Wednesday Volume 572 18 December 2013 No. 96

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Wednesday 18 December 2013

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2013 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 723 18 DECEMBER 2013 724

Mr Carmichael: I may be wrong, and if I am I House of Commons apologise, but I do not think my hon. Friend is right about the relative taxation of whisky and other alcoholic Wednesday 18 December 2013 drinks. [Interruption.] I have now been informed that beer duty is 37% and whisky duty is 42%, but in any event it is wrong to play off one part of Scotland’s The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock highly successful food and drinks industry against another. I am sure that the Chancellor will continue to listen to representations from the Scotch whisky industry, which PRAYERS my hon. Friend and I have made jointly over the years. Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) (Lab): I [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] declare an interest, as secretary of the all-party parliamentary scotch whisky and spirits group. Nearly every week the group receives representations about the whole question of the duty escalator and the unfair Oral Answers to Questions treatment of the spirits industry in relation to the beer industry. The Chancellor gave so much to the beer industry in his most recent Budget. What representations SCOTLAND has the Secretary of State made to the Chancellor with the aim of overcoming the problem?

The Secretary of State was asked— Mr Carmichael: I will continue to make representations on behalf of the whole food and drink industry in Whisky Industry Scotland, in which the hon. Gentleman and his all-party group play an important part. I have joined the hon. 1. Mrs Anne McGuire (Stirling) (Lab): What Gentleman on many occasions over the years as part of discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the such delegations, and I will continue to give him as Exchequer on the employment interests of workers in much support as I can. the whisky industry in Scotland. [901633] Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): Does the Secretary The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alistair of State not accept that 80% of the price of a bottle of Carmichael): I have regular discussions with the Chancellor Scotch whisky is duty, which is paid to the United about a wide range of issues, and I can assure the hon. Kingdom Treasury? Duty discrimination by the UK Lady that the whisky industry in Scotland and its Government is widening the gap between the price of employees are a key priority. My Department has long- whisky and the price of other beverages. How does that standing contact with the Scotch Whisky Association, help the industry and employees? which aids our understanding of the industry. Mr Carmichael: The point to which the hon. Gentleman Mrs McGuire: Scotch whisky is exported to about should respond—although I suspect that he will not—is 200 countries, and the industry directly employs 10,000 that the Scotch whisky industry does very well as part of people in Scotland. According to a recent White Paper the United Kingdom industry, taking full advantage of from the Scottish Government, there will be about 90 the string of embassies and UKTI offices that we have Scotch whisky embassies if the Scottish Government throughout the world, and his policy of independence have their way after independence. Does the Secretary puts that at risk. of State agree that trade agreements brokered by a strong and extensive United Kingdom diplomatic and Angus Robertson: In opposition, the right hon. international trade infrastructure are integral to the Gentleman and I, along with others, lobbied the Treasury success of Scotch whisky exports? I— to end tax discrimination. In fact, the right hon. Gentleman himself tabled an amendment for that purpose, supported Mr Speaker: Order. I am sorry to be discourteous, by Liberal Democrat Members and the Scottish National but the question is too long. party. Since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland, he has taken the Tory shilling, he is letting the industry Mr Carmichael: The right hon. Lady is absolutely down, and he is supporting a discriminatory duty. When right. Given that 90% of the product of the Scotch will he stand up and be Scotland’s man in the Cabinet, whisky industry is for the export market, it is of supreme rather than the Tories’ man in Scotland? importance for Scotland to have the best possible access to that market, and we have that facility through the Mr Carmichael: I do hope that that sounded better network of some 270 embassies throughout the world when the hon. Gentleman rehearsed it in the mirror and through United Kingdom Trade & Investment. earlier this morning, because it sounded pretty poor That is what matters, and that is why the Scotch whisky just now. There is no escaping the fundamental truth industry makes such good use of it. that his policy would be the ruination of the Scotch whisky industry, for no good reason. Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (LD): The Scotch whisky industry provides many jobs in my constituency, Low Pay but I feel that it is very unfair that whisky is taxed at a higher rate per unit of alcohol than beers and wines. 2. Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): Will the Government look again at alcohol taxation What steps the Government are taking to tackle low with a view to creating a level playing field? pay in Scotland. [901634] 725 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 726

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) (SNP): The UK (David Mundell): With your permission, Mr Speaker, Government’s attitude to the living wage was encapsulated before I answer that question, may I draw the House’s by the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation attention to the fact that Saturday 21 December will and Skills, the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire be the 25th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing? (Jo Swinson) earlier this year when she said: That remains the single largest loss of life ever in the “There is no recognised definition of a national living wage.”— United Kingdom, with 270 people perishing on that [Official Report, 10 June 2013; Vol. 563, c. 211W.] fateful evening. I am sure that the thoughts and prayers She went on to explain that the Government had therefore of the whole House will be with the community and made no assessment of its consequences, were it to be with those who lost friends and family on that day. introduced. Should not the Government move quickly Much of the focus over the past 25 years has been on to introduce a living wage for their employees, wherever the perpetrators, but the friends and families of the they might be based in the UK, rather than hiding victims and the community of Lockerbie deserve our behind the vacuous argument that it is too difficult to respect and admiration for the formidable way in which calculate, given that we know it will be £7.65 an hour in they have coped with 25 years of unprecedented global Scotland and £8.80 in London next year? attention. The national minimum wage is one of Government’s David Mundell: It is never a surprise to hear the key policies to support the low paid, and it is UK wide. Scottish National party mention London in the same On 1 October, the adult minimum wage increased to breath as Scotland. As I said to the hon. Member for £6.31 per hour. We have also increased the income tax Motherwell and Wishaw (Mr Roy), the Government personal allowance to £10,000, taking 224,000 Scots believe that the living wage is a concept that should be out of income tax altogether and benefiting 2.2 million supported, where employers can afford it and where it is Scottish taxpayers. not introduced at the cost of jobs.

Mr Bain: I am sure that the whole House will Margaret Curran (Glasgow East) (Lab): May I associate commend and agree with the Minister’s remarks about myself with the Minister’s remarks about the terrible Lockerbie. tragedy of Lockerbie? In his subsequent answer, the right hon. Gentleman Low pay is one of the reasons that people are using omitted to say that prices had risen more quickly than food banks in Scotland today. I wish nothing personal wages in 41 of the 42 months he has served as a towards the Minister, but I am disappointed that the Minister in this House, that low pay was on the rise in Secretary of State did not answer this question himself, Scotland and that the value of the national minimum because we know that the Secretary of State has wage had declined in real terms under this Government. recently begun to struggle with some of the details of When are he and the Business Secretary going to do his brief. Let me see whether the Minister can do something concrete to deal with all that? Or is he just any better. Will he tell the House what the percentage going to sit on his hands while the cost of living crisis in increase in the number of people using food banks in Scotland gets worse by the day? Scotland in the past year has been? Given that it is Christmas, I will offer him a hand. Is it (a) 100%; (b) David Mundell: The hon. Gentleman is simply wrong. 200%; (c) over 400%? The October 2013 adult minimum wage rate is around 27% higher in real terms compared with the consumer David Mundell: What the hon. Lady omitted to tell us prices index and about 15% higher in real terms compared was that under her Government the increase in people with the retail prices index than it was on its introduction using food banks was 1,000%. Our Government are in 1999. concerned about people needing to use food banks in a moment of crisis in their lives. We support the development Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con): Does the Minister of food banks and those who operate them, and I was agree that the best way to tackle low pay in Scotland is very proud to open the food bank in Peebles in my to get the economy growing and to create more job constituency. But to pretend that these crises are of this opportunities? Government’s making and that they have not been going on for a continuing period is to mislead the David Mundell: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend, House. and I hope that Opposition Members will welcome today’s announcement that employment is up and Margaret Curran: The Minister should know that the unemployment is down in Scotland. We are not complacent, increase in the past year has been 435%, which is more but we are on the right track. than 34,000 people, including more than 10,000 children, using food banks in Scotland. Those are shameful 12. [901644] Mr Frank Roy (Motherwell and Wishaw) figures and all Members of this House should pay (Lab): Low pay is a scourge that is now affecting attention to them. He has refused to be drawn on why thousands of families throughout Scotland. Would this is happening. Citizens Advice, the Trussell Trust those families best be helped by giving them a decent and the Child Poverty Action Group are all saying that living wage or by introducing a tax cut for millionaires? this Government’s policies are driving people in Scotland to use food banks. Are they all wrong? David Mundell: The Government support the concept of the living wage, where employers can afford to pay it David Mundell: Of course the hon. Lady does not and where it is not introduced at the cost of jobs. It is acknowledge the 1,000% rise in the use of food banks something to be encouraged. under the last Labour Government. We want to look at, 727 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 728 and understand, why there has been an increase in the Barnett Formula use of food banks. That is why the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has committed 4. Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): to an extensive study on the use of food aid across the What plans the Government have to review the Barnett United Kingdom, and she will be able to read that when formula. [901636] it is published. The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alistair Illegal Immigration Carmichael): The Government have no plans to review the Barnett formula in this Parliament.

3. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): What Pete Wishart: That is not quite what the Secretary of estimate he has made of the number of illegal State said only a few weeks ago. Gary Robertson asked, immigrants in Scotland. [901635] “What about the Barnett formula? Will that change post-2014?” The Secretary of State said—because it The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alistair was he—“Let me be absolutely clear, erm, erm, er, there Carmichael): Given the ability of illegal and clandestine will be no action taken on the Barnett formula, erm, immigrants to move freely within the UK, it is not erm, until the economy has erm, er, stabilised.” Help me feasible to produce separate estimates for each part of Rona! Why is he not just straight with the Scottish the UK. people? We all know that the bosses and the paymasters of the no campaign—his Tory friends—want Barnett scrapped. Is that not the real cost to the people of Mr Hollobone: It would appear that the Government Scotland—£4 billion? do not really know how many illegal immigrants there might be in Scotland. Given the attraction of the whole Mr Carmichael: It is a classic of the genre—synthetic of the UK to people from other countries, I suspect that outrage at its very best. The hon. Gentleman knows the problem might be rather greater than the Secretary that the Barnett formula is one reason why the people of of State imagines, particularly in cities such as Glasgow Scotland reject independence. That is why he is operating and Edinburgh. Will he reassure the House that he will his own little “Project Smear” to pretend that it is work closely with the UK Border Agency to ensure that somehow at risk. The position has been put beyond any Scotland is not an easy route into the UK for illegal doubt today by the Prime Minister in a letter to the immigrants? First Minister. The hon. Gentleman should explain that and tell the people of Scotland that the best way to get Mr Carmichael: Certainly there should be no easy rid of the Barnett formula is to vote for independence. routes for anyone in these circumstances, but I would caution the hon. Gentleman against devoting too much Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con): Does my Government resource to the compilation of figures that right hon. Friend agree that the Scotland Act 2012 do not help us to tackle the problem. transferred substantial tax-raising powers to Holyrood, and that these complex changes should be allowed to Graeme Morrice (Livingston) (Lab): What discussion bed in before we start making any further radical changes? have the UK Government had with the Scottish Mr Carmichael: Not only do I agree with my hon. Government about the operation of border controls in Friend on that point, but I believe that the energies of an independent Scotland? the Scottish Government would be much better served if they were devoted to dealing with the implementation Mr Carmichael: We have had no such discussion so of those highly complex tax changes, which are due to far. The truth of the matter is that either we can have an come on stream in 2016, rather than running around open area with no border controls or we can have and setting up scare stories of that sort. closely aligned immigration policies—unlike the position of the Scottish National party, we cannot have both. Mr Ian Davidson (Glasgow South West) (Lab/Co-op): Is the Secretary of State aware that what we have seen Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) today is the launch of separatists for Barnett? (SNP): For years, immigrants have been vital to the Mr Carmichael: I could not put it better or more economy—in my constituency, I see the importance of graphically myself. Filipino fishermen—and, since the Union, the problem in Scotland has been emigration, not immigration. But Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): what can we do for Syrian refugees, to enable them to The Barnett formula has served Scotland, and the come here as legal immigrants? Although the Secretary Opposition believe that it is at the heart of redistribution of State might have failed to get his colleagues to vote across the entire UK, which is why we support it. I agree for war in Syria, what might he do this Christmas to with the Secretary of State that the only threat to the help refugees come from Syria, especially given that Barnett formula is a vote for independence. Will he Germany is taking 80% of the European total and the share with the House why he believes that the SNP UK is taking zero, which Amnesty International says Scottish Government do not understand that they are should cause heads to hang “in shame”? the only threat to the Barnett formula?

Mr Carmichael: This country has a long and proud Mr Carmichael: I have a strong suspicion that that is record of offering asylum to those who seek it and those wilful on the part of the Scottish Government. As I said who deserve it and need it. That will continue to be the a few moments ago, they know that the Barnett formula case. is something that people in the United Kingdom value, 729 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 730 so they try to pretend that there is some threat to it. Sir Menzies Campbell (North East Fife) (LD): No That is part of their strategy. They identify things such pressure, then, Mr Speaker. When my right hon. Friend as the pound, the Bank of England and the ability to is giving proper consideration to the future of the build complex warships on the Clyde, which are the fisheries industry in Scotland, will he pay particular things that the people of Scotland value from being attention to the village-based fisheries industry? That is part of the United Kingdom, and then pretend that a particular issue in areas like my constituency, based as they can hold on to them while becoming independent. it is on Pittenweem and surrounding ports. It is essential It is just not credible, which is why they are losing the that the interests of the village-based fishing industry argument. are not subjected to the sometimes overbearing influence of those who go further out to sea. Fisheries Mr Carmichael: I know from my constituency experience 5. Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): that the small inshore fleet is of great importance to the What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish communities represented by me and my right hon. and learned Friend. His point is well made, and it is important Government on fisheries policy. [901637] that we do what we can to sustain the fleet in those small ports. The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alistair Carmichael): I have regular discussions with Ministers in the Scottish Government on a range of issues, including Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): The fisheries policy. Secretary of State knows that the postponement of the negotiations with Norway over shared North sea stocks My ministerial colleagues in the Department for means that the fishing fleet faces an uncertain new year. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs also work closely Will he support the Scottish Government’s calls for an with the Scottish Government to ensure that the interests increase in the North sea cod quota next year, in line of Scottish fishermen are fully recognised in the UK with the scientific advice? position in EU fisheries negotiations. Mr Carmichael: As the hon. Lady knows, that is a Miss McIntosh: I congratulate the Government on subject to be determined at the EU-Norway talks in achieving reform of the common agricultural policy January. They have been held over, and although such and on introducing an element of regional control. an increase would be desirable—it is certainly what the What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of the industry is looking for—that is not entirely within our implications for Scottish fishermen, and will they benefit gift, as it is an EU negotiation. greatly from it? Energy Prices Mr Carmichael: I have long been an enthusiast for the regionalisation of the common fisheries policy, and I am delighted that, for the second round of reform, we 6. Mr Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP): What assessment he have seen that at the heart of it. There is still more that has made of the effect of energy prices on consumers in can be done, but anything that brings fishermen, scientists rural areas of Scotland. [901638] and other stakeholders together in order to manage fisheries away from Brussels has got to be good. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell): I know from my own constituency Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): Was the right that rural consumers face particular challenges on energy hon. Gentleman as surprised as I was to see Scottish bills. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Nationalist party Minister Richard Lochhead claiming Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for that he has secured the quota deal for Scottish fishermen Sevenoaks (Michael Fallon), who is responsible for while, at the same time, complaining that he has no energy, is working with all interested parties to obtain voice? Is it not the fact that Scottish fishing is best more secure and affordable off-grid supplies. I am due represented in the EU with a strong voice as part of to meet the Office of Fair Trading early in the new year the UK? to discuss the matter.

Mr Carmichael: No, I was not at all surprised, because Mr Weir: I thank the Minister for that answer. As he that is exactly the sort of double standard that we have is well aware, rural consumers who are off the grid are seen from the SNP over the years on this and just about often forgotten in arguments over energy prices. The every other issue. The fact is that my hon. Friend the energy company obligation is supposed to be technologically fisheries Minister led the delegation this year to the neutral, but the major energy companies will not include December Fisheries Council with exceptional skill. He LPG or oil boilers in their schemes, which is surely delivered for the Scottish fleet the things that really discriminatory. Will he press his colleagues in the mattered. In particular, he ensured that there was no Department of Energy and Climate Change to ensure further cut in effort and brought home important flexibility that such boilers are included in ECO schemes? on monkfish quotas. He is to be commended for that— [Interruption.] David Mundell: I am happy to do that. The hon. Gentleman has championed the issue of off-grid supplies, Mr Speaker: Order. There is far too much noise in the and I suggest that we hold a round table, as we did on Chamber. Let us have some quiet so that we can hear a rural fuel, with DECC and interested Scottish MPs to Scottish knight, Sir Menzies Campbell. discuss that and other issues. 731 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 732

John Thurso (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): Is my right hon. Friend aware of the particular (LD): Is not the most exciting thing about Sir Ian difficulties in remote rural areas, where there is no Wood’s report the consensus he has discovered in the access to main supplies for both gas and oil? Will he industry, which is that with more regulation and a commend the concept of heating oil clubs, such as the stronger regulator with more resources there is the one I am promoting in Landward Caithness? They have potential to unlock even greater investment, supporting done much to depress that cost. What can the Government jobs, taxpaying and energy security? do to assist? Mr Carmichael: The real strength of the Wood report, David Mundell: The Government are keen to support at least the interim version, is its credibility in the oil clubs like the one in Landward Caithness. I am sure industry, because it has been informed by the industry that the issues that concern the hon. Gentleman’s and led by one of its most respected figures. constituents will be ably discussed at our proposed round table in the Scotland Office with DECC and Scottish MPs. PRIME MINISTER

14. [901646] Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): Why do the SNP, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats The Prime Minister was asked— all agree that the price should go on the energy bill and Engagements the tax bill and that the energy companies should be let off scot-free? Q1. [901683] Mr David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday David Mundell: We believe that something should be 18 December. done about the mess in the electricity industry that the hon. Gentleman’s party left behind. That is why we are The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): I am sure seeking to move people on to lower tariffs, that is why that the whole House will wish to join me in sending our we are rolling back green levies, and that is why we are warmest wishes for Christmas to our armed forces in encouraging competition. What his party offers is a Afghanistan. Having just returned from there, I saw at gimmick and a con. first hand once again their incredible commitment and dedication. We should remember the families who will North Sea Oil and Gas be missing them, especially at this time of year, and indeed we should remember all our service personnel 7. Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) around the world. Our country owes them a huge (Lab/Co-op): What assessment he has made of the amount for the work they do and the sacrifices they interim report by Sir Ian Wood on the future regulation make on our behalf. of oil and gas extraction in the North sea. [901639] This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and in addition to my duties in the House I The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alistair Carmichael): shall have further such meetings later today. The interim report by Sir Ian Woodhas given Government and industry alike plenty to think about and that is Mr Anderson: I join the Prime Minister in sending exactly why we asked him to carry out his review in the our warmest wishes to our armed forces, and also to all first place. After his final report is submitted early next the public sector workers taking care of us over the year, the Government will set out our plans to make the Christmas period. most of our offshore oil and gas fields. Unless the Mesothelioma Bill is changed, 6,000 victims who were criminally and negligently exposed to asbestos Tom Greatrex: I thank the Secretary of State for that at work will not receive any compensation from insurance answer. He will be aware that Sir Ian Wood’s report companies. Will the Prime Minister intervene at the refers to much of the North sea as a mature environment eleventh hour to prevent that happening? If he does and to the need for collaboration to maximise the not, it will be fair to assume that he would rather stand economic recovery for what is, by record, a volatile and, up for the insurance companies than for innocent people by definition, diminishing resource. Does he agree that who were exposed to asbestos at work. the fragmentation of fiscal and regulatory regimes through separate arrangements for Scotland and for the rest of The Prime Minister: I very much respect the hon. the UK continental shelf would minimise the chance Gentleman’s record of campaigning on this issue, but I of achieving that outcome? will say this: the Mesothelioma Bill is a huge step forward. Frankly, for decades there has been no provision Mr Carmichael: I think it is very clear to all who have for these people, through no fault of their own, who will an informed view of the industry that its best future lies die from this terrible disease. Once the scheme that we as part of the United Kingdom, rather than as part of a are putting in place is up and running, roughly 300 people Scotland separated from the rest of the United Kingdom. a year will receive approximately £115,000 each. I think It is a mature industry that still has a great deal to offer, that is an important step forward. I will obviously look but it is telling that the Scottish Government’s recent at what he has to say, but I think that we should be White Paper gives absolutely no guarantees about the proud of the fact that after a long delay we are tackling future of field allowances in the industry, which will be this issue. absolutely crucial to its future development. Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con): Will my right Mr Speaker: The Secretary of State will not want to hon. Friend join me in saluting the courage of the talk out his hon. Friend, Sir Robert Smith. hundreds of thousands of people who have been peacefully 733 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 734 protesting across Ukraine for the past few weeks against in recent months, and overall since the election 70% of their President’s decision to break off talks with Europe the new jobs—and there have been millions of new and to move closer to Russia? Does he agree that if jobs—are full-time jobs. I agree that we have got more there is any further violence against them, those responsible to do. We have got to do more to put in place our should be held personally accountable, and will he long-term economic plan to keep the economy growing. continue to hold out the prospect of closer links with I have to say to the right hon. Gentleman that it is all Europe in the longer term, which is what the people of very well standing up at the Dispatch Box and saying Ukraine want? that there would be 1 million fewer jobs; we are still waiting for him to correct the record about that. Of The Prime Minister: I absolutely agree with my hon. course I want to see more money in people’s pockets. Friend that we should pay tribute to those in Ukraine The only way we can do that is to keep on with the who want a future linked to Europe and the peace, economic plan, keep cutting unemployment, keep people’s prosperity and stability that that relationship would taxes down, and cut the deficit so that we keep interest bring. I think we should also say, as he has said very rates down. That is our economic plan; what is his? clearly, that the world is watching what the Ukrainian authorities have done and are contemplating doing in Edward Miliband: Let us talk about the Prime Minister’s response to the demonstrations. I think we should stand predictions. He said that he would balance the books in with the people of Ukraine, who want that peaceful, five years; he has failed. He said that he would secure secure and prosperous future. Britain’s credit rating; he has failed. The worst prediction of all is that he said he would be good at being Prime Edward Miliband (Doncaster North) (Lab): I join the Minister, and he has certainly failed at that. He has got Prime Minister in paying tribute to all our troops no answer—[Interruption.] serving around the world, particularly in Afghanistan. Once again this year, they have done our country proud. Mr Speaker: Order. Members on both sides of the They have shown the utmost courage and bravery. All House need to calm down. It will take as long as it our thoughts are with them and their families this takes, as always; it is very straightforward. Christmas. Edward Miliband: Is it not interesting, Mr Speaker, Today’s economic figures show a welcome fall in that the thing they want to talk about least of all is the unemployment, and for every person who gets back cost of living crisis facing families up and down the into work it benefits not just them but their family as country? That is because they know that families are well. Does the Prime Minister agree, however, that it is a worse off. Can the Prime Minister tell us how much major challenge for Britain that at the end of this year higher the average gas and electricity bill is this Christmas there are more people than ever before in today’s figures compared to last? working part time because they cannot get the hours they need? The Prime Minister: First of all, let us deal with the predictions. The right hon. Gentleman said this— The Prime Minister: It is worth looking at these unemployment figures in some detail, because I think Mr Speaker: Order. The question was asked and the they do paint an encouraging picture. Unemployment is answer must be heard. down by 99,000 and the number of people claiming unemployment benefit has actually fallen by 36,000 in The Prime Minister: They have a programme which this month alone. There are 250,000 more people in will clearly lead to the disappearance of 1 million jobs. work. Youth unemployment is down. Long-term Now we have 1.6 million more private sector jobs and unemployment is down. Unemployment among women 1.2 million more people in work, it is time that the right is down. We have talked before about 1 million more hon. Gentleman apologised for his prediction talking people in work under this Government; there are now the economy down. He asks about the cost of living; let 1.2 million more in work. There should not be one us compare our records on the cost of living. They ounce of complacency, because we have still got work doubled council tax; we have frozen it. They put up to do to get our country back to work. Having everyone petrol tax times 12 times; we have frozen it. They put up back in work means greater stability for them, a greater the basic state pension by 75p; we have put it up by £15. ability to plan for their future, and greater help for their [Interruption.] Ah, we have a new hand gesture from families. But the plan is working; let us stick at it and the shadow Chancellor! I would have thought that after get unemployment down even further. today’s briefing in the papers the hand gesture for the shadow Chancellor should be bye-bye. You don’t need Edward Miliband: The Prime Minister did not really it to be Christmas to know when you are sitting next to answer the specific question I asked. It is good that our a turkey. [Interruption.] economy is creating more jobs, but the problem is that too many of them are part time, low paid or insecure. Mr Speaker: Order. We will wait until colleagues Today’s figures show what is happening to wages. Does calm down. I do not mind how long it takes; I have all he agree with me that it is a matter of deep concern that day if necessary. at the end of this year average wages are £364 lower than they were a year ago and over £1,500 lower than Edward Miliband: I thought that, just for once, the they were at the general election? Prime Minister might answer the question he was asked. Let us give him the answer: energy bills are £70 higher The Prime Minister: Let me answer very directly the than they were a year ago—despite all his bluster, that is question about full-time and part-time employment. the reality—and £300 higher than when he came to Actually, full-time employment has grown much faster office. 735 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 736

Let us try the Prime Minister on another important introduced the bedroom tax while cutting taxes for issue for families. The cost of child care is crucial for millionaires. This was the year he proved beyond doubt parents going out to work. Can he tell us how much the that he is the Prime Minister for the few, not the many. cost of child care has gone up this year? The Prime Minister: The right hon. Gentleman may The Prime Minister: We are providing 15 hours of not like the facts, but he cannot hide from them. The child care—of nursery education—for two-year-olds, typical taxpayer is paying £600 less because we cut three-year-olds and four-year-olds. That is something taxes. The deficit is falling—it is down by a third—because the right hon. Gentleman was never able to do in we took difficult decisions. Today, for the first time in government. It is all very well for him to make promises, our history, there are 30 million people in our country but the only reason why we are able to keep our promises in work. The fact is that at the end of this year we have a is that we took tough decisions about the economy. We recovery Labour cannot explain, growth it said would took tough and difficult decisions to get the deficit never come, and jobs it said would never happen. down. We took difficult decisions to get our economic Meanwhile, it is stuck with an economic policy that plan in place. does not add up and a shadow Chancellor it cannot What the right hon. Gentleman cannot stand is the defend. That is why the British people will never trust fact that this Christmas the economy is growing, 1.2 million Labour with the economy again. more people are in work, our exports are increasing, manufacturing is up, construction is doing better, the Sir Malcolm Bruce (Gordon) (LD) rose— [Interruption.] economy is getting stronger and Labour is getting weaker. Mr Speaker: Order. We will just have to keep going a Edward Miliband: I tell you what, Mr Speaker, that bit longer, because I am not going to have—[Interruption.] was a turkey of an answer. Why does not the Prime The right hon. Gentleman will be heard. Minister, just for once, answer the question? Child care costs have gone up £300 in the past year—nearly three Sir Malcolm Bruce: I can give the House something times the rate of inflation—and he is not doing anything to cheer about. Will the Prime Minister join me in about it. welcoming the fact that investment in our North sea oil There is one group the Prime Minister has helped out and gas industry this year will reach a record £14 billion, with the cost of living this year: those on his Christmas accounting for an unemployment rate in my constituency card list. I know he does not like my asking about this, of just 0.7%, but is he aware of Sir Ian Wood’s report but can he tell us how much lower the taxes of someone that says we need collaboration between Government earning more than £1 million a year are this year and industry to unlock between £3 billion and £4 billion compared with last year? barrels of oil worth £200 billion that will otherwise be left under the sea? The Prime Minister: The top rate of tax under this Government is higher than it ever was under the right The Prime Minister: My right hon. Friend makes a hon. Gentleman’s Government. The fact is that the very important point: the Wood report is an excellent highest 1% of earners are paying a greater percentage of report and we are looking to put that in place because income tax than they did when he was sitting in the we want to maximise the returns and the employment Cabinet. Those are the facts. If he wants to talk about and the investment in the North sea. In recent months what he has done on the cost of living, we have cut we have seen very encouraging signs of greater investment income tax for 25 million people, but Labour voted in the North sea, not least because of the decisions against it. We have taken 2.4 million people out of tax, taken by the Chancellor to bring into play some of the they voted against it. We froze the council tax, they more marginal fields. We need to keep up with that and voted against it. We froze fuel duty, they voted against implement the Wood report as my right hon. Friend it. The only reason we have been able to do this is that says. we have a long-term economic plan. The right hon. Gentleman ends the year with no plan, no credibility Q2. [901684] Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) and no idea how to help our economy. (DUP): Does the Prime Minister understand, even if Dr Richard Haass does not, that agreement and Edward Miliband: We all know what the Prime Minister’s consensus in his talks are desirable but will be long-term plan is: to cut taxes for those on his Christmas impossible to achieve if proposals re-emerge that are card list and make everyone else sink or swim. That is viewed in the Unionist community as diluting our very his long-term plan. [Interruption.] essence of Britishness as Northern Ireland seeks to strengthen its position within the United Kingdom, not Mr Speaker: Order. The usual low graders can make weaken it? as much noise as they like. Let me just say to them, for their own benefit—I will say it again; some of them do The Prime Minister: I think we all agree that Richard not learn very quickly—that however long it takes, right Haass is carrying out a very important and extremely hon. and hon. Members will be heard. It is so simple, I difficult task: looking into the issues of parades, of think it is probably now clear. flags and, of course, the past. I have met with Richard Haass, and I think he is an incredibly impressive individual. Edward Miliband: The more the Prime Minister reads We should let him do his work and we should judge his out lists of statistics, the more out of touch he seems to work on the results he produces, but I hope that everyone the country. This was the year that the cost of living will try to look at this process with some give and take crisis hit families hardest. This was the year the Government to try and bring the communities together. 737 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 738

Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): My hon. Friend has been very clear in her campaign Unemployment in the Peterborough constituency stands against the toll on the A14, and I am glad that we have at 5.5%, the lowest it has been since the financial crisis, settled that issue. She is right to say that the biggest and there were 1,180 fewer jobseeker’s allowance claimants threat to our economy now would be to abandon our than a year ago. However, there are too many young plan. We are getting the deficit down; we are keeping people who are jobless and lacking work skills, so will interest rates down; we are cutting people’s taxes; and the Prime Minister give an early Christmas present to we are seeing the country get back to work. The biggest Peterborough people by giving his personal support to risk is more borrowing, more spending, more taxes—all our bid for a university technical college, to be decided the things that got us into this mess in the first place. in the new year? Q5. [901687] Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab): The Prime Minister: I know that my right hon. Friend At the end of November, I visited Handsworth Grange the Education Secretary will look closely at the proposal community sports college in my constituency. The for a university technical college. They are working head, Anne Quaile, told me about the school collecting well, and I think that is a very good innovation in our food to help their needy families over Christmas. education system. Indeed, there will be a food bank on the school site in the new year. What really shocked me was when she The news on youth unemployment is better—19,000 told me about a young girl, aged 15, who arrived on a down this quarter—and the claimant count is falling as Monday—just before my visit—not having eaten all well, but there is a lot more work to do. I think we weekend, because there was no food in the house. How should particularly look at the work experience programmes does the Prime Minister expect that young girl to fulfil which seem to have one of the best records at reducing her educational potential? youth unemployment and see what we can do to encourage companies and businesses to get involved in this work The Prime Minister: We have to do everything we can experience programme. to help Britain’s families and to help families into work, and that is exactly what we are doing under this Q3. [901685] Mr Nick Raynsford (Greenwich and Government. We also have to make sure that we protect Woolwich) (Lab): With the Archbishop of Canterbury the income levels of the poorest, and that is why, for reminding us of society’s responsibility to support the instance, child tax credit is up £390 under this Government, poor and the vulnerable, and the Archbishop of protecting the money that goes to the poorest people in Westminster specifically criticising the inhumanity of our country. aspects of Government policy, does the Prime Minister regret, as we approach Christmas, his Government’s Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): Experts said that Labour’s retreat from the compassionate Conservatism he used energy price freeze announcement—[Interruption.] to adopt? Mr Speaker: Order. Opposition Members should not The Prime Minister: I do not accept what the right yell at the hon. Gentleman. He is asking his question. hon. Gentleman says at all. There is nothing more Let us hear it. compassionate than getting more people into work. The best route out of poverty is work and what we can Ian Swales: Experts said that Labour’s energy price see for the first time in our country is 30 million people freeze announcement would raise prices in the short in work. I enjoy debating and listening carefully to our term and protect the big six by freezing new investment. Archbishops. I have to say that I do not agree with what Since then, prices have gone up. National Grid says that the Archbishop of Westminster said about immigration, half of new investment— but I think we should be frank and open about these debates and not be concerned when we do have Mr Speaker: Order. I am struggling to find anything disagreements. that relates to the responsibility of the Prime Minister in the hon. Gentleman’s question. Therefore, we will proceed with Mr Gordon Marsden. Q4. [901686] Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): Thank you for calling me, Mr Speaker, and a merry Q6. [901688] Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) Christmas to you and your family. The people of (Lab): As the Prime Minister sits down for Christmas Suffolk have enjoyed a cracker of a Christmas present dinner to chillax with his family and friends, will he with the excellent news on the A14, which will spare a thought for my Blackpool constituents and encourage greater investment and growth. In that 500,000 others, whose Christmas will be mired in the spirit, does my right hon. Friend agree that calls to incompetence and random cruelty of the benefit abandon the Government’s long-term economic plan sanctions imposed by the Department for Work and and adopt the Opposition’s plan to borrow and spend Pensions? My casework on this includes a woman more will raise taxes and mortgage rates for hard- denied jobseeker’s allowance for doing voluntary work working people in this country? at one local branch of a national charity rather than at another. Will his new year resolution be to resolve the The Prime Minister: First, I congratulate my hon. chaos of sanctions and of universal credit? Friend on her ingenious way of ensuring that she is called regularly in debates and questions in this House, The Prime Minister: I think the best thing we can do an example that I am sure others will follow. On that for the hon. Gentleman’s constituents, and indeed everyone’s note, a very happy Christmas to you and your wife and constituents, is to keep on with the economic plan that children, Mr Speaker. is generating more jobs in our country. If we look at the 739 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 740 north-west, the number of people employed is up by We need to keep up the economic environment that is 37,000 since the election, and unemployment has fallen helping those businesses to take people on, invest and by 29,000 since the election. We need to keep on with grow. that, while of course making sure that the benefit system works for people who need it, but he does not do Q9. [901691] John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) his constituents any favours by talking down the (Lab): At the last election, many of my constituents performance of the economy. truly believed the Prime Minister when he said “no ifs, no buts, no third runway” Q7. [901689] Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) at Heathrow. They are now faced with the threat of a (Con): Will the Prime Minister pay tribute to Norfolk’s third runway and a fourth runway, with thousands emergency services and volunteers, who have done such losing their homes and schools being demolished. There a brilliant job both in tackling the recent coastal floods is even the threat that we will have to dig up our dead and in helping to repair the damage? The floods were from the local cemetery. Does he appreciate that many potentially worse than the floods of 60 years ago that have lost all faith in him as a man who keeps his word? killed 300 people and destroyed 25,000 homes. Does he agree that special mention should be made of two local The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman has a very newspapers, Eastern Daily Press and Lynn News, which strong view about this matter, but I simply do not have campaigned tirelessly? The former has raised accept what he says. We said that there would not be a more than £100,000 in its appeal. Will he tell the House third runway. We have stuck with that promise. We now what Departments can do, working in conjunction with have a report that is being done by Howard Davies, Norfolk’s local authorities? which has all-party support. The interim report is very good. The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this issue. I was very impressed when I John McDonnell: You have lied to my constituents. went to Norfolk—to Wells-next-the-Sea—to see the amazing contribution made by not only the emergency The Prime Minister: I think that people should read services, but, as he said, local newspapers in highlighting that report before they start shouting across the House this issue and helping to prepare people for what was to of Commons in a completely inappropriate way. [HON. come, as well as the flood co-ordinators and the people MEMBERS: “Order.”] who work voluntarily to help our communities. I was particularly impressed by what I saw the lifeboats had Mr Speaker: Order. I know what I am doing. I do not done. An enormous wave swept through their station need any help from Back Benchers. A reference was but, even with that, they were able to get out there and made to the treatment of constituents, not to observations help people. As he says, because we have put money into that have been made in respect of Members of the flood defences, we protected a lot more homes that House. I am clear on that and the procedure is extremely otherwise would have been affected, but the work needs clear as well. to continue. Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): In the north-east, Q8. [901690] Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab): Ministers all 29 constituencies have seen an increase in apprenticeship have admitted to me that there are delays in starts since 2010. I recently opened an engineering completing personal independence payment claims. academy in Hexham. Does my right hon. Friend agree My constituent, Kathy, who is suffering from cancer, that it is only through the provision of better skills and made her claim in August, but a decision is still to be apprenticeships that we will improve the living standards made. She had a home appointment yesterday with an of our young people? Atos assessor, but they did not turn up. Why is the Prime Minister allowing cancer patients to suffer The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is absolutely because of the incompetence of his Government? right. I saw for myself on a visit to Stockton and Darlington what a difference the extra apprenticeships The Prime Minister: I am very happy to look at the and funding are making. We want the recovery to be individual case that the hon. Gentleman raises. It is shared right across our country. In the north-east, worth noting that Atos worked under the last Government, unemployment has fallen by 3,000 this quarter, but it is in which he served. I am happy to look at the individual still too high. There are 28,000 more people in work case to see what can be done. than there were at the time of the election, but we have further to go and we must stick to the economic plan John Howell (Henley) (Con): The number of unemployed that is delivering. claimants in the Henley constituency has fallen to 439. That makes it the third best performing constituency in Q10. [901692] Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab): Is the country. Will the Prime Minister join me in the Prime Minister concerned that in the detail of the congratulating local businesses for the role that they small print of the autumn statement, it says that by the have played in that? end of this Parliament real wage levels will be 5.8% lower? The Prime Minister: I am very happy to congratulate local businesses on what they have done. What we are The Prime Minister: The point that I would make to seeing, which Labour predicted would never happen, is the hon. Gentleman is that disposable income is higher a private sector-led recovery. For every job that has been this year than in any year between 1997 and 2010. The lost in the public sector, we have seen three or even four reason for that is that, in spite of slow wage growth, we jobs created in the private sector, mostly by small businesses. have cut people’s taxes. We can cut people’s taxes only if 741 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 742 we take difficult decisions about the deficit and about done it with huge professionalism and skill. As I said, spending. We have not had the support of the Labour they will be able to leave that country with their heads party for a single one of those difficult decisions. held high, secure in the knowledge that we put in place what is necessary to stop terrorism and terrorist training Mrs Anne Main (St Albans) (Con): Will the Prime camps returning to Afghanistan. Very clear rules are in Minister help to get justice for my constituents, who place about redundancy, which mean that those people want to know why an investigation into the meetings about to serve, serving, or having returned from that were had by Theresa Villiers, the former Transport Afghanistan, are not able for redundancy. Minister, has not been reported on, despite four months of waiting and various assurances that I would have the Q14. [901696] Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): answer? Today 1,000 fewer people are out of work in Worcester than when unemployment peaked under Labour. With Mr Speaker: The hon. Lady was referring to the right 700 businesses in the constituency likely to benefit from hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs Villiers). the Government’s extension of small business rates relief, I urge the Prime Minister to continue to do The Prime Minister: I am aware of my hon. Friend’s everything he can to help the high street and remove letters about this matter. She has taken up the issue and burdens on businesses creating jobs. I am sure that she will get an answer shortly. The Prime Minister: What is happening in Worcester Q11. [901693] Stephen Pound (Ealing North) (Lab): On is welcome news. Across the country not only is a slightly more seasonal note, may I probe the Prime unemployment down but vacancies are up, which is Minister on the revelation in the autumn statement that good news for the future. In terms of the high street, I over this Parliament, borrowing is forecast to be £198 think we have taken some important steps forward with billion higher than originally planned? Will he accept the rate rebate of £1,000 announced in the autumn that his pledge to balance the books by 2015 had all the statement for businesses on the high street, and, of credibility of a proposal to build an airport on a course, the £2,000 employment allowance, which means non-existent island in the middle of a bird sanctuary in that businesses do not have to pay their first £2,000 of the Thames estuary? national insurance contributions. That means that businesses in Worcester and elsewhere will be able to take on more The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman always people. brings a flavour of pantomime to our proceedings. If he is worried about the deficit, and if he is worried about Q13. [901695] Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) borrowing, he ought to look in front of him, rather (Lab/Co-op): Further to the question from the hon. than behind him, because we have not had one bit of Member for St Albans (Mrs Main), four months have support for anything we have done to cut the deficit. If passed since serious allegations were made that the he is worried about the deficit, why does the Labour Northern Ireland Secretary broke the ministerial code party propose to put it up? during her time as Transport Minister. Will the Prime Minister ensure that the Cabinet Secretary responds Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): It is before the House rises for the Christmas recess? very good news that a record number of people are in work and keeping more of their take-home pay, but The Prime Minister: I have seen a copy of the Cabinet there was another milestone this week when we reached Secretary’s response, and I am confident it will be sent 2 million new pension savers, thanks to auto-enrolment. in the next few days. Is that another example of how this Government are taking the right long-term decisions for this country? Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): I welcome the Prime Minister’s acceptance that something needs to be done The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is right to raise to stop EU migrants accessing British benefits. Would auto-enrolment. It means that more people are saving he agree that what he is proposing—which will probably for their retirement, which means more stability and be found illegal by the European Court—is really spitting security for them, and a greater ability to plan for their in the wind when it comes to the problem we face, and future. There are 30 million people in work—so many that the only way to get back control of our borders and more in work this Christmas than there were last our benefits system is to leave the European Union? Christmas—all of whom are better able to plan for their future and have that basic security that people in our The Prime Minister: I do not share my hon. Friend’s country rightly crave. pessimism and we are taking these steps—including the announcement today that people coming to the UK Q12. [901694] Mr Steve Reed (Croydon North) (Lab): should not be able to claim benefits within the first Now that the Prime Minister has declared mission three months—on the basis of legal advice, and looking accomplished in Afghanistan, will he guarantee that carefully at what other countries in the EU do. I want to none of our brave servicemen and women who have do everything possible to ensure that the right of free served there will face redundancy after they come movement is not abused. There is a right to work in home? different countries of the European Union, but there should not be a right to claim in different countries of The Prime Minister: I urge the hon. Gentleman to the European Union. Where I would agree with my look at what I said when I was praising the role that our hon. Friend is that I think we need to do more in future, armed forces have played. They have carried out the and we must learn the lesson from the mistake that tasks that we asked them to carry out, and they have Labour made by giving unfettered access to our labour 743 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 744 market when Poland and others joined the European Several hon. Members rose— Union. That led to 1.5 million people coming to our country and was a profound mistake. Mr Speaker: Last but not least, I call Mr Rory Stewart. Q15. [901697] Julie Elliott (Sunderland Central) (Lab): Average household incomes will be substantially lower Rory Stewart (Penrith and The Border) (Con): Christmas in 2015 than they were in 2009. Is the Prime Minister in Syria will be defined by unstopping grief and horror concerned about that? What does he say to my in sub-zero temperatures. I encourage the Prime Minister constituents, who are struggling with the cost of living to keep a relentless focus on humanitarian relief in crisis caused by his Government’s policies? Syria, to encourage the rest of the international community to meet the UN’s demands for £4 billion of assistance, The Prime Minister: The first thing I would say to the and to ensure that that assistance is much more imaginative hon. Lady’s constituents is that we are raising to £10,000 and generous. the amount people can earn before they pay income tax. That is worth £705 to a typical taxpayer. Because of the The Prime Minister: On behalf of the House, I am progress we have already made, disposable income this grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that issue before year is higher than it was in any year between 1997 and Christmas. That is where our thoughts should be. There 2010. Opposition Members might not like those facts, is a huge humanitarian crisis affecting up to half of the but they are true. It is worth remembering why we are in Syrian population. Britain can be proud of the fact this situation in the first place. [Interruption.] that, at £500 million, we are the second-largest bilateral donor of aid going to Syria and neighbouring countries and we are helping people in those refugee camps. We Mr Speaker: Order. The Prime Minister has a very should encourage other countries to step up to the plate strong voice, but he should not have to shout to make in the way we have done, and ensure that we fulfil our himself heard. Let us hear the Prime Minister’s answer. moral obligations to those people who will suffer at Christmas time. The Prime Minister: The point I was making is that the reason we are in this situation was laid out by the Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (Lab): Institute for Fiscal Studies two weeks ago. It pointed On a point of order, Mr Speaker. out that we had the biggest recession for 100 years under the last Government, which cost the typical family Mr Speaker: Order. There is to be an urgent question. £3,000. Opposition Members should apologise for that I feel sure the hon. Gentleman can keep his point of before moving on to the next question. order in the oven until after that. 745 18 DECEMBER 2013 Local Government Finance 746

Local Government Finance Labour Government, paying off Labour’s deficit and helping hard-working people with the cost of living. Councils are doing well and playing their part. 12.37 pm Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) (Lab) (Urgent Question): Hilary Benn: Given the scale of the cuts affecting To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and local authorities, the Minister really should have made Local Government if he will make a statement on the an oral statement today instead of having to be dragged provisional local government finance settlement. to the House. Will he explain why the further cut of, supposedly, 10% in real terms—announced by the TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities Chancellor in the spending round for 2015-16—is actually and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): My Department a 15% real cut to the settlement funding assessment? has today published the provisional financial settlement Why are the most disadvantaged communities once for English local authorities for 2014-15 and 2015-16. again the hardest hit? Will he confirm that by 2017 the The technical details are outlined in a written statement, city of Liverpool, the most deprived local authority in and associated documents have been placed in the Library the country, will have lost 62% of the Government and in the Vote Office. This is effectively the second year grant it was receiving in 2010? How on earth can he of a settlement announced last year. We have been justify that? As the Audit Commission recently reported: consulting over the summer on the detail of the statement, “Councils serving the most deprived areas have seen the largest so it should not come as a surprise to any local authority. reductions in funding relative to spending.”? This year’s settlement is fair to all parts of the country— Tough times do indeed require tough decisions, but this rural or urban, district or county, city or shire—meaning Government, as they have shown time and again, from that councils can deliver sensible savings while protecting the bedroom tax to the top rate of tax and local front-line services. Every bit of the public sector needs government funding, take most from those who have to do its bit to pay off Labour’s deficit, including local least. That is unfair and unjust. government, which, we should remember, accounts for Despite Government talk of a freeze, many councils, a quarter of all public spending. including Tory authority after Tory authority, will increase Opinion polls clearly suggest that satisfaction with the council tax next year, including for residents who local government is either constant or even improved work but are on the lowest incomes and will lose council compared with 2010, despite the need for councils to tax benefit. Why is the Minister top-slicing money from make savings to tackle that deficit. Today’s fair funding council funding that is based on need, and putting it deal arms councils with a significant spending power into the so-called “new homes bonus” in areas where average of £2,089 per household. new homes would have been built anyway? Does he not The autumn statement protected local authorities realise that hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people from further spending reductions for 2014-2015 and have already been denied social care due to cuts in 2015-16. Overall, the average spending power reduction council funding, while the Government have wasted for councils in 2014-15 is expected to be limited to just money on their expensive and failed reorganisation of 2.9% per household. Extra funding has been provided the NHS? Is it not the case that even more people will for sparse rural areas. With English councils spending lose out because of what has been announced today? £117 billion this year, councils must continue to focus Another week, another Minister in denial—when on cutting waste and making sensible savings. There is will the Government realise that the future set out today significant scope for councils to merge back-office services means that more and more councils in the years ahead or do more joint working: get more for less and they will will simply not be able to maintain the services on do better with their £60 billion a year procurement which so many people rely? budget; tackle £2 billion of local fraud; reduce the £2 billion of lost money in council tax arrears or use Brandon Lewis: I am somewhat surprised; I had been their record £19 billion of reserves; and get better value expecting the right hon. Gentleman to outline for the for money from their billions in property assets. first time these several years exactly where Labour’s Local authorities should be looking to protect their promised £52 billion of cuts would come from. residents and give them help with the cost of living. In reality, we have heard nothing new this morning. Extra funding is on offer to councils to freeze council This statement comes after last year’s statement set out tax for a fourth year in a row. The Government have a two-year settlement for local authorities. In fact, provided up to £550 million for the next two years, whereas more than 3% had been predicted, this year which allows for a fourth year of freeze worth up to local authorities will get a 2.9% reduction, falling to £718 for the average bill payer, with more savings to below 2% next year. So it is a good news day for local come next year. I am proud to be part of a Government government. [Interruption.] The right hon. Gentleman’s that have allowed that freeze in council tax. In contrast, comments did not match up with the facts of life. The the previous Labour Government doubled council tax Audit Commission’s recent report outlined how local for hard-working people. authorities were coping well with the changes. From April next year, funding for the 2011-12 and [Interruption.] 2013-14 freezes will be in the main local government settlement total for future years. Funding for the next Mr Speaker: Order. Mr Ronnie Campbell— two freeze years will also be built into the spending [Interruption.] Order. Your apprenticeship to become a review baseline, which will give maximum possible certainty statesman will never be completed at this rate. I know for councils that the extra funding for freezing council you are a bit over-ebullient, but you must calm yourself. tax will remain available without a cliff-edge effect. The [Interruption.] Calm yourself. I say two things, if I may: Government are clearing up the mess left by the previous first, Members must not shout at the Minister, and 747 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2013 Local Government Finance 748 secondly, I think the Minister was deploying a rhetorical where that 2.3% figure is in the document and how it is device, but he will be aware that on these occasions, a calculated? If it is not in here now, will he write to me, question is put to Ministers; it is not an occasion for placing a copy in the Library, showing how it has been another party to set out policy. That is not the nature of calculated? the urgent question procedure, but I know, from his wry smile, that the Minister is well aware of that important Brandon Lewis: I am happy to write to the Chairman fact. of the Communities and Local Government Committee with the figures. He will find that the gap between some Brandon Lewis: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Your point of the points the right hon. Member for Leeds Central is well made. I think the hon. Member for Blyth Valley (Hilary Benn) made and the real figures is explained by (Mr Campbell) must be excited about the local government the fact that we are interested in how much local authorities settlement, as we all are today—it is an exciting day for have to spend on their residents, not just what they local government. spend on bureaucracy and red tape, through the If the right hon. Gentleman looks at the figures, he Government grant. will see that we have gone even further this year to protect the most difficult areas and those councils left Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): abandoned by the last Labour Government through I welcome for the second year running the one-off their reduction in the working neighbourhood fund. I payment to sparse rural areas, but many well-run councils am thinking of councils such as my local authority of of all political colours are predicting a cliff edge in Great Yarmouth and others such as Pendle and Hastings, 2015, when they fear they will have to cut services which they left with massive black holes that this dramatically. What advice would the Minister give those Government have filled with the transitional grant. councils following today’s statement? Those councils will be protected even further this year with a reduction of no more than 2.9%, which is good Brandon Lewis: I am sure my hon. Friend will be news for local authorities working hard to deliver good pleased to know that the settlement for rural areas will front-line services—services that Labour left hanging be rolled into the base, giving them a better base going on a ledge. forward, enabling them to continue their good work of The right hon. Gentleman referred to councils such sharing services and management and ensuring they are as Liverpool. I gently remind him that Liverpool and efficient and delivering good front-line services for residents. Newcastle are similar in being among the best-supported councils in the country and having the highest spending Mr Nick Raynsford (Greenwich and Woolwich) (Lab): power per dwelling. For example, Newcastle receives I remind the Minister that for many years—in fact, £2,400 per dwelling, which is about £900 more than decades—it has been an accepted practice for Ministers areas such as Windsor and Maidenhead. I think that he to announce the provisional settlement in the House, to and his colleagues should look at the figures. [Interruption.] allow proper debate and discussion, in good time and preferably around the end of November or early December. Mr Speaker: We will get through these matters. I call I put it to the hon. Gentleman that it does not help local Mr Philip Hollobone. government to have a late—no, very late—provisional settlement put out by written statement, with the Minister Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Under the subsequently being dragged here to answer an urgent leadership of councillor Russell Roberts, Kettering borough question. council, of which I have the privilege to be a member, has for the past three years offered a policy of “triple Brandon Lewis: Far from being dragged here, I always zero”: no cuts to front-line services, no cuts to voluntary find it a pleasure to be at the Dispatch Box. The right grants and no increase in council tax. The Minister will hon. Gentleman might like to look back at past records know, because he has twice visited Kettering borough and see that his own party regularly made written council, that it is an exemplary local authority. Does the statements. More importantly, local government has message not go out that if Kettering can do this, other had two years’ notice, as we made an oral statement on councils, if they really want to, can also do it? a two-year settlement last year.

Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend makes a very good Nick de Bois (Enfield North) (Con): Does the Minister point. Kettering is an excellent example of a good agree that it is unacceptable that Enfield Labour council Conservative council managing its finances properly for has allowed uncollected council tax to increase over the the benefit of local residents, keeping down the cost of last three years, against the trend for the rest of London, living by keeping council tax frozen and providing from £6 million to a staggering collective £32 million, excellent front-line services, as good councils all over particularly given that those figures already discount the country are doing. uncollectable council tax?

Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab): In the Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend makes a good point. June spending round, the Chancellor stated that in There is some £2 billion-worth of uncollected council future years local government spending would drop not tax, and councils should be working on the problem. by the 10% to 15% that the Local Government Association This is not councils’ money, but taxpayers’ money. said, but by 2.3%. The Prime Minister has repeated that Whenever there is uncollected council tax, it costs other figure. I wrote to him asking how it was calculated, but taxpayers more money. My hon. Friend is absolutely got a response from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury right to highlight this issue; good councils will be working that did not do that. Will the Minister now explain hard on it. 749 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2013 Local Government Finance 750

Mr Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley) (Lab) rose— Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend makes a good point. I am pleased that 98% of authorities are already doing Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Blyth Valley that. As we made clear in today’s statement, we expect (Mr Campbell) has often been heard from his seat; it is local authorities to pass that money on to the parish now time that he was heard on his feet. I call Mr Ronnie councils. My hon. Friend was quite right about that. Campbell. Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): Does Mr Campbell: Thank you, Mr Speaker, and a merry not the Audit Commission’s finding that the most deprived Christmas to you. areas have been hit with the biggest cuts show that this Is the Minister aware that in Northumberland, where Government are on the side of the rich and are quite I come from, we have had to cut £30 million this year happy to balance the books on the backs of the poor? and £60 million last year, and we are sacking workers and cutting social services, while education has been cut Brandon Lewis: As I have said to other Members, the right down to the bone—and there is no money left? hon. Lady should look at the total amount. Areas such The Minister is living in cloud cuckoo land. as Liverpool and Newcastle have a much higher spending power than pretty much anywhere else in the country. Brandon Lewis: I hope that the hon. Gentleman will Even those areas most affected by the black hole left by go back and convince his local authority, using his great the last Labour Government—areas such as Hastings, powers of persuasion, to do the right thing by its Great Yarmouth and Pendle, which are doing good residents—to cut back-office costs and bureaucracy work to transform themselves—are being protected with and perhaps look at our Department’s “50 ways to an efficiency support grant, which the last Government save” document. That would help the council to protect never bothered to provide. front-line services rather than try to score political points with people’s everyday lives. Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): I very much back the rural fair share campaign and I welcome Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Last year, the money that has come forward. Given that it is hard-working families in my Bury North constituency Christmas, I would have liked it to be a little more faced an inflation-busting increase of 3.5% in their generous, but can you outline exactly how much extra council tax, which was put down to the levies imposed you are going to give to rural authorities that you would by the Greater Manchester authority. Can the Minister not have given otherwise? assure them that the same thing will not happen again next year? Mr Speaker: I am giving nothing extra at all, but the Minister might do. We will see. Brandon Lewis: I thank my hon. Friend for his question. It is unacceptable for council tax payers to have to pay Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend has participated in a that level of increase when there is so much more local strong and ongoing campaign with colleagues across authorities can do to save money—and the good ones the House—including at least one Opposition Front are already doing it. Yesterday saw the Third Reading Bencher—about the gap between rural and urban areas. of the Local Audit and Accountability Bill, which contains We listened last year and made a one-off payment. This provisions on levies and council tax referendums that year we have provided increases, which will be rolled will prevent that sort of thing from ever happening into the baseline. My hon. Friend will see that from the again. figures in the Library.

Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen) (Lab): As Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): the Minister will be aware, it has been said that all the Birmingham city council’s controllable spend has been cuts have fallen in the north and not in the south. Does cut from £1.2 billion to £400 million. We will have to cut he agree that that is not the case and that the Government services. Will the Minister tell my constituents whether have, in fact, been just as vicious in cutting the budgets we should cut school patrols, school libraries or public of the most deprived towns and cities in the south of conveniences? England as they have in the north, looking after the more prosperous councils wherever they are? Brandon Lewis: I would suggest that the hon. Lady use her powers of persuasion to encourage Birmingham Brandon Lewis: Let me tell the right hon. Gentleman city council to do the right thing and, instead of playing that the Government have produced a settlement that political games with its local taxpayers, be more efficient we believe is fair to rural and urban areas, north and with its back office, and look at how to use its reserves south. We are having to make tough decisions—difficult, to invest for the future. complicated ones—following the complete financial mess left to us by the last Labour Government. Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): People living in rural areas earn less on average than Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): My hon. people living in urban areas, pay higher council tax and Friend will be aware that the Government’s getting rid get fewer services, which are more expensive to deliver, of many regulations has helped councils with the cost yet there is a 50% rural premium or penalty, with of services. I am keen, however, for the Minister to 50% more going to urban areas than rural ones. We reinforce the message that district councils should pass welcome the rolling of this grant into the general fund, on the tax grant to parish councils that have a reduced but it will do nothing to close the gap between urban tax base. and rural, which cannot be defended. 751 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2013 Local Government Finance 752

Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend has made a passionate manage. More important, the Government are putting and strong case for rural areas throughout the year. money—taxpayers’ money—into a council tax freeze That is why we rolled an increased amount into the for the fourth successive year in order to help hard-working base. It goes further to narrow the gap. It narrowed last people. I hope that all Labour authorities will follow the year and narrowed slightly further this year. I am sure example of good Conservative and Liberal Democrat that my hon. Friend will be lobbying me on the issue authorities and deliver that freeze to their residents. over the next few weeks of consultation procedures. Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): On 25 November, Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): Now that the in the House, I raised the issue of the council tax benefit Minister, like most of his Tory Front-Bench colleagues, support grant, which is not being passed on to all the has referred to debts being left behind, is he aware that parish councils in Northumberland. On that occasion, in Derbyshire, where the Tories lost control last May, my hon. Friend responded by saying that local authorities they have left behind the biggest mess that Derbyshire should be ensuring that that was done. Can he tell me county council has ever had to deal with—£151 million whether he has made any further progress in forcing in cuts? Is not the truth of the matter that this Tory them to do so? Government, with their coalition allies, are intent on wrecking the public sector and bringing local government Brandon Lewis: It is true that a very small number of to its knees? That is the policy of this Government, authorities are not yet passing on the grant, and we are whose massive cuts have mostly been in the Labour- telling them that they should. It is a matter for the controlled areas. authorities themselves, but we made it very clear in today’s written statement that they should be passing Brandon Lewis: If we look at what has happened, we the money on to the parish councils. find that even the independent report last year showed that the settlement was fair as between north and south, Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab): This urban and rural—and we would argue that the same morning I received a phone call from a representative of applies this year. It is true that, thanks to the mess North Tyneside council, who was very anxious because created by the last Government, we have had to cut the council had not received any confirmation that the back. Local government accounts for a quarter of all details of the settlement were to be issued today. Why public spending, so it has its part to play. The last were they not issued to my local authority through the Labour Chancellor outlined £52 billion-worth of cuts, normal channels? which the Opposition have not outlined yet, but they have opposed every single change that this Government Brandon Lewis: Let me gently say to the hon. Lady have made. That is not a credible position, so I take no that they were issued through the normal channels. lectures from the hon. Gentleman. I suggest that he go That is the normal procedure. As for the question of back to his now Labour-controlled authority and ask it timing, which was raised by the right hon. Member for to do what the last Conservative authority was doing, Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr Raynsford). we are a which was managing better so that local taxpayers do prudent, sensible, fiscal Government. It would have not have to be punished by increased council tax. It been imprudent to do anything before the autumn should freeze its council tax, as the Conservative-led statement. Perhaps we take the finances of the country coalition Government have done, and make things better slightly more seriously than the last Government. for its local residents. Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con): Regrettably, some councils are tempted to increase council tax simply Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome) (LD): A to build their base and their reserves. What measures significant group of authorities, mainly in rural areas, are the Government taking to reward councils that do have been historically underfunded. The Government the right thing and freeze the tax? have recognised that, but does the Minister understand that improving the distribution formula does no good Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend has made a very whatever if a damping mechanism is then imposed, good point. Local authorities should indeed be freezing which removes the benefit? council tax, and we have now adopted a reward-based system. We reward councils that do good work through Brandon Lewis: I understand the hon. Gentleman’s the new homes bonus, the business rates retention scheme point. Last year, damping was brought in to avoid and the innovation fund. All those measures benefit volatility in the system. We put in extra grant—the good councils such as my hon. Friend’s in Swindon, money we are rolling in this year—on top of that, so it which has done some really good innovatory work. The is not affected by the issue that the hon. Gentleman council tax freeze grant is now in the baseline, and there raised. can be no questions, no ifs and no buts: councils should freeze the tax to help hard-working families. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): Can the Minister explain exactly how this is good news Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): Bolton will have for people in Hull, which, although one of the most lost £100 million since 2010. It is not celebrating, but disadvantaged areas in the country, is experiencing far mourning the services that it is losing, and it is desperately deeper and more savage cuts than other, wealthier areas? worried about its vulnerable residents. When will the Minister stop blaming the last Government and local Brandon Lewis: This is a good settlement for local authorities, and take responsibility for what he himself government generally. Councils’ spending power is being is doing? reduced by just 2.9%, and a reduction of 1.8% is predicted for next year. That will ensure that local authorities can Brandon Lewis: When they say sorry. 753 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2013 Local Government Finance 754

Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): Does the Minister agree Will he join me in congratulating councils such as that enlightened and far-sighted local authorities such Pendle, which has already made significant savings by, as Rugby borough council anticipated several years ago for instance, reducing by 35% the disgraceful number of the tough economic environment in which we now find properties in the borough that were left empty by the ourselves, and started to put their houses in order at an last Labour Government? early stage by taking a hard look at all their items of expenditure? Brandon Lewis: It was a pleasure to meet Joe, the leader of Pendle borough council, a couple of weeks Brandon Lewis: I do agree with my hon. Friend. ago, when I met a number of council leaders. Pendle is a There are very good councils all over the country which have fine example of a small authority that has worked hard been streamlining their bureaucracy and administration, to make really good savings while protecting front-line sharing management, sharing services, improving their services. I congratulate that council, and other councils procurement practices, and delivering great front-line that are taking similar measures, on their excellent services to their residents. They should be warmly thanked work. for doing great work while also playing an important role in lowering the country’s deficit. Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): Plymouth city council has won awards under different administrations. Jack Dromey (Birmingham, Erdington) (Lab): Over the past five years it has cut its back-room staff, Birmingham is reeling from the biggest cuts in local innovated, and, sadly, laid off staff. Now it is telling us government history, totalling £840 million, and the that it will not have enough money to fulfil its statutory other core cities have also been particularly hard hit. duties over the three-year period, which is not acceptable. Common to all the cuts has been a grotesquely unfair Will the Minister please tell us what the council is approach. Why has Birmingham been hit twice as hard supposed to do when it is being encouraged to freeze as the national average, and why is every citizen in council tax, which is a wholly regressive measure? high-need, high-unemployment Birmingham losing £149 of local government services while in leafy, low-need, Brandon Lewis: If the council freezes the tax, which low-unemployment Wokingham the figure is only £19? would be good for its residents, it will receive a support grant from the Government. If it is looking for ideas in Brandon Lewis: If the hon. Gentleman looks at the order to do more than it has already done, I am sure starting model, he will see that Wokingham had rather that the Local Government Association will be happy less spending power per dwelling than Birmingham in to help. It could probably learn a lesson or two from the first place. Hammersmith and Fulham, which has some good ideas that would help it to cut its tax for local residents. Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): The Minister accepted in his statement that rural areas were being comparatively Several hon. Members rose— funded, but I am sorry to say that, once again, the adjustment in the settlement is chicken feed when it Mr Speaker: What an assortment of riches! I call comes to addressing the inequality between rural and Mr John Stevenson. urban areas. Does the Minister not realise that, at this rate, it will take more than 1,000 years to put that right? John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con): Cumbria has six district councils and one county council for half a Brandon Lewis: We have actually increased last year’s million people. Many Cumbrians believe that the councils amount. We have put it into the baseline. I appreciate should merge in order to save money and improve local the point made by Members about the need to narrow services. Were the councils to make such an approach to the gap between rural and urban areas, but they should the Government, would it be favourably received? appreciate that we are acting against the backdrop of the financial mess in which we were left by the last Brandon Lewis: As my hon. Friend knows, we are not Government and with which we now have to deal. fans of top-down reorganisation in local government, Obviously, that somewhat restricts our room for manoeuvre. unlike the last Administration. However, I am very supportive of any local authorities that join forces to Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): Is the Minister find new and innovative ways of saving back-office aware, or willing to admit, that a council tax freeze is a costs, and I shall always be happy to meet their members very regressive measure? Those who did not pay previously and discuss what is achievable for them. receive nothing back, and the higher people’s council tax band, the more they gain. We in Scotland have had a Helen Jones (Warrington North) (Lab): If the Minister great deal of experience of that regressive tax policy believes in fairness, can he explain why West Oxfordshire, over nearly seven years. one of the richest local authorities in the country, will gain from the settlement, while, according to the Audit Brandon Lewis: I am not sure whether the hon. Lady Commission, the most deprived areas in the country is arguing that councils should increase the tax, but that will lose from it? Are not the Government pursuing a is certainly not something that we would support. We systematic policy, in local government, health and taxation, think that freezing council tax in order to make families of transferring money from the poorest areas to the several hundred pounds a year better off is a good thing richest? to do for hard-working families. Brandon Lewis: The hon. Lady’s argument falls Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): I thank the Minister completely flat for a couple of reasons. First, we are for taking the time to visit Pendle and meet the council’s helping the hardest-hit councils, such as Pendle, Hastings, leader, Joe Cooney, and its chief executive, and for Great Yarmouth and Hyndburn, whereas the last meeting them again when they came to London recently. Government left them with a black hole to fall into in 755 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2013 Local Government Finance 756

2010. Secondly, the hon. Lady is living in the past, children, or services for vulnerable elderly people? It because this year the Government adopted a reward-based will not have the resources to fulfil all its statutory system which enables local authorities to increase their obligations. income through the business rates retention scheme and the new homes bonus. Councils that do good things Brandon Lewis: The hon. Gentleman highlights part such as building houses and securing economic growth of the problem for some local authorities. First, I want will experience the benefits of that. to thank him for being one of the great advocates of spending power, and I am sure that he will thank us for Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): Like all ensuring that we make it clear why that matters to local authorities, Cheshire West and Chester council people in terms of the services they get. He was right has had to tighten its belt in recent years. By cutting about that, and we have listened and put that formula waste and sharing services, it has managed to keep forward. I know that, if his local authority is playing council tax increases down while improving local services. political games with people’s money, he will want to Does my hon. Friend agree that if a local authority fight for his local residents and go back to his authority makes itself more efficient, it can make itself more and tell it to think again. If the councillors and officers effective too? cannot make the right decisions to look after their local residents, they should step aside and get somebody in Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend makes a good point who can. in naming one of the local authorities that has done great work in proving that the efficiencies deliver not Several hon. Members rose— only savings but, more importantly, better services for their residents. I encourage other authorities to look at Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Reading East those good councils and the great work that they are (Mr Wilson) has only just started bobbing, but I am doing through the community budget programme and assuming that he was here at the start. the transformation network to become more efficient and effective for their residents. Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con): Thank you, Mr Speaker. Labour councils such as Reading are again Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): I am increasing the burden of council tax on families this sure that the Minister must have used a public library as year. Does the Minister agree that, during these challenging a young man. Is he at all worried that community times, any rise in council tax should be put to a local libraries could all but disappear as this squeeze on authority referendum? non-essential council services continues to grow? Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend makes a good point. Brandon Lewis: I suggest that, if the hon. Gentleman This Conservative coalition Government have done what looks around the country, he will also find local authorities they can to ensure that a council tax freeze is available that are opening new libraries, where they think that to every resident in the country, and we are proud of they are right for their area. As I have said to other that. Any authority that is looking to put up its council Members, I urge him to use his powers of persuasion to tax and to penalise local residents by charging them get his authority to make the savings in the most efficient more should have the courage to hold a referendum and way possible, and to look at back-office functions, at let the public decide. fraud, at its reserves and at its council tax collection procedures in order to protect front-line services, rather Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) than playing politics with people’s money. (Lab): The Minister knows that quoting spending power levels completely ignores the different challenges that John Pugh (Southport) (LD): The Minister says that areas such as Newcastle and Liverpool are facing. On the average cut in spending power is 2.9%, but spending the new homes bonus, will he explain the fairness of the power is a rather slippery concept. What is the average north-east contributing £42.3 million to the pot while cut in formula grant, and how does that vary by type of receiving only £29.3 million in return? authority? Brandon Lewis: Actually, the spending power formula Brandon Lewis: As I said to the Chair of the Select goes in completely the opposite direction, in that it Committee, the hon. Member for Sheffield South East represents exactly what affects residents. Calculating (Mr Betts), the reason that we use spending power is not spending power per dwelling takes account of the entire only because local government has talked to us about pot of money in a local authority area. The hon. Lady using it but because it gives the whole picture of spending is quite right to say that Newcastle has a spending power in a local area, rather than just the grant. That is power of almost £2,500 a head compared with other what impacts on the services that residents get, and that areas that have closer to £1,500. The formula does is what matters to people. reflect need. With the new homes bonus, the more houses people build, the more money they will get. Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab): Derby city council is already reeling from the unprecedented cuts Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): The Minister that have been imposed by this Government since they knows that my borough of Brent has one of the highest came to power, yet under this settlement it will have to levels of deprivation. The leader of the council, Muhammed find another £81 million of cuts from its budget, and it Butt, has engaged with the programme of shared services will soon be unable to fund even its statutory obligations. and sought to drive efficiencies through, despite more Will the Minister advise the council on which statutory than £100 million of cuts, but the time is now fast services it should cut? Should it cut services for vulnerable approaching when the authority will be able to fund 757 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2013 Local Government Finance 758 only its statutory service obligations. What does that rhetorical question. If the Minister wants to reply, he is say about the view of the Minister’s Department on welcome to do so, but he is under no obligation. No? localism? Fair enough.

