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Written Answers

Volume 482: debated on Tuesday 4 November 2008

Written Answers to Questions

Tuesday 4 November 2008

Transport

A12: Essex

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents there were on the A12 in Essex in each of the last 10 years; and how many of these accidents resulted in (a) death and (b) serious injury. (233137)

The numbers of reported personal injury road accidents on the A12 in Essex and the number of these accidents resulting in (a) death and (b) serious injury are shown in the table, for each year from 1998 to 2007.

All injury accidents

Fatal accidents1

Serious accidents1

1998

181

6

26

1999

198

8

25

2000

200

5

32

2001

239

6

41

2002

231

4

45

2003

199

4

36

2004

225

4

54

2005

221

6

44

2006

169

5

36

2007

181

4

23

1 Accidents are classified according to the severity of the most severely injured casualty; some fatal accidents will also have seriously injured casualties.

Aircraft: Oxygen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on airline companies' obligations with regard to allowing people with a lung condition to (a) access oxygen provided, (b) take their own (i) portable oxygen cylinders and (ii) portable oxygen concentrator on board flights; and what guidance he has issued on this matter. (231699)

European Regulation 1107/2006 on the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air, came fully into force in July 2008. It imposes a number of obligations on airlines with respect to the services they provide, including an obligation to carry passengers' medical equipment free of charge. However, there are no specific obligations to carry or provide oxygen in the cabin.

To help the air transport industry to comply with its obligations under the regulation, the Department for Transport has published an updated version of its code of practice ‘Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility’. The code includes a section on oxygen which advises that air carriers may approve the carriage of gaseous (not liquid) oxygen or air cylinders required for medical use, but notes that carriers will wish to ensure that these do not pose a risk to security. The code also recommends that portable oxygen concentrator devices should normally be allowed if battery powered. Where air carriers wish to supply medical oxygen to passengers on request, the code acknowledges that it would be possible to make a charge for this service to cover the provision of the oxygen.

Blue Badge Scheme

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent steps the Government has taken to reduce abuse of blue badges for disabled parking. (232226)

In October 2007 we introduced legislation to change the design of the badge to include an anti-fraud hologram and a new serial number to help prevent fraud and aid enforcement.

In January 2008 we revised local authority guidance to improve administrative consistency and enforcement and launched a £0.5 million local authorities centres of excellence fund, designed to promote good practice in administering and enforcing the scheme.

In March 2008 we began a pilot experiment of new tamper proof laminates designed to further enhance badge security.

Most recently, on 20 October 2008, the Department for Transport published a Comprehensive Blue Badge (Disabled Parking) Reform Strategy. This strategy contains a number of commitments to fight fraud and abuse of the Blue Badge Scheme.

Departmental Staff

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many employment agency staff work in each of his Department’s bargaining units on a (a) headcount and (b) full-time equivalent basis. (231747)

[holding answer 30 October 2008]: The central Department and its agencies had a headcount (a) of 523 agency staff, as at end of September 2008. This figure excludes the Government Car and Despatch Agency.

Department for Transport

Headcount of staff

DfT (Central)

97

Driving Standards Agency

119

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

22

Highways Agency

164

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

35

Vehicle Certification Agency

1

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

85

Total

523

An accurate full-time equivalent (b) figure could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Driving: Safety

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what research his Department is undertaking into the effects of fatigue on drivers; (232323)

(2) what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the effects of (a) fatigue and (b) obstructive sleep apnoea on drivers.

The Department is conducting research on the potential use of fatigue risk management systems with the object of developing guidance for their use by those who employ drivers. The research is expected to be completed in the first half of 2009. Early indications from the project suggest that such systems offer considerable potential as a more effective method of managing fatigue than compliance with hours of work limits alone. They encourage employers to identify fatigue-related risk factors within their business and to consider the full range of potential contributors to fatigue, both work-related (e.g. work practices, shift patterns) and individual (e.g. lifestyle, medical conditions).

At the European level, our researchers were most recently involved with the IMMORTAL project (Impaired Motorists, Methods of Roadside Testing and Assessment for Licensing). This project, which concluded in 2005, included a workshop on Fatigue (Fatigue, Sleepiness and Reduced Alertness as Risk Factors in Driving) with a particular focus on obstructive sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders. A departmental research manager was a co-author of the report arising from this workshop. That is online at:

www.toi.no/getfile.php/Publikasjoner/T%D81%20rapporter/2004/739-2004/739-2004-2.pdf.

There have been no more recent discussions with European counterparts.

Heathrow Airport

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether there are plans for National Air Traffic Services to undertake additional public consultation before any introduction of (a) mixed-mode and (b) a third runway at Heathrow airport; and if he will make a statement; (232320)

(2) what procedures would be followed if BAA sought permission to introduce mixed-mode (a) within the 480,000 cap and (b) exceeding the 480,000 cap.

[holding answer 3 November 2008]: The “Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport” consultation closed on 27 February and we expect to announce a decision on the future development of Heathrow by the end of the year.

If mixed-mode operations are supported (either within the current movements cap or with additional movements), it would be for the airport operator to bring forward plans and obtain the necessary planning approvals. It would also be the responsibility of the airport operator and National Air Traffic Services to further assess the indicative airspace and air traffic control arrangements presented in the consultation to meet the statutory requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority. This could include further consultation, where appropriate, in accordance with the CAA’s Airspace Change Process.

London Airports: Smoking

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times evacuations of (a) the concourses, (b) the security and passports areas and (c) the airside areas of (i) Heathrow, (ii) Gatwick and (iii) Stansted airports have occurred following an alarm being triggered by a passenger smoking in a toilet in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. (231638)

We have been advised by BAA that it is unable to provide detailed information on how many evacuations have been carried out over the last 12 months due to a fire alarm being triggered without detailed analysis. As this is an operational matter for BAA, I suggest the hon. Member directs his inquiry to the chief executive of BAA.

Network Rail: Standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 29 October 2008, Official Report, column 1040W, on Network Rail: standards, what improvement notices have been served on Network Rail by the Office of the Rail Regulator in the last 12 months. (233179)

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has served a total of 19 improvement notices on Network Rail in the last 12 months. Details of 18 of these notices have been entered on the public register. They can be found on ORR’s website at:

http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/.

One notice, served on Network Rail in June 2008, relating to the joint between non-adjustable stretcher bar brackets and switch rails, has been appealed by Network Rail and therefore has not been entered onto the public register.

Piracy: Gulf of Aden

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he is taking to counter the incidence of piracy on the high seas, with particular reference to the Gulf of Aden; (226715)

(2) how many British seafarers are being held hostage as a consequence of piracy incidents on the high seas; and what steps he is taking to secure their release.

The Department for Transport is not aware of any British seafarers being held hostage as a consequence of piracy incidents. The Government are acutely aware of the dangers being faced by seafarers on board ships transiting the Gulf of Aden and abhor the loss of life incurred to date.

The UK is supportive of the IMO's efforts which calls for states interested in the safety and security of maritime activities to take part actively in the fight against piracy and armed robbery against ships off the coast of Somalia.

The Department has issued advice to seafarers on the measures that can be taken to prevent acts of piracy and armed robbery in Marine Guidance Note 298. We have also urged Masters to obtain up to date information about pirate attacks in order to plan their passage through the Gulf of Aden. This advice can be obtained from the Royal Navy's UK Maritime Trade Operation based in Dubai. The shipping industry has also been informed of the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MPSA) established by the Combined Maritime Forces. The MPSA does not eliminate the risk of criminal activity and shipping has been warned to exercise extreme caution and vigilance.

Piracy is an international problem that requires an international solution. The Government are playing their full part by pressing for effective international action to address the issue by tackling the problem at its roots on land. The Government are very concerned by increasing numbers of piracy and armed robbery attacks in and around Somali waters and we have noted the expressed concerns from industry. We are working proactively with our EU, NATO and Coalition Task Force 150 partners to counter the menace.

Railways: Crime Prevention

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent steps the Government has taken to reduce the level of crime on railways; (232222)

(2) what recent steps the Government has taken to improve police resources to prevent crime committed on railways.

The total number of offences reported to the British Transport Police (BTP) reduced by 12 per cent. between 2006-07 and 2007-08 and crime remains low relative to the over one billion passenger journeys made each year. We nevertheless continue to work closely with the industry and the police to secure further improvements. Last year, the budget for the British Transport Police (BTP) increased by 5 per cent. and, at £271 million, is at more than twice the level it was six years ago. BTP numbers at London Underground and mainline stations have increased too and there are now 2,813 officers and 262 community support officers in the force.

Railways: Freight

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards the target of increasing rail freight by 80 per cent. by 2010 as stated in his Department's Transport Ten Year Plan of 2000; what the baseline year is against which this target is being measured; and how much rail freight there was in each year since 2000. (232008)

The potential rail freight growth figure of up to 80 per cent. quoted in the Department for Transport's 10 year plan of 2000 was not a target. It was always recognised that actual growth would depend on a number of factors—in particular, the success of private sector rail freight operators in delivering improvements in performance and efficiency.

Detailed rail freight statistics covering the years from 2000 to 2008 are published in the Office for Rail Regulation's Rail Trends document on its website:

www.rail-reg.gov.uk

and by the Department for Transport in its Transport Statistics for Great Britain document on its website:

www.dft.gov.uk.

Since 2000-01 the amount of rail freight moved has increased by 17 per cent. In the last 18 months the Government have announced record levels of rail freight investment to support continued growth including £200 million towards the development of a strategic freight network and over £150 million of funding towards the provision of infrastructure enhancement for freight through the Productivity Transport Innovation Fund.

Railways: Safety

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent steps the Government has taken to publicise the dangers of playing on or near railway tracks to young people; (232224)

(2) what recent steps the Government has taken to prevent children from playing on or near railway tracks.

Network Rail's ‘No Messin’!’ campaign seeks to reduce crime and trespass on the railway by young people. It has been developed to appeal to them by using a style and language they will understand. Network Rail's initiative is reinforced by campaigns run by train operators to educate children in schools about the dangers of trespassing on the railway.

These measures are further supported by the British Transport Police who work with the industry to reduce incidents of crime and trespass.

Rapid Transit Systems

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards the target of creating 25 new rapid transit lines in major cities and conurbations by 2010 as stated in his Department's Transport 10 Year Plan of 2000; how many new rapid transit lines were created in each year since 2000; and by what percentage light rail passenger journeys have increased since 2000. (232012)

The Ten Year Plan published in July 2000 set out indicative figures for the number of light rail schemes that might be delivered by 2010. This was neither a target nor a commitment for the Government.

The following light rail lines have been opened since 2000:

Name of scheme

Number of new lines

2000

Croydon Tramlink

3

2000

Manchester Metrolink -Eccles extension

1

2002

Tyne and Wear Metro -Sunderland extension

1

2004

Nottingham Express Transit

1

2005

Docklands Light Railway - London City Airport extension

1

The following schemes are in preparation;

Name of scheme

Stage reached

Number of new lines

Docklands Light Railway -Extension to Woolwich Arsenal

Under construction, due to be completed in 2009.

1

Manchester Metrolink -Extensions to Rochdale, Oldham, Chorlton and Droylsden

Under construction, project due to be completed in 2012.

4

Nottingham Express Transit -Extensions to Clifton and Chilwell

Granted Programme Entry. If Full Approval is granted the lines could be completed by 2013.

2

Manchester Metrolink -Extensions to Ashton, East Didbsury and Manchester Airport

Granted Programme Entry as part of Greater Manchester's Transport Innovation Fund bid.

3

Manchester Metrolink -Extensions to Trafford, Oldham town centre, Rochdale town centre, and Second city crossing scheme

Schemes which currently have no approval status that Greater Manchester are also progressing as part of their Transport Innovation Fund bid.

