear Metro reinvigoration programme. [331]
Norman Baker, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Regional and Local Transport): On 17 May 2010 the Chancellor and Chief Secretary asked all Departments to re-examine spending approvals by the previous Government since 1 January this year. This includes the funding of £350 million for Tyne and Wear Metro Reinvigoration that was approved in February 2010. This work will be carried out as quickly as possible.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): My right hon. Friend raises the issue of clean coal. We must also raise with the Government the immoral cost of importing coal from countries such as China and Ukraine, where thousands of miners are killed every year so that we can get relatively cheap coal. When he was the Secretary of State, he agreed to take forward this issue in the international arena. Will he join me in asking the new Secretary of State to do the same?
Edward Miliband: My hon. Friend raised this important issue at the end of the last Parliament. We hope to work with the Government on that, as I am sure it is a cross-party concern. No doubt he will campaign on this issue as eloquently as he does on many others.
We will scrutinise the Secretary of State's plans for an emissions performance standard. There is concern about whether that will lead to uncertainty in investment in coal and gas, but, again, we will judge the Government on the measures they introduce. There is some urgency on this issue, so I hope that plans will be produced speedily.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): I welcome the suggestion by the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes) for a debate about saying sorry, so that those of us on the Labour Benches can say that we are not sorry that we prevented the global recession from turning into a global depression; we are not sorry that we kept half a million people in work who otherwise would not be in work; we are not sorry that we kept businesses going that would have closed; and we are not sorry that we will never ever say that unemployment is a price worth paying.
Sir George Young: Again, there was absolutely no recognition at all from the hon. Gentleman of the problems that this country now faces because of the irresponsible way in which the outgoing Government borrowed £3 billion a week, with no plans for rebalancing the country's books.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): Does my right hon. Friend agree that part of the industrial revolution in the north-east is driven and supported by the regional development agency, another thing that will disappear under the coalition Government?
Edward Miliband: I agree with my hon. Friend, and that speaks to the attitude, which I hope that the Secretary of State does not share, that the only thing that is needed to make our economy work is for Government to get out of the way. I do not think that that will create the economy of the future.
Mr. Dave Anderson (Blaydon): The right hon. Gentleman has a strong record of standing up for the north of England. Does he support the halting of BSF funding for schools in Gateshead?
Sir Alan Beith: The hon. Gentleman has to realise that very difficult public spending decisions have to be taken. Unless he and his hon. Friends start to recognise that they would have had to do something similar, they are in an unreal world.
Reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO
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