Brandon Lewis: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman’s Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): The Minister says local authority will want to come to talk to me during that this is a really good day for local government, the consultation process. If it looks at authorities such following previous good settlements. Will he explain as Hammersmith and Fulham—and, indeed, the whole why 64 Conservative councils have refused the offer of a tri-borough area—it will see the hundreds of millions of freeze and are putting up their council tax? pounds-worth of savings that can be made to ensure that it provides great front-line services. Brandon Lewis: The hon. Gentleman must be a bit of a mind reader or a fortune teller, because councils will Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab): It is farcical not set their council tax for another month or two. We for the Minister to try to spin this as a good day for will have to wait and see what happens. I say to all local local government. There will certainly be no parties in authorities, whatever their colour and political party, the city of Liverpool today. We are struggling to meet that they should be freezing their council tax to protect our statutory duties, after the 62% cut that this Government their local residents. If they are not sure where they can have imposed on us, and there are no discretionary pots find more savings, I suggest that they look at good left. If the Minister and his Secretary of State do not councils such as Vale of White Horse in Oxfordshire, believe me, I will offer them a first-class ticket to come High Peak and Staffordshire Moorlands, which are to Liverpool and look at the books, and ask them to tell saving up to 18% in back-office costs by sharing us where they believe we can cut further. management and chief executives.

Brandon Lewis: I appreciate the hon. Gentleman’s Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): In offer, but we do not tend to travel first class in our his answer to the original question, the Minister expressed Department. We protect the taxpayer’s money. I have pride. In his answer to the hon. Member for City of met the mayor of Liverpool, and obviously— Chester (Stephen Mosley), he praised that Tory-controlled Steve Rotheram: I will pay for it. council. Is he proud of the fact that that council is closing women’s refuges? Mr Speaker: Order. The financial generosity of the hon. Gentleman is duly noted, but it is somewhat Brandon Lewis: It is up to local residents to take a unparliamentary for him to chunter from a sedentary view on those local services. I say to the hon. Gentleman position—[Interruption.] Order. His point has been and to all Members in that area that, if the local heard—[Interruption.] Order. I was being good-humoured authority is making decisions they do not like, they towards the hon. Gentleman, but I am sorry that he is should lobby the authority to get it to do what they not showing good humour in the festive season. think is the right thing. I have to say that, when I have [Interruption.] Order. I am not debating the point with visited that area, I have found the residents to be very the hon. Gentleman; I am simply telling him what the happy with the services. Some great work is being done situation is. He has asked his question, and he must now there on shared services and shared management with have the courtesy to listen to the response. He can make Manchester, on freezing the council tax and on troubled his own evaluation of that response, of course. families, to ensure that people are getting great services and improved services in that area. Brandon Lewis: I am sure that the mayor of Liverpool will want to talk to us and make his case during the Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): consultation procedure. I met representatives of the There is no doubt that, either by accident or design, this core cities last year, and I am happy to meet any Government have redistributed money from poorer areas individuals. I must also point out to the hon. Gentleman towards the more affluent ones. Let me give the Minister that Liverpool gets one of the highest amounts of an example relating to the new homes bonus. The bonus spending power per dwelling in the country and that, on excess each year is financed by the redistribution of the top of that, it gets regional growth fund money, growing formula grant. Because of the collapse in housing places fund money and a city deal, all of which are completions that this Government have presided over—in helping Liverpool to be the town that it should be. Greater Manchester, that involves about a third of the homes that we had been planning for—there has been a Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): The redistributional effect away from areas that really need Minister’s justifications for inflicting cuts on local the funds and towards London and the south-east. That government sound like something that we would expect funding imbalance then goes into the local enterprise to hear from the North Korean regime. When Ministers partnerships and the local growth funds that the start talking about cutting back-room staff, we know Government believe should drive prosperity in local right away that they have no answers. More importantly, economies. Surely the Minister knows the impact of his Coventry will have to find between 15% and 20% cuts own policies on councils up and down the country. over the next three years. Translated one way, that means more than 1,000 jobs. Translated another way, it Brandon Lewis: The new homes bonus is fairly simple: means that we would have to find £48 million. you build more houses, you get more money.

Mr Speaker: I have to say politely to the hon. Gentleman Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): The that I have struggled to find the question mark at the Minister must surely be aware that many local authorities end of his observation. Perhaps he was asking a have already committed significant reserves to meeting 759 Local Government Finance 18 DECEMBER 2013 760 additional equal pay requirements, especially as a result Point of Order of the Birmingham ruling. That money cannot be spent twice, so will he cover those additional costs, should 1.21 pm they arise, if those councils take his advice and spend the reserves on front-line services? Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (Lab): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Possibly in anticipation of the fact that I had a question today on the post office network, I received a message—it was not in my e-mail Brandon Lewis: If the hon. Gentleman looks at the and I could not find it on my computer; it came through Birmingham case, he will find that we have been helpful my mobile device—from the Minister with responsibility to Birmingham, particularly with capitalisation. It would for postal services, the Under-Secretary of State for have been better, however, if that authority had made Business, Innovation and Skills, the hon. Member for decisions earlier for good financial planning. East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson). It said that it was going to all MPs and explained that she was having to put £640 million extra into the network reorganisation Mr Steve Reed (Croydon North) (Lab): The level of fund, on top of the £1.34 billion that was already there. total spending power is central to the local government My point of order relates to the fact that this did not settlement, so can the Minister explain here and now come through my computer and it was not in today’s how the 2.3% cut in local government spending power written statement from BIS. If she is going to give a that the Secretary of State announced in June turned statement like that telling all MPs about a massive into a 15% cut for most London boroughs once the spending increase because of a shortfall and the failure detail came through? of her policies, which are destroying the post office network, is she not obliged to do so in a formal written statement or here at the Dispatch Box?

Brandon Lewis: That is simply not true; we have got a Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for protection in there. This year, it is even better than last his point of order. Certainly it would be incumbent on year, so even the biggest cut in the country is only 6.9%. the Minister to find a way of disseminating that information to Members of the House other than by purely electronic means. If that did not happen, I understand that there may be some disappointment on that front. It is not something I can pursue further today, but in response to his inquiry I think I have put the point clearly on the record as to what ordinarily is expected. [Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman is gesticulating from a sedentary position—some people are never satisfied. The inquiry has been made, the answer has been given and that is the end of the situation.

ROYAL ASSENT

Mr Speaker: I have to notify the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, that the Queen has signified her Royal Assent to the following Acts: Energy Act 2013 Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2013 Humber Bridge Act 2013 City of London (Various Powers) Act 2013. 761 18 DECEMBER 2013 Credit Union (Armed Forces) 762

Credit Union (Armed Forces) duty, civilian and contractor personnel, and their families. Rear-Admiral Dawson previously served in the United Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order States navy for some 34 years. No. 23) Navy Federal was founded by its members in 1933, when soldiers returning from war were unable to access 1.23 pm affordable credit. It now offers a service to US special Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): I forces, navy cooks, veterans and the families of servicemen beg to move, and women. In the US, payday lenders used to target military bases, trying to hook American sailors and That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide for the establishment of a credit union for members of the armed forces soldiers with their high-cost financial services, yet Navy and family members who live in the same household; and for Federal is able to offer some of the most highly competitive connected purposes. financial services in the US market. Indeed, Navy Federal The Bill is designed to ensure that our soldiers, sailors now holds some $55 billion in assets, and has some and Air Force personnel on lower incomes have access 4 million members, 235 branches around the world and to low-cost loans and other low-cost financial services a work force of more than 11,000 employees. Surely our and, as a result, are not vulnerable to high-interest soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, and their families, payday loan businesses. I should declare at the outset could benefit from a similar credit union. that I am a member of my local credit union, M for My Bill aims to address the growing fears that low-paid Money, which serves my constituency in Harrow, and service personnel are having to turn to payday loan also of the Rainbow Saver credit union. companies to get through the last week of each month. Credit unions are financial co-operatives. They are Research by the Royal British Legion found that about one powerful demonstration of how through pooling a third of veterans, including almost half of the recently our efforts and through co-operation with others, we injured, experience financial difficulties, leading many can each become better off. Those of us who champion into unaffordable levels of debt. The RBL’s dedicated credit unions have always believed that what makes benefits and money advice service helped some 2,500 them different from other financial services providers is people in its first year, 2007, but last year that figure not just the lower interest rates they offer, but their rose to more than 11,000 Army personnel being helped mission to operate for the benefit of their communities, out, and the RBL predicts that the figure will keep rising. to retain money in local economies and to empower We know from the Debt Advice Foundation that one people, especially those often unable to access credit in four people who take out payday loans need the elsewhere. Key to credit unions is a common bond money to buy food or essentials, with 44% using them between the members, who in turn are the investors and to pay off other debts. Similarly, Citizens Advice research consumers—indeed, they can also serve as directors. It has shown a fourfold rise in just two years in the is, in essence, about people in the same community number of people coming to their citizens advice bureau looking out for each other but benefiting directly themselves with debt problems as a result of taking out payday from a service that they are able to provide together. loans. I have spoken to the chief executives of many As many in this House will recognise, many successful citizens advice bureaux located close to military bases credit unions are already operating in the UK: the and I have heard about some of our soldiers and sailors police credit union has 21,000 members, has been going who are facing real financial difficulties. One serving for 10 years and has Lord Stevens, the former head of Army soldier who was living in MOD accommodation the Metropolitan police, as its president; the former with his wife and children had two payday loans, one British Airways credit union, which is now known as for £435 and one for £375, both due for payment at the Plane Saver and covers more than just British Airways, beginning of the month. If he failed to repay the loans has more than 7,500 staff as members; and the London in full, he incurred an £80 charge for deferring them. He mutual credit union, with its origins in Southwark, has was in a vicious circle. If he repaid the loans, he was left more than 15,000 member owners, and offers competitive without sufficient funds to finance his monthly expenditure online and affordable payday loan services. For a 30-day, and again had to take out a payday loan to manage £400 payday loan, the LMCU charges, typically, an until the end of the month. interest rate of 27%, or £19. For the same loan, a It is a story that many of us will have heard time and commercial payday loan company might charge an again in our own constituency surgeries—a small loan annual percentage rate of 5,600%, or £127. In short, it that, through huge interest rates, gets bigger and bigger. might be £108 more expensive for the same amount Of course it is true that families across the UK are over the same period. That shows the kind of service feeling the pinch, and we need a major expansion in the that should specifically be available to our servicemen promotion of and access to credit unions across the and women, and their families: a low-cost credit union. UK. A levy on the profits of the payday lenders could Only a credit union—a financial co-operative—would help to drive that expansion of low-cost financial services be able to offer such a service. that credit unions offer. I hope the House will recognise My Bill specifically draws inspiration from the biggest that serving personnel and veterans face particular and most successful credit union in the world. A rear- challenges. Surely it is time to inject new energy into the admiral of the US navy and former commander of the credit union market and take the steps necessary to American enterprise battle group is probably not the address this particular problem for our soldiers and most obvious enthusiast for financial co-operatives, yet sailors. Rear-Admiral Cutler Dawson is president and chief I must give some credit to the Government. There has executive officer of Navy Federal, the world’s largest been some interest in this matter from the Ministry of credit union. It is based in the United States and serves Defence, but I say gently that it is at best tentative. all Department of Defence and Coast Guard active Ministers need to show more enthusiasm and energy for 763 Credit Union (Armed Forces) 18 DECEMBER 2013 764 this most basic of services that our troops should be able to expect. When US soldiers, sailors and marines Opposition Day are on active service duty, they can focus on their day job without worrying about their financial affairs at [15TH ALLOTTED DAY] home. The British armed forces surely deserve the same support. I commend this Bill to the House. Accident and Emergency Question put and agreed to. 1.32 pm Mr Speaker: Who will prepare and bring in the Bill? Andy Burnham (Leigh) (Lab): I beg to move, Mr Thomas: Apart from the first one, they are a That this House is concerned about recent Government statements talented and handsome lot, Mr. Speaker. on Accident and Emergency (A&E) and Government claims that it is not in crisis; notes that last week, 79 A&Es and the NHS overall missed the Government’s A&E target; further notes that Mr Speaker: Usually we are content with a factual attendances at hospital A&Es have increased three times faster list, rather than a Member putting a divisible proposition since 2009-10 than in the period from 2004-05 to 2009-10, and to the House, but we will manage; it is Christmas. that in the last 12 months more than one million people have Ordered, waited more than four hours; believes there are a range of reasons for the current pressure on Accident and Emergency but that That Mr Gareth Thomas, Mr Andrew Love, Meg difficulty in accessing GP services is one of the primary causes; Hillier, Stella Creasy, Mrs Louise Ellman, Seema Malhotra, regrets the Government’s decision to cut funding for evening and Mr Adrian Bailey, Stephen Twigg, Tom Greatrex, Stephen weekend GP opening and scrap the guarantee of a GP appointment Doughty, Mr Ian Davidson and Mr Steve Reed present within 48 hours; and, to ease the pressure in Accident and the Bill. Emergency, calls on the Government to reverse for winter 2013 its scrapping of the 48-hour appointment guarantee. Mr Gareth Thomas accordingly presented the Bill. As we approach the end of 2013, it is becoming clear Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on that this has been the worst year in accident and emergency Friday 28 February 2014, and to be printed (Bill 148). for at least a decade. All year, the pressure has been relentless. It is not just a winter crisis, but a spring, summer and autumn crisis. Across the 12 months, more than 1 million people have waited more than four hours to be seen, which is a threefold increase since 2010. For the past 22 weeks, hospital accident and emergency departments have missed this Government’s target. Last week, the target was missed by the NHS as a whole, which is a warning sign that winter has now arrived and things are getting even worse. Accident and emergency is the barometer of the whole health and care system. All year, that barometer has been warning us of severe storms ahead, and yet, three weeks ago, the Secretary of State stood at that Dispatch Box and claimed that this was “a crisis that is not happening”.—[Official Report, 26 November 2013; Vol. 571, c. 155.] He should try telling that to the families of people left waiting for hours on trolleys in corridors; to the people who have been ferried to hospital in police cars and taxis because ambulances are trapped in queues at accident and emergency; and to the A and E sister who attended our A and E summit here in Parliament last week and said: “It feels like we’re fire fighting. It’s crisis management.”

David Wright (Telford) (Lab): Is this problem not compounded by the fact that in many places such as Telford and Wrekin and the wider Shropshire area, the future of full A and E services at many hospitals is in doubt? That situation is bad for morale, and it compounds the other problems such as waiting times. People want some reassurance about the future of their A and E services.

Andy Burnham: That is a question for the Secretary of State. How can it make sense to close so many A and E departments in the middle of an A and E crisis? This year, the facts on the ground have changed. As I have said, it has been the worst year for a decade. Any proposal to change A and E in areas such as that of my 765 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 766

[Andy Burnham] staff at the Brighton hospital say they are incredibly demoralising because they punish A and E for a problem hon. Friend needs to be considered in the light of that that is actually hospital-wide, and it is hospital-wide new evidence. We need to consider whether it is safe to because of cuts to the national tariff and because of the proceed. As the A and E sister said, it is crisis management. top-down reorganisation that nobody wants and that is That is the view from the real world. In here, it is a hugely costly. different story. It is, “Crisis, what crisis?” My purpose in holding this debate is to cut through Andy Burnham: As the hon. Lady says, ambulance the spin. I want to bring into our debate today the services and A and E are often now not working well voices of those A and E nurses, occupational therapists, together. I mentioned the paramedic held at the door, paramedics, community nurses, and NHS 111 staff and and we are hearing of queues at A and E. What we mental health professionals who came to our summit. cannot have are perverse incentives in the system. The For instance, there is the paramedic who told us of his Secretary of State needs to look at the issue that she worries about ambulance response times getting longer raises. because ambulances are trapped at A and E; and of the time when a patient who was held a long time at the Several hon. Members rose— door of a busy A and E suffered a heart attack and had Andy Burnham: I will make some progress because I to be rushed back to the ambulance. Another paramedic am conscious that many Members want to speak in told us about being at the scene of a serious incident in both debates. a city centre. After calling for back-up, he was joined by a private ambulance which did not appear to have The picture that emerged from our summit was of a adequately trained staff to take patients to hospital. A health service on the edge, creaking at the seams, with community nurse spoke of her frustration at spending corners being cut and A and E as the last resort for an hour and a half on the phone trying to get a GP people failed by other services—people who, in an ideal appointment for a frail patient. An A and E-based world, ought not to have been there. We heard of people occupational therapist said that she was now regularly with severe mental health problems in A and E because diagnosing dementia for the first time in older patients of a lack of crisis beds, people with severe dental pain who had ended up in A and E. Surely we can do better who could not afford treatment, disorientated older than that. people with dementia and, perhaps saddest of all, palliative patients in A and E waiting areas. Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): My right It is clear that the cost of living crisis and this hon. Friend is giving an excellent argument as to why Government’s failure to support people through it might we are in this crisis. Is it not completely predictable also be driving people to A and E. The House is soon to given the response that we have just had on the local debate the scourge of food poverty that now blights our government grant settlement? Increased pressures on land. Food banks are growing at an exponential rate. the system will be felt by old people and in deprived Indeed, we now read that it is Government policy to ask areas. councils to set up more, even though they have just cut the funding of the councils with the most food banks. It Andy Burnham: I agree. The Government have made is unbelievable. It suggests to me that they expect food grave mistakes. I warned them—they misquote me every poverty to be with us for some time to come and have week—that it would be irresponsible to give increases to no real intention of tackling it. People will go on having the NHS, which is what they were promising, if they to choose between eating properly and putting the had to ransack local government, particularly social heating on—[Interruption.] The Secretary of State chunters, care budgets, to pay for them. That is a false economy. but he has no idea what it is like to do that, has he? It means that older people have support withdrawn People are making other impossible choices that might from the home, and they drift towards A and E in ever damage their health. I am told of the growing number greater numbers. That is what is happening today on of people now taking prescription medicines on an this Secretary of State’s watch. empty stomach because they cannot afford to eat properly. Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab): Given Dr Ellie Cannon, a GP who also writes for The Mail on that we have just heard that Liverpool will face Sunday, recently tweeted: 62% reductions in local government settlements, does “I’m sad to say that at my NHS practice if we have a patient my right hon. Friend agree that the obvious consequence who has unexplained symptoms, we have started asking if they can afford to eat”. will be to put additional pressures on A and E in Liverpool hospitals? How can that possibly be right in England in 2013? Has the Secretary of State considered reviewing the effect on Andy Burnham: The Government are tearing up the people’s health of the growing problem of food poverty social fabric of England’s most deprived city. This is a and has he discussed the effects of benefits policy on city in which people struggle to feed their kids and to people’s health with the Secretary of State for Work and make ends meet. Council services are utterly crucial in Pensions? If he has not, I suggest that he does so helping people to cope. The Government do not understand, immediately. or they do not care, and they just rip up the fabric of an entire city. It is disgraceful. Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): As my right hon. Friend is talking about general practitioners, does Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): Does he agree that the Government’s failure to honour the the right hon. Gentleman share my concern about the guarantee that we gave that people could see a GP impact of the fines that are being levied as a result of within 48 hours means that more and more people are delays in ambulance handovers? Many hard-working going directly to A and E? 767 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 768

Andy Burnham: That is the central point of my speech: The new spin is that the Secretary of State admits the removal of the guarantee that patients could get an that A and E has got worse on the Government’s watch, appointment within two working days. The Government but it is not his fault and it is not a crisis. That is the removed it in June 2010 and, as a result, we all hear public line, at least. In private, it is a different story. This stories, do we not, of people saying that they are getting is the Secretary of State who has taken up ringing up and ringing the surgery at 8 or 9 o’clock in the hospital chief executives who are not meeting their A morning and are being told that there is nothing available and E targets. I have heard from two senior sources that for days. That is a result of the Government’s decision the Secretary of State has discussed within government to remove the two-day guarantee. That is why people whether Cobra should be convened to discuss the A and are facing that frustration. I shall explain that in more E crisis. Can he confirm or deny whether that is the detail—[Interruption.] Government Members say that case? I have no way of knowing, but he needs to give a the guarantee did not work, but in 2005 nine out of straight answer. 10 people said that they could get an appointment The longer we see the Secretary of State in this job, within two days. Have those Members checked the the more familiar we become with his style: spin before figures recently? There is falling satisfaction with GP substance. That is the real danger when someone holds services and it is happening on their watch. a job as important as his. If they use spin to distract I asked the Secretary of State whether he had spoken people from the real causes of the problems, they end to the Work and Pensions Secretary, and he needs to do up neglecting those problems and precious time is lost. so urgently. The truth is that pressure has been growing all year on A and E and he has been ignoring the Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): I know warnings, sticking to his usual line of blaming everyone that the right hon. Gentleman is passionate about the else. His original line was to blame the 2004 GP contract, NHS, but he seems to ignore the history. In the last year but that was undermined by the Chair of the Select of the Labour Government, the average wait in A and E Committee on Health and the inconvenient fact that was 77 minutes. It is now 33. The Labour-run Welsh there was no winter crisis in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 or, NHS has missed every target since 2009. Frankly, I am indeed, 2009. proud that our Government are putting the patient at Having seen his original spin dismissed, the Secretary the heart of the NHS by tackling the issues in hospitals of State changed tack. In a message to NHS staff on and in our ambulance services. 6 December he said: “Our ageing society has meant 1.2 million more people in Andy Burnham: Last week, the NHS missed its A and A&E every year compared to 3 years ago”. E target—the hon. Lady’s A and E target—which is a Finally we have an admission that the pressure has built lowered target. If she is going to maintain that complacency on his watch, but as ever, it is nothing to do with the through the winter, I suggest that it might well backfire Government. It is nothing to do with the break-up of on her. NHS Direct and its replacement with the disastrous NHS 111, nothing to do with the closure of a quarter of NHS walk-in centres, nothing to do with the severe cuts Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): My to social care and the removal of home care from right hon. Friend’s description of rising waiting times in vulnerable people, nothing to do with the loss of 6,000 A and E and ambulances queuing outside A and E will nursing jobs and nothing to do with the reorganisation be recognisable to my constituents who use Northwick that no one wanted and no one voted for that threw the Park hospital. What is his view of the Government’s entire NHS into chaos just when it needed stability and proposed new funding formula, which, I hear, might that has led to precious NHS money being spent on mean that £20 million will be cut from Harrow’s NHS redundancy payments only for those people to be budget? re-employed by new NHS bodies. No, it is now all the fault of the ageing society. You could not make it up, Andy Burnham: Since the change of Government, the Madam Deputy Speaker. previous Secretary of State and this one have talked about a formula based predominantly on need, not Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): My deprivation. The worrying thing about that is that it right hon. Friend is making a compelling case about the means that we have a formula based on the use of NHS problems in accident and emergency. Is he aware that services as opposed to the need to improve health. NHS they extend to Northern Ireland? Although devolved England has been debating that issue this week and I arrangements are responsible, we are told that the problems hope that it has taken heed of what has been said in this are down to the shortage of doctors, which emanates House, because to do this to the NHS alongside the from Whitehall and the Department of Health. It is no local government cuts mentioned by my hon. Friend the longer a compulsory part of GP training for doctors to Member for Liverpool, Walton (Steve Rotheram) will do a component in A and E and that is causing a be catastrophic for the communities in this country with problem. the greatest need. Andy Burnham: I mentioned the reorganisation, through which we saw the complete disruption of training Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): Does my right arrangements in the NHS. The Government’s eye was hon. Friend recognise the perversity of our having a taken completely off the ball of the growing problem of debate about airport expansion, with the London recruitment, not just of GPs but of A and E doctors. population rising to 10 million, while at the same time That is a real problem around the country. We now have closing A and Es in west London, experiencing problems fewer GPs per 1,000 of population than we had a few at St Helier in south London, closing Chase Farm and years ago, so my hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise making changes in the east? Does that make sense with that issue. a rising population? Will it not lead to chaos? 769 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 770

Andy Burnham: The Secretary of State really needs to With January just around the corner, people want answer for the cuts to London’s A and E departments, practical answers to straight questions and some proposals particularly at a time of unprecedented pressure, and to make things better. First, will he consider making for the desire to bring forward closures supported by a urgent changes to NHS 111 and putting nurses and financial case, rather than a clinical one, as in Lewisham. clinicians back on the other end of the phone line? Evidence from across the NHS tells us that the cut-price I want to set the record straight about the 2004 model of call handlers with computer algorithms simply contract and dismiss the myths that have been put does not work. Too often the computer says, “Call an about. The fact is that it gave the public much quicker ambulance or go to A and E.” The sensible change back and more convenient access to GPs and relieved the to an NHS Direct-style system was recommended by pressure on A and E. Let me explain the changes it Sir Bruce Keogh in his report and should be made right made. First, it created the ability to add an incentive to now ahead of the winter. allow patients to book an appointment several days ahead. Members might recall Tony Blair being challenged Secondly—this is the centrepiece of what I want to on that very point during a live TV debate before the say today—given the evidence to show that the 48-hour 2005 general election. As a result, he brought forward a guarantee worked to divert people from A and E, there new measure to give people that ability to plan ahead. is a clear case for reintroducing it this winter. It is true Secondly, it created incentives for GPs to offer evening that GPs might not be so keen on it, but it was valued and weekend opening. Thirdly, it allowed the previous by patients, and that is the most important thing. The Government to offer people a new guarantee of a GP Secretary of State needs to listen to what people are appointment within two working days. And it worked. saying about their difficulties in getting an appointment In 1997 only half of patients could get an appointment in office hours, not in out-of-office hours. He must do within 48 hours, but by 2005 nine out of 10 patients something to address that. Will he divert some of the could do so. As a result, A and E was performing much funding that he has made available to meet A and E better than it had been in 1997. pressures to that purpose, or indeed will he reclaim some of the funding he has handed back to the Treasury? What has happened since? This Government have It is so important that people can get appointments scrapped all those measures to improve patient access when they need them. and convenience. They removed the right set out in the NHS constitution to an appointment within two days, Those are two practical suggestions that I hope the stating that it was no longer a priority. It might not be a Government will consider and accept. If the Secretary priority for them, but let me tell them that it remains a of State will not accept them, he needs to put forward high priority for my constituents and those of my hon. other suggestions of his own to help people get access Friends. This is the simple truth that they do not like to to good advice via a GP or over the phone and to avoid admit: it has got harder to get a GP appointment under A and E this winter. If he refuses to do that, is he really this Prime Minister and this Government. People who saying that everything possible has been done to ensure call their surgery early in the morning only to be told that things do not get worse in the months ahead? that nothing is available now know why. In conclusion, the NHS today stands on the brink of There are now 854 fewer GP practices in England its most dangerous winter in years. It is a serious offering evening and weekend openings than there were situation and people are looking for straight answers in July 2009. The Patients Association has found that from the Secretary of State. It has got harder to get a six out of 10 people said they could not see a GP for at GP appointment on his watch and people want to know least two days and four out of 10 said they could not what he is going to do about it. A and E is getting worse book an appointment for at least two days in advance. and worse on his watch and people want to know how All that is leading to some people turning straight to A he plans to turn things around and ensure that all A and and E and others getting sicker while they wait and then E departments and ambulance services can get safely arriving in A and E as a more serious case. through the winter. He now needs to put away his stock speech, cut the spin and get a grip, and fast. The Government have tried to blame GPs for the problem, but that is unfair, because this Government have cut the funding for general practice, cut the funding 1.55 pm for delivering better patient access and convenience The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt): and, I have already said, cut the number of GPs per What we have heard today is a deeply unconvincing thousand of the population. The analysis could not be attempt by the Opposition to turn A and E into a clearer. The question is where do we go from here. political football. As a former Health Secretary who The House has got used to the Secretary of State’s missed his own target for 14 of the 26 weeks that stock speech, which takes no responsibility for what is covered winter, the shadow Secretary of State should happening now in the NHS and seeks to blame the know better than to run down the phenomenal previous Government for everything that is going wrong. achievements of hard-working NHS staff at this busy Well I have news for him: that will not work today. A time of year. and E is getting worse on his watch. He has presided The right hon. Gentleman threw out numerous over the worst year in A and E for a decade. People need statistics—[Interruption.] He asked me to give him an honest assessment of the situation, and of the urgency some answers, so he should just listen. He threw out and the NHS’s ability to cope this winter. Does he numerous statistics, but let us look at the facts he chose accept that there is a crisis in A and E? He has gone not to mention. First, given that A and E departments quiet, but we will hear from him in a moment. Or does across the United Kingdom face similar demographic he still maintain that it is not happening? We need to challenges and have similar structures and targets, a know. comparison with Wales is instructive, not least because, 771 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 772 with a Labour-run Government, it is following policies which he said was so good: 1.2 million more people are that are closer to those that he favours. The most recent going through A and E every year, and more than 2,000 full-month data available for both countries show that are being seen within four hours every single day, compared England hit the target, with 95.7%, but Wales missed it, with when he was Health Secretary. The average wait to with 90.4 %. Last year, England hit the target, with be seen is now 33 minutes compared with 77 minutes 95.9%, but Wales missed it, with 87.7%. In fact, Wales when he was Health Secretary—that is 44 more minutes has missed it every single year since 2009. He also talked longer, on average, to be seen under Labour than under about ambulance times. In October, the figure for England this Government. For treatment, the average wait is was 74.6%, and for Wales 65.2%. now 75 minutes compared with 102 minutes when he The right hon. Gentleman used some strong language. was in office. He talked about complacency and crisis. Will he now demonstrate that those comments were not shallow Andy Burnham: Will the Secretary of State give a point scoring by making the same criticisms of Labour straight answer to this simple question: is there or is in Wales? If not, the House will see those comments for there not a crisis in A and E? what they are: a hollow attempt to turn an operational Mr Hunt: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the challenge—one that he faced, that I face, and indeed people who know about this at the College of Emergency that all Health Secretaries face—into a political argument Medicine, which says today on its website: regardless of the impact on patients or staff. Vulnerable “There is now cause for optimism that the crisis is behind us.” people are relying on our emergency services this winter, so to whip up fear and run down performance, as he has He should listen to that before whipping up fears of a done, is frankly shameful. It is putting politics before crisis that the College of Emergency Medicine says is patients, and not for the first time from the Opposition not happening. Benches. Several hon. Members rose— If the right hon. Gentleman does not want to talk about Wales—[Interruption.] I will move on to that Mr Hunt: I am going to make some progress and then later. If he does not want to talk about Wales, let us I will give way. look more closely at England. Again, the statistics he There are 216 more consultants and 111 more registrars did not want to share with the House show that NHS A than during Labour’s time. On ambulance performance, and E departments are actually performing much better frankly the right hon. Gentleman should be ashamed, than when he was Health Secretary. because his whipping up of the problem so appalled the ambulance service that he received a letter from the Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): Does the Secretary chief executive of the south-western ambulance service, of State welcome the example being shown by the who said about his comments in the House of Commons: award-winning Northumbria NHS Trust, which is building “It is both disappointing and concerning that the information a brand-new specialist emergency care hospital in these provided to your office has been misinterpreted and misreported difficult times, offering 24-hour cover seven days a week in order to present a grossly inaccurate picture for the purposes of with consultants? That idea preceded the Keogh review apparent political gain...I am astonished that anyone would present and shows the way forward that A and E should be such misleading information to the House of Commons.” taking. Something else that the right hon. Gentleman did not want to tell the House regarding delays is that there has Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Huge been a 28% fall in the number of 30-minute handover progress is being made on the ground to deal with the delays compared with the same period last year—that challenges, and under a lot of pressure, and that is why magically did not make it into his speech. Yes, ambulance we need to use language responsibly, rather than using services are under pressure; yes, there are issues with the the kind of hyperbole we have heard this afternoon. performance of some trusts; and yes, this is a busy winter, but the one thing they and the patients they Grahame M. Morris: If the Government are doing so serve can do without is Opposition politicians demotivating well in relation to targets, why have they downgraded crews by misrepresenting the reality on the ground. the four-hour waiting target from 98% to 95%? Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): Patients Mr Hunt: I will tell the hon. Gentleman why. It was in Trafford will not recognise the Secretary of State’s done on clinical advice, for the good reason that there characterisation of this as a crisis that is in the past. are some patients whom it is better to see, even if it They are reporting long delays at Wythenshawe hospital’s takes longer than four hours, so that they can be discharged and Manchester Royal infirmary’s A and E departments, and sent home, rather than admitting them to the particularly, as he will know, because Trafford general hospital, which is what was happening under the 98% hospital’s A and E was downgraded to an urgent care target. That is something Labour agrees with, because it centre and now closes overnight, as of three weeks ago. is following the same procedure in Wales. Does he agree that during transition periods for such reconfigurations it would make sense to ensure that there were adequate resources for neighbouring A and David Wright: Will the Secretary of State give way? Es to take on the new patients? Those resources have not been provided to these hospitals; will he guarantee Mr Hunt: I am going to make some progress. to provide them now? I want to talk about what is happening in England, because the right hon. Gentleman wanted to know the Mr Hunt: I recognise the hon. Lady’s concern for her truth. These are the statistics he did not want to tell the constituents. I have looked into the issues in the Manchester House about the comparison with his time in power, and Trafford areas very carefully, and I am assured by 773 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 774

[Mr Jeremy Hunt] Mike Gapes rose— people on the ground that the problems and challenges Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab) they face do not relate to the changes that have been rose— announced in Trafford. Mr Hunt: I want to make some progress on this David Wright rose— because it was the central point of the shadow Health Secretary’s speech. The reason the 48-hour target was Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op) rose— scrapped is very simple: access was getting worse, not better, under that target. On the right hon. Gentleman’s Mr Hunt: I am going to make some progress. watch, the proportion of people getting an appointment within two days fell, while 25% of people who wanted Lorely Burt (Solihull) (LD) rose— an appointment more than two days ahead could not Mr Hunt: First, I want to give way to my hon. Friend. get one. They would call wanting an appointment for the following week and be told, “You can only get an Lorely Burt: We have had a very successful campaign appointment by calling less than 48 hours in advance.” in Solihull to restore two-member-crew ambulances to But do not take it from me. This morning— be based in the constituency. However, they still face a big problem with admittance to Heartlands hospital to Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland) (Lab): Nobody takes it discharge their patients so that they can get out on the from you. road and back to Solihull again. Can the Secretary of Mr Hunt: Well, the hon. Gentleman should listen to State suggest how the ambulance service could work in the Royal College of General Practitioners if he does a joined-up way with hospitals in order to improve not want to take it from me. This morning, its chair, flow-through? Dr Maureen Baker, said that Labour’s Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend raises an important point. “proposal to bring back the 48-hour target for GPs is an ill-thought Again, we would not hear this from the Opposition out, knee-jerk response to a long-term problem.” spokesman, but ambulance services across the country Unlike Labour, we listen and act when doctors tell us are making great strides. For example, in the past year that Government targets are harming patient care. there has been a 10% increase in the number of patients that ambulance services do not take to A and Es, and an Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab): 8% increase in the number of patients that ambulance If the right hon. Gentleman feels that scrapping the services and paramedics are able to treat and discharge 48-hour rule for GP appointments was wrong, what on the spot. Those kinds of things can make a huge would he say to my constituent Mr C, who has e-mailed difference. me today imploring me to get an appointment with his GP because his wife needs a new prescription for her Mike Gapes rose— blood pressure drugs and he has spent the past 48 hours on the phone attempting to gain one? How could he Mr Hunt: I am going to make some progress. help my constituent? I want to move on to what we have been doing. As I Mr Hunt: I would urge him to urge his own MP to said, every Health Secretary deals with difficult winters back this Government’s initiative to introduce seven-day in the NHS. However, this year is different because we GP surgery opening in pilots in every single region of have taken unprecedented steps to relieve the pressure the country, and to back plans like those in north-west in the short and the long term. For this winter, we have London, where seven-day GP opening has been distributed more financial help—£400 million in total—than introduced—for which we have not had support from ever before. So far, that money has paid for 2,900 Labour. additional staff, 1,100 more hospital beds, and 1,200 more community beds. It has also paid for additional Guy Opperman: Does the Secretary of State agree support for ambulance services and 111 centres. We that prevention is the most important thing to alleviate distributed that money earlier than ever before. A and E pressure, and that the simplest thing we can do [Interruption.] The hon. Member for Copeland (Mr Reed) is to encourage the populations in all our constituencies says that we should not have cut the money in the first to take up the flu jab, which will prevent a large number place. We did not—we protected and increased the of people going to A and E? NHS budget, which the shadow Health Secretary still wants to cut, as he reaffirmed today and on Monday. Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. This We distributed the money in August, earlier than ever year we have extended flu jabs to two and three-year-olds before. We extended the winter flu campaign to two and because we think that prevention is better than cure. three-year-olds. Patients who require emergency treatment We have been looking at other causes of the long-term this winter can be assured that they are getting high-quality pressure on A and E, such as Labour’s 2004 GP contract. and speedy care despite the pressure that we all recognise The right hon. Gentleman spent the past year telling A and E departments are under. this House that that contract, which scrapped named We have gone further. This year, we have started to GPs, has nothing to do with the problems in A and E. tackle the root causes of the long-term pressures in A This is despite what nearly every A and E department in and E, which are the result of the ageing population, the country is talking about—namely, the pressure being yes, but also, sadly, the disastrous mistakes made by the caused by poor primary care alternatives, particularly previous Government, including the 2004 GP contract for the frail elderly. What did he tell Sarah Montague on changes and the 48-hour GP appointment target that the “Today” programme when we reversed that GP did not work. contract and brought back named GPs for the over-75s? 775 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 776

He conceded to her, as he never has in this House, that Quality Commission has put King George hospital our changes which reversed that contract would help A Ilford and Queen’s hospital Romford into special measures. and E, so he is finally accepting on the radio what he I tried several times to intervene on the Secretary of does not accept in this House and what A and E staff State in order to raise the matter, but he refused to take have been saying for months—that having someone in an intervention from me. I therefore seek your advice: the community responsible for frail elderly will help. how can I draw attention to the matter and the fact that the previous Secretary of State said that King George’s Mike Gapes rose— A and E department would close within two years? Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab) rose— That is clearly not happening. There is chaos in my local A and Es, yet the Secretary of State did not let me Mr Hunt: I am going to make some progress. intervene. Our plans go much further than simply reversing the 2004 contract. GPs will offer the most vulnerable guaranteed Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Mr Gapes, same-day telephone consultations, which never happened in terms of getting your argument on the record, you under Labour. There will be a dedicated telephone line have just done so, although it was not a point of order, so that A and E doctors, ambulance paramedics and as I think you know. As you are fully aware, it is up to others can get advice from GPs about treatment in the Secretary of State, or any Member of this House, urgent situations. GPs will co-ordinate care for elderly whether they give way to another Member or not. I am patients discharged from A and E to try to ensure they sure you will find ways to pursue this matter over the get proper wrap-around care to minimise the chance of minutes, hours, days and months ahead. needing to go back. I inform Members that there is a five-minute time We have done something else that the right hon. limit on all Back-Bench contributions in order to ensure Member for Leigh never did to tackle long-term pressure that as many Members as possible can participate in the on A and E. One of the biggest problems has been not debate. being able to discharge people from hospital because of poor links between the health and social care systems. 2.13 pm Through our £3.8 billion better care fund, this Government Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab): are doing something that Labour talked about a lot but The public look with incredulity at many issues relating never actually delivered: we are merging the health and to the Government and public services, but highest on social care systems. Gone will be people being pushed the list is the proposal to close A and Es in our NHS from pillar to post, because in order to access this fund, when demand for them is becoming greater and stronger. clinical commissioning groups and local authorities will have to commit to joint commissioning and joint provision. St Helier hospital in my constituency has asked for evidence and proof of why its A and E department—which Finally, we have looked at the long-term structure of sees 90,000 people a year, meets its four-hour target and A and E. The previous Government were battered by a has a great safety record—should be closed. We are told succession of failed reconfigurations. We, too, have had by the medical establishment that it will be much better challenges over decisions, such as those with regard to for everyone and that primary care will take up the Lewisham. Sir Bruce Keogh’s recent review of urgent slack. At no point are the public told—I am sure this is and emergency care has changed the terms of this also true of other reconfigurations—where their care debate by setting out a 21st-centruy vision of emergency will be provided, which GP practices will stay open for care. Sir Bruce rightly said there should be more extensive longer and which extra services will be available. The services outside hospital, and this, too, will help to public, therefore, are being asked to make a leap of faith reduce A and E queues. He rightly said that while the and lose their A and E, which they know is there for number of A and Es is not expected to change, the them in times of desperation and need, in favour of services offered by all of them should not be identical if wishful thinking that things will be different in the we are to maximise the number of lives saved. Our duty future. The gap between the Government’s credibility to patients is to make that a reality and we will not and the public is growing. hesitate to drive that vision forward. A and E and the ambulance services are performing What evidence do the Secretary of State and the well under unprecedented pressure. I cannot speak highly Government have that closing A and E departments enough of the hard-working staff who are working that nobody believes to be small will provide better around the clock to deliver vital services. They share medical services? No research shows that to be the case. our overriding commitment to putting patients first this All the work done by the university of Sheffield and—I winter. Unlike Labour Members, we do not seek to turn never thought I would say this—The Mail on Sunday in a tough winter into a political football. If they want to its campaign indicates that wholesale A and E closures, make the comparison between our record and theirs, we not only in rural areas, but in built-up urban areas such are happy to do so: more people being seen within four as mine, are not in the best interests of patients, and not hours, shorter waiting times, and long-term problems just in terms of waiting times, but in terms of outcomes. being tackled—not posturing from the Opposition, but We all accept that some specialist services, such as the action from the Government, and a commitment to do stroke service, should be concentrated, but there is no what it takes to support hard-working front-line staff evidence to suggest that that needs to happen for what over Christmas. We should get behind them and not most people go to and A and E for. For those attempting undermine their efforts. to get a GP appointment in my part of south London, the situation is desperate. I have already referred to an Mike Gapes: On a point of order, Madam Deputy e-mail I received from a constituent only today. It has Speaker. This information was embargoed until two come to something when constituents are contacting o’clock today, but following an investigation the Care me to ask whether I can get them a GP appointment. 777 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 778

[Siobhain McDonagh] The A and E department at Kettering general hospital was constructed in the 1970s for about 25,000 to 30,000 I challenge the Secretary of State to explain why his attendances a year. In 2001 attendances had hit 56,000 holy grail of closing A and Es is a good or wise and that figure is now 85,000. The A and E centre is decision. For as long as those GP services are not effectively bursting at the seams, and attendances show available, and for as long as the public do not know absolutely no sign of falling off. Typically, there could which surgery to attend or which services will be provided, be between 170 and 230 attendances a day—the highest they will never accept changes. There must be a presentation has been 260 in a 24-hour period this year. of the facts, not just a hope that somehow GPs will do The professional staff—the clinicians—in the A and more. E have made multiple operational changes. They have St Helier hospital is supported by everyone in my adopted all the best practice ideas provided by the area—not just those who use it, but those who understand Department’s intensive support team, but the key issue that demand on St George’s and Croydon university remains the estate and the only way to solve that problem hospitals will increase should it close. For everybody, A is an injection of capital investment. With that investment and E is a safety valve to the NHS—it is there when and with the development of community facilities in other services are not—and for as long as that is the Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough, the professional case, we need to keep our local A and Es. clinicians are confident that the A and E department could at long last start hitting its A and E targets. At the moment, it is treating only 89% —well below the 98% 2.17 pm target specified by the Government—of patients within Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Kettering a four-hour period. general hospital will be well known to the Secretary of State, because he was good enough to visit it a year ago Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I apologise to see the excellent service provided by its doctors, for being out of breath, Madam Deputy Speaker, but I nurses and ancillary staff. The hospital has been in just wanted to ask my hon. Friend whether the proposal existence for 116 years and it is badly needed and much he is talking about has all-party support in the north of loved. At one time or other, every resident of Kettering the county? has had a member of their family go through the hospital. Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. Mr Peter Bone has just arrived in the Chamber, but one The hon. Member for Corby (Andy Sawford), my is normally expected to be in the Chamber for more hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone) than just a few seconds so as to hear the debate before and I have put our party political differences aside and intervening. I am sure the hon. Gentleman apologises joined forces to campaign for extra investment for the to the House. accident and emergency facility at Kettering general hospital, because it is needed by all of our constituents. Mr Hollobone: I am very grateful for the intervention We are working as one on the issue. The other good from my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough news is that both the hospital trust and the local clinical (Mr Bone) because he has many duties to attend to in commissioning groups are also working as one on the this House on behalf of his constituents and he has issue. been at the forefront of the campaign to get extra I thank the Under-Secretary of State for Health, my investment into Kettering’s A and E, and also to develop hon. Friend the Member for Central Suffolk and North the community hub patient facilities in Corby, Kettering Ipswich (Dr Poulter), who is not in his place, for meeting and Wellingborough. all three of us, together with representatives from the With the £3 million capital expenditure bid going to hospital and the CCGs, over the summer. He has been the Department, one of the options would be for a good enough to agree to meet us again on 15 January. community hub at the Isebrook hospital, which would All the professionals have come together and agreed help to serve my hon. Friend’s constituents in that, despite their best efforts and despite following the Wellingborough and, by doing so, would take the pressure advice of the Department of Health’s intensive off the A and E at Kettering. If we are successful in this support team to the letter, whichever Government are cross-party bid, the A and E at Kettering would be in power would have to face the fact that the A and E at transformed into an A and E plus an urgent care centre Kettering is, sadly, not fit for purpose and needs extra on the site of Kettering general hospital. It would be a capital investment. Their bid to the Department of one-stop shop for local patients. The A and E at Kettering Health will be for £20 million for Kettering A an E and has the confidence of local people, but the local population an extra £3 million to create community hubs—in other growth means that capital investment is needed more words, urgent care centres-plus—in Corby, Kettering than ever, and we look to the Government to provide and Wellingborough. The three hon. Members, the that in early January. CCGs and the hospital trust will make a joint bid for that money when we meet the Minister in January. Mr Bone: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I apologise to the House for the discourtesy The challenge the A and E at Kettering general shown, but I was very surprised that my hon. Friend the hospital faces is serving one of the fastest growing Member for Kettering (Mr Hollobone) was called so populations in the country. In the last decade, Kettering’s early in the debate. population growth ranked 31st out of 348 districts around the country and it had the sixth highest increase Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Idonot in the number of households. Few other parts of the think that is a point of order, but the House has noted it country are growing as fast as the Kettering area, which and we will move on now so we do not waste any more also has an increasingly ageing population. time. 779 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 780

2.23 pm Lisa Nandy: I will not give way to the Minister because I presume he will be winding up the debate and Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab): My A and E in Wigan is, I hope he will spend the rest of his time listening to like so many others across the country, under significant Members rather than trying to explain away such an pressure at present. Earlier this year we saw an appalling record. unprecedented rise in A and E attendances. That is a result of a series of problems, including the difficulty in I cannot understand why, despite all the pressures getting GP appointments, as outlined eloquently by my already being put on my A and E by this Government right hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham), and despite its still being consistently one of the highest but I think the single most significant cause is the cuts performing A and Es across the north-west, we are that have been made over the past three and a half years being disrupted by the Healthier Together programme, to social care. Does the Minister have any idea what which has caused so much anxiety in Wigan. those cuts and the unfair distribution of them—my constituency of Wigan has been cut three times more Grahame M. Morris: Will my hon. Friend give way? than Windsor— have meant to people in their lives? Lisa Nandy: I will give way very briefly to my hon. I want to say something about the situation of older Friend. people. I have been shocked over the past couple of years by what is happening to older people because of Grahame M. Morris: I want to reinforce that point in the deep and front-loaded cuts to social care, which relation to Durham county council. I have just been have left councils with no option but to cut services. advised that Library figures show that it is facing cuts of Over the last two years we have seen an unprecedented £222 million between 2011 and 2017. That must have a rise in the number of over-90-year-olds coming into my huge impact on social care and a consequential impact local A and E and others across the country by ambulance. of increased demand in A and E.

The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lisa Nandy: My hon. Friend is absolutely right, as Lamb): The hon. Lady talks about the situation in always. social care and of course I understand that there is real The Healthier Together programme has, at this time, pressure, but will she welcome the fact that in 2012-13 caused huge anxiety across Wigan. In June, documents there were 37,473 fewer days lost in delayed discharge leaked to my local paper the Wigan Evening Post revealed due to social care, so in other words, social services are plans to reclassify hospitals as red and green, with doing better now than they were in previous years? several hospitals downgraded, as my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston knows only too Lisa Nandy: In the very short amount of time that I well. That prompted real fears across Wigan that it have got I will simply echo the words of my hon. Friend would lose its well-regarded 24-hour A and E. The the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green) decision appeared to be based on population, not on the who said to the Secretary of State that she thought performance of hospitals. In September when I visited people would be staggered by the complacency of Members the Healthier Together offices in Manchester to explain on the Government Benches and would not recognise my concerns with my hon. Friend the Member for the picture they paint, which stands in stark contrast to Bolton West (Julie Hilling), I was surprised to see, at a the lived experiences of my constituents, some of whom time of funding pressures that are causing real pain, are old and vulnerable and deserve so much better than how expensive those offices were, situated in the middle this. Behind the increase in the number of admittances of Manchester. Imagine my surprise, Madam Deputy to hospital lies a picture of older people who are living Speaker, when Healthwatch Wigan found through a alone at home, worried, lonely and ill. series of Freedom of Information Act requests that the The Minister’s Government have not caused all of total cost of the Healthier Together programme in Greater this, but, like my right hon. Friend the Member for Manchester to date has been £3 million, with £1.3 million Leigh, I have talked about my concern about what has of that spent on third-party organisations. The NHS happened in social care and the rise of zero-hours would not reveal who or what that money was spent on. contracts and choosing the lowest bidder over recent To date, the programme could, in total, have paid for years, so, by God, I must also say this: his Government 90 new nurses, 20 A and E doctors or 9,000 bed days at have made the situation so much worse. By the end of Wigan infirmary.Instead, this hugely expensive programme next year the budget of my council in Wigan will have has caused huge anxiety across my local area, and been cut by £66 million, and we were told this summer communication has been dire. I am not alone in thinking that another 10% is still to come. We have done everything. that that is a shocking waste of money. We have pared that organisation to the bone. The truth Despite the chaos caused by this Government, our A is there are no more efficiencies to be had; there are only and E works well: it is a consistently high performer. We cuts. are a big borough, with huge transport constraints. To I say this to the Minister as well: this is not just about ask people to travel to the nearest alternative hospital in councils, because what this Government have done, Bolton just is not feasible. It is 15 miles away, which is at and the Darwinian approach they have taken to the least half an hour by car. What the Minister may not voluntary sector, has severely undermined the capacity know or understand is that many of my constituents do of charities to respond to this crisis at the very time not have cars or the money to take several buses or use when they are needed most. This is the true meaning of public transport. Our borough typically has large, tightly the big society. knit families. When someone’s granddad goes into A We are seriously disrupted in Wigan— and E, not just them and their mum and dad but the entire family visit him, which will be impossible if this Norman Lamb rose— shambolic programme goes ahead. 781 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 782

[Lisa Nandy] lives, but does he not agree that, if changes have to be made, transition planning and resources to support the The Secretary of State has caused real anxiety by transition are absolutely vital components of success? I acting unlawfully in respect of Lewisham A and E, have to tell him that, in relation to the reconfiguration announcing the single biggest closure programme the we have just gone through in Trafford, I simply have not NHS has seen at a time of unprecedented pressure on A seen such resources put in place. and E, and making changes in the Care Bill that will enable the closure of high-performing hospital services Dr Lee: I agree with the hon. Lady that the plans for such as those in Wigan. Will the Minister give me a many of the configurations have been somewhat made cast-iron guarantee that decisions will be made on up on the hoof. They have usually been created and clinical, not cost grounds, and will he reassure us that pushed by a series of local issues—such as 19th or financial constraints do not come into this? Will he tell 20th-century buildings that can no longer deliver 21st- my constituents that the real-life situation of local century health care—but I recognise the need for a plan, people—transport, family networks, income and all the and I will come back to that at the end of my speech. things that have a huge impact on people’s well-being—will I fear that a perfect storm is looming at the moment. be considered by this Government before any decision [Interruption.] If the hon. Member for Eltham (Clive is taken that affects my constituents’ lives? Efford) will allow me, I will come on to what I think we need to do. The perfect storm is that we have infrastructure 2.31 pm that is not fit for purpose, too many hospitals that we cannot staff properly—one of the contributory factors Dr Phillip Lee (Bracknell) (Con): On 27 December in Mid Staffordshire was poor staffing levels, because it 1999, I and two other junior doctors embarked on a was trying to work over two hospital sites for a population ward round at Wexham Park hospital in Slough. We that is not big enough to support one—and an ageing had 72 patients to see that day, and it took us 13 hours and increasingly obese society, as well as changes in to get round to them all. I say that because it was people’s attitudes to pain and suffering and to seeking 14 years ago, yet I am hearing that this is the A and E health care. crisis to end all crises. Every year, doctors in the national I have not yet heard a speech about the type of health service are worried and concerned about the presentations occurring in casualty departments. Such pressures that the winter will bring to bear, and I do not presentations are rarely accidents and are extremely think that this year is any different from 1999. rarely emergencies. We must ask ourselves how we can I want to try to be a bit challenging today and, in address that. I am standing here with a dreadful cold view of the motion, perhaps a bit counter-intuitive. We and feeling pretty lousy. I have seen hundreds of patients have too many casualty departments in this country. We who have presented to me as a GP or in A and E feeling should look at the mortality statistics—the likelihood like I do, but I will not go either to my GP or to A and of survival. I would say to the hon. Member for Wigan E, because I understand that I have a viral infection (Lisa Nandy) that, if my grandfather went into hospital, that will get better by itself. The problem at the moment I would want him to go into the one where he had the is that people just rock up at A and E because they best chance of survival, not necessarily the one down think that it is the only place they will get seen, and no the road. I do not know about her hospital, but a large one questions whether they should just not bother number of hospitals in this country unfortunately do turning up. not deliver the best care or the best mortality statistics. We need to reflect on that without trying to score petty Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex) (Con): I am following political points about a variety of different issues. what my hon. Friend is saying very carefully. Does he agree that part of the problem with A and E is the Grahame M. Morris: I want to query the hon. tremendous back-up of people who are admitted, and Gentleman’s point about this crisis not being anything the inability to discharge people who ought not to be in unusual. The Government’s own Health and Social hospital? Care Information Centre has published figures showing that the number of visits to A and E departments in Dr Lee: Yes, we need to integrate. The shadow Front- England has risen by 11% in four years to 21.5 million Bench team is right to call for more integration, which attendances, which is 60,000 a day. The numbers are is part of the issue. clearly increasing, and our argument is that that is That perfect storm is coming and I suspect it will hit partially the consequence of the Government policy of this or the other side of 2020, when we will have such an cutting social services. ageing society with such expectations, and a creaking infrastructure that is not able to deliver the best care Dr Lee: There has actually been a 37% increase in that can be delivered. emergency admissions over the past decade, while 65% of Given the time available, I shall be brief, but we need hospital admissions are of people over 65. Dementia is to have a cross-party plan. I suspect that we have twice doubling as we speak, and 25% of the NHS budget will as many acute hospitals as we need, and that we probably be spent on diabetes by 2025. I am sorry, but to try to need only about 100 in England and Wales. The population suggest that the genesis of the challenge we face has served by each acute hospital should be about 500,000, been during the three years of this Government is 600,000 or 700,000, which is nine or 10 constituencies, simplistic. The most polite way to put it is that the hon. so we would not all be able to come to the Chamber to Gentleman is making a simplistic argument. defend our local district general hospital. I am sorry, but those days have passed. If you think that I am a Kate Green: I do not disagree with the hon. Gentleman maverick, I am backed up by every single royal college, about our wanting a configuration of services that the King’s Fund, the NHS Confederation—I could go ensures that patients get the best possible care and saves on. Therefore, we need to deal with the issue. 783 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 784

I recognise that the politics is very difficult. I think Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): That is a that we should convene a cross-party committee and familiar story to all of us. There are four A and Es have a cross-party understanding. We will have to do closing in west London and two major hospitals are that at some point in the next five to 10 years, and it changing. Charing Cross hospital will no longer be a would be remiss and wrong of us as an institution to major teaching hospital and half the site is being sold ignore that reality. I am tired of sitting here and listening off. In its place, there will be a local hospital that to hon. Members trying to score political points on this provides primary care services. The Tories said that issue. Of course we can argue about the funding of those hospitals were closing under Labour when they health care and there is scope to debate philosophical were not. They are now going back on their promises. differences about health care provision, but when it In many cases, direct promises were given on site before comes down to it, we need a hospital infrastructure that the last election. can deliver the best acute emergency and surgical care to everybody at their time of need. I fear that we do not Clive Efford: There is example after example of broken have that. promises. The Conservatives accused people of planning We need to integrate social care with health care. to close hospitals when there was no plan to do so, and There are some models—Cambridgeshire has embarked then came in and did it themselves. on a very good plan—but it needs to happen up and We have a curious situation. The Secretary of State down the country. We need seven-day-a-week care, but has been saying, “Crisis? What crisis?” Today, he read to staff that appropriately, we need fewer hospitals. We out a quote saying that the crisis is behind us. That is a will not be able to have seven-day-a-week consultant little confusing. Of course, the crisis that he was talking care on every district general hospital site in this country. about was a summer crisis. He did not mention that. He I wish I had a bit longer, but I will conclude. I think that presided over a summer crisis. That is pretty unique. I we really need to raise the bar, because everyone in this do not think that even Virginia Bottomley achieved a country wants the best care for all. summer crisis, but I could be wrong. The crisis is of the Government’s own making. The Secretary of State talked about the need for services 2.39 pm away from the hospital to protect A and E from being Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): The hon. Member for overwhelmed. However, one of the first things that they Bracknell (Dr Lee) has just said that there is a perfect did was to do away with the 24-hour promise of a visit storm coming and has appealed for a cross-party approach to the GP.They then introduced 111, which had algorithms to deal with the issues in the national health service. I and questions that all ended with the advice, “Go to absolutely agree with him about that. your A and E.” There are now 850 fewer surgeries Before the last general election, that is exactly what opening at evenings and weekends, and a quarter of we had in south-east London. We had a consultation walk-in centres have closed. Talk about reinventing the over a couple of years on the “A picture of health” wheel—the Government are now saying that those are programme, which involved the closure of an A and E. the sorts of things that we need to do. The crisis in A The point is that that was a clinically led consultation. and E is of the Government’s making. It is their decisions Doctors came to us politicians and said that, if we that have created the situation. reconfigured services in a certain way, they could treat To return to south-east London, the Secretary of patients better and save more lives. I took the view State appointed the trust special administrator to oversee before the general election that the sensible approach the merger of Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth hospitals. was to support those clinicians. It would have been easy The local authority took on that decision because the for me to man the barricades, defend my local services, powers that the Government took were not within their say that the reconfiguration was horrible and be a remit. The Government were challenged in the court populist local MP. However, I took the view that we and defeated. The Government are now moving the needed leadership and cross-party agreement to make goalposts. Having said before the last general election the changes that were needed to improve services. that there would be no top-down reconfiguration and Sadly, when this Government came in, they threw out that they would not enforce closures if the local community the whole APOH reconfiguration. After saying in their did not agree with them, they are taking powers to manifesto that there would be no “forced closure” of A impose closures on local communities. and E and maternity services, the Conservatives came in In the minute that I have left, I want to say to the and said to Lewisham hospital, “Close your A and E Minister that there has been a series of broken promises. and maternity services.” It is fitting that a Liberal Democrat is summing up a The Conservatives had said that they would stop the debate on broken promises on the NHS. closure of Queen Mary’s hospital, Sidcup. People could have been knocked over in the rush of Tories who Norman Lamb indicated dissent. wanted to join the campaign to save Queen Mary’s. What happened when they got into power? They closed Clive Efford: It is true. Where were any of the things Queen Mary’s. On that site, there is now a health that are happening to our NHS in the Liberal Democrats’ industrial estate. It will be an incubator for private manifesto? None of them were in their manifesto. They health care. There will be elective surgery there under never put them before the electorate. Gravesham health care for a short period, but it will go We want no return to the closure of Lewisham A and out to tender. We all know where it will go. It will go out E. The closure of Queen Mary’s, Sidcup has had the to the private sector. There is a site for hire at Queen knock-on effect of overwhelming the other A and Es in Mary’s, Sidcup. All sorts of services will come in and south-east London. That is clear for all to see. Those A compete with NHS services. and Es are under serious pressure. It is clear that there is 785 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 786