4

Light rail passenger journeys in England increased by 90 per cent. between 1999-2000 and from 98 million to 186 million passenger journeys in 2007-08.

Road Signs and Markings

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has authorised the erection of road signs which indicate metric rather than imperial measurements. (232445)

[holding answer 3 November 2008]: The Department for Transport has not authorised any signs aimed at general road users that display metric measurements only.

For a traffic sign to be lawful, it must be either prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) (2002) or be authorised by the Secretary of State. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the devolved Administrations authorise non-prescribed signs for the roads in their areas.

TSRGD provides for the use of imperial measurements for distance and speed. Certain prescribed traffic signs may show metric units of measurement together with the corresponding imperial units—such as signs indicating maximum height or width restrictions. However, metric is not permitted as a replacement for imperial on such signs.

The Department has authorised the use of driver location signs and a limited number of distance marker posts for the trunk road and motorway network. These indicate an established referencing system, which uses metric units, to enable the emergency services to locate the scene of an incident without any confusion.

Road Traffic

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in achieving the target of reducing road congestion below 2000 levels as stated in his Department's Transport Ten Year Plan of 2000; against what baseline this target is being measured; and how much road congestion there was in each year since 2000, broken down by region. (232009)

The Ten Year Plan gave an indicative figure for congestion on inter-urban trunk roads which was formalised in the SR2002 PSA target: to reduce congestion on the inter-urban road network in England below 2000 levels by 2010. However, subsequently the Government set out the case for new congestion performance targets in The Future of Transport White Paper published in July 2004. A new target was set in SR2004.

The baseline for the SR2004 target was published in February 2006 using new sources of journey time data. Inter-urban journey time reliability performance has since been regularly published against this baseline. The latest provisional data show the current level of performance for the 10 per cent. slowest journeys, which is the PSA measure, to be around the SR2004 baseline level for the year August 2004 to July 2005. This is also the case for all journeys.

Differences in sources used and in measurement mean that it is not possible to produce a consistent series of data from 2000 and report on trunk road congestion in Ten Year Plan terms. Also, data are not readily available at regional level as the current measure is based on routes which extend outside regional boundaries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in achieving the target of undertaking 80 major trunk road schemes to improve safety and traffic flows at junctions by 2010 as stated in his Department's Transport Ten Year Plan of 2000; and what major trunk road schemes were (a) started and (b) completed in each year since 2000. (232010)

The Ten Year Plan published in July 2000 set out a broad package of measures for improving transport. Over the 10 year period individual projects in the Highways Agency's programmes would flow from the outcome of multi-modal studies and decisions taken through regional transport strategies. Although the plan gave an indicative figure for trunk road schemes this is not a target that the Government monitor performance against.

Two tables have been placed in the Libraries of the House. Table A shows the Highways Agency major trunk road schemes started in each year since 2000 while table B shows schemes opened to traffic in each year since 2000.

Road Traffic: Essex

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Chelmsford on 21 October 2008, Official Report, column 155, on traffic congestion, which (a) causes of and (b) locations prone to road accidents and collisions on the A12 in Essex will be prioritised for road safety improvement funding; and what funding he plans to make available for such improvements in the next three years. (232041)

Personal injury accidents on the motorway and trunk road network are monitored on a continuous basis by the Highways Agency and reported in its annual safety report. Accidents are reviewed on a route basis, and locations with disproportionately more accidents are prioritised for remedial action.

With regards to the A12 in Essex, in the period 2008-09 to 2011-12, the Highways Agency is intending to spend up to around £22 million on major maintenance improvements at Kelvedon and Witham and £2.5 million on an auxiliary lane southbound between Hatfield Peverel and Witham. All of these significant interventions will have some beneficial impact on safety, and other minor safety works are also planned. This work will be subject to availability of funding and prioritisation against other works on the strategic road network within the Eastern region.

Roads: Accidents

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward legislative proposals to include cats within the provision of section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988; and if he will make a statement. (232487)

[holding answer 3 November 2008]: There are no legislative proposals to include cats within the provision of section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 which requires a driver to report accidents involving animals such as horses, cattle, asses, mules, sheep, pigs, goats and dogs. This requirement arises from their status as working animals.

There is no obligation to report all animal deaths on roads. The police advise drivers that, if possible, they should make inquiries to ascertain the owner of the cat and advise them of the situation.

Rolling Stock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the percentage change in active rolling stock has been since 1997. (232024)

The Department for Transport does not keep the detailed information required. However, we know that in May 1995, the number of vehicles on lease was 10,401 and, as of today, the number on lease on the rail network is around 11,150, an increase of approximately 7.2 per cent. It should also be noted that a further 1,300 vehicles will be delivered as part of high level output specification (HLOS), of which 423 have already been ordered.

Transport: Expenditure

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much (a) public investment, (b) private capital investment and (c) public resource expenditure was spent on (i) rail, (ii) strategic roads, (iii) London transport, (iv) local transport and (v) other transport in each year since 2000, in (A) nominal and (B) real terms. (232006)

The following table shows the public investment (capital) and public resource spending within the Department for Transport's departmental expenditure limit (DEL) on rail, strategic roads, London, local transport and other transport for each year since 2002-03. (Owing to classification, accounting and boundary changes comparable figures for earlier years are not available.)

£ million (nominal)

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

Public investment (capital)

Rail

963

3,143

2,825

2,600

3,596

3,496

Strategic Roads

736

439

610

753

1,116

1,056

London

772

Local and regional transport

1,515

1,532

1,710

1,559

1,659

2,364

Other transport

139

119

77

83

132

135

Public resource expenditure

Rail

289

1,111

1,444

1,219

1,322

1,163

Strategic Roads

1,339

1,518

1,418

1,576

1,752

1,787

London

1,025

2,550

2,261

2,182

2,641

2,400

Local and regional transport

339

385

407

431

542

659

Other transport

475

545

545.

659

665

791

These figures do not include capital spending by local authorities funded through prudential borrowing, nor revenue spending by local authorities funded through general grant (paid by CLG) and council tax.

Data providing a comprehensive statement of private capital investment in these areas are not available.

The following table sets out the DEL spending shown above, expressed in real terms with a 2007-08 price base.

£ million (2007-08 prices)

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

Public investment (capital)

Rail

1,101

3,487

3,051

2,752

3,706

3,496

Strategic Roads

841

487

659

797

1,150

1,056

London

883

Local and regional transport

1,732

1,700

1,847

1,650

1,710

2,364

Other transport

158

132

83

88

136

135

Public resource expenditure

Rail

330

1,232

1,560

1,290

1,362

1,163

Strategic Roads

1,531

1,684

1,532

1,668

1,805

1,787

London

1,172

2,829

2,442

2,309

2,721

2,400

Local and regional transport

388

427

439

457

558

659

Other transport

543

605

589

698

685

791

Transport: Regulatory Impact Assessments

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library copies of all regulatory impact assessments for (a) road projects and (b) other major transport infrastructure projects conducted since 1997. (232033)

The Department for Transport does not undertake regulatory impact assessments for road or other transport infrastructure projects as they are not regulatory in nature. Infrastructure projects are assessed in line with the new approach to appraisal (NATA) guidance.

Transport: Tyne and Wear

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what payments his Department has made to local authorities in Tyne and Wear for a pilot study under the Transport Innovation Fund; and what plans he has for the future funding of People in Motion. (231944)

Tyne and Wear authorities have received a total of £1.7 million pump priming funding from the Department for Transport's Transport Innovation Fund. This funding was provided to support the development of Transport Innovation Fund packages that address local congestion problems combining demand management, including road pricing, with better public transport. We are awaiting the outcome of the work that has been carried out by Tyne and Wear's People in Motion partnership.

Vehicle Number Plates

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to amend the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 to permit the voluntary display of the Union Flag or other national identifiers. (232311)

[holding answer 3 November 2008]: We have announced our intention to allow the voluntary display of national flags on vehicle number plates in England, Scotland and Wales. We are looking at how this can be brought forward as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that drivers may legally display the (a) Union Flag, (b) flag of Saint Andrew and (c) flag of Saint George on car registration plates. (232494)

[holding answer 3 November 2008]: We have announced our intention to allow the voluntary display of national flags on vehicle number plates in England, Scotland and Wales. We are looking at how this can be brought forward as soon as possible.

Work and Pensions

Better Government for Older People

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the sources of funding are of the Better Government for Older People initiative. (232813)

The information is in the following list..

Better Government for Older People Anticipated Sources of Funding 2008-09

Department for Work and Pensions grant in aid

Anchor Trust grant

Local Authorities subscriptions

Primary Care Trust subscriptions

Fire and Rescue organisation subscriptions

Police Associations subscriptions

Local Strategic Partnerships subscriptions

Recoverable VAT

Bank Interest

Community Allowance

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with the Department for Communities and Local Government on the community allowance pilots. (231485)

We jointly announced with the Department for Communities and Local Government in Communities in Control: real people, real power (CM7427) that the CREATE Consortium could pilot the community allowance within the existing benefits and permitted work structure. This was part of ongoing discussions with the Department for Communities and Local Government to explore how to promote paid community work for out of work benefit claimants to improve their chances of moving into work and benefit the community in which they live.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will introduce a community allowance as part of the new employment and support allowance regime. (231487)

We have always made clear that the CREATE consortium will be able to pilot the community allowance within the existing benefits and permitted work structure. We would want to see a full evaluation of the allowance and the impact on improving benefit claimants' chances of moving into work before we considered whether to introduce it more widely.

Compensation: Vaccination

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) have been made by people claiming damage by hepatitis A or hepatitis B vaccines; for what reasons unsuccessful claimants for payment in respect of these vaccines have been informed that if they wish to appeal they must do so within six years; and for what reason hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines are not included in the VDPS. (228905)

The Vaccine Damage Payments scheme only covers vaccines that are recommended as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme. The scheme does not cover hepatitis A or hepatitis B vaccines because they are not currently included in the childhood immunisation programme.

The Department does not collect information about the number of claims made by people claiming damage from hepatitis A or hepatitis B vaccines as this information is not required for the administration of the scheme.

People who make a vaccine damage payment claim in relation to vaccines not covered by the scheme are still given the right to appeal decisions they may disagree with. This practice helps ensure that customers have another opportunity to provide further information in support of their claim.

Council Tax Benefit

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households were in receipt of council tax benefit in each year since 1985; and how much was spent on council tax benefit in each of those years. (229889)

Information on council tax benefit is available only from 1993-94 when it was introduced. The available information is in the following tables:

Council tax benefit expenditure and recipients, Great Britain

Expenditure (£ million)

Caseload (Thousand)

1993-94

1,940

5,450

1994-95

2,077

5,615

1995-96

2,189

5,690

1996-97

2,311

5,618

1997-98

2,395

5,479

1998-99

2,452

5,306

1999-2000

2,511

5,051

2000-01

2,575

4,761

2001-02

2,686

4,664

2002-03

2,834

4,625

2003-04

3,223

4,693

2004-05

3,557

4,915

2005-06

3,774

5,029

2006-07

3,944

5,080

2007-08

4,023

5,089

Notes: 1. The expenditure figures presented here reflect nominal costs for the whole of Great Britain. 2. They are total amounts paid to beneficiaries, irrespective of the source of funding, and include benefit spending reimbursed by DWP, and benefit spending financed from local authorities' general funds. 3. They reflect the latest benefit-by-benefit estimate of outturn, and not the amounts voted by Parliament. 4. Figures for 2006-07 and 2007-08 are estimated outturn and may change slightly once subsidy returns from all local authorities are audited. 5. Council tax benefit was introduced in April 1993. Source: Published expenditure tables to 2006-07, and estimated outturn for 2007-08.

Council Tax Benefits: Greater London

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people he estimates were (a) eligible for and (b) in receipt of council tax benefits in (i) London, (ii) the London Borough of Hillingdon and (iii) Uxbridge constituency in each year since 1997 for which figures are available. (231801)

Estimates of the numbers eligible for council tax benefit are not available below the level of Great Britain. It is, therefore, not possible to provide estimates of the numbers entitled in London, the London borough of Hillingdon, and the constituency of Uxbridge.

The available information on recipients of council tax benefit for London and the London borough of Hillingdon is in the following table. Information is not available broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Number of council tax benefit recipients in London and the London borough of Hillingdon: as at May each year

London

Hillingdon

1997

759,720

17,660

1998

728,260

17,520

1999

692,540

17,350

2000

628,650

16,980

2001

607,160

16,360

2002

615,320

16,090

2003

633,530

15,810

2004

672,070

17,360

2005

708,440

17,890

2006

717,610

18,140

2007

724,440

18,200

Notes:

1. Recipients refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.

2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

3. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.

4. Council tax benefit totals exclude any second adult rebate cases.

Source:

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in May 1997 to May 2007

Departmental Health and Safety

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps the Government has taken to improve health and safety regulation. (224315)

[holding answer 6 October 2008]: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is committed to better, smarter health and safety legislation. In December 2007 it published its second Simplification Plan1, which set out how it was reducing the administrative burden of health and safety regulation on businesses and making compliance easier, in particular for low risk, small and medium sized enterprises.

Among the regulatory improvements detailed in the plan was the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, which consolidated four sets of regulations, and improved the process for proving competency.

HSE is also improving guidance on regulations to help businesses understand and comply. For example, it has produced 29 example risk assessments for different sectors, showing businesses that a risk assessment does not need to be complicated.

Finally, the Better Regulation Executive has carried out a review of the health and safety regulatory regime, particularly for lower risk small businesses2. This has made several recommendations for improvement. Of those addressed to HSE, some are already being addressed through HSE's simplification work. Others will be considered through the development and subsequent implementation of HSE's new strategy.

Departmental Liability

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what dates in each of the last five years his Department informed the House of the creation of contingent liabilities relating to his Department or its non-departmental public bodies. (232720)

Details of contingent liabilities are contained in the departmental resource accounts each year. The dates on which these accounts were laid in the House over last five years were:

2007-08: 21 July 2008

2006-07: 24 July 2007

2005-06: 7 November 2006

2004-05: 26 January 2006

2003-04: 18 January 2005

Departmental Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many civil servants working in his Department and its agencies have pensions with a cash equivalent transfer value of over £1 million. (229541)

It is not appropriate to disclose pension information for civil servants other than board members whose details are shown in the Remuneration Report in annual Resource Accounts. A copy of the Resource Accounts for the Department for Work and Pensions and its agencies for financial year 2007-08 can be found in the Library or accessed electronically using the following links:

Department for Work and Pensions Resource Accounts 2007-08 (pages 34 to 38 refer)

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2008/res_acc/report_2007_08.pdf

Jobcentre Plus Annual Report and Accounts 2007-08 (pages 22 to 25 refer)

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/stellent/groups/jcp/documents/websitecontent/dev_015683.pdf

Child Support Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2007-08 (pages 30 to 32 refer)

http://www.csa.gov.uk/en/PDF/reports/annual_report_08.pdf

The Pension Service Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 (pages 52 to 55 refer)

http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/pdf/annualreport/appendices.pdf

Disability and Carers Service Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 (pages 47 to 49 refer)

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2007/dcs/dcs-ar-06-07.pdf

Departmental Responsibilities

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what work programme has been put in place for his Department's strategy team; and if he will make a statement. (232378)

The Strategy Unit carries out a range of projects to underpin the strategic objectives of the Department.

Departmental Temporary Employment

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which companies were used by his Department for providing temporary staff in each of the last five years; and what the value of contracts with each such company was in each of those years. (229076)

A list of companies and organisations that provided temporary staff to the Department for the last three years 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 and the expenditure with each company and organisation during those years is provided in the following table. Information for the two previous years 2003-04 and 2004-05 is not available.

The expenditure provided for “temporary staff” includes both clerical and administrative personnel, and other interim, specialist and professional personnel including interim managers (this primarily covers the specialist areas of IT, finance, project and programme management, HR, procurement and communications). It is not possible to provide separate details of expenditure on the different categories of temporary and professional and technical staff.

DWF expenditure on “temporary staff”—2005-06 to 2007-08

£

Supplier

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

Parity

5,835,909.74

7,407,152.90

5,455,978.00

Hays

3,845,970.36

7,309,387.40

4,585,773.86

LA International

1,951,194.77

3,714,763.77

4,073,159.71

X Net Ltd.

2,195,562.45

3,361,228.16

2,803,781.70

Computer People

3,442,057.48

2,624,283.46

1,891,034.15

Xansa

3,132,669.48

2,931,074.54

1,431,417.61

Nesco

1,967,357.38

3,225,360.71

1,927,190.14

Methods Consulting Ltd.

4,214,785.12

2,272,514.72

Amtec Consulting

743,534.51

2,304,845.06

2,245,626.32

Michael Page International

1,447,584.06

2,027,746.26

1,514,802.25

Capgemini UK plc

1,923,327.28

1,522,575.55

Rullion Computer Personnel

553,566.42

1,377,848.84

896,668.95

Hedra

1,541,395.28

1,051,045.39

162,259.12

Elan

1,043,303.76

851,637.66

508,100.98

Badenoch and Clark

905,931.15

758,639.47

416,761.22

Manpower plc

1,494,999.96

365,753.47

84,532.67

Office Angels

642,921.02

610,019.71

310,066.59

Stopgap Ltd.

610,122.77

232,514.83

449,284.72

PPM Excellence Ltd.

465,607.87

643,151.75

Reed in Partnership

135,642.43

539,992.46

432,490.39

Servicetec Ltd.

468,451.01

245,214.58

378,440.21

Recruit Media Ltd.

267,210.38

264,316.21

236,759.49

Hudson Global Resources

406,056.48

154,820.92

120,905.05

Adecco UK Ltd.

254,760.19

218,955.86

30,755.96

Impact Executives

209,720.48

158,669.42

30,315.03

Acorn Recruitment Ltd.

153,757.90

242,842.57

Northern Recruitment Group

125,977.41

103,049.59

150,372.15

PricewaterhouseCoopers

342,884.21

29,046.01

Randstad Employment Bureau

165,970.59

154,749.84

Venn Group Ltd.

6,103.00

104,443.78

136,161.76

TFPL Ltd.

148,701.15

91,260.08

Brook Street plc

132,500.77

76,493.23

City Centre Recruitment

116,676.53

82,681.68

691.84

Purcon Ltd.

165,372.95

Mercer Human Resource Consulting

126,347.75

34,932.34

Pertemps

63,429.94

65,194.89

Penna

115,198.00

1,770.00

Jobwise Group plc

21,421.66

95,325.00

Hudson

97,641.08

1,205.20

Party Resources Ltd.

84,559.10

11,464.56

Capita Business Services Ltd.

40,887.00

50,049.31

Xchangeteam Ltd.

21,261.51

39,080.24

27,636.00

Hewitt Bacon and Woodrow Ltd.

56,302.27

13,080.47

16,131.21

Datasky

77,210.00

Venn Group Recruitment

75,636.14

Norman Broadbent Co.

75,172.98

Hudson York Farrell

71,441.24

Central Office of Information

58,054.91

Premiere Employment Group

23,104.11

21,570.10

1,192.67

SAS Software Ltd.

36,184.13

Job Channel Ltd.

25,990.00

At Work Recruitment

16,961.77

7,734.00

Bluestone

15,880.58

Fylde Office Service

14,342.87

Forrest Recruitment

12,153.25

Stimulation Ltd.

12,068.78

Serco Ltd.

10,650.49

Kelly Services

8,478.77

1,619.26

Forrest and Co.

9,787.23

Alexander Lloyd

9,400.00

Hay Group

4,507.00

1,280.00

Ellingham Employment Services

5,156.49

Venn Group Recruitment Solutions

4,935.00

Serco Solutions

4,206,00

TFPL Ltd. (EC1M)

3,956.00

GCS Recruitment Specialists

3,928.00

Speech to Text Reporting

3,806.60

Office Personnel

3,524.50

Law Absolute

2,825.43

Atos Origin

2,348.00

Bravo Solution

2,341.78

Westminster Accord

2,096.09

Rosemary Nichols Consulting

1,323.80

645.20

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

1,347.37

KMC International

1,045.65

Merrill Legal Solutions

1,036.34

Impact Recruitment

300.00

Baileys Recruitment Agency

236.57

Aims Recruitment

120.00

Disability Living Allowance

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what training and guidance his Department gives on length of awards to staff making decisions on the award of disability living allowance and attendance allowance; and if he will make a statement; (230092)

(2) what guidance his Department has issued to those staff taking decisions on awarding disability allowance on the duration of the award.

All claims for disability living allowance (DLA) and attendance allowance (AA) are decided by decision makers who are required to make decisions fairly and impartially based on the application of the law to the facts of the individual case.

Decision makers’ training covers all available legal, medical and procedural guidance that pertains to periods of award, to enable them to determine what period of award is appropriate.

The Department provides decision makers with guidance on deciding the duration of awards within the Decision Makers Guide and the Decision Makers Procedural Guide. In addition, comprehensive up to date medical guidance has been developed and approved by medical experts in their field, for the majority of impairments that give rise to claims for DLA and AA. The guidance for each impairment includes interpretation of clinical information, definitions of clinical technology and guidance on the likely duration of the care and/or mobility needs arising from that impairment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how often recipients of the mobility component of disability living allowance who list as a disability (a) AIDS, (b) arthritis, (c) back problems, (d) blindness, (e) chest disease, (f) deafness, (g) diabetes, (h) epilepsy, (i) frailty, (j) heart disease, (k) learning difficulties, (l) malignant disease, (m) mental health causes, (n) multiple sclerosis and (o) muscle, joint or bone problems have their awards reassessed. (230232)

The information is not available.

Once entitlement to disability living allowance is established, the frequency of reassessment varies according to the individual circumstances of the case. For example, a claim may be reassessed if a customer reports a change in their circumstances, or information is received suggesting that there has been a change of circumstances since the original award of benefit was made. In addition, where a fixed period award is nearing its end point, the customer is invited to submit a new claim which is then assessed on the current evidence before a new decision is made on entitlement. Other claims may continue throughout the period of the award without being reassessed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of applications for (a) disability living allowance and (b) attendance allowance have been refused in each of the last three years. (232199)

[holding answer 3 November 2008]: The available information is in the following table:

Unsuccessful claims for disability living allowance and attendance allowance

Percentage

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

Disability living allowance

53

53

55

Attendance allowance

21

20

18

Notes: 1. Claims received: It is not possible for a claimant to make concurrent multiple claims. A customer can make more than one claim in a year. However, a new claim cannot be made until a decision on the previous claim has been made. 2. Success rates are the number of claims awarded as a percentage of the number of decisions in that year—not a percentage of the number of claims received. Source: Management Information Statistics. This information is generated by the disability living allowance/attendance allowance computer system for management purposes. It is not a National Statistic. Management information records and counts events. This means that the number of claims refused are not directly comparable to the number of claims received because a decision to refuse or accept a claim is not necessarily made in the same time period.