[Clive Efford] Paul Burstow: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. One of the good things that came out of the work by no slack in the system to pick up the additional burden Keith Willett and Sir Bruce Keogh is the more coherent, from that closure. We must have a guarantee from communicable and understandable way in which emergency the Government that they will not impose the closure care can and should be organised. Indeed, in some cases of another A and E on the people of south-east London. there are also staffing pressures. Those are not helped I would like to hear that from the Minister when he by some of the unintended consequences of changing sums up. medical careers, as that has had an impact on the supply of medical doctors. 2.46 pm Labour’s answer seems to be that we should go back Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam) (LD): I want to to the good old days—whatever they were—of a 48-hour pick up on a couple of points that were made by the target, but that target was flawed. When it was removed hon. Members for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain by the Government, the British Medical Association McDonagh) and for Bracknell (Dr Lee) about reconfiguration. welcomed the change, which it said would give GPs The hon. Gentleman said that all too often the experience greater flexibility to organise their appointments. Today of hon. Members is that reconfiguration feels as if it is we have heard—quite rightly—from the chair of the being done on the hoof. I agree with the hon. Lady BMA, Dr Maureen Baker, who said the proposal was ill about the proposed reconfiguration in south-west London thought out and a knee-jerk response to long-term and about St Helier hospital. Whether that will ever problems, and that it would make a bad situation worse. happen is still up in the air—let us hope that it does not. A leap of faith was demanded of constituents across Andy Burnham: Do not the views of patients matter south-west London, not least because the plans did not most? The right hon. Gentleman is quoting the contain any measures to improve out-of-hospital care, professionals, but perhaps it is sometimes inconvenient without which it would not be possible to achieve the for them to have to do things. Surely the point is that changes to emergency services that were being proposed. people are ringing surgeries and cannot get appointments. Those points are part of this debate, which is primarily If he does not like the 48-hour target, surely he and the about whether there is a crisis and, if there is, what the coalition Government should put forward their alternative nature and causes of it might be. Although the Labour so that people can get to see their doctor. motion acknowledges that there are many causes of the problem, it has a very simplistic solution. Paul Burstow: With all due respect to the shadow The evidence shows that there is a mixed picture Secretary of State, when presenting arguments in support across the country. That is reflected in the allocation of of his motion he set out a range of professional expertise the first wave of additional funding for the NHS to and opinions for why there should be a 48-hour target. meet winter pressures. That funding went to the health It is therefore not unreasonable for me to quote other economies that were the most challenged. Some are professional opinion on why that would not be good for coping well with the seasonal change from the higher patients. I will come to some of the alternatives that I volume, but less complex A and E attendance pattern of think are relevant to addressing the A and E problem, the spring and summer to the winter pattern of fewer, because I do not think that simply addressing it through but much more complex cases, which often involves a 48-hour target makes any sense at all. more frail and older people, and leads to more admissions. That pattern is repeated year on year and the demographic The changes the Government are making to the GP changes continue year on year. The pattern is well contract will help—not least having a named person documented and it is very sensitive to the weather. That co-ordinating care for the over-75s. I hope the welcome is why I welcome the Government’s cold weather plans focus on frailty and multi-morbidity will be extended to and their support for local government and other agencies more people on the basis of their need, not simply their to put in place the extra social support that is necessary age. Figures show that the average number of diagnosed to avoid admissions in the first place. conditions for patients admitted from A and E has increased over the past five years. In other words, the Where there are problems, the causes vary. Some of medical needs of people attending A and E are getting the pressure stems from changes in behaviour. People more complex, and that impacts on the amount of time now see A and E as the easiest point of entry into the people spend in A and E departments. Therefore, the system for any ailment. Often, there is confusion about answer is not one simple solution but must be a combination the access arrangements for out-of-hours care. Those of actions. Much of that needs to be centred in primary behavioural changes are cumulative. They are a consequence and social care, as well as mental health services. In of changes that were made some years ago, not least primary care we must recognise that it is not just about through the changes to the responsibility for out-of-hours GP services and that we need best practice around the care in the GP contract. The implementation of those country, for example in engaging pharmacies as first changes undoubtedly sowed much of the confusion care centres or getting them to play a key role in over how to access emergency care. managing long-term conditions—a big driver of pressure Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): Does my right hon. on A and E departments, particular in winter. Friend agree that a lot of potential patients are confused We need concrete action to drive the integration of about what out-of-hours unscheduled care is available? health and social care—that may be mentioned in the There are A and Es, minor injuries units, out-of-hours motion, but the Government are delivering it, not least GP services, GP walk-in centres, NHS 111 and so on. with the £3.8 billion first steps for a better care fund, Many people cannot discriminate between those services which is bringing health and social care together in a and do not know what they are supposed to provide. practical and unprecedented way that has not been They therefore need to be further integrated. achieved before. That must be welcomed as a first step 787 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 788 which I hope will grow as more resources are pooled Secretary of State was clearly concerned about the across the system. It is essential to delivering the integrated, pressures on those hospitals because one criterion he set co-ordinated care that people want. down for the reconfiguration of services at Trafford was Mental health was neglected by Labour, under which that neighbouring hospitals should consistently meet there were no access standards or targets for people waiting times before the changes were made. suffering a mental health crisis. In fact, under Labour On the basis of performance in the two summer two thirds of people suffering from a mental health quarters, the NHS asserted that the criterion on waiting crisis waited for more than four hours to be seen. I times at those hospitals had been met, despite warnings applaud what the Minister is doing to improve that from many people—including me—that not measuring situation significantly by setting standards for the first performance during the winter months would give a time to drive improvement in that area. distorted picture of the capacity of those hospitals to I conclude with a quote from Dr Clifford Mann, cope. The Minister must recognise that that caused a president of the College of Emergency Medicine: great collapse of public confidence—they were not very confident about the proposals for the reconfiguration “While this winter will be tough for the NHS and A and E departments in particular—” anyway—because it seemed that fudging was going on to present an impression that hospital services could I think we should acknowledge that— cope, when it then turned out they could not. To use “I believe there is now cause for optimism and that the crisis is data that are clearly applied in a way that suits the behind us.” outcome NHS managers want, rather than being in the Yes, there have been problems, but the Government best interests of patients, is a matter of great concern. have been addressing them in a comprehensive way. Will the Minister say how we can have genuine and That is why this debate is mis-timed, wrong, and does robust criteria for reconfigurations in which the public our constituents no good whatsoever. It does not identify can have confidence? The total absence of clarity and the real problem, although this Government are getting the fudging over the decision at Trafford over the past on with sorting the issue out. few weeks has had an unfortunate effect. When the Secretary of State announced the funding 2.53 pm in September, neither Manchester royal infirmary nor Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): I want to Wythenshawe received extra money to deal with winter speak about the current situation in Trafford and some pressures. I was surprised because we knew by then that of the lessons that Ministers might want to learn from reconfiguration would create extra demand on those the transition we went through when the A and E two A and E departments. I am anxious to hear from department at Trafford general hospital was downgraded the Minister about the Department’s approach to ensuring to an urgent care centre and closed overnight. Despite adequate additional resource to support transition for assurances that neighbouring accident and emergency such reconfigurations. services at Manchester royal infirmary and Wythenshawe Grahame M. Morris: My hon. Friend makes an hospital would be able to cope following that change, important point about demand in deprived areas. The problems are already piling up. Those problems may Government’s health and social care information centre not have been caused wholly—or perhaps at all—by the has identified that in each of the past five years, at least changes at Trafford, but the impact on Trafford patients twice the number of attendances have been from those is pretty dire and we must take account of that. living in the 10% most deprived areas, compared with Those A and E departments were already exceptionally those from the 10% least deprived areas. That should be busy, with the one at Wythenshawe working well beyond reflected in the allocation of funding, but unfortunately capacity. It was built to accommodate 70,000 patients a such areas receive no additional money at all. year but was already dealing with more than 100,000, as Kate Green: Two pressures could be highlighted. The my right hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe and first is the way that funding fails to take adequate Sale East (Paul Goggins) pointed out from the outset. account of deprivation. Secondly, there will inevitably We welcome the fact that the Department now appears be a hump at the time of transition, as new arrangements to have unlocked a route to additional funding for settle down and people adapt to the changing service capacity at Wythenshawe, but that funding, let alone configuration. When providing resources to Manchester the additional capacity, is not yet in place. royal infirmary or Wythenshawe, no account seems to As the Minister will know, in the past couple of have been taken of the effect of that transition and the weeks Wythenshawe A and E has reached “black” likely need for additional resource to take those hospitals status for waiting times, and privately there are indications through that period. Indeed, in a private meeting with that the quarter 3 target for waiting times at the hospital the Secretary of State, after the reconfiguration was will not be met. There are also reports that waiting announced, he confirmed that there would be no additional queues for ambulances are doubling outside Wythenshawe transitional funding. I could, however, look forward to hospital, and pressures are mounting at Manchester additional funding to enable greater integration of services, royal infirmary. The other day a constituent told me although not until 2015-16. Furthermore, it would not that she had visited on the evening of Sunday 8 December be new funding, but funding that had been moved from with her diabetic daughter and there were not even the NHS to social care. enough seats for waiting patients. Some people were I am as strongly in support as anyone of seeing forced to wait outside. funding directed as much as possible to preventive care Those pressures were predicted. Last year, Manchester and care that can be provided at home in the community, royal infirmary and Wythenshawe hospital struggled to but we cannot take services from hospitals before we meet waiting time targets, and indeed failed to meet put that care in place in the community. Such care is them on at least one occasion in 30 out of 35 weeks. The simply not adequate in Trafford today. 789 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 790

[Kate Green] when hon. Members from urban areas talk about the A and Es in their part of town when no account of that The other matter I want to raise was alluded to by the distance or rurality was included in any grant formula right hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Paul Burstow). by the previous Government. I wanted to put that on There is utter confusion among patients about what the record. services they should access and when. As soon as Trafford From my perspective and, I am sure, from that of all was downgraded to an urgent care centre, Trafford hon. Members, the majority of our constituents get a patients believed they could not go there. That was not damn good service from hard-working professionals, the intention of NHS managers, but the impact was who will work at Christmas time when the rest of us are undoubtedly to drive more traffic to neighbouring A on holiday. Having said that, hon. Members recognise and E departments. that there has been a big growth in the number of people attending A and E. Those facts are clear. Opposition Mr Slaughter: My hon. Friend makes an important Members suggest that that happened last year or a few point. A and Es and anything we would recognise as years ago. According to the Opposition motion, the such are being closed. They are turned into urgent care increase has been centres, which deal with minor injuries with GP cover at best. They are called second-tier A and E units, which is “three times faster since 2009-10”. incredibly damaging, dangerous and confusing for people. However, the College of Emergency Medicine report It is done simply as a political fix, so that Tory councils “The drive for quality” shows a sharp upward trend in and others can distribute leaflets saying, “There’s still new attendances at A and E, but its figures start from 2003. an A and E on this site.” That ties in with local information. I asked my A and E doctors at the Lancaster royal infirmary to give me Kate Green: Whatever the motivation—NHS managers figures for the past few years. They say that the number in my area have tried to communicate the changes and of new patients attending A and E decreased between how patients should respond to them—there is huge 1989 and 1993 and steadied at about 35,000 admissions patient confusion about where they should go, what a year until 1999, when the number increased rapidly. time they should go and what treatment they will receive. The figures are clear. There were 35,000 A and E The right hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam referred admissions in 1999; 36,000 in 2000; and 37,000 in 2001. Sir Bruce Keogh’s report, which highlighted patient There was an increase of 1,000 in every single year to confusion. During periods of transition, confusion is 2007. Funnily enough, there was a 3,000 increase in heightened as people become used to new configurations. A and E attendances from 2006 to 2007. The latest What lessons are being learned on how to communicate figures I have are for 2011, when there were 52,500 effectively with patients so they have proper understanding attendances. The increase did not happen yesterday but of what services are available and where they ought continually over that period, for all the reasons hon. to go? Members have mentioned. Massive problems are piling up over this winter period, when we might expect additional pressures—we see The other side of the problem is the training and them every winter. There is a failure of local planning retention of A and E specialists. We have all heard and ministerial engagement in ensuring that those transition stories of vacancies in A and E departments. I understand processes work smoothly for patients in Trafford. I that it was announced today that Wales is 15% down on hope the Minister comments on how transitions will be A and E specialists. One reason is that working in A and handled in future. I venture to suggest that Trafford is, I E is hard, and there is evening and weekend work, so fear, an early example of how not to do it. I look people move to other specialisms. To increase retention, forward to his response. we need to recognise the work of A and E specialists, which might mean through salaries. We need to give Several hon. Members rose— A and E specialists the recognition they deserve to keep them in those posts. Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I The Labour motion mentions the 48-hour appointment am reducing the time limit to four minutes. It is possible guarantee. It is no use having an appointment within for each of the remaining speakers to have four minutes 48 hours if it lasts for only five minutes before the only if interventions are severely curtailed or if they do doctor moves the patient out just to meet the target, not happen at all—let me put it that way. The wind-ups which is what happened in the past. have to start at 3.30 pm at the absolute latest. Those who have been waiting patiently and who have not intervened have had their time cut. Perhaps they will 3.6 pm bear that in mind when they are called. Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): Hon. Members will remember that when the Prime Minister wanted to 3.2 pm detoxify the Tory brand, he said that he could spell out Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con): his priorities in three letters—NHS—but people in It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Stretford Chesterfield have seen through that cruel joke. Opinion and Urmston (Kate Green), who attempted to make polls show us that the importance of the national health solid, practical suggestions in a debate that has too service is going up as the Government’s record is so often become too politicised, as the debate on A and E terribly exposed. did in June. I will refer to that later. I did a survey across Chesterfield this summer and I represent a large constituency with a large rural spoke to people about a range of issues, as I did back in population. Some people are 10, 15 or 20 miles away 2009. Back then, satisfaction with the NHS was clear, from the one A and E. To me, it sounds a little bit rich but now 37% say that GP services have got worse, and 791 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 792 just 12% say they have got better. Only 8% say that they 3.10 pm think the NHS has got better since 2010; almost 50% think Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): My expectations for it is getting worse. this debate were low, having previously endured shouting I want to focus on the part of the motion that deals matches between the former Labour Secretary of State, with the difficulty of accessing GP services, which is the right hon. Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham), and one of the primary causes of those figures. Some 42% of the current Secretary of State, with the usual antics of people who appear in A and E have previously attempted carefully selected and spun statistics thrown at each to contact GP services. Hon. Members might remember other. Those expectations were not disappointed. This my raising the case of Jemma Hill on 22 October with issue is not helped by being dragged into the gutter of the Secretary of State. Her GP referred her to a specialist, partisan politics. The fact is that the A and E crisis—if who recommended hip arthroscopy surgery. She was there is indeed an A and E crisis—has existed and has then told that her clinical commissioning group would been endemic in the NHS before and after 2010. This is not fund the surgery. The Secretary of State promised largely the result of A and E being seen as an issue that to look into the matter if I wrote to him. I wrote to him somehow needs to be treated separately and not part of on 23 October but still there is no response. Jemma Hill an integrated NHS. Before 2010, there were ambulances is still in agony. She sees a fragmented national health queuing outside the A and E in my constituency and in service leaving her behind. the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust in Truro. The problem The problems in the NHS, and in GP services in exists. From time to time, there will be those kinds of particular, are acute in the Staveley. A recent Care pressures. Those pressures are created by a whole set of Quality Commission report found that the Rectory things that are not entirely the fault of a failing A and E Road and Grange health centres failed on five different service. criteria. I surveyed almost every house in Middlecroft One aspect of unscheduled care in Cornwall that I and Inkersall, which are parts of Staveley, and had raised with the former Secretary of State is the out-of-hours hundreds of responses. Eighty-six per cent. said that GP service. The previous Labour Government were services were unsatisfactory or very poor. perfectly happy to see that service put out to tender and privatised, and we saw a fragmented unscheduled care I have here some of the comments of the people who service. I reported the Serco out-of-hours GP service to responded. One says, “I don’t bother going to the the CQC, because it was simply putting profit before doctors anymore. I could never get an appointment. I patients by manipulating statistics to make the outcomes simply self-diagnose on Google.” Someone else said appear better than they were. It was announced last that they are entirely dependent on locums, meaning week that Serco will be handing that contract back that when their scans or results come back, the GP is early. I hope that that will result in an integration of not there. One patient said that a GP broke down in unscheduled out-of-hours care, as that is the kind of tears in front of them. Another patient said that no one thing we need to do. This is not an issue that should be had contacted them after their blood test results. In subject to party political point scoring, because that fact, they should have been urgently sent to hospital— completely misses the target. subsequently, they discovered they had cancer. One person said that they waited eight weeks for a Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): The hon. Gentleman GP appointment. When they eventually got one, they sat on the Select Committee with me. He must surely were told that they had a hernia and were sent straight accept that there was a top-down reorganisation that to hospital. Another person waited two weeks for an nobody wanted and that cost the NHS £3 billion. appointment for a repeat prescription, meaning that Andrew George: Yes, and the previous Labour they did not have their prescription for more than a Government were involved in multiple top-down week. One 90-year-old said that they had to get a taxi to reorganisations of the NHS. The hon. Lady knows that the surgery and had to queue outside at 8 o’clock in the I opposed that top-down reorganisation; I voted against morning. the Health and Social Care Bill. I met a partner at that GP surgery to talk about the We could just bemoan the things that are going GP crisis. They said that they are desperately struggling wrong, but I want, in two minutes, to at least lay on the to recruit people. There is a widespread GP recruitment table my prescription for what needs to be put right. crisis. I was told that a huge number of GPs have The two themes have to be integration and prevention. retired, either because they are disillusioned or simply My intervention on my right hon. Friend the Member because they want to get out of the service. Forty-three for Sutton and Cheam (Paul Burstow) spelled out the per cent. of GPs told a Pulse survey that they will retire theme of integration. Unscheduled care includes not earlier than they had intended because of how disillusioned only A and E, but minor injuries units, urgent care they are. services, the 111 service, the ambulance service, the My hon. Friend the Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy) out-of-hours GP service, GP surgeries themselves, and, spoke about the massive impact the Government’s cuts indeed, GP walk-in centres, which the previous Government to care services have had on A and E, but there is also a created. Significant confusion is created about where huge crisis in general practice. The people of Staveley, the general public are supposed to take themselves if and people across the country, do not have proper they have an urgent need for medical attention. We access to a GP service. The problem is getting worse and really need to find ways to integrate those unscheduled it is exacerbating the problem in A and E. The people services in a way that does not result in the fragmentation suffering are not only the brave heroes who work so that bedevils the service at present. hard in the national health service, but those in the most On prevention, often in acute hospitals planned work deprived communities in our constituencies. It is a cannot go ahead because patients cannot be discharged disgrace. from hospital and other patients cannot be admitted 793 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 794

[Andrew George] going to improve. The fill rate of higher trainee posts has been running at 40% or less since 2010. The latest because there are insufficient beds. The health service is recruitment round for ST4 trainees filled 37 posts out of not integrated, because there are insufficient community 193 vacancies. There is some talk today of increasing beds and the primary care service is struggling and the number of vacancies for emergency medicine trainees, stretched to the limit, unable to provide the kind of care but people are voting with their feet. The career pressures for people in their homes and community hospitals that in A and E are just too great, and they are putting would avoid them ending up in hospital as emergency people off having careers in emergency medicine. cases. Those are the two themes: further integration of In conclusion, £2.68 billion has been cut from adult the service, which is not helped by the Health and Social social care since 2010. We are seeing the cuts in our Care Act 2012, and significant investment in preventive budgets in Salford, and 1,000 people will lose care. That care and primary care. will put pressure on their health and that of their families. The Secretary of State briefly mentioned the 3.15 pm integration transformation fund, but there is no new Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab): money in that fund—none at all. Health Ministers need We know that rising demand is concentrated in those to think again about the impact that cuts in social care aged over 85. Cuts in social care budgets are now widely are having on the NHS. Pooling budgets with the same acknowledged as contributory factors in rising admissions, amount of money in the integration fund will not help. and the Select Committee’s inquiry heard that from They need to deal with the crisis in A and E staffing and witnesses again and again. try to make it a career that people want to go into. As Salford city council has made cuts of 20% to its adult the motion states, they need to restore the 48-hour social care budget since 2010, given the cuts it has had appointment guarantee. I support the motion. from the Government. This year, the city council is changing its eligibility from moderate to substantial, 3.19 pm and social care staff estimate that the number of people receiving council-funded care will fall this year by 1,000, Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): As a jockey, I spent from 8,500 to 7,500. That is a very big change to happen far too much time in A and E departments after coming in one year. off race horses. Once, I wandered into Leicester hospital with a broken collarbone and four bones sticking out of Cuts already made to the NHS locally have also had my shoulder. On another occasion, I spent a long time an impact. We have seen the closure of two walk-in with a cut kidney and lost a spleen at Warwick hospital—I centres, including one in Little Hulton, a deprived area thank Dr Mike Stellakis and his team for saving my life in my constituency that was under-doctored. The walk-in that night. Also, two years ago, I collapsed in the House centre was popular and successful. The Minister’s and spent a night in St Thomas’ with a young but predecessor will have heard my plea about this again capable bunch of A and E doctors. I thank them all and and again. The local primary care trust, when we had put on the record this Christmas the huge effort made one, axed the pilot of an active case management scheme by all our public sector staff, particularly in the NHS. for people with long-term conditions. Those things were done under the umbrella of NHS efficiency savings, In Northumberland, we feel that we are leading the but they achieve the opposite. More older people will way in health care provision. Begun under the previous not be receiving council-funded care and that will have Government, that has continued under this one. Haltwhistle an impact on family carers. We have no walk-in centres is a small cottage hospital that in the olden days would and no active case management for people with long-term have been shut, but which now is being rebuilt as an conditions. integrated NHS and local authority facility. It is the I want to refer briefly to the Carers UK survey of first of its kind in the country, it is utterly transformative 3,500 carers conducted earlier this year. Some 55% were and it is exactly what the NHS and the local authority caring for people who had been admitted to hospital should be doing with old buildings, although I urge the emergency services, with a significant proportion of trust to resolve the contracts that are not yet resolved. those carers referring to support that could have prevented When I visited it last week, however, I saw that it was a those emergency admissions. We have seen exactly the truly innovative building and that it would be a great same message in the CQC state of care report. addition. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Salford Hexham A and E is also a fantastic building. This Royal hospital on its excellent inspection report from November, I worked there as a hospital porter, and I the CQC. The hospital was found to demonstrate thank Barry, the head porter, who has worked there exceptional leadership qualities at all levels across its 31 years, for keeping me in line and ensuring I did not staff, but even excellent hospitals like Salford Royal are put anything in the wrong place. Then there is Cramlington, now feeling the strain of extra emergency admissions. an innovative, pre-Keogh assessment health care centre The chief executive told me that in the winter quarter being built for the north-east. It is a perfect example of last year it had 10% more ambulance arrivals, patients where we should be going: a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, were sicker, there was an increase in people staying consultant-led facility. As an A and E specialist care longer than 72 hours, and there was a significant increase facility, it is exactly what Keogh is talking about. in co-morbidity among the patients. And all that happened Interestingly, it was planned under the previous Government before the cuts and loss of council funding of care to and is being brought forward under this one. It is 1,000 patients this winter. exactly the direction we should be heading in. I want to touch briefly on the shortage of emergency I shall deal briefly with another issue. Northumbria doctors, which the College of Emergency Medicine has has outstanding health care, but sadly North Cumbria been warning about since 2010. That situation is not is having some difficulties, and I urge the Secretary of 795 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 796

State to expedite the merger of Northumbria and North from the Opposition, including in my Westminster Hall Cumbria NHS trusts as soon as possible. debate on north-east NHS services on 5 November, the I turn now to ways we can keep our constituents and South Tees trust is to receive £2.1 million, as announced patients out of A and E. I have no spleen—it was kicked earlier this month. out of me by a three-mile chaser at Stratford—so every For weeks and weeks, however, I have received recurrent year I need the flu jab. Consequently, like pensioners, expressions of concern about the increasing use of some young children and vulnerable adults, I went to private and voluntary ambulances in response to 999 calls get my flu jab last month at Haltwhistle GP centre. I in my constituency. I wrote to the North East ambulance thank Sarah Speed—it was not painful and took only service about two of these incidents. From its reply, it five minutes. Tragically, however, at least 10% to 20% of became clear that central Government funding cuts the population do not take up the flu jab and are were eroding the blue-light service. It wrote: therefore likely to end up in A and E over the winter or “Each year we have discussions with our commissioners on the possibly die. As constituency MPs, we must ram home forecast number of incidents in the forthcoming year. The outcome their failure to take up the opportunity to deal with of these discussions for 2013-14 were that commissioners felt it their own health care. necessary to set our income on activity for the next 12 months at a level less than we were forecasting... So for 2013-14, we have been Finally, I turn to the hospice and dementia care contracted to respond to 376,000 incidents, although we are systems in Northumberland. In the Charlotte Straker forecasting activity at an estimated 415,000. This means that any hospice and Tynedale Hospice at Home, we have two incidents above 376,000 will be funded on a one-off basis rather outstanding hospices, both of which I have assisted and than as recurrent annual income. These arrangements do not one of which I have fundraised for. Both do a great job allow us to enhance our own workforce plan because the money keeping people out of hospital. I should also mention for the additional activity will not be available next year to fund the extra salaries”. the Age UK programme dealing with elderly people in my constituency. It is making a huge difference and Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North) (Lab): Is there not ensuring that everyone becomes a dementia friend. Only an element almost of secrecy taking over the NHS, with through such actions will we bring about real change in trusts not allowed to talk to MPs or tell them the facts our health care system. and trusts’ financial details not being published? Does my hon. Friend agree that that is not healthy for the NHS? 3.23 pm Tom Blenkinsop: For that reason, I had to put in a Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East freedom of information request to the trust to get the Cleveland) (Lab): I wish to discuss two topics. First, I information I shall now detail. want to raise the issue of funding for the North East According to that letter, our ambulance service will Ambulance Service NHS trust, the rising use and cost see more cuts, more private ambulances and possibly a of private ambulances and other ambulance pressures, less responsive service. It is not me saying this, but the and secondly, I want to raise with the Minister the chief operating officer of the North East ambulance ongoing Monitor investigations into the two foundation service. In 2008-09, private ambulances attended 865 trusts, the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust call-outs in our region, costing £86,118. In 2009-10, and the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation there were 1,816 call-outs, costing £151,112. In 2010-11, Trust, that serve my constituents. however, there were 6,429 such call-outs, costing £477,575. Over the past 18 months, the A and E department at In 2011-12, there were 9,034 of these call-outs, costing the James Cook university hospital, which serves my £639,819, and in 2012-13, there were 13,524 call-outs of constituency, has come under considerable pressure. In private and voluntary ambulances, costing £754,461. particular, in the run-up to last winter, there were Since Labour left office, therefore, a fivefold cost increase problems with handover times, with ambulances and in private ambulances has occurred in the north-east—these paramedics waiting up to two and a half hours to are funds going to private contract firms. It is obvious admit patients, despite the national target time being that from 2010 onwards an explosion of private ambulance 15 minutes. I raised this matter last year with the usage by the trust has occurred, costing a huge amount Secretary of State for Health, who agreed that the situation of taxpayer funds. As the chief executive states: was completely unacceptable, and with the Under-Secretary “These arrangements do not allow us to enhance our own of State for Health, the hon. Member for Central workforce plan because the money for the additional activity will Suffolk and North Ipswich (Dr Poulter),in a Westminster not be available next year to fund the extra salaries, overheads Hall debate on A and E provision in the north-east on and vehicles we need to meet the extra demand.” 13 February 2013. The police and crime commissioner for Cleveland, In addition to the issues I raised with the Secretary of Barry Coppinger, has said: State, it became evident that James Cook’s A and E “The bottom line is that police officers are not medical professionals department struggled to manage with the pressure that and should not be put in the position of having to transport winter placed on it. In January and February, South patients to hospital. Police vehicles are unsuitable and unequipped; it not only puts undue stress on the patient, but also the officer Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust failed to meet its who should be able to continue to fulfil policing duties on the target of seeing 95% of A and E patients within four ground… The downward trend in incidents from September to hours. With James Cook so clearly overstretched, I was October relates to a policy change by senior officers”— surprised to discover in September that the Secretary of not the NHS— State decided not to award it, or any other hospital trust “within the Force and a directive issued that officers should not in the north-east, funding to alleviate pressures on transport patients to hospital unless there is an immediate risk to A and E. It struck me as beyond belief that of the life. However, there have been five occasions in November of £250 million he awarded to 53 trusts, not a penny was to officers being forced to take patients for urgent medical treatment reach the north-east. Thankfully, following pressure due to ambulance delays.” 797 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 798

[Tom Blenkinsop] Andrew Percy: The Montague medical centre in Goole had to close its lists down, but if we ask why, we find I hope for a response from the Secretary of State or a that it was due to the large uncontrolled immigration we Health Minister. I would be more than willing to talk to had from the A8 countries. [Interruption.] Thatisa them about this subject, because it is a massive concern, fact. That is why the lists had to be closed—due to the particularly in the east Cleveland part of my constituency. previous Government’s failure to plan for the number of people coming here—so I thank the hon. Gentleman for that helpful intervention. 3.28 pm Let me deal with a couple of issues in my own Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): There is constituency. [Interruption.] If Labour Members want doubtless concern on both sides of the House about A to intervene, I am happy to take an intervention rather and E and the health service in general, but there is also than be chuntered at. I want to refer to some positive more than an ounce of political opportunism, some of moves locally, which I hope can be rolled out nationally. which we have heard today. Not once did we hear any First, I called on the NHS ambulance trust in my reference made to the Nicholson savings, which have area to provide advanced paramedics, so that we could put local acute hospital trusts under huge pressure, with use our ambulance service better—a point I have made £160 million taken out of the budget for the Humber through the Health Committee—not just to convey area alone. people, but to treat them in their homes. We established If we talk to the chief executives of the hospitals, we an emergency care practitioner in Goole, which in the find that they say that it is not top-down reconfigurations first six to eight weeks saved 56 double-crew manned or policy changes since the general election that have hours and numerous transfers to Scunthorpe A and E. placed them under such pressure, but the Nicholson That has proved to be an effective use of our ambulance savings. I know that there is cross-party support for services, and I hope that we can start to see it moving those savings, but we should all be as honest as possible through. [Interruption.] Am I running out of time? I in this place and ensure that we all accept a degree of am just looking at the clock, Madam Deputy Speaker, responsibility for that challenge and the funding that it and following the time indicated there. I will conclude if has taken out of our acute trusts, resulting in pressure the Front Benchers need to sum up— on A and E departments—not just this year, but last year and in future years. Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. As I say, there is a huge degree of political opportunism The hon. Member is quite right in his watching of the going on about the NHS. It is clear that the Labour clock, but I am sure that he will have a mind to other party has decided that this is going to be an issue at the hon. Members who wish to speak this afternoon. general election. In my own constituency, the very people who stood silent when our hospital was losing its beds, Andrew Percy: Because it is Christmas, I am willing to when we were losing our hospital wards, when all our forgo my remaining minute. mental health beds were being taken away from us—these were the people who represented the town for the Labour party—now suddenly find themselves standing up and 3.33 pm pretending to be NHS campaigners. The public see Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): We through it—and I am sure they will at the next election, have had a good debate, with many powerful contributions too. from my hon. Friends the Members for Mitcham and Similarly, we have heard not a single apology from Morden (Siobhain McDonagh),for Wigan (Lisa Nandy), any Labour Member about the 50,000 beds cut under for Eltham (Clive Efford), for Stretford and Urmston their Government. We have heard a lot about how (Kate Green), for Chesterfield (Toby Perkins), for Worsley people turning up at hospital often find that there are and Eccles South (Barbara Keeley) and for Middlesbrough not enough beds, but not once did a Labour Member South and East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop). defend the 50,000 hospital beds lost when their party I have to say, however, that people outside listening to was in government. That tells us all we need to know some Government Members’ contributions will think about the reason for this debate and for the general that they simply do not get it. They simply do not comments we have heard about the NHS recently. It is understand how hard it is to get a GP appointment; all about political opportunism; it is about the next they do not understand the real issues facing their own election. I am sorry that our hard-working staff in the local A and E departments; and they do not understand NHS—I work with them every weekend when I volunteer the pressures hitting the NHS in England. I politely as a community first responder—are being placed in the suggest that they do what the shadow Health team has middle of a dirty political game. done—and go and spend an evening at their local A and In my remaining minute and a half, I would like to E to see for themselves the real pressures that departments talk about a couple of examples from my constituency serving their constituents are under. that are helping to address the problem. It would be remiss of me not to place on record my own tribute to the doctors, nurses, health care assistants Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): Does the and other dedicated NHS staff who—as I found out hon. Gentleman have the same problem in his area as myself when I visited Tameside hospital’s A and E we have in Stockton-on-Tees, where GPs tell me that department last Friday night—provide such extraordinary people are being denied registration because their lists and professional care. We have a work force who are are unofficially being closed? If that is happening across completely dedicated and caring, but the House should the country, surely it is no wonder that there is be in absolutely no doubt that they are under increasing unprecedented pressure on A and E departments. pressure, and that this is a crisis of the Secretary of 799 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 800

State’s making. The Secretary of State may wish that towards A and E. What more evidence do Ministers Labour Members had short memories, but we remember need that A and E departments in England are under the summer news reports of ambulances queuing outside real pressure and that action is needed now to prevent hospitals with unacceptably long waits, and some people them from struggling further over the winter months? even having to be treated in tents erected in car parks, Their confusion has been laid bare today for all to see. while the Secretary of State and his Ministers buried In three weeks, they have gone from “Crisis, what their heads in the sand and the Secretary of State’s crisis?” to “The crisis is behind us.” It does not sound as “Crisis, what crisis?”strategy unravelled. Labour Members though the Secretary of State is in control; people will highlighted those problems, as would have been expected struggle to take reassurance from his mixed messages. of us . The problems in A and E have the fingerprints of the What we are seeing in A and E is also the culmination Secretary of State and the Prime Minister all over them. of three and a half years of mismanagement of our The components of the A and E crisis might be complex, NHS, with a needless top-down reorganisation and the but the real cause is very simple: you just cannot trust waste of billions of pounds that could and should have the Tories with the national health service. been spent on front-line care. It is little wonder that, as 3.40 pm we discovered last week, 79 A and E departments missed the Government’s own targets. The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb): We have heard a lot of scaremongering about As we have heard in the debate, the reasons for the the NHS today, including endless claims about a crisis. crisis are many and complicated, but it is on the lack of If the Opposition are thinking about new year’s resolutions, access to GPs’ services that we have focused today. I have one for them: stop misleading and misinforming Surely no amount of spin can hide the fact that this the public. Let us look at the evidence. Government have made it harder to obtain an appointment to see a GP. All Members will know of constituents Andrew Gwynne rose— who have had to phone their doctors only to be told that no appointments are available and that they should Norman Lamb: I will not give way; I do not have time. ring back the next day, which they do, only to experience Up until this week, A and E targets were met in the the same problem again. past 32 weeks in a row. Is that evidence of a crisis? The Is it not obvious to all—except, seemingly, the Secretary average wait for people in A and E during Labour’s last of State and his Ministers—that many patients who year was 77 minutes; it is now 30 minutes. Is that phone the surgery at 9 am and find it impossible to evidence of a crisis? Even though more people are obtain an appointment will turn to A and E for help? coming through the doors, 2,000 more patients are That is not just my conclusion. According to an analysis being seen in less than four hours every day under this carried out for the Department of Health, 42% of A Government than under Labour. Evidence of a crisis? I and E attenders had attempted to contact their GPs don’t think so. The Opposition are scaremongering, beforehand, and researchers at Imperial College London plain and simple. In fact, the College of Emergency found that patients who were able to see their GPs Medicine’s president, Cliff Mann, has today said that within 48 hours made fewer visits to A and E departments. any crisis in accident and emergency is “behind us”. Here are some inconvenient truths that the Minister Andy Sawford (Corby) (Lab/Co-op): May I associate and other Government Members need to consider. First, myself with the remarks made by the hon. Members for by the time Labour left office, 98% of patients were Kettering (Mr Hollobone) and for Wellingborough being seen within four hours at A and E departments. (Mr Bone)? We are pressing for funding to meet the Secondly, by May 2010 more than three quarters of the additional demand in the Kettering accident and emergency general practices in England offered extended opening department. Will the Minister encourage us in that? hours at weekends and in the evenings. It is also clear that Labour’s achievement in widening access to primary Norman Lamb: I applaud the cross-party effort of care is being undone on this Government’s watch: data those Members campaigning for their community, and released by the Health and Social Care Information I am very happy to engage with them further on that Centre have revealed that 854 fewer general practices matter. now offer extended opening hours than was the case in Andrew Gwynne rose— 2009. The truth is that now, during evenings and at weekends, Norman Lamb: I will not give way again; I do not many people are left with no alternative but to go to A have time. and E because of this Government’s actions. It was this Last year, of the 21.7 million people who visited Government who cut funding for extended opening accident and emergency departments, almost 96% were hours for GPs’ surgeries, it was this Government who admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours. scrapped Labour’s guarantee that patients would be Target achieved. So far, it is the same this year: target able to obtain an appointment with a GP within 48 hours, achieved. The right hon. Member for Leigh (Andy and it is this Secretary of State who shows not one Burnham) missed his A and E target in two of the three degree of regret for those actions: actions that have quarters when he was in charge. Did he go around piled more unnecessary pressure on A and E departments telling everyone that there was a crisis at that time? No, and more misery on patients, at the very time when they of course he did not— need the NHS to help them. Several hon. Members rose— No wonder things are going so wrong so quickly. To put it simply, under this Secretary of State and under Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. this Prime Minister, it has become harder, not easier, to The Minister is not giving way. He has limited time, and see a doctor, and as a result more people are heading we will hear him. 801 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 802

Norman Lamb: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Division No. 163] [3.46 pm The then Secretary of State, now the shadow Secretary of State, missed the target in this very week when he was AYES in charge. We know that the winter is tough, and that Abbott, Ms Diane Doyle, Gemma performance always dips at this time of year. We also Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Dromey, Jack know that the staff are under a lot of pressure. The Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Dugher, Michael truth is that we inherited a dysfunctional system that Alexander, Heidi Durkan, Mark was crying out for reform, with too many people ending Ali, Rushanara Eagle, Ms Angela up in hospital because of crises in their care, as my hon. Allen, Mr Graham Eagle, Maria Anderson, Mr David Edwards, Jonathan Friend the Member for Bracknell (Dr Lee) made clear. Ashworth, Jonathan Efford, Clive For years, I have argued the case for a different approach. Austin, Ian Elliott, Julie We are supporting the NHS to enable it to manage Bailey, Mr Adrian Ellman, Mrs Louise better in the short term. For this winter, we are investing Bain, Mr William Engel, Natascha an additional £400 million in total—more than ever Banks, Gordon Esterson, Bill before. In the longer term, we need to look afresh at Barron, rh Mr Kevin Evans, Chris how we organise urgent care. That is why Bruce Keogh’s Bayley, Hugh Farrelly, Paul report into urgent and emergency care is so important, Beckett, rh Margaret Field, rh Mr Frank Begg, Dame Anne Fitzpatrick, Jim and I hope that the hon. Member for Mitcham and Benn, rh Hilary Flello, Robert Morden (Siobhain McDonagh) will accept the case for Benton, Mr Joe Flint, rh Caroline a clinically led review in order to achieve the right Berger, Luciana Flynn, Paul approach. We will work closely alongside NHS England Betts, Mr Clive Fovargue, Yvonne in putting these reforms into practice. The hon. Member Blackman-Woods, Roberta Francis, Dr Hywel for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green) was absolutely Blears, rh Hazel Galloway, George right to say that we have to communicate better with the Blomfield, Paul Gapes, Mike public and ensure that the process is a good one. Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Gardiner, Barry Brennan, Kevin Gilmore, Sheila In the longer term, we need to do more to prevent Brown, rh Mr Gordon Glass, Pat people from ending up in hospital as a result of avoidable Brown, Lyn Glindon, Mrs Mary crises. As my hon. Friend the Member for St Ives Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Godsiff, Mr Roger (Andrew George) said, we need to make two big shifts. Brown, Mr Russell Goggins, rh Paul The first involves a move to a much greater focus on Bryant, Chris Goodman, Helen preventing ill health and the deterioration of health. Buck, Ms Karen Greatrex, Tom The second involves a shift from a fragmented system to Burden, Richard Green, Kate one that is integrated and joined up. That is the approach Burnham, rh Andy Greenwood, Lilian that we must follow. Campbell, Mr Alan Griffith, Nia Campbell, Mr Ronnie Gwynne, Andrew Integrated pioneers around the country, such as those Caton, Martin Hamilton, Mr David in south Devon and Torbay, Greenwich and Labour-led Champion, Sarah Hamilton, Fabian Barnsley, are doing great work, joining up care, collaborating Chapman, Jenny Hanson, rh Mr David with the voluntary sector, providing better care and Clark, Katy Harman, rh Ms Harriet keeping people out of hospital. That is the vision of the Clarke, rh Mr Tom Harris, Mr Tom health service for the future. These pioneers will help Coaker, Vernon Havard, Mr Dai the rest of the country to make the best possible use of Coffey, Ann Hendrick, Mark the £3.8 billion better care fund. The fund will encourage Connarty, Michael Hepburn, Mr Stephen organisations: to act earlier to prevent people from Cooper, rh Yvette Hillier, Meg reaching crisis point; to offer seven-day services; and to Corbyn, Jeremy Hilling, Julie deliver care that is centred on people’s needs. I am Crausby, Mr David Hodge, rh Margaret grateful to my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Creagh, Mary Hodgson, Mrs Sharon and Cheam (Paul Burstow) for welcoming that important Creasy, Stella Hoey, Kate Cruddas, Jon Hood, Mr Jim new fund. We are also introducing named, accountable Cryer, John Hopkins, Kelvin GPs for the over-75s and improving access to general Cunningham, Alex Howarth, rh Mr George practice. Cunningham, Mr Jim Hunt, Tristram We are addressing both the short-term and long-term Cunningham, Sir Tony Irranca-Davies, Huw challenges, giving the NHS the support it needs. I want Curran, Margaret Jackson, Glenda to genuinely thank the excellent staff throughout our Dakin, Nic Jamieson, Cathy health and care services who are tackling these issues Danczuk, Simon Jarvis, Dan head-on. The measures and changes we have outlined Darling, rh Mr Alistair Johnson, rh Alan David, Wayne Johnson, Diana today will support staff to deliver the best possible care, Davidson, Mr Ian Jones, Graham even in the most difficult of circumstances. Davies, Geraint Jones, Helen Question put. De Piero, Gloria Jones, Mr Kevan The House proceeded to a Division. Denham, rh Mr John Jones, Susan Elan Dobbin, Jim Jowell, rh Dame Tessa Dobson, rh Frank Joyce, Eric Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): I ask Docherty, Thomas Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald the Serjeant at Arms to investigate the delay in the No Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Keeley, Barbara Lobby. Doran, Mr Frank Kendall, Liz Doughty, Stephen Khan, rh Sadiq The House having divided: Ayes 242, Noes 307. Dowd, Jim Lavery, Ian 803 Accident and Emergency18 DECEMBER 2013 Accident and Emergency 804

Lazarowicz, Mark Reynolds, Emma Brazier, Mr Julian Gilbert, Stephen Leslie, Chris Reynolds, Jonathan Bridgen, Andrew Glen, John Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma Riordan, Mrs Linda Brine, Steve Goldsmith, Zac Lewis, Mr Ivan Ritchie, Ms Margaret Brooke, Annette Goodwill, Mr Robert Love, Mr Andrew Robertson, John Browne, Mr Jeremy Gove, rh Michael Lucas, Caroline Rotheram, Steve Bruce, Fiona Graham, Richard Lucas, Ian Roy, Mr Frank Bruce, rh Sir Malcolm Grant, Mrs Helen Mactaggart, Fiona Roy, Lindsay Buckland, Mr Robert Gray, Mr James Mahmood, Mr Khalid Ruane, Chris Burley, Mr Aidan Grayling, rh Chris Mahmood, Shabana Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Burns, Conor Green, rh Damian Malhotra, Seema Sarwar, Anas Burns, rh Mr Simon Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Mann, John Sawford, Andy Burrowes, Mr David Griffiths, Andrew Marsden, Mr Gordon Seabeck, Alison Burstow, rh Paul Gummer, Ben McCabe, Steve Shannon, Jim Burt, rh Alistair Gyimah, Mr Sam McCann, Mr Michael Sharma, Mr Virendra Burt, Lorely Hague, rh Mr William McCarthy, Kerry Sheerman, Mr Barry Byles, Dan Halfon, Robert McClymont, Gregg Sheridan, Jim Cable, rh Vince Hames, Duncan McDonagh, Siobhain Shuker, Gavin Cairns, Alun Hammond, rh Mr Philip McDonald, Andy Skinner, Mr Dennis Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Hammond, Stephen McDonnell, John Slaughter, Mr Andy Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Hancock, Matthew McFadden, rh Mr Pat Smith, rh Mr Andrew Carmichael, Neil Hancock, Mr Mike McGovern, Alison Smith, Angela Carswell, Mr Douglas Hands, Greg McGovern, Jim Smith, Nick Cash, Mr William Harper, Mr Mark McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Smith, Owen Chishti, Rehman Harrington, Richard McKechin, Ann Spellar, rh Mr John Chope, Mr Christopher Harris, Rebecca McKenzie, Mr Iain Straw, rh Mr Jack Clappison, Mr James Hart, Simon McKinnell, Catherine Stringer, Graham Clark, rh Greg Harvey, Sir Nick Clarke, rh Mr Kenneth Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Meacher, rh Mr Michael Stuart, Ms Gisela Meale, Sir Alan Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hayes, rh Mr John Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Mearns, Ian Coffey, Dr Thérèse Heald, Oliver Tami, Mark Miller, Andrew Collins, Damian Heath, Mr David Thomas, Mr Gareth Moon, Mrs Madeleine Colvile, Oliver Heaton-Harris, Chris Thornberry, Emily Morden, Jessica Cox, Mr Geoffrey Hemming, John Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Timms, rh Stephen Crockart, Mike Henderson, Gordon Morris, Grahame M. Trickett, Jon Crouch, Tracey Hendry, Charles (Easington) Turner, Karl Davey, rh Mr Edward Herbert, rh Nick Mudie, Mr George Twigg, Derek Davies, David T. C. Hinds, Damian Munn, Meg Twigg, Stephen (Monmouth) Hoban, Mr Mark Murphy, rh Mr Jim Umunna, Mr Chuka Davies, Glyn Hollingbery, George Murphy, rh Paul Vaz, Valerie Davies, Philip Hollobone, Mr Philip Murray, Ian Walley, Joan Davis, rh Mr David Holloway, Mr Adam Nandy, Lisa Watson, Mr Tom de Bois, Nick Hopkins, Kris Nash, Pamela Watts, Mr Dave Dinenage, Caroline Howarth, Sir Gerald O’Donnell, Fiona Whitehead, Dr Alan Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Howell, John Onwurah, Chi Williamson, Chris Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Hughes, rh Simon Osborne, Sandra Wilson, Phil Doyle-Price, Jackie Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Owen, Albert Winnick, Mr David Drax, Richard Huppert, Dr Julian Pearce, Teresa Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Duddridge, James Hurd, Mr Nick Duncan, rh Mr Alan Jackson, Mr Stewart Perkins, Toby Wood, Mike Pound, Stephen Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Javid, Sajid Wright, David Powell, Lucy Dunne, Mr Philip Jenkin, Mr Bernard Wright, Mr Iain Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Ellis, Michael Johnson, Gareth Reed, Mr Jamie Tellers for the Ayes: Ellison, Jane Johnson, Joseph Reed, Mr Steve Bridget Phillipson and Ellwood, Mr Tobias Jones, Andrew Reeves, Rachel Tom Blenkinsop Eustice, George Jones, rh Mr David Evans, Graham Jones, Mr Marcus NOES Evans, Jonathan Kelly, Chris Evennett, Mr David Kirby, Simon Adams, Nigel Bebb, Guto Fabricant, Michael Knight, rh Sir Greg Afriyie, Adam Beith, rh Sir Alan Fallon, rh Michael Kwarteng, Kwasi Aldous, Peter Bellingham, Mr Henry Farron, Tim Lamb, Norman Amess, Mr David Benyon, Richard Featherstone, Lynne Lancaster, Mark Andrew, Stuart Beresford, Sir Paul Foster, rh Mr Don Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Bacon, Mr Richard Bingham, Andrew Fox,rhDrLiam Latham, Pauline Baker, Norman Blackman, Bob Freer, Mike Laws, rh Mr David Baker, Steve Blackwood, Nicola Fuller, Richard Leadsom, Andrea Baldry, rh Sir Tony Blunt, Mr Crispin Gale, Sir Roger Lee, Jessica Baldwin, Harriett Bone, Mr Peter Garnier, Sir Edward Lee, Dr Phillip Barclay, Stephen Bradley, Karen Garnier, Mark Leech, Mr John Barker, rh Gregory Brady, Mr Graham Gauke, Mr David Leigh, Sir Edward Baron, Mr John Brake, rh Tom George, Andrew Leslie, Charlotte Barwell, Gavin Bray, Angie Gibb, Mr Nick Lewis, Dr Julian 805 Accident and Emergency 18 DECEMBER 2013 806

Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Selous, Andrew Food Banks Lidington, rh Mr David Shapps, rh Grant Lilley, rh Mr Peter Sharma, Alok Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): It will Lloyd, Stephen Shepherd, Sir Richard be obvious to the House that a great many Members Lord, Jonathan Simmonds, Mark have indicated that they wish to speak in this debate. It Loughton, Tim Simpson, Mr Keith Luff, Peter Skidmore, Chris will also be obvious that the time available is very Lumley, Karen Smith, Chloe limited. I will therefore have to impose an initial time Macleod, Mary Smith, Henry limit of four minutes on Back-Bench speeches, but I Maude, rh Mr Francis Smith, Julian must—[Interruption.] Order. I must warn hon. Members Maynard, Paul Smith, Sir Robert that if everybody takes four minutes, plus the time McCartney, Jason Soames, rh Nicholas allowed for interventions, only about a third of those McCartney, Karl Soubry, Anna who wish to speak will be able to do so. One would hope McIntosh, Miss Anne Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline that Members, out of consideration for others, might McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Spencer, Mr Mark take less than four minutes where at all possible. McVey, Esther Stanley, rh Sir John Menzies, Mark Stephenson, Andrew 4.3 pm Metcalfe, Stephen Stevenson, John Mills, Nigel Stewart, Bob Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood) (Lab): I beg to Milton, Anne Stewart, Iain move, Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Stewart, Rory That this House notes that the number of people using foodbanks Mordaunt, Penny Stride, Mel provided by the Trussell Trust alone has increased from 41,000 in Morgan, Nicky Stuart, Mr Graham 2010 to more than 500,000 since April this year, of whom one Morris, Anne Marie Stunell, rh Sir Andrew third were children; further notes that over the last three years Morris, David Sturdy, Julian prices have risen faster than wages; further notes the assessment Morris, James Swales, Ian of the Trussell Trust that the key factors in the rising resort to Mosley, Stephen Swayne, rh Mr Desmond foodbanks are rising living costs and stagnant wages, as well as Mowat, David Swinson, Jo problems including delays to social security payments and the Munt, Tessa Swire, rh Mr Hugo impact of the under-occupancy penalty; calls on the Government to publish the results of research into foodbanks commissioned Murray, Sheryll Syms, Mr Robert by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Murrison, Dr Andrew Teather, Sarah which Ministers promised would be made public in the summer Neill, Robert Thornton, Mike of 2013; and further calls on the Government to bring forward Newmark, Mr Brooks Thurso, John measures to reduce dependency on foodbanks, including a freeze Newton, Sarah Timpson, Mr Edward on energy prices, a water affordability scheme, measures to end Norman, Jesse Tomlinson, Justin abuses of zero hours contracts, incentives to companies to pay a Nuttall, Mr David Tredinnick, David living wage and abolition of the under-occupancy penalty. O’Brien, rh Mr Stephen Truss, Elizabeth I welcome the Minister of State, Department for Offord, Dr Matthew Turner, Mr Andrew Work and Pensions, the hon. Member for Wirral West Ollerenshaw, Eric Tyrie, Mr Andrew Opperman, Guy Uppal, Paul (Esther McVey), who has been put up to speak for the Ottaway, rh Richard Vaizey, Mr Edward Government in this debate. Despite Ministers repeatedly Parish, Neil Vara, Mr Shailesh stressing that Patel, Priti Vickers, Martin “food banks are absolutely not part of our welfare system”—[Official Paterson, rh Mr Owen Walker, Mr Charles Report, House of Lords, 2 July 2013; Vol. 746, c. 1071.] Pawsey, Mark Walker, Mr Robin it is regrettable that the Department with lead responsibility Penning, Mike Wallace, Mr Ben for food in our country, the Department for Environment, Penrose, John Walter, Mr Robert Food and Rural Affairs, has not felt it appropriate to Percy, Andrew Ward, Mr David provide a Minister either to open or to close the debate. Phillips, Stephen Watkinson, Dame Angela Pickles, rh Mr Eric Weatherley, Mike Is there a more damning indictment of this Government’s Pincher, Christopher Webb, Steve record than the number of people who now rely on food Prisk, Mr Mark Wharton, James aid in this country? Since April this year, over half a Pritchard, Mark Wheeler, Heather million people have relied on assistance from the 400 food Pugh, John White, Chris banks run by the Trussell Trust, which is double the Randall, rh Sir John Whittingdale, Mr John number of food banks compared with this time last year. Reckless, Mark Wiggin, Bill Redwood, rh Mr John Willetts, rh Mr David Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): I am hugely grateful Rees-Mogg, Jacob Williams, Mr Mark to the hon. Lady for giving way. Why did her Government Reid, Mr Alan Williams, Roger refuse to allow jobcentres to give out food bank vouchers? Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Williams, Stephen It was this Government who changed that. May I Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Williamson, Gavin also—[Interruption.] Robertson, Mr Laurence Wilson, Mr Rob Rogerson, Dan Wright, Jeremy Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. Rudd, Amber Wright, Simon Ruffley, Mr David Young, rh Sir George Robert Halfon: May I also mention to the hon. Lady— Russell, Sir Bob Zahawi, Nadhim [Interruption.] They do not want to hear the truth, Rutley, David Madam Deputy Speaker. Why is it— Sanders, Mr Adrian Tellers for the Noes: Sandys, Laura Claire Perry and Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. The hon. Gentleman Scott, Mr Lee Mark Hunter should make a brief intervention, but it must be heard by the House. He may now make his intervention, but Question accordingly negatived. briefly. 807 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 808

Robert Halfon: Why has there been a huge rise in the Maria Eagle: I agree that some food banks were number of food banks in Germany and France, and established before the last election, but 400 have now across Europe? In France, one in 88 people are fed by been established by the Trussell Trust, rather than 49. food banks, yet in the United Kingdom the figure is one By the time we left office, 40,000 people were visiting in 181. food banks, a tenfold increase on the 4,000 at the start— Maria Eagle: The hon. Gentleman first asked me why the previous Government did not refer people who Andrew Bridgen: Will the hon. Lady give way? needed assistance to food banks. In a parliamentary answer in September, his own Government said that Maria Eagle: No. Jobcentre Plus only signposts people to food banks and There are now half a million people visiting food does not refer people to them or issue vouchers, so there banks—an exponentially larger figure. It is right that is no difference whatever. this House seeks to find out the real cause of that increase. It is a scandal that is getting worse. The Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): Will the hon. Government now have the humiliation of the Red Cross Lady give way? helping to collect and distribute food aid in Britain for the first time since the second world war. Maria Eagle: No. Let me make it clear that I will not take many interventions because of the number— Several hon. Members rose— [Interruption.] I am seeking to give hon. Members in all parts of the House a chance to get into the debate, Maria Eagle: I will give way once more to an Opposition and it will not help if I take three quarters of an hour to Member. open it. Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): I thank my hon. Mr George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab) rose— Friend for giving way; she is under a lot of pressure. I want to inform her and the House that not only are Maria Eagle: I will take one more intervention before people depending on food banks, but poor people in I continue. Slough are now fighting each other in the local Tesco Mr George Howarth: As a fellow Knowsley MP, does when discount vegetables and fruit come out. A constituent my hon. Friend agree that it is a disgrace that, from texted me yesterday to say that he observed such fights April to 13 November, 756 children and 1,424 adults on three separate occasions and that Tesco now has to were referred to food banks with vouchers? We put on security to deal with the issue. Is that not congratulate the agencies involved in doing that work, shocking in the 21st century? but is it not absolutely disgraceful that this is what we Maria Eagle: That is shocking. I hope that right hon. are reduced to? and hon. Members on both sides of the House will Maria Eagle: I agree. My right hon. Friend and I appreciate that I want to leave the longest possible time share food bank provision in our constituencies, so I for them to be able to highlight such experiences in this know that to be true. debate, so I will not take further interventions. Since April this year, over half a million people have Although the rise of food banks is not something already relied on assistance from the 400 food banks that anyone can be proud of, the huge volunteering run by the Trussell Trust charity—that is double the effort to keep them going is something we should be number of food banks compared with this time last very proud of. Communities are coming together in year. Of those half a million people, one third are outrage and in sorrow at the growing poverty and children. In Britain, the seventh richest country on the hardship they see around them. Whether they are organised planet, in the 21st century, it is a scandal, and it is by churches, voluntary organisations or individuals, getting worse. More people have been going to food people have refused to stand by and watch their neighbours banks in the past nine months than in the whole of last go without food. More than 30,000 volunteers are now year. Half a million people have gone to food banks giving their time. Others have donated, including more compared with 26,000 before the last general election. than 3,400 tonnes of food last year. The rise of reliance on food banks has angered people Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con) around the country. That is why more than 141,000 rose— people have signed the Daily Mirror petition demanding this debate—a debate the Government could have held Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con) rose— in their own parliamentary time, but chose not to. Sir Gerald Howarth rose— Let us be clear about who is now relying on food aid in this country. Although in the past it may well have Maria Eagle: I will give way to the hon. Member for been those who were homeless, or at least those without Aldershot (Sir Gerald Howarth). an income, that is increasingly not the case. In fact, just 4% of people turn to food banks due to homelessness, Sir Gerald Howarth: I am most grateful to the hon. while 19% of referrals have been as a result of the Lady. She seems to be placing responsibility for all this Government’s changes to welfare and more than a third at the door of the coalition Government. Is she aware are down to the incompetence that has led to delays in that the excellent food bank in Farnborough was established payments to which people are legitimately entitled. in 2009 as the 49th Trussell Trust food bank? Does not that illustrate that it was the destruction of the public Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con) rose— finances by her party in government that has been responsible for the disaster that is affecting this country? Andrew Bridgen rose— 809 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 810

Maria Eagle: I have made clear that I am not giving There is a very straightforward way for Ministers to way, because I want to maximise the amount of time clear up any doubt about the reasons for the increase in available to others to get into this over-subscribed debate. reliance on food aid: they can finally publish the official The majority of people turning to food banks are report into the growth of food banks, which was delivered working-age families. Nearly a fifth are in work, but they to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural are still struggling to get through the month. As the Affairs in June. That report has now been sat on by Trussell Trust’s executive chairman, Chris Moulds, said Ministers for six months, longer than it took to produce. “2012-13 was much tougher for people than many anticipated. In April, the then Minister of State at DEFRA, the Incomes are being squeezed to breaking point. We’re seeing hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr Heath), people from all kinds of backgrounds turning to foodbanks: said: working people coming in on their lunch-breaks, mums who are “The conclusions of this work will be available in the summer going hungry to feed their children, people whose benefits have and published on the Government’s website.”—[Official Report, been delayed and people who are struggling to find enough work. 23 April 2013; Vol. 561, c. 821W.] It’s shocking that people are going hungry in 21st century Britain.” Now Ministers say the report is still being subjected to He is right. “an appropriate review and quality assurance process.”—[Official The Government have tried to claim that the growth Report, House of Lords, 26 November 2013; Vol. 749, c. 1293.] in food banks is a case of supply and demand. Lord I bet it is. It is very clear that the Government are Freud, the Under-Secretary of State for Work and determined to hide the true scale of the growth of food Pensions, suggested that the rise was down to people banks. They are right to be embarrassed by the truth, seeking out food because it was free. He said: but they should come clean, so I say to the Minister “by definition there is an almost infinite demand for a free today that she should finally force her fellow Ministers good.”—[Official Report, House of Lords, 2 July 2013; Vol. 746, in DEFRA to publish this report. c. 1072.] Even without the Government’s hidden report, the Yet everyone who receives food from a food bank is reasons for the rise in food bank use is clear: it is the referred there by a front-line organisation and, therefore, cost of living crisis facing householders up and down verified as being in a crisis situation. the country; it is because even as we finally see some growth in parts of the economy after three years of Andrew Selous: Will the hon. Lady give way? failure, that growth is not being shared fairly. Last Maria Eagle: No. week’s Office for National Statistics figures were clear: average earnings have risen by less than the rate of To suggest that people can just arrive at a food bank inflation for the fifth year running. Figures published asking for free food shows how out of touch Ministers alongside the autumn statement showed that real wages are with the way food banks work. [Interruption.] will have fallen by 5.8% by the end of this Parliament. Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. Under this Government, we have seen the longest period I cannot hear the shadow Minister, but she is speaking of falling real wage values since records began, and the perfectly clearly. There is too much noise in the Chamber. consequence is that working people are £1,600 a year Members should have the courtesy to listen to the hon. worse off under this Government. Lady moving the motion. Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): Will Andrew Selous: On a point of order, Madam Deputy the hon. Lady give way? Speaker. I believe that the hon. Lady may have inadvertently misled the House by saying benefit delay was rising Maria Eagle: No. when it is actually falling by 6%. Many are paid poverty wages. Madam Deputy Speaker: The hon. Gentleman knows Jacob Rees-Mogg rose— that that is a matter for debate, and I have no doubt that he will be able to put that point later in the debate. The Maria Eagle: No. more time we spend on points of order and on me The number of those paid less than a living wage is quietening people down, the less time there will be for up by 1.4 million since 2009, to 4.8 million workers in Members to make the points they wish to make. the UK last year—[Interruption.] No, I have been very clear that I am not giving way again in this debate. Maria Eagle: To suggest that people can just arrive at [Interruption.] As pay packets shrink in real terms, a food bank asking for free food shows just how out of prices continue to rise, and they rise faster than wages. touch Ministers are with the way food banks work. The That has happened for 41 of the—[Interruption.] Trussell Trust is very clear: over 50% of referral agents are statutory agencies, and referrers include doctors, Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. social workers, school liaison officers and citizens advice I do not understand why there are conversations going bureaux advisers. These professionals make sure that on all around the Chamber. [Interruption.] I can see people turning to food banks are in genuine crisis. where they are taking place. If Members are here to People are using food banks not out of choice, but take part in the debate, they must listen to the hon. out of necessity, yet Ministers still refuse to listen. The Lady who is proposing the motion. Education Secretary has claimed that people are turning to food banks because Maria Eagle: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. “they are not best able to manage their finances.”—[Official As pay packets shrink in real terms, prices continue Report, 9 September 2013; Vol. 567, c. 681.] to rise, and they are rising faster than wages. They have How insulting, patronising and out of touch is that done that for 41 of the 42 months that this Prime comment. Minister has been in Downing street. 811 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 812

Several hon. Members rose— them to pay a living wage, an expansion of free child care for three and four-year-olds from 15 hours to Maria Eagle: No, I will not give way. 25 hours a week to help working parents, and the Let us just take the weekly shop. It is the essentials abolition of the bedroom tax. That is how we, a one-nation that have gone up in price the most—food required for a Labour Government, will address the scandal of food balanced diet. Fruit: up 11.3%. Vegetables: up 6.9%. poverty in our country. That is how we will once again Meat: up 5.2%. Bread and cereals: up 4.3%—all up by reduce and then remove the need for food aid and the more than inflation. We know from DEFRA’s own reliance on food banks in our country. annual family food statistics, published last week, that families on the lowest incomes spent 22% more on food 4.23 pm in 2012 than five years ago. Those families were already spending the largest share of their income on food. The The Minister of State, Department for Work and consequence is that families have been forced to trade Pensions (Esther McVey): I welcome this debate to answer down, with a third switching to economy brands. A honestly the points made in the motion and to clarify all quarter of those on low incomes are now buying less this, but to be honest, a far more realistic debate would fresh fruit, with one in five families buying fewer fresh have been brought by Government Members and the vegetables, which means poorer nutrition for many children. people of the United Kingdom on how Labour derailed Not only food prices but household bills have added the UK, destroyed its finances and made it such a to the cost of living crisis. Energy bills are up almost vulnerable place. £300 for families since the election, while company profits have gone from £2 billion to £3.7 billion. More Several hon. Members rose— than 2 million homes in England and Wales, including more than half a million families with children, have Esther McVey: I will continue a little, because the been forced to spend more than 5% of their household truth must be heard. income on the cost of water. Yet the regional water While Labour was in office, it gradually wore away companies have made £1.9 billion in pre-tax profits, and the financial strength of this country, eroding its savings paid out £1.8 billion to shareholders. and savings culture, and then it crashed the economy. Gas bills doubled, council tax doubled and fuel duty Alun Cairns rose— went up 12 times. The only things that grew under Labour were debt and overspending. It left the UK Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD) rose— with—[Interruption.] Maria Eagle: I have made it clear why I am not giving way. Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. This is not a football match. Do not shout at the For those with children, the rising cost of child care is Minister. She will give way when she is ready. making it harder and harder to take on work. The cost of nursery places is rising five times faster than pay, while there are 35,000 fewer child care places and 576 Esther McVey: It is only fair that I set the scene fewer Sure Start centres. Most perniciously of all, the before taking interventions. Government’s bedroom tax has increased the pressure Labour left the UK with the highest structural deficit on 660,000 people, including more than 400,000 disabled of any major advanced country. It wiped £112 billion people, yet the vast majority do not have a smaller place off the economy, leaving a debt of about £3,000 to every to move to. The average family affected is now losing household. Personal debt reached a staggering £1.5 trillion. £720 a year. That whirl of living beyond our means—that increase This debate is a vital opportunity for the House to in prices, debt and unaffordability—had to come to a acknowledge the rising reliance on food aid in our stop. It came to a stop suddenly and, sadly, we are all country. We ensured that it took place, because the paying the price. The Government are paying the price, Government were never likely to do so. They will not charities are paying the price, businesses are paying the even publish their own—clearly damning—research into price and individuals are paying the price as we try to why the rise in food bank usage is so high. Since April, balance not only our household budgets, but the budget just one charity’s network of food banks has helped half of the country. [Interruption.] a million people, a third of whom were children. The reasons for that are clear: the rising cost of living, Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. There is no point in caused by rising prices that have outstripped falling and having a debate if nobody listens to the person who is stagnant wages; the Government’s unwillingness to stand speaking. Be quiet. up to vested interests in the energy and water companies; their unwillingness to take action on the lack of available Esther McVey: As I have said, I will take interventions hours for part-time workers, the rise of zero-hours when I have set out what has happened. contracts and poverty pay; incompetent welfare reforms Let us be honest. The Trussell Trust saw what was and delays in making payments; and the bedroom tax. happening in 2000. It looked at the evolving problem Britain can do better than this. We need a long-term that was caused by personal debt, overspending and plan to tackle the cost of living crisis and reduce dependency people living beyond their means. It set up the first food on food banks, including a freeze on energy prices while bank in that year and the food bank network in 2004. we reset the market, a water affordability scheme and The number of food banks had grown tenfold by 2010. tough new powers for Ofwat to cut bills, measures to Most startlingly, when those food banks started, Labour end the abuses of zero-hours contracts, Make Work Pay did not want to know why. When they grew tenfold, contracts that reduce company’s tax bills to incentivise Labour did not want to know why. 813 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 814

[Esther McVey] Esther McVey: I do indeed. If one thing came out of the disastrous years that made our country more vulnerable When the Labour councillor who had set up the because of the disastrous finances of the Labour Trussell Trust came for support and said, “Allow me to Government it was the fact that not only are this signpost food banks in Jobcentre Plus,” Labour said no. Government doing more to get people into work—I Labour wanted it to be their little secret because, beneath will say it again, although I heard no positive sounds the veneer of what seemed like a sound economy, it was from the Labour Benches before: there are 30 million crumbling. It knew what was going to happen. Sadly people in work—and that businesses have helped to and shamefully, there has been no investigation by the support people and have taken them on, but that the Opposition. They do not want to know what went on. It community has come together to support one another. took my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Robert That must be a positive move. [HON.MEMBERS:“Give Halfon) speaking to the Secretary of State for Work way!”] No, I will make a little more progress. and Pensions to get the food banks signposted. Let us go back to the report that Labour obviously did not want, so as to keep it as its little secret. Labour Several hon. Members rose— Members did not want to look into why the Trussell Esther McVey: Now that I have set the scene, I give Trust was set up and has grown exponentially, but we way to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne did. We looked into the matter, and it is right that we North (Catherine McKinnell). give an accurate report. It was the Labour party that brought us the dodgy dossier and never wanted verification Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) of the facts—why let the facts get in the way of a tale of (Lab): My constituency office took a phone call from fiction? It is only correct that we get our facts right and an ex-serviceman yesterday who is now thankfully in deliver this report at the right time, as we are doing. As receipt of a war pension, disability living allowance and we have said, it is positive; people are reaching out to employment and support allowance. However, while he support others in church groups, community groups, was waiting for four weeks for Atos to deal with his local supermarkets and other groups. That is a fact— appeal, he had to use a food bank. Does the Minister [Interruption.] agree that that is an absolute disgrace? Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. Esther McVey: We have hardship payments and support We cannot hear the Minister. payments. We have put in a new element of reconsideration to make the process quicker. The speed of the transaction Esther McVey: In the UK, it is right to say that more for getting benefits has increased by six percentage people are visiting food banks, as we would expect. points. [HON.MEMBERS: “ Give way!”] No. Times are tough and Let us not get away from how this started under we all have to pay back the £1.5 trillion of personal Labour. What each and every one of us does is important. debt, which spiralled under Labour. We are all trying to I have heard nothing from Opposition Members about live within our means, change the gear, and ensure we the news that, because of our welfare-to-work programme, are paying back all the debt that we saw under Labour. 30 million people are in jobs today. We know that under It is important to look at what is happening around Labour, the number of households with nobody working the world. The UK has a population of 63 million and doubled—[Interruption.] 60,000 people are visiting food banks according to the Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. Trussell Trust. In Germany, however, with a population There are too many people standing up. The Minister is of 82 million, there are 1.5 million users of food banks. not taking interventions at this point. Allow her to Canada has population of 35 million, and there are make her speech. 830,000 monthly users of the Trussell Trust. [Interruption.] We must put everything in context and look at what Esther McVey: In Labour’s last term in office, the happened, whether that is the overspending and not claimant count went up by 82%. being able to balance the books from 2002, or the financial crash of 2007. [Interruption.] We must look at Andrew Selous: I am grateful to the Minister for how much we have done to balance and rebalance the giving way. Does she remember that the Trussell Trust economy, and get it on a stable footing. thanked this Government for allowing jobcentres to refer people to food banks? That was a compassionate Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. [Interruption.] Order. thing to do and the Labour party refused to do it. The House should pause for a moment, calm down and listen to the Minister. Everyone will have a turn to make Esther McVey: My hon. Friend makes a very good their point in due course. [Interruption.] Order. I call point, and I will also give way to my hon. Friend the the Minister. Member for Harlow who negotiated that arrangement. Robert Halfon: I am hugely grateful to my hon. Esther McVey: It is startling that the shadow Minister Friend for giving way and to the Secretary of State for took only three interventions. We all listened then, so it changing that disgraceful ruling by the previous would be appropriate to listen to the facts now. That is Government. Will the Minister praise Harlow food where we go wrong. We do not listen to what is going on. bank, which was set up in 2009 after the years of The coalition Government were brought in to solve plenty? Does she agree it is sad that food banks are the mess that Labour got us in. Nothing more clearly being turned into a party-political football by Opposition shows what we have done to support people than what Members who are trying to destroy the excellent work we have done on jobs. The best way to help people to get they do? out of poverty is to get people into work. Children are 815 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 816 three times more likely to be in poverty if they are in a shout at her. Please be quiet, allow the Minister to finish workless household. Labour is the party that gave us her speech and then everyone will have a chance to workless households. make their contribution. I will say this again because the Opposition still have not acknowledged it. Thirty million people are in jobs Esther McVey: The Trussell Trust started under today. That means that a further 1.25 million people are Labour—they hid that away—and the removal of the in jobs since the general election. The Opposition told spare room subsidy in the private sector started under us—[Interruption.] the Labour Government in 2008. Rewriting history does not work. The British public want to know the Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. If hon. Members do truth: those on the Labour Benches ruined the economy not keep quiet and listen to the Minister, she will have to and we are getting it back on track. repeat her speech over and over again—[Interruption.] Order. If the House keeps interrupting me, I will call Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): I am very order again and again, and very few hon. Members will grateful to the Minister. On the one hand, she has spent have the chance to make the speeches they have prepared. a long time telling us that there are now many more Let us have silence. I call the Minister. people in work, although the rate of employment has still not returned to pre-recession levels. But if Esther McVey: We have 1.25 million more people in —[Interruption.] jobs than we had at the election. We know that the best way out of poverty is to be in a job. The Opposition said Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. The hon. Lady must that 1 million more people would be out of work. They be brief, but she must be heard. were wrong. They said there would be a double-dip and treble-dip recession. They were wrong. They are also Sheila Gilmore: If everything is going so well, why wrong on food banks. since 2010 has there been such a substantial increase in That is why we must compare Labour’s legacy of a the number of people using food banks? The only debt-fuelled boom with what this Government have explanation can be the Government’s changes to welfare done. What are this Government doing and how have policy. we supported people? Under Labour, 5 million were on out-of-work benefits, the number of households where Esther McVey: Tomorrow, when Hansard comes out, nobody worked doubled, and 2 million children lived in we can read the full explanation, because hon. Members workless households. That is what we do not want— probably do not want me to go through it again. Actually, [Interruption]—but it is Opposition Members who say, it was because of the crash, the overspend, the personal “Shame.” debt and the public debt left to us by those on the Opposition Benches. How are the Government helping families? We want to ensure that work always pays. That is why we have Another issue that has been raised is zero-hours brought in universal credit—to ensure that 3 million contracts. They happened under Labour: the numbers people are better off. That is what the Government are in 2013 are the same as the numbers in 2000. In fact, the doing. number of zero-hours contracts went up by 75% from 2005 to 2009, something that those on the Opposition Let us be honest. One thing the Opposition do not Benches did absolutely zero about. It is the Leader of understand is that disposable income is different from the Opposition’s Doncaster council that presides over income. What have we done to support people with the biggest number, within his council. Again, there is a disposable income? lot of fluster and a lot of bluster. The Opposition did nothing in government and they are doing nothing to Several hon. Members rose— control their Labour councils, yet we are now picking up the pieces. Esther McVey: The Opposition spokeswoman gave way three times. We will finish what we are saying. I Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): I am grateful appreciate that Back Benchers will have only four minutes, to my hon. Friend, who has spoken eloquently about but, should there be time, I will give way. the price of Labour. Is she aware that in 2009 one could What have the Government done? We have taken walk down Glascote road, where my food bank is 2.7 million people out of tax. We have cut tax for situated, and see repossession notices in window after 25 million people, giving them, on average, £700 extra a window as house after house was taken away by banks year. We have stopped Labour’s fuel and petrol price that foreclosed on them? The grisly legacy of that lot increases, saving families £300 and someone in a business was not just a loss of jobs but the loss of homes too. with a van £1,000. All of that is key. The winter fuel allowance and cold weather payments have stayed, and Esther McVey: The Opposition like to forget all about we have given tax breaks to young people who are going that. The industry I know most about is probably the to be in a job. That is what we have done to support construction industry, which was brought to its knees in people. When we talk about what happened under what 2007 under the guidance of those on the Opposition Government, what happened when and how the Trussell Benches. Many industries had a tough time pre-2010. Trust started, and when we talk about the removal of That is when it all happened. Equally, the Opposition the spare room subsidy—[Interruption.] are so bad with numbers they do not understand that there needs to be a change of gear to rebalance an Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. Members must not economy and change things to get back on track. It shout at the Minister. It is clear that she does not intend does not happen overnight; it happens over a long to give way, and she is not going to give way if you period of time. Something to ponder on for a second is 817 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 818

[Esther McVey] Friend noticed, like me, the type of person turning up at these food banks? I saw a woman who was a skilled that it was the shadow Secretary of State, the hon. worker—a draughtswoman—who could not get a job Member for Leeds West (Rachel Reeves), who said that and had not had one for four years as a result of the the Opposition want to be tougher on benefits and do Government’s policies. Did he see anybody like that? more than we are doing. I wonder how Opposition Members feel about that and whether they believe that Paul Murphy: Indeed I did. I also saw that many use of the Trussell Trust would be higher or lower were people using the food bank were working people who that to happen. simply did not have sufficient money to feed their I will come to a close now. [Interruption.] Sadly, families. there is chanting from the Opposition. I find how the The Minister spent some time trying to decide who Opposition left this country—in a vulnerable position—a caused the recession, but in 2010—the year the Government really sad moment. [Interruption.] came to power—more than 4,000 people in Wales got food from a food bank. In 2011, it went up to 16,000; to Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. Hon. Members will 36,000 in 2012; and in this year, it is estimated that allow the Minister to conclude her speech. 60,000 people in Wales will have to rely on food banks. That is the population of my town, Cwmbran, the fifth Esther McVey: For the people of the UK, I find that largest town in Wales. That is a disgraceful indictment deeply saddening. For me, it is not something to be of society and of what the Government have—or have chanting and cheering about. The Opposition need to not—done. reflect—for about the next 20 years—on what they did to UK plc, while we get it right. For those reasons, and Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): Some people many, many more—mainly its inaccuracy—I reject the have to go to food banks because of the problems they Opposition day motion. Instead, I welcome the promising have with their benefits. On one occasion, a constituent signs that we are delivering for jobs and growth: the came to see me, having been assessed for their personal fastest growth in the G7 this quarter, more people in independence payment by Capita six months previously, work, more businesses going, more exports, more work yet had still not had that assessment passed on to the for everybody. That is why we object to the motion and Department for Work and Pensions because of Capita’s welcome what we are doing on this side of the House. failures. Other constituents have waited more than four months. There are serious failures in the benefit system. Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab): On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Paul Murphy: We know that in 2010, in Wales alone, Given the huge interest in this debate, not least among 13% of those who went to food banks did so because of our constituents, is it within your power to extend the problems with the welfare and benefits system—and time for the debate? that has gone up to 20% today. That is the reality, but there are other reasons, too. It is, of course, also a Madam Deputy Speaker: I fully appreciate the right matter of electricity, gas and water prices, and the price hon. Gentleman’s point. Another way to phrase it would of food has gone up dramatically over recent years. be: if Members had behaved with decorum during the What is to be done about it? The first thing we should Front-Bench speeches, would there be more time for do is properly tackle the issue of the cost of living. Back Benchers? He is right that there is a lot of interest in the debate, but sadly it is not within my power to Alun Cairns: When it comes to increases in the cost of extend the time available. I am glad he made his point of living, what contribution does the right hon. Gentleman order, however, because it gives me the opportunity to think is due to the increases in council tax in Wales? ask hon. Members to be courteous to other hon. Members There has been a 9% increase over recent years in Wales, and keep their speeches as brief as possible. yet it has been broadly flat in England. Paul Murphy: It is nothing like the effect of the cost 4.47 pm of electricity and gas on people’s incomes, that is for Paul Murphy (Torfaen) (Lab): Perhaps I can bring sure. We have to abolish the bedroom tax, which is a the House back to the issue of food banks. I decided to huge issue affecting the need for food banks, and in the take part in this debate only last Friday, when I visited meantime I hope people will continue to donate and the Eastern Valley food bank in Pontypool in my volunteer. constituency and saw its excellent work with my own The truth is that food banks show the best and the eyes. It distributes more than a tonne of food per week worst in our society. Local people in my valley have and feeds more than 120 local families, and demand is stepped up to help—Jen Taylor and her excellent team so great it has opened three distribution centres in of volunteers have offered their time to help feed people Blaenavon and Cwmbran. Like many food banks in this and to give them hope. Churches, charities, offices, country, it is linked to the Trussell Trust, to whose shops and individuals have donated huge amounts of Welsh representative, Tony Graham, I pay tribute. food to supply the food bank. That situation is replicated throughout Wales, which now has 33 food banks and 74 distribution centres. In Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab): Does my right the UK, three open every week. hon. Friend agree that the churches in Wales have played a fantastic role in collecting food? In my constituency, Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) (Lab): I the Deva church, the Calgary church, the Catholic have visited most of my food banks, but there are so churches in Rhyl and Prestatyn and the Wellspring many of them that it is very difficult. Has my right hon. Christian centre in Rhyl are all contributing. 819 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 820

Paul Murphy: I think the churches in Wales have Poorer families in my constituency also face structural done a tremendous job, often taking the lead right poverty. Some families in private rented accommodation across the United Kingdom in dealing with food banks. have no cookers and are captured by microwaved food, The people involved are occasionally rewarded. I was condemned to eat expensive food with no resilience, told the story of a little girl in Pontypool in my constituency, while others have to feed families of three or four with who excitedly told a lady that she would have chocolate only one ring on which to cook. We must do something fingers for Christmas because the food bank was there about the quality of our private rented accommodation. and had given them to her. That is a very moving story. The key issue is what an indictment this is. I have Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/ been a public representative in my constituency for Co-op): The hon. Lady is raising some very interesting 40 years, and I have never seen anything like this, other issues. However, I have been told by the Trussell Trust in than during the time of the 1985 miners’ strike, when Cardiff that half the people who have been referred to a the people of my valley got together as a community to food bank in the last six months were referred because help each other. This is happening again now in a big of changes or delays in social security payments, way, but I never thought that this would happen again unemployment, debt, low incomes, homelessness or in my lifetime. It is an indictment of our society and an domestic violence. Is the hon. Lady not surprised that indictment of our Government. Ministers are not willing to take a shred of responsibility for that?

4.53 pm Laura Sandys: That is not so, but the point is that Laura Sandys (South Thanet) (Con): The Minister there are numerous background issues for us to address, gave an important description of all the different measures including education. Where was food education on the we have taken to support those who face the greatest agenda before this Government included it in primary challenges with poverty and low incomes. We are not school education? It is now at the heart of citizenship. here—I hope that the Opposition are not—to celebrate We think it important to build, in the long term, resilient food banks, which are not the answer. They must be families who can support themselves during a period of seen not as a solution or as something that we want change and rising food prices. institutionalised, but as a transitional support mechanism Finally, let me say something about the food sector for families in stress at particular moments. Opposition itself. I have campaigned strongly against what we are Members sometimes seem to relish the number of food now seeing throughout the retail sector: shrinking products, banks. If they would mention some of the key reasons promotions that are not really promotions, and even the for the perfect storm hitting those on low incomes and selling of horsemeat, which is an example of food benefits in particular, we might start to arrive at solutions. crime. I urge the Government to set up a cross-departmental taskforce to examine the issues involved in food poverty Steve Brine (Winchester) (Con): I agree with my hon. and develop a resilient set of policies to address the Friend that there is a “relish”about this on the Opposition problem that food banks are creating. We need to Benches. Is it not the case that, in her constituency as in improve housing and our skills base, and enable the mine, food banks did not come into being in May 2010? food system itself to support communities throughout Next year I shall be reading at the 10-year anniversary the country that are finding prices difficult to manage. service for the Winchester Basics bank. The fact is that We have a wide range of volunteers in the food sector food banks have been around for a long time. who are supporting food banks in the short term, but we must start looking for long-term solutions. I wish Laura Sandys: My hon. Friend is quite right. that the motion had focused more on the long term and the strategic problems that we face, and less on short-term Let us return to some of the reasons that lie behind tactical politics. the present situation, few of which were mentioned by the hon. Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle). Food prices began to rise in 2008, and since then 4.59 pm global commodity prices have risen by 30%. Much of Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland) (Lab): I regret to say that that happened under the last Government. During our the laughter from some of those on the Government first couple of years in office, we linked pensions to Benches during this debate says more than words ever inflation and the rise in the cost of living. could. I want to praise the work of those in my constituency We need a solution to the problem of rising global who are doing so much to help those in need. The food prices. Why, in 2010, did the proportion of our commitment of the volunteers in the food banks throughout domestic food production—which would have hedged Copeland and across west Cumbria in towns such as our exposure to global prices—drop to 48%? This Whitehaven, Millom and Workington has been remarkable, Government are working to increase our food resilience and I should like to say thank you to them on behalf of and our long-term food production. my constituents. I also want to thank those who donate the vast amounts of food, without which the food Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): Is it not rather banks simply could not operate. disappointing that the one group of people about whom The final verdict on any Government is based on how we have not heard today are the general public, who they treat the poorest in society during the hardest of donate so generously to food banks? Ought we not to times. The rise in the need for food banks is a horrifying express our gratitude to them? indictment of this Government’s record, and it demands urgent action. The complacency of those on the Laura Sandys: I entirely agree. There are extraordinary Government Front Bench and of Ministers in the other people—committed volunteers—in my constituency. place is as distasteful and unedifying as anything I have 821 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 822

[Mr Jamie Reed] It is no coincidence that the wards in my constituency with the highest rise in the number of children being fed ever witnessed in Parliament. In July, Lord Freud seemed through food banks correlate with the wards with the to suggest that the increase in the number of people highest rates of child poverty. For example, 41% of the using food banks was simply a result of the increased children in the ward of Sandwith are now living in child prevalence of the food banks. He claimed that he did poverty, and 234 of them rely on the generosity of those not know which came first: supply or demand. He also who donate to food banks. In Mirehouse, a third of the claimed that there was an infinite demand for what he children are in poverty and more than 200 of them rely called “free goods”. In order to access the services of a on food banks. Child poverty and the use of food banks food bank, a person or family needs to be referred by are inextricably linked, yet the Government have no health services, local authorities or other groups that credible plan to tackle either. look after their welfare. I am not going to try to We have repeatedly warned the Government that the second-guess what was going on in the Minister’s mind, legacy of their policies would be felt most keenly by the but he seemed to be implying that there was somehow most vulnerable in our society. The very poorest are an ambition to reach hardship, and a desire and aim for bearing the brunt of the cost of living pressures that the people to reach poverty in order to get a free basket of Government’s various regressive policies have created, shopping to get them to the end of the week. and the consequences are there for all to see. There is a To better inform the parties opposite on how food hidden country that is unseen by the Government and banks actually operate, I shall give them a quick rundown. dismissed by the Prime Minister, and it shames them People who are forced to turn to food banks can receive both. The working poor are emerging as the Prime help only a limited number of times. They go to the Minister’s legacy, as millions of people live in quiet local food bank not to do their full weekly shop but crisis. The explosion in the number of food banks because they need the bare essentials in order to get by. should haunt him, shame him and move him to act, but Many of those people will already have made extremely I doubt that it will. difficult decisions, such as whether to sit in a cold room rather than go hungry. There is no more harrowing 5.4 pm example of that than the fact that one in five mothers in the UK regularly—not just once or twice a week—skip Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con): The quality and quantity meals in order to be able to feed their children. of welfare produced by the state has not been good enough for a very long time. It is astonishing and Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): Can we shaming that the welfare state can tax and spend so deal once and for all with one particular issue? It is much, and yet leave people hungry. Some 12,000 children partly right to say that food banks have been around for in Buckinghamshire live in income poverty, and one in about 10 years, but the truth of the matter is that the five children in Wycombe go to bed hungry—that increases Churches set them up to help refugees who were waiting to one in three in some parts of my constituency. It is a for their asylum status to be confirmed. scandalous indictment of the safety net that is the welfare state that this happens. But I am proud of the Mr Reed: My hon. Friend makes a telling point. One Can Trust, run by Sarah Mordaunt, Kate Vale and The circumstances in which people have to seek assistance more than 100 volunteers in Wycombe, which steps in to feed themselves and their families are not usually with emergency food when the state fails. simple. They often involve a combination of issues, which manifest themselves in a great deal of pain and Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): A mistaken pressure for those involved. For example, I have constituents impression has been created in this debate that all that who are cancer patients who are forced to use food food banks do is distribute emergency food. What they banks as a result of various combinations of Government actually do is give financial advice and debt advice to policies. I wish I could say that those were isolated people who have got into difficult situations—emergency cases, but they are not. I wish I could say the situation food is only part of what they do. was improving, but it is not. There are no signs of things getting better. Steve Baker: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that, and indeed the One Can Trust also provides Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): In the recipes which help people to get through and use that past year and a half, more than 100,000 kg of food has food effectively. The One Can Trust has delivered 2,859 been distributed in the small city of Stoke-on-Trent parcels since March 2012, reaching 3,182 adults and alone. My hon. Friend talks about the people who go to more than 2,000 children—without the trust, poverty in food banks. Has he seen, as I have, people who are Wycombe would be truly desperate. It operates five absolutely on their last legs because they are so desperate? pick-up centres, has eight sessions at which people can Many people who go to food banks are also embarrassed pick up food and usually delivers within 24 hours. The that they need such help. trust enjoys support from the Big Yellow Self Storage Mr Reed: I have indeed seen that, and it suggests that Company, and has matched funding from Barclays and we are seeing only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the Santander. Warm drinks are provided to volunteers by numbers of people who need the services of the food Starbucks, and the Eden shopping centre provides parking banks. Compared with last year, about 600 more people for volunteers. This is an astonishing exercise of social in my constituency are now using food banks to ensure power, and I am very proud of what the trust is doing, that they can eat. That brings the total to 1,778, including particularly because of the story of one young boy. almost 700 children. That is truly shocking, and it is the This is a young boy who about 33 years ago, at the policies of the parties opposite that have led to this huge age of eight or nine, bounced down the stairs because growth in the number of people needing help. his loving father called him down for his tea. This boy 823 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 824 bounced joyfully down the stairs but thought it was “I would ask if you could attend to represent the poverty and funny, in his youthfulness and his childishness, to poke daily struggle that can be found in our area. I am writing as a the fried egg and say, “Ugh, what’s that?” At that point, former user myself of the food bank which at the time was a his father, with his great working man’s hands, picked life-saver for me. At the beginning of this year, the DWP sanctioned me for six months due to an administrative error, which I did not up that plate of food and slung it straight in the swing ever receive a written apology for. I had to live on £27 a week for bin, bellowing, “All right, we will both go hungry.”That six months until my support worker found out and helped to get was my father, a working man who had reached the end me back on my feet. I am not a waster or a shirker but having to of the money and the end of the food. I did not mean to receive food parcels because you have nothing in your cupboards wound my father then, nor do I mean to wound him is embarrassing for anyone. I also know people who work as hard now, because he loved me and he loves me still. My as they can but because of low wages can’t manage.” father did absolutely everything he could, but where That was powerfully put. If the Minister listens to was the welfare state? It was not there for him, because nothing else today, I hope she listened to that. it did not know what to do for an independent, self- It is fair to point out that food banks are not new in employed man who had run out of work. this country. When I was elected, there were two in Unfortunately, that went on and on, to and fro, in the Newport—the Ravenhouse Trust and the King’s Church— legacy of the previous Government; it was tough for a and they did an amazing job. self-employed builder. My father coped by finding further work. My mother took on two and even three tough Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): I thank jobs. I saw her get arthritis in her hands, ageing her my hon. Friend for giving way. Is she slightly shocked, early, all because there was no food. What happened as I am, that there is not a single DWP or DEFRA eventually is, of course, that they divorced, and my Minister now sitting on the Front Bench? mother went on to live with a man who could at least put food on the table. So I certainly know the Jessica Morden: I thank my hon. Friend for that consequences—I live with them today—of having too valuable intervention, which speaks volumes. little food in a home. The difference is that, back then, when I first went to I am therefore proud of the One Can Trust, because meet volunteers packing food hampers, the number of in times of crisis it feeds families. I like to believe that people receiving them was much smaller. Predominantly, had food been available in my home when I was a child, in that dispersal area, the people receiving them were not only would my father not have had to go hungry, asylum seekers, people with drug and alcohol problems but perhaps my mother would not have had to take on and homeless people. I am glad that the food banks those jobs, perhaps they would not have divorced and were there, because those recipients were badly in need perhaps a range of things that ought not to have happened of our help. However, there are now four food banks but which did would never have taken place. I am very operating around Newport; recently, we were joined by proud indeed that at this time people across our nation the Caldicot food bank and the Trussell Trust. That are stepping up where the state is falling that little short. now has four satellite distribution centres. In Newport, However, I must ask: what is the cause of the crisis? The there is a mixture of independent and Trussell Trust cause of this crisis— food banks. They all work together and they all say exactly the same thing: there has been a phenomenal Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab): Will the hon. increase in demand over the past year or two. They have Gentleman give way? seen a large number of working families on low incomes in need, and a marked increase in referrals from the Steve Baker: I will just make this point. The cause of DWP and jobcentre staff because of the bedroom tax, this crisis has been pretending that there is some magic sanctions and other benefit changes. wand: that prices can be declared to be lower; that wages can be declared to be higher; and that if only Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab): The Labour Members were on the Government Benches the food bank in Chesterfield that opened six months ago state would be responsive and in times of crisis would has reported that 50% of people presenting to the food quickly leap in. That is not true now, it was not true bank are there because of benefit changes and benefit 33 years ago and it will not be true in the future. It is sanctions and because the DWP has really messed up. essential that things such as food banks step in, but I am In what way is that not the responsibility of the DWP encouraged by things such as the community store, and the Government, who are actively forcing people which go further and make this kind of mutuality and into food banks? co-operative approach—this charitable endeavour—much Jessica Morden: My hon. Friend is right. I wish there more sustainable by making inexpensive food available were a DWP Minister present so that they could hear to the working poor. her point. I will leave the final word to the chairman of One The depressing Wales-wide figures from the Trussell Can Trust, David Rooke. He has said: Trust show that, in 2010-11, it supported 4,070 individuals “David Cameron has got it exactly right. Society needs to be in Wales. This year, just from April to November, it has empowered to step up. That’s what The One Can Trust is all supported 44,756. As my right hon. Friend the Member about.” for Torfaen (Paul Murphy) said, it expects that figure to I am proud of it. rise to 60,000 by the end of the financial year. Those figures are from the Trussell Trust and do not include 5.9 pm figures from the independent food banks. Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab): I was e-mailed The unmistakeable message that I have been told last Friday by a woman in my constituency who asked time and again is that there has been an explosion of me to attend this debate. She said: working people using food banks. Unemployment may 825 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 826

[Jessica Morden] start to his speech, will he put pressure on his Ministers, who have been deplorable in this Chamber this afternoon, be down, and I definitely welcome that, but the use of to make them see sense and make changes so that food banks by working people has dramatically increased, people do not starve this winter? which should tell the Government something. Whatever the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Stephen Mosley: I shall come on to that point. says, the truth is that the proportion of people using The Department for Work and Pensions is the front-line food banks as a result of benefit changes is sharply organisation dealing with people in that position and increasing. The Government have shamefully—and it is that is why I support wholeheartedly the Government’s shamefully—altered the form used by Jobcentre Plus decision to allow jobcentres to advertise and refer people staff when referring clients for food parcels by taking to their local food bank. That is also why it was such a off the tick box that records that they are referring them big mistake for the previous Government to ban jobcentres because of benefit changes. No wonder the Secretary of from referring people, depriving people of the information State can play down the fact that benefit changes are they needed to get food at times of emergency. driving the increase in demand—he has stopped his staff collecting the data that prove it. Let us make no mistake about it: food banks were not created by, for or because of this Government. They I thank all those involved in food banks for the work predate the Government, they predate recent welfare they do in my constituency, not least our churches, changes and they reflect deep long-term problems with which are also running night shelters, and the street our benefits system. As the majority of people who pastors. They should be praised for the work that they need food bank assistance are those who face changes do. I also thank King’s church in Newport, which to benefits, the clear long-term solution is a more joined-up partners with FareShare to reduce food waste and feed benefits system. The solutions proposed by the Opposition people at the same time, and businesses such as Newport in their motion do not tackle the root cause of the Bus, which has been collecting for Ravenhouse this problem. They are short-term sticking plasters that Christmas. merely cover up the cracks in the welfare system. We need a long-term solution to fix the problem once and Mrs Moon: Does my hon. Friend also wish to thank for all. those people who are donating to the food banks? Today, my office took a phone call from someone who said that they had won a food hamper in a raffle. They Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): I wonder whether cannot eat that food knowing that people are starving, the hon. Gentleman can help us with a puzzle. When so they are taking the hamper to a food bank. the Government took office, Ministers perfectly properly made a lot of the announcement that in the future Jessica Morden: I thank my hon. Friend for her jobcentres would be able to refer people to food banks. valuable contribution. We should thank those who give However, that appears now to have changed. I received to food banks. a written answer from the former Minister, the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr Hoban), which states: However raucous the debate and however characteristically chippy the Minister’s response, it is “Jobcentre Plus …does not refer people to food banks or issue worth reminding ourselves about the people behind the vouchers.”—[Official Report, 4 September 2013; Vol. 567, c. 373W.] figures. Two young boys came into a Newport food Can the hon. Member for City of Chester (Stephen bank recently with their social worker and asked whether Mosley) help us to understand why there has been that they could have one packet of cereal and one packet of change? drinking chocolate as a treat. Sad stories, real lives. Stephen Mosley: Jobcentres offer signposting and 5.15 pm advice and point people in the right direction. Unlike Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): At the end Opposition Members, I think that the Secretary of of last month, I was privileged to visit the West Cheshire State for Work and Pensions knows what the problem food bank in my constituency. Like all food banks, it is is. That is why he is pushing so hard for universal credit, run by a group of hard-working volunteers and supported which will transform welfare, solving many of the issues by generous donations from across Cheshire. My visit that still haunt our welfare system and that we have to the food bank was an opportunity not just to see the heard about today. fantastic volunteers who make it happen but to hear As well as the long-term solution of universal credit, first hand the reasons people are using food banks. The there are some short-term actions that we can take. results were striking. Figures from my local food bank First, we need to find out more about food banks and I show that 59% of those who have used the food bank back the call from the Trussell Trust and my hon. since April have visited because of changes to benefits Friend the Member for South Thanet (Laura Sandys) and a growing number of people are visiting because of for an inquiry into their use. We need a clear picture of sanctions. the role and extent of the banks and we need to know who uses them and why. Then we can have a debate Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): The hon. based on the facts. Otherwise, this important debate Gentleman mentions his food bank. The food bank in will always run the risk of being hijacked by politicians my constituency, run in a joint venture by the Trussell hoping to score cheap political points, which does absolutely Trust and Blythswood Care, has seen a six times increase nothing to help those in need. The university of Warwick in the number of people using it this year alone, mainly has produced a report for DEFRA on household food due to benefit changes. The Government will not listen security and the provision of food aid. I hope that it will to us on the benefit changes, but, given the wonderful be forthcoming. 827 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 828

Secondly, I am a passionate believer in school meals. appalling Government, they have got no food, so the In my constituency I have seen the real difference that hon. Gentleman should not make silly and useless providing a hot, nutritious meal every day can make for debating points. children. I therefore congratulate the Government on The Salvation Army has sent around an appeal stating: introducing free school meals for infant pupils. By “In the present economic climate, many families will struggle opening up free school meals to all children, we can put to feed and clothe their children, let alone afford presents and nutrition first. treats.” Finally, we need to give food banks the support they need. Too often people suggest that we should be ashamed Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) of food banks, but I disagree. Food banks play a key (SNP): Is the right hon. Gentleman not detailing the role in a caring society.Dozens of people in my constituency symptoms of the massive inequality in our society? volunteer at the Wesley Methodist church and hundreds, Professors Stiglitz and Krugman have detailed how the if not thousands, donate food. I am proud that so many gains of productivity have gone to the top 1%. We are Chester residents want to help their neighbours and living in the fourth most unequal society in the OECD. local communities when they are in need. I offer my Successive UK Governments have failed to address heartfelt thanks to everyone who helps the West Cheshire that, which is one reason why I want Scottish independence, food bank. They are doing a truly fantastic job. but that argument is for another day. What he is seeing in his constituency is the result of the massive inequality Several hon. Members rose— that blights society.

Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab): On a point of order, Sir Gerald Kaufman: The hon. Gentleman is of course Mr Speaker. Is it a discourtesy to the House that the absolutely right. two Work and Pensions Ministers who have responsibility The information provided for me by Tesco, which is for this debate have not been in the Chamber for some conducting food banks in my constituency, tells the time, and neither has any DEFRA Minister, even though whole story. It refers to the debate is on food banks? “Tesco’s third National Food Collection”, which means that within this Government’s period in Mr Speaker: The organisation of the Bench rota by office it has started to help to address food poverty, and the Government is a matter for Ministers to decide. I to note that the hon. Gentleman regards it as unusual, and “32,000 thousand shopping trolleys…the equivalent of 4.3 million that view might be widely shared, but it is not within the meals.” power of the Chair to change the situation, even if the Chair were minded to do so. It is beyond my physical That is Britain today. powers. Perhaps we can leave it at that. Chris Ruane: Will my right hon. Friend give way?

5.21 pm Sir Gerald Kaufman: Will my hon. Friend allow me to Sir Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab): It continue for just a moment? is disgraceful that the junior Minister, having made one In my constituency we have widespread poverty and of the nastiest Front-Bench speeches I have heard in my deprivation. Today’s unemployment figures show that 43 years in this House, has now sloped off and not we are No. 42 for unemployment out of 650 constituencies. bothered to listen to the views of the House. This has not come about by accident. It is the direct Last Sunday I attended a carol service at New Covenant result of this Government’s policies: the deliberate creation church in my constituency, where a leaflet of activities of unemployment, the bedroom tax, which is causing so distributed to the congregation read, many people to suffer, the benefits cuts, and the housing shortage. My city has been hit hardest of all the major “Food bank to alleviate poverty among the unemployed and low income earners.” cities by the Government’s cuts. We are having redistribution from the poor to the affluent. The previous Sunday I attended a carol service at St Chrysostom’s, also in my constituency, at which Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland Canon Ian Gomersall always makes an appeal. In previous West) (Lab): Last week I visited Kids Company in years it has been about alleviating poverty abroad—helping Southwark and saw the industrial-scale packing of food a Romanian orphanage, for example. Last Sunday he bags that were then piled into vans and delivered to made an appeal for food for hungry people in the area vulnerable families across London. When I asked Camila around the church. He said that the prospect was that what had changed in the past few years, she said that there would be soup kitchens—soup kitchens in my she is still seeing the same number of abused kids but is constituency! He is not political, but he felt that he had now getting hungry kids coming to her directly because to say that to a crowded congregation. they are starving. Does my right hon. Friend think that is a damning indictment of this Government? Andrew Selous: I share the right hon. Gentleman’s concern about the issue, but does he realise that in Sir Gerald Kaufman: My hon. Friend makes a very Germany, a country that is much richer than ours, powerful point. If I may say so, as powerfully as she 6 million people use food banks every month? made it, it was made much more powerfully by St Matthew, who said in his gospel: Sir Gerald Kaufman: My constituents who are going “Unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have hungry do not study the foreign affairs pages. They abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even want to know why, after three and a half years of this that which he hath.” 829 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 830

[Sir Gerald Kaufman] desperate and dire circumstances. Before the food bank was established in my constituency, I had no organised That is the precise policy of this Conservative-Liberal place to refer people to; I had to find churches or Democrat Government. I note that the only Liberal philanthropists to help them to get out of trouble and Democrat Member of Parliament for Manchester has to get them through it. At least now I can direct them to not even bothered to turn up to this debate. That will be somewhere they will get help. noted by his constituents. At our Gorton Philharmonic concert at Christmas, Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): On we sing “Have yourself a merry little Christmas”. Well, benefits, does my hon. Friend agree that the best way it will be a little Christmas for a lot of people but it will out of poverty is through work? Is it not also the case not be merry for many more. that the perverse incentives of the dog’s dinner of a benefits system that we inherited mean that someone 5.27 pm who gains part-time work could end up worse off than if they stayed on benefits? Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): I am pleased that this debate has entered a calmer, cooler Roger Williams: I agree that getting into work is the stream, because I felt very uneasy that some of the most best way out of poverty, but work is not always available vulnerable people, such as those I have met in my for people. I am sure that hon. Members know of such constituency, were being used as a political football experiences. across this Chamber. They would not have wanted that. They often feel a sense of indignity about going to food banks. They feel that it is in some way their own fault, Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab): But does the hon. but in many cases it is not their fault at all. I look to Gentleman not agree that a lot of people who are Members on both sides of the House to come forward claiming food parcels from food banks are actually in with considered ideas about how we can best address work? this matter. Roger Williams: I am sure that is the case. I am Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): May I give the trying to respond to my hon. Friend the Member for hon. Gentleman one suggestion? Why do not his Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood). I believe that the Government meet the Trussell Trust to try to understand current benefits system is not fit for purpose and that the causes of food insecurity instead of refusing to this Government are making progress to make it better, do so? but there is still a huge amount of work to be done. The conditionality of so many benefits leads to difficulties. Roger Williams: I thank the hon. Lady for that In my constituency, Jobcentre Plus seems to be using intervention. [Interruption.] I am being encouraged to different criteria in different towns to impose sanctions say that the Government intend to meet the Trussell on people. Obviously, when sanctions are imposed, Trust. I am pleased about that. people are left in great difficulty. Food banks have come rather late to my constituency, but I really welcome them. I went to the New Life Sheila Gilmore: As a member of one of the governing church in Llandrindod Wells and was very impressed by parties, what is the hon. Gentleman saying to Ministers the number of volunteers who were working there. They about that sanctioning disaster? were members of the church and other volunteers who had gone there particularly to distribute food. I then went on to Tesco. I do not often compliment Tesco on Roger Williams: I have already written to a Minister its work, but on this matter it was doing very good work and I am going to meet them to find out why the indeed. The church had a stall near the store’s exit and sanctions in different jobcentres have different criteria; people were encouraged to donate some of the food why they have different systems for writing to and they had bought. I was overwhelmed by the generosity contacting people in order to encourage them to attend of people—some of whom were on low incomes meetings; and why, if people do not attend those meetings, themselves—who were prepared to give a little away in they get sanctioned. order to help others. Tesco also made a 30% contribution. Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): Will the hon. Gentleman Duncan Hames: I share my hon. Friend’s sentiments give way? in relation to the food banks I have visited. Does he agree that, even though food banks came to his constituency Roger Williams: No, I will not. I am terribly sorry. I more recently, during each of his 16 years in this place, would have, but I have almost run out of time. I have in good times and bad, there will have been constituents been very generous. who would have benefited greatly from the availability of the services of food banks if they had been there at I think that this country needs a food policy. Huge the time? spikes in food prices add to the difficulties faced by people trying to budget. We need a system to ensure Roger Williams: I have not quite achieved 16 years, that we have a secure supply of food with levelling but that is my intention if I am successful at the next prices. election. This coming week I will meet the pastor of Elim My hon. Friend is right. I am sure that every hon. church in Brecon and I hope we will be able to work Member will agree that it is not just lately that people with that church to set up our second food bank. I will have come to our surgeries because they have had do so with a heavy heart, but I know it will provide problems with their benefits and find themselves in really good help for my constituents. 831 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 832

Mr Speaker: In the spirit of Christmas, I say to the of income now having to be spent on fuel and rent, we hon. Gentleman that there is nothing so striking as a can see that that is difficult for many people, but it is a Member busily congratulating himself on his own disaster for the poor. generosity. Robert Halfon: Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? 5.34 pm Mr Field: I will not because so many Members want Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab): Government to participate in the debate. Members have often cited the use of food banks on the These are the questions I would like to ask the continent, and in my short contribution I want to Government. First, why are they so frit of having a suggest two things. The first is that there are now serious inquiry into the causes of what is going on? Are movements in western economies that are disadvantaging food banks a passing fancy, or are they the outward the poor and we need to think of solutions to that. visible sign of something very serious happening in our Secondly, I want to suggest to the Government where economy? We ought to get an answer to that. Secondly, their policies have made this position much, much worse. if we listen to the food banks and the other bodies that We may not yet understand the basic forces to which we are handsomely filling the ranks of those giving help in may want to apply policies, but the Government could our society, they say the two things that are increasingly raise questions about their own policies and ask how important in driving people to food banks are the they are impoverishing people. I hope the reason for the sanctions regime and the sheer incompetence of the absence of the whole of the DWP ministerial team is DWP in relaying benefits. Could the Minister—whoever that it is thinking about what sort of reply it is going to it is and wherever they are—tell us how many of the give to this debate, with these possible concessions in exceptional payments the DWP is making are the result mind. of benefit delays? Fifteen months ago the Trussell Trust said that by the Also, will a twofold instruction go out from this general election it would be feeding half a million of Government? First, will they ensure that anybody who our constituents. I asked the Prime Minister at Prime has waited for more than a week for their benefit gets an Minister’s Question Time what he was going to do to advance on the benefit they are entitled to? No one is prevent that prediction from coming true. I did not get a disputing that it will be clawed back later. That would comprehensive answer, to put it mildly. We have learned abate some of the demand for food banks. Secondly, from today’s debate that that point has already been given what is happening to those people who are being passed a year and a quarter, or a year and a third, sanctioned, where the sanctions are later overturned, before that general election, and the number will continue will the Government urgently review how just their to increase. sanctions policy is? If we look at the data, we find that in our country the proportion of income the poor now have to spend on 5.39 pm food, utilities and rent is rising. I think that gives us an answer to Lord Freud, who said that if we supply a free Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Due to the time good, people will turn up and claim it. It might be that limit, I have had to reduce significantly what I intended if people are worried about not being able to meet their to say, but I will ensure that a full version of my speech rent or that their electricity will be cut off, and there is is put on my website. the possibility of people giving them food, they will In following the right hon. Member for Birkenhead take that opportunity so that they can meet other basic (Mr Field), may I commend to the House the report requirements from their budget. published by the Church Urban Fund in September, entitled “Hungry For More: How churches can address Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ the root causes of food poverty”, which can be found at Co-op): The figures for food banks are only the tip of www.cuf.org.uk/research? As part of their mission to the iceberg, of course, as there are many other locations the communities they serve and as part of their mission to which people go to get free food, such as soup as the national Church, thousands of parish churches kitchens. They have also seen a big increase in attendance around the country play an active role in their local over the last few years, and that is part of the picture as community, including by running food banks, the majority well. of which have been set up in the past two years. The report suggests that if churches are to contribute to a Mr Field: I totally accept that point and I am going to long-term solution to food poverty, there is a need to come back to it by talking about how inaccurate our rebalance church-based activity away from emergency data are on this whole issue, but the House needs to crisis support and towards long-term work that tackles take into account that something very important is the underlying problem. going on in our economy which is disadvantaging the There is a policy conundrum that I think the whole poor the most. House has to recognise. Food banks do not tackle the root causes of food poverty, and they do not aim to Sir Gerald Kaufman: Hear, hear! resolve any of the underlying problems of food poverty. I suspect that all right hon. and hon. Members would Mr Field: I do not think my hon. Friend actually agree that we should view food aid only as a short-term knew Friedrich Engels, but Engels prophesied that as emergency response to problems of food poverty. countries become richer, the proportion of income spent on food declines. That law has been reversed, so on that Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): The right hon. score something fundamental is happening. If we combine Gentleman is enunciating what food banks do, and they that with the changes resulting in a greater proportion also give advice on how to recover from debt. Christians 833 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 834

[Jim Shannon] Labour Government would increase welfare spending, just as it is disingenuous to suggest that they would have Against Poverty is an example of what food banks in the ability to control food and commodity prices. Northern Ireland are doing. Does he recognise the good The Church of England has just embarked on a work that they are doing in advising people how best to one-year joint research project with Oxfam, in partnership manage their resources and how to get themselves out with the Trussell Trust and Church Action on Poverty, of the benefits trap? with the aim of exploring the reasons why people are using food banks and identifying interventions that Sir Tony Baldry: The research in the Church Urban would reduce the need for food banks. The findings will Fund report shows that some food banks do that, but be published in September next year. not enough. Many of them simply give food aid, which It is not an adequate policy response simply to say is important, but we need to develop longer-term solutions. that because people are using food banks, there needs to be a massive increase in welfare spending, particularly Albert Owen: Will the right hon. Gentleman give at a time when everybody is in agreement that the way? nation has to get welfare spending under control. Sir Tony Baldry: I will make some progress. If the situation is to be resolved, the root causes need 5.45 pm to be tackled. In April, an online survey was sent to Hywel Williams (Arfon) (PC): Thirty-three food banks 3,000 Church of England incumbents. In that survey, operate in Wales and there are two in my constituency: the Church Urban Fund asked clergy in parishes right one in Caernarfon and one in Bangor. In 2011, 11,000 across the country questions about their perceptions of Welsh people were dependent on food banks for limited food poverty and what was going on in their parishes. help. The figure is now 60,000. The respondents were invited to indicate what they People often go to food banks because their benefits considered the causes of food poverty, based on their have not been paid, as the right hon. Member for experience of running food banks. These figures come Birkenhead (Mr Field) said. There are mistakes, benefits to more than 100% because some clergy selected more are paid late and people are sanctioned, sometimes than one topic, but 62% chose low income, 42% chose wrongly. A man came to see me on Monday who had benefit changes and 35% chose benefit delays. As it been sanctioned and had no money. He had been called happens, these three issues match those identified by for an interview, but was not able to go because he had the Trussell Trust as the most common reasons for to take his seriously ill wife to hospital for cancer food bank referrals last year. It is also worth noting treatment. He could not be 30 miles away at the same that some respondents believed that individual behaviour time. was a contributing factor, with 27% selecting poor household budgeting as a significant cause of food poverty. Ian Lavery: A gentleman in my constituency faced the same circumstances. He was sanctioned when he Alongside others set out in the report, those results was in hospital for a heart condition. He lived for a suggest that if churches are to contribute to a long-term further three days on field mushrooms and borrowed solution to food poverty, church-based activity needs to eggs. Is that what we want to see in the UK in 2013-14? be rebalanced away from emergency crisis support and towards long-term work to tackle underlying problems. In its recent report on monitoring poverty, the Joseph Hywel Williams: The hon. Gentleman makes an eloquent Rowntree Foundation has observed: point about the harshness of the current system. “Making comparisons of people using food banks over time is Significantly, about 20% of the people who go to not easy, as there simply are more food banks now than five years food banks are the working poor. They are not the ago. They may well be meeting need that was previously going scroungers and shirkers who are cited so enthusiastically unmet.” by some hon. Members and by the popular newspapers. However, there is obviously a need to look at the impact The growth of food banks in Wales is a symptom of a of benefit changes and, in particular, benefit delays. much more fundamental problem: growing inequality and the failure of wages and incomes to match the Fiona O’Donnell: Will the right hon. Gentleman give increasing costs of living, particularly food inflation. way? That is a particularly acute problem in Wales, where gross value added in some areas is about 60% of the UK Sir Tony Baldry: If I may, I will make my own speech average. in my own time. I am conscious that many right hon. and hon. Members want to take part in the debate. Mrs Moon: Has the hon. Gentleman found that the I want to say a word of caution about all this. working poor are finding it difficult to get basic products Whoever is in power after the next general election, as well? My food bank has told me that people sometimes public spending is going to be difficult. Indeed, as far as talk to staff quietly to ask whether they have toilet I can discern, all three main parties are agreed on public paper or sanitary products. It is not just food that spending limits until at least 2016-17. Although the people cannot get, but other expensive products. Labour party has opposed every single welfare change made by the Government, I do not think that the Hywel Williams: The hon. Lady makes a fine point. I Opposition are suggesting that they would, if elected, was at the food bank in Caernarfon recently. It provides significantly increase the overall welfare budget. In those a range of goods, and at Christmas it provides a few circumstances, it is disingenuous to suggest that a future extras, which is very welcome. 835 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 836

Food banks provide a vital short-term service and We need to analyse, understand and get to grips with they deserve our support. However, they must not be a the longer-term issues that have led people to need to general long-term solution for the individuals who go turn to food banks. The tone of the debate, and the to them and they must not be a permanent aspect of motion, undermines the good work that food banks do, public policy. Food banks, if we have them at all, should and the excellent support given by very many volunteers supplement public provision. It is astonishing and shameful who work hard for some of the most vulnerable people that, in the second decade of the 21st century, one of in our constituencies. the richest countries in the world cannot ensure that its people get sufficient food. Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): Does the hon. Gentleman share my regret that, sadly, the Minister Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op): Does the chose to make out that we should be grateful that more hon. Gentleman recognise the importance of welfare people do not have to go to food banks, rather than benefits advice? We have heard that many food banks recognising that this debate is not about economic provide such advice, but many do not. Given that one of statistics but the fact that our fellow men and women in the reasons for the growth of food banks is the paucity this country need to go to food banks to feed themselves? of welfare advice, is that not an important consideration The tone of this debate is disgraceful and shameful. in this debate? Alun Cairns: I absolutely recognise that the tone of Hywel Williams: It is indeed. I pay tribute to the this debate is disgraceful, but the issues need to be services that do exist, but they are patchy. Sometimes analysed and addressed in an adult way so we can they are provided by local authorities and sometimes by understand the longer-term issues that have got us to volunteers. I mention in passing that the Child Poverty this position. That has not happened since 2010; the Action Group has made a pertinent point about the issue goes back well beyond that and must be addressed value of advice and the level of under-claiming, which in a proper, adult, consensual way. is a persistent problem. In Wales, there has been a consistent decline in economic Mr Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): Does my performance and in people’s ability to buy the food that hon. Friend support the volunteers, and particularly they need. The figures are stark. Wales’s GVA per head Church groups in Braintree and throughout the country, compared with the UK average was 78.1% in 1997. In who are doing a tremendous job in supporting food 2011, it was 75.2%. That is a decline of three percentage banks? On the point he has just made, this is a long-term points. For west Wales and the valleys, which the European problem and the inconvenient truth the Opposition will Union recognises as some of its poorest areas, the not accept is that there was a tenfold increase in food figures were 67.2% in 1997 and 65% in 2011—a further banks from 2005 to 2010. The problem did not begin in decline. This is a substantial historical problem, and it is 2010, and we need a long-term solution. growing. I am sure the remedies are easy to list, and we have heard some already: better economic growth, better income distribution, particularly in the poorest areas, a Alun Cairns: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that living wage, and ending fuel poverty. powerful point, which gives me the opportunity to pay tribute to those who work and organise food banks in Albert Owen: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? the Vale of Glamorgan: Coastlands Family church, Bethesda chapel in Dinas Powys, and Bethel Baptist Hywel Williams: I must conclude my remarks; I apologise church in Llantwit Major. For me, food banks play an to the hon. Gentleman. extremely important role in bringing people back into the state system of support, or pointing them in the We call on the Government to publish the report direction of the relevant charity that can help and commissioned by the Department for Environment, support them to address an underlying long-term issue Food and Rural Affairs on food bank use, and also to that has been missed, or the situation in which they find commission further wide-ranging research into the rocketing themselves. need for food banks. I say to those on the Opposition Front Bench, however, that I cannot see how regional We must recognise that food banks and the Trussell benefits would help. Trust, which facilitates those in my constituency that I mentioned, rightly limit the provision they make available. My final point is brief but important and has not First, people must have a voucher that comes from been mentioned so far. Wales is not a unique case in the recognised body such as the social services, a GP, or a UK, and certainly not in the European Union. We must women’s aid or drug support group. People find themselves look beyond our borders and those of Europe, and in terrible situations, often because of the breakdown of fight to provide food security for people all over the the family or changes that they simply have not been world. able to manage. We need to recognise that the food bank and the Trussell Trust give food provision for 5.51 pm three days only. Food banks are not the soup kitchens Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): Thank you, that the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton Mr Speaker, for allowing me to contribute to this welcome (Sir Gerald Kaufman) has described. They rightly limit debate, which provides the opportunity to analyse the provision because they do not want to create that culture role of food banks, their background, and why they are of dependency. They are about bringing those people growing at the reported rate. I am extremely disappointed, back into the state support system and the charitable however, at how the debate has been proposed, and the groups that need to address those problems. way political capital is being sought from some of the most vulnerable people who genuinely need support. Several hon. Members rose— 837 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 838

Alun Cairns: I will give way in a moment. The limitations Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): My hon. on the provision, which are rightly in place— Friend is right. I have an excellent charity, the Irish Youth Foundation, in my constituency. It is using its Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab): Will the hon. Gentleman capital money to set up emergency food banks, and to give way? provide emergency aid and relief for desperate young people who are going without food. That has happened Alun Cairns: I will give way in a moment. as a consequence of this Government’s policies. The limitations in provision, which are rightly in place for that very good reason, mean that only three Jonathan Ashworth: My hon. Friend makes his point parcels can be distributed— with great eloquence. Several hon. Members rose— Sadly, too many areas of my constituency appear too high up in the various deprivation statistics, and we Mr Speaker: Order. I fear the hon. Gentleman is not have had an increase in demand for food banks. The giving way. He has the floor. Open Hands food bank in Highfields says it is doubling the number of food parcels it hands out. In the Saffron Alun Cairns: Only three parcels can be distributed in Lane area, there is an increase in the number of women a six-month period. The right hon. Member for Manchester, going to food banks. Primary schools hand out food Gorton spoke of soup kitchens. If his suggestion was parcels to parents because they are too ashamed to go right, there would be no such limitations. Our focus to the food banks on their estates. must be on getting people the right support from the right place. That might be from their MP, a charitable organisation, a local authority or the state sector. Robert Halfon: No one denies that there is a problem, but does the hon. Gentleman not accept that the Mr MacNeil: Does the hon. Gentleman recognise Government are doing everything possible to alleviate that food banks and soup kitchens are symptoms of a it? That is why they have introduced free school meals structural problem, as the right hon. Member for for children in the first three years of primary school Birkenhead (Mr Field) has said? From 1971 to 2011, and extended free school meals to poorer students who productivity rose 80%, but workers shared only 10% of go to further education colleges. That is why they have that. Income changed from labour to capital. The economist frozen council tax and fuel duty, are trying to cut energy Paul Krugman has said that if that had not happened, bills and are linking the basic state pension with earnings. workers would be better off by 30% or 40%. A fundamental, Are those not real examples of how the Government structural shift in society is causing those ills. are helping with the cost of living?

Alun Cairns: The hon. Gentleman makes a powerful Jonathan Ashworth: The hon. Gentleman must recognise point, but given the regrettable limit of four minutes on that there is a huge cost of living crisis because of the speeches, I cannot address the structural economic debate downward pressure on wages. Increasingly, people in over that period. work, and people on benefits, are turning up at food I ask those who are responsible for food banks, who banks because of a series of social security cuts implemented play an exceptionally important part that we should by the Department for Work and Pensions. The food recognise, to refer information to their MP, first, because banks in my constituency report increased usage because we might well be able to intervene if there is a benefit of the bedroom tax, and not just for food parcels—people delay—we can help in some cases—and, secondly, because who have had to move into private rented accommodation it is important information with which we can try to but do not have the appropriate furniture are going to influence policy. However, when policy is debated and food banks that provide furniture. Food banks report discussed in the way in which many Opposition Members increased usage because of sanctions, delays in appeals have done, it undermines the credibility of the strong and delays in benefit decisions. The Atos centre in my arguments that need to be addressed. Hon. Members constituency does not have suitable disabled access, so might be in a positive position to intervene, and I am people on employment and support allowance have to sorry the debate has progressed as it has. go to either Nottingham or Birmingham for their The background is longer-term economic decline. assessment. They cannot afford to do that, so they end Thankfully, today’s unemployment data show we are up going without the ESA they deserve and turn up at turning the corner. That will make a significant difference. the food banks in my constituency.That is a sad indictment Those who are pointing the finger the most need to of the condition of Britain under this Tory Government. recognise that that decline has taken place over many years. Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): Does my hon. Friend share my concern that figures 5.57 pm released this week show an increase in diseases such as Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab): I want to scurvy and rickets, and an increase in malnourishment? speak only briefly.The hon. Member for Vale of Glamorgan The Government should acknowledge that in the context (Alun Cairns) mentioned the tone of the debate. Many of today’s debate. Frankly, it is disgraceful that we have of my constituents will be disappointed that the Minister, not had a Minister from either of the main Departments who is back in her place, showed no contrition whatever sitting on the Front Bench for the whole of the debate. for the acceleration of food banks on the Government’s watch. The issue is not whether food banks existed Jonathan Ashworth: My hon. Friend makes a powerful four or five years ago, but the sheer explosion in the point that is worth repeating: there is an increase in number of food banks and demand for them in the past those diseases in 21st century Britain under this Tory 18 months. Government. 839 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 840

Andrew Selous rose— domestic violence and who had been abruptly removed, or wanted to be abruptly removed, from their homes; Jonathan Ashworth: I am sorry to the hon. Gentleman, and I met victims of family breakdown. Every single but I am not going to give way again. person I met had been referred to the food bank with a Of course, it is not just the food banks. I am proud to unique set of circumstances. represent a tremendously diverse constituency, where The Black Country food bank plays a vital role in all the gurdwaras report an increase in uptake by non-Sikh fighting poverty in my constituency. It is true that usage people who go to them daily for the food that they hand of it has increased, but that is partly due to increased out. Our Muslim organisations and mosques are collecting awareness of what it does. Inevitably, when people get food to be handed out in our food banks. For Government to know that it is providing a vital resource, linked in Members to say that that is all just a continuation of a with other agencies within the welfare system, they will statistical trend that has been going on for the past few start to use it more. Better links are also being created years suggests that they are all completely in denial. between food banks and local agencies. Local health The Minister, who is now shaking her head, boasted services are aware that the food bank is on hand to help that the Government have commissioned a study and a people who have serious mental health issues. As people review. I hope that when the Minister with responsibility are more aware of the vital service it provides, it is not for the voluntary sector, the Minister of State, Cabinet surprising that its use has risen. Office, the hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): My hon. Friend Pinner (Mr Hurd), responds to the debate—it speaks is paying handsome tribute to the Black Country food volumes that the Minister with responsibility for the bank. Will he join me in paying tribute to his own food voluntary sector will be responding to this debate, not a bank and many others, including mine in Gloucester, Minister from the Department for Environment, Food run by the excellent Anneliese Sterry and her volunteers, and Rural Affairs—he will undertake to produce that which provide a fantastic service for many people? My study, so that both sides of the House can study it. I office hands out vouchers and appreciates the help they hope he will also tell us—I am sure the officials in the are giving. Box have the statistics—whether the Government, in their considered view, think that demand for food banks James Morris: My hon. Friend makes a good point will increase or decrease in 2014 and 2015. That would about the valuable work being done in his constituency. be an interesting statistic and I look forward to the The Black Country food bank does other vital work Minister outlining that in his summing up. in the community. Like the food banks that other hon. We are seeing a series of changes to the way social Members have mentioned, it helps families learn how to security works from the Secretary of State for Work and prepare cost-effective and nutritious meals. Such courses Pensions, who stumbles around Whitehall with a bleeding and information can have a greater impact in the medium hole in his foot and a smoking gun in his hand as all his term than the three-day supply of food it initially provides different reforms collapse—universal credit and so on. to those referred to it. Also, like other poverty-fighting A whole series of changes are affecting our constituents organisations in my constituency, such as the Hope and driving the increased demand for food banks in our centre and the charity Loaves ’n’ Fishes, it provides vital constituencies. For the Government not to acknowledge work experience and apprenticeship opportunities for that suggests that they are completely out of touch and many people in my constituency, particularly those in completely in denial. long-term unemployment. That, too, is linked to jobcentres and the whole welfare system. Such organisations provide valuable skills and work, and not just on a voluntary 6.3 pm basis; they provide real work experience and apprenticeship James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con): opportunities that are helping the local economy. The Black Country food bank in my constituency is a The food bank is providing not just essential food faith-based organisation that serves the whole of the support, but community facilities and skills that are black country area of the west midlands. It is run by an vital to my local area. I agree with other hon. Members incredibly dedicated range of staff and volunteers. Having that to try and make political capital out of, and fight volunteered there myself, I know the focused way in political battles over, groups such as the Black Country which they approach serving the people who come to food bank and the work they do in my community is their doors. As other hon. Members have pointed out, very disappointing. Those who run such food banks food banks offer three days of emergency help. That deserve our respect and support for the committed and means that the service the Black Country food bank dedicated work they do for some of the most vulnerable provides is not a replacement for welfare; it is integrated in my community. within the welfare system itself. 6.8 pm Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington) Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby) (Lab/Co-op): (Lab): Will the hon. Gentleman give way? There is no desire among the Opposition to make political capital out of those who have set up food James Morris: I will not give way, because many banks or use them; we are representing our constituents. other hon. Members want to take part in the debate. In my constituency, there has been an exponential growth The Black Country food bank gives food only to in the use of food banks since 2010, and I and other people referred to it by an approved agency, including Opposition Members are giving voice to those constituents. social services. When I volunteered there, I met people It is disgraceful for the hon. Member for Halesowen who had been identified as suffering from serious mental and Rowley Regis (James Morris) to suggest that we are health problems; I met women who had been victims of trying to make political capital out of this. 841 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 842

[Stephen Twigg] Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): Does my hon. Friend agree that it is an absolute disgrace that we have I listened carefully to the Minister earlier, but what to have food banks and the initiatives that he describes we heard from her was a striking combination of denial in the sixth richest country in the world? and complacency. Both the tone and the substance of what she said today failed to meet the scale of the Stephen Twigg: Absolutely.Those among my constituents challenge that communities up and down the country who do not have to use the food banks look in disbelief face. when they learn about the scale of the increase in their use over recent years, so I absolutely concur with my Esther McVey indicated dissent. hon. Friend. I appeal to the Government to publish the DEFRA report and to do what my right hon. Friend Stephen Twigg: It is simply not acceptable for the the Member for Birkenhead said the Government should hon. Lady to sit in her place, shaking her head, when do, which is to have a proper inquiry into the causes of she knows the damage that this is causing to communities the growth of food banks, so that in future we see not up and down this country. further exponential growth, as we have seen over the last three and a half years, but a decline in the use of Ms Abbott: Does my hon. Friend agree that if food banks, which is surely something that we could all Government Members were genuinely appreciative of support. the work that food banks did, they would not have turned down £2.5 billion of EU funding to subsidise food banks? 6.13 pm Mr Robert Syms (Poole) (Con): Poole food bank does Stephen Twigg: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to a valuable job, supported by a wide range of people, draw our attention to that. largely from the churches, but including people across I would like to draw attention to some of the fantastic the political spectrum. They are all dealing with what things happening in Liverpool to address the crisis of must be a very difficult personal crisis for many when food poverty. My right hon. Friend the Member for they cannot put food on the table. As a parent, one Torfaen (Paul Murphy) said earlier that food banks cannot conceive what it must be like to worry about demonstrate both the good and the bad in our modern what can be provided for children in an evening meal. In society. I want to thank all the volunteers who have some respects, food banks provide a perfect example of made a success of food banks in my constituency, and I the third sector at work, doing what it can to plug a gap refer specifically to the North Liverpool food bank, at a particularly difficult time. which has 90 volunteers who see about 150 people a week. It opened two years ago in November 2011, and When all this started, I was sitting on the other side now has eight separate distribution centres in north of the Chamber, watching the Budgets and the economic Liverpool, including in my constituency, in Croxteth management of the country. At that time I was told that and Norris Green. Norris Green is the council ward in boom and bust had been abolished, yet we had one of Liverpool that has the largest number of households the biggest busts ever—nearly 7% of GDP. However we directly affected by the bedroom tax—more than 1,000 look at it, if GDP falls by as much as that, living households in that single ward—which the food bank standards will take a hit. tells me is one reason for the increased uptake. Let me make an important point. It could have been Another food bank was set up by Labour councillors a lot worse if people in work had gone for high pay in the Dovecot area of my constituency, providing increases to compensate for high bills, but they did not; crucial support. There is also the Next Steps project, to they priced themselves into jobs. It could have been which my right hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley worse if people had been irresponsible, but they have (Mr Howarth) referred, which was set up by Councillor not been irresponsible. Given the scale of the bust, it is a Peter Mitchell, one of my constituents. Next Steps miracle that only 7.4% of people in the country are provides both food banks and support for people to get unemployed. The figures in Germany and Holland are back into work. Peter told me earlier today of a wonderful lower, but, among European countries, Britain is not example of a 58-year-old man who used the programme doing too badly. to find a job after a long period of unemployment. He was so happy at the support he had received that he Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): Does my hon. Friend burst into tears when he got that news. In December agree that, while we should all support churches, charities alone, the food bank will feed 1,000 people and expects and organisations such as the West Northumberland to have fed 7,000 people this year. food bank in my constituency, we should praise the Finally, let me refer to a brilliant initiative by Joe Salvation Army in particular, because it has been providing Anderson, the mayor of Liverpool. He set up, with food assistance for generations? Tesco, the mayor’s Hope fund, which is to launch an innovative project to aid the relief of poverty in Liverpool. Mr Syms: That is a very good point. Anyone shopping in Tesco can make a donation to We all know that many people in work, as well as support the running of the food banks across Liverpool. those who are out of work, have experienced a big drop That is a practical example of a Labour local government in their living standards, and we know that that is leader working with the private sector to deliver and because of the economic crisis, but the good news is support food banks. I finish by appealing to whichever that there are still a great many people in work and we Minister we are to hear from at the end of the debate to have a growing economy. It is inevitable that living listen to what my right hon. Friend the Member for standards will start to recover as incomes rise, the Birkenhead (Mr Field) said when the debate opened. market recovers and we start to export more. 843 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 844

Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab): I am afraid 6.19 pm that the hon. Gentleman’s description of the macro- Dame Anne Begg (Aberdeen South) (Lab): At the economic picture is not as connected to the micro-economic moment, Aberdeen is doing well. Despite the recession, picture as he may assume. According to volunteers at the economy there is booming. There is so much activity the food bank in my constituency, they have been told in the North sea oil and gas sector that we are presently that the need for food banks has been caused by the experiencing a labour shortage, and today’s unemployment move from benefits to work. People’s weekly benefits figure in my constituency is down to 1.5 %, which stop and their pay cheques come at the end of the comes pretty close to full employment. In spite of all month, which is too far away. I fear that the recovery that, something else is booming: it is the use of food will not reach all parts of the economy unless we make banks. it do so. Can he tell us what we can do to ensure that that happens? The Secretary of State said this morning that the rise in the use of food banks was a result of decent people Mr Syms: One of our purposes in introducing universal wanting to help those who found themselves in temporary credit is to make the transition from unemployment to difficulty, but I do not think that that is the case. Like work much easier. The scheme is complicated—we all my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead know that—but I think that it is a worthwhile venture, (Mr Field), I think that there is something fundamental because anything making employment easier must be a going on. good thing. Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) Andrew Selous: Will my hon. Friend give way? (Lab): Will my hon. Friend give way?