Disability Living Allowance: Bexley

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents of Bexleyheath and Crayford receive the (a) lower and (b) higher rate of the mobility component of the disability living allowance. (232285)

The available information is in the following table:

Disability living allowance: Cases in payment by mobility component type, Bexleyheath and Crayford parliamentary constituency, February 2008

Number

Highest rate

1,880

Lowest rate

1,050

Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Some additional disclosure control has been applied. 3. Totals show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Figures are published on the DWP website at:

www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/tabtool.asp

Source: DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Employment Service: Manpower

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many staff were employed by the (a) Employment Service and (b) Benefits Agency in each year for which records are available, broken down by region; (231474)

(2) what the average salary was of staff employed by the (a) Employment Service and (b) Benefits Agency in each year for which records are available, broken down by region.

The Benefits Agency was established on 10 April 1991. The Employment Service was established on 2 April 1990. Both ceased to exist after March 31 2002 when Jobcentre Plus and The Pension Service were launched.

Historical staffing statistics for each Agency can be found in Civil Service Statistics at:

www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/statistics.

A breakdown of the staffing statistics at regional level is not available.

Information on average salaries would be available only at disproportionate cost.

Employment: Low Incomes

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidelines have been issued to Jobcentre Plus employees in relation to making individuals better off in work calculations; which benefits or funding streams are (a) included and (b) excluded from the calculation; and if he will make a statement. (226839)

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Lesley Strathie:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what guidelines have been issued to Jobcentre Plus employees in relation to making individuals better off in work calculations; which benefits or funding streams are (a) included and (b) excluded from the calculation; and if he will make a statement. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

An extensive range of learning is available to equip Personal Advisers to use the Better Off Calculator effectively. Personal Advisers attend a two-day technical event which instructs them on how to use the calculator. Up-to-date learning material and comprehensive technical guidance is also available. The Better Off Calculator has been designed to navigate the user through a series of pre-set screens and this helps to ensure that all relevant information is captured.

A Better Off Calculation takes into account the following benefits, credits and statutory payments:

Attendance Allowance

Bereavement Allowance

Carer’s Allowance

Child Benefit

Child Special Allowance

Child Tax Credit

Constant Attendance Allowance

Council Tax Benefit

Disability Living Allowance

Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Guardian’s Allowance

Housing Benefit

Incapacity Benefit

Income Support

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Maternity Allowance

Pension Credit

Second Adult Rebate

Severe Disablement Allowance

State Pension

Statutory Adoption Pay

Statutory Maternity Pay

Statutory Paternity Pay

Statutory Sick Pay

War Disablement Pension

War Widow’s Pension

Widowed Parents Allowance

Working Tax Credit

It also takes in to consideration the following income types:

Child Maintenance payments

Savings

Capital

Personal/Occupational Pension

Other Income

Benefits in payment

Tax Credits (including 50+ additional WTC) in payment

Work details—Income/expenses

Income from Borders

Income from current/previous tax year-

Taxable Social Security Benefit

Employee earnings

Benefits in kind

Self employed earnings

Other earnings

All other incomes are not taken in to consideration.

At present, there are some limitations to the calculations the Better Off Calculator can perform, especially where there are complex rules or when discretion has to be applied; for example, with self-employment cases, students or persons from abroad when a calculation has to be done manually. Jobcentre Plus updates the Better Off Calculator twice each year to capture legislative changes, new initiatives and to implement further improvements.

Housing Benefit

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the (a) total and (b) average amount paid to households receiving local housing allowance above the five bed rate was in the most recent month for which figures are available, broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; (230283)

(2) how many households are in receipt of local housing allowance above the five bed rate (a) nationally and (b) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effects on vulnerable people of direct payments of housing benefit. (232814)

[holding answer 3 November 2008]: Two of the intended effects of the local housing allowance are to promote financial independence and personal responsibility. Therefore payments are normally made directly to tenants so they have personal responsibility for paying their rent. However, we recognise that there will always be a small proportion of tenants who will struggle with this, so there are circumstances in which the local authority has the power to pay benefit direct to the landlord.

These are if the local authority either considers that the tenant is likely to have difficulty in relation to the management of their own affairs—for example, the tenant is known to have a learning disorder or a drug/alcohol problem that would mean they are likely to have difficulty handling a budget—or considers it improbable that the tenant will pay their rent; for example, the local authority is aware that the tenant has consistently failed to pay the rent on past occasions without good reason.

Additionally, in housing benefit generally, payment direct to the landlord is a statutory requirement if a tenant has built up rent arrears of eight weeks or more, or is having deductions from their income support or jobseeker's allowance to pay off rent arrears. If this occurs, the local authority has the discretion to continue paying direct to the landlord when the level of arrears drops to below eight weeks.

We plan to review the LHA, which was rolled out nationally from April 2008, during the first two years of operation.

Incapacity Benefit

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people on incapacity benefit who are capable of entering employment. (225425)

Incapacity benefit is a benefit for people whom, due to ill health or disability, it would be unreasonable to require to work. People who are able to work can claim jobseeker’s allowance.

However, with help and support, many people on incapacity benefits are able to move into work. Through Pathways to Work, we support people on incapacity benefits to prepare to return to work. Pathways to Work has helped over 94,000 claimants into work since October 2003.

Jobcentre Plus

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will make a statement on his plans for the reorganisation of Jobcentre Plus offices and processing centres in the South East of England; (228031)

(2) if he will make a statement on the future of the Jobcentre Plus office at Sunley House, Aylesbury.

[holding answer 20 October 2008]: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Lesley Strathie:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking if he will make a statement on his plans for the reorganisation of Jobcentre Plus offices and processing centres in the South East of England; and if he will make a statement on the future of the Jobcentre Plus office at Sunley House, Aylesbury. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

Since 2002 Jobcentre Plus has completed a national modernisation programme to improve levels of service to all our customers through new style Jobcentres, Contact Centres, Benefit Delivery Centres and the Internet. The roll out of Jobcentre Plus in the South East was completed with the opening of our new Portsmouth Jobcentre Plus office on 24 September 2008. The Jobcentre Plus network in the South East currently consists of 73 Jobcentres and 8 Benefit Delivery Centres.

Our customers expect to access our services like any other organisation, as easily, directly and flexibly as possible. We are, therefore, offering far more of our services, both to employers and individual customers, through our Contact Centre network and the Internet. Customers making a benefit claim or enquiry can call a 0800 number to provide claim details by phone, this is free to landline users, with a call back facility available for those using mobile phones. This reduces the need to call into a Jobcentre and increasingly our offices are used for booked appointments only. In addition, we are providing a more individual service for our most disadvantaged customers, delivered in partnership with the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Social Fund services to most of the region are provided by the Jobcentre Plus Benefit Delivery centre in Bowback House, Milton Keynes. The former Social Security Office Sunley House in Aylesbury has been used for some Social Fund work on a temporary basis until sufficient space became available in Milton Keynes.

We have now acquired sufficient space in Bowback House, Milton Keynes to house the Sunley House Social Fund operations. The current planning assumption is that Social Fund work will migrate to Milton Keynes Benefit Delivery Centre by 31 March 2009. This will allow Jobcentre Plus to close Sunley House and realise a saving to its estate costs of approximately £420,000 in 2009/10.

All Social Fund staff in Sunley House have been given the opportunity to redeploy to Milton Keynes Benefit Delivery Centre. A number of staff have already done so. Staff will also be able to apply for other Department for Work and Pensions vacancies at Aylesbury and Chesham Jobcentres as well as vacancies within HMRC in the Aylesbury area.

Services to Jobcentre Plus customers in Aylesbury will not be affected by the closure of Sunley House as Social Fund payments to Aylesbury customers will be made from the Jobcentre in Heron House which is just a few hundred yards away.

I hope you find this information helpful. I have asked Paul Williams (Customer Services Director for the South East) to contact you to arrange a suitable time to discuss your concerns either by phone or face to face, whichever is more convenient for you. However, if you would like to contact Paul directly in the meantime his number is: 01483 446065.

Jobcentre Plus: Closures

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobcentres have closed in each month since 1 January 2007; how many are scheduled for closure in the next year; and if he will make a statement. (228898)

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Lesley Strathie:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking how many Jobcentres have closed in each month since 1st January 2007, and how many are scheduled for closure in the next year. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

The following table provides a month by month breakdown of the 81 Jobcentre Plus office closures between 1 January 2007 and October 2008.

Jobcentre Plus office closures broken down by month

Closures

January 2007

5

February 2007

2

March 2007

5

April 2007

5

May 2007

2

June 2007

3

July 2007

9

August 2007

2

September 2007

1

October 2007

1

November 2007

1

December 2007

4

January 2008

5

February 2008

10

March 2008

12

April 2008

3

May 2008

0

June 2008

1

July 2008

1

August 2008

7

September 2008

1

October 2008

1

Three Jobcentres which are currently open to the public are scheduled for closure this year. They are all within Jobcentre Plus London Region: Brixton Hill, Feltham and Orpington. All three have been subject to a rigorous consultation process. Other than these, no decisions have yet been taken on further closures over the next 12 months.

Jobcentre Plus: Lost Property

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what records Jobcentre Plus has of the number of items of mail it has sent through the Royal Mail signed for services which have been (a) lost and (b) misplaced in the last 12 months. (231140)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) use the Recorded Delivery and Special Delivery service, which are signed for postal services provided by Royal Mail. DWP business users of these services are responsible for reporting any misplaced or lost items directly to Royal Mail and records of lost or misplaced items are therefore not held centrally within DWP or centrally within Jobcentre Plus. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Jobcentre Plus: Manpower

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2008, Official Report, columns 19-20, on job centres, what his definition is of front line staff; and how many (a) full-time equivalent staff and (b) front line full-time equivalent staff were employed in each job centre in Argyll and Bute in each year since 2004. (229892)

[holding answer 27 October 2008]: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Lesley Strathie:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question, pursuant to the Answer of 20"1 October, Official Report, columns 19-20, on jobcentres, what his definition is of front line staff; and how many (a) full-time equivalent staff and (b) front line full-time equivalent staff were employed in each jobcentre in Argyll and Bute in each year since 2004.

The number of frontline full time equivalent staff employed in the following Jobcentres in Argyll and Bute is as follows. All staff working in a Jobcentre are regarded as frontline staff.

March each year

Office

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Campbeltown

23.14

18.1

14.56

10.95

10.95

Dunoon

14.35

11.54

14.54

9.54

9.54

Helensburgh

13.77

9.77

8.77

9.77

7.77

Oban

29.33

28.09

18.26

17.99

15.99

Rothesay

11.96

10.42

9.42

7.41

6.41

Note:

Headcount figures are quoted in full-time equivalents using the Office for National Statistics criteria for counting headcount and details the position at March in each year.

Source:

Jobcentre Plus Management Information Portal

It should be noted that the activities carried out in Jobcentres in 2008 are not the same as those carried out in 2004 as a result of the transfer of processing activities to Benefit Delivery Centres. For this reason it could be misleading to compare the staffing levels year on year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) Jobcentre Plus staff and (b) customer-facing Jobcentre Plus staff there are planned to be (i) in total, (ii) in each region and (iii) in each Jobcentre Plus district in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement. (230435)

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Lesley Strathie:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many (a) Jobcentre Plus staff and (b) customer facing Jobcentre Plus staff there were (i) in total, (ii) in each region and (iii) in each Jobcentre Plus district in each of the next 3 years; and if he will make a statement. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

The Department’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) 2007 settlement provides for the following staffing numbers in Jobcentre Plus:

March each year

Number

2009

65,453

2010

61,985

2011

58,529

We do not have a future breakdown of this staffing by the categories you request.