Mr Syms: I will not, because my time is limited. I Dame Anne Begg: I give way to my colleague on the have already taken two interventions. Select Committee. I am sure that, as the economy recovers, living standards will recover as well, but there is a short-term problem Debbie Abrahams: Does my hon. Friend agree that it and a long-term problem. The short-term problem is is a real worry that the demand for food banks seems to the need for us to recover from the recession, which, as be related to the targets relating to social security sanctions? we all know, will take several years. The long-term That is certainly the experience in my food bank in problem is that, while those in the western world who Oldham. One of my constituents has been waiting for have benefited from globalisation—particularly people an appeal against a sanction for four months without at the higher income scale working in, for instance, any money. For him, the food bank has been a lifeline. financial services—can secure large rewards, many people in ordinary jobs have not managed to increase their Dame Anne Begg: My hon. Friend, like me, has been living standards. That is a feature of the United States lobbied by a number of organisations saying that failures economy and it may be a feature of ours, which is why in the benefit system are causing much of the increase in the Government are interested in apprenticeships and food bank use. are trying to make our education system far more If the use of food banks were just a passing phase robust and resilient. born out of the global banking crisis and the recent Statistics issued by the OECD the other day demonstrated years of austerity, we would not be seeing their growth the importance of ensuring that people are proficient in in places such as Aberdeen. If their use is temporary, English and maths and that we have a skilled work why is it still growing when the Government say that the force, because that enables those people to generate economy is picking up? If their use is nothing new, why income and higher living standards. I think that the are more families depending on food parcels than at any Government have the right instincts and the right answers, time in history? but the fact is that it will take a long time to sort the problem out. Derek Twigg rose—

Steve Baker: Given that the money supply was allowed Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP) rose— to triple during the 13 years when Labour was in power, it should not surprise us if those nearest to the source of Dame Anne Begg: I might give way later, if I get the new money got rich while everyone else went backwards. through my speech quickly. The number of organisations operating food banks is Mr Syms: There is an argument to be had about the growing, as is the number of food parcels that are impact of that. Certainly it helped people with assets distributed each week. Before 2010, there were some rather than those without assets. Nevertheless, I think people who required food parcels but their numbers that progress is being made, and that this morning’s were tiny and the food parcels were a stopgap measure unemployment figures represent a good staging post. to get them over an immediate crisis. However, in the We need to do much more to educate and skill our first six months of this financial year, 27 tonnes of food work force so that we can compete in the global race were distributed across Aberdeen by just four of the and improve everyone’s living standards. All the statistics organisations operating food banks. That figure does show that some of the more equal societies in Scandinavia not include the food distributed by the Trussell Trust. are happier societies. What any Government must do in Something must have changed between the financial this country is ensure that, as the economy recovers, all crash and today. One thing that has changed is the sections of the community can earn a living, and can Government. Another thing is the Government’s social enjoy rising living standards. security reforms. The attitude of the Government towards 845 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 846

[Dame Anne Begg] tribute to the individuals I have got to know over the past three and half years from Salisbury who lead the those on welfare has changed, too. So even in relatively work of the Trussell Trust. affluent areas such as Aberdeen, families are depending on food parcels to eat. Robert Halfon: My hon. Friend speaks powerfully. Many organisations point to failures in the benefits The spirit that he mentions in relation to the food bank system as the primary cause of the increase in the use of set up by the Trussell Trust has extended to Harlow food banks. Oxfam and Church Action on Poverty with its food bank, which was originally set up by the thought the situation serious enough to encourage their Michael Roberts Charitable Trust but is linked to the supporters to lobby their MPs and ask them to lobby Trussell Trust. An extraordinary amount of work is the Work and Pensions Committee to look into the link done there, and it has become a very important part of between the increase in the use of food banks and the our community. Will my hon. Friend celebrate that? increase in the use of sanctions, as well as the increase in Does he agree that we should support that and not try long delays and mistakes in benefit payments by Jobcentre to use it as a political football? Plus. A large number of MPs on both sides of the House—reflected by the large number in attendance John Glen: I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s here today—passed on their constituents’ concerns to intervention. Of course, we all support the work of the us on the Committee. food banks and the individuals who work in them. I wish to finish my tribute to Chris Mould, David McAuley, The belief that much of the problem is caused by Molly Hudson and Mark Elling. I have got to know errors in benefit payments is shared by Citizens Advice them, and their responsibility has been to roll out the Scotland, which reports that 73% of the people using growth of food banks. That may be uncomfortable for food banks cite problems with their welfare payments, some Government Members, as might its implications that 30% are experiencing delays in getting the payment and the way the tone of the debate has taken an to which they are entitled, and that 22% are the subject unfortunate turn this afternoon. We have to acknowledge of jobseeker’s allowance sanctions. However, people the growth in food banks. In 2005-06, there were fewer who have been sanctioned make up less than a quarter than 3,000 users, but that had risen to 40,000 by 2009-10. of those who are using food banks. All too commonly, I accept that we have seen a similar scale of use. The people are using them because they have fallen on hard question is: why and what are we going to do about it? times through no fault of their own. People are still [Interruption] We are talking about a factor of 10, to falling ill and losing their jobs as a result, only to face a about half a million users at the moment. I am not long delay in getting any benefit. Those delays have got trying to deny the scale of food bank use. If Labour worse in recent years. It also seems to be taking longer Members would stop trying to make political points, and longer to get benefits reinstated once they have that would be helpful. been stopped, even by accident. Cuts are also being made to the benefits that people get, including the most The important issue is getting to the bottom of why pernicious of all—the bedroom tax—and this is all so many people are using food banks. The Trussell before the largest change of all, universal credit, has Trust says that this is about not only homelessness, been introduced. So things could get worse. benefit delay, low income and changes to benefits, but domestic violence, sickness, refused short-term benefit We should be breaking dependency, not making it advances, debt and unemployment. worse. The Government need to recognise that the increase in the use of food banks is no accident, that it is Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): A constituent not just a result of the economic downturn, and that it of mine has had to go to our Trussell Trust because she is not happening just because the food banks are there. was a victim of domestic violence. She was separated, It is a result of the policies being actively pursed by the had nowhere to go and her husband was not prepared Government. The use of food banks will not drop until to fund anything. I pay tribute, as my hon. Friend has the Government realise that and do something to ensure been doing, to the trust. Hope for Belper and the Belper that those who have fallen on hard times are able to feed News, our local paper, have been supporting it to increase themselves, rather than having to rely on charity. the amount of food given by volunteers to the Trussell Trust in Belper and thus spread the amount of food it can give out to people requiring it. 6.24 pm John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): It is a privilege to contribute John Glen: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her to this debate, and a privilege and honour to represent intervention, which speaks for itself. On the deeper the headquarters of the Trussell Trust in Salisbury. The causes, it is not a question of isolating one particular trust’s food banks were established in my constituency change. I recognise that the Trussell Trust has acknowledged more than 15 years ago. This started in 2000, when the from the data it has collected that the benefit changes trust was working in Bulgaria, looking after 60 street have presented significant challenges. But what I find children who were sleeping at railway stations there. lacking in this debate is a serious estimation of what The founder of the charity received a call from a alternative measures could be put in place; all I have desperate mother in Salisbury who said, “My children heard is, “Remove the sanctions regime. Give more are going to be hungry tonight. What are you going to money.”Where is that money going to come from? How do about it?” That happened in 2000, and in 2004 two will the incentive effect— food banks were set up. The people of Salisbury support the trust’s food bank very generously all the year round. Jim Shannon rose— Yes, there are people in Salisbury, which has 1.6% unemployment, who use food banks. I want to pay Mr MacNeil rose— 847 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 848

John Glen: I will carry on. How will the incentive In my constituency, the Sparkhill food bank feeds effect of the benefit changes that the Government so hundreds of people every week. I want to share with the desperately want to bring in have a chance of success if House the comments of somebody who has used that we do not make those changes? Some of the benefit food bank. She is a young lady who lives in the Moseley changes have taken a long time to come through, and area of my constituency. She says: we need to let them take effect so that we can deliver the “This time last year I was working full time in a well-paid job deeper change that needs to occur. People are motivated but lost my job. I found temporary work that ended in February to go to the Trussell Trust and other food banks across this year. I also suffered bereavements and the breakdown of my the country for a whole number of reasons. They may long term relationship and ended up in receipt of benefits. I got find themselves in chaotic situations; they could be in into debt with all my utility bills and most of my JSA was used to debt and have no financial management skills to know pay npower and Severn Trent Water.” how to prioritise their spending. I am not saying that that is true in every case, but we must be honest about Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab): I have been told by the the breadth of the problems faced by the individuals food banks in Widnes and Runcorn in my constituency who use the food banks. We must come up with a that they are seeing an increasing number of people solution that addresses all the issues. We should not without gas or electricity, which means that the food tritely simplify the matter and say, “It is all about the they can supply is inappropriate. They are now having benefit changes and the Government must do something, to consider what type of food they provide. It is not a but by the way I will not specify what we would do as an matter of what is donated but of what people can use. alternative, how much it would cost and how we would pay for it and in what time scale.” Unless alternative Mr Godsiff: I agree exactly with what my hon. Friend policies are advanced, the things that some Members says. are saying ring very shallow for everyone involved in My constituent goes on to say: food banks. “At my lowest I was living off £5 per fortnight…I eventually It is regrettable that the relationship between the sought help and was referred to fantastic local charities who Trussell Trust and the DWP has broken down. I hope helped me deal with my debts and in turn referred me to Sparkhill that a dialogue can reopen and we can see some progress. Foodbank. I will never forget going to the foodbank, it was a I do not believe that any Member in this House is happy humbling experience and I spent 40 minutes crying as I was so ashamed but the workers at the foodbank were fantastic and put to see people in their constituency going hungry, but we me at ease whilst assuring me that my circumstances were not my should be honest and holistic in our view of what needs fault and in no way a reflection of me as a human being.” to be done to sort it out. She then says: “Luckily my circumstances are going to change for the better 6.31 pm very soon as I have recently found a job…but I will never forget Mr Roger Godsiff (Birmingham, Hall Green) (Lab): I the kindness of strangers who helped me fill my belly in England in 2013.” was one of the lucky generation who was brought up in a country with a social market economy that was run by The Government ought to be ashamed of presiding Governments—both Labour and Conservative—who over a situation in which such people must go through believed that the state had a duty to provide a safety net what that young lady, who is not feckless or a shirker, for their citizens and should not abandon them to the has had to experience. At the end of the day, lives will instabilities of unregulated markets. be scarred by the humiliation of forcing people into food banks—not just the lives of those individuals, but There was a post-war consensus of politicians, including the lives of their children, too. Whatever the Government many one nation Conservatives—I am talking about say, their MPs should be ashamed of that. people such as Macmillan, Butler and Macleod—who rejected what Prime Minister Ted Heath called the “unacceptable face of capitalism”. Images of mass 6.36 pm unemployment and soup kitchens—the repercussions of the 1929 stock market crash—were to be banished Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): It is a great pleasure for ever. I never believed for one moment that 50 years to speak in this debate on an important subject. I pay later, I would be a Member of this House, living in a tribute to my Stroud food bank, which is an excellent country with the seventh largest economy in the world, example of exactly what should be delivered for those and discussing why 41,000 people in the west midlands who are desperately in need. It is a fantastic organisation and countless others throughout the country are having that demonstrates precisely what we need to do. It is to rely on modern-day soup kitchens—food banks—to operating in difficult circumstances and has moved feed themselves and their families. from premises with a difficult landlord in London road to some elsewhere, with a new landlord. It will launch itself yet again as an exemplar of what is needed. Mr MacNeil: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to support his point. He is We need to ensure that people have the opportunity probably aware that the gap between the richest 1% in to have a fulfilled life, which comes through work and the United States of America and the rest of the country by contributing themselves. is now the largest since the 1920s, the very decade he mentioned. The incomes of the top 1% have gone up by Albert Owen: The hon. Gentleman represents a region 20%, while the incomes of the remaining 99% have gone that contains many rural areas. Will he join me in up by only 1%. Those tectonic plates are changing. paying tribute to the special work done by the independent trusts that help to run food banks? Food and fuel Mr Godsiff: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his poverty are a lot higher in rural areas, which makes comments, and I am aware of those facts. their job even more difficult. 849 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 850

Neil Carmichael: Absolutely. Fuel poverty is an issue, poverty today are in work, as my right hon. Friend the and I fully accept that, but I think the greatest issue is Member for Torfaen (Paul Murphy) and my hon. Friend the need for people to recognise that there are opportunities the Member for Aberdeen South (Dame Anne Begg) in the work force—opportunities to seek employment mentioned. and opportunities to fulfil their lives. That is where we need to go. Dr Whiteford: Is the hon. Lady aware that Citizens Advice Scotland published research earlier this week Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): Of course, suggesting that the main drivers for the increased use of finding a job should be the way out of poverty. Is that food banks relate to the benefits system, particularly not why it is so shocking that the majority of working-age the increasing use of sanctions and delays and administrative people living below the poverty line are now in working errors? households and that two thirds of all children living in poverty are living in working families? What should the Rachel Reeves: Sanctions, delays and the bedroom hon. Gentleman’s Government be doing about that? tax are all contributing to the increase in the number of people having to turn to food banks. Today we heard Neil Carmichael: The Government are ensuring that the powerful human stories behind the statistics. more people are in work and we have discovered today just how that policy is working. The opportunity we Stephen Doughty: I have compared the use of food must give all people, including young people, is the banks in my constituency in the festive period over the ability to engage in a working life. past two years. In Cardiff the number has doubled since last year, and Penarth has seen an eightfold increase. Is Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): My hon. not the real tragedy that this is also a Christmas crisis Friend is very generous in giving way. Is there not quite for food banks? a lot that we can do as MPs? My volunteer team works alongside the food bank volunteer team to ensure that Rachel Reeves: Yes, and although my hon. Friend food bank clients get all the help that is available to get refers to the festive period, for many it will not be festive them and their families out of poverty and to improve at all. their lives. A fortnight ago a young women with an 18-month-old daughter came to see me in my constituency. She had Neil Carmichael: My hon. Friend makes an excellent left her ex-husband to escape domestic violence but was point. It is about a holistic approach to helping people. worried sick because the benefits office had cut off her I recognise that certain individuals get into situations in benefits when her ex-husband falsely claimed to have which they need emergency help, and I am grateful to custody of her child. She has been waiting for weeks Stroud’s food bank for providing it, but I also think that without any support while it fails to rectify the mistake. it is important to ensure that they are pointed in the Without the food banks in my constituency, run by St right direction so that they make decisions that benefit George’s Crypt, St Bartholomew’s church in Armley them and their families overall, because that is what and the Trussell Trust, that women and her daughter matters to them. That is the key issue. would have gone without food. She has been badly let I will finish with this observation: it is critical that we down by this Government and by their delays and recognise the economic value of supporting people into sanctions. work. Lyn Brown: The food banks in my constituency, 6.40 pm which currently number at least six, tell me that people go without food for three months before turning up to Rachel Reeves (Leeds West) (Lab): Food banks have ask for help. Is that not an indictment of the Conservative become the shameful symbol of Britain under a Tory party? Government. They have turned us into a country in which, despite being one of the richest in the world, a Rachel Reeves: That is a really important point, but rapidly rising number of British people, many of them some Government Members and Ministers have suggested in work, are being forced to turn to charity to feed that people go to food banks because the food is free. themselves and their families. But this Government The welfare reform Minister, Lord Freud, says that have the affront—we heard it from the Minister—to say there is an almost infinite demand for that but, as my that all is well, when for most people things are getting hon. Friend points out, people have real pride and are harder, not easier. As my right hon. Friend the Member ashamed to go to food banks. As my hon. Friend the for Birkenhead (Mr Field) said, the Government just Member for Newport East (Jessica Morden) said, those will not admit that they are part of the problem. Ministers are sad stories and real lives. are sitting on the independent report that they commissioned, presumably because they are ashamed Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con): and embarrassed about what it tells them. First, I would like a Government inquiry into food The Trussell Trust states that one in three of those fed poverty. Secondly, can the hon. Lady tell me whether by food banks are children, as my hon. Friend the she believes that unmet need for emergency food relief Member for Leicester South (Jonathan Ashworth) noted. is currently increasing or decreasing? Many are disabled, including those hit by the cruel, callous and unworkable bedroom tax, which my hon. Rachel Reeves: The number of people going to food Friend the Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Stephen banks is increasing. The demand is there because they Twigg) spoke about. Many are in work but earning less are not getting the support they need from the welfare than the living wage. Indeed, the majority of people in state. The Red Cross, FoodCycle and the Trussell Trust 851 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 852 are all saying the same. It would be useful if the Government value of the adult national minimum wage is 50p an were to publish the report that they commissioned on hour less than it was when Labour was in office? Is this the growing use of food banks. low pay crisis not one of the key drivers of the explosion What is the Government’s response to this crisis? The in the use of food banks? Secretary of State for Work and Pensions—it is nice to see him here—said on the radio this morning: Rachel Reeves: I thank my hon. Friend for that “There has been a growth in food banks, as they grow people intervention. The national minimum wage was one of attend them.” the proudest achievements of the previous Labour In the world of the Secretary of State, the rise in food Government. It lifted millions of people out of poverty bank use to half a million people reflects an increase in pay, the majority of them women, and employment supply, even though people need to be referred to a food increased when Conservative Members said that bank—they cannot just turn up. The logic of this unemployment would increase as a result. We also Government is like blaming the number of house fires know today that the real value of the national minimum on the number of fire engines. I say shame on the wage has not kept pace with average earnings or with Secretary of State and shame on this Government. We the rising costs of energy, food prices and everything have to ask how many children will have to go hungry else, and so people who are in work are increasingly this Christmas before the Government take action—before having to turn to food banks to be able to make ends the Secretaries of State for Environment, Food and meet. Rural Affairs and for Work and Pensions acknowledge Although we welcome today’s unemployment numbers, that there is a problem and then finally do something we know that a record number of people are working about it. part time who want to work full time, and that for 41 of The charities, churches, community groups and the 42 months that this Prime Minister has been in volunteers who run the food banks show us Britain at office, prices have risen at a faster rate than earnings. its best—a country of generosity and solidarity, of one For all those reasons, my hon. Friend is right to point to nation where people pull together to do what they can the problems with the minimum wage, which has not for the least fortunate among us. We should, and we do, kept pace with the rising cost of living and is not even applaud them, as many hon. Members have said, being enforced. With more than 5 million people being particularly my hon. Friends the Members for Copeland paid less than a living wage, we know that we need to (Mr Reed) and for Newport East (Jessica Morden), redouble our efforts to ensure that more people can and, most recently, my hon. Friend the Member for support themselves and their families, rather than having Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr Godsiff), who spoke about to turn to food aid. the kindness of strangers. When the Prime Minister Seventy years ago, William Beveridge spoke of the promised us the big society, is this really what he had in five giants that he said a civilised country must overcome: mind—homelessness rising, a boom in payday lending, squalor, ignorance, want, idleness and disease. Under more and more lives scarred by long-term unemployment, this Tory-led Government, those giants are rearing their and half a million people relying on food banks to feed ugly heads again. We need a Labour Government to themselves and their families? slay them. It is downright Dickensian, a tale of two nations: tax cuts for the rich and food banks for the poor. As my 6.50 pm right hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Gorton (Sir Gerald Kaufman) said, as we in this Chamber look The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr Nick Hurd): forward to Christmas, we must spare a thought for The hon. Member for Newport East (Jessica Morden) those who are not going to have any sort of Christmas talked about sad stories from real lives and she was at all. right to do so. That is why the House is so packed—because of the concern of Members on both sides about what is Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): Does my going on. hon. Friend agree that it is a basic human right that A number of contributors have regretted the tone in people should have sufficient food that they do not need which the debate has been conducted and they have a to go hungry, and that in this country they should not point, so let me start, as the Minister for Civil Society, have to rely on charity? by joining the many colleagues on both sides of the House, but particularly my hon. Friends the Members Rachel Reeves: My hon. Friend makes an incredibly for Gloucester (Richard Graham) and for Halesowen important point. While we all applaud and thank the and Rowley Regis (James Morris), the hon. Members food banks, the volunteers and the people who donate for Brecon and Radnorshire (Roger Williams) and for food, that is not how our basic needs should be met. Liverpool, West Derby (Stephen Twigg), my hon. Friend The basic need for food should be met through wages the Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon), the hon. and a social safety net when it is needed. The basic need Member for Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr Godsiff) and for housing should be met by our wages or by a social my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Neil Carmichael), safety net when it is needed. The basic need to be able to who went out of their way to thank the people who set heat one’s home and turn on the lights should be met by up food banks and who volunteer at and donate to having a decent wage or a social safety net when it is them in their constituencies. needed. Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab): Will the Minister Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): Has give way? my hon. Friend seen, as I have, the study by the Children’s Society showing that under this Government the real Mr Hurd: I will not give way at the moment. 853 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 854

[Mr Hurd] Mr Hurd: I entirely agree, and I congratulate my hon. Friend on the tone he has set, which is at odds with the Frankly, there has been an enormously impressive tone used by those on the Labour Front Bench. human, civil society response to need. That need is not new and perhaps it has been under-recognised by Several hon. Members rose— Governments of all colours, but the response is entirely resonant with the very proud traditions of this country’s Mr Hurd: I am not going to give way because I want voluntary sector and churches. It is entirely right that to address this point and we are running out of time. we should start our response by congratulating them. Many Members who contributed to the debate complained Mr Adam Holloway (Gravesham) (Con): Some years about the tone, which was set by the Labour Front-Bench ago I spent five months living homeless in London among team, who came here to play the blame game, which the dispossessed and the mentally ill. [Interruption.] It turns the public off. They are in total denial about the was for a television programme; Opposition Members past and the actions of the last Government that should try it. Does the Minister agree that food banks precipitated the economic crisis that underpins the demand can be enormously helpful for people with very chaotic and the need. They came here almost pretending that lifestyles? there was some golden age before 2010 when the social system worked perfectly, the economy worked perfectly Mr Hurd: Food banks are enormously helpful. It was and the big state in all its glory was there to help not entirely clear from the debate whether the Labour everyone in need, which is absolute rubbish. party is for or against them, which is why I want to place on record the Government’s recognition of the Simon Danczuk: Does the Minister accept that scrapping enormously valuable work they do. the national social fund has made it more difficult for It was right that my hon. Friend the Member for people to get crisis loans, which has pushed people Salisbury (John Glen) had the opportunity to place on towards food banks? [Interruption.] record his admiration for the work of the Trussell Trust, which was founded in his constituency. My hon. Friend Mr Hurd: The social fund is being administered by the Member for Wycombe (Steve Baker) spoke very local authorities, which, as a councillor himself, the powerfully of his own family’s experience and mentioned hon. Gentleman well knows. [Interruption.] the community store. I pay tribute to FareShare, a national charity that feeds more than 51,000 every day Mr Speaker: Order. There are strong feelings on both through a unique and amazing partnership with the sides but the Minister must be heard. food industry, which has not been recognised in this debate. The strides made by Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda and other big retail partners and organisations such as Mr Hurd: I can assure the hon. Gentleman that not Nestlé and Gerber make what FareShare do possible, one penny was cut and the fund has been devolved to and they should be congratulated. local authorities, which is entirely the right thing to do. There was no acknowledgement of the past, however. I should also say that the Government are actively supporting these organisations. Sir Gerald Kaufman: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Several hon. Members rose— Hurd is exactly what he is.

Mr Speaker: Order. It is quite clear that the Minister Mr Speaker: That is not a point of order, but I am is not giving way at the moment. sure the right hon. Gentleman found it humorous. Mr Hurd: Support is being provided through the Cabinet Office. I am extremely proud that through our Mr Hurd: There was no acknowledgement of the past social action fund we have granted £1.7 million to and no real acknowledgement of some of the complexities Tearfund, which runs programmes in partnership with underlying this situation. The Labour Front-Bench team the Cinnamon Network that aim to tackle a variety of came here simply to make political capital and I think local issues such as food banks and food poverty. I am lost the respect of the House. It would have been nice to proud to say that 81 Trussell Trust-run food bank hear some acknowledgement from the Opposition Front franchises benefited from that funding. More funding is Benchers or Back Benchers of the improvement in the being made available and more franchises are applying economy and the fact that we now have more than for it. This Government are very proud to place on 30 million people in work—a record number—and of record our acknowledgement of and congratulations to the performance of this Government in a few years to food banks. We have an active programme to support get this economy back on track. them Sheila Gilmore: I thank the Minister for giving way. I Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): think he was somewhat churlish in not acknowledging Will the Minister join me in congratulating those who that many Opposition Members are also extremely recently helped set up a food bank in Beverley, those grateful to those who work in food banks. When I went who have run the Holderness food bank from Hornsea—the to my local church-run food bank, I found that the church groups and others—for the last two years, and people there were not political; the one thing they also the Real Aid children’s charity in Tickton outside wanted to tell me was how shocked they were that so Beverley which does so much to help those in crisis? many of the people coming to them were suffering from There will always be people in crisis; we need to make sanctions—and sanctions not as a last resort but as a sure we have in place the measures to support them. first resort. 855 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 856

Mr Hurd: I agree that these magnificent volunteers Doyle, Gemma Leslie, Chris are not political, and I therefore warn the Labour party Dromey, Jack Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma against politicising this issue, because that is the gravest Dugher, Michael Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn charge against it. I think it has forfeited any respect Durkan, Mark Love, Mr Andrew with regard to the sad stories in real life through the Eagle, Ms Angela Lucas, Caroline approach it took. We had a Labour Front-Bench spokesman Eagle, Maria Lucas, Ian Edwards, Jonathan MacNeil, Mr Angus Brendan came here to talk about a problem with absolutely no Efford, Clive Mactaggart, Fiona indication of a solution. We have had Labour Members Elliott, Julie Mahmood, Mr Khalid standing up to say the welfare system is the problem, Ellman, Mrs Louise Mahmood, Shabana and we have a shadow Front-Bench spokesperson who Engel, Natascha Malhotra, Seema is on record saying she will be tougher than the Tories Esterson, Bill Mann, John on welfare, so what does that actually mean for food Evans, Chris Marsden, Mr Gordon banks? Would there be more or fewer of them under her Farrelly, Paul McCabe, Steve leadership? We have no idea at all. Field, rh Mr Frank McCann, Mr Michael Fitzpatrick, Jim McCarthy, Kerry Stephen Mosley: Was my hon. Friend as disappointed Flello, Robert McClymont, Gregg as I was by the Opposition Front-Bench Member, who Flint, rh Caroline McDonagh, Siobhain in a 10-minute speech did not outline one policy that Flynn, Paul McDonald, Andy the Opposition would put in place to put this right? Fovargue, Yvonne McDonnell, John Francis, Dr Hywel McFadden, rh Mr Pat Gapes, Mike McGovern, Alison Mr Hurd: I would like to say that I was shocked by that, Gardiner, Barry McGovern, Jim but not any more. Gilmore, Sheila McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Glass, Pat McKechin, Ann Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central) (Lab) claimed Glindon, Mrs Mary McKenzie, Mr Iain to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36). Godsiff, Mr Roger McKinnell, Catherine Question put forthwith, That the Question be now Goggins, rh Paul Meacher, rh Mr Michael put. Goodman, Helen Meale, Sir Alan Greatrex, Tom Mearns, Ian Question agreed to. Green, Kate Miliband, rh Edward Main Question accordingly put. Greenwood, Lilian Miller, Andrew Griffith, Nia Moon, Mrs Madeleine The House divided: Ayes 251, Noes 294. Gwynne, Andrew Morden, Jessica Division No. 164] [6.59 pm Hamilton, Fabian Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Hanson, rh Mr David Morris, Grahame M. AYES Harman, rh Ms Harriet (Easington) Harris, Mr Tom Mudie, Mr George Abbott, Ms Diane Campbell, Mr Alan Havard, Mr Dai Munn, Meg Abrahams, Debbie Campbell, Mr Ronnie Healey, rh John Murphy, rh Mr Jim Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Caton, Martin Hendrick, Mark Murphy, rh Paul Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Champion, Sarah Hepburn, Mr Stephen Murray, Ian Alexander, Heidi Chapman, Jenny Heyes, David Nandy, Lisa Ali, Rushanara Clark, Katy Hillier, Meg Nash, Pamela Allen, Mr Graham Clarke, rh Mr Tom Hilling, Julie O’Donnell, Fiona Anderson, Mr David Clwyd, rh Ann Hodge, rh Margaret Onwurah, Chi Ashworth, Jonathan Coaker, Vernon Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Osborne, Sandra Austin, Ian Coffey, Ann Hoey, Kate Owen, Albert Bailey, Mr Adrian Connarty, Michael Hood, Mr Jim Pearce, Teresa Bain, Mr William Cooper, rh Yvette Hopkins, Kelvin Perkins, Toby Balls, rh Ed Corbyn, Jeremy Hosie, Stewart Phillipson, Bridget Banks, Gordon Crausby, Mr David Howarth, rh Mr George Pound, Stephen Barron, rh Mr Kevin Creagh, Mary Hunt, Tristram Powell, Lucy Bayley, Hugh Creasy, Stella Irranca-Davies, Huw Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Beckett, rh Margaret Cryer, John Jackson, Glenda Reed, Mr Jamie Begg, Dame Anne Cunningham, Alex Jamieson, Cathy Reed, Mr Steve Benn, rh Hilary Cunningham, Mr Jim Jarvis, Dan Reeves, Rachel Benton, Mr Joe Cunningham, Sir Tony Johnson, rh Alan Reynolds, Emma Berger, Luciana Curran, Margaret Johnson, Diana Reynolds, Jonathan Betts, Mr Clive Danczuk, Simon Jones, Graham Riordan, Mrs Linda Blackman-Woods, Roberta Darling, rh Mr Alistair Jones, Helen Ritchie, Ms Margaret Blears, rh Hazel David, Wayne Jones, Mr Kevan Robertson, John Blenkinsop, Tom Davidson, Mr Ian Jones, Susan Elan Rotheram, Steve Blomfield, Paul Davies, Geraint Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben De Piero, Gloria Jowell, rh Dame Tessa Roy, Mr Frank Brennan, Kevin Denham, rh Mr John Joyce, Eric Roy, Lindsay Brown, rh Mr Gordon Dobbin, Jim Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Ruane, Chris Brown, Lyn Dobson, rh Frank Keeley, Barbara Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Brown, Mr Russell Docherty, Thomas Kendall, Liz Sarwar, Anas Bryant, Chris Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Khan, rh Sadiq Sawford, Andy Buck, Ms Karen Doran, Mr Frank Lammy, rh Mr David Seabeck, Alison Burden, Richard Doughty, Stephen Lavery, Ian Shannon, Jim Burnham, rh Andy Dowd, Jim Lazarowicz, Mark Sharma, Mr Virendra 857 Food Banks18 DECEMBER 2013 Food Banks 858

Sheerman, Mr Barry Umunna, Mr Chuka Glen, John Loughton, Tim Sheridan, Jim Vaz, rh Keith Goldsmith, Zac Luff, Peter Shuker, Gavin Vaz, Valerie Goodwill, Mr Robert Lumley, Karen Skinner, Mr Dennis Walley, Joan Gove, rh Michael Macleod, Mary Slaughter, Mr Andy Watson, Mr Tom Graham, Richard Main, Mrs Anne Smith, rh Mr Andrew Watts, Mr Dave Gray, Mr James Maude, rh Mr Francis Smith, Angela Weir, Mr Mike Grayling, rh Chris May, rh Mrs Theresa Smith, Nick Whiteford, Dr Eilidh Green, rh Damian Maynard, Paul Smith, Owen Whitehead, Dr Alan Griffiths, Andrew McCartney, Jason Spellar, rh Mr John Williams, Hywel Gummer, Ben McCartney, Karl Straw, rh Mr Jack Williamson, Chris Gyimah, Mr Sam McIntosh, Miss Anne Stringer, Graham Wilson, Phil Hague, rh Mr William McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Stuart, Ms Gisela Winnick, Mr David Halfon, Robert McVey, Esther Tami, Mark Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Hames, Duncan Menzies, Mark Thomas, Mr Gareth Wishart, Pete Hammond, Stephen Metcalfe, Stephen Thornberry, Emily Wood, Mike Hancock, Matthew Mills, Nigel Timms, rh Stephen Wright, David Hancock, Mr Mike Mordaunt, Penny Trickett, Jon Wright, Mr Iain Hands, Greg Morgan, Nicky Turner, Karl Tellers for the Ayes: Harper, Mr Mark Morris, Anne Marie Twigg, Derek Mr David Hamilton and Harrington, Richard Morris, David Twigg, Stephen Nic Dakin Harris, Rebecca Morris, James Hart, Simon Mosley, Stephen Harvey, Sir Nick Mowat, David NOES Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Munt, Tessa Adams, Nigel Clark, rh Greg Hayes, rh Mr John Murray, Sheryll Afriyie, Adam Clarke, rh Mr Kenneth Heald, Oliver Murrison, Dr Andrew Aldous, Peter Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Heath, Mr David Neill, Robert Amess, Mr David Coffey, Dr Thérèse Heaton-Harris, Chris Newmark, Mr Brooks Andrew, Stuart Collins, Damian Hemming, John Newton, Sarah Bacon, Mr Richard Colvile, Oliver Henderson, Gordon Norman, Jesse Baker, Steve Cox, Mr Geoffrey Hendry, Charles Nuttall, Mr David Baldry, rh Sir Tony Crabb, Stephen Herbert, rh Nick O’Brien, rh Mr Stephen Baldwin, Harriett Crockart, Mike Hinds, Damian Offord, Dr Matthew Barker, rh Gregory Crouch, Tracey Hoban, Mr Mark Ollerenshaw, Eric Baron, Mr John Davies, David T. C. Hollingbery, George Opperman, Guy Barwell, Gavin (Monmouth) Hollobone, Mr Philip Ottaway, rh Richard Bebb, Guto Davies, Glyn Holloway, Mr Adam Paice, rh Sir James Beith, rh Sir Alan Davies, Philip Hopkins, Kris Parish, Neil Benyon, Richard Davis, rh Mr David Howell, John Patel, Priti Beresford, Sir Paul de Bois, Nick Hughes, rh Simon Paterson, rh Mr Owen Bingham, Andrew Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Pawsey, Mark Blackman, Bob Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Hurd, Mr Nick Penning, Mike Blackwood, Nicola Doyle-Price, Jackie Jackson, Mr Stewart Penrose, John Blunt, Mr Crispin Drax, Richard Javid, Sajid Percy, Andrew Bone, Mr Peter Duddridge, James Jenkin, Mr Bernard Perry, Claire Bradley, Karen Duncan, rh Mr Alan Johnson, Joseph Phillips, Stephen Brady, Mr Graham Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Jones, Andrew Pincher, Christopher Brake, rh Tom Dunne, Mr Philip Jones, rh Mr David Prisk, Mr Mark Bray, Angie Ellis, Michael Jones, Mr Marcus Pugh, John Brazier, Mr Julian Ellison, Jane Kelly, Chris Randall, rh Sir John Bridgen, Andrew Ellwood, Mr Tobias Kirby, Simon Reckless, Mark Brine, Steve Elphicke, Charlie Knight, rh Sir Greg Redwood, rh Mr John Brooke, Annette Eustice, George Kwarteng, Kwasi Rees-Mogg, Jacob Browne, Mr Jeremy Evans, Graham Lamb, Norman Reid, Mr Alan Bruce, Fiona Evans, Jonathan Lancaster, Mark Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Bruce, rh Sir Malcolm Evans, Mr Nigel Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Buckland, Mr Robert Evennett, Mr David Latham, Pauline Robertson, Mr Laurence Burley, Mr Aidan Fabricant, Michael Laws, rh Mr David Rogerson, Dan Burns, Conor Fallon, rh Michael Leadsom, Andrea Rosindell, Andrew Burns, rh Mr Simon Farron, Tim Lee, Jessica Rudd, Amber Burstow, rh Paul Featherstone, Lynne Lee, Dr Phillip Ruffley, Mr David Burt, Lorely Foster, rh Mr Don Leech, Mr John Russell, Sir Bob Byles, Dan Fox,rhDrLiam Lefroy, Jeremy Rutley, David Cable, rh Vince Freeman, George Leigh, Sir Edward Sanders, Mr Adrian Cairns, Alun Freer, Mike Leslie, Charlotte Sandys, Laura Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Fuller, Richard Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Scott, Mr Lee Carmichael, Neil Gale, Sir Roger Lewis, Brandon Selous, Andrew Carswell, Mr Douglas Garnier, Sir Edward Lewis, Dr Julian Shapps, rh Grant Cash, Mr William Garnier, Mark Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Sharma, Alok Chishti, Rehman George, Andrew Lidington, rh Mr David Simmonds, Mark Chope, Mr Christopher Gibb, Mr Nick Lloyd, Stephen Simpson, Mr Keith Clappison, Mr James Gilbert, Stephen Lord, Jonathan Skidmore, Chris 859 Food Banks 18 DECEMBER 2013 860

Smith, Chloe Vaizey, Mr Edward Waveney (Coastal Flooding) Smith, Henry Vara, Mr Shailesh Smith, Julian Vickers, Martin Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House Soames, rh Nicholas Walker, Mr Robin do now adjourn.—(John Penrose.) Soubry, Anna Wallace, Mr Ben Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Walter, Mr Robert Spencer, Mr Mark Ward, Mr David 7.11 pm Stanley, rh Sir John Watkinson, Dame Angela Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con): I am pleased to have Stephenson, Andrew Weatherley, Mike secured this debate as I believe that the coastal flooding Stevenson, John Webb, Steve that took place on 5 December should be considered on Stewart, Bob Wharton, James the Floor of the House. The storm surge has had a Stewart, Iain Wheeler, Heather devastating impact on many coastal communities, and Stewart, Rory White, Chris there is a strong sense in those communities that Parliament Stride, Mel Whittingdale, Mr John has not properly considered what was a narrowly averted Stuart, Mr Graham Wiggin, Bill Stunell, rh Sir Andrew Willetts, rh Mr David national crisis. Many have seen their homes destroyed, Sturdy, Julian Williams, Mr Mark while other homes have been seriously damaged and Swales, Ian Williams, Roger people will not be able to return home for many months. Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Williams, Stephen People have lost possessions that were built up over a Swinson, Jo Williamson, Gavin lifetime, and many small businesses—some of which Swire, rh Mr Hugo Wilson, Mr Rob had difficulty securing full insurance cover—have been Syms, Mr Robert Wright, Jeremy seriously hit. Thornton, Mike Wright, Simon On small business Saturday when MPs were out Thurso, John Yeo, Mr Tim promoting small businesses, many firms in coastal Tomlinson, Justin Young, rh Sir George communities were busy trying to salvage what was left Tredinnick, David Zahawi, Nadhim Truss, Elizabeth of their livelihoods. Many of those communities face Turner, Mr Andrew Tellers for the Noes: significant economic challenges, and I am concerned Tyrie, Mr Andrew Anne Milton and that such events might make it more difficult to attract Uppal, Paul Mark Hunter the inward investment needed to create new jobs. Although Waveney and Lowestoft are the focus of Question accordingly negatived. my remarks, I am aware that these events affected many communities along the North sea coast and that colleagues will have their own specific concerns, some of which I hope I shall be able to address on their behalf. I am conscious that my colleagues, the Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for Great Yarmouth (Brandon Lewis) and the Minister of State, Department of Health, my hon. Friend the Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb), have been particularly active in support of communities affected in their constituencies, but they are unable to participate in this debate due to their ministerial responsibilities. Although no one lost their life as a result of the flooding, my constituent Robert Dellow died in the course of his work as a lorry driver as a result of the high winds. I offer my condolences to his family, friends and work colleagues. Although geographically small areas in Lowestoft and Oulton Broad were affected, the impact has been dramatic. Levington Court is a complex that provides housing and care for vulnerable older people. The residents of the 19 flats on the ground floor have been evacuated, their possessions have been destroyed and they will not be able to return to their homes for some months. The Fyffe Centre provides accommodation for the homeless. Twenty-seven people have been flooded out. It will take some months to refurbish and repair the building before they can return. Other residential areas, including St John’s road and Marine parade, have been hard-hit. Many of the homes are in the rental sector, and people have seen all their possessions destroyed. Businesses have been hard-hit, including Lings car showroom, the East Coast cinema, Britain’s most easterly cinema, and Buyaparcel. The traders in Bevan Street East, which runs parallel to the street where my office is located, were dealt a particularly savage blow. 861 Waveney (Coastal Flooding)18 DECEMBER 2013 Waveney (Coastal Flooding) 862

[Peter Aldous] Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing the debate and on putting Infrastructure was damaged. The A12 from Ipswich the case for his constituency. Barrow Haven, a village in was closed for 36 hours, and both train lines—to Norwich my constituency, was badly hit. The residents are grateful and Ipswich—were out of action. A full service on the to North Lincolnshire council for the work it is doing. latter has resumed only today. There was structural The council is somewhat reassured about reclaiming damage to coastal defences, and infrastructure at the money through the Bellwin formula and so on, but a lot port of Lowestoft was damaged. The doctor’s surgery of the work is dependent on the Environment Agency. at Marine parade has had to move and will probably Does my hon. Friend agree that we would like assurance not return from its new location. from the Minister that additional funding, if necessary, To the south, at Kessingland, the flood defences will be available to the agency? around the Anglian Water pumping station that serves the community have been badly eroded. There is an Peter Aldous: I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. urgent need to produce a new flood defence scheme. It is important that additional funding goes to local Until two weeks ago, it was envisaged that that would authorities for the costs they incur—I will come on to not be necessary for some years. talk about the Bellwin formula—and to the Environment The scene is a sad one, but good things come out of Agency, for capital works. I pay tribute to the EA, in adversity. It is important to point out that, owing to the particular, for the advance warning it gave leading up to investment in flood defences in the past few years and this tragedy. the way in which coastal flooding is managed, many It is important that the Government review the policies properties were protected that otherwise would have and strategies they have in place to deal with such been flooded. The various statutory authorities, including events. Concerns have been expressed to me that they the Environment Agency, the Met Office, the police and were not devised with serious coastal flooding in mind. fire services, the Flood Forecasting Centre, Suffolk county The Pitt review, which was set up by the previous council and Waveney district council, were prepared for Government after the storms that occurred in autumn the event. 2007, appears to have some deficiencies in that it does Flood warnings were issued in good time, the evacuation not address coastal flooding and erosion properly. Its generally went smoothly and rest centres were open recognition of the need to protect the economy is too several hours before high tide. During the evening and limited. Similar criticisms can be made of the new flood the night, they and voluntary organisations such as and coastal erosion risk management plan that was St John Ambulance and the churches rose to the challenge, introduced in 2011. It, too, places insufficient weight on co-ordinated their efforts and worked around the clock the need to protect the economy or recognise fully the to support and assist people. Many gave their time differences between inland flooding, which is temporary, voluntarily without being asked to do so. Special thanks and coastal flooding and erosion, which can be terminal are due to them. Thanks should also go to Radio for affected properties and assets. Suffolk and Radio Norfolk, which ensured that vital I would be grateful if the Minister could advise on information went out throughout the night. whether the Government have reviewed or plan to The clear-up work began the next day and will take review Flood Re, the flood insurance scheme, which is several months to complete. Community champions being taken forward at present. Does it fully take into are emerging. People are giving their time, money, account, and provide for, the events that took place on goods and services free of charge to those who have 5 December? If not, will the Government make been hard-hit. Malcolm Gibbs, a self-employed painter amendments so that it does? and decorator, is working for free redecorating The Bellwin scheme is the main vehicle through which properties; Danielle Bailey has launched a Facebook the Government will deliver financial support to local appeal for clothes, carpets, furniture and other goods; communities by reimbursing local authorities for immediate and customers of the Oddfellows pub have cleared up costs incurred in the storm surge. Based on the feedback Pakefield beach. I have received there is a concern that the scheme, which It is appropriate to thank the Eastern Daily Press, its was originally established in 1983, is no longer fit for editor, Nigel Pickover, its staff and its readers for setting purpose. I would be interested to learn what feedback up and giving so generously to the Norfolk and Lowestoft the Government have had in that regard, but I will draw flood appeal, which has raised more than £100,000. The various conclusions to the Minister’s attention. House goes in to recess tomorrow. I wish you, Mr Deputy As a result of recent changes in the localisation of Speaker, and all colleagues a happy and restful Christmas, business rates, any rate relief granted by councils to but we must not forget that many people, not only in affected businesses will in part be met by them rather Lowestoft but all along the east coast, will not be as than entirely by the Government, as was the case in the fortunate as ourselves. past. The scheme is too time-limited and restrictive. It In the Secretary of State’s written ministerial statement does not cover the costs incurred in repairing sea defences of 10 December, he stated: that have been weakened by the event, and is not “In the next few days, the Government will be discussing with generally supportive of capital expenditure, which is every local authority area affected by the flooding what further necessary to repair sea defences. In Waveney, that is help they need to ensure places can quickly get back on their estimated at £120,000, while I am advised that in North feet.”—[Official Report, 10 December 2013; Vol. 572, c. 26WS.] Norfolk it could be £1 million. I would welcome an update from the Minister on how those discussions have gone and what further help is Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): My hon. being provided. I would also welcome an assurance that Friend is my neighbour and we share Waveney district all clean-up costs will be recovered. council. We were both astounded by the level of the 863 Waveney (Coastal Flooding)18 DECEMBER 2013 Waveney (Coastal Flooding) 864 surge and I agree that we need extra capital funding. out by Halcrow and Bam Nuttall concludes that a My understanding is that in Southwold alone an extra 1953-type flood, which was previously considered to be £2 million is needed. I join my hon. Friend in praising a one-in-1,000-year event, could well now take place the Environment Agency—in particular, Dr Charlie every 20 years. There is thus a need for new and improved Beardall and his team—and the councils for ensuring sea defences, and it is important that these be put in that people were aware in advance and could prepare as place as soon as practicable. much as possible. They definitely need the resources to Preparatory work on a Lowestoft flood defence scheme fix the problem again. is nearing completion. It should be submitted to the Government shortly, and I hope it will receive favourable Peter Aldous: I am grateful to my hon. Friend and consideration. It is important to the town’s future that neighbour for that intervention, with which I agree work on the scheme starts as soon as practicable. There wholeheartedly. is the opportunity to attract considerable investment A further problem with the Bellwin scheme is that the into the town, particularly in the oil and gas and offshore two-month limitation that applies to expenditure means renewables sectors, and the inclusion of this part of that extensive capital works are excluded if they cannot Lowestoft in the draft assisted area map will help in this be completed in that time scale, which in the current respect. However, businesses will think very carefully circumstances could be very difficult to achieve. The before making such commitments unless adequate flood costs of employing additional temporary staff or defences are in place. contractors are also not covered. I have raised a number of issues, but I return to the In light of those and other concerns, there is a worry most important, which is obtaining an assurance from that Bellwin on its own will not be able to achieve the the Minister that the Government are doing all they can Secretary of State’s objective of getting places back on to ensure that local communities affected by the storm their feet quickly. In the short term, there is a need for surge get back on their feet as quickly as possible. In communities to look at a variety of measures that what is the season of good will, we owe it to those many manage flood risk. They include the provision of flood people whose lives have been turned upside down this boards and valves in air bricks and in WCs, and liaison Christmas to provide an undertaking that they will not with the insurance industry to ensure that, where such be forgotten. protection measures are in place, it provides cover on On that note, Mr Deputy Speaker, happy Christmas realistic terms. It is also necessary to plan for the future. to you, to the staff of the House and to all colleagues on I believe that owing to rises in sea levels such events will both sides of the House. I look forward to the Minister’s occur with increased frequency, and I am conscious that reply. in Lowestoft there have now been two such events in the past six years. 7.28 pm TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforEnvironment, Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): I concur with Food and Rural Affairs (Dan Rogerson): Thank you, a lot of what my hon. Friend has said, and I congratulate Mr Deputy Speaker, for calling me to respond to this him on securing the debate. As the Minister knows from important debate. I congratulate the hon. Member for our debates on the Water Bill last week, hundreds of Waveney (Peter Aldous) not only on securing it, but on properties and many villages in my constituency were how he opened it and the measured way in which he raised flooded. My hon. Friend has talked about the future. issues that are important to his constituents and others Does he agree that we urgently need a review and across the country who either were affected by the surge reassessment of all our flood strategy management or, as he pointed out, escaped being affected this time plans, including the Humber flood risk management but are concerned that we prepare for future events. strategy plan, so that we can bring forward the works already identified in such plans as necessary to deal The coastal surge that struck the eastern coast of with rising sea levels? We need that to happen quickly England on the night of 5 and 6 December was a and we need the funding in place to support whatever significant flood event. It was the largest surge since works are necessary. 1953, and in several places the water height exceeded that experienced 60 years ago. It caused flooding to about 1,400 properties and some damage to infrastructure. Peter Aldous: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that I know all our thoughts are with those affected and intervention, and I agree wholeheartedly that we need whose homes and businesses were damaged during these to address this issue as soon as practicable. One will powerful storms. However, through investment by lead on from the other. Government, and improvements to the way we manage We have had two such storm surges in the past six this type of flooding, we were able to protect up to years, and arguably in both 2007 and 2013 we escaped 800,000 properties countrywide that might otherwise by the skin of our teeth. In 2007, the wind dropped in have been flooded. the nick of time, while two weeks ago, we were fortunate As my hon. Friend the Member for Waveney pointed that the wind was blowing in a northerly direction and out, there was a multi-agency response to this event, that there was no heavy rainfall, which would have with all relevant authorities pulling together to protect exacerbated the surge up the rivers. It would be foolish people and their property. I am grateful for the excellent to assume that we will be lucky a third time. response from our front-line emergency services, including The challenges of rising sea levels and climate change the police, the fire services, the Environment Agency mean that such events will take place with greater and, of course, local authorities, as well as all the frequency. It is important to remember that sea levels volunteers who assisted. They all worked tirelessly to along the Suffolk coast have been rising by 2.4 mm per respond to the surge, both as it happened as well as in annum since the 1950s. In Lowestoft, research carried the ensuing recovery effort. 865 Waveney (Coastal Flooding)18 DECEMBER 2013 Waveney (Coastal Flooding) 866

Mr Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (Con): In Essex, we House that the Government, in this and all their policies, all acknowledge how well Tendring district council and take full account of the potential impact of climate Essex police did—they did a fantastic job in organising change on our flood defence strategy. the evacuation of Brooklands and Jaywick. Thousands Let me refer to a number of important local aspects of people were moved; it is to the great credit of people that my hon. Friend has raised. Our thoughts are, of in Jaywick and Brooklands that thousands of people course, with the family and friends of Mr Robert Dellow, were moved with such minimum fuss. Does my hon. who tragically lost his life as a result of the high winds. I Friend accept that absolutely key to the whole process pay tribute, too, to Malcolm Gibbs, Danielle Bailey was the fact that the Environment Agency put the and, indeed, the customers of the Oddfellows pub and information out in the public domain early? By mid- the Eastern Daily Press for all they did to help the afternoon, it was available through mainstream media community recover. and, in particular, social media, which allowed people to take responsibility and act responsibly. Often, they As for the local impact, the latest Environment Agency did not need the authorities to do things for them estimate suggests that 87 properties were flooded in the because they were able to make arrangements themselves. low-lying centre of the commercial heart of Lowestoft. That shows a key way to move large numbers of people The area of Oulton broad, which lies at the western end quickly and safely in future. of Lake Lothing in Lowestoft, also suffered a second inundation by flooding from the River Waveney, some two hours after the initial tidal surge. The road crossings Dan Rogerson: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for at the bascule bridge and Mutford lock crossing were that intervention. I visited his constituency on the both closed, effectively cutting Lowestoft in half. Flooding Sunday after the events, as he knows, and I was very also resulted in the closure of the A12 at Blythburgh. impressed with the feedback I received from local Rail services between Lowestoft and Norwich and between residents about how the evacuation had proceeded and Lowestoft and Ipswich were disrupted as a result of how reassuring it was for them, with everything well flooding at Lowestoft Central station and damage to handled. I spent some time with Dr Charlie Beardall, the signalling network. The Lowestoft to Ipswich line whom my hon. Friend the Member for Waveney mentioned, remained closed some 11 days after the tidal surge. and with officials from Tendring council, who talked about not only the response to the events, but how they Further south in the constituency, there was limited were engaging with our programme for partnership flooding at a number of locations in the Blyth estuary. funding to ensure that further defences in that part of Recent defences protected the vast majority of properties the coast can be brought forward. I shall say more in Southwold. It was confirmed that seven commercial about that. and three residential properties had been flooded in Southwold and the surrounding marshes, while As well as the agencies I have mentioned, I would like 133 properties in the town had been protected from to praise the work of the Flood Forecasting Centre, run flooding. My thoughts go out to all who have been by the Met Office and the Environment Agency. More affected by the floods: it is especially difficult for them than 160,000 homes and businesses received a flood in the run-up to the season that we are about to celebrate. warning, as my hon. Friend illustrated from his own The internationally important designated coastal habitats constituency, and they received advice in advance to between Lowestoft and Southwold were all subject to enable them to put the flood plans into action. breaching of the fragile sand and shingle barriers that Nationally, the Environment Agency issued 71 severe offer them limited protection, but the Environment flood warnings, five of which were for the Waveney Agency has inspected the sites and expects the barriers district. Emergency service partners were aware of the to repair themselves naturally over the next few tides. event 36 hours in advance of the tide, and strategic goal The principal coast protection authority in the Lowestoft controls were established in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex area is Waveney district council, while other defences on Wednesday 4 December. Those remained in place are maintained by Associated British Ports, the harbour throughout the event. The combination of accurate authority. The Environment Agency has worked closely forecasting and extensive planning and preparation allowed with the council’s engineering staff throughout the event us to co-ordinate the response to ensure the focus was and its aftermath. The damage to defences has been on protecting communities at risk and the key infrastructure assessed and appears to be relatively minor except on that supports them. Lowestoft south beach, where more detailed engineering The extremely severe conditions were caused by a assessments are still taking place. Separately, Suffolk rare combination of factors: very low atmospheric pressure county council has been preparing a flood alleviation over the North sea, causing the sea level to rise, which, scheme for sections of the A12 that were flooded at combined with the high astronomic tides and gale force Blythburgh. The scheme is expected to become operational winds, resulted in a tidal surge of unprecedented sea in 2014. There are 550 properties that lie outside Lowestoft levels on some parts of the coast. The extreme conditions in the Waveney valley. The Environment Agency has put sea defences to their greatest test in 60 years, with spent approximately £12 million on strengthening flood record tidal surge levels experienced at many locations defences along the valley over the past 10 years under along the entire length of the east coast. In Lowestoft, the Broadland flood alleviation project. the record high tide, or the recorded high tide, was the During the event itself, a number of people were same as in 1953, and over half a metre higher than the temporarily re-homed, and advice has been offered to more recent surge of November 2007. businesses and householders. A multi-agency information With the changing climate, there is more of a risk of centre has been established in the worst-affected area. extreme weather events. According to the climate change The district council has removed damaged goods and risk assessment, the probability of coastal flooding is possessions free of charge, and has granted rate and projected to increase as the climate changes. I assure the council tax relief to affected properties. The multi-agency 867 Waveney (Coastal Flooding)18 DECEMBER 2013 Waveney (Coastal Flooding) 868 response to the surge is now focusing on recovery, and efforts that the impacts, although, as we have heard, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local devastating for those directly affected, are on a much Government has set up a Bellwin scheme to reimburse smaller scale than those of the comparable coastal local authorities for their immediate costs caused by the flooding event in 1953. However, there are always lessons storm surge. My hon. Friend asked about the configuration to be learnt from our response to events such as this. I of the scheme. As he will appreciate, such matters are assure the House that the Government will review their for the Department for Communities and Local approach, and that we will improve our planning and Government, but his comments are on the record, and I preparedness accordingly. shall ensure that they are conveyed to those at the Flood management is a top priority for the Government. Department so that they can respond to him. It has a vital role to play in protecting people and The Government have begun the process of discussing property from the damage caused by flooding and in with all local authority areas affected by the flooding delivering economic growth and supporting a strong what further help they need to ensure that they can get economy. I was particularly impressed, when I visited back on their feet quickly, and we stand ready to assist Clacton, to hear about its plans to use the flood defences where we can do so. Waveney district council has already to restore the sandy beach, which should also have notified the Department for Communities and Local economic benefits. There is a clear case for investing in Government that it has in mind a potential claim under flood defences not only because of the economic risks the Bellwin scheme. attached to flooding but because of what they can bring to the local economy. That is an excellent project. I Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): Can the Minister know that the situation in Lowestoft is being considered, reassure Waveney district council, North Lincolnshire as my hon. Friend the Member for Waveney has outlined, council and other councils that they will not be out of and I look forward to hearing about the proposals for pocket as a result of having supported their communities its flood defences. Commitments have been made by following this natural disaster? local partners to invest in them, and that will no doubt make the case for investment in the scheme even better. Dan Rogerson: As has been made clear, measures in the Bellwin formula enable the Government to reimburse Dr Thérèse Coffey: I thank the Minister for his response councils. As one who represents an area that has been so far. Will he also lobby the Department for Communities flooded, I have seen how the system operates. For and Local Government on the use of the coastal example, there are always different implications for communities fund, which exists to promote jobs and two-tier and single-tier local government areas. The growth, to see whether funds could be made available to Department for Communities and Local Government improve flood defences, which could protect existing takes those issues very seriously in its interaction with jobs as well? councils, and it will be discussing with councils what is necessary in this instance. Dan Rogerson: My hon. Friend makes a good point Local resilience forums and the various front-line about the pots of money that are available for local responders all along the east coast have been planning communities. Sometimes a case can be made for linking and preparing for an event such as this for some time. A them to various projects. I have learned about a case in prime example is the east coast flood framework document the past week for investment in economic growth to be that was published in January this year, which sets out joined with work on flood prevention. It is an excellent local response arrangements. It was prepared by a wide example— range of local authorities and other front-line responders, including those in the Waveney constituency, working 7.41 pm with central Government to ensure alignment with wider House adjourned without Question put (Standing Order national resilience planning. It is testimony to their No. 9(7)).

219WH 18 DECEMBER 2013 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 220WH

unfortunately happens to be in a state of disrepair. The Westminster Hall heating is not working properly and there was an issue with the water supply in the first few days. Again, it is Wednesday 18 December 2013 not a particularly clean environment, and she of course does not have the means to do it up and make it a comfortable, warm, secure place for her daughters. She [MR CHRISTOPHER CHOPE in the Chair] is still waiting to be placed in what she hopes will be permanent accommodation and a decent home for herself Homelessness and Rough Sleeping and her daughters. Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting As she was talking to me, she expressed how utterly be now adjourned.—(Claire Perry.) terrified she was when looking ahead to Christmas and how the lack of security she felt from the lack of a 9.30 am permanent roof over her and her daughters’ heads was a ball of tension sitting in the pit of stomach that Shabana Mahmood (Birmingham, Ladywood) (Lab): affected her from morning until night. Every minute of It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, every hour of every day, that is all she could think Mr Chope. I am grateful for the opportunity to hold a about. She feels that she has let her daughters down and debate on a matter that is a growing concern in my that she might have been better off had she not left her constituency and that now accounts for an increasing former partner, because the temporary terror of the proportion of my constituency case load. As Members occasional rage was better in her view than the permanent look ahead to the Christmas break, this debate is a terror that she now lives in. stark reminder that for a growing number of people in I was moved by her story. The last thing that she said our country Christmas and the new year will not be a to me was that she and her daughters were alive, but time to enjoy celebrations with their family and friends they were not really living. That was a really powerful in the comfort and security of their own home. example of how just having a roof over one’s head can I was going to set the debate in context by looking at be the difference between being alive and actually living. some figures, which are obviously worrying and stark, It would mean her having a decent quality of life and a but behind every homeless statistic is a story, so I decent future that she could look forward to with her thought that I would instead start with the story of one daughters. Despite my best efforts to help her, the lack of my constituents, whom I met at my advice surgery of housing in the city and the waiting list are real only a couple of weeks ago. She did not want me to give problems, meaning that there is a limit on what I can do her name or anything that might give her away, which I to assist her and her daughters. will respect, but she came to my surgery with her two Although that case was tragic, moving and upsetting daughters, one of whom is 15 years old and the other is for me to hear, it is not unique. In 2012-13, nearly five or six years old. Some months ago, she had left an 6,500 households approached Birmingham city council abusive relationship with a partner who was prone to due to homelessness, which is an increase of 30% over fits of rage and had been occasionally violent. She three years. Some 4,000 were accepted as statutorily eventually found enough courage to decide to leave homeless, which is an increase of 17% over three years. that relationship, but her journey into homelessness then began. She and her daughters unfortunately Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab): Does found themselves in temporary bed-and-breakfast hon. Friend for acknowledge that this is a problem not accommodation, which was not fit for purpose, for only for our big cities? In North Shields in my constituency, much longer than the six-week limit. The media often Nite Bite, a once-a-week food provision for homeless talk of councils spending money on Premier Inns and people, has been running for several years. That just hotels, but the bed and breakfast that this woman and shows the extent of the problem. her two daughters were in was frankly disgusting. It was mice-infested. There was grime everywhere. I was struck Shabana Mahmood: My hon. Friend is absolutely by the fact that her two daughters’ only request was for right that the problem is national. I am an MP for the somewhere clean to live. country’s second city—despite what my Mancunian colleagues might think—which has the largest local Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): I thank authority in Europe, so the pressures in Birmingham my hon. Friend for giving way and for securing this are stark, but homelessness presents itself across the debate. More and more people are now using food country in different ways. banks and does she agree that people are being driven Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab):My hon. to use them because of the bedroom tax and the rise in Friend is already making a powerful case. Does she the cost of living? Previously, food banks were set up share my concern that local authorities, in particular essentially for asylum seekers waiting for benefits, but those facing the highest levels of need—I am sure that ordinary members of the public, particularly in Coventry, Birmingham is similar to Nottingham in that regard—are are now becoming refugees from this Government and actually facing disproportionate Government cuts? their policies. Homelessness prevention services and other discretionary services are increasingly being cut to meet those demands. Shabana Mahmood: My hon. Friend makes an important Is she as worried as me that that will actually lead to an point and I will come on to the issue that he raises later increase in those seeking help with homelessness? in my speech. My constituent and her two daughters were eventually Shabana Mahmood: My hon. Friend is absolutely moved from the awful bed-and-breakfast accommodation right. I will come on to some of the issues she raises temporarily into a small, one-bedroom flat, which again later in my speech and I will use the example of SIFA 221WH Homelessness and Rough Sleeping18 DECEMBER 2013 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 222WH

[Shabana Mahmood] and young people, children in particular, from always being desperate to move and never being able to put Fireside, a charity in my constituency, to illustrate the down roots causes those young people lasting harm, pressures that homelessness services are under. Where which will present itself in different ways in the future, are people supposed to go when services are being cut? I whether in educational outcomes or in their level of hope that the Minister may be able to provide some confidence. Those are deep problems. guidance on what I can say to my constituents when Homelessness is an isolating and deskilling experience they ask me, because I simply do not have any answers for the people affected. It affects their health and well-being for them. in a significant and often lasting and damaging way. It In 2012-13, 922 households in Birmingham were in affects the educational outcomes of the children who temporary accommodation, which is up 32% on the find themselves homeless alongside their families. In previous year, and 115 of them were in bed-and-breakfast addition, as my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham accommodation. Just like my constituent, households South (Lilian Greenwood) said, the organisations that have often found themselves in bed-and-breakfast are there to help when people find themselves homeless accommodation that is not fit for purpose. When I was are also under acute pressure. first elected in 2010, the majority of homelessness-related If we look at Birmingham city council first and cases that came to me involved people who could be foremost, it is facing some of the largest cuts in local described as vulnerable, such as women escaping domestic government history. Over the next few months, the violence, people with mental health problems and people council will have to make difficult choices that will with drug or drink issues. I had several cases of people permanently change the social fabric of the wonderful who had left the care system without adequate support city of Birmingham. There are a number of pressures, and had found themselves homeless. There were also but housing supply is key, and the waiting list for people people who had come out of prison and who may have who want to transfer to other council housing is large. been in and out of prison over many years. A chunk of my casework involved people with unregularised status Mr Jim Cunningham: Does my hon. Friend agree that in this country, such as the people living in a twilight one of the problems is that sufficient social housing is world while waiting for a decision on their asylum case not being built, which puts pressure on private landlords from the UK Border Agency, as was, or the Home to put up rents, because of the laws of supply and Office. Such people had no recourse to public funds and demand? Is it not time that the Government got some were homeless as a result. sort of social housing programme under way? Now, however, although those groups remain well Shabana Mahmood: My hon. Friend makes a powerful represented in my homelessness case load, I am seeing point, and I absolutely agree. The lack of housing an increase in the number of people—families, in supply is the key problem, including in Birmingham. particular—who have been made homeless as a result of We are simply not building enough homes of all their private sector tenancy coming to an end and their descriptions, and social and affordable housing has being unable to find or afford anywhere else to live. certainly not kept pace with demand. Some months ago, for example, I met a couple who had a business a few years ago, but it had run into trouble as That major issue has been compounded by the a result of the recession. They had lost it and could not introduction and imposition of the bedroom tax. In keep up the payments on their home, so they lost their Birmingham, a little more than 5,000 city council tenants home as well. They managed to get other jobs, earning are affected. As of yesterday, a little more than 2,000 or much less than before, but a job is a job. They are so of them were in arrears as a result of the bedroom working hard and were renting in the private rented tax, while the city had only five bedsits and 54 one-bedroom sector, but the rent went up and they could not afford flats available for some of them to move into—that is the increase, so they found themselves homeless. They not only from the city register, but includes the properties were struggling to find anywhere else to live that they available from the registered providers as well. could afford on their budget. Those numbers speak for themselves. The question that I have, which I cannot answer—perhaps the Minister I am seeing many more cases of that nature. The end can—is about where those people affected are supposed of a private sector tenancy now accounts for 22% of all to downsize to once the five bedsits, the 54 one-bed flats homelessness acceptances nationally, a rate that I fear is and the tiny number of other suitable properties have likely to increase further and, in my constituency, the gone. How will Birmingham as a city cope if the 2,000 biggest rate of increase that I am seeing in my own case or so in rent arrears as a result of the bedroom tax find load. The two main, connected reasons are that the cost themselves homeless? The city simply does not have the of renting is going up—since 2010, it has increased by resources to meet that level of need or the surge in more than twice as much as wages—and house building demand that will come as a result of those people being is at its lowest peacetime level since the 1920s. The homeless. failure to deal with housing supply is not only causing a huge strain now, but storing deep problems for us as a Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): I society for the future. want to make one point—one genuinely non-partisan To go back to the case of my constituent, let us think point. Given the problem that the hon. Lady is talking about the effect on her two daughters. Even when I met about—the lack of housing in her constituency—is it them in my surgery, they were quite down and displaying not the case that there is some logic to the end of the a nervous disposition; their mum told me how their spare room subsidy, so as to enable families that are performance at school had dipped; and they were upset. homeless or in hopelessly overcrowded conditions to be As I mentioned earlier, I was struck by how their only able to move into accommodation that meets their ask was somewhere clean to live. The pressure on families needs? Obviously, it is an issue for those who have spare 223WH Homelessness and Rough Sleeping18 DECEMBER 2013 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 224WH bedrooms—whether one, two, three or in some cases charity based in my constituency that works with the four—but can she see that there is logic in enabling homeless. Its representatives visited me and my hon. those people who are homeless, with many children and Friend the shadow Minister in Parliament a couple of nowhere to go, to move into those flats, or does she not weeks ago. They brought a group of homeless people accept that at all? from across Birmingham and the west Midlands, so that they could speak to parliamentarians about the Shabana Mahmood: The hon. Lady’s starting point problems they face. It provides practical support to would be logical were there somewhere for those people homeless people, including daily drop-in sessions, a to move into. The reason why I cited the Birmingham resettlement service, a specialist alcohol support service figures of five bedsits and 54 one-bed flats is that, as of and an employment and training programme. yesterday, that is what is available in my city—the second largest city in this country and the largest local In 2012-13, SIFA Fireside provided just over authority in Europe—for waiting lists that number in 35,000 meals, 500 food parcels and 3,700 showers. We the many tens of thousands. The problem is stark. Were are talking about real basics: food, somewhere to have a there many hundreds or thousands of properties for wash and somebody to help people make some phone people to downsize into, allowing homeless larger families calls to try to get their lives back on track—the charity to move into the larger properties, her position would made just over 4,000 phone calls on behalf of people be logical. I am afraid, however, that that is simply not who are homeless to help them sort out somewhere else the case in the area that I represent or in many instances to move on to and ultimately, they hope, somewhere up and down the country. permanent to live. But rising prices are causing a cost of living crisis for families up and down the country, and Andrea Leadsom: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for neither businesses nor charities are exempt from that giving way again. When she says that 54 one-bed flats problem. Rising costs have forced SIFA Fireside to cut are available, does she meant that 54 are empty? With by half the number of meals it will provide in the how many is a home swap possible, so that those who coming year, because it can now afford to put on only are homeless with multiple children could swap into one meal a day for homeless people. homes with the space that they need? People in homes SIFA Fireside provides a vital lifeline for Birmingham’s that are too big for them could swap with people who homeless people, especially over the winter months, but are hopelessly overcrowded. If people buy or sell in the is facing real challenges just to stay open. Although I private sector, they do not only move into empty homes, am sure that all Members are grateful for the safety net but buy from others who want to downsize or upsize. that charities such as SIFA Fireside are providing in Shabana Mahmood: The ability of people to swap constituencies across the country, we cannot take that depends on appropriate accommodation for the people for granted: charities are under significant pressure and who want to downsize or upsize to go into, and my the availability of their services will be significantly point is that housing supply throughout my city is curtailed—certainly, that is what I am seeing in my simply not enough for all kinds of homes. I spoke about constituency. the lack of affordable and social housing, but there is Several systemic problems cause homelessness. The also a lack of housing for people to buy privately—not primary one is the issue we face with house building, enough is being built anywhere in the city. The numbers and the fact that housing supply has simply not kept up simply have not kept up with demand. Swapping and with demand. Also, the private rented sector is not fit other such solutions therefore will not deal with the for families, as it does not give people the security they large numbers presenting themselves in Birmingham. I need or predictable rent rises that would allow people to am afraid that unless we could build thousands of plan their household budgets. Finally, the bedroom tax homes overnight, my city will not be able to cope with is causing acute concern. We need to look at those the issues that it is facing, some but not all of which issues in order to deal with the problem of homelessness. result in homelessness. Doing so will not fix the problem entirely, as people find themselves homeless for many reasons, but I believe Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab): that for the 80,000 or so children whom we expect to be My hon. Friend is making a powerful speech. Does she homeless—that is according to the official figures, and I agree that the Government’s own impact assessment think the real figure is probably higher—dealing with assumes that 90% of the people hit by the bedroom tax the problems with both house building and the private will simply not move? As to the cost projections, the rented sector and scrapping the bedroom tax would be fact is that people will not have the smaller homes to pretty good places to start. move into, as she is suggesting. Shabana Mahmood: My hon. Friend the shadow Several hon. Members rose— Minister is absolutely right to cite the Government’s own impact assessment. If people who are moving are Mr Christopher Chope (in the Chair): Order. There is forced into the private rented sector and their rents go considerable demand to participate in the debate, so I up, that puts extra pressure on the housing benefit hope that Members will reduce the length of their budget as well. I have not focused on welfare and remarks accordingly. benefits in my speech, but that is an additional pressure and an additional cost for the state, as it meets the increased demand and as rent in the private rented 9.53 am sector goes up. Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) (Con): Organisations under pressure include not only I congratulate the hon. Member for Birmingham, Birmingham city council, but many that provide support Ladywood (Shabana Mahmood) on securing this important to the homeless. I have mentioned SIFA Fireside, a debate. 225WH Homelessness and Rough Sleeping18 DECEMBER 2013 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 226WH

[Mark Field] estimated that a single rough sleeper on the streets of London costs some £35,000 a year in crime, emergency As the nights draw in and the winter chill becomes health and social services alone. more apparent, the thoughts of many Londoners—I am sure the hon. Lady will agree that this is the first city of Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): Obviously, the the United Kingdom—turn to the homeless people Churches and charities that the hon. Gentleman referred who, each night, lay down their blankets and boxes in to are major contributors to helping homeless people, dark corners of this great city of ours. Their presence but the Salvation Army and the Simon Community also makes all of us ask questions about where we as a do tremendous work with homeless people. I want to society are falling short. I am afraid that to many of us underline the importance of that work. who live in and represent central London, it seems that the number of homeless people and rough sleepers is Mark Field: A huge amount of charitable work is increasing very quickly. done by voluntary groups, many of which have grown I live, with my wife and two children, a stone’s throw out of nothing in recent years. We should welcome that. from Westminster cathedral, and from The Passage, a As the Minister knows, the Mayor of London has a charity sponsored predominantly by the Roman Catholic programme that aims to ensure that no person spends Church that has provided succour for the less fortunate more than one night sleeping rough on the streets of for a century and a half. One need only look around the London. That is now the case for eight out of 10 rough streets literally a few hundred yards from this Chamber sleepers, but of course, logically, that means that for one and witness the many people, young men in particular, in five rough sleepers, the promise of only one night on sleeping rough in Westminster station to understand the streets is not being kept. I support the broad thrust that the situation has become markedly worse in recent of the changes that have been made to housing benefit months. Constituents from all over my constituency entitlement, and have done so repeatedly, both in TV worry about the people they find each morning in their studios and in this House, but both the Mayor and I doorways. continue to make the case to the Government that those All of us know that local authorities have a statutory changes will continue to have a disproportionate impact obligation to undertake regular counts of people sleeping on central London, where rents, to which the hon. on their streets. Figures from Westminster city council Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, has referred, are indicate that the number of rough sleepers has increased at their highest. I have expressed those concerns to the sharply: a total of some 2,440 people were recorded ministerial team in Parliament. It is also deeply concerning bedding down as rough sleepers in 2012-13. Although that although rough sleeping continues to rise, there is a that was a slight reduction on the figure for the previous reduction in the amount of available support. Hostel year, the number in 2009-10 was only 1,693, so there has bed spaces are being reduced at a concerning rate, and been an increase of over 40% in the past three years. are at their lowest number since 2008. Meanwhile, in the other part of my constituency, the There is a second group of homeless people, namely City of London, the most recent figures available, for foreign nationals, many of whom have no recourse to the period from 1 September to 31 October, indicate a public funds and therefore require an alternative policy marked increase of 39% in the number of rough sleepers response. In the midst of the changes that will go when compared with the same period last year. through Parliament over the next 24 hours and that will To understand how to respond, we must first grasp impact on Romanians and Bulgarians—all of us agree why people sleep rough. To be honest, for as long as big with those changes—we should remember that those cities—particularly ones such as London—have existed, who do come here could be an even bigger strain on people have slept on the streets. There are myriad public services in the first few months of 2014. reasons why, but over the past few years, and certainly People from central European countries now make in the time that I have represented my central London up 32% of all rough sleepers in Westminster. That is no seat, we have tended to see two quite distinct categories surprise: following the enlargements of the European of rough sleepers, with very different stories to tell. Union in 2004 and 2008, Westminster experienced a The number of so-called traditional rough sleepers in sudden influx of new arrivals from eastern Europe, Westminster has remained relatively static. They tend to often via Victoria coach station. In advance of the be people with an addiction problem—some 52% of the enlargements, both Westminster city council and I warned homeless take drugs, and 20% drink alcohol at harmful repeatedly of the increased dangers of jobless and levels—people who have been affected by family breakdown, unqualified nationals from the new EU accession countries or, of course, people with mental health difficulties: ending up sleeping rough, but the previous Government nearly half of the people on our streets have long-term failed to put into place proper plans to deal with the mental health needs. Colleagues will recall the “Street sudden influx. I am afraid that the situation has not Stories” exhibition that I sponsored in this House only improved in the three and a half years since the coalition a few years ago, for the homeless charity St Mungo’s, came into office. which aimed to educate parliamentarians about why Those nationals were particularly at risk of homelessness, that very diverse group turned to the streets. as the law prevented them from accessing benefits provided That group of rough sleepers is well known to outreach by local authorities to residents, as well as state benefits groups. Local authorities and established charities patiently such as income support, shelter and drug treatment conduct long-term and meaningful work to rehabilitate services. Many new arrivals had a firm idea of where such people into mainstream society.Homelessness services they would live and work, and I emphasise that many provide support to over 40,000 homeless people a year, are making a fantastic contribution to our economy, delivering cost savings to public service budgets, and but for others, the likelihood of them descending rapidly better outcomes for the most vulnerable. It has been into street life was exacerbated because they had no 227WH Homelessness and Rough Sleeping18 DECEMBER 2013 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 228WH other means of support. Westminster city council has Andrea Leadsom: Does the hon. Lady agree that done a lot of work to help those individuals, sometimes physical and mental health needs often go hand in hand by trying to reconnect them with their families back and cannot be separated? For example, back-ache is home, assisting with repatriation, providing language strongly correlated with depression, and it is often the services, and so on. combination of the two that results in homelessness. The issue of rough sleepers from central and eastern Europe has taken on a new dimension in recent Sarah Champion: I completely agree with the points months. I have repeatedly warned that my constituency that the hon. Lady raises, and will speak about them, a may prove to be the canary in the mine on many of little, later. these issues. Many of us have seen at first hand the We know that homeless people use four times as Roma Gypsy encampments that sprung up around many acute health services and eight times as many Marble Arch during last year’s Olympics. Some of the in-patient health services as the general population, at a people living in those encampments were part of an cost of around £85.6 million a year. However, despite organised begging operation deliberately targeting the that, homeless people often find it difficult to access lucrative west end tourist market. health services that can provide suitable treatment, because I receive weekly reports from exasperated constituents their complex needs may make them ineligible for traditional who find spontaneous bedrooms in their doorways and health and social care support. Some report facing litter and excrement in garden squares, and who are discrimination when they do seek support. harassed daily by aggressive beggars. One St James’s Common health conditions for homeless people include resident reports rubbish bags being ripped open almost mental health issues, foot conditions, dental problems, nightly, covering the pavement with litter. The problem infections, sexual health issues and tuberculosis. One in is real and must be dealt with. It must be put into the 10 people diagnosed with TB has a history of homelessness. public domain as thoughtfully as possible, not least at Lack of suitable washing facilities can aggravate those this time of year, and it must be recognised that the problems and increase the spread of infection. Not significant number of people who come to this country surprisingly, people sleeping rough often find that the make a positive contribution, but the minority is getting cold and damp exacerbate their health problems and ever bigger and may end up causing major social issues. cause the onset of respiratory illness. Some rough sleepers I have so much more to say, but I respect the fact that even wake up covered in frost. other hon. Members want to contribute to the debate. I would like to make one more point before finishing. I The links between homelessness and health are cyclical. appreciate that the Government are doing a lot of work Although many homeless people are struggling to access behind the scenes. They have launched a £1.7 million health care, more must be done at an early stage to gold standard support and training scheme to help local encourage people at risk of homelessness to access authorities to tackle homelessness. The concern of all public services. Mental health issues particularly are of us is not that the will is lacking, but the lack of one of the key triggers that lead to homelessness. Up to resources. We have no idea of the numbers, and the 70% of homeless people suffer mental health issues and extent to which the problem is likely to be exacerbated 14% suffer a personality disorder. In London, almost in the months ahead. I am interested to hear what the one fifth of rough sleepers have mental health needs Minister says today, but more importantly, he should combined with substance abuse. Perhaps the most keep a watching brief on the issue in the early weeks depressing news of all is that rough sleepers are 35 times and months of 2014, because urgent remedial action more likely to commit suicide than the general population. may be required, not just here in central London, but in I am extremely fearful that in Rotherham, the problem many parts of the country. will be dramatically compounded, because our excellent NHS mental health foundation trust—Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, 10.2 am or RDaSH—is facing a £7 million budget cut next year. Sarah Champion (Rotherham) (Lab): It is a pleasure, Unfortunately, I believe it is inevitable that this funding Mr Chope, to serve under your chairmanship. For crisis will lead to people not receiving the support they clarity, I will refer to homelessness, but I mean homelessness need, and consequently to increasing rough sleeping on and rough sleeping. our streets. Is it not time for the Government to tackle these problems head on? Is it not time to acknowledge Since my election, I have had the privilege of shadowing that we must make it easier for homeless people to one of St Mungo’s homelessness teams in Westminster, access health care, not harder? and have spent time with some Rotherham charities and social enterprises that support rough sleepers. I would Under this Government, the sad fact is that in London like to discuss the link between homelessness and health alone, almost 6,500 people were seen sleeping rough care, because I have seen that it is at the root of many between 2012 and 2013, and the number is increasing, people’s homelessness. Poor health is not only a consequence year on year. Under this Government’s watch, rough of homelessness; it is often its cause. sleeping has increased nationally by 31% in the last two A report by the Department of Health suggests that years. Shockingly, the average age at which a homeless as many as two thirds of homeless people have a serious person dies is now 47. chronic health problem before they become homeless. Money directed at homelessness prevention is sent to Many of the people St Mungo’s works with have complex local authorities, but is not always ring-fenced. Often, it physical and mental health needs. Their latest client need is not used effectively to stop people becoming homeless, survey showed that 64% have physical health conditions, or to encourage preventive health interventions. Homeless 70% have mental health conditions and 64% have issues people experience significant regional health inequalities, with drugs and alcohol. which should be recognised, measured and addressed in 229WH Homelessness and Rough Sleeping18 DECEMBER 2013 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 230WH

[Sarah Champion] average of seven years for someone to get to the point of sleeping rough on the streets and it is unrealistic to local needs assessments. If health and wellbeing boards expect that they can be turned round and brought back are to meet their duty to reduce health inequalities to independent life within a matter of months. Helping effectively, they must recognise, measure and address people in that situation is a long-term commitment. the health needs of vulnerable and excluded members A huge range of hostels and temporary accommodation of society, and that must include homeless people. schemes have been the bulwark of the response to Some local authorities are including homeless people homelessness, quite often for those who do not fit the in joint strategic needs assessments and joint health and priority needs assessments of local authorities, as well well-being strategies, but this group of vulnerable people as those who do. Many are run by local charities and is often not accounted for. The needs of the local although they often have generous benefactors, they are homeless population should be reflected in joint health reliant on public funding to stay solvent. The Government’s and well-being strategies, and in the commissioning of strategy from 2012 was accompanied by promises that appropriate services. The emphasis on setting a small funding for such organisations would be protected as number of priorities across the wider community may much as possible, with more than £400 million being mean that the specific needs of small, marginalised devolved to local authorities and voluntary groups. groups are overlooked. Unfortunately, that does not lead to steady investment The mobility of homeless people, who may move on the ground. More than half of all homelessness from borough to borough, should also be considered, services are seeing cuts in their funding, and that will and a pan-borough approach should be taken to become far worse when local authorities start to make commissioning specialist services when appropriate. Local cuts for 2014 onwards. strategies should reflect the needs of the most excluded, In my constituency, for example, the elected mayor is as well as setting goals for wider public health improvement. consulting on cutting £150,000 from the Leonard Stocks Commissioners and providers should be monitored centre. If that goes through, it would make the whole to ensure that they are reducing health inequalities, project financially unviable and leave many dozens of including between the homeless and the general populations. vulnerable people every year with nowhere else to go. When it comes to signing up with a GP, homeless We urgently need a solution to stop local authorities people are turned away because they do not have an cutting these services indefinitely. If the Government address. There is a shortage of specialist drug and were to look at a ring fence or upgrading the statutory alcohol services, particularly dual diagnosis services for protections for homeless people, we could see a great people with substance addiction and mental health improvement and not the impending social disaster that problems. Many homeless people with learning disabilities might occur in my constituency and in other places. find it hard to live in the community and to access specialist support. Andrea Leadsom: Does my hon. Friend agree that People in Rotherham tell me about the problems that there is also a problem with the SWEP—the severe homeless people have in finding accommodation when weather emergency protocol? At a minimum, it only discharged from hospital. That is not just a problem in requires local authorities to provide shelter when the Rotherham; it is a national problem. Too many people temperature reaches zero for three nights in a row. are discharged from hospital with nowhere to go. We There is a great temptation for local authorities to go to need integrated health and social care provision that the minimum, which can of course be fatal for many includes homeless people. That approach could help to rough sleepers, rather than raising the temperature address health inequalities and ensure that some of the requirement to a more humane level. most excluded members of society have a better experience of the health and social care system. They deserve that. Mr Sanders: That is a very good point. I represent the English riviera, where the temperature does not always drop that far, and there are still problems, even at 3° C. 10.8 am The history of Torbay’s provision for the roofless is Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay) (LD): I congratulate the somewhat unique. During Christmas in 1990, representatives hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Shabana of local churches came together to open south Devon’s Mahmood) on securing this timely debate. We have first direct access hostel for homeless people, in an old heard about the growing extent of homelessness and the warehouse in a backstreet in the centre of Torquay. staggering number of people it affects. The problem With the support of Torbay council, which owned the reflects some serious structural problems in the housing property, it was converted to create a single male dormitory sector and welfare system. We have also heard about the with 12 beds. Initially, there were just two paid members long-term problems that homelessness can cause. Many of staff. are profound, but are not easily quantifiable. However, The story of the project goes back to 1989 when three they are cumulative because homelessness prevents people local church leaders—Reverend Peter Larkin of St Matthias from finding or staying in work and has a cumulative church, Captain Jim McKnight, the Torquay Salvation impact on their health, sometimes provoking them to Army commander, and the Reverend Mike Blunsum, engage in criminal activity and so on. chaplain at Brunel Manor—began praying about how Homelessness is part of a wider problem of social the local Christian community could respond to a growing exclusion and it is obvious that the solution, especially number of people sleeping on the streets. In the autumn for harder-to-reach cases, must be comprehensive. It is of 1990, the Reverend Mike Blunsum persuaded the not just about finding a new home for someone to Woodlands House of Prayer Trust to back a homeless stay in and leaving them to get on with it. It takes an project in Torquay with money and resources. Separately, 231WH Homelessness and Rough Sleeping18 DECEMBER 2013 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 232WH

Leonard Stocks, a member of St John’s church in cuts, have led directly to the rise in homelessness, particularly Torquay, was deeply moved one day when he saw a in London. A staggering figure was flagged up by the woman begging and holding a sign that read: estimable Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation “I am homeless please help me.” in their 2013 homelessness report: there has been a 316% rise in homelessness due to the end of assured He raised the issue at the next meeting of the deanery shorthold tenancies in London—that is private sector synod. Leonard was put in contact with the Reverend tenancies. Overwhelmingly, the end of those assured Blunsum and his committee, which led to a meeting in shorthold tenancies is either because the tenant can no October 1990 attended by representatives of 40 south longer afford the rent—they were relying on the assistance Devon churches, together with 20 local agencies, looking of housing benefit—or because landlords, in an increasingly for a community response to the homelessness crisis. competitive market, are withdrawing those properties Those agencies included the citizens advice bureau, from the sector, which is a point that I will briefly return Youth With A Mission, social services, the Women’s to in a minute. Royal Voluntary Service, Shelter and officers from Torbay council, notable among them the then head of estates, London is not the only area affected, although with Peter Lucas, himself a committed Christian. that 316% rise it is at the sharp end. We saw a 128% increase in homelessness due to the end of assured Funding from the Woodlands House of Prayer Trust shorthold tenancies in the south, and even in the north and a considerable personal contribution from Leonard of England, which does not have the same housing Stocks saw the hostel open—appropriately—on Christmas pressures, there was a 73% rise. The Government’s eve 1990. The original lease was for just three months, welfare policy is without doubt driving homelessness, but such was the need that it has never been able to especially for families. close. The Torbay Churches Homeless Trust decided to merge with the Langley House Trust in 2003 when it The problem is by no means over. The Money Advice became clear that the project could benefit from the Service told us just this week that rent arrears are the robust management systems and training provision that fastest growing debt problem. We have seen an average Langley provided. The bedrock of its support, however, of 60%—nearly two thirds—of household income in remains the Christian community across south Devon. the private rented sector being taken up by rent. That is clearly unsustainable. People are struggling to keep the It may be a long way from the inner cities, but roof over their heads. They are relying on a safety net Torbay’s social problems are as acute as anywhere. The that is increasingly being stripped away from them, and Leonard Stocks centre does brilliant work. The hostel it is driving homelessness. was rebuilt only three years ago at a cost of £2.5 million, and staff and volunteers work wonderfully together to get people back into stable accommodation and on the Lilian Greenwood: My hon. Friend is making a very road back to independence. The story is unique, but the powerful speech. Does she share my concern that things facility will be recognised by all hon. Members here, are only going to get worse, with council tax support because it is typical of centres around the country. being further withdrawn, and particularly with the loss I hope that the Minister will address the suggestions I of transitional relief, which provided a little bit of have made to ring-fence funding or strengthen statutory leeway this year? Next year, it will be far more difficult protections for the homeless, or is there some other for low-income families to get by. remedy to ensure that adequate provision exists for those who find themselves roofless, not only at this time Ms Buck: Of course. That is absolutely true. As my of the year, but at all times of the year? hon. Friend says, many families are facing a multiple attack on their living standards. The same families who are affected by cuts in housing support are also being 10.15 am affected by cuts in council tax support, and it is adding Ms Karen Buck (WestminsterNorth) (Lab): I congratulate to their crisis. my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Ladywood At first, homelessness led to a surge in the use of (Shabana Mahmood) on securing the debate and on bed-and-breakfast accommodation, as hon. Members making a very powerful case. As she and others have have said, which is ridiculously expensive and wholly said, in recent years, we have seen homelessness up unsuitable. The Labour Government were absolutely overall. We have seen rough sleeping up by 60% in right, more than a decade ago, to make it illegal for London in just two years alone, and we have seen local authorities to keep families with children in bed- homelessness in London rise by more than a third in and-breakfast accommodation for more than six weeks. just three years. All that was entirely predictable and it The growing pressure of homelessness meant that local was predicted, because it has arisen not entirely by authorities, including Westminster, were breaching that accident, but by a foreseeable combination of circumstances. six-week standard, which cost an absolute fortune—millions There is the continuing squeeze on house building and and millions of pounds. Local authorities had to place particularly affordable house building—last year we people in the Premier Inn hotel and the Jurys Inn hotel saw the lowest level of housing completions since the in Chelsea, because they could not find accommodation. 1920s—and the failure, which many of us have been Of course, they were breaking the law and were roundly flagging up for several years, of the Department for told off by Ministers for doing so. Communities and Local Government and the Department I am delighted that Westminster, in particular, is no for Work and Pensions to have even the most basic longer using bed-and-breakfast accommodation for more conversation about how their policies interact. than six weeks. That has been a significant change in the What is most striking in London and the south-east past few months. But what has happened? It is like is the extent to which the Government’s policies on squeezing a balloon: unless the circumstances change, social security, especially the housing support safety net the pressure simply builds somewhere else. What has 233WH Homelessness and Rough Sleeping18 DECEMBER 2013 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 234WH

[Ms Buck] up; it is a pressure-cooker situation. Many local authorities are competing for increasingly scarce accommodation happened is that local authorities are beginning to use for these placements and the situation is unsustainable. something called annexe accommodation which, in some I hope that the Minister will today tell us that he will cases, is merely bed-and-breakfast accommodation with ensure that local authorities do not place families well a gas ring. It is not always; sometimes it is different away from their children’s schools, their communities, kinds of accommodation. It is basically self-contained, their support networks and the elderly relatives for but it is booked nightly and has no time limit on its use. whom they provide care; ensure that local authorities Local authorities—in particular, inner London authorities can access temporary and emergency accommodation under pressure—are now using that nightly booked for families; deal with the scandal of long-term nightly accommodation, which means that families, including booked accommodation; and provide the framework many of those I am dealing with, literally do not know for a sustainable policy to help those vulnerable families from one day to the next where they will be going for who are facing this terrible crisis of homelessness. their accommodation. Many of the annexes are out of borough, so families have to commute their children in from the outskirts of London to maintain their school 10.24 am places. They cannot move their child’s school to the Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con): It is a thorough and local authority area in which they are now placed—it utter disgrace that anyone should be homeless in the may be Hounslow; it may be Enfield; it is many miles 21st century in our country. It makes me wonder whether away—because they do not know whether they will still the welfare state safety net has any meaning whatever be in the same local authority area tomorrow. when people are out there, dying on our streets—and I Families tell me that they are getting up at half-past do mean dying on our streets, because on Christmas five in the morning to get their children, who are day in 2006, Josie Razzell died in the stairwell of Easton sometimes five or six-years-old, ready for school, because Street car park in High Wycombe. She died of exposure. it takes them two hours to get there. They have to go by As a result, the Churches in High Wycombe came bus because they cannot afford the train. Those families together in a story similar to that told by my hon. are commuting their children two hours to school and Friend the Member for Torbay (Mr Sanders). They two hours home at night. Understandably, the schools were determined to ensure that never again would anyone then come to me and say that children are falling asleep die of exposure on our streets. at their desks because they are being put under that My hon. Friend the Member for South pressure. Even children with special needs were being Northamptonshire (Andrea Leadsom) mentioned the placed in this accommodation, despite the local authority severe weather emergency protocol. The fact is that that telling me that that was not the case. We hope that is protocol is a last resort and it simply is not good now being addressed, but unfortunately we are now enough. Were it not for Wycombe Homeless Connection, seeing more and more such loopholes being used. my goodness—the number of people who would suffer We were told by Ministers that other than in very in Wycombe. Were it not for the YMCA, what a state exceptional circumstances local authorities should not we would be in. place homeless families from their areas well away from The hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Shabana their communities, in out-of-borough placements. In Mahmood), who opened the debate, mentioned one fact, out-of-borough placements have risen in every particular cause and one particular story and made the quarter bar one since 2011 to more than 4,000. Out-of- case very movingly, but if only that man had not treated borough bookings rose to 14,535. This is according to his partner violently, that problem perhaps would not London Councils’ monitoring of the issue last year. have arisen. I think that every hon. Member present Local authorities made 11,262 out-of-borough nightly knows that the causes of homelessness are complex and bookings, which is a total scandal. I do not believe, and wide ranging. They include addictions, debt, worklessness I hope that the Minister will tell us that he does not and educational failure and, of course, are compounded believe, that people should be treated in that way. These in a dreadful cycle of health problems, both physical are families and children. They are often very vulnerable and mental. Those of us who have worked in night families. They are often families facing multiple pressures shelters for a number of years will have seen, I suspect, and difficulties. altogether too much suffering in that regard. The Minister’s predecessor, the hon. Member for It is not enough to talk only about the suffering that Hertford and Stortford (Mr Prisk), told us that local has happened recently. It is the case that the numbers authorities had been using “unacceptable and avoidable” have increased, but we heard earlier that some of the measures and that they should offer accommodation efforts at non-state provision go back as far as 1989—I locally as far as possible. Indeed, speaking in response think that that is what my hon. Friend the Member for to a press story in December 2012, a Department for Torbay said—and of course the problem extends far Communities and Local Government spokesman said: before that. Opposition Members talked about the housing “Councils can meet housing need through social housing or market and the shortage of supply. The housing market high-quality private rented housing in their area. Unless there are is characterised by state land-use planning and state exceptional circumstances, there is no excuse for moving homeless intervention in the credit markets. If there is too little families to other areas, and they must absolutely not apply a housing, it can only be the case that the state has made a blanket policy of relocating families out of the capital.” mess of it. What we are seeing in London and in the south-east When I look at all these stories, I see a number of more generally is a surge in placements out of borough, things: the failure of individuals to live in the right completely in breach of that assurance that we were relationship with one another, the failure of a man to given. We are seeing more and more pressure building look after his partner and the failures of people to get a 235WH Homelessness and Rough Sleeping18 DECEMBER 2013 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 236WH good education, get a job and build up their lives. What hundreds of homeless people during that time to learn I want to see is the shortest possible route to minimising what circumstances led to them getting into that situation this human suffering, but what I see at the moment is a and what the solutions were. constant recourse to state action at a time when the I am in absolutely no doubt that homelessness is quality and quantity of welfare, health and education getting worse. When I have been around Rochdale, and produced by the state simply is not good enough and we when I went into Manchester the other day, it has been also, very clearly, cannot afford it, because we have clear that more people are living out on our streets and resorted to quantitative easing to suppress interest rates sleeping rough. It is as though we are returning to the just to keep up the borrowing necessary to sustain this 1980s and early 1990s. We do not need anecdotal evidence level of failure. to see that homelessness is getting worse. The Government Therefore, what I have to say to my hon. Friend the are keen to devise policies on the back of anecdotal Minister is twofold. First, what is he doing to end the evidence, but there are statistics to prove that homelessness complex cycles of state failure that are ruining people’s is getting worse. The figures that I have been given show lives? Secondly, will he please take every possible—every that in England, there has been an 11% increase over conceivable—step that he can to remove the obstacles the past two years in people approaching local authorities that the state places in people’s way, preventing them saying that they are homeless. The number of people from just getting out there and helping people across housed in temporary accommodation during 2012 rose the wide range of complex causes of chronic and abject by 10% and the number of people in bed and breakfast poverty. accommodation rose even faster, by 14%. In 2012, there were an estimated 2,309 people sleeping rough on any Mark Field: My hon. Friend will realise that I very one night across England, which is a rise of 31% over much agree with what he has to say on the macro-economic two years. side about the very insidious—dangerous—long-term The Minister will be aware, because he was present at effects on the British economy of quantitative easing. the hearing, that the Minister for Housing, the hon. Will he accept that part of the difficulty with housing Member for Keighley (Kris Hopkins), gave evidence to law, which goes back almost 100 years—the first rent the Communities and Local Government Committee Acts came in at the end of the first world war—is that, on 9 December. When I questioned him about rough every time, we try to add another elastoplast to the sleeping at the Committee, the Housing Minister said system when there needs to be a much more imaginative that it had reduced by 8%. I now understand that there approach by politicians, academics and the like to looking is no truth in that whatsoever, and there is no evidence at the way in which our housing market operates? All to suggest that rough sleeping has fallen. I hope that the too often, we have seen short-term problems, which we Minister takes the opportunity to correct the record have tried to solve with new legislation, rather than today. The latest figures show that last year in Rochdale, recognising, as my hon. Friend rightly said, that it has 717 households approached the council as homeless, been state action and legislation in the past that has which was an increase of 180% over two years, and helped to produce all the absurdities and anomalies 280 households were accepted as being statutorily homeless. currently seen in our private rented sector. That is an increase of 324% over the past two years. The Government are cooking up a homelessness Steve Baker: I agree, but it is not enough for us just to crisis, and I do not say that lightly. All the ingredients look at increasing supply. We should be looking at those are being added to create such a crisis: in go economic factors that increase demand, such as the tragedy of and social instability problems, dramatic benefit changes, family breakdown, which perhaps I will go into in more major cuts to support services and a lack of suitable detail in the debate in the main Chamber later on accommodation for people who find themselves in difficulty. hunger. Whether they accept it or not, the Government are steadily mixing the dish to create a severe homelessness I want to finish with this thought. We are coming up problem similar to that of the 1980s. The irony is that to Christmas—the anniversary of the death of Josie we have learned how to deal with homelessness. Levels Razzell in High Wycombe. But Christmas is a time of of homelessness and rough sleeping and the numbers of celebration, because it is a time when we realise that the people going into bed and breakfast accommodation process of God offering to mankind salvation from all were dramatically reduced in the mid to late 1990s and these difficulties began with an event that we celebrate into the 2000s, but we are having to re-learn the solutions, at Christmas. We are not here to preach the gospel, but I which is exceptionally unfortunate. have to say that these problems and cycles will continue for ever unless people start to learn that they must love As the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr Sanders) has their neighbour and, first and foremost, love their God. pointed out, more than half of all homelessness services have seen their funding cut. The Petrus homelessness project in Rochdale has achieved an incredible amount 10.29 am on an exceptionally tight budget, even though it has faced severe budget cuts. If it were not for Petrus, Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab): I appreciate the dozens of people in Rochdale would have died prematurely opportunity to speak in the debate. I thank my hon. as a result of homelessness. If politicians are serious Friend the Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Shabana about addressing homelessness, they should watch a Mahmood) for introducing this timely debate. It is video called “RoofLess” that Petrus produced with timely because we always, rightly, think more about Community Arts North West which shows homeless homelessness and homeless people as we approach people telling everyone about their fragile, damaged Christmas. I should point out that before I entered lives and how they ended up becoming homeless. I went Parliament, I worked as a social researcher and spent some to the launch of that video a week ago, and it is well 10 years researching homelessness issues. I interviewed worth watching. 237WH Homelessness and Rough Sleeping18 DECEMBER 2013 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 238WH

[Simon Danczuk] families this Christmas would rather be settled in a permanent place that they can call home, rather than in I conclude with a final thought. In October I celebrated a women’s refuge. Equally, in my contact with women’s my 47th birthday. If I had been homeless, I would refuges, what I saw at Christmas was women and children probably be dead by Christmas this year, because 47 is who were able for the very first time to enjoy a peaceful the average age of death for a homeless person. Christmas without fear. Children did not have to worry about whether their mother would be beaten before 10.34 am their eyes. They did not have to worry about whether their father would shout at them or smash their presents, Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) or whether they, as young children, would be subject to (Lab): It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship abuse. I saw the incredible generosity of local people this morning, Mr Chope. I refer to my declaration in who provided presents, enabled children to have Christmas the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I begin parties and supported them so that they could try to by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for enjoy a normal, peaceful Christmas after the difficult Birmingham, Ladywood (Shabana Mahmood) on securing and traumatic ordeal that they had been through. this important debate, and on the passion with which she spoke. For those reasons, I am concerned about reports that the number of spaces available in women’s refuges is As we approach Christmas, I am conscious that too contracting. Providers across the country report that many families are without a permanent home or are they are having to turn more and more women away. As worried about what the new year will bring, when many part of an inquiry into access for justice for women, the of us are looking forward to spending time with our all-party parliamentary group on domestic and sexual families. At this time of year, I am reminded of the violence recently took evidence from providers, which incredible generosity of local people, particularly on explained the real pressures on their services. Providers Wearside. It is lonely and isolating to be facing Christmas told us that they face big cuts to their budgets, which are in temporary accommodation, or to be worried about affecting their ability to offer families a safe place to whether your children will be able to receive any Christmas turn. So much progress was made in that area under the presents. That is why it was always so comforting for the previous Labour Government, and it would be tragic to women and families that I used to support in a women’s see that progress undone. refuge to know that others were thinking of them at Christmas and that the local community were always The Government must act to stem the rising tide of willing to help and support them in their time of need. homelessness. Ministers must accept that disproportionate The rise of homelessness is deeply troubling. Across cuts to local councils are not without consequence. I England, as we have heard, the number of people found fear that the situation will not improve in 2014; indeed, to be statutorily homeless has risen. Regional figures my growing concern is that things will simply get worse. may vary, but that is also the case in my local authority. Since 2007, Sunderland city council has focused on Mr Christopher Chope (in the Chair): Order. I have preventing homelessness, on the understanding that it is had a look in the Register of Members’ Financial always best to work with people to try to find alternatives Interests, and I was not able to see what the nature of and manage their difficulties, and to support landlords the hon. Lady’s interest was. Does she want to tell us? to try to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place. However, Sunderland city council reports Bridget Phillipson: I own a property, which I rent. that the number of people that it has been able to prevent from becoming homeless has fallen, which is of 10.39 am great concern. In the 12 months up to September 2013, there were 577 preventions, which fell from more than Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab): 700 during the previous year. The disproportionate cuts It is a pleasure, as ever, to serve under your chairmanship, that councils such as Sunderland face are having a Mr Chope. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member serious impact on their ability to prioritise work to for Birmingham, Ladywood (Shabana Mahmood) on prevent homelessness. Over the same period to 2013, securing such an important and, unfortunately, timely the number of people found to be homeless increased debate. Christmas is coming and we are looking forward by 54%. Councils tell me that they fear that 2014 will be to spending time with our families, but we know, as she worse still, once the impact of welfare changes such as said, that many families across the country will not be the bedroom tax starts to be reflected in the figures. celebrating this Christmas; they will be in temporary I turn to the problem of women who find themselves accommodation, and many people will be sleeping on homeless as a result of domestic violence. As my hon. the streets. Friend indicated earlier when she spoke of the difficulties I pay tribute to the work of the charities hon. Members faced by her constituent, that is a problem across the have mentioned, and the volunteers who work all year country and no doubt we all see it in our constituency to provide invaluable support to those who are homeless surgeries. Figures vary, but we know that domestic and those sleeping on the streets. The UK is the seventh violence accounts for a significant proportion of richest country in the world, yet homelessness and homelessness acceptances. Many women who are forced rough sleeping are increasing year on year. As my hon. out of their homes by domestic violence do not approach Friend the Member for Rochdale (Simon Danczuk) councils and are not counted in those figures, so the real explained, the figures are getting worse; since the numbers will be higher still. Government came to power, rough sleeping and There is some way to go in shifting perceptions about homelessness are up by one third. It is heartbreaking what women’s refuges are like and the services that they that 80,000 children will be without a permanent home offer to women and children. Understandably, many this Christmas. The number of families with children 239WH Homelessness and Rough Sleeping18 DECEMBER 2013 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 240WH living in bed and breakfasts is at a 10-year high. My of 100 people in the first ever young homeless people’s hon. Friend the Member for Westminster North (Ms Buck) parliament. The Minister met that group in December spoke movingly about that issue in her constituency. last year. Although it is good that the Government have As my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, continued the initiative, I am sad to report that they did Ladywood, set out, the reality of living in a bed and not do so on a cross-party basis, and we were not breakfast is absolutely shocking. She spoke movingly invited to the meeting earlier this week with young about the case of her constituent and her daughters. In homeless people who came to Parliament to discuss more than half the cases investigated by Shelter this their concerns. I hope that the Minister will implore his year, children in such accommodation were sharing colleagues to organise the next meeting on a cross-party beds with their parents or siblings, and two thirds of basis. families said that their children had no table to eat As the young people who came to Parliament last meals on, and often had to eat on the floor or bed. As year demonstrated, vital services need to be brought my hon. Friend points out, homeless children living together to help those at risk of homelessness, but other in temporary accommodation are more likely to fall factors also contribute to homelessness. Hon. Members behind at school, and lose vital opportunities at that talked about the lack of homes in our country. The sad formative age to develop and grow in a healthy living truth is that the Government are presiding over the environment. lowest peacetime level of house building since the 1920s. Rough sleeping is increasing, and has gone up by a We are not building even half the number of homes third. Hon. Members referred to the wide-ranging and needed to keep up with demand. While home ownership complex reasons why people end up living on the streets. is falling for the first time in more then a century, I pay tribute to the work my hon. Friend the Member private rents are soaring, particularly in our big cities. for Houghton and Sunderland South (Bridget Phillipson) In London, 59% of an average income is consumed by did, even before she became an MP, in providing support rent; outside London, the figure is 41%. for victims of domestic abuse. Many women and men As many hon. Friends have pointed out, the loss of end up living on the streets as a result of such abuse. an assured shorthold tenancy is now one of the key Some have come out of institutions, such as care settings drivers of homelessness; more than one in four households or prison. The effects of sleeping rough are enormously are accepted as homeless for that reason, and that damaging to people’s physical and mental health, as my number has tripled in the past three years. The Government hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Sarah Champion) said that they would introduce a tenant’s charter, but I set out in her excellent speech. As the hon. Member for worry that it will be a meaningless and toothless initiative Wycombe (Steve Baker) movingly described, many people if it does not deliver what we desperately need: longer-term, who live on the streets are at risk of dying prematurely. more stable tenancies, with predictable rents. The truth My hon. Friend the Member for Rochdale pointed out is that the 9 million people who live in the private rented that the average age of death for rough sleepers is 47, sector are being let down by poor standards in the which is a tragic statistic. sector. It is the worst type of housing to be in, because, The previous Labour Government were determined according to the English housing survey, one third of to tackle the problem, which is why we introduced the homes in the private rented sector do not meet even Supporting People programme, bringing together seven basic standards. Tenants will seldom complain to their income streams from across Government to give the landlord because it puts them at risk of eviction. We necessary support to those at risk of homelessness, or must redress the balance of power between the landlord, those who were already homeless. As my hon. Friend letting agents, and tenants. Tenants simply do not have the Member for Rochdale mentioned, we had great the protections in law that they need; those protections determination to bear down on and tackle homelessness. that they do have are seldom enforced. The Government As a result, it decreased by 70% during our period in need to look at those issues seriously. government. Although it is clear that the reasons for A Labour Government would tackle the cost of living homelessness are complex and wide-ranging, under the crisis and the chronic shortage of housing. We have current Government, figures show that homelessness pledged to build 200,000 homes a year by 2020. We would and rough sleeping have grown significantly worse. scrap the cruel and unfair bedroom tax. We would The Government have failed to tackle the chronic freeze energy bills for millions of hard-pressed families. housing shortage so central to the cost of living crisis. Crucially, we aim to reform and regulate the private The cruel and iniquitous bedroom tax is putting many rented sector to bring about more secure, longer-term social tenants at risk of eviction, because they are tenancies, especially for families with children. We will falling into arrears for the first time. The 60% cut to the introduce a national register of landlords; in fact, we affordable homes budget when the Government came had the measures in place to introduce such a register at to power has had an impact on the number and affordability the end of our time in office, but the current Government of homes available. The Government have also cut away got rid of the plans within weeks of coming to power. support at a time when there are more and more homeless We will empower local authorities to bring in licensing people, who are in need of help. As my hon. Friend the schemes across the private rented sector. At the moment, Member for Houghton and Sunderland South pointed they have to jump through a lot of hoops to prove that a out, cuts to local government budgets are hitting licensing scheme is needed and can introduce one only homelessness services disproportionately. We have seen in a particular geographical area, or for a particular a fall in the number of beds that homeless shelters type of accommodation. can offer. It is regrettable that the number of families in temporary I pay tribute to the work of my predecessor, my bed-and-breakfast accommodation is rising. As the hon. hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington Member for Cities of London and Westminster (Mark (Jack Dromey). Last year, he brought together a group Field) pointed out, the number of people sleeping on 241WH Homelessness and Rough Sleeping18 DECEMBER 2013 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 242WH

[Emma Reynolds] booming and public expenditure was growing, homelessness did not fall. It was only brought down to its current our streets is also on the increase. We know that the level in 2008. The devastating financial crash in 2008 Minister is one of those Ministers who are willing to has had economic and social ripples that will continue speak truth to power—there are not many. We heard for years and decades to come, and one of those ripples him do so in recent weeks in a dramatic fashion, so I has affected some people’s ability to afford to maintain implore him to make demands of his Government to their tenancies. We heard a lot about the rising importance get a grip on the issue sooner rather than later. It is a of the ending of private sector tenancies in explaining tragedy that so many families with children are living in the rise in homelessness. bed-and-breakfast accommodation over Christmas, and that so many people find themselves with no option Mark Field: I am afraid that the financial crisis and other than to sleep on our streets. the ongoing difficulties that any company, large or small, has in borrowing money mean that the ability of 10.49 am house builders, large or small, to borrow to build will also be affected for many years to come. TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities and Local Government (Nick Boles): It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Chope. I hope you Nick Boles: My hon. Friend is absolutely right and will forgive me if I am a little croaky in my speech; I am anticipates a point I want to make. We all accept that grateful for the amplification. I congratulate the hon. the fundamental solution to the underlying problem Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Shabana Mahmood) that produces homelessness and rough sleeping is simple on securing this extremely important and sobering debate. to explain and very difficult to achieve. The solution is, We heard some truly harrowing stories from her most as the hon. Member for Wolverhampton North East of all, but also from my hon. Friend the Member for (Emma Reynolds) mentioned, the consistent delivery of Wycombe (Steve Baker). more housing of all kinds, all tenures, all numbers of bedrooms and in all parts of the country; the consistent I am grateful to the hon. Member for Birmingham, delivery of more jobs that pay more than the minimum Ladywood, for taking a bit of time to talk about her wage and are stable and secure; and a consistent need to constituent and her two daughters. I can only hope that do a better job than we have been doing in controlling Birmingham city council and the other organisations immigration, particularly by those who do not have the that she talked about will find a way to enable her means to support themselves in this country. constituent to find a secure home, so that her constituent does not have to think that she made a mistake in In winding up the debate—I am happy to take any leaving a man who was violent towards her. particular questions that Members raised to my colleagues in the Department, if there is an answer or a meeting We also heard from a number of hon. Members that they would like to have to follow up—I want to about the vital role of charities, Churches and other reflect on those fundamental solutions and why I believe, voluntary groups. I might get some of the names wrong, for all the difficult decisions that we are making on because I was interpreting them at some speed, but we welfare reform and benefits, that the Government’s heard about SIFA Fireside in Birmingham, the Leonard strategy is the only strategy that can successfully produce Stocks centre in Torbay, the Wycombe Homeless an economy that supports a society that does not allow Connection and Petrus in Rochdale. It is clear that all homelessness to continue at its current rate. those organisations do vital work, which would be necessary however much money Government had to spend on programmes. Those organisations bring a Mr Sanders: Members have mentioned not only homeless personal touch, a commitment, whether from faith or hostels under threat, but women’s refuges. I often wonder general good will, and an innovative approach to helping why there is not a refuge or a hostel in every local often some of the most troubled people in our society. authority area. Often, those refuges or hostels serve people from other local authority areas. Is there some In the relatively short time I have, I could run through mechanism that Government could use to ensure that the myriad initiatives and schemes that the Government the appropriate funding goes to refuges and hostels that have created to try to help sort out the problem of serve wider areas, so that the burden does not fall just homelessness. I could talk about the gold standard on that local authority? scheme, the rough sleeping social impact bond, Homeless Link, the Homelessness Transition Fund, the Crisis private rented sector access development programme, Nick Boles: If my hon. Friend will allow me, I will the homelessness prevention grant, discretionary housing come back to him in writing on that question, which is payments, the sanctuary scheme, the “Places of Change” important. He also made the important point on the programme, the “No Second Night Out” scheme and possibility of ring-fencing the homelessness prevention StreetLink. We all know that those schemes—all of grant. I will allow the Under-Secretary of State for which are valuable, important and well intentioned—are Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend not the fundamental solution to the problem. the Member for Keighley (Kris Hopkins), to respond One of the most startling facts about homelessness to that in an intelligent way, rather than make it up on over the past 10 or 20 years is that it was at its height the hoof. when the economy was booming, and when Government spending was growing as fast as it has ever grown. Ms Buck: Will the Minister take this opportunity to Homelessness peaked in 2003-04; sadly, it only reached confirm what his predecessors said, which is that local the level it is at now in 2008, just when the financial authorities should, other than in exceptional circumstances, crash hit. Throughout a period when the economy was care for their own homeless locally in recognised local 243WH Homelessness and Rough Sleeping 18 DECEMBER 2013 244WH connections? Alternatively, does he think that local Crowdfunding and the FCA authorities should give their homeless to other councils to have to worry about? 11 am Nick Boles: It is clearly right that local authorities Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): It should do everything in their power to house people came as a slightly early Christmas present to learn that I within their own boundaries, whether temporarily, if had managed to secure a debate on crowdfunding and that is unfortunately the only possibility, or ultimately crowdsourcing, and the implications for the Financial permanently. It is deeply regrettable that some authorities Conduct Authority’s current inquiry into the regulation, have found that they are not able to do that. We are or the possible need for regulation, of crowdfunding. constantly writing to them, speaking to them and putting pressure on them to ensure that they fulfil that duty, I came to crowdfunding in a rather peculiar way. I because it is clear and important. kept hearing people talking about it, and I am a serial and committed social entrepreneur. In fact, the other Briefly, on the bigger argument, the hon. Member for day a journalist said that I must be one of the few MPs Wolverhampton North East pointed out that we have who own a church, a poet’s house and a pub, all through been building far too few homes, not just recently, but trusts, foundations or charities that I chair. over the past 20 years. We can all make political points about whether house building rate are lower than they As I say, I am a social entrepreneur and social were five years ago, but the fact is that we have had the entrepreneurs always want money. I do not mind asking most devastating financial crash and the deepest recession rich people, big corporations, trusts and foundations in 100 years. It is not surprising, at a time when several for money, but sometimes—especially since 2008—it of our major banks had to be nationalised and others has been harder raising money from those sources than bailed out by the taxpayer, that the possibility of lending it was before. money to builders to build and to people to buy houses Increasingly, I heard about social impact investment has become severely constrained, and that has led to a and crowdfunding, so I decided that I needed some dramatic fall in house building. more information. I got in touch with the House of The Government are utterly determined—I am utterly Commons Library, but the staff there said they had determined—to do everything we can to reform the never heard of crowdfunding; it was the first time that planning system, the funding streams for mortgages the staff of the Library of this great House has ever said and the lending for builders, to enable the rate of house that it could not help me. I then tweeted about building to increase. It is also clear that we need more crowdfunding, and all sorts of interesting people pitched housing of a tenure type and cost that makes it available up in the House of Commons and started to educate me to many of the people likely to be affected by homelessness. about it. We formed the Westminster crowdfunding I simply point out that nobody’s record is perfect on forum, we have an all-party group on crowdfunding this matter. The previous Government presided over a and non-banking finance, and suddenly we have what I dramatic fall in the number of affordable houses available think is the first debate on crowdfunding in Parliament; to people, and under this Government, the number has I am grateful that we have it. gone up. We have managed to build just less than What is so exciting about crowdfunding is that it 100,000 affordable houses in the three years that we gives power to the crowd—to ordinary people—to say have been in office, but that is not enough and we accept that there is a problem in their community and that they that. We hope that we will build 170,000 over the life of can form a small group to head something up. They can this Parliament. Are 170,000 houses enough to deal form a community enterprise and they can fund it with the problems that we have, and the 20-year backlog through the crowd on the internet, on a platform; there in house building? No, they are not. are now many platforms out there that enable crowdfunding. At the same time, however, we have created 1.5 million Some of them specialise in education, others in financing jobs, and I am sure that all hon. Members will accept films and theatre, and others in community enterprises. that the long-term solution, to prevent more people However, that is only one side of crowdfunding. falling into homelessness, and to help the people whom For me, crowdfunding is one of the most vibrant, Members have all admirably mentioned, is to enable exciting and important industries to appear in the past those people to get stable jobs that pay them more than decade. The possibilities of crowdfunding are endless, the minimum wage, and ideally more than the living first because all of us know that most people who are wage. That will enable them to hold down a tenancy, entering employment in this country today will work whether in social housing or private rented housing. for small and medium-sized enterprises. If we can have That is the solution to the homelessness problem of our more and more SME start-ups and they can grow country. successfully, the country will be so much wealthier and so much more successful. The fact is that start-ups have the most difficulty in getting money from the conventional banks. Very often, the banks have failed them, because start-ups have no track record and no history; consequently, banks are very cautious about lending money to them. Crowdfunding enables and empowers people who want to start a business to do it in their own way, and to raise the money to do so. It often starts with friends and family, and then a wider range of people become excited about the enterprise and put a little bit of money in to 245WH Crowdfunding and the FCA18 DECEMBER 2013 Crowdfunding and the FCA 246WH

[Mr Barry Sheerman] the country to the pupil but—as we will do in the new year—we will give a limited edition of John Clare’s love help it start. The history of the last few years has been poetry to those giving money. It is a collection of poems that many more businesses have started up successfully that were never published in his lifetime, because they using crowdfunding and the new social media to reach were a little steamy for Victorians. We can give the out to a broader audience and involve them in a very reward of a limited edition, or free entry to the lovely interesting way. John Clare poet’s house in Helpston, which is right next Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or to Burghley house. So, with rewards crowdfunding, venture by raising many small amounts of money from people do not get their money back, but they get the a large number of people, typically via the internet. engagement, and the reward might be, at the bottom However, people become confused about what is end, with a small amount of money, a mug or a tea-towel. crowdfunding and what is not. I will talk briefly about Further up the scale, there are more substantial four kinds of crowdfunding. crowdfunding rewards. First, there is equity crowdfunding. It is very simple Fourthly, there are donations. Mr Chope, you will indeed. Someone wants to start a business and they give know about the success of justgiving.com, which is a share in their business to someone else. It may be estimated to have raised £3 billion for good causes, in worth a fiver, or fifty quid, but it is usually only a small direct donations. amount—an amount that I am sure you, Mr Chope, As I say, there are various types of crowdfunding, and I could afford to put into an enterprise that we and I hope that I have educated those attending this believed in and that might make us money in the longer Westminster Hall debate about them. term. It is also possible for someone to invest in the little Crowdfunding gives all of us access to the money to corner shop that they do not have in their village or make things happen. According to a recent report— community, or in a failing pub that the community published only this week—by the charity Nesta, Cambridge wants to take over. There are lots of enterprises that university and the university of California, Berkeley, crowdfunding can help. the alternative finance sector raised £939 million in the However, there is the very interesting issue of starting UK in 2013. That is a hell of a lot of money, and it was businesses—private sector businesses. There is nothing up by 91% from the £492 million raised in 2012. The wrong with starting businesses. As chairman of both UK alternative finance market provided £332 million-worth the all-party group on manufacturing and the all-party of early stage growth and working capital to more than group on management, I am a passionate supporter of 3,700 start-ups and SMEs in the UK in 2013 alone. So well-managed enterprises and start-ups. this sector is not small beer; it is big and it is going to Equity is one way that crowdfunding works; someone grow. can invest money in that way. However, it is also possible If we play it right, the UK is likely to become the to borrow and lend money through the internet and centre of crowdfunding in the world, partly because crowdfunding; that is the second form of crowdfunding the United States, in its haste to regulate crowdfunding, I want to discuss. Some people in the peer-to-peer has, many argue, strangled the baby at birth. That lending area are a little cautious about being called part is the truth; the US has overregulated and made it of the crowdfunding empire, but—in broader terms—they almost impossible, certainly for equity crowdfunding, certainly pitch up to the Westminster crowdfunding to carry on. forum. Such lending allows people to borrow money at very low rates of interest, and it also allows people to Those of us who are passionate about crowdfunding lend money at quite high rates of interest. People might want to make this appeal: whatever the Financial Conduct think that is impossible, but the fact is that we have a Authority does in regulation—it is currently consulting—it system that gets rid of the intermediary. It is peer to must get it right. We are not against all regulation, but it peer—very direct. There is no big bank, with glass must be appropriate, and it must be quite soft regulation. panels and marble halls, to go into, or a network of It can be effective, but if we go down the US route, we branches of banks, with all the people that have to be will lose the opportunity to have one of the biggest employed in them. There is a very simple relationship, growth sectors and most interesting phenomena of the and it means that the facility to lend and borrow money modern economy. is made quite radically different. The FCA should not present an obstacle to the Thirdly, there is rewards crowdfunding. That is the growth of the sector. The criticism that I am getting is kind of crowdfunding that you, Mr Chope, and I might that if the FCA is not careful, it will take the “crowd” be most interested in; I realise that I am interpreting out of crowdfunding. I am not against the FCA. I was your wishes in saying so. Rewards crowdfunding means quoted in The Independent earlier this week or late last that someone asks someone else to help them with an week as asking for a halt to the consultation process. I enterprise, such as the John Clare Cottage Trust, which did not say that; I never spoke to the journalist in I am involved with and which is a national centre for question, and I do not believe that. The consultation learning outside the classroom. We run a campaign process is good, and we have certainly had a good called every child’s right to the countryside. What we do face-to-face relationship with the FCA over many months; to raise money is to ask people, “Will you adopt a we just want to ensure that we get it right, and that is school in less affluent area of the country, whose pupils what this debate is partly about. We want to ensure that would benefit from coming to the countryside and we do not make a mistake. learning in the countryside for a day?” We look to Certain language used by the FCA and people around crowdfund up to £500 to bring a whole school class to it would I think horrify your constituents, Mr Chope, as the countryside for a day. We can do that by offering it would mine. The FCA suggests that only “sophisticated” rewards, because we not only give the reward of a day in investors should have access to crowdfunding; in other 247WH Crowdfunding and the FCA18 DECEMBER 2013 Crowdfunding and the FCA 248WH words, those who have a relatively high net worth. The (Mr Sheerman) on securing this important debate. I FCA’s consultation paper makes a distinction between also pay tribute to my noble Friend Baroness Susan retail and sophisticated investors. That kind of language Kramer, who did a lot of work in this area before her makes me nervous, because it is insulting to ordinary elevation to a ministerial role, which has somewhat people, suggesting that they do not know how best to curtailed it. invest a little bit of money. The sector is huge; we can read about just how big it My constituents can go down to a bookie’s, play is in the excellent “The Rise of Future Finance: The fixed-odds betting, and lose thousands in a day. Those UK Alternative Finance Benchmarking Report”. I am machines are dreadful things, and I have campaigned delighted that Cambridge was able to play a part in against them. My constituents can also go next door that; £939 million is a large sum of money. The sector is and borrow money at ruinous rates of interest from also incredibly varied. In my constituency, for example, payday lenders. They can go online to gamble and, SyndicateRoom is doing equity crowdfunding, and the especially at Christmas, spend a lot of money that they Future Business Centre is using social impact bonds to do not really have. Why should ordinary people not be build an entire building for social enterprises. RealVNC, able to put a fiver, £10 or even £50—small amounts—in a software company, was set up though merchandising; something that they think will grow? it sold products with its logo on to get the money to I will give an example that might interest you, Mr Chope. build a better product. There is also Frontier Developments A plethora of universities are now getting into and its game, “Elite: Dangerous”. Those are all crowdfunding. If your university is like mine, Mr Chope, crowdfunded. The area is so varied that there is a huge the only time you hear from them is when they want challenge for regulation. some money. That angers a lot of people, because that The sector must be regulated to avoid problems—none is the only communication that they have with their of us wants to hear the story of the granny who loses all alma mater; I am looking at the hon. Member for her savings on something like that—but we must ensure Cambridge (Dr Huppert) on that. that the regulation is not disproportionate. We must Crowdfunding allows universities such as the university ensure that we have principles regulation, not firm of Huddersfield—university of the year last year and tracks that lock everyone down and kill off the excitement, entrepreneurial university of the year the year before—to as the hon. Member for Huddersfield said. That is my be able to have a crowdfunding relationship, so that aim. when graduates and postgraduates come through, they The Government are supportive; I will finish with a can say, “Not only can we help you find the money for quote from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State your start-up business, our first port of call is our for Business, Innovation and Skills in response to the alumni, who might want to invest back in a new generation excellent benchmarking report, “The Rise of Future of entrepreneurs coming out of their university.” There Finance”: is so much excitement here. “Alternative finance is playing an increasingly important role There is a common-sensical way of having regulation in helping businesses access the finance they need to grow and that does not cause damage. I want to make it clear contribute to the economy.” today that there has been a good dialogue with the Let us ensure that that can continue. FCA. I hope that it is listening to what we are saying. I also hope that the Treasury, the Department for Business, Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ Innovation and Skills and all the other people in Co-op) rose— Government who know about the issue will learn about it and realise the enormous potential for growth in the Mr Christopher Chope (in the Chair): I shall call the British economy. Minister now. If the hon. Lady wishes to intervene, it Crowdfunding can bring communities back to life. will be up to the Minister. Political parties have hardly any membership. There are low levels of voting in general and local elections. Here 11.17 am is something through the social media—look at 38 Degrees and its achievements—that will reinvigorate our The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Sajid Javid): communities, grow them and make them wealthier, and Welcome to the Chair, Mr Chope. I, too, congratulate will be a new way of funding social and economic the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman) on activity in our country. securing this debate, and on the important work that he does as chair of the Westminster crowdfunding forum. I Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD) rose— share his enthusiasm for crowdfunding and the peer-to-peer alternative funding platforms that he mentioned. I cannot Mr Christopher Chope (in the Chair): Does the hon. think of a single thing he said that I disagree with; it is Member for Cambridge have the consent of both the quite rare for me to say that to him. I say that not in a hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman) and the spirit of good will because it is close to Christmas, but Minister? because I thought he talked a lot of common sense. Clearly, he knows a lot about the issue, and I hope that Dr Huppert indicated assent. he stays involved in it for a long time to come—it sounds like he will—because I think he can add great value to this area. 11.15 am Small and medium-sized enterprises are a vital part Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): Thank you for of the UK economy and contribute significantly to calling me to speak, Mr Chope. I will try to be brief. economic growth, as we have just heard. In particular, I congratulate the hon. Member for Huddersfield access to finance is important to ensure that businesses 249WH Crowdfunding and the FCA18 DECEMBER 2013 Crowdfunding and the FCA 250WH