Our plans are under active review in the light of the current economic situation. We are already planning for Jobcentre Plus to have 2,000 more staff than the original assumption to enable us to respond to increasing numbers of customers. We do not yet have the detailed plans which describe the revised numbers for this year below a national level.

Maternity Benefits

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many maternity allowance claims remained unprocessed at the end of each quarter in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement; (230290)

(2) how many and what proportion of maternity allowance claims were processed within (a) seven, (b) 14, (c) 21, (d) 28, (e) 35, (f) 49 and (g) 63 days in each quarter of the last three years; and if he will make a statement;

(3) how many staff have been working directly on the processing of maternity allowance claims in each quarter of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Lesley Strathie:

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your questions on the processing of Maternity Allowance applications. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

The target for clearing Maternity Allowance claims is 20 days and we expect to clear 4,800 claims within this timescale. Therefore, our normal “head of work”, which is the amount of claims we expect to have outstanding at any one time, is 4,800 claims. Statistical information regarding Maternity Allowance claims is only available from April 2006. We have provided quarterly data from April 2006 to September 2008.

Quarter ending

Number of maternity allowance claims outstanding

June 2006

4,650

September 2006

3,833

December 2006

4,287

March 2007

5,933

June 2007

6,616

September 2007

6,823

December 2007

5,973

March 2008

6,326

June 2008

10,937

September 2008

4,513

Source:

Jobcentre Plus Management Information Portal

Clearance times for Maternity Allowance increased slightly this year over the summer months resulting in a backlog of 7,000 cases awaiting action. This was as a result of an increase in births leading to an increase in Maternity Allowance applications by a fifth. This increase also coincided with the centralisation of the administration of Maternity Allowance claims between December 2007 and August 2008 into four Benefit Delivery Centres covering the whole country and a temporary dip in productivity associated with retraining existing members of staff. The backlog has now been cleared and we have returned to our normal “head of work”.

Information relating to the proportion of Maternity Allowance claims processed within 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 49 and 63 days is not held.

Statistical information regarding details of staff working on Maternity Allowance claims is only available from April 2006. We have provided quarterly data from April 2006 to June 2008. Data for the second quarter of 2008 is not yet available, however, we have provided the average figure incorporating August 2008 data.

The figures quoted relate to staff working on Maternity Allowance new claims and maintenance activities and also include any general support duties and related Maternity Allowance work, including acting as telephone point of contact for all enquiries relating to claims and maintenance. It should be noted however, that before benefit centralisation many staff working on other benefits often helped on Maternity Allowance and this work would not have been recorded on the system. Therefore figures are not comparable year on year.

Maternity allowance—average full-time equivalent staff per quarter

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Quarter 1

87.09

80.60

126.19

Quarter 2

91.54

91.62

n/a

Quarter 3

82.60

107.85

n/a

Quarter 4

76.77

126.80

n/a

Yearly Average

84.50

101.72

130.66

Source:

Jobcentre Plus Activity Based Management Portal

Mediation

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made on his Department’s mediation with a counsellor initiative; and if he will make a statement. (231818)

[holding answer 30 October 2008]: The Department has successfully been running a mediation pilot for employees in selected parts of Jobcentre Plus and Pension, Disability and Carers Service since 9 June 2008. The pilot offers mediation as a voluntary alternative to the formal grievance procedures. The pilot is due to finish on 9 January 2009 and it will then be evaluated. Following this a decision will be taken about whether to offer mediation on a permanent basis.

Pension Credit

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average response time was for new pensions credit applications in (a) Eastbourne constituency, (b) East Sussex and (c) the UK in each of the last 12 months. (231844)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of pension credit applications received by the Pension Service in the last 12 months have been repeat applications. (231845)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pension credit applications the Pension Service received in each of the last 12 months. (231847)

The Pension Service has received a total of 280,893 applications for pension credit in the last 12 months. The following table shows the total number of applications received for each of the last 12 months.

PC applications received

October 2007

24,121

November 2007

24,319

December 2007

17,123

January 2008

25,619

February 2008

23,460

March 2008

20,791

April 2008

24,265

May 2008

21,946

June 2008

23,251

July 2008

27,903

August 2008

22,869

September 2008

25,226

12 month total

280,893

Pensioners: Bus Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners claimed free bus travel in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each year since its inception. (231417)

I have been asked to reply.

Concessionary travel is administered at a local level therefore the Government do not hold historic pass holder data. However, due to the recent reissue of passes for the introduction of the England-wide concession, the Government collected data concerning numbers of pass holders from each travel concession authority.

The totals for Jarrow and the metropolitan borough of South Tyneside are both included in the figures for Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive. In October 2007 Nexus reported a total of 219,073 elderly and disabled pass holders. The total for the North East region was 460,094 and for England as a whole 7,491,416.

Post Office Card Account

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the accuracy of information provided on the telephone by Pensions Service staff about the future of the Post Office card account; and if he will make a statement. (232314)

[holding answer 3 November 2008]: We continually monitor our communications and issue appropriate reminders and updates to staff.

Customers are being provided with information about the Post Office card account and around 12,500 new card accounts are being opened every month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received on the future of the Post Office card account. (232678)

I and my ministerial colleagues have received a number of letters on the future of the Post Office card account. We have also answered questions in the House and responded to points raised during debates.

Post Office Card Account: Chelmsford

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) West Chelmsford constituency and (b) the Chelmsford local authority area have a Post Office card account. (233139)

The answer is not available in the precise format requested.

The following table shows the number of benefit and pension accounts paid into a Post Office card account in (a) the West Chelmsford constituency and (b) the Chelmsford local authority area.

Payment type: Post Office card account

Number

West Chelmsford constituency

3,700

Chelmsford local authority area

5,360

Notes:

1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and refer to payment accounts live and in payment as at 12 April 2008. Claimants with more than one account will be counted for each account.

2. Child benefit is administered by HM Revenue and Customs and War Pensions are administered by MOD. These benefits have been excluded.

Source:

DWP, Information Directorate

Social Security Benefits

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average processing time for (a) disability living allowance and (b) pension credit applications was (i) in each of the smallest geographical areas for which information is available and (ii) in total in each quarter of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. (230481)

The information is as follows:

(a) Disability living allowance

Please see the following table giving the DLA New Claim (Normal Rules) year to date (YTD) average actual clearance times (AACT) in each of the new claim business units for DLA for each quarter of the last five years and the equivalent DLA national figure.

2003-042004-05

YTD DLA NR Claims AACT

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Edinburgh

36.4

36.6

36.7

37.9

40.6

39.3

39.1

38.0

Newcastle

32.4

32.3

31.9

32.1

35.3

35.5

35.0

34.7

Leeds

41.0

40.4

39.2

37.5

34.2

34.2

32.7

32.3

Manchester

33.5

34.4

35.5

35.8

38.1

36.3

35.4

34.2

Bootle

35.3

36.4

37.2

37.5

37.0

37.7

36.1

34.7

Midlands

34.5

35.8

35.6

35.0

33.5

33.6

32.9

32.4

Bristol

37.3

40.6

40.5

39.2

38.3

38.3

36.0

34.5

Wales

36.5

40.6

40.1

39.0

35.7

37.3

36.7

35.4

Wembley

41.0

42.3

43.0

43.0

35.1

35.6

35.8

36.0

Sutton

40.3

40.8

40.6

40.3

36.3

36.5

36.1

36.3

Glasgow

39.1

39.3

38.4

37.9

35.8

36.0

33.9

32.6

DCPU5 NCU

Bootle NE

Wales NE

DCPU 1 NCU

National

38.8

39.9

40.0

39.7

37.5

37.7

36.7

36.2

2005-062006-07

YTDDLA NR Claims AACT

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Edinburgh

38.0

39.3

38.5

37.9

36.9

37.7

37.5

36.7

Newcastle

35.8

37.7

37.9

38.0

38.2

40.1

40.3

Leeds

30.9

31.2

30.7

30.9

33.6

35.4

35.2

35.2

Manchester

29.2

29.3

29.7

29.7

29.4

32.3

35.0

35.7

Bootle

32.8

32.7

32.4

31.6

32.9

34.4

35.5

35.8

Midlands

29.9

31.3

31.7

31.7

32.0

32.1

33.2

34.2

Bristol

31.5

33.5

34.6

34.4

43.2

42.8

43.7

44.4

Wales

31.9

33.7

34.7

35.0

34.9

35.4

37.1

37.8

Wembley

33.2

33.4

33.7

34.6

38.6

38.7

39.5

39.7

Sutton

40.4

40.6

40.7

40.9

Glasgow

31.9

35.1

36.4

36.7

31.7

33.5

34.4

33.8

DCPU 5 NCU

20.3

25.9

29.8

30.6

29.6

29.6

30.3

30.0

Bootle NE

34.8

Wales NE

34.1

DCPU 1 NCU

National

33.5

__34.3

34.5

34.5

35.0

35.8

36.7

36.8

2007-082008-09

YTDDLA NR Claims AACT

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Edinburgh

34.0

35.7

37.3

36.6

Newcastle

Leeds

34.2

33.0

31.6

30.7

25.8

25.1

Manchester

35.2

34.5

34.2

32.9

28.4

27.8

Bootle

36.5

36.8

37.5

35.5

29.2

29.9

Midlands

37.5

38.3

37.2

35.8

29.0

29.7

Bristol

46.6

44.5

43.5

40.5

29.2

29.0

Wales

37.6

37.0

36.1

34.7

29.2

30.8

Wembley

42.5

43.0

43.0

41.1

29.5

30.3

Sutton

Glasgow

33.2

35.7

35.1

34.2

30.8

31.8

DCPU 5 NCU

27.6

31.7

33.6

32.6

31.7

32.9

Bootle NE

37.8

37.9

37.9

37.0

32.3

32.4

Wales NE

36.6

36.4

35.7

34.1

29.3

31.4

DCPU 1 NCU

12.4

16.9

National

36.9

37.7

37.5

36.0

29.5

29.8

Notes: DLA AACT target: 2003-04 = 42 days, 2004-08 = 39 days and 2008-09 = 38 days. When Sutton DBC was closed the DLA new claims work was transferred to DCPU 5 New Claims Unit. When Newcastle DBC was closed the DLA new claims work was transferred to the Bootle and Wales offices (Bootle North East and Wales North East). When Edinburgh DBC was closed down the DLA new claims work was transferred to DCPU 1 New Claims Unit. 2. The table above shows that for the majority of the units the YTD target for DLA New Claims was met, this despite the target being reduced from 42 days in 2003-04 to 38 days for this year. Over this period all units have seen a steady reduction in their YTD performance ranging from a decrease of 15.9 days at Leeds DBC to 4.8 days at Midlands DBC, from the first quarter of 2003-04 to the second quarter of 2008-09. Also throughout this period the national YTD performance was below target for all of the quarters and reduced from 38.8 days in the first quarter of 2003-04 to 29.8 days in the second quarter of 2008-09, a decrease of nine days. Source: RDA 80123 Monthly Reports.

(b) Pension credit

Please see the following table giving the pension credit new claim year to date (YTD) average actual clearance times (AACT) in each of the current Pension Centres for each quarter of the last five years and the equivalent pension credit national figure.

2003-042004-05

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Burnley

9.4

17.2

23.8

19.8

9.7

10.7

9.3

7.0

Cwmbran

2.8

7.4

4.5

3.6

4.1

4.6

6.3

5.4

Dundee

14.5

10.3

10.7

7.1

6.8

7.7

12.5

12.2

Leicester

8.6

11.3

13.4

8.6

9.7

12.0

17.3

13.2

London

7,9

8.8

13.5

12.6

10.0

14.7

15.1

12.2

Motherwell

17.1

17.6

16.5

11.9

8.8

9.9

15.0

14.4

Seaham

6.4

6.3

9.2

6.5

6.4

8.2

12.1

8.1

Stockport

16.8

18.6

14.8

11.6

11.5

11.1

11.6

10.7

Swansea

12.1

13.8

12.5

9.4

10.2

10.7

11.7

10.0

Warrington

13.4

12.1

9.8

7.6

7.0

8.9

15.3

9.7

National

9.7

11.4

14.3

11.1

9.2

10.9

12.3

10.2

2005-062006-07

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Burnley

8.0

10.9

10.0

9.9

11.0

6.4

8.0

15.1

Cwmbran

6.5

7.5

7.1

6.4

7.6

6.5

9.7

12.9

Dundee

8.6

8.3

10.0

7.2

8.6

9.5

11.9

14.2

Leicester

11.0

13.7

12.0

12.8

10.5

6.7

10.9

14.9

London

11.1

9.2

8.8

10.5

12.8

12.2

17.7

20.4

Motherwell

12.0

10.3

7.2

6.5

8.4

12.0

12.0

16.6

Seaham

7.7

9.7

8.7

11.0

9.5

10.4

12.7

15.6

Stockport

8.4

8.8

8.3

8.5

11.5

11.6

17.8

23.6

Swansea

9.4

9.2

9.3

9.5

12.8

9.8

15.1

14.4

Warrington

7.0

7.4

10.0

12.1

9.0

9.9

12.4

16.6

National

8.8

8.5

8.5

9.1

10.1

9.7

12.7

15.8

2007-082008-09

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Burnley

15.4

15.9

12.4

11.0

11.5

10.5

Cwmbran

9.9

9.5

8.4

9.6

9.3

9.1

Dundee

14.3

14.2

11.8

11.4

11.9

12.0

Leicester

19.0

24.2

28.1

15.1

16.1

19.3

London

17.8

13.8

11.5

13.6

12.5

12.4

Motherwell

15.3

16.7

11.9

14.2

15.4

16.0

Seaham

15.7

15.0

16.2

16.7

11.6

11.7

Stockport

19.2

24.0

24.2

23.8

18.5

19.8

Swansea

12.4

13.4

16.2

17.0

17.3

17.3

Warrington

15.8

18.8

15.8

13.1

16.4

18.7

National

15.2

16.7

15.8

14.9

14.3

14.9

Notes: Pension Credit AACT target: 2003-07 = 10 days, 2007-09 = 15 days. As part of the Transformation Programme, the ten Pension Centres shown above now deal with all pension credit applications. In 2003, there were 26 pension centres and there has been a gradual reduction to present state. The target of 10 days was eased to 15 days to allow the new transformation processes to be embedded within the organisation. Currently, at a national level the 15-day target is being achieved. Source: Management Information System Programme.

The pension centres deal with the following geographic areas:

Geographic area

Burnley

Norfolk, Cambs, Herts, Essex, Cumbria, Beds, Suffolk and North Lanes

Cwmbran

Hants, Berks, Oxon, Bucks, IOW, Gloucs and Wilts

Dundee

East and North Scotland, Highlands, North and South Yorkshire and East Riding

Leicester

Leics, Northants, Notts and Lincs

London

London and Surrey

Motherwell

Ayrshire, North and South Lanarkshire, Glasgow, West Scotland, Kent, East and West Sussex

Seaham

North East, Bradford and Keighley

Stockport

Worcs, Warwicks, Shropshire, Staffs, Birmingham, Herefords and Derbys

Swansea

Wales and South West

Warrington

Lanes, Merseyside and Manchester

Social Security Benefits Agency: Expenditure

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost to the public purse of the Benefits Agency was in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08. (228622)

The Benefits Agency ceased to exist in 2002.

Information concerning the cost to the public purse of the Department for Work and Pensions is available in its 2008 Departmental Report (Cm 7401), copies of which are in the Library.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were prosecuted for crimes relating to benefit fraud in (a) West Chelmsford constituency and (b) the Chelmsford local authority area in each of the last five years. (232774)

Social Security Benefits: Industrial Disputes

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what contingency plans he is considering to ensure the efficient and effective operation of benefit payments for the duration of planned industrial action by civil service unions; (230005)

(2) what assessment he has made of the effect on his Department’s published performance targets of planned industrial action by civil service unions; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what assessment he has made of the effect on pension and benefit recipients of planned industrial action by civil service unions;

(4) what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department’s budget of planned industrial action by civil service unions; and what adjustments will be necessary to ensure that his Department’s budgets balance.

Our contingency plans, which are flexible and proven, include prioritising our resources to ensure that our top priority—to make payments to our customers—is maintained throughout any strike action by staff. We will also maintain access to our services by telephone and wherever possible face to face.

Ninety-eight per cent. of DWP customers receive automated payments. Customers, including pensioners, job seekers, benefit claimants and those who rely on child maintenance payments will continue to receive the payments on which they depend.

The flexible nature of our business delivery and our business continuity planning will enable us to minimise the impact of industrial action on published performance targets.

Short-term periods of industrial action do not have any significant impact on the Department’s budget.

State Retirement Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals received late payment of their state pension during the last 12 months in (a) Eastbourne constituency, (b) East Sussex and (c) the UK. (229998)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals received a late payment of their deferred state pension in each of the last 12 months. (231852)

State Retirement Pensions: Hillingdon

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals received late payment of their state pension in (a) the London Borough of Hillingdon and (b) Uxbridge constituency in the last 12 months. (231724)

State Retirement Pensions: Overseas Residence

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many state pension recipients live outside the UK. (231841)

The latest estimate of the number of UK state pensions paid to pensioners living outside the UK is approximately 1,090,000.

Source:

Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, 100 per cent data, February 2008

Vocational Training: South Yorkshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of employment training funding provided to training providers in (a) South Yorkshire, (b) Rotherham and (c) Barnsley was (i) spent on training and (ii) retained as cash, profits of charges by the training provider over the last five years. (231293)

The information requested is not available.

This is primarily a matter for the individual providers. The Department awards contracts which stipulate a given level and quality of provision at an agreed price which represents value for money and providers are expected to deliver against the terms of those contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how much has been allocated, and to which organisations, by the Government on employment training in (a) South Yorkshire, (b) Rotherham and (c) Barnsley in each of the last five years; (231294)

(2) which training providers have provided services paid for by employment training funding in (a) South Yorkshire, (b) Rotherham and (c) Barnsley in each of the last five years;

(3) which training providers received employment training funding in (a) South Yorkshire, (b) Rotherham and (c) Barnsley in the last five years.

The following table provides details of the providers, in each of the locations requested, that have received employment training funding from the Department in the last five years and the estimated contract values for the providers in the South Yorkshire district. Some of the values represent a number of different contracts held by individual providers.

The Department does not hold central records of employment training funding allocated to individual towns and could provide this information only at disproportionate cost.

South YorkshireRotherhamBarnsley

Providers

Contract(s) value (£)

Providers

Providers

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

1,276,800

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Personnel Evaluation Consultants Ltd.

3,975,728

Personnel Evaluation Consultants Ltd.

Personnel Evaluation Consultants Ltd.

Phoenix Enterprises

774,451

Phoenix Enterprises

SOVA (Supporting others through volunteer action)

1,000,923

SOVA

SOVA

The Source at Meadowhall

909,504

The Source at Meadowhall

Action for Employment

27,384,210

BTCV Enterprises

1,060,980

Business Employment Services Training Ltd. (BEST Ltd.)

8,591,499

Community Training Services

1,371,142

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

710,400

Into Business Scheme

349,059

Morthyng Ltd.

616,210

NACRO

823,078

Nationwide Ethnic Transport Training Ltd. (NETT Ltd.)

1,166,698

Reed in Partnership

4,729,487

Sheffield City Council

2,210,968

Sheffield Futures

767,365

Work Fit

204,000

Lifetime Careers

1,192,032

Winter Fuel Payments

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 29 September 2008, Official Report, column 2402W, on winter fuel payments, what estimate he has made of the value of the winter fuel payment in 2008-09 for a 60 to 79 year-old, expressed as a percentage of the average annual energy and gas bill. (232964)

Actual expenditure data on the average annual energy and gas bill for 2008-09 are not available. However, based on fuel price changes to September 2008 it is estimated that the winter fuel payment of £200 plus the additional payment of £50 for 2008-09 would make up around 20 per cent. of the average annual energy and gas bill.

Notes:

1. Household energy expenditure on energy is taken from the 2006 Family Spending Survey for 65-74 year olds, uprated by changes in the price of fuel and light to September 2008

2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 per cent.

Winter Fuel Payments: Hillingdon

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how much he expects to pay to pensioner households in (a) the London Borough of Hillingdon and (b) Uxbridge constituency in winter fuel payments in 2008-09; (231802)

(2) what estimate he has made of the number of households in (a) the London Borough of Hillingdon and (b) Uxbridge constituency which will receive the (i) £250 and (ii) £400 winter fuel payment in 2008-09.

Expenditure in 2006-07 on winter fuel payments in (a) the London borough of Hillingdon was £7.3 million and in (b) the Uxbridge constituency was £2.4 million. Forecasts of benefit expenditure are not produced below national level.

It is not possible to derive a forecast for 2008-09 using 2006-07 outturn data because the benefit rates for winter fuel payments have changed for 2008-09 and because adequate caseload data are not available.

Notes:

1. Expenditure figures have been rounded to the nearest £100,000.

2. Parliamentary constituencies and local authorities are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.

3. Please note that a small number of these households receive amounts higher than the usual rate for their age group, where the household includes more than two individuals each entitled to payments at half of the usual household rate.

Source:

Information directorate 100 per cent. data

Figures for winter 2007-08 are not yet available. The number of households that received the £200 and £300 winter fuel payment in winter 2006-07 are shown in the following table. We expect similar numbers to receive the £250 and £400 respectively in winter 2008-09.

Number of households

£

London borough of Hillingdon

24,050

200

7,840

300

Uxbridge constituency

7,750

200

2,500

300

Notes:

1. Figures rounded to the nearest 10.

2. Parliamentary constituencies and local authorities are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.

3. Please note that a small number of these households receive amounts higher than the usual rate for their age group, where the household includes more than two individuals each entitled to payments at half of the usual household rate.

Source:

Information directorate 100 per cent. data

Working Tax Credit

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of all eligible recipients of working tax credit are currently in receipt of the childcare element. (232165)

I have been asked to reply.

The information requested is not available.

However, the estimated number of families benefiting from the child care element of working tax credit, at April 2008, is provided in Table 4.4 of the HMRC publication “Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. April 2008”. This is available on the HMRC website at:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-quarterly-stats.htm

Leader of the House

Ministerial Policy Advisers: Written Questions

To ask the Leader of the House if she will put in place arrangements for questions for written answer to be tabled to Government envoys. (232379)

No, as Ministers should remain accountable for policies, decisions and actions of their Departments and agencies.

Regional Ministers: Written Questions

To ask the Leader of the House if she will put in place arrangements for questions for written answer to be tabled to regional ministers. (232381)

Questions for written answer which relate to regional matters may be tabled to the relevant Secretary of State.

The House will shortly have the opportunity to consider motions establishing regional Select Committees and regional Grand Committees, including provision for ministers to answer questions in the Grand Committees.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the implementation of the action plan on peace, reconciliation and justice in Afghanistan; and what assistance the UK has given to civil society organisations in the country in support of that implementation since 2002. (226078)

The UK has given the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) £500,000 to support its three-year action plan for 2006-2008, which includes the implementation of the peace, reconciliation and justice action plan. Our support helps the AIHRC to collect and record evidence of past human rights abuses, raise awareness about transitional justice and lobby the Afghan Government for action. In 2007, the AIHRC's Transitional Justice Unit documented 86 mass graves related to past human rights abuses; such information will contribute to any future progress on transitional justice.