[Sajid Javid] Sajid Javid: I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention. I am just about to address regulation; that might help to reach their full potential. At times when there are answer her question. This is also a good opportunity greater constraints on credit, alternative finance markets, to pay credit to Shoreditch as an area that is heavily including crowdfunding, become even more crucial. involved in crowdfunding. It is a growing space, and I That is why crowdfunding, though it may be a relatively would like to see it continue to grow. new industry, is growing quickly. We listened to the peer-to-peer side of the industry when it asked about regulation. We are working with Meg Hillier: May I draw the Minister’s attention to a the FCA to regulate that side of the industry and donation-based crowdfunded organisation called Turning develop a proportionate framework. The framework Earth in my constituency? It raised more than £13,000 has been well received by the peer-to-peer industry. through Crowdfunder and sells work spaces and classes Although the equity and debt security side of the in pottery. It says that, critically, the money levers in crowdfunding market is already captured by some other money, because there is confidence in the community regulation, it is keen for a more tailored framework. that the organisation will work. Does that not do something The platforms’ view is that regulation provides them to tackle the asymmetry of banks, which are frankly with credibility and helps to attract investors. They letting down small businesses, and the challenge of actively lobbied the FCA for inclusion in the consultation, funding small businesses? and we supported them to achieve that goal. Although we recognise the importance of regulation Sajid Javid: The hon. Lady is right. There are examples for the industry at the request of the platforms, it is of banks letting down small businesses. That shows the essential that regulation be proportionate, as all hon. power of crowdfunding. I had not heard of Turning Members have said, if we are to ensure that it does not Earth before, but I am glad that she has brought it to stifle the market’s growth. The Government therefore my attention. I will take more interest in it now. If I continue to work with the platforms and the FCA to heard her correctly, she mentioned that it has already ensure that the optimum framework is implemented—a raised £13 million—[Interruption.] Oh, £13,000. Well, framework that satisfies the industry, provides increased that is an excellent start. There is great growth potential certainty to investors, and enables the crowdfunding in that number. industry to continue on its upward trajectory. Over the past two years, in total, more than £700 million Before I close, I would like to say that having has been lent through peer-to-peer platforms. There has proportionate regulation is also key to ensuring that been a 600% increase in equity platforms between 2012 there are no unnecessary barriers to entering the industry. and 2013, raising approximately £28 million this year. One of the industry’s successes over the past few years There has been significant growth in debt-based security has been the very light barriers to entry. The Government platforms of more than 370% in a year, raising almost and the regulator are keen to ensure that we have £26 million over the past three years. regulation that is proportionate enough to achieve the objective of protecting consumers, both borrowers and The crowdfunding market has huge potential to expand lenders, without creating barriers to entry that make the much further, and the UK has a strong global position industry grow at a slower pace or stifle growth. in crowdfunding investment. Like the hon. Member for Huddersfield, I am keen to ensure that we maintain Meg Hillier: I welcome the Minister’s comments, and grow that position. As such, the Government have because some years ago I called for regulation, but not taken a number of steps to support this burgeoning to such an extent that it might put people off. Perhaps industry. We have invested £30 million in peer-to-peer he can write to us if he does not have this information. platforms through the business finance partnership: NANA in my constituency is a café run by older women £20 million has been provided to Funding Circle, which that was funded through donations on Kickstarter. facilitates loans to small businesses, and £10 million has Nana is located in former toilets on Chatsworth road in been provided to Zopa, which has facilitated £432 million Homerton, and people fund it by buying a tea towel or of lending since its launch in 2005. donating a cheque. At the moment, the FCA is not Our generous tax reliefs, granted through the seed considering the regulation of that sector. Does the enterprise investment scheme, are widely used by equity Minister have any information on whether regulation of platforms. Some platforms have reported that 80% of the donation sector will at any point be considered by investors are using that scheme, which provides an the FCA or the Government? important incentive for investors to invest in smaller, perhaps riskier businesses, allowing them to grow. Sajid Javid: As the hon. Lady kindly suggests, I will write to her and take a closer look at what plans the Meg Hillier: One of the FCA’s considerations is FCA does or does not have. separating the sector into debt crowdfunding and equity crowdfunding. I represent Seedrs, which is based in Mr Sheerman: Will the Minister do some missionary Shoreditch and does a great deal of good work in this work with his colleagues? This is a cross-departmental area. The sector is very diverse, so will the Minister issue, and one does worry. The Secretary of State for comment on whether the Government desire to keep Business, Innovation and Skills is well apprised of the that diversity while ensuring that there is regulation, issue, and we have met him. We want a better relationship without making false divides and pigeonholing the diverse with the Treasury team, because people are having to crowdfunding industry into the categories of debt, equity think about this business of investing only 10% of their or, indeed, donations? Donations are not within the portfolio. Most people who invest, or who will potentially FCA’s remit at the moment. invest, in crowdfunding would have no idea what a 251WH Crowdfunding and the FCA 18 DECEMBER 2013 252WH portfolio was if it jumped up and bit them. Every time I Hospices (Children and Young People) complain about “sophisticated” investors, the FCA and other people say, “Well, it’s part of the literature.” It is demeaning to say that people can do something only if [SANDRA OSBORNE in the Chair] they have a certain net worth and if they are a “sophisticated” investor. I do not mind “experienced” or another term, but “sophisticated” upsets many people 2.30 pm in crowdfunding. Stuart Andrew (Pudsey) (Con): It is nice to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Osborne. I am pleased Sajid Javid: I share the hon. Gentleman’s concerns, to have secured the debate on an issue that is important and if there are too many barriers to investment, it for me personally. could stifle growth. I have relayed my concerns to the I have mentioned on a number of occasions that it FCA. As we have heard, one of the consultations has was my privilege to work in the hospice movement for just closed, and the other is about to close. I believe that some 16 years, mostly in the children’s hospice movement. we will get a report from the FCA by February. He Although being elected to this place was one of the makes an important point. proudest days of my life, it was tinged with a little sadness, because it meant that I had to leave Martin Mr Sheerman: Last week, here in Parliament, we House children’s hospice. Through my time there and at hosted the founder of Indiegogo, which is a pioneer. Is Hope House children’s hospice, I got to see and hear at it not interesting that bright, talented women are coming first hand the incredible stories of so many children, into crowdfunding because there are fewer barriers? young people and their families. I got to witness people Many sites are run by people such as Karen Darby. The offering care and support not only because it was their sites are successfully changing the world, but they are job, but because they cared passionately about the also giving women an opportunity to use their talent, families they were caring for. I got to see some remarkable when, in some areas, they do not yet have that opportunity. courage and resilience on the part of children and of families living with the constant prospect that their Sajid Javid: The hon. Gentleman again points out child would not live into adulthood. one of the successes of this growing industry. We heard from my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge Many of my friends often said that they could not (Dr Huppert) that more young people are involved in understand how I could work in such a place. Their the industry and, in some cases, are perhaps finding it perception was that a children’s hospice was a depressing an easier platform than banks for raising money. place, filled with sadness and despair. For someone who walks into any children’s hospice in this country, however, I congratulate the hon. Member for Huddersfield that preconceived idea simply disappears. Of course again on securing this debate. I reassure him and all there are sad days, when a child has deteriorated or other hon. Members that we would like to encourage come to the end of their life, and there are moments of the growth of this industry. pain, but for the most part it is rare to visit a children’s hospice and not to hear the sound of music in the 11.27 am background and children laughing, and an atmosphere Sitting suspended. of warmth and support, not to mention the wonderful smell of cooking and baking by the volunteers. Martin House hospice is not only the hospice that I worked at, but it serves the children in my constituency. When it opened its doors for the first time some 25 years ago, it was only the second children’s hospice in the UK and it served most of the country. As time moved on and more hospices were built, so its catchment area changed. Today, Martin House offers practical help and support through a range of services to some 400 children and their families. That is the critical bit: it is not only about caring for the child. When I spoke to many of the families, they would try to describe their feelings on learning that their child was going to have a short life. The most memorable reply that I ever heard was from someone who described it as the loss of hopes and dreams. At the birth of their child, they had dreamt about the child’s first steps, first words and first day at school, about the child going to university, getting married and eventually having children of their own. The family said that they had to make new dreams when they realised that their child would not be able to do those things. Martin House was there to do just that: to help them to build a life for their child. The hospice offers a host of services that have developed over 25 years through knowledge, experience and listening. The impact on a family in which there is a child or young person with a life-limiting illness is difficult to 253WH Hospices (Children and Young 18 DECEMBER 2013 Hospices (Children and Young 254WH People) People) [Stuart Andrew] that her phrase to the families was: “The answer is yes; now, what is question?” Such a philosophy is what imagine, but Martin House—like all hospices around makes the hospices so wonderful. the country—is committed to being alongside the children Time has gone on and medical advances have been and their families. Such close work has helped Martin achieved, so many of the children are now living longer. House to develop and fine tune what it has to offer, For example, when I joined Hope House children’s providing truly family-led care and support. The ongoing hospice in Oswestry, boys suffering from Duchenne day-to-day care of a child with a life-limiting illness, muscular dystrophy would invariably live to about 18. which may go on for a number of years, can be a By the time I left Martin House, however, some 14 years physical and emotional strain on the whole family. later, some sufferers were living into their mid- and late Martin House shares that care with them, and it can 20s. Naturally, that is good and wonderful news, but it take various different forms from symptom control, presents new problems. through emergency and respite care to terminal care. Respite care offers the opportunity for a short stay to Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): I pay tribute to give the family a break. I spoke to one father who said my hon. Friend’s dedication and loyalty to the hospice that if he got up eight times in the night he would movement over 16 years and for representing the movement consider it a good night’s sleep. His daughter was eight today in Parliament. He mentioned Hope House. Will years old at the time. Imagine doing that for more than he join me in paying tribute to all the volunteers and eight years—it is no wonder that they need respite and staff at Hope House in Shropshire and at the Severn support. Sometimes they may all stay together as a hospice, which my hon. Friend also knows? They do family, or sometimes they leave the child at the hospice, such a great job week in, week out. but it is an opportunity for them to recharge their batteries. Many a time I saw them looking exhausted Stuart Andrew: During the course of the debate, all when they arrived on a Friday, but was pleased to see the hospices are going to be mentioned, which is wonderful them looking much more relaxed on Monday morning and exactly what I want from the debate. My hon. after a weekend of not having to think about feeding Friend is absolutely right. the child, doing the ironing, washing or cooking—all of that was taken care of by the wonderful staff. Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): Will my hon. Emergency support is there for when the families hit Friend give way? those everyday problems that we all experience. If a relative falls sick or there is a problem at home, it is Stuart Andrew: I will give way in a moment, but I difficult enough for us to deal with, but for someone must deal with the previous intervention first. Hope with a child with a life-limiting illness such things are House deals with the constituency of my hon. Friend much harder. Knowing that there is someone at the end the Member for The Wrekin (Mark Pritchard), as well of a line, in a hospice, who is able to help is a great relief. as with the Welsh area through Ty Gobaith, so I will We must also think about the terminal care. No one also take an intervention from my hon. Friend the really wants to think about a child or young person Member for Montgomeryshire (Glyn Davies). dying, but to be able to think about or, where possible, plan for that time is something that those care teams do Glyn Davies: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for with great skill and compassion. allowing me to intervene. I, too, want to laud the services from Hope House, which serves most of my constituency. Will he also accept how important it is to Mr Lee Scott (Ilford North) (Con): I congratulate my have a good relationship across the border between hon. Friend on securing the debate. Does he share my England and Wales? So many services simply fall apart admiration for the way in which staff deal with parents, because of the border, but at least it does not for this such as at my own local children’s hospice, Haven particular service, because of the activities of Hope House, which serves the young people of my constituency House. in that terrible situation. The care, the passion and the compassion that they show to the parents enables them to deal with something that, in honesty, no parent Stuart Andrew: That is absolutely right. A lot of would want or should ever have to deal with. lessons can be learned from the hospice movement on providing care, because what matters at the end of the day is the children and the families—they should be Stuart Andrew: I certainly agree. I got to know Haven able to access services as easily as possible. House through my time working in various hospices. It I was talking about the youngsters living longer, but and the other hospices do tremendous care—even at the the hospice environment was generally geared towards most difficult and challenging times, they manage to do young children. It started to become less appropriate or it with a great sense of dignity, which we should all be even desirable for young adults to go into the same proud of. building. The trustees at Martin House took the brave Ensuring that the families are supported through the decision to build a new, separate teenage unit in the most difficult period is paramount, but also beyond grounds. Through generous public donations, Whitby that, through bereavement support. What is good about Lodge opened its doors in 2002, the first hospice of its many of the hospices, Martin House included, is that kind in the United Kingdom. It has been a huge success, the services are offered not only at the hospice, but in and is being replicated around the country, because the family home, to ensure that as much as can be done young adults get to behave just like that: as young is being done. The first head of care at Martin House adults. The conversation is more appropriate to their was an inspirational lady called Lenore Hill. I remember age, and they can share and talk openly about their own 255WH Hospices (Children and Young 18 DECEMBER 2013 Hospices (Children and Young 256WH People) People) needs, fears and hopes. As a result, the care team can As I was saying, the national picture is much bigger. learn more about the young people and help them There are some 49,000 children and young people in the where they can with their particular ambitions. While I UK living with a life-limiting or life-threatening illness was based at Martin House, a number of young people that means that they need palliative care. There are some went to university, encouraged by the care team. The wonderful and committed professionals providing that team also tried to help those young people when they care in some inspirational places—not just in hospices, were going through the transition from child care to but in the family home, in hospitals and in community adult social care. settings. Families with children with life-limiting illnesses are some of the people most in need in the UK, but Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): I congratulate many are still not getting the help and support that they my hon. Friend on the important and passionate case require. Although services offer a day-to-day lifeline to that he is making for children’s hospices. As he has families, many of the challenges that they face can be pointed out, people are now living much longer with addressed only by changes to policy, both nationally complex conditions, so transition is a key area. Does he and locally. welcome the work that Acorns children’s hospice is doing with the Help the Hospices movement to design In November, I was proud to co-host a reception in better pathways for transition? Parliament for Together for Short Lives, the UK charity that supports all children with life-limiting illnesses. At Stuart Andrew: Absolutely. I will talk in a little more that event, the charity launched its policy priorities for detail about transition later. The Care Bill had its the next Parliament. During the reception, the audience Second Reading on Monday, and I raised specific points heard from Lucy Watts, who is 20 years old. Lucy about transition during that debate, because it is a big described the impact that her condition has on her life, issue for many of those young people. the care that she receives and the needs of young people The conversations those young people had were very like her. She became ill at 14, and was diagnosed just moving. I will never forget one particular young man. after her 15th birthday. Lucy is fed straight into her We were recording a promotional video to show to bloodstream, via a central line, and can sit up only for health professionals and as a fundraising tool, and we up to five hours a day. She is wheelchair-bound, but has asked the young people at the hospice to say what it to spend the majority of her time in bed. Speaking meant to them. The head of care was interviewing about the gap in services for young people with palliative them, so that they were with somebody they knew and care needs, she said that felt as comfortable as possible; she asked that young “what has been forgotten is that in between children’s and adults, man, “What is the most difficult thing about your there are the young adults. We deserve the same recognition and condition?” He considered the question for a moment, distinction as children’s and adult services, but it’s barely recognised. and what he said had a profound effect on me. He said: There is the transition period, but young adult care goes beyond “Falling in love.” At that moment, it hit me that despite transitioning from children’s services to adult services. As a result, the transition can be a huge leap, too many changes too soon their physical limitations or their conditions these are without factoring in the needs of people who are not children, but still young people, with all the same feelings and hopes not mature adults yet either.” that we all experience. He wondered if anybody would ever love somebody who was, as he put it, “Like him.” That is a powerful quote from that young lady. That local experience at Martin House is but one Making sure that the right children’s palliative care piece in a huge jigsaw. Support and palliative care do services are available, in the right place, at the right time, not come only through hospices such as Martin House, is crucial. Those services should cover the whole spectrum Hope House or the others that have been mentioned. I of care, including short breaks for children and families. want to cover three areas: NHS funding for children’s Commissioned and delivered effectively, children’s palliative palliative care; short breaks; and support with mobility care can play a cost-effective role in supporting early for children under three. discharge for children from acute care settings through step-down care. It can also help to reduce unplanned Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East) (Lab): I congratulate admissions among children to acute care settings. A the hon. Gentleman on securing this debate. Two Government-commissioned funding review has highlighted organisations that help hospices and the hospice movement that hospital admissions in the last year of life for throughout the country are the National Council for children who need palliative care can cost an estimated Palliative Care and the Help the Hospices movement, £18.2 million. That far outweighs the cost of providing which has already been mentioned. Both ensure that the palliative care to children outside the hospital setting. high standards that all hospices aspire to and achieve Research has also shown that short breaks provided are maintained through mutual good practice and the by children’s hospices, which often include health care sharing of experience. Does he agree that those interventions, help to reduce stress on families and organisations give superb support not just to Martin demand on public services. Children’s palliative care House, which he has mentioned, but to St Gemma’s in services, including children’s hospices, must be funded my constituency and all the other hospices that hon. fairly and sustainably. Families need to know that their Members have mentioned? local services will continue to be able to provide the care Stuart Andrew: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely that they need—an issue that was reflected in the 2010 right. Those umbrella organisations help to share best coalition agreement. practice, and it is through them that the hospice movement I pay tribute to my field within the hospice movement: has grown so significantly. The movement is something the wonderful fundraisers, who raise millions and millions that we can be proud of worldwide: we now have of pounds for hospices. My job as head of fundraising visitors from all over the world coming to our hospices was made much easier by the dedication of many volunteers to see how it is done—and, frankly, it is done brilliantly. and supporters. We had to raise over £4 million a year 257WH Hospices (Children and Young 18 DECEMBER 2013 Hospices (Children and Young 258WH People) People) [Stuart Andrew] Overall, statutory funding for children’s palliative care in England is patchy and inconsistent. For example, to run the hospice, and somehow—I do not know local NHS commissioners contribute an average of how—those volunteers managed to do that year in, year only 13% to the care costs of children’s hospices. However, out. that masks significant variation. Three hospices in England receive no local funding from their NHS commissioners, Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con): I am grateful to be and three organisations account for one third of their able to contribute to this debate. My hon. Friend the total income. The Government currently provide a central Member for Worcester (Mr Walker) mentioned Acorns, grant of more than £10 million through NHS England the hospice that serves our community. Does my hon. to address the shortfall, and they have committed to Friend the Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) agree introducing a new per-patient funding system for children’s that volunteers do an amazing job, and that the NHS hospices as part of the coalition agreement. could learn a great deal from how we run our hospices? The umbrella organisation, Together for Short Lives, shares the aspiration and vision for a transparent funding Stuart Andrew: That is a very valid point. Hospices system that is fair to all sectors, and it is supporting do inspiring and innovative work. NHS England to develop it. However, there is growing concern in the children’s palliative care sector about Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con): I congratulate my whether an NHS tariff will deliver a more sustainable hon. Friend on securing this debate. He is making an future, and how practical it will be to implement. I have incredibly powerful speech. We know how important a couple of questions for the Minister. Will she set out fundraising is to the hospice movement. In my constituency, an implementation and commissioning plan for the I have been working on and fundraising for Martin tariff, including a commitment to consult on the detail House’s “good night’s sleep” appeal, which is sponsored and fully test the tariff? Will she commit to a simple by BBC Radio York. It aims to provide the respite care tariff that includes the central elements of children’s that parents need—an issue that my hon. Friend touched palliative care, including short breaks when there is an on at the beginning of his speech. Will he join me in assessed need? expressing his support for that appeal? Many families rely on short breaks to recharge their batteries and spend time together. However, not all of Stuart Andrew: Absolutely. I gave an interview to them can access such breaks, because commissioners do BBC Radio York this morning, and assured the people not always commission them appropriately. Children’s involved that we would get a mention of their fundraising hospices receive less than 2% of their care costs from efforts into this debate. My hon. Friend has managed to local authorities, despite £800 million being available to do that, and I am extremely grateful to him for ticking fund short breaks. Half of children’s hospices receive thatboxforme. no funding from their local authority. Will the Minister ensure that local authorities ring-fence money allocated to them for short breaks, and audit local authority Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): I, spending on them, to ensure that as many families as too, congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important possible are able to have them? debate. He is making a powerful point about funding. Demand for beds at Little Harbour, run by the Children’s I am conscious that time is passing, and I am sure Hospice South West in my constituency, has doubled that other hon. Members want to make a contribution, recently. Since 2006, we have seen a 30% increase in so I will write to the Minister about the final point I NHS funding, but only a 10% increase in hospice funding. wanted to talk about—mobility. Children’s hospices in Does he agree that the balance needs to be redressed, the UK are a beacon of a decent and civil society. and that we need to do our bit to make sure that People in other countries look to them with awe and hospices have the funds that they need? admiration. They do truly amazing and innovative work, and always strive to make the best of short and difficult times. There is a wonderful saying in the hospice movement: Stuart Andrew: Absolutely. My hon. Friend makes “While we cannot add days to their lives, we can add life a valid point, and brings me on to the issue of to their days.” It is no exaggeration to say that my funding from NHS England. Children’s palliative outlook on life changed significantly through working care is commissioned by the NHS using two separate in the hospice movement. My opponents in my constituency methods. The first is through NHS England specialised referred to me in their leaflets a couple of times as “our commissioning. The care is commissioned directly by ever-smiling MP”. After what I have witnessed and NHS England, and covers functions such as prescribing been inspired by, I am pleased by that remark. All the unlicensed medicines and managing complex symptoms. families have been determined to enjoy life, and I think NHS England has published a specification for specialised how lucky I am. children’s palliative care services, which came into force in October. I would like to finish with the words of Lucy Watts, the young lady I mentioned earlier, who movingly said: The second means of commissioning is through clinical “Quality of life is of the utmost importance when you have a commissioning groups, which should commission the life-limiting illness, as you want to be able to enjoy the time you more general aspects of children’s palliative care. There have left. Although our bodies might be dying, our minds and is confusion among some CCGs about which elements spirits are fighting to live. I’m still a young person with wants, they should commission. I hope that the Minister will needs, hopes and dreams. I want to have fun and enjoy myself, do provide the answers, today or later, to ensure that the things people my age normally do, and I have plans and goals for CCGs know that they are responsible for commissioning the future.” children’s general palliative care and know what that I hope that we as a country and as a Parliament can should be. help her to fulfil those dreams. 259WH Hospices (Children and Young 18 DECEMBER 2013 Hospices (Children and Young 260WH People) People) 2.54 pm help to support the hospice movement—as he and the hon. Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) have done—is Mr Kevin Barron (Rother Valley) (Lab): I congratulate to come and support the all-party group on hospice and the hon. Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) on securing palliative care, which meets regularly in this place, at this debate. I will try to keep my contribution as short as least every three months, and brings together professionals possible as other hon. Members want to speak. First, I from hospices all over the country? Will he please think it right and proper to say a few words about endorse the request to attend those meetings and support Bluebell Wood children’s hospice in North Anston in the all-party group? my constituency. It is in 6.5 acres of land that was regenerated after closure of the local coal mine, and has its own exclusive access road. Its highly specialised care Mr Barron: I am a member of the all-party group— team look after children with a vast range of complex indeed, I am an advocate of all-party groups—and I medical needs and support the whole family on their life believe that bringing together professional people from journey, offering short respite breaks, day care provision, the hospice movement leads to advancement and educates community support, crisis intervention and end-of-life us about what is happening out there in the real world. treatment and care. Bluebell Wood has 90 employees, including the care Families often come to Bluebell Woodhospice exhausted team and administrative staff, and currently more than after caring for a child with a life-limiting condition 350 active volunteers. The hospice and I are extremely requiring 24-hour, seven days a week care. It is there to proud of them. It would not be the place it is today help, and offers respite care to the whole family and without them. They work on reception and in the gives them the opportunity to spend quality time together kitchen, they help with the housekeeping and knowing their child is in safe hands. It gives families the administration, they dig the gardens, paint rooms and chance to recharge their batteries and to come and go as help in the shops, to name but a few tasks they carry they wish. It is a relaxed, fun and happy place to be, out. The hospice has eight shops in the surrounding where brothers, sisters, mums and dads can enjoy the region which raise funds. They are based throughout fun and games. Its motto is “living with love and south Yorkshire, and there is also one over in Derbyshire, laughter”. in Bakewell. I want to point out to the Minister that it The hospice provides eight beautifully appointed costs more than £3 million for Bluebell Wood. bedrooms for children and young people as well as accommodation for families. It also has two end-of-life Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): I join in suites, “Primrose” and “Forget-Me-Not”, which are congratulating the hon. Member for Pudsey (Stuart self-contained accommodation suites where parents can Andrew) on securing this important debate. Would the stay after their child has passed away. The deceased right hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr Barron) child can stay in a special adjoining room to be close to allow me to offer my thanks and support, on behalf of them. They can stay until the funeral, giving family and my constituents, to the Northern Ireland children’s friends the opportunity to visit at any time. The staff hospice, which looks after 600 life-limited children and are also on hand to help the family with any funeral young people, and to the volunteers and staff there? arrangements if necessary. The recent announcement by the Minister of Health in The hospice boasts a music room, messy play room, Northern Ireland to allocate £2.3 million towards the sensory room, cinema room, soft play area, teenage hospice movement, including the adult hospice in my room and Jacuzzi. It is surrounded by beautiful and constituency, has proved an enormous boost to all tranquil gardens, including a dragonfly remembrance those involved in looking after the terminally ill in garden, which was built by Alan Titchmarsh and was Northern Ireland. featured on his ITV programme, “Love Your Garden”. It offers care and support for children and young people Mr Barron: The right hon. Gentleman makes his case with a shortened life expectancy, both in their own very well. As I was saying, Bluebell Wood costs £3 million homes and at the hospice. There are only 43 children’s a year. I notice that my hon. Friend the Member for hospices in the country and Bluebell Wood cares for Rotherham (Sarah Champion) is in the Chamber today; more than 170 children from south Yorkshire, north she was the chief executive at Bluebell Wood hospice Derbyshire, north Nottinghamshire and parts of north until what I think I could call her “elevation” to become Lincolnshire. the hon. Member for Rotherham just over 12 months Fundraising for the hospice started in 1998 after the ago—I see that she is not too sure about that phrase. death of an 11-year old boy, Richard Cooper, who had Bluebell Wood costs £3 million a year and as we know, a rare degenerative disease and longed for care and adult hospices in England receive an average of about support outside a hospital environment. The charity 34% of their funding from Government. Children’s was established, and community support to build a hospices typically receive much less Government funding— children’s hospice in south Yorkshire was quickly somewhere in the region of 15% of their running costs— forthcoming. After a lot of fundraising and working although some get next to nothing, and I have to say with families in the community for two years, Bluebell that Bluebell Wood falls into that category. It receives Wood children’s hospice proudly opened its doors to 5% of its funding from Government and, were it not for children with life-limiting conditions on 19 September the volunteers, the rest of it would not be there at all. It 2008. certainly would not be in the shape that it is now, providing that vital service, not only in the hospice Fabian Hamilton: I would like to pay my own tribute itself, but at home. to Bluebell Wood, as well as Martin House, both of In the summer of 2010, the Government set up a which I know. Does my right hon. Friend agree that one review of palliative care funding and in July 2011, they of the best ways in which all hon. Members here can published a report, which I recognise stated that there is 261WH Hospices (Children and Young 18 DECEMBER 2013 Hospices (Children and Young 262WH People) People) [Mr Barron] more complicated and more difficult for organisations, such as those hospices, to understand. It is absolutely “a stunning lack of good data…for palliative care in England.” vital that the resulting method of funding is not complex, I know that finding a tariff, finding out the right costs nor should it be—as is classic with the national health and what should be paid is very difficult, but the national service—over-bureaucratic. An adequate process for health service is, far too often, taking decisions without transitional funding is also necessary, because the new evidence. I see a need for that evidence to be collected. funding method will undoubtedly bring in changes and Pilot sites were offered in November 2011, and I do shifts, with dips and rises in funding. not know how many sites were set up in March 2012. I am sure that the Minister in her heart of hearts will Can the Minister say when those pilots are likely to have agree, even if she cannot say so, that funding has not enough good data that we are able to take real decisions been increased since 2007, and that we need to recognise about how the NHS, although it should not take over inflation and the changes in service that many such hospices such as Bluebell Wood, should perhaps contribute organisations have made. A tapering increase in funding a bit more to the vital care that those children, young could perhaps reflect inflation and even the increase in adults and families receive in hospices? service delivery. In terms of the new scheme, it is vital that there is no 3.3 pm sharp change—I mean positively rather than negatively; I hope that there will not be any negative changes. With Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con): I congratulate any changes, we need a commitment to transitional my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) funding, so that there are no sharp bumps in the funding. on securing the debate. He has covered much of what It is progressive—these organisations are looking after many Members would say. There are 49 hospices in children over a long period and any sharp bump would the United Kingdom, so there will be probably be mean a dramatic change. 49 interventions and press releases. Let me go to my back-of-the-envelope calculation. I need to declare an interest, as I shall focus on This one small, two-unit facility, plus all the group’s Shooting Star CHASE, which is a fantastic organisation work outside, gets £630,000 from NHS England. That is that serves south-west London, west London, Surrey vital. Three hundred and sixty-five days at £23,000 a and West Sussex. My interest in it is that I have a family day comes to about £8.4 million. This Government, the member deeply involved in it. I am stunned—merely previous Government and future Governments must be going on to the website is such an education. It looks thankful that they are not being landed with the full after 600 families in the area, 365 days a year, 24 hours a bill. It is vital that we recognise that we should move day. The basic cost is £23,000 a day, because it is not just with the times, that we should give people results, and about what is done at its hospices. They are out helping bring in the transitional funding to buffer them, as well the families and so on. They are working outside, right as having a system of funding that is sensible, non- across the board in the area—in the homes and in the bureaucratic and easily understood—soon. various organisations outside that support them. I shall focus, because everybody is hankering to get in, only on some of its costs. 3.8 pm At the moment, Shooting Star CHASE does not Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): It is a pleasure appear, from my research, to receive any money apart to say a few words in relation to this topic. I thank from charitable funding and from the Government. As the hon. Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew)—his has been mentioned, NHS England provides £10.7 million, constituency is wonderfully named—for his contribution. which is shared among 49 organisations, but that money It summed up and set the scene for how we all feel about has remained the same since 2007. Shooting Star CHASE the matter. We thank him for his compassion and receives £630,000 a year for its programme. A quick knowledge on the issue; it was a real pleasure. back-of-the-envelope or iPhone calculation will indicate Whenever I think of this issue, I think of the Northern that huge amounts of money have to be found over and Ireland hospice and its good work, and of all the other above that. It is vital not only that that money is there, hospices throughout the United Kingdom, which other but that it gets charitable backing. Members have spoken about, and of the scourge of As has been mentioned, it is not unreasonable that cancer and specifically how it affects young people. the coalition Government have decided that they want Yesterday we had a debate on rare diseases. Perhaps the to review how all hospices—by that, I mean adult and two debates could have been merged together—one on children’s hospices—are funded by the state. As has rare diseases and palliative care—because they very been mentioned, the review was launched in 2010. The much go hand in hand. aim was to produce a new per-patient funding system. As well as praising the hospices, I would also like to NHS England, as I understand it, has set up a series of mention the Macmillan nurses, who, in many cases, pilots across children’s and adult’s hospices to collect make life just that wee bit easier for the families and the data so that the tariff can be developed. I get the those concerned. I pay special credit and thanks to impression that the children’s hospice movement agrees those caring men and women who manage to make life that a consistent and rational method is needed. We are that little bit less stressful for those suffering from still waiting for that—it has been three and a half years cancer and for their families. to date. Staying with that development, it is perhaps worth Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): I, too, emphasising how I see it, as someone who has worked thank the hon. Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) for in the national health service in dentistry. I have watched securing the debate, and there is also a hospice—the review after review, and I have seen how they have become Donna Louise children’s hospice—in my constituency, 263WH Hospices (Children and Young 18 DECEMBER 2013 Hospices (Children and Young 264WH People) People) which does marvellous work. Will the hon. Gentleman We have fantastic charities, such as the Make-A-Wish join me in commending the caring professionals, whether Foundation, that help children with terminal illnesses volunteers or paid staff, who will be working in hospices live a dream. However, that in no way absolves us, as over Christmas and new year, caring for people in often MPs, from our responsibilities to the families, and nor difficult, if not tragic, circumstances? does it absolve the Government or the regional Assemblies from theirs. Jim Shannon: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his Together for Short Lives has also highlighted an issue intervention. I do join him in commending them, as to me. Will short breaks for children who need palliative does everyone inside and outside the House. We recognise care be fairly and sustainably funded from ring-fenced the tremendous work they do—they are on call at all funding allocated to local authorities for short breaks? times. I sometimes wonder how they handle the sadness We look forward to the Minister’s answer, and I trust it and emotion they have to confront each and every day will be yes. as part of their vocation. Another issue highlighted to me was benefits for Northern Ireland Hospice is committed to fostering, families. As soon as the child is taken to the next scene encouraging and supporting a quality research culture of life—as soon as they leave this life—the parents are internally, regionally, nationally and internationally, and left to deal with their grief and their debt. Sometimes, it is known for the high level and quality of care it gives. handling the first overrides handling the second. There My right hon. Friend the Member for Belfast North must be some leeway over cutting off benefits, so that (Mr Dodds), who has just left, referred to the Northern the family has time to realise their financial situation Ireland Assembly Health Minister’s commitment to and handle it accordingly. The Minister does not have contribute £2.3 million to hospices, and that commitment direct responsibility for the benefits system, but will she by elected representatives shows the appreciation of say how we can help families get through the switchover what hospices do. at a time when grief is the ultimate driver of where they It is essential that those receiving end-of-life care are? What can we do to ensure that they are entitled to have the best care available and are made as comfortable time off and that their benefits are reduced gradually? as they can be in their last days. It is also essential, as the hon. Member for Pudsey said, that the family have Sarah Champion (Rotherham) (Lab): On the point all the information they need, whether that is in a about families, no parents separated as a result of the hospice setting, the patient’s home or through a palliative death of their child in the four years I was at Bluebell care package—those are the three areas that have to be Wood, whereas the average in the country is 50%. looked at. Hospices are also very good at helping families to Some 49,000 young children in the United Kingdom secure benefits and housing and to deal with their grief. of Great Britain and Northern Ireland live with a The hospices therefore give holistic care. life-limiting or life-threatening condition and need palliative Jim Shannon: I thank the hon. Lady for contributing care. There are inspirational professionals working alongside her personal knowledge on that matter. I ask the Minister them in their family homes, hospitals, community settings to tell us how the Government will improve support for and hospices across the United Kingdom. the families of children with life-threatening or life-limiting It is horrifying to think that if we had more children’s diseases who die, to ensure that family members are hospices, they would be filled, because the need continues entitled to time off and to have their benefits reduced to grow. Every time we find a drug that works against a gradually. strain of cancer, for example, a resistant strain appears. To conclude, a child’s illness is the most stressful For that reason, it is essential we put money into not thing a parent can face. We are failing the family and, simply hospices and nurses, but research, and I am by extension, the child if there is a lack of support. That convinced the Minister will take the issue of research on can and, indeed, must change. I ask the Minister to board in her response. outline what will be done to bring about the changes the I recently read a report stating there is a real danger hon. Member for Pudsey and others have outlined. We that palliative care and palliative medicine will be the cannot heal these children—I wish we had that talent, least evidence-based subjects in medicine in a few years’ but we do not, as much as we might want it—but we can time unless vastly more research is done. While palliative make the journey easier. When will we start to deliver care is vital, research is equally important, so perhaps the extra, full care that is so needed? the Minister can give us some thoughts on that. I hope we are all blessed with young children and grandchildren who are bubbly and full of life, but some 3.16 pm families are not. Those families have to live with a child Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): who is ill, and it is tremendously heartbreaking to It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, acknowledge that. Before yesterday’s debate on rare Mrs Osborne. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member diseases, the Teenage Cancer Trust sent us some information for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) on securing the debate. I saying that 30% of children with life-threatening diseases certainly like the description of him as the smiling MP. will die before they reach the age of five. Again, that He has much experience to bring to this whole debate. puts things in perspective. I should declare that I am a long-standing supporter Macmillan nurses told me that the sufferer’s mood is and patron of Julia’s House, a children’s hospice in my affected by their family. If the parents are content and constituency. I am pleased we have this opportunity to relaxed, the child is likely to reflect that. This is about recognise the plight of families with a seriously ill child, the family and everyone involved. It is also about the as well as the role of children’s hospices and other day trips and the residentials, which the hon. Member palliative care providers in supporting them. I endorse for Pudsey referred to. many of the comments that have been made. 265WH Hospices (Children and Young 18 DECEMBER 2013 Hospices (Children and Young 266WH People) People) [Annette Brooke] children diagnosed with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition will live into their teenage years or beyond, I would like to use this opportunity to highlight a and it is important to make that time as happy as vital type of support that is lacking in many parts of the possible. The cumulative effect on parents of sleep country for these children and their families, but which deprivation, exhaustion, isolation and anxiety is enormous. Julia’s House has helped to pioneer. Most children’s Which of us can say that we could survive such pressure? palliative care focuses on end-of-life care, emergency care and some respite, but Julia’s House, in response to Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): I want to parental demand, mainly provides all-year-round, frequent praise my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey for respite care at homes throughout Dorset and south initiating this emotional and important debate. I hope Wiltshire, as well as in the hospice in Poole, in Dorset. that he will keep smiling; I know that his constituents For families with a child with a life-limiting or life- smile a lot because of the hard work he does in his threatening illness, sleep deprivation, exhaustion and constituency. anxiety about the child’s health can take a heavy toll on The hon. Lady makes a great point about respite family relationships. Parental break-up rates in families care. The Forget Me Not children’s hospice in Huddersfield with a long-term seriously ill child vary, but they are opened its doors formally this year, but for a couple of known to be higher than the national average. People years its nursing teams have been going into the community, commonly report isolation, lack of time as a couple or helping 50 families. I volunteered with them last summer as a family, and physical and mental exhaustion among and remember vividly a single mum with a very ill child, their worries. Knowing that a specialist service will take whom they would help two mornings a week. She has the pressure off them for a few hours at a time of their not had more than two hours of unbroken sleep in the choosing each week can be the difference between coping past six years, and those two mornings a week are the and not coping. It is even better if the service comes to only times when she gets a little time to herself, whether their own home, as many families cannot easily transport to have her hair done or meet a friend. The contribution their fragile child. of those teams to her life make her a better mum, and In the more than 10 years since Julia’s House began help her to care for her child better. It is an excellent to provide this care, evidence has emerged that many point. parents see frequent respite as a factor in helping them to stay together as they try to cope with their child’s Annette Brooke: That was an excellent intervention. complex round-the-clock care needs. The impact of the How could any of us maintain a good family life under frequent respite service and the flexibility afforded by such unrelenting stress? What a difference that respite offering much of it in families’ own homes earned makes. Julia’s House the accolade of health care charity of the A family in my constituency likened the pressure to year at the 2012 national charity awards. slowly drowning, in exhaustion. In their words, “The Julia’s House and Bournemouth university are now only name on the life raft read ‘Julia’s House’.” For researching the extent to which frequent respite care families elsewhere in the country, in the numerous places helps couples with a seriously ill child to stay together. where there is no genuinely year-round respite, there is Their three-year study will conclude in autumn 2015, no life raft. I commend the initiative to the Minister and with interim results available in autumn 2014. Reliable look forward to her response. The research is likely to data from the research could point the way towards a show the great benefits to commissioners of spending change in policy. It is in nobody’s interests, including more money on respite care. the welfare state’s, for the parents of seriously ill children to separate. If frequent respite can play a preventive 3.23 pm role, and if successful models of support are emerging, health and wellbeing boards should be asked to make Mr Simon Burns (Chelmsford) (Con): I congratulate frequent respite for families a strategic priority. As well my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) as involving Julia’s House the research project will on securing this important debate. It was refreshing to widen early next year to include client families from a listen to such a fluent and interesting speech by someone selection of children’s palliative respite providers in who has done so much work in the hospice movement England. before entering this House three and a half years ago. When the research started, the Julia’s House chief As many hon. Members have said, and others will executive Martin Edwards met officials at the Department know from constituency experience, the hospice movement for Work and Pensions and the family policy unit to is fantastic. The dedication of those who work in it, explain the research aims. The officials were naturally whether providing the care or, equally importantly, interested in tracking the results. I hope that the Department raising the finances in their community, is vital. We of Health and the Department for Communities and cannot thank them enough for their dedication and Local Government will take a similarly close interest, hard work. along with policy makers in all the main political parties. We have concentrated in the debate, as people often We all like to talk about reducing family break-up, but do when talking about the hospice movement, on children’s we struggle to find levers for that, and the project could and adult hospices, which are vital. However, there is an provide one. Julia’s House will share the research results area in between that is all too often overlooked: the with the children’s palliative care sector and representatives need for more palliative care, and hospice care and of the three main political parties. treatment, for young people aged between 18 and 40. Emergency and end-of-life care, whether provided The needs of someone in their late teens or 20s are by the state or the voluntary sector, is very important, completely different from the needs of children, or of but it may come after a process of several years. Many aged adults, who make up a large proportion of the 267WH Hospices (Children and Young 18 DECEMBER 2013 Hospices (Children and Young 268WH People) People) people cared for in adult hospices. Things have been we can provide greater continuity of care from health improving in recent years, with greater recognition of care professionals where that is appropriate, so that the situation, but I do not think enough account was there is not an arbitrary cut-off point. taken in the past of the age group in question. I do not want to detain hon. Members much longer, I will be honest: 10 years ago it would never have because I know that others want to contribute, but I do occurred to me that there was a problem. I assumed that think that we must bear this in mind. Fantastic work is someone who was not a child would go to an adult going on, as has been shown by a number of interventions hospice, where the care would be wonderful—as it and speeches during the debate, in children’s hospices is—and that would meet the needs of even a young and, equally, in adult hospice care, but let us concentrate adult. However, when I met my constituent Denise more on developing for the young people in the 18-to-40 Whiffin, and the friends around her, it was brought age group provision that meets their specialist requirements, home to me how much extra attention and concentration so that they, too, can have provision and quality of care is needed to meet the special requirements of that age that is tailored to their requirements and demands. group. Denise Whiffin’s son Jonathan was diagnosed, Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): On the point about aged three, with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Of course supporting people in the age group to which the right he was cared for through the children’s hospice movement. hon. Gentleman refers, does he agree that it is important However, when he was in his late teens that was of for Government at all levels to encourage not just the course no longer the most appropriate form of care. He hospice movement, but housing associations and good moved to an adult hospice, with people who were much providers of sheltered housing models and supported older, and whose needs, outlook, attitudes and requirements housing models to think about how they might style were totally different. particular developments and units precisely to accommodate Denise Whiffin and others in my constituency looked people in that age group, so that they can live in a around and came across a role model. I believe that it supported context but have premises that guarantee was the first hospice to be created in this country—in them more independent living, which is more appropriate Oxfordshire—specifically for those aged 18 to 40. The to that age group? group was inspired to try to replicate that in Chelmsford, to provide the same sort of help for mid-Essex. Those Mr Burns: I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman, involved have done sterling work in the past decade, too, for that constructive intervention. I know that, raising money from scratch. For some years they have particularly in health debates, the term “holistic approach” been able to provide a wide range of badly needed is for ever used and can become rather hackneyed, but I services for young adults, in the patient’s home setting. do think that such an approach is crucial both in Those things include specialist advice and support; general health care in the NHS and in specialist areas unique care packages for each patient, drawn up by the such as palliative care, hospice care and end-of-life care. clinical nurse specialist; expert advice on transition There really must be an holistic approach, and this is from children’s to adult services; practical nursing care; not simply about different sections of the health care respite care in the home; counselling—which is vital for community. As the hon. Gentleman says, it also involves many families and young people; and a chaplaincy housing and, as the hon. Member for Rotherham (Sarah service and music therapy. They have expanded because Champion) said, the benefits system, where that is of demand for specialist care for the age group, and appropriate, for a number of people, because it is at this their hope and ambition now is that in due time they time in someone’s life and the life of their family and will acquire premises in which to provide health care friends that they want the minimum amount of hassle, and palliative care. as they are going through some of the most difficult parts of their lives or their loved ones are. We want to minimise the extra pressures, concerns and worries, and Sarah Champion: My colleague has hit the nail on the that can be done through a more joined-up, holistic head, and his example of a hospice is exemplary. However, approach to the whole provision of care. aside from the social aspect, one of the most shocking things for a child is that on their 18th birthday the I know that the Minister will be listening very carefully support of the paediatric consultant who has been with to the comments made in the debate. I know that the them all the way through is taken away. They are given Department of Health is extremely committed to the whole an adult consultant who might not be able to see them area of palliative care, end-of-life care and the hospice for three or four months. movement. I know that my hon. Friend will go away from the debate, reflect on a number of the points that have been made and do her best to help to address a Mr Burns: The hon. Lady makes a valid and important number of the issues that I and other hon. Members point, which comes as no surprise given her distinguished around the Chamber have raised in the course of the professional work before coming to this House after debate. the Rotherham by-election. It is about continuity of care. Just because someone reaches a cut-off point in 3.33 pm their age and lifespan, they should not necessarily— automatically—have to change from those who have John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): It is a pleasure to serve been providing their health care up until that point. The under your chairmanship for the first time, Mrs Osborne. individual’s needs and requirements might progress or I join other hon. Members in applauding my hon. change so that their consultant or other health care Friend the Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) for practitioner needs to change because of the skills that securing the debate. they have, but that is a totally different argument. I I would like to make some observations and reflect hope that my hon. Friend the Minister and the Department on the journey that I have been on this past year in of Health as a whole will look at the matter to see how engaging with this subject, starting with a question to 269WH Hospices (Children and Young 18 DECEMBER 2013 Hospices (Children and Young 270WH People) People) [John Glen] that adult hospices receive—38% of their costs—and the 10% to 15% that children’s hospices receive, so this my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 5 December was a very simple measure. last year. In that question, I raised the issue of Naomi I had a meeting on 15 October with my right hon. House hospice, which serves Wiltshire, Hampshire and Friend the Minister for Government Policy. Then, on Berkshire and does amazing work, along with all the 25 November, I received a letter that said that the other hospices mentioned this afternoon. Naomi House Government would include the local commissioning hospice also has a facility, opened in recent years, for example in their national tariff document. Basically, the young people in the 18-to-25 age group, reflecting the process that the Government are going through to fact that, previously, young people with some of these review the whole arrangement for palliative care funding conditions did not survive for very long, but now they would continue and we would wait for the outcome. In have a greater life expectancy. The facility is adjacent to the meantime, although Wiltshire and Naomi House the Naomi House site, and they work together. would be put on the table as an example, it would not be Professor Khalid Aziz, who was the chairman of presented in a compelling way so that it could be taken Naomi House hospice for well over 20 years, observed up as, I think, a very reasonable interim measure. that he received funding from three different primary I am somewhat disappointed by that final response care trusts, as they then were—they are now clinical after all those meetings and all that dialogue, because commissioning groups. Wiltshire, which is my local what is needed sometimes is yes, rigorous analysis of authority area—it was the PCT at the time—had agreed the facts and the issues, but also promotion of quick a very simple tariff arrangement whereby it gave £308 per solutions that would work in a very helpful way—that night for any child who was staying at the hospice. would ease the enormous burden on fundraisers in Naomi House had not managed to secure a similar making up the gap in funding. There is great support in agreement with Hampshire or Berkshire. It therefore our communities for children’s palliative care. I sometimes relied on a share of the grant from the Department of feel that because of the very emotive nature of the work Health and some other statutory local authority funding, done by children’s palliative care providers and the fact but, as with all hospices, it fundamentally relied on that it pulls at the heart strings, there is always a sense raising money through fundraising activities. I think that money will be found for it. I plead with the Minister that the figure was about £4 million a year. to accelerate that process if she can, because we need to address the funding gap and ease some of the considerable A little time passed and then, on 13 February, I, pressure on providers. along with Professor Aziz, had a meeting with the Prime Minister. He understood the issue very well. He was aware of the review that is being undertaken of 3.40 pm palliative care funding across all age groups, and we Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): went away greatly encouraged. A few more weeks passed, I begin by congratulating the hon. Member for Pudsey and I was a little concerned that progress was not being (Stuart Andrew) on securing this debate on a topic made. I sensed that there was some reticence to separate about which he is clearly passionate. I pay tribute to the issues about children’s palliative care and the palliative him and to all the members of the all-party parliamentary care review that is under way. In the end, we had a group on hospice and palliative care for the work that meeting on 19 June with the Minister of State, Department they have done to bring this important issue to the fore. of Health, and we set out our concern that the very simple arrangement that works so well for Wiltshire, As we have heard, there are 49 children’s hospices securing a guaranteed amount of funding, should be across the UK, which all do fantastic work for young rolled out across the children’s hospice movement as the people and their loved ones. As my right hon. Friend way forward. There was general agreement, I think, the Member for Rother Valley (Mr Barron) said, much among the officials at the meeting that that amount of of the hospice movement is supported by volunteers money was the appropriate amount. and millions of pounds of charitable donations. Many hon. Members from both sides of the House made I came up and had another meeting on 29 July. That passionate representations on behalf of their local hospices time, I met Professor Alan Craft, who is the head of and the holistic care that they provide. Hon. Members children’s health, and Dr Bee Wee, the national clinical have raised many powerful points, and I hope to touch director of palliative care, and they took me through all on several of them. I want to focus on three points the work that is being done to understand the profile of covered in the debate. First, I will set out the full scale of need, how we calibrate what the tariff would look like the care crisis facing young people with complex health and what conditions would go into it. I recognise that and care needs; secondly, I will explain why that is an that is a very difficult piece of work and we definitely issue not simply for individual families but for society at need it to be data led, as I think the right hon. Member large; and thirdly, I will touch on some of the areas that for Rother Valley (Mr Barron) mentioned, but we were need attention to make life better for those young told that this work was going to progress and basically people, particularly those receiving palliative care. it would happen in 2015. As we have heard, more than 40,000 children and young people in England have palliative care needs. I was somewhat disturbed because the system that That includes children suffering from curable and chronic works so well for Naomi House could easily be rolled conditions, children with severe disabilities, and children out. It is a very straightforward arrangement whereby a and young people nearing the end of their life. That CCG is engaged with a local hospice and has said, represents a 30% jump over the past 10 years. There has “This is a contribution to the costs.” We know that been a particularly marked increase in the number of there is a significant differential between the 38% funding 16 to 19-year-olds requiring palliative care, as we have 271WH Hospices (Children and Young 18 DECEMBER 2013 Hospices (Children and Young 272WH People) People) heard from several hon. Members, to around 4,000 young putting in place adequate resources to ensure a good people, which accounts for roughly 10% of young people transition. I welcome some of the modest measures that under the age of 19 with complex care needs. That is in the Government—[Interruption.] many ways a positive sign, because it demonstrates the great advances made in science and medical technology, Sandra Osborne (in the Chair): Order. The sitting is and that they have resulted in people living longer. suspended for a Division for a minimum of 10 minutes. Cancer accounts for around 14% of young people diagnosed. Cancer Research UK figures show that five-year 3.46 pm survival rates for teenagers and young adults have risen Sitting suspended for a Division in the House. significantly across all cancers across the past 25 years. In the late 1980s, less than three quarters of young men lived longer than five years after having cancer, but the 3.56 pm rate is now better than eight in 10. For girls and young On resuming— women, the five-year survival rate now stands at 84%. There has been a particular improvement in leukaemia; Luciana Berger: Before the Division, I was sharing the survival rate has jumped from less than 50% to more with the House my welcome for some of the modest than 60%. measures the Government put forward in the Care Bill, which the House debated on Monday. It represents a We are moving in the right direction, but as we have small step towards a better social care system, and heard from hon. Members today, that presents a particular builds on the Labour Government’s work to provide challenge, because more young people live beyond the stronger rights for carers and improved access to reach of children’s care and transition into social care. information and advice. Too many young people who receive care from children’s services turn 16, 17 or 18 and then fall off a cliff during Let me conclude by looking at some areas that still the transition to adult social and health care. The right require attention, and with a few questions for the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr Burns) and the hon. Minister. I praise the many charities working in the Member for Pudsey highlighted the specific challenges sector, particularly Marie Curie Cancer Care, which has facing young adults, and we heard an emotive quote a hospice not too far from my constituency, and Together from Lucy Watts, who summed the situation up well. for Short Lives, the leading UK charity for children Much more needs to be done to make the transition with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. Their work better. Some of my constituents who have accessed joint “Don’t let me down” report, published last year, wonderful services at the Alder Hey children’s hospital set out sensible and important proposals, a number of struggle when the health professionals and familiar which the Government adopted, but four areas of concern surroundings that they have been accustomed to for so remain. long change—a point that my hon. Friend the Member First, we need a much more joined-up approach to for Rotherham (Sarah Champion) articulated. Many commissioning health and social care services for children families are shocked by the reduced support that they with palliative care needs. Currently, we have a split: receive in many aspects of adult social care after they NHS England commissions specialist care, and local have made that switch. authorities manage social care. That fragmentation means that the very high variation in access to and quality of Transition is a hugely stressful process, and in most services, depending on where people live, will continue. cases families are moving from dealing with a single, I would be grateful if the Minister told us the Government’s comprehensive agency to managing several different assessment of that postcode lottery, and what they are agencies with up to four points of contact. It is easy for doing to address the disparity. gaps to emerge in that fragmented process. Many conditions reach crisis point in late adolescence, so it is all the more Secondly, children and young people need to be important that young people and their families receive consulted, so that their care caters to them and their responses from care and health agencies in an appropriate, needs. There is a particular role for health and wellbeing sensitive and timely fashion. There are too many instances boards in that. More than half the health and wellbeing of people having to endure the agony of being put on boards have explicitly examined care for terminally ill hold, or waiting for a reply to an e-mail, when their adults, according to the National Council for Palliative loved one has an urgent care need. Care. The likelihood, however, is that far fewer will have engaged with children and young people on the same That is all in the context of a crisis in adult social scale. I would welcome a response from the Minister on care. Since 2010, £1.8 billion has been cut from council that specific point. Thirdly, the different agencies that budgets for adult social care, and we await the impact of provide hospice and palliative care to children and the local authority settlements, which have been released young people need to talk to each other much more. today. That means that fewer people receive help with Local authorities are unable to share data. What solutions paying for their care and more people face increased are Government considering to address that problem? charges for vital services that help them to get up and Fourthly, a solution needs to be found to enable all the get washed, dressed, fed and helped to bed at the end of information and records about a young person’s needs the day. to travel with them. Too many young people have to tell Let me make a brief comment on the wider costs to their story all over again when they need to access a new society. Demand for care is growing at a time when service, or when they are transitioning. resources are being reduced. The costs to society of a The debate this afternoon has been positive and bad care transition—whether those costs take the form constructive. On this side of the House, we are ready to of greater illness, negative social and educational outcomes, work with the Government to improve outcomes for or possible early death—are far greater than the cost of young people and children who need hospice and palliative 273WH Hospices (Children and Young 18 DECEMBER 2013 Hospices (Children and Young 274WH People) People) [Luciana Berger] primary care trusts, formerly, and clinical commissioning groups, currently, have entered into funding arrangements care. We hope to deliver an integrated, whole-person with their local children’s hospice. My hon. Friend the approach to health and social care. Whole-person care Member for Salisbury (John Glen) has not returned from is about meeting the needs, whether physical, mental or the main Chamber, but he spoke about the arrangements social, of people of all ages, so that they are able to live in his area for Naomi House, which has a per patient, an independent and dignified life. That is ultimately per night tariff that has been arranged with the local what the future of health and social care needs to look CCG in Wiltshire. like, with world-class hospice and palliative care front We want the principle of CCGs supporting children’s and centre. That is what we are committed to delivering, hospices to be embraced widely across England. Monitor so that we can help those who need it most. and NHS England are looking to include the arrangement between Wiltshire CCG and Naomi House in the national 4pm tariff document as a case study of good commissioning The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health arrangements. Obviously, it is important that any nationally (Jane Ellison): I congratulate hon. Members on an mandated or recommended tariff is based on a robust excellent debate. I congratulate my hon. Friend the body of national evidence and provides clarity for Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) on securing it, commissioners on the services provided. I know that the and on speaking, not for the first time, with great working group has discussed the Naomi House example. passion and knowledge on this subject. The debate The charitable sector and the excellent fundraising rather gives the lie to the lazy cliché that MPs bring no work it does will always have a role. It has made an real-life experience to the House. It has been enormously absolutely magnificent achievement over many years in informed by the life experience of a number of Members, all parts of the country; we have heard about that today. and I congratulate everyone who has taken part. I will We are keen to see more effective and sustainable do my best to respond to the various questions put to commissioning for hospices. We want commissioners to me, but if by chance time defeats me, I undertake to assume a more active role with their local providers, and write to colleagues. The Minister of State, Department we are keen to engage with the sector to see how we can of Health, my hon. Friend the Member for North support that. A lot of work is going on to develop that Norfolk (Norman Lamb), is sorry that he cannot respond new model. to this debate. As Members will have observed a few minutes ago on the Annunciator, he is otherwise engaged As has been referred to, the independent palliative in the main Chamber. care funding review, which reported in 2011, found that the absence of a clear funding model, or even a proper Hospice care and palliative care for children and understanding of the costs of palliative care, was a young people is an important and sensitive subject. major impediment to developing that care. The right From what the shadow Minister said, I can see that hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr Barron) mentioned there is a good degree of cross-party consensus on the the “stunning” absence of good data on the costs of need to take the subject seriously and to sustain the way palliative care, and the first step in developing a new we serve the sector. The coalition placed great emphasis funding system had to be improving the evidence base. on palliative care in the coalition agreement, which We established eight pilots to collect a range of data included several specific commitments, such as a and to test the review’s recommendations. The pilots—seven commitment to placing hospice funding on a more for adult palliative care, and one for children’s palliative transparent and sustainable footing—that has been the care—are running for two years, and will provide the subject of many comments today—and to introducing evidence to underpin decisions on how best to transfer a new per-patient funding system for all hospices and to a fair and transparent funding system, which we providers of palliative care, so that the most gravely ill intend to introduce in the 2015-16 financial year. children and adults can receive care in the setting of their choice. Hon. Members challenged us on the implementation We have committed £10 million a year to support plan and its timings. As part of the development of the children’s hospices, as well as an additional £7 million in tariff, there will be a plan for testing and implementation. this financial year to support capital projects. In 2012, Once we have clarity on the funding model, we will that allocation increased by over £700,000 to support continue to ensure that the stakeholders are involved. new providers entering the sector, and we are keen to Many of the hospices and their umbrella groups are continue that substantial level of support now that closely involved in that work, and they will continue to responsibility has transferred to NHS England. We engage in it. recognise the need for change in how children’s hospices I have heard the mood of the House on consultation. are commissioned and funded. While a new funding Although this is an NHS England lead, and I cannot system will be introduced in 2015, and while we have commit it to carrying out a consultation, I can strongly provided money to support hospices until then, we encourage it and relay the mood of the House. The know that more needs to be done to support effective details of the tariff are still being worked on, but given local commissioning. That, rightly, has been the focus that the new system will come into effect in 2015-16 and of many of the speeches today. the sector needs to be able to plan ahead, we hope that Many hospices do not have as effective a relationship that will happen in autumn 2014. That should be feasible, with their local commissioners as they might like, and but I cannot commit to it. The sector is closely involved funding from health commissioners is a relatively low in that work and will be closely involved in the timing proportion of the incomes of most children’s hospices arrangements as well. It is key to say that we will not let and hospice-at-home providers. That is not universal, this issue drift. The hospices are involved in the data however. There are examples of local good practice where collection and the discussion, and are key to the NHS 275WH Hospices (Children and Young 18 DECEMBER 2013 Hospices (Children and Young 276WH People) People) England working group. The Government have made a The transitional period and the challenge for older commitment on that; we are conscious of that, and children and young adults was referred to a great many Members are right to push us on it. times, and has given much food for thought. The NHS England is leading the work, and more than Department of Health has given section 64 funding to 80 organisations are involved. Barbara Gelb, the chief Together for Short Lives to support development and executive of Together for Short Lives, is a member of research around appropriate pathways and the transition the Secretary of State’s children and young people’s to adulthood. The National Institute for Health and health outcomes forum, so there is good read-across Care Excellence has been commissioned by the Department there. I emphasise how closely the sector is involved in to develop guidelines around that transition. A number the work, and how important it is to ensure that it of areas of Government policy come back to that same supports the new funding model, which will be simple challenge of how we deal with transition, and stop there and non-bureaucratic—all the things that Members being a cliff edge when a child becomes an adult. We all have alluded to today. recognise that in real life that is not a cliff edge. In other policy areas, in other Departments, people are looking Having that clear, quality-assured information on the closely to see where we can get that right. real costs of providing complex, costly care to a relatively The Government have made short breaks a priority, small number of children will make a significant difference and have put money, albeit not ring-fenced, into local to commissioners. That has been emphasised by a number authorities. We have introduced the short breaks duty, of Members. Concerns have been focused on that which requires all local authorities to provide a range of transitional period and the commissioning guidelines. short break services for disabled children, young people The Department will consider in the coming months and their families. A statement has to be developed in how we might further support that local understanding consultation with families and published. That is one and preparedness among not only CCGs, but local thing that local authorities can be judged against. My authorities, as commissioners of social care. hon. Friend the Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Annette Brooke)spoke about Julia’s House, which Sir Paul Beresford rose— is an interesting case in that regard. We will ensure that that is brought to the attention of the national clinical director. I will bring all the points that have been made Jane Ellison: I will struggle to respond to the points in this debate to their attention. made in the debate if I give way. I hope my hon. Friend will forgive me, but I am happy to pick up points after In the final few seconds that I have left, I wish to put the debate. on record my thanks to all the volunteers and staff who work in this sector. I know that in the coming weeks, We realise that health and wellbeing boards need to which will be a difficult time of year for families with a be involved, and that sits firmly in my area of public loved one who is ill, they will bring both comfort and health. I will think about how we can take that forward joy to the people they care for, and for that we thank and publicise that more. them very deeply. 277WH 18 DECEMBER 2013 Electrical Safety (Private Rented 278WH Sector) Electrical Safety (Private Rented Sector) near the front door. As I was curious, one day I looked inside. The reason for the noise was clear—in place of 4.10 pm fuses, there were several three-inch nails. Until very recently, I assumed that nothing like that could happen Mike Thornton (Eastleigh) (LD): It is a pleasure to today. As we have already heard, however, according to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Osborne, and it is Government statistics the cause of more than half of all a privilege to see the Under-Secretary of State for accidental fires in homes is electrical. Tragically, last Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend year 25 people died in fires that started because of an the Member for Bristol West (Stephen Williams), in his electrical fault, and we also know that other people have place. I congratulate him on his appointment to his been electrocuted. However, current rules mean that relatively new position. landlords are under no obligation to provide tenants I am delighted to have secured this debate on electrical with electrical safety certificates. They do not even have safety in the private rented sector. How we live is to prove when the electrics were last tested unless their changing. According to Shelter, the proportion of homes properties are registered as shared houses, as the right rented privately in the United Kingdom has rocketed by hon. Member for Oxford East (Mr Smith) mentioned. nearly 70% since 2001, with the private rented sector That is despite the fact that a gas safety certificate is now home to 3.8 million households in England alone. required. There is no doubt that the private sector is playing an The problem with electricity is that very often faults increasingly important role in meeting housing needs, are not visible. Unlike a gas leak, someone cannot smell especially for families. However, this rapid expansion in an electrical fault. This means that it is possible for the market has been marked by a few rogue landlords properties to be rented with dangerous or faulty electrics and some well-meaning but ill-informed landlords, that neither the landlord nor the tenant are aware of who are failing to ensure that the homes they let comply until it is too late, which can mean the loss of a loved with basic safety standards. Electrical safety in the one. “Too late”is just not good enough. Luckily, Mr Parker, private rented sector is an issue that needs addressing my constituent, who raised this issue with me, was urgently. aware of problems in his rented property. He was seriously Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam) (LD): I congratulate concerned about the electrics in his rented house in my hon. Friend on securing this debate. There are a Eastleigh and came to me. He showed me alarming number of Members from across the House who are pictures of exposed wiring that quite frankly looked concerned about issues of electrical safety. Every year, like a death-trap. Shockingly, there was loose wiring, nearly 5,000 fires are caused by electrical appliances, some of it in close proximity to water. This was self-evidently and many of them can lead to loss of life or serious not a new problem. If it had been and if his landlord harm to the individuals caught up in those fires. Does had immediately taken action, as a responsible landlord he agree that where a landlord is letting a property with would do, none of this would have come to my attention. appliances in it, there should be routine and proper But unbelievably Mr Parker’s landlord would rather run inspection processes in place to ensure that the tenant the real risk of injury or death to his tenant and damage knows that the equipment that they will be taking on is to his property than repair the defects. safe? Of course, on hearing Mr Parker’s concerns one of my first reactions was to ask if he had any kind of Mike Thornton: I thank my right hon. Friend for that electrical safety certificate for the property. Imagine my intervention and I entirely agree with him. When I used shock when I discovered that, under the current regulations, to work in various offices, everything had to be subjected landlords do not have to certify the safety of the electrics to portable appliance testing to safeguard me as a in a rented property in any way. As a result, the judgment worker. It seems a bit unfair that people living in of what is classed as safe comes down to a personal properties should not be protected in the same way. His opinion rather than scientific fact. Gas safety testing is point is a very good one. mandatory on a yearly basis. Both gas and electricity Mr Andrew Smith (Oxford East) (Lab): I also congratulate are dangerous if there is a fault. So we apparently the hon. Gentleman on securing this debate. My believe in protecting tenants and their neighbours from constituency has one of the highest proportions of fire and injury caused by gas, but fire and injury caused private rented sector accommodation and so I take a by electricity is fine. Of course, if someone is renting a close interest in this issue. Further to the point made by room in a house of multiple occupation, or in a hotel or the right hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Paul bed and breakfast, electrical checks are required, meaning Burstow), does the hon. Gentleman agree that where that if someone is staying in a hotel or renting a bedsit houses are in multiple occupation the sort of licensing they are safer than they would be in their own home. regime that there is in Oxford, which requires inspection, It is evident that current laws are just not up to has a very useful role to play in promoting safety? scratch. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, and the housing health and safety rating system brought in Mike Thornton: I entirely agree with the right hon. under the Housing Act 2004, have proven to be inadequate, Gentleman. That is one of the points that I was going to mainly because they neither protect the landlord nor make. Houses in multiple occupation are covered, but the tenant against unknown faults. The law assumes other sorts of rented property are not. That is a very that the tenant is aware of faults. When I moved into my good point indeed and I thank him for making it. house in Bishopstoke in 1994, all the electrics looked When I was a student in Manchester in 1972—I perfect. However, an electrical safety check showed up know that is going back a fair way—I entered the house several worrying faults that could have had tragic in Whalley Range where I had my digs and a loud hum consequences. Needless to say, they were repaired. A could be heard. It was coming from the fuse-box situated simple five-yearly check, similar to the gas safety check 279WH Electrical Safety (Private Rented 18 DECEMBER 2013 Electrical Safety (Private Rented 280WH Sector) Sector) that landlords must carry out on a yearly basis, would (Mike Thornton) on securing this important debate. He ensure that tenants and landlords are protected against is raising the issue on behalf of his constituent, Mr Parker, such risks. although he is drawing on his own life experiences, As hon. Members are surely aware, the Communities as we heard, albeit from a few decades ago while a and Local Government Committee agrees that a change student. Many hon. Members will have lived in private in the law is needed. In its latest report on the private sector accommodation, whether as a student or later rented sector, which was published in July, the Committee on, early in adult life—that experience is common in my recommended that the Government develop an electrical constituency—and will have had such experiences and safety certificate and legislate to ensure that landlords have views on this subject. carry out full wiring checks every five years. This The private rented sector is an important part of the recommendation is backed by the Electrical Safety Council, housing mix in England. It is growing and the Government the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the wish to encourage that. Nine million people in England National Private Tenants Organisation, the Residential live in the sector. In my constituency, a significant Landlords Association and the National Association of proportion of people rent in the private sector; indeed, Professional Inspectors and Testers, an electrical certification it is the second largest cohort in the country, after body.However, the Government have rejected this proposal, Kensington and Chelsea. The issues raised by my hon. arguing that it would increase red tape. Their response reads: Friend are of interest to me, as a constituency Member “The ESC recommends that safety checks are carried out every and as the Minister with responsibility for this area. five years and we think that strikes the right balance between The quality of private rented housing has improved having safeguards in place to protect the tenant and avoiding rapidly during the past decade. The English housing regulating the sector”. survey shows that 83% of tenants are happy with the There is red tape and then there are regulations that service from their landlord. Obviously, that should not save lives; a £200 five-yearly safety check is definitely give rise to complacency, because it means that 17% are the latter. unhappy. Many of those experiences of unhappiness Any administrative aspect of electrical certification may fall within the issues that my hon. Friend is raising. could be minimised by including such documentation There is a general statutory duty on landlords to alongside existing gas installation work. Most qualified ensure that their property is in good repair while being gas engineers are also qualified electrical engineers. It is let, and that is deemed to include electrical installations, also important to remember that the introduction of to ensure that any appliances supplied with the property the type of measures proposed in the Select Committee’s are safe. Where the property is licensed—the right hon. report would protect not only tenants but landlords. Member for Oxford East (Mr Smith) mentioned this in Accidental landlords, such as those people who inherit his intervention—for instance, in houses in multiple a property, are very often unaware of their obligations. occupancy, the local authority can require that electrical Indeed, a study by the ESC showed that almost half of installations in the property are periodically checked all landlords and tenants admitted that they had no and that an electrical safety certificate is produced on idea who was responsible for electrical safety. Therefore, demand. But it is up to each local authority to decide landlords are exposing themselves to significant financial what that periodic interval is. risks, from fines and invalidated insurance, by not meeting their electrical safety obligations. That is not to mention their conscience if a tenant is injured or killed by an Paul Burstow: The Minister knows, from a meeting I electrical fault in their property, which could result in a had with his predecessor and through written parliamentary lifetime’s burden of guilt. questions, that I have been trying to establish the outcome of a survey that the Department commissioned into the One of the last points that I want to make is a wider extent to which voluntary arrangements for licensing point about tenants having the confidence to complain conditions being used is being taken forward. I wonder about such important issues as electrical safety. Both whether he has any further information about that and the ESC and Shelter have significant concerns about the whether that has led him to conclude that there needs, power imbalance between tenants and landlords. I welcome at least, to be much clearer best practice guidance for the recent announcement from the Department for local authorities, to ensure that the minority of landlords Communities and Local Government that it will be letting their tenants down by not adequately checking looking into the possibility of restricting the use of their appliances can be properly licensed in future. section 21 eviction orders that apply to assured shorthold tenants following the receipt of such a complaint. I have Stephen Williams: I thank my right hon. Friend for been made aware of instances where a tenant has been his intervention. I shall mention various actions that the issued with a section 21 eviction notice simply for Department is taking in this area, which I hope will identifying a hazard. I am sure that the Minister will satisfy him. agree that that is completely unacceptable. For the sake of the 1.3 million renters that the ESC Apart from circumstances in which properties are estimates are currently waiting for electrical issues to be within an existing licensed scheme, landlords are not resolved, I ask the Government to review the current required to have electrical installations regularly checked. legislation before another entirely preventable tragedy Although it is not a requirement, the Electrical Safety wrecks another life. Council recommends that such installations should be checked every five years, as matter of good practice, and this recommendation is endorsed by the Department. 4.19 pm A brochure has been produced for landlords and, as it is The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Christmas, I have a copy for my hon. Friend the Member Communities and Local Government (Stephen Williams): for Eastleigh. I am sure that he will find it useful in I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh giving advice to his constituents. 281WH Electrical Safety (Private Rented 18 DECEMBER 2013 Electrical Safety (Private Rented 282WH Sector) Sector) [Stephen Williams] it is undertaking that review. Smoke alarm ownership is quite high, with 86% of all domestic buildings having at Turning to points made by my right hon. Friend—I least one smoke alarm. Ownership of carbon monoxide hope that this will satisfy him—the Government are alarms is much lower, estimated at about 15%. We are reviewing the service that tenants can expect from landlords. reviewing that. In October, the Department launched a consultation on Licensing gives local authorities some degree of control a tenants’ charter that will consider various issues, over the condition of privately rented housing in their including electrical safety. The first stage of this will be area. Large HMOs are subject to a mandatory licensing the publication of a discussion document on the issues scheme. As part of that, a smoke alarm must be installed early next year. I hope that it will be available by the end in the building. A local authority can also require that of January. This comprehensive review of property an electrical safety certificate is produced on demand, conditions in the sector will also include actions that we but that is in the narrower circumstances of HMOs— may be able to take to stop the practice of retaliatory narrower than those my hon. Friend is talking about— eviction, which my hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh which are already subject to a local authority licensing mentioned, where a tenant has made a reasonable request scheme. of their landlord for improvements or repairs to installations Local authorities can decide to licence other rented in their property. housing. I mentioned the discretionary licensing scheme. The review will also consider whether there should be At the moment, this can be applied where general any changes to existing health and safety rating systems antisocial behaviour is found in an area of high private and whether smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should sector rented accommodation or low housing demand. be required in rented homes. At the moment, such Our review will look at whether those conditions should alarms are required only in certain circumstances, where be widened. Where that licensing is in place, an authority particular sources of heating, such as solid fuel, are can impose conditions requiring regular checks of electrical installed, but we are reviewing whether that duty should installations of the sort that my hon. Friend requires. be extended. We are looking at existing licensing and In the review into property conditions, we will also voluntary accreditation of landlords, building on the consider whether a landlord could be required to pay discretionary licensing scheme that exists in several rent if they let out a property that contains serious urban areas at the moment. Bristol city council has just hazards. Landlords are already liable for fines if they started a discretionary licensing scheme to improve the are found to be breaching certain conditions, but we are standard of private rented stock in the eastern area of considering how tenants may receive redress and my constituency. compensation, and the repayment of rent seems to be a We are also considering what redress might be available good way of doing that. That is subject to the review, for tenants; for instance, whether landlords should be and I urge all hon. Members present to contribute their required to repay rent where a property has been found views to that review. to contain serious hazards. I agree with my hon. Friend As part of the review, we are also considering the that it is shocking that retaliatory evictions might occur letting agents market. As I am sure many of us know where a tenant has made a reasonable request of their from the experiences brought to us by our constituents, landlord for an improvement to be made to their property. and possibly from our own personal experience, many They should not face the threat of deprivation by losing private rental properties are secured through a letting their home. The Department does not, at the moment, agent. The majority of agents provide a good service, have any comprehensive evidence that retaliatory eviction but some do not and charge tenants excessive fees for a is a widespread problem. My hon. Friend mentioned poor service, which might include not giving information evidence from Shelter. Perhaps he would be kind enough about electrical installations or white goods in the property. to share that with me after this debate, so that I can From 2014, all letting agents will have to belong to a raise the matter with Department officials. redress scheme, which will ensure that tenants have On the health and safety rating system, local authorities access to an independent adjudicator, who will be able have strong powers to inspect properties and make sure to investigate complaints about a letting agent and they are safe, healthy and free from harm. The process order compensation to be paid, if appropriate. involves looking at 29 possible risks to health, including Before concluding, I reiterate my thanks to my hon. electrical hazards. Powers are available to local authorities Friend for securing this important debate. The Department where serious hazards are found in properties, including recognises that, if we want to grow the private rental prohibiting use of the dwelling; undertaking the works sector, as the Government certainly want to do, it is directly themselves; and prosecuting the landlords, if vital that we ensure that tenants have confidence that necessary. The system provides an important safety net, the homes they are renting are safe and decent. ensuring that homes are safe and decent. Our review will conclude next summer, and I again I mentioned that we are looking at the related issue of urge all hon. Members to contribute to that review. whether to require the installation of smoke and carbon Perhaps next year my hon. Friend will again be successful monoxide alarms. This was the subject of an amendment in securing a debate, and I hope that he will find that and a debate in the other place, during the passage of many of the issues he has raised today have been the Energy Bill, when the Department announced that addressed by the review. 283WH 18 DECEMBER 2013 Television Services (Scotland) 284WH