Afghanistan: Politics and Government

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government plan to take to help address corruption in public life in Afghanistan. (229850)

We continue to press President Karzai to take action against corrupt public officials and look forward to working with the new Minister of the Interior, Hanif Atmar, to tackle corruption in the Rule of Law sector, in particular policing. The Department for International Development has supported work to identify and address the areas of the Government of Afghanistan that are most vulnerable to corruption.

The Department for International Development is working closely with the World Bank to put in place more robust public financial management systems across the Government, and is engaged with other international partners to identify support requirements for the Government’s new anti-corruption body. In addition, the UK is providing anti-corruption specialists to strengthen Afghan law enforcement and justice institutions with a focus on the prosecution of counter-narcotics and corruption-related cases.

Bangladesh: Politics and Government

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the caretaker Government of Bangladesh about lifting the state of emergency before the commencement of the campaign period for the elections in December. (231049)

When my noble Friend, the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, visited Bangladesh in October, he reiterated to the caretaker Government, the main political parties, civil society and the media the UK's support for fair and credible elections. He made clear that the lifting of the state of emergency would be a major step towards this goal.

Belarus: Children

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to make representations to the Belarus authorities to allow the resumption of exchange programmes of Belarus children from the Chernobyl area. (230855)

Our ambassador to Belarus has been in close contact with the authorities in Minsk in recent weeks, raising our concerns about their decision to suspend these programmes. UK arrangements have worked well, with a high standard of care and safe return of the children to their guardians. We hope to find an amicable solution of the issue to allow the resumption of these programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK Government support the presumption of the exchange programmes of Belarus children from the area north of Chernobyl; and if he will make a statement. (231287)

The Government fully support the resumption of charitable programmes bringing children from Chernobyl affected areas to western countries for short respite holidays. The British ambassador to Belarus has been in close contact with the authorities in Minsk, raising our concerns following their recent suspension of the programme. UK arrangements worked well, with a high standard of care and safe return of the children to their guardians. We hope to be able to find an amicable resolution of the issue to allow these visits to resume quickly.

Chernobyl: Children

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department will take steps to facilitate arrangements for children from Chernobyl to be able to travel to the UK in accordance with the motion passed at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 13 October 2008. (231290)

The Government support the motion of the Council of Europe calling on the Belarusian authorities to end the travel ban for children who participate in various assistance programmes. The British ambassador to Belarus has been in close contact with the authorities in Minsk, raising our concerns. UK arrangements have worked well, with a high standard of care and safe return of the children to their guardians. We hope to find an amicable resolution of the issue to allow the resumption of these programmes.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Elections

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on elections in the Hong Kong special administrative region. (231761)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has regular contact with his Chinese counterpart to discuss a whole range of issues, including Hong Kong. He pays close attention to Hong Kong, and comments on developments in the Six-Monthly Report. A particular focus is on Hong Kong's progress towards universal suffrage. On 29 December 2007 the Foreign Secretary released the following comments on Hong Kong's elections:

“Today's announcement by the National People's Congress that there will not be universal suffrage in the 2012 Hong Kong elections will be a disappointment for all those who want to see Hong Kong move to full democracy as soon as possible.”

“As the Hong Kong SAR Government has itself recognised, this includes the majority of Hong Kong's own people who have clearly said that they wish to elect the Chief Executive by universal suffrage in 2012.”

“I remain of the view that both China and Hong Kong's interests will be best served by allowing Hong Kong to move to full democracy as soon as possible. The National People's Congress' statement clearly points towards universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election in 2017 and the legislative council thereafter. I hope that all parties concerned can engage in meaningful dialogue to allow this, and that the Hong Kong authorities will now put forward constructive proposals making progress in 2012 to achieve this goal.”

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Tourism

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK citizens visited the Hong Kong special administrative region in (a) 2007 and (b) 2006. (231759)

According to figures provided by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, 628,332 UK citizens visited Hong Kong in 2007 and 546,026 visited in 2006.

India: Christianity

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the current security situation for Christians in the state of Orissa, India; (230861)

(2) what recent discussions he has had with the Indian Government and the Indian Ambassador to the Court of St. James on reports of extreme violence towards Christians in India in recent months;

(3) what reports he has received of the security situation for Christians in the state of Karnataka, India;

(4) what steps the Government are taking to promote the safety of Christians in India from violence, and fear of violence;

(5) what reports he has received of the security situation for Christians in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.

We have received reports of around 40 deaths, 3,000 homes burnt and 27,000 people homeless following the recent violence against Christians in Orissa. Christian missionaries and church buildings have also been attacked in Karnataka, and there have been at least 35 major incidents against the Christian community in Madhya Pradesh this year, too. We believe that there are a variety of factors behind the recent violence in Orissa. The British high commission in New Delhi continues to monitor the situation closely.

We welcome the Indian Prime Minister's unequivocal statements condemning the attacks, most recently on 13 October. We have expressed our concerns directly with the Indian Government and their representatives. On 1 October, my noble Friend the Minister of State for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, raised the matter with the Indian high commissioner in London. On 17 October, he also discussed our concerns with Anand Sharma, Indian Minister of External Affairs, and Mohammed Quereshi, Chairman of the Minorities Commission in New Delhi. The issue of religious freedom is due to be raised at the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue in New Delhi later this year.

India: Crimes of Violence

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of religious violence in Orissa state, India; what assessment he has made of its effect on the stability of India; and if he will make a statement. (229361)

We have received reports of around 40 deaths, 3,000 homes burnt and 27,000 people homeless following the recent violence against Christians in Orissa. We assess that there are a number of issues at play, including the role of minorities, castes and politics. We welcome the Indian Prime Minister's unequivocal statements, including most recently on 13 October, when he condemned the attacks; called for urgent measures to tackle religious violence; authorised deployment of additional police to restore law and order and offered compensation to the victims. On 17 October, during his visit to New Delhi, my noble Friend the Minister of State for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, expressed the Government's concerns about the current situation to Anand Sharma, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, and Mohammed Quereshi, Chairman of the Minorities Commission in New Delhi.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which representatives of his Department and those agencies for which he is responsible were present at the briefing given on 26 February 2004 by the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross on that organisation's report on alleged abuses by coalition forces in Iraq. (229045)

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by my right. hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Mr. Straw) to my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Glenda Jackson) on 26 May 2004, Official Report, column 1635W. We would not as a matter of course identify officials involved in such meetings but I can confirm that the officials were representatives of the Office of the UK Special Representative in Baghdad.

Kashmir: Armed Conflict

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in India and Pakistan on easing movements across the line of control in Kashmir. (230248)

The UK has long been at the forefront of seeking to improve conditions for residents of Jammu and Kashmir on both sides of the line of control. In September and October this year, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the need for progress on economic links between India and Pakistan, and between the two divided parts of Kashmir with President Zardari of Pakistan and Indian Minister for External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee. We also consistently raise with both countries the importance of making progress on bilateral relations, including improving conditions for Kashmiris on both sides of the line of control.

Improving cross-border trade between India and Pakistan is important to developing the economies of both countries and cementing progress in the bilateral relationship. We therefore welcome the recent reopening of trade across the line of control.

Kosovo: Refugees

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received from HM Ambassador in Kosovo on Roma refugee camps in Kosovo. (231202)

The Government continue to be concerned by the situation in the Roma refugee camps in northern Kosovo. The British embassy in Pristina monitors UN and non-governmental organisation (NGO) reports on the three affected camps: Osterode/Osterode, Cesmin Llug/Cesmin Lug and Leposavic/Leposaviq. International donors and NGOs have recently provided funding to help with rebuilding houses and are assisting members of the Roma community to rebuild their lives. 450 people have moved out of the camps after the completion of the first phase of the rebuilding of the Roma Mahalla, the Roma district of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë which was destroyed during the 1998-99 conflict. A further 48 people are in the process of being assessed for return to suitable accommodation. According to the Danish Refugee Council which administers the camps, there are approximately 169 Roma still living in the camps.

Renewable Energy

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on the European Union's targets for renewable energy usage; and if he will make a statement. (224978)

The EU's climate change and energy package is an example of EU global leadership on climate change. Agreement on the package, later this year, will underline that the EU is on a fast track to a low carbon economy. A key part of this is the target the EU has set itself of deriving 20 per cent. of its energy needs from renewables.

The climate and energy package, including the renewables element, has been the subject of several recent discussions in the NSID-EU Cabinet Committee, which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary chairs, and at which the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) is represented. BERR's recent consultation on the UK's renewable energy strategy sets out plans for driving up the use of renewable energy in the UK, to enable us to meet our share of the EU target. It will help shape the UK's renewable energy strategy, which will be published next spring, once the UK's share of the target is agreed.

The lead for the EU's 2020 package was previously shared between BERR and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Following recent structural changes, that lead now falls to the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

Russia: South Ossetia

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he plans to make to the Russian Government on their refusal to allow the EU ceasefire monitors into South Ossetia and Abkhazia; and if he will make a statement. (230633)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I, along with senior officials, are in regular contact on this issue with our partners in the EU, UN and Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The Government continue to press the Russian Government, through these organisations, to allow the OSCE monitors and the EU monitoring mission access to South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The head of the OSCE mission visited Moscow on 22 October and met with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister to discuss access to the disputed territories. France currently holds the EU presidency and on 22 October the French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, called on the Russians to grant European observers in Georgia access to the disputed areas.

Somalia: Piracy

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to tackle piracy in the waters off the Somali coast. (232638)

The Government supported United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1816 and 1838 calling on parties to address the growing problem of piracy off the coast of Somalia. We have been working with our EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) partners to implement these resolutions.

In September, the EU set up a team to co-ordinate naval escorts protecting World Food Programme deliveries to Mogadishu. The EU is now planning a larger counter-piracy operation to which the UK will provide the operation commander and operation headquarters. EU partners agree that any operation must be co-ordinated with NATO and Combined Task Force 150, themselves active to deter piracy off the Horn of Africa. The UK contributes to both.

Through the Department for International Development, the UK has allocated £25 million to support efforts to tackle instability in Somalia, which creates the conditions allowing piratical activity to flourish.

Uzbekistan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Uzbekistan on establishing an independent inquiry into the events in Andijan in May 2005; and if he will make a statement. (229374)

The UK has proposed on numerous occasions, both bilaterally and with EU partners, to the Government of Uzbekistan that they establish an independent inquiry into the events in Andijan in May 2005. Most recently, Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials raised this issue with the Uzbek Government during a visit to Tashkent in May 2008.

The EU has held two rounds of EU-Uzbekistan experts' meetings on the Andijan events, where the Uzbek side has maintained that these events were a foreign-led conspiracy to exploit religious “extremists” and terrorism in order to effect a “coloured revolution”. The Uzbek authorities have consistently rejected calls for an independent, international enquiry.

Uzbekistan: Human Rights

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the next EU-Uzbekistan Human Rights Dialogue will take place; and if he will make a statement. (229376)

The third EU-Uzbekistan Human Rights Dialogue is due to take place in mid-2009. The second EU-Uzbekistan Human Rights Dialogue took place on 5 June 2008 under the Slovenian presidency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Uzbekistan on the detention of journalists Salijon Abdurahmanov and Yusuf Juma; and if he will make a statement. (229377)

Officials from our embassy in Tashkent have met Salijon Abdurahmanov and Yusuf Juma on a number of occasions. We are deeply concerned by their arrests and are following their situation closely. Both cases were raised at the EU-Uzbekistan Human Rights Dialogue on 5 June 2008.

Together with our EU partners, we continue to urge the Uzbek authorities to implement fully their international human rights obligations.

Uzbekistan: Refugees

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of refugees who left Uzbekistan for neighbouring countries following events in Andijan in May 2005; and if he will make a statement. (229366)

UK estimates of the number of refugees who left Uzbekistan for neighbouring countries following events in Andijan in May 2005 are based on figures released by the international agencies.

The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) was closely involved in supporting efforts by Kyrgyzstan to give shelter to some 500 refugees from Andijan in May 2005. Of the 450 refugees who initially registered with UNHCR, 439 were transferred to Romania at the end of July and on to third countries. There may be many more Uzbek refugees in Kyrgyzstan who have not registered with UNHCR or other international organisations.

We are aware that small numbers of refugees from Uzbekistan applied for asylum in other states including Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

The EU has raised concerns with Kyrgyzstan and other host countries at the return of some refugees to Uzbekistan contrary to international law.

Electoral Commission Committee

Electoral Register

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what assessment the Commission has made of the accuracy of the Electoral Register. (232974)

The Electoral Commission informs me that its 2005 report, ‘Understanding Electoral Registration’, found that the best estimate for non- registration among the eligible household population in England and Wales at 15 October 2000 was between 8 per cent. and 9 per cent. The report is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Commission's website.

In addition, the Commission published in October 2007 the findings of a report by GfK NOP into registration in London: The completeness and accuracy of the Electoral Registers in Greater London—a pilot study, which is available on its website.

The Commission also informs me that it is planning to undertake a review of local Electoral Registers in a small sample of local authority areas. This is due to begin in early 2009.

Political Parties: Finance

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission how many cases involving (a) regulated donees and (b) possible breaches of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 the Electoral Commission has (i) investigated, (ii) considered referring to the police and (iii) referred to the police in (A) 2008 and (B) in each of the last eight years; what offences were involved in each case; and how many investigators were employed on this work in 2008. (232711)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has investigated five cases involving regulated donees and possible breaches of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA). Two cases arose in 2007 and the remaining three arose in 2008.

I am informed that all these cases involved the late reporting of donations to the Commission. The late reporting of donations by regulated donees is a criminal offence, so the Commission always considers whether such a matter should be referred to the police. The Commission decided to refer one of the cases arising in 2008 to the police.

The Commission further informs me that during 2008 this work was conducted by the Commission's Enforcement Team (Casework) which consists of a team manager, an investigator and two caseworkers. This team also deals with enforcement issues relating to all other categories of regulated entities under PPERA, and the administration of Policy Development Grants.

Representation of the People Act 1983

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Beckenham of 6 October 2008, Official Report, column 84W, on the Representation of the People Act 1983, what consideration the Commission has given to issuing its guidance in the form of codes of practice under paragraph 14 of schedule 4A of the 1983 Act. (232925)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it believes that issuing guidance in the form of codes of practice would not provide a regulated entity with any additional assistance or certainty, beyond that provided by the Commission's current guidance.

The Commission also informs me that the procedure for producing codes of practice requires that the Secretary of State approves the draft and may amend the draft before it is laid before Parliament. The Commission is concerned that this requirement would reduce its ability to update the guidance on a timely basis.

The Commission has not received any representations from regulated entities seeking the production of a code of practice.

Olympics

Departmental Lost Property

To ask the Minister for the Olympics what (a) equipment and (b) data were lost by her Office in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement. (231434)

No equipment was lost by my office in the last 12 months.

My office, in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance, did not report any personal data-related incidents for the period 2007-08.

Olympic Games 2012: Consultants

To ask the Minister for the Olympics what consultancy contracts have been issued in relation to the 2012 Olympics in each year since 2004; and what the (a) value of contract, (b) purpose of contract and (c) contractor was in each case. (219262)

The following tables show information on consultancy contracts issued by the Government Olympic Executive (GOE), the now disbanded Olympic Programme Support Unit (OPSU) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), in relation to the 2012 Olympics in each financial year since 2004.

These costs reflect the process of preparing the bid, establishing and building up the requisite high level commercial and financial capacity in these organisations, while ensuring that key delivery milestones are, and continue to be, achieved across the programme. For example, this expert advice has helped us to:

Undertake detailed work to deliver the funding package for the Games just 21 months from bid win, well ahead of any other Games;

Begin construction on the Olympic Stadium over 2 months ahead of schedule.

Government Olympic Executive (GOE)

The GOE information on consultancy contracts gives the value of contracts issued as at August 2008.

Contracts issued 2004-05 to 2008-09

Supplier

Task

Value (£) including VAT

2004-05

Partnerships UK

Bid preparation

33,000

Partnerships UK

Legacy Proposals

21,131

PWC

Bid preparation

182,000

2005-06

Accenture

Preparation, facilitation for, and write up of cross-departmental workshop

29,328

Central Office of Information

Advertising for Chief Executive

60,609

Hays

Assessment of the terms and conditions of the ODA Chief Executive

10,340

KPMG

Post bid-win Olympics Cost Review

1,190,000

Odgers, Ray and Berndtson

Recruitment

25,876

Rockpools

Recruitment

72,850

2006-07

Judith Riley Ltd.

Workshop facilitation

6,627

CABE

Feasibility Study for Architecture and Built Environment Centre in Park

20,000

PWC

5 Boroughs Deprivation Study

23,289

Stanton Marris

Change management of GOE

16,616

2007-08

20:20 Delivery

Governance and delivery planning

75,460

PWC

Development of the Evaluation Framework

73,320

Deloitte

Review of the Olympic Programme Support Unit (OPSU) (Part 2) and provision of advice on the transfer of OPSU functions to GOE

187,801

Giles Emerson

Contribution to the Legacy Promises Document

4,418

TFG International

Provision of Best Practice advice from the Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games

44,146

Sarah Hunter

Scoping of Community Engagement Project

800

Odgers, Ray and Berndtson

Recruitment

179,126

Central Office of Information

Organisation of “Ask the Team” events

70,113

Central Office of Information

Olympics Legacy Research

121,409

2008-09

Deloitte

Facilitation of GOE workshop

3,402

Sports Recruitment International

Recruitment

34,158

Stanton Marris

Facilitation of GOE workshop

7,270

Decision Analysis Services

Implementation of NAO recommendations on Olympic programme risk management

9,183

Olympic Programme Support Unit (OPSU)—disbanded in September 2007, after which functions were absorbed into GOE

Contracts issued 2005-06 to 2007-08

Supplier

Task

Value (£) including VAT

2005-06

Accenture

Establishment, and interim operation of OPSU

881,937

2006-07

Ann Kennedy

Staff training

2,700

Moorhouse Consulting Ltd

Staff training

2,600

PTP Associates

Staff training

9,043

PWC

Development of Olympic Sustainability Strategy

94,000

2007-08

Deloitte

Review of OPSU (Part 1)

31,107

Forum for the Future

Staff training

16,770

Turner and Townsend

Programme Management Support

87,859

Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA)

In my previous answer to the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid-Kent (Hugh Robertson) on 16 October 2007, Official Report, column 977W, I stated that the ODA had spent some £50 million on consultancy as at 9 July 2007. However, the ODA have since advised me that the information they provided for that answer included the cost of contracts and or elements of contracts that were not strictly consultancy services and therefore should not have been included in the figures provided in my reply. The amended figures for the periods are as follows:

£

2006-07

13,676,095.21

2007-08 (up to 9 July)

1,155,508.00

For accuracy, the non-consultancy elements, that should not have been included in the figures provided in my reply, have been taken out of the information provided in the following table.

The following table provides information on ODA consultancy spend to July 2008, not the value of contracts. I am unable to give details of the total value of the ODA consultancy contracts at this stage, as this could compromise the ODA's commercial negotiating position and lead to an increase in cost.

Contracts issued 2005-06 to 2007-08

Supplier

Task

Value of ODA consultancy spend as at July 2008 (£)

2005-06

Aon Limited

Operational services—pension advisory services

5,048,182

EC Harris LLP

Transport advice

1,532,728

Ernst and Young LLP

Provision of financial advisory services and interim staff to the ODA, prior to the recruitment of permanent ODA finance staff

8,344,509

John Rowan and Partners LLP

Procurement advice

122,414

OGC

Procurement advice

379,296

Rockpools

Recruitment

5,257,036

2006-07

Augmentis Integrated Services Limited

Procurement policy and development of operating procedures

174,036

Bentley Systems

IT/software

43,398

Bravo Solution UK Ltd

e-sourcing services

1,587,324

Business Systems Group Limited

IT goods and services (data network and telephony)

193,141

Capgemini UK PLC

Project management support

676,941

Cedar Open Accounts Limited

Finance open accounts system

2,115

COA Solutions Ltd

Annual maintenance and access licensing for Cedar Open Accounts

84,770

Computer People

IT services

263,548

Cornwell Management Consultants plc

Data and records management services

31,548

Elstree Computing Limited

Quality Management Services (Transport)

97,579

ES Group Ltd

Event support

3,525

Eminence Grise Consultancy

Organisational services

34,639

Eurodata Systems plc

IT goods and services

808,279

Future Inclusion Limited

Transport: Access Audit—Olympic Transport Plan

3,525

Hedra plc

Procurement advice

2,630,542

Intelligent Risk Pty Ltd

Security advice

233,092

Jago Consultancy

Transport consultancy

37,021

Jobs Go Public Limited

Recruitment

66,423

John Donoghue Associates

Industrial Relations consultancy.

5,805

KPMG LLP

Financial advice

1,581,764

Matura Limited

Health, safety and environmental advice

11,586

Norman Broadbent

Equalities and diversity

505,298

Norwich Union

Financial advice

62,698

Pan-Leisure Consulting Limited

Velopark advice

52,581

Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd

Sustainability advice

365,309

Longwood Associates Ltd

Industrial relations

38,682

Pringle Brandon LLP

Office configuration

12,288

Quo Imus Ltd

Transport advice

1,125,614

Rullion Computer Personnel Ltd

IT provision

276,642

SpencerMayes

Office configuration of Planning Decision Teams' office

3,576

Steer Davies Gleave

Transport advice

955,414

Turner & Townsend Ltd

Procurement advice

2,013,870

Welcom Software Technology International Total

IT consultancy

37,001

2007-08

WS Atkins

Engineering, design, and infrastructure consultancy

13,583

Ove Arup and Partners Limited

Design, transport, and infrastructure consultancy

377,253

Backhouse Jones Solicitors

Legal advice

2,703

Bond International Software (UK) Ltd

IT/software

22,055

Booz Allen Hamilton Ltd

Transport security advice

41,125

Capita Symonds

Project management support

107,518

Davis Langdon LLP

Project Management support

4,175

Faber Maunsell Ltd

Transport advice

16,330

Fujitsu Services Limited

Back office systems and services

4,051,344

Grant Thornton UK LLP

Financial advice

261,244

Jane Cowmeadow Communications and Management

Event support

5,922

Ottaway Strategic Management Ltd

Equalities and diversity evaluation

15,975

Segens Solicitors

Legal advice

2,650

T-Three Consulting Ltd

Human resources

18,140

Deltek UK Ltd

On-site consultancy services

23,232

Plain English

To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many documents produced by the Government Office for the Olympics have been submitted to the Plain English Campaign for approval for Crystal Mark status in each year since 2005; and how many documents achieved such status in each year. (230500)

Northern Ireland

Parades Commission: Public Relations

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what public relations companies are contracted to the Northern Ireland Parades Commission to provide a media handling service; and how much they were paid in each year since 2004-05. (232869)

This is an operational matter for the Parades Commission. I have asked the Parades Commission secretary to reply to the hon. Member directly, and will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House and the Official Report.

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Homosexuality