Television Services (Scotland) and access it. That turns on the question of what will happen in the regions of England. People in England will look at their digital channel list, and their local 4.32 pm service will be on the first page at channel 8. The local Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (Lab): television service in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham I know people say this at the beginning of Westminster and other cities will be at channel 8. People in Wales will Hall debates, but it is a genuine pleasure to serve under use the same channel as people in Scotland, and Welsh your chairpersonship, Mrs Osborne. We are old friends colleagues will debate that with the Minister separately. and old colleagues, and it is good to see you sitting in Scotland is a much bigger landmass with a much the Chair for a vital, and hopefully positive, debate. more diverse population, and with greater distances I hope the Minister will agree that television in Scotland between populations. People in Scotland will have to is now in a good place. We had many years of differences, find channel 26 to watch city television—it started off disputes and debates—the Minister can call them what at channel 45—so they will have to wade through online he likes—between ITV and STV, which caused great shopping and various baking, cooking and travel problems for those who wished to plan the future of programmes to find their local television service. I know television in Scotland. I am glad to say that those that in the longer term, given the way digital is developing, problems have been resolved, and the relationship is people will design a menu for themselves, which will be positive. a great incentive, but that is not the case at the moment. I am a great supporter of television media generally, having spent a short time in the Department for Culture, David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): I congratulate Media and Sport back when I was Parliamentary Private the hon. Gentleman on securing this debate, and I echo Secretary to the then Minister with responsibility for his point. He is talking about the issue generally, but in film, my right hon. Friend the Member for Coatbridge, Wales there is a specific problem with the location of Chryston and Bellshill (Mr Clarke). We met a number the channel. I agree entirely that we need to make local of people who, through Channel 4 and other production television services as prominent and as near to the top companies, made a great contribution to the UK’s film of the list as possible so that people can access local TV. industry. I have a positive view of television media, and I was pleased to attend a recent meeting at which ITV said Michael Connarty: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that it is debt free. It is wonderful, in a world in which his intervention but this debate is on television services the banks will rip to shreds people who owe them in Scotland. His point is very well made. money, to find that a company such as ITV is debt free. When city television is launched in Scotland it will at I do not know the financial standing of STV, and I do first be based in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Because city not seek to discuss that today, but I know it is in a television is independent—although it is a public service positive mood. broadcaster—the question will be whether it is viable. I see STV as the Scottish broadcaster in a devolved Will it have enough users in each area so that advertisers nation, and its unique position has now been recognised. fund the channel properly and allow it to develop Without seeking comment from the Minister, I would correctly? In the future, people might have their own say that, as a broadcaster, STV makes a good contribution digital menus and the channel will be there for them to to Scottish dialogue and to the field of production, use, but at the moment that will not be the case. Obviously which I will not discuss today. We have to recognise we see public service broadcasters in the first 10 channels. STV’s impact on Scotland’s creative industry. There are I understand that Ofcom has a responsibility to provide very few people at the centre, in the production team. “appropriate prominence” to public service broadcasters, STV sucks in, develops, encourages and grows the other and I would define Scottish local television as a public independent organisations that are required by television service broadcaster. The first 10 channels include Sky production, which is a very good thing. and—no offence to ITV—ITV2, but the public service The second part of moving forward into Scottish broadcaster for Scotland will not be found until channel television’s future of broadcasting to a devolved nation 25 or 26, which seems to me to be inappropriate. There is recognising that the various localities in Scotland is too much of one thing and not enough of the other. If have differing perspectives on the world. People often we really are saying that we want Scottish local television look through the prism of the cities in which they live, to develop as a recognised public service broadcaster such as Edinburgh or Glasgow. There are many jokes for a devolved nation, not a separate nation—I am about the differences, but they are real. I am a west totally opposed to the idea of independence—we must coaster, but I now live near the east coast. My constituents recognise it as a public service broadcaster. We should often see things through an Edinburgh-centric prism, be supporting it, the Minister should be supporting it and people on the west coast often see the world through and Ofcom should be doing whatever it can. a Glasgow-centric prism. The people of Ayrshire complain The Minister and Ofcom will say that it is not really that others do not recognise the importance of Ayrshire, in their gift to make one broadcaster give up a channel and they may in fact have a perspective of their own. I to another and that it is Digital UK, the operator of the would say the same for the local areas around Stirling, digital terrestrial television platform, that needs to be the Forth valley and Falkirk. persuaded or perhaps instructed to do that. I am unsure There is a similar debate in Wales on the role of local of the Minister’s powers here, but he may outline their television in Wales. In Scotland, I believe the intention limitations later. I would be happy to hear that his focus is to call for local city television. The question is how we and control could be extended, although it may require get people who wish to use that new service to recognise a change to Acts of Parliament. It is incumbent on the 285WH Television Services (Scotland)18 DECEMBER 2013 Television Services (Scotland) 286WH

[Michael Connarty] 4.43 pm Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab): Government to recognise the position of the devolved I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate Scottish Parliament, the aspirations of the Scottish on the television situation in Scotland. We on the Select people and the significant contribution that can be Committee on Culture, Media and Sport have been made by Scottish television. discussing the matter for some considerable time, and I am not criticising BBC Scotland. We do that to its the Minister has also spoken to us. It is a big issue for face when we have things to say about its biases, prejudices viewers in Scotland. and lack of use of Members of this Parliament for Public service broadcasting is an important way of good, fact-based commentary on matters of political supporting local economies and local culture. There is debate in Scotland, but then again every party criticises clear evidence that STV is in danger of losing advertising the public sector broadcaster. The point is that STV revenue, because advertisers are concerned about it gives a different view. We have seen that most people moving to channel 26, 27 or wherever. Investment in now tune into “Scotland Tonight” on STV and do not UK-originated public service content has declined by necessarily watch “Newsnight Scotland”—or “Newsnicht some 20% in the past five years, so we need to ensure Scotland” as I pronounce it when it changes from the that we are incentivising local television. As has been normal BBC programme—so STV has a particular role mentioned, the electronic programme guide could be to play. Local people would also like to see their news used as a lever to encourage further investment, so interests on city television, which means that it should public service content should be given prominence. be in the first 10 channels. I am also concerned about people with visual I want to make some comments about BBC Alba, but impairments. If they have to search through channels in I will not criticise it as it is a public sector broadcaster order to access their favourite programmes, that will that has a particular position. Of the 90,000 or so cause them serious distress. Gaelic speakers, I would imagine that those who use The feasibility of such services will be jeopardised BBC Alba would know where it was were it at channel 26, and more time and resources would have to be spent on although I am not suggesting that it should be put making people aware of the new location of channels. there. Some of my Gael colleagues say to me that there Such resources could be better used elsewhere in Scottish is something odd about running rugby with Gaelic television, and there is a danger that money could be commentary, because it is not necessarily a natural spent where it should not have to be. The Communications selection of sport for people in the Gaeldom, who Act 2003 requires Ofcom to provide “appropriate would perhaps rather watch something else. Borderers prominence” to public service broadcasters, such as watching rugby, and even sometimes football, often STV and local TV services. Just yesterday, the Culture, have to listen to Gaelic commentary, which can be Media and Sport Committee had the opportunity to confusing. It may be of interest to the Gaeldom, but not question the preferred candidate for the chair of Ofcom. necessarily to others. I am not suggesting that we should While it is doing well at a challenging job, it is somewhat push BBC Alba off the first 10 channels in order to limited in its powers on this issue. Ofcom maintains that include STV city television, but we should seriously it does not hold the power to force a move or to transfer look at moving somebody off that first 10 to recognise a channel number between broadcasters. Perhaps the the role of STV and what will become city television. Minister could look at giving Ofcom the opportunity or powers to do so. Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): I The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has thank the hon. Gentleman for giving way. He is making the matter under consideration, but there has been a a good case, and I am supportive of his appeal to ensure delay in the legislation coming through, which has that we get the matter resolved. The most sensible thing resulted in STV launching local channels in the new to do would be to move STV to where ITV1 sits, and year. That is extremely unhelpful. ITV1 could be moved further down the electronic I strongly believe in public service broadcasting. STV programme guide. That is the sensible approach. Most is a credible organisation on which many people in people who watch STV want to see it and not ITV in Scotland depend for their news. To move it to channel 26 that slot. What is the problem with fixing it that way? would cause great distress among many of our constituents. It beggars belief that a channel that delivers good news Michael Connarty: I understand the hon. Gentleman’s programmes and quality programming is being put point. I understand that both ITV1 and ITV2 are in the behind something that sells products on television. I first 10 channels, so we should certainly look at one of would suggest that people who want to watch teleshopping them. There is also a question about Sky and whether channels will search anyway, but if someone wants to people want to see it alongside the public sector watch the news or their favourite programme, be it broadcasters. Should we not have the public sector football or even “Coronation Street”, they should be broadcaster and the local city TV channel, under STV’s able to know exactly which channel they need to go to. I banner, in those first 10 channels, rather than Sky? ask the Minister to clarify where we are and to keep Options are available to the Government, to Ofcom and STV either where it is or certainly within the single-digit to Digital UK. channel numbers. I have said all that I need to say, and I think the 4.48 pm Minister has acknowledged that my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Jim The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Sheridan), who sits on the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): It is a pleasure to Media and Sport, wants to contribute to the debate. serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Osborne. I want to 287WH Television Services (Scotland)18 DECEMBER 2013 Television Services (Scotland) 288WH say at the outset that I regard the views of Ayrshire as run by STV, because it won the new licences. It is also very important and they should dominate the tone of important to note that Ofcom will offer new licences for this important debate, which I thank the hon. Member Dundee and Aberdeen next year. for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Michael Connarty) The hon. Gentleman also mentioned that local TV for calling. It was good to hear him praise ITV, and I has been allocated the channel 8 slot in England and agree that ITV is in a very good place. I do not think Northern Ireland on Freeview, but in Wales Channel 4 that that is related to the fact that its chairman is a has the channel 8 slot, because S4C has the channel 4 former Conservative MP, but that it is debt-free and slot; BBC Alba has the channel 8 slot in Scotland. doing well is something to note. He also praised STV, Before the local TV licences were advertised in May last and I want to say how much I admire its chief executive, year, DMOL— Digital Television Multiplex Operators Rob Woodward. As a Minister, dealing with such an Ltd, a consortium of the Freeview operators—was asked effective chief executive is good news, because whenever to set out the position on EPG slots to Ofcom, which it he comes to lobby Ministers, he has a clear and specific did in April 2012. At that time, the best available slot in aim and does not mess about. He asks for something Wales and Scotland was channel 45. and gets a straight answer back, so it is good to deal with him. STV is in a good place with its support of Jim Sheridan: Will the Minister clarify the criteria for independent production. awarding the slots? Are they based in any way on Despite the presence of the hon. Member for Monmouth viewing figures? I would hazard a guess that the viewing (David T. C. Davies), this is a very Scottish debate, and figures for BBC Alba compared with those for STV are so much so that the Secretary of State’s Parliamentary disproportionate for the slots. Private Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Mary Macleod)—my mother lives in her Mr Vaizey: As I might mention later in my speech, constituency—is in fact from the highlands, which may the criterion for public service broadcasting is “appropriate explain her Conservative perspective. I will try to focus prominence”—that is in the guidelines, but it is a relatively on the Scottish issue. vague term, which is one reason why it is important that We all know that the electronic programme guide is we update the regulations. I will write to the hon. the list of TV channels that appears on the screen and is Gentleman, setting out in detail the criteria for the navigated via the remote control. It is important as the licence slots. It is important to note at this point, gateway to digital TV services. The EPG is regulated by however, that local television is a new service; although Ofcom under the powers in the Communications Act it is public service broadcasting and should therefore 2003. We recognise that, with growing convergence, we have due prominence, that must be balanced against the need to update the approach to regulation of the EPG. fact that other stations already had slots that their That need was reflected in the tone of the speech made viewers had got used to. There would be resistance from by the hon. Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk. those stations to being moved off their slot. We and he recognise the importance of certainty in the I need to make a number of points. First, we are EPG regime for commercial broadcasters, because it is talking about new channels, so we should celebrate the important for them to be prominent to maintain their fact that we are getting local television in Scotland. levels of investment, and for public service broadcasting, Secondly, when bids were invited, those who bid for which also needs to have appropriate prominence. Our local television slots in Scotland knew at the time that objectives are therefore both economic and cultural. We they would get channel 45. Importantly—and in a want to ensure that viewers have easy access to valuable testament to the importance of local television and to content and to public service broadcasting services, the fact that Digital UK, which has in effect now taken including local television, and to enhance the vitality over DMOL, also considers it important—when new and sustainability of public service broadcasting. slots became available, local television was moved up We are also debating the advent of local television. I the EPG. It moved initially to channel 41 and then to pay tribute to the former Secretary of State for Culture, 34; it has now reached 26, as it moves up the virtual hit Media and Sport, now the Secretary of State for Health, parade. That is a significant improvement. my right hon. Friend the Member for South West I have also had had discussions with Digital UK Surrey (Mr Hunt). It was his vision to bring local about the issue, because I have a lot of sympathy with television to the United Kingdom, and it is very much the points made by the hon. Member for Linlithgow down to him that we are in the position that we are in and East Falkirk. Furthermore, the policy is one that today. He drove the policy forward and made it happen, we came up with, so we want to see it successful—albeit despite considerable obstacles placed in his way. it had welcome all-party support. This Christmas will see the country’s first local television Another aspect of the mix is that, because STV has channel—in Grimsby, Hull and surrounding areas— won the licences for local television, it will be able to Estuary Television, which launched at the end of last promote them on channel 3 to help viewers to find the month. The transmission network that will support new service. That is an additional element of support. local TV has been completed and, thanks to the efforts of Ed Hall and his team at Comux, the new control Michael Connarty: I may be anticipating the Minister’s centre in Birmingham went live at the end of November. comments, but I will draw him out anyway. My point is It is also important to pay tribute to the work of Ofcom that if money has to be spent on advertising for people and the BBC Trust in getting local TV up and running. to find their local channels, revenue is being taken away As the hon. Gentleman said, next year is when local TV from use on other things—I mentioned my positive starts in earnest, with 19 stations in the first phase going view of production by STV—and advertising time on on air by the end of the year, including the two new the main channel, which could have been sold to other services for Glasgow and for Edinburgh, which will be people, is being taken away to advertise the new channels. 289WH Television Services (Scotland)18 DECEMBER 2013 Television Services (Scotland) 290WH

[Michael Connarty] now has 0.5 million viewers a week on average, with 3.4 million tuning in via the BBC iPlayer last year. In If we believe in local television, we need to get it in parts fact, there was an 86% increase in iPlayer viewings in of the country other than England and Northern Ireland. that year compared with the previous year. The decision We have to give some incentive to cut down the cost—the to allocate the channel 8 slot was made by DMOL, now opportunity cost—from someone else using that time. taken over by Digital UK, in line with its code on EPGs. I do not want to comment on whether the new local Mr Vaizey: It is important that I do not say too much, television service should take precedence over BBC in case I get anything wrong, but it occurs to me that Alba, but no doubt both the BBC and Digital UK will STV can certainly use its continuity announcements to be watching the debate and reflecting on the points the make regular reference to city television being on channel 26. hon. Gentleman has made. STV need not detract from its commercial advertising time, which is incredibly important to its finances. STV Michael Connarty: If the Minister was listening clearly will take an imaginative and innovative approach to to the points I made he will have heard that I was not ensure that its viewers are aware that it is running making a plea to move BBC Alba. I was passing on effective local television. Furthermore, it is worth making comments from my friends in the Gaeldom about the the point that STV has already pioneered the way with inappropriate things that are shown in Gaelic on BBC web television, with—off the top of my head—about Alba, rather than saying that the channel should be eight local web TV services for viewers to access. moved. As I hinted earlier, I am in regular touch with Digital UK about local television. It understands the importance Mr Vaizey: I stand corrected by the hon. Gentleman. that I personally attach to getting the best outcome We recognise the benefits of having a single, easily possible, in particular given the challenge of the new accessible channel for local television: it would help services and getting them established. As I said earlier, I with branding and advertising sales for all local TV hope that the hon. Gentleman recognises that we have companies and would help new viewers find the new made considerable progress. I am due to meet Caroline services. It is unlikely that that we will see a change Thomson, the chair of Digital UK, in the new year and before the launch of the new STV services in Edinburgh will raise the issue again with her, as I recognise that and Glasgow, but, as I hope the hon. Gentleman recognises, stations need to have certainty before they firm up their we have made progress since April 2012. marketing plans for launch. The hon. Gentleman pointed out that local TV services Jim Sheridan: I have no wish to be rude about BBC have been designated as public service broadcasters, so Alba, but if we took the viewing figures for football they should benefit from the requirement that such away from BBC Alba I think we would find a big services are prominent on the EPG. As I said, that does difference from the figures for STV.I have two questions. not automatically guarantee a particular slot on the First, is it the case that BBC 1 will have the channel 1 Freeview EPG, given that the Freeview platform has slot, BBC 2 will have the channel 2 slot and BBC Alba contracts in place with existing channels. That gives me will have the channel 8 slot? That gives the BBC a good the opportunity to move on to what I hope we might do run in the top 10—the hit parade that the Minister about the EPG in the future. mentioned. Secondly, does he see any role for Ofcom in As the hon. Gentleman pointed out, we published these discussions? our strategy paper, “Connectivity, Content and Consumers”, in July and we raised the issue of prominence Mr Vaizey: As I say, the current arrangements are and whether the right channels are being made easily likely to be the case for the foreseeable future. We all discoverable, as the hon. Member for Paisley and welcome the arrival of local television. As I said earlier, Renfrewshire North (Jim Sheridan) indicated in his it was very much the vision of my right hon. Friend the remarks. That does not apply only to local television; I Member for South West Surrey but it came about think it applies to children’s television as well, for example. because of all-party support and has been, dare I say it, one of our more popular policies. Sandra Osborne (in the Chair): Order. I am sorry to There is an idiosyncratic situation in Wales and Scotland interrupt the Minister. May I point out to him that the because of the presence of S4C and BBC Alba and the debate need not finish until 5.10 pm, so he still has time? effect of that on the channel 8 slot; that is not the case in England or Northern Ireland. Originally, local television Mr Vaizey: I will finish early, I am afraid, Mrs Osborne. was allocated the channel 45 slot. The Department and We will launch a consultation early next year, and others engaged with Digital UK and it clearly took seek views on the prominence regime. Indeed, I would notice—although I would not claim that it was as a welcome the views of the hon. Member for Linlithgow direct result—because local TV has effectively been first and East Falkirk and all hon. Members when we launch in the queue when channel slots have become free, and the consultation. has moved up to the channel 26 slot. That is in line with The hon. Gentleman made a number of points about the regulatory system, which requires due prominence BBC Alba, pointing out its prominent spot on the for public service broadcasting—and local television is Freeview EPG in Scotland. BBC Alba is an important designated public service broadcasting—balanced against service and is designated as a public service broadcast the contractual situation with existing channels, which channel, as local TV is. It was launched in September have a right to certainty. 2008 and took the free channel 8 slot when it joined We recognise that in a converging world the EPG Freeview in 2011. That has helped it to attract viewers, plays a crucial role in ensuring that public service which in effect makes the hon. Gentleman’s point. It broadcasting remains prominent for the viewer. That is 291WH Television Services (Scotland)18 DECEMBER 2013 Television Services (Scotland) 292WH important both economically and, more importantly, in the spring. I do not know how long it will last, but I culturally. Next year, we will consult—I apologise to the suspect it will be about three months. I hope that will be hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North if he time enough. There may even be a short inquiry by the thinks the process has been delayed, but we will consult Select Committee into the role of the EPG in a converged as soon as we can—on how we can secure prominence television world. We will certainly take on board any for public service broadcasters within the EPG regime. recommendations from the Select Committee. That will be an open consultation and we would welcome That is the process we have undertaken. We have views from hon. Members and other interested stakeholders. made progress. Perhaps we have not made as much progress as the hon. Member for Linlithgow and East Jim Sheridan: May I ask the Minister how long that Falkirk would like to see, but at least on one level we are consultation will be? travelling in the same direction. We both recognise the importance of local television and we also recognise Mr Vaizey: I do not have a firm date for when the that an anomaly exists in Scotland, so there is a need to consultation will be launched. Normally, when asked consult and to make progress. about the launch of any consultation I always say that it Question put and agreed to. will be launched in the spring, mindful of the fact that in Whitehall spring runs from February to November. 5.4 pm So I will say that the consultation is likely to be launched Sitting adjourned.

97WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 98WS

The Government will take into account responses to the Written Statements consultation document when producing revised and final versions of the secondary legislation. Wednesday 18 December 2013 I am placing copies of this document in the Libraries of both Houses. ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Parliamentary Written Answer (Correction) BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

The Attorney-General (Mr Dominic Grieve): I regret to inform the House that a written answer I gave on Assisted Areas Map 2014-20 5 December 2013, Official Report, column 809W, to the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis) was incorrect. The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Michael Fallon): I am today launching the The right hon. Member asked me how many libel “2014-2020 Assisted Areas Map Consultation Stage 2: settlements and of what value the Crown Prosecution Draft Assisted Areas Map and Government’s Response Service made in each year between 2007 and 2012. to Stage 1”. This consultation will establish the map of The data concerning the Crown Prosecution Service areas in the UK in which regional aid will be available (CPS) were incorrect and it was stated that the CPS during the period 2014-20. The new map will replace made no libel settlements between 2007 and 2012. the current version which expires on 30 June 2014; it The correct answer is as follows: will cover the period 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2020. Details of individual payments in respect of libel The second stage consultation will be open from today settlements are not specifically identified on the Crown until Friday 7 February 2014, and follows the first stage Prosecution Service (CPS) accounting system. A review which closed on 30 September 2013. Copies of the of manual records retained on civil claims indicates that consultation document will be placed in the House in the period from 2007 to 2012 the CPS made two libel Library. settlements: The European Commission regional aid guidelines define the parameters for assisted areas for 2014 to Financial Year 2020. Under the guidelines the UK’s overall regional 2008-09 £52,000 made up of £25,000 initial aid coverage may cover a maximum of 27.05% of the damages, a subsequent additional UK population. £2,000 damages and £25,000 costs. Assisted area coverage permits the UK to provide 2010-11 £59,035 made up of £5,035 damages and £54,000 costs. additional investment to firms in the designated areas. It does not bring specific funding, instead offering Although every effort has been made by the Department eligibility for certain forms of financial support. Other to ensure that the information provided is correct and forms of financial support are available inside and comprehensive the manual nature of the records means outside assisted areas, including aid for research and that it is not possible to provide complete assurance. To development, to improve access to venture capital and do so would require a review of all payments made to support environmental projects. Additionally, all areas since 2007 which would incur a disproportionate cost. of the UK will be eligible to apply for European structural and investment (ESI) funds, particularly through the European regional development fund or the European TREASURY social fund. Banking Reform Working within the Commission’s guidelines, the draft map published today represents a thorough, evidence-based approach to allocating the UK’s population coverage. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Sajid Javid): We have proposed assisted areas based on a combination In July 2013 the Government published a consultation, of the potential to use regional aid to encourage economic “Banking reform: draft secondary legislation”, which growth in localities through levering private sector invited comments on four draft pieces of secondary investment, as well as the economic need of the locality. legislation proposed under the Financial Services (Banking A strong principle underpinning the proposed map is to Reform) Bill. The consultation closed on 9 October use our coverage to focus on areas that are able to use 2013. the flexibility provided. There are many deprived parts The consultation set out key details on the ring fence, of the UK that do not have the scale of industrial or including the scope of the ring fence, the prohibitions development sites necessary to exploit assisted area on ring-fenced banks’ activities, and on the framework status. for applying loss absorbency requirements to systemic The Government are seeking to refresh the map, not banks. It also set out provisions to enable expenses simply add coverage to those places that already have it. incurred by the Treasury as a result of UK participation Economic geography evolves along with the rules which in international organisations concerned with financial dictate coverage, and assisted area status does not benefit stability or financial services to be reclaimed from the every ward in the country that currently has designation financial services industry. and could be economically beneficial to many wards The Government are today publishing a summary of that currently do not. Local enterprise partnerships the responses they received to the consultation. The (LEPs) in England and local authorities (LAs) in Scotland summary can be found on the Government website. and Wales led in responding to stage 1 of the consultation, 99WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 100WS and 41 out of 49 of their returns sought increased Extension of the moratorium on charging customs duties on coverage. We have ensured that allocation is given to electronic transmissions and the extension of the moratorium those areas where it can make the most difference, and on bringing non-violation and situation complaints under difficult decisions have had to be made as to which the trade related aspects of intellectual property agreement. areas are included on the draft map. We now look The accession of Yemen to the WTO. forward to receiving the responses which will help shape UK JHA opt-in to Council Decision relating to the Accession of the final assisted areas map 2014-20. Yemen to the WTO I also wish to inform the House that the Government have opted in to the Council decision relating to the accession of Contingencies Fund Advance Yemen to the World Trade Organisation. Opting in will help to achieve the Government’s trade policy objectives of expanding the WTO’s membership. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, The Government have supported the accession of least developed Innovation and Skills (Jo Swinson): The Department for countries (LDCs) such as Yemen to the WTO. Becoming a Member of the WTO will allow Yemen to benefit from WTO Business, Innovation and Skills wishes to report that a market access and global trading rules and the transparency of cash advance from the Contingencies Fund has been the WTO trading system. It will also be able to use the WTO sought for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). dispute settlement mechanism to solve its differences with other The advance is required to meet an urgent cash members and fully participate in the ongoing negotiations to requirement on existing services pending parliamentary design the trade rules of the future. approval of the 2013-14 supplementary estimate. The The accession of Yemen (and therefore the Council decision) supplementary estimate seeks an increase in net cash extends the geographical scope of the EU’s commitments in requirement in order to facilitate the consumer credit mode 4 (the temporary movement of persons who supply services across national borders). These commitments are an integral part fee rebate programme announced by the Government of our trade commitments at the WTO. It is the presence of these and to be operated by the Financial Conduct Authority commitments which triggers the UK Justice and Home Affairs (FCA). The OFT currently regulates the consumer credit opt-in. market and this responsibility will transfer to the FCA In the case of the decision on the accession of Yemen, I regret from April 2014. that it was not possible to allow the normal eight weeks for The Government have announced that, subject to parliamentary scrutiny. This was due to the late conclusion of the certain eligibility criteria, OFT licence holders will qualify negotiations and the consequent late presentation by the Commission of the relevant draft Council decision, while we still needed to for a rebate of a proportion of the fees paid in recognition agree positions in Council ahead of the WTO ministerial on 3 to of the service that the OFT will not be able to provide 6 December. after its closure on 31 March 2014. Parliamentary approval for additional resources of UK Commission (Triennial Review) £30 million will be sought in a supplementary estimate for the Office of Fair Trading. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £30 million will be met The Minister for Skills and Enterprise (Matthew by repayable cash advances from the Contingencies Hancock): The coalition Government made a commitment Fund. to review public bodies, with the aim of increasing accountability for actions carried out on behalf of the state. The triennial review of the UK Commission is World Trade Organisation (Accession of Yemen) one of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ (BIS) reviews of non-departmental public bodies The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation (NDPBs) scheduled to commence during the third year and Skills (Michael Fallon): My noble Friend the Minister of the programme (2013-14). The review will commence for Trade and Investment, Lord Livingston, has today in January 2014. made the following statement: The review will be conducted as set out in Cabinet The WTO ministerial conference took place in Nusa Dua, Bali Office guidance, in two stages. from 3 to 6 December 2013. The Trade Foreign Affairs Council The first stage will: meeting was held in the margins of the conference. My predecessor Identify and examine the key functions of the UK Commission Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint represented the UK at both and and assess the requirement for these to continue; acted as a vice-chair at the WTO ministerial conference. If continuing, then assess delivery options and where the The Trade Foreign Affairs Council was held in the margins of conclusion is that a particular function is still needed examine the WTO conference to allow any essential business pertaining to how this function might best be delivered, including a cost the conference to be finalised and only dealt with issues directly and benefits analysis where appropriate; relating to the WTO summit. If one of these options is continuing delivery through the The conference was a success with an agreement on Government’s UK Commission then make an assessment against the objectives. The conference resulted in: Government’s “three tests”: technical function; political Political agreement on the text of an ambitious and legally impartiality and need for independence from Ministers. binding trade facilitation agreement worth $100 billion annually If the outcome of stage 1 is that delivery should to the global economy and $1.5 billion annually to the UK. continue through the UK Commission as a non- Agreement on a limited number of agricultural issues which departmental public body, then the second stage of the would be of benefit to developing and least developed countries. project will be to ensure that it is operating in line with the recognised principles of good corporate governance, A monitoring mechanism for special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries. using the Cabinet Office “comply or explain” standard WTO ministerial decisions of interest to least developed approach. countries (LDCs): the operationalisation of the services When completed the report of the review will be waiver—preferential rules of origin and cotton; placed in the Libraries of both Houses. 101WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 102WS

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT government is either constant or improved compared to 2010, despite the need for councils to make savings to Firefighters Pension Scheme tackle that deficit. The autumn statement ensured that the local government TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities budget is protected next year so that councils can deliver and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): People are now a council tax freeze. Councils now have more stability living much longer and, as a result, the cost of public and certainty to plan budgets and move ahead with service pensions has increased by around a third. Despite transforming local services and ongoing efficiency. English recent reforms, most of these increased costs are being local government accounts for £1 of every £4 spent on met by taxpayers. As a result, all public service pension public services, and is expected to spend some £117 billion schemes, including the firefighters’ pension scheme, are in 2013-14. So the settlement that we are proposing being reformed. recognises the responsibility of local government to find sensible savings and make better use of its resources. I have today published a consultation on regulations This settlement marks the second year of business rates to implement the firefighters’ pension scheme 2015 as retention, and leaves councils with considerable total set out in the proposed final agreement (May 2012). spending power, with an overall reduction, excluding The consultation will run for 12 weeks and will conclude the Greater London Authority, for next year of just on 12 March 2014. My proposals will ensure that firefighters 2.9%. We expect the average spending power per dwelling continue to get one of the most generous pensions to be some £2,089. available in the public sector, with guaranteed levels of benefit and inflation proofing. The proposals are fair to Supporting rural areas both firefighters and to taxpayers. Firefighters are the only public service work force We accepted in 2013-14 that, based on the available where new recruits will not see any increase in their evidence, rural areas had been comparatively under-funded. retirement age. A normal pension age of 60 was introduced We therefore made an adjustment to recognise the in 2006 and will be the same as for the police and armed additional costs of delivering services in rural areas. We forces. A greater proportion of firefighters are protected will be providing an efficiency support for sparse areas from changes than any other large public service work grant worth £9.5 million so that the most rural local force and less than a quarter of firefighters will see any authorities can continue to drive forward efficiencies in change in their retirement age in 2015. All benefits their area. This is an increase on the grant paid for this accrued up to April 2015 will be linked to the member’s purpose in 2013-14 and we intend that the grant will be final salary on retirement and can be taken at their rolled in to the settlement in 2014-15, offering further current pension age. protection for the most rural authorities. For every £1 a firefighter pays into the scheme, taxpayers Protections for councils now pay in an extra £5 to meet scheme costs. A firefighter, who earns £29,000 and retires after a full career aged 60, Alongside this we have increased the protection that will get a pension of £19,000 rising to £26,000 with a the safety net will offer, so that no council will face a state pension. The same pension from a private sector loss of more than 6.9% in their spending power in provider would require double the level of contributions 2014-15, a higher level of protection than we offered that will be made by firefighters. both last year and the year before. We have achieved A consultation on fitness and capability issues concluded this by increasing the amount we have made available to recently and a Government response will be published protect councils through the efficiency support grant, in due course. This builds on the constructive round now worth some £9.4 million in 2014-15. But we will table discussion that I held on 4 December including the expect the councils in receipt of that funding—in line fire service representative bodies and the employers. with the efficiencies that we are asking all councils to I have placed a copy of the consultation paper on deliver—to improve services. It is unfair on the rest of reforms to the firefighters’ pension scheme in the Library local government to expect them to subsidise other of the House councils’ failure to modernise public services. In order to further facilitate effective budget planning, we are also making available illustrative figures for 2015-16, Local Government Finance and we announced in June that we will be making £3.8 billion worth of pooled budgets available between TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities health and social care. This is the largest ever financial and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): I am today incentive for councils and NHS organisations to jointly publishing the coalition Government’s formal proposals plan and deliver joined up services. on funding for English local authorities for 2014-15. In 2013-14, we introduced business rates retention This is effectively the second year of the two-year settlement which ensures that those councils who bring in jobs and that was published last year, and represents a continuation business will be rewarded for backing local growth and of the new decentralised system of local government local jobs. Similarly, the new homes bonus remunerates finance following the Local Government Finance Act those councils who build more homes and bring empty 2012. properties back into use. The new homes bonus is worth Delivering sensible savings and improving services more than £650 million this year and will be some The autumn statement recognised that the local £916 million in 2014-15, as announced to the House on government sector has risen to the challenge of reducing Monday. In response to consultation we have also reduced the budget deficit left by the last Administration. Indeed, the amount that we proposed to set aside in the settlement opinion polling suggests that satisfaction with local to pay for new homes bonus allocations. 103WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 104WS

Keeping council tax down for hard-working people We have tried to be fair to every part of the country - We expect local authorities to protect taxpayers and north and south, rural and urban, metropolitan and help bear down on the cost of living. That is why we shire. Of course, it is inevitable that individual local have provided up to £550 million of extra funding to councils will wish to call for more funding for their area. local authorities so they can freeze council tax for the Unlike the old system which encouraged councils to next two years. This means we have provided an talk down their local areas to win more funding, the unprecedented five years of freeze funding worth potentially decentralisation of local government finance now puts up to £1,100 for an average band D taxpayer over the councils in the driving seat: rewarding them for supporting lifetime of Parliament. local enterprise, building more homes and backing local jobs. From April 2014, funding for 2011-12 and 2013-14 freezes is now in the main local government settlement total for future years. I can also announce that the Secretary of State has agreed with the Chancellor that Onshore Oil and Gas Development the funding for the next two freeze years will also be (Planning Applications) built into the spending review baseline. We hope this will give maximum possible certainty for councils that the extra funding for freezing council tax will remain TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities available, and there will not be a “cliff edge” effect from and Local Government (Nick Boles): The coalition Government the freeze grant disappearing in due course. We have are committed to a diverse, efficient and low-carbon done our part—we now expect councils to do theirs in energy supply, but recognise that gas and other low-carbon helping hard-working people with the cost of living. technologies, will continue to play an important role in our energy mix in the coming decades as the country We will announce the council tax referendum threshold moves to a low-carbon economy. In particular, shale gas principles separately in the new year. We are particularly has the potential to provide our country with greater open to representations suggesting that some lower energy security, growth and jobs. threshold be applied to all or some categories of authorities, given the strong need to protect taxpayers wherever As announced on 2 September 2013, Official Report, possible from unreasonable increases in bills, and given column 9WS, my Department has been consulting on next year’s elections on 22 May across the country allow making technical improvements to the process for planning for referendums to be held at minimal cost. We should applications for handling extraction of onshore oil and trust the people. gas (including shale gas). Today, my Department has laid secondary legislation in relation to application The final referendum principles will then be subject requirements for onshore oil and gas development. to the approval of the House of Commons. In addition, These seek to amend the way in which landowners and subject to approval by Parliament of the Local Audit tenants are notified of an application. and Accountability Bill, which is currently before Parliament, the principles will include levies and will We have introduced these changes because underground therefore be based on the level of band D council tax. operations for oil and gas operations are different in This will mean the principle will relate to the actual character from other forms of development. This is increase which appears on people’s bills—again reducing because the development on the surface is limited in costs for taxpayers. scale and takes place on a relatively small surface area. The associated underground extraction takes place very Parish councils and local council tax support deep below the earth’s surface, over a wide geographical We have also set out previously that there is some area. As a result, it is often not possible to identify the £3.3 billion in the settlement this year for council tax exact route of any lateral drilling. support schemes. There is an element within this national Without the changes to the secondary legislation, the pot that is there specifically to reflect reductions in the widely-drawn area on planning applications for onshore parish tax base. We have not separately identified the oil and gas projects would require the notification of a money because it is not ring-fenced and as caseloads disproportionately large number of individuals and change and schemes evolve, the amount that different businesses. This would be unnecessarily excessive when parishes need will change. It would be wrong to try to other forms of complimentary notification exist. manage that centrally. But we have been clear that we expect billing authorities to carry on passing on support In practical terms, in place of the blanket notification, to town councils and parishes to help mitigate any the changes mean that applicants who are applying for reduction in their taxbase due to the local council tax planning permission for onshore oil and gas projects support scheme. will now be required to publish a notice in a local newspaper and put up site displays in local parishes. In Consultation process addition, a new requirement has been introduced for a Today marks the start of a period of statutory site display to be set up in every local authority ward consultation with local government on the settlement where no parish exists, or where the parish only covers and I welcome their responses. Consultation closes on part of the ward. 15 January 2014. I shall be making available full supporting These measures do not affect or alter any voluntary information online at: pre-application consultation between the applicant and www.gov.uk/government/collections/provisional-local- local communities (including landowners), or any other government-finance-settlement-england-2014-to-2015. publicity or consultation requirements that planning I have placed copies of the consultation paper and applications must go through. The local authority and supporting information in the Vote Office and the Library local councillors are also able to supplement this with of the House. The House will have the opportunity to any further moves to increase public awareness that debate and vote on the settlement in due course. they deem appropriate. 105WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 106WS

We consider that these measures strike the right balance and accurate register. The Government expect local between the need to notify land owners and tenants, authorities to continue this level of funding. The while ensuring the implementation for applicant is Government will fund and promote work to maximise proportionate and pragmatic in the unique circumstances registration during the transition to individual electoral of onshore oil and gas development. registration, at a local and national level. My Department has also published the technical As a transitional arrangement, eligible electors who draft regulations to clarify the arrangements that the appear on the electoral register before the introduction fee payable for onshore oil and gas should be calculated of individual electoral registration will continue to be on the basis of the area of the above ground works only. entitled to vote in elections, including the 2015 general Together, we consider that these changes will help provide election, whether or not they have registered individually. certainty to councils, residents and industry. It remains the Government’s intention to conclude this I would add that the planning system is accompanied transitional arrangement in 2015, but the Electoral by separate environmental and health and safety provisions Registration and Administration Act will allow the next (overseen by the Department of Energy and Climate Parliament to make the decision, following the advice Change, by the Environment Agency and by the Health and assessment of the Electoral Commission, as to and Safety Executive) ensuring that a robust, comprehensive whether the transition should conclude in 2015 or 2016. and safe regulatory regime is in place. DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER EDUCATION Electoral Administration

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Greg Clark): Funding Allocations Following the debates in Committee of the House of Commons and House of Lords this month to consider the statutory instruments necessary to commence individual The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): electoral registration, the Government confirm their I am today announcing capital funding to provide the intention to bring individual electoral registration into extra places needed for our growing population, and to force as planned on 10 June 2014 in England and Wales implement the universal infant free school meals entitlement. and 19 September 2014 in Scotland. I am also pleased to publish Sebastian James’s review of This confirms the intended date for the introduction progress since his original 2011 report on education of individual electoral registration which was envisaged capital. I am also announcing the Government’s main in the Electoral Registration and Administration Act school funding allocations for 2014-15 through the 2013, and which was set out in the Government’s White dedicated schools grant (DSG) and the education services Paper, “Individual Electoral Registration”, in 2011. grant (ESG). Confirmation of this timetable follows the advice of This Government’s overriding priority for capital the Electoral Commission, who published in October investment is to ensure every child has a place at school. their assessment of readiness for implementation, which Demographic pressures have put strain on schools in advised that there is no reason to delay implementation. many parts of the country. That is why we have more The Government agree with this judgment. than doubled funding for new places to £5 billion in this Individual electoral registration will provide a secure, Parliament. By May 2013, this investment had already modern way to register to vote, replacing the outdated helped to create an additional 260,000 school places system whereby a “head of household” is responsible with more still to come. for registering to vote all members of the household Today I am announcing further funding for new without a requirement to confirm the identity of those school places up to 2017. We are giving local authorities placed on the electoral register. longer-term allocations for new school places, which Instead, people will be individually registered, with will give them more certainty in their planning. We are their identity being confirmed either automatically, through targeting funding more effectively, based on local needs, a check against existing Government databases, or by through using data we have collected from local authorities submitting their date of birth and national insurance about the size of schools and forecast pupil projections. number, or if this is not available, other approved evidence. We are also analysing local authority capital expenditure Initial testing has established that over three quarters of on new school places, so that there is greater accountability voters will automatically be included in the electoral and transparency around how they use these funds. register without any requirement to fill in a form. It will The major investment I am announcing today will be possible, for the first time, to make an online application enable local authorities to make sure that there are to be on the electoral register. enough school places for every child who needs one in The Government will fully fund the costs of transition the years to come. The number of pupils in England is to individual electoral registration. All electoral registration rising and is set to continue to rise well into the next officers have been notified of the funding they will Parliament. Ensuring that every child is able to attend a receive next year to deliver the change at a local level. good or outstanding school in their local area is at the This has been welcomed by electoral registration officers, heart of the Government’s comprehensive programme who have also been advised that if local circumstances of reform of the school system. To achieve this we will incur higher costs, they will be reimbursed where they provide an additional £2.35 billion to support local have been credibly established. authorities to plan and create new school places that This extra funding is in addition to the local resources will be needed by 2017. This is additional to the £5 billion that are annually devoted by electoral registration officers that has been allocated between 2011-15. Extending the to meeting their statutory obligation to produce a complete allocations to a three-year period will allow local authorities 107WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 108WS to plan strategically for the places they need. I have Details of today’s announcement will be sent to local listened to the particular challenges faced by London, authorities and be published on the Department for and therefore the methodology used to allocate funding Education website. Copies will be placed in the House for 2015-17 takes into account the higher costs of Library. building in the capital. I am also announcing further details about capital ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE investment in 2014-15 to support universal free school EU Energy Council meals for children in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools. As part of the autumn statement The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change the Chancellor confirmed £150 million of capital funding (Mr Edward Davey): I am writing to report discussions for improving school kitchen and dining facilities in at the Energy Council on 12 December, where I represented order to offer every infant pupil a free nutritious school the UK. meal at lunchtime. Universal free school meals for primary school pupils were a key recommendation of The Council discussed the proposal to amend the the independent school food plan produced for the renewable energy directive and the directive relating to Department by Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent in the quality of petrol and diesel fuels with the aim of July 2013. The aim is to improve academic attainment reaching political agreement. The proposal is intended and healthy eating, and save families money. to address indirect land use change (ILUC), which occurs when production of biofuels from crops grown Turning to revenue funding, the distribution of the on existing agricultural land results in the displacement dedicated schools grant (DSG) to local authorities will of production on to previously uncultivated land. The continue to be based on the current “spend-plus” Council was unable to reach agreement on the proposal methodology for 2014-15, set out in three spending as Ministers could not find a compromise between blocks for each authority: an early years block, a schools those who wanted high ambition on ILUC—including block and a high-needs block. The underlying schools the UK—and those who wanted to protect the interests budget will be kept at flat cash per pupil for 2014-15. To of their biofuels industries. It is hoped that this dossier protect local authorities with falling pupil numbers we will be taken forward under the Greek presidency. will continue with arrangements to ensure that no authority The Council report on the internal energy market loses more than 2% of its budget in cash terms. was approved by the Council with one amendment Although the overall schools budget will stay at the relating to the need to prioritise interconnection between same level on a per pupil basis before the addition of member states that were below the 10% electricity the pupil premium, the actual level of each school’s interconnection target, endorsed by the European Council individual budget will vary. To protect schools from in 2002. A number of Ministers emphasised that member significant budget reductions, we will continue with a states should protect the internal energy market by minimum funding guarantee that ensures that no school adopting EU solutions to address security of supply sees more than a 1.5% per pupil reduction in 2014-15 concerns rather than national measures. budgets—excluding sixth-form funding—compared with The Council agreed the progress report on EU external 2013-14 and before the pupil premium is added. energy policy with no changes. The Commissioner presented As part of the DSG, I am announcing 2014-15 revenue a round-up of recent and upcoming events and funding allocations to local authorities to secure early developments in international energy relations. He learning places for two-year-olds from lower income welcomed the decision to extend the energy community households. From 1 September 2013 early learning became for another 10 years and suggested that there was a a statutory entitlement for around 20% of two-year-olds need for stronger interconnections in south-east Europe, across England, which will extend to 40% of two-year-olds in particular a new interconnector between Bulgaria from September 2014. To deliver this, the Government and Greece. are today allocating £760 million to fund the extended The incoming Greek presidency outlined its priorities programme in 2014-15. for the next six months. It will focus on the internal energy market, particularly ending energy isolation for The Department of Energy and Climate Change the EU’s peripheral regions and funding options for (DECC) announced on 10 December 2012, that all infrastructure projects; energy costs and vulnerable state-funded schools in England will be withdrawn from consumers; and the nuclear safety directive. participating in the CRC energy efficiency scheme from The presidency gave an update on nuclear energy. A April 2014. This means that local authorities will no number of member states noted that they considered longer be required to administer the CRC energy efficiency the proposal for the nuclear safety directive to be premature. scheme on behalf of schools. A deduction of £50.5 million Over lunch, Ministers discussed energy prices and will be made from the DSG for 2014-15 to compensate competitiveness. the Exchequer for the loss of revenue resulting from local authorities no longer needing to meet the costs of Smart Meters purchasing carbon allowances for schools under the scheme. As schools will no longer need to meet these The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change requirements, they will be no worse off as a result of (Mr Edward Davey): Today, I am pleased to announce this change. the publication of the second DECC annual progress The distribution of the education services grant (ESG) report on the roll-out of smart meters. is based on a total figure of £1.03 billion transferred Smart meters will transform consumers’ relationship from local government funding as announced in December with energy, bringing considerable benefits for both 2012. The new grant will be allocated on a simple per them, for the energy industry and for Great Britain. pupil basis to local authorities. Smart meters will for the first time put consumers in 109WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 110WS control of their energy use, allowing them to take The UK’s electricity market reforms are groundbreaking, energy efficiency measures that can help save money on with much of Europe following our progress with close energy bills, offset price increases and reduce carbon interest. This is particularly so in the case of CfDs. emissions. CfDs are necessary given the current market failures The annual report provides an explanation of smart and are an innovative intervention, with impacts on metering and its benefits. It describes the work that is competition and trade limited to the very minimum being undertaken by the Government, energy suppliers required to ensure that security of supply and and other stakeholders during the foundation stage of decarbonisation objectives can be achieved. For example, the roll-out and in particular the progress that has been as set out in the commercial agreement on key terms for made during 2013, to prepare for the period between the proposed Hinkley Point C investment contract that autumn 2015 and 2020 when most consumers will receive I announced on 21 October this year, any contract smart meters. This work will help to ensure that everything awarded to EDF for Hinkley would include in-built is in place to handle a roll-out of this scale—over mechanisms to prevent overcompensation. These include 50 million meters to be installed in 30 million premises—and construction and refinancing gain shares and operating that consumers will have a good experience, which is cost reviews taking place at 15 and 25 years into the crucial for realising the benefits. Energy suppliers are contract term. Indeed, CfDs are less distortive and less already testing and trialling the new technology, and generous to generators than some other interventions, some consumers are already receiving smart meters which have previously been approved by the Commission. from their energy suppliers and starting to see the We have already provided a substantial amount of benefits. information and evidence to the Commission to support The annual report is being placed in the Library of its assessment of the Hinkley case and have been discussing the House and can also be found at: https://www.gov.uk/ the case and EMR more generally with the Commission government/collections/annual-progress-report-on-the- for the past 18 months. I now look forward to considering roll-out-of-smart-meters. the opening decision, and continued close engagement with the Commission on Hinkley and other EMR-related state aid cases. The Hinkley investigation will include a State Aid public consultation period during which third parties can provide views to the Commission and there will of The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change course be opportunity for the UK Government to provide (Mr Edward Davey): The European Commission has further evidence to the Commission on why the agreement today announced its decision to open an investigation we have reached with EDF is consistent with state aid into the state aid case for the proposed Hinkley Point C rules under the European treaty. investment contract. I welcome the investigation and I would encourage all interested stakeholders to the consultation that will follow which will seek views to participate in the consultation. Investment contracts enable the Commission to make a legally robust decision. and CfDs are a vital measure which the UK must Such investigations on the part of the European implement in order to achieve its energy objectives and Commission are a standard part of the process for I have no doubt that we will be able to provide robust interventions that are novel and complex and the raising responses to any lines of inquiry which the Commission of doubts, questions or concerns as part of this process sets out as part of its opening decision on Hinkley. is also to be expected. Indeed, this is what happened on the Royal Mail, property tax on telecommunications HEALTH infrastructure and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority state aid cases, all of which were subject to investigations Health Council by the Commission and all of which were ultimately cleared by the Commission. The European Commission’s decision represents another The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health important step forward in progression of the state aid (Jane Ellison): The health part of the Employment, case for Hinkley. Alongside Royal Assent, today, of the Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Energy Bill and my Department’s publication tomorrow Council met on 10 December 2013 in Brussels. I represented of the electricity market reform (EMR) delivery plan the UK. and revised version of the contracts for difference (CfDs) The presidency provided a progress report on the terms, this opening decision for Hinkley demonstrates medical devices regulations and asked member states excellent progress in delivering the Government’s EMR for an exchange of views on how to improve the supervision programme. Investment contracts, such as those proposed process for medical devices and on the reprocessing of for Hinkley, are in effect early CfDs and, like CfDs, they medical devices intended for single use. Member states are a market-oriented instrument designed to incentivise provided a range of opinions on these questions and the investment in new low-carbon generation while ensuring presidency and Commission thanked member states for an appropriate allocation of risks between generators their views. The effectiveness of market surveillance and consumers. This investment is needed at scale if the and safety of medical devices was also addressed in a UK is to play its part in meeting the EU’s common lunchtime discussion. security and diversity of supply and decarbonisation The Council adopted the Council conclusions on the objectives, all at least cost to the consumer. EMR, taken reflection process on modern, responsive and sustainable together with our other energy interventions, for example health systems. in relation to energy efficiency and the pursuit of Under any other business, the presidency provided interconnectors with other member states, will help progress reports on the clinical trials regulation, the ensure that the UK is able to make its fullest contribution European Medicines Agency pharmacovigilance fees to achieving a single EU energy market. regulation and the tobacco products directive. 111WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 112WS

The Commission provided information on the These are the most radical reforms in the history transposition of the cross-border health care directive of policing. And as Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of and the joint procurement agreement on medical Constabulary’s July 2013 “Policing in Austerity” report countermeasures. states, the police continue to rise to the financial challenge. The Italian delegation—supported by several other The proportion of officers on the front line is increasing, member states—raised concerns about the UK voluntary crime continues to fall and victim satisfaction is up. nutritional labelling system, to which I responded. I In 2014-15 we have decided to establish a police highlighted that the UK scheme is non-discriminatory innovation fund worth £50 million, funded through a and certainly does not label certain foods as “bad”, nor, top-slice from police main grant, which builds on the being entirely voluntary, will it negatively impact on EU recently announced £20 million precursor fund for 2013-14. quality schemes. The Commission confirmed the legality The police innovation fund will provide police and of the UK scheme. crime commissioners with the opportunity to submit bids on initiatives that will promote collaboration, including HOME DEPARTMENT with other forces, emergency services, criminal justice agencies and local government, and improve their use Police Funding of digital working and technology in order to deliver The Minister for Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims sustainable improvements and efficiencies in the way (Damian Green): I have today placed in the Library the their police force operates in future. Home Office’s proposals for the aggregate amount of The Home Secretary has also decided to allocate grant to be paid to local policing bodies in England and funding to other specific areas where there is a national Wales for 2014-15, for the approval of the House. policing interest. We have already announced that the Copies are also available in the Vote Office. Independent Police Complaints Commission will be Today, the Department for Communities and Local expanded in order that it is able to deal with all serious Government (DCLG) will be publishing proposals for and sensitive cases involving the police. In 2014-15 we the distribution of funding to English local authorities are providing an additional £18 million from the police for 2014-15. Council tax freeze grant relating to the settlement to build up the resource and capability of the 2011-12 and 2013-14 schemes and local council tax IPCC to begin taking on additional cases from next support (LCTS) grant previously paid to police and year. We are also providing funding of up to £0.8 million crime commissioners (PCCs) in England by DCLG will from the wider Home Office budget in 2013-14 to help in 2014-15 be paid to PCCs by the Home Office. This is with transition costs as well as a further £10 million in a result of our ambition to simplify police funding capital in 2014-15. arrangements. In 2014-15 the Home Secretary has also decided to The Welsh Government will shortly be setting out provide HMIC with £9.4 million from the police settlement their proposals for the allocation of funding in 2014-15 to fund a new annual programme of all force inspections. for local policing bodies in Wales. This will enable the public to see how well their force is Earlier this month, the Chancellor announced further performing when it comes to cutting crime and providing reductions to departmental budgets for 2014-15 and 2015-16 value for money. in his autumn statement. For 2014-15, the Home Secretary Our decisions on police funding in 2014-15 will provide has decided that central Government revenue funding the police with the resources they need to carry out their to the police will be protected from further reductions. important work. We recognise that the funding settlement This decision means that the overall police funding remains challenging. However, as HMIC has identified, settlement for 2014-15 will remain at £8.5 billion, as there are areas where the police can continue to make announced at the time of the spending round. further savings without affecting the level of service to Decisions on the impact of the Chancellor’s autumn the public, for example through greater collaboration statement on police funding for 2015-16 will be made at across operational and support services, through improved a later date after careful consideration of all Home procurement of goods and services, and by improving Office budgets. This decision will take time and we have productivity. The Home Secretary and I are confident therefore decided not to publish indicative allocations that police and crime commissioners will continue to for 2015-16 in this statement. deliver these efficiencies. In my statement accompanying the provisional police grant report 2013-14, I announced that current damping I have set out below how we propose to allocate the arrangements would continue in 2014-15. This means police funding settlement between the different funding that every police force area will face the same percentage streams in 2014-15. reduction in core central Government funding. THE POLICE GRANT SETTLEMENT 2014-15 The police reforms we have introduced have seen the Table 1: Police Revenue Funding - Proposed Figures for 2014-15 biggest change to the policing landscape in a generation. 2014-15 These reforms are working and crime is falling. We have £m put policing back in the hands of the public through directly elected police and crime commissioners. We Total General Funding have given chief constables greater operational independence Comprising: by scrapping national targets. We are improving police Police Core Settlement 4583 skills through the new College of Policing. We have of which Home Office Police Main 4407 made sure we reward skills, not just time served, through Grant the Winsor reforms to pay and conditions. And we have of which National, International and 176 established the National Crime Agency to lead the fight Capital City Grant (MOPAC only) against serious and organised crime. DCLG 2949 113WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 114WS

Table 1: Police Revenue Funding - Proposed Figures for 2014-15 it to take three years for the IPCC to reach full capacity. 2014-15 In 2014-15, I am providing £18 million from the police £m settlement. This will be used to build up the resource and capability of the IPCC to begin taking on additional of which formula funding 2924 cases from next year. I am also providing funding of up Of which Ordnance Survey 2 to £0.8 million from the wider Home Office budget in Of which Legacy Council Tax Freeze 23 2013-14 to help with transition costs as well as a further Welsh Government 140 £10 million in capital in 2014-15. NEW FUNDING STREAMS Total Home Office Specific Grants: 728 College of Policing Comprising… Funding will be provided to the College of Policing Welsh Top-up 13 to commence direct entry schemes at inspector and Counter Terrorism Specific Grant 564 superintendent level. This will cover the costs of the Police Innovation Fund 50 courses concerned and initial salaries of the officers on National Police Co-ordination Centre 2 the courses. Independent Police Complaints 18 City of London Police Commission (for the transfer of integrity functions) The City of London police will be provided with additional funds in recognition of the national and College of Policing (for direct entry 3 schemes) international capital city functions they carry out. My City of London Capital City Grant 2 decision to provide this funding follows an assessment HMIC for regular force inspections 9 by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. Legacy Council Tax Freeze Grants** Council Tax Referendum Principles of which Council Tax (11-12) Freeze 59 The Communities Secretary, following consultation Grant with the Home Secretary, will today give an indication of which Council Tax (13-14) Freeze 7 of the council tax referendum principles he is proposing Grant for 2014-15. After considering any representations, he will set out the final principles in a report to the House PFI 73 and seek approval for these in parallel with the final Total Government Funding* 8479 report on the local government finance settlement. Council tax in Wales is the responsibility of Welsh Ministers. % cash change in Total Government -3.30% Funding*** Legacy Council Tax Grants *Includes a small amount of contingency funding which is not shown From 2014-15, I will start providing council tax freeze in the tab. grant relating to the 2011-12 and 2013-14 schemes and **The police will separately receive £434.4 million in Local Council local council tax support (LCTS) funding previously Tax Support Grant. This will be paid by the Home Office. ***This is the difference in total central government funding to the paid to PCCs in England by the Department for police compared to 2013-14 which included additional funding relating Communities and Local Government. This will total to the PCC elections. The reduction in core Government funding £500 million. The Common Council of the City of (i.e. funding that is subject to damping) is 4.8% London and the Greater London Authority (on behalf Provisional allocations of these grants (with the exception of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime) also of counter-terrorism police grant) for each force area in receive council tax freeze grant relating to the 2011-12 England and Wales for 2014-15 are set out in table 3. freeze grant scheme (the GLA also receive an amount Counter-terrorism for the 2013-14 scheme). These amounts will continue I will continue to allocate specific funding for counter- to be paid outside of the police funding settlement. This terrorism policing and have provided ring-fenced funding will also be the case for any future council tax freeze for this throughout the spending review period to ensure grants. that critical national counter-terrorism capabilities are Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) maintained. We have allocated at least £564 million to In 2014-15 I have decided to provide HMIC with support counter-terrorism policing in 2014-15. £9.4 million from the police settlement to fund a new Police and crime commissioners will receive full counter- annual programme of all force inspections. This will terrorism funding allocations in the new year. For security enable the public to see how well their force is performing reasons these allocations will not be available in the when it comes to cutting crime and providing value for public domain. money. National Police Co-ordination Centre (NPoCC) OTHER FUNDING Funding will continue to be provided from the police Police Capital settlement to the National Police Co-ordination Centre As in previous years, a portion of capital will be top for ensuring effective mobilisation of national assets sliced in 2014-15 to fund the National Police Air Service. when required. It will provide a co-ordination facility in The proposed figures are set out in table 2. times of crisis, assessing national capacity and capability Table 2: Proposed Division of Police Capital between Funding in relation to the strategic and national policing Streams requirements, and maintaining information on availability 2014-15 of specialist assets. £m Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) Capital Grant 109 From 2014-15, I will start providing funding from the National Police Air Service 10 police settlement to expand the IPCC to deal with all Special Grant Capital 1 serious and sensitive cases involving the police. I expect 115WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 116WS

Table 2: Proposed Division of Police Capital between Funding capital contingency. These proposed allocations (set out Streams at table 4) are the same as those announced in the 2014-15 written ministerial statement laid in January 2012. £m Royal Parks Policing Total 120 Funding in respect of policing the Royal parks will be I still intend to allocate the majority of capital funding provided by the Home Office to the Greater London directly to local policing bodies. Like last year all local Authority on behalf of the Mayor’s Office for Policing policing bodies will receive the same percentage change and Crime. In 2014-15 a total of £6.8 million will be in capital grant. I win also continue to maintain a provided from outside the police funding settlement.

Table 3: Provisional Revenue Allocations for England and Wales 2014-15 Local Policing Body 2014-15 Ex-DCLG Legacy Council Tax HO Core (incl. Formula Grants (total from Rule 1) Welsh Top-up WG Funding HO) £m £m £m £m £m

Avon & Somerset 112.5 58.7 14.7 Bedfordshire 43.2 24.3 4.6 Cambridgeshire 52.0 25.3 6.0 Cheshire 65.9 46.7 7.7 City of London 19.7 35.4 0.1 Cleveland 49.4 40.3 7.7 Cumbria 30.8 32.3 4.8 Derbyshire 66.6 39.3 8.7 Devon & Cornwall 110.1 65.7 15.5 Dorset 44.2 17.9 7.3 Durham 45.8 38.7 6.1 Dyfed-Powys 33.2 6.2 13.6 0.0 - Essex 110.1 58.1 13.1 Gloucestershire 36.8 20.3 5.6 Greater London Authority 1101.1 782.9 119.7 Greater Manchester 242.8 189.7 24.5 Gwent 46.2 30.7 0.0 - Hampshire 128.6 65.6 12.9 Hertfordshire 76.5 37.7 8.9 Humberside 72.0 48.6 10.0 Kent 113.9 69.4 13.3 Lancashire 107.7 82.7 12.8 Leicestershire 70.0 41.3 8.9 Lincolnshire 41.1 21.1 6.8 Merseyside 131.2 118.2 15.6 Norfolk 53.8 29.9 9.3 North Wales 47.9 6.9 22.3 0.0 - North Yorkshire 44.7 28.2 7.9 Northamptonshire 46.2 25.1 6.6 Northumbria 118.0 112.5 7.8 Nottinghamshire 83.5 50.1 9.7 South Wales 95.8 73.4 0.0 - South Yorkshire 107.8 81.0 10.9 Staffordshire 71.2 41.6 10.7 Suffolk 43.6 23.8 6.4 Surrey 66.6 30.3 9.2 Sussex 104.8 56.0 13.2 Thames Valley 151.3 76.7 15.3 Warwickshire 33.2 18.1 5.2 West Mercia 71.1 45.2 12.0 West Midlands 268.7 188.2 19.0 117WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 118WS

Table 3: Provisional Revenue Allocations for England and Wales 2014-15 Local Policing Body 2014-15 Ex-DCLG Legacy Council Tax HO Core (incl. Formula Grants (total from Rule 1) Welsh Top-up WG Funding HO) £m £m £m £m £m

West Yorkshire 183.8 135.1 16.7 Wiltshire 40.2 21.5 5.2 Total England and Wales 4583.3 13.1 140.0 100.5

Table 4: Proposed and Indicative capital Allocations LEADER OF THE HOUSE for England and Wales Local Police Body 2014-15 Parliamentary Privilege £m The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew Avon & Somerset 2.4 Lansley): The Government made a commitment in the Bedfordshire 1.0 programme for government to Cambridgeshire 1.2 “prevent the possible misuse of Parliamentary privilege by MPs Cheshire 1.5 accused of serious wrongdoing.” City of London 0.9 In April 2012 the Government published a Green Paper Cleveland 1.2 that gave detailed consideration as to whether a change in the law is needed with regard to parliamentary privilege. Cumbria 0.9 The Green Paper focused on the following main areas: Derbyshire 1.5 freedom of speech and whether the protection of privilege Devon & Cornwall 2.6 should be disapplied in cases of alleged criminality; Dorset 1.0 exclusive cognisance and the desirability of a number of Durham 1.2 possible reforms in this area, for example codifying the two Houses’ enforceable powers; and Dyfed-Powys 0.8 other privileges that do not fall under the two main headings Essex 2.2 of freedom of speech and exclusive cognisance such as the Gloucestershire 0.9 desirability of changes to the law on reporting of parliamentary Greater Manchester 5.5 proceedings. Gwent 1.1 These issues were scrutinised by a Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege, whose subsequent report Hampshire 2.8 made a number of recommendations. The Government’s Hertfordshire 1.4 responses form part of the Command Paper on Humberside 1.7 parliamentary privilege, which has been published today. Kent 2.5 The Government are grateful to the Joint Committee Lancashire 2.6 on Parliamentary Privilege for its detailed consideration Leicestershire 1.6 of this issue; these are Parliament’s privileges and it is Lincolnshire 0.9 therefore right for Parliament to have a proper opportunity Merseyside 3.2 to reflect on their continuing purpose. Metropolitan 29.0 The Government continue to believe, and share the opinion of the Joint Committee, that there is no strong Norfolk 1.3 case for a comprehensive codification of privilege. However, North Wales 1.1 as rightly recognised in the Joint Committee’s report, North Yorkshire 1.0 this does not mean that steps cannot be taken both by Northamptonshire 1.0 Parliament and by Government to clarify and improve Northumbria 3.0 the application of privilege where appropriate. Nottinghamshire 1.8 Further details of the Government’s response to the South Wales 2.3 report of the Joint Committee are in the “Government’s South Yorkshire 2.6 Response to the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege” Command Paper (ref Cm 8771), laid before Staffordshire 1.6 Parliament today. Suffolk 1.0 Surrey 1.5 WALES Sussex 2.2 Draft Wales Bill Thames Valley 3.5 Warwickshire 1.0 The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones): West Mercia 1.7 On 18 November, the Government announced their West Midlands 5.9 response to the Silk commission’s part 1 recommendations West Yorkshire 4.3 on fiscal devolution to Wales. Wiltshire 1.0 I am pleased today to publish the draft Wales Bill for Total England and Wales 109.3 pre-legislative scrutiny. The Bill implements almost all of the recommendations from the Silk commission’s 119WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 120WS first report on the devolution of tax and borrowing In addition, as I announced to the House in March, powers to the National Assembly for Wales and the the draft Wales Bill sets out how we intend to implement Welsh Government. important changes to elections to the National Assembly Specifically, it will enable the Assembly to legislate for Wales. The draft Bill extends Assembly terms about devolved taxes—a Welsh tax on transactions permanently from four to five years, making it less involving interests in land (replacing stamp duty land likely that Assembly elections will coincide with Westminster tax in Wales) and a Welsh tax on disposals to landfill parliamentary elections in future; it will remove the (replacing landfill tax in Wales); it establishes a mechanism prohibition on candidates in Assembly elections standing by which the Assembly can trigger a referendum in in a constituency and on a regional list; and it will Wales on the question of whether a part of income tax prohibit “double jobbing”, by preventing MPs from in Wales should be devolved; and, subject to a vote in also being Assembly Members. favour in a referendum, the Bill will enable the Assembly The draft Bill also makes minor changes to the Welsh to set a Welsh rate of income tax, in the same way as the devolution settlement that we have agreed with the Scottish rate of income tax is set in Scotland. Welsh Government. These include changing the name These changes will give Wales more fiscal autonomy, of the Welsh Assembly Government to the “Welsh and will make the Assembly and the Welsh Government Government”; providing for HM Treasury to set an more accountable to people in Wales for raising the aggregate borrowing limit for local housing authorities money they spend. in Wales and for the Welsh Ministers to set limits for The draft Bill also grants the Welsh Government new each local housing authority; and enabling the Law powers to borrow for capital expenditure and extends Commission to provide advice and information to Welsh the circumstances in which they can borrow in the short Ministers on devolved matters. term to manage their budget. These powers will enable Taken together, this is a significant package of reforms the Welsh Government to borrow to invest in renewing which provides the opportunity for devolved governance Wales’s infrastructure and support growth in the Welsh in Wales to be fairer, more accountable and more able economy. to support economic growth in Wales. 623W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 624W

Written Answers to Scottish Government Meeting DATE representative

Agriculture and 22-23 April Richard Lochhead MSP, Questions Fisheries Council 2013 Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Wednesday 18 December 2013 Agriculture Council 18-19 March Richard Lochhead MSP, 2013 Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Justice Day of 8 March Roseanna Cunningham JHAC 2013 MSP, Minister for Community Safety and Council of Ministers Legal Affairs EU Fisheries 26 February Richard Lochhead MSP, Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Council 2013 Cabinet Secretary for Rural Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which UK delegations Affairs and the to EU Council of Ministers meetings since May 2010 Environment have included a representative of the Scottish Government; EU Agriculture 25 February Richard Lochhead MSP, Council 2013 Cabinet Secretary for Rural who each such representative was; what was discussed Affairs and the at each such meeting; and what decisions were taken at Environment each such meeting. [180661] EU Transport 20 December Keith Brown MSP, Council 2012 Minister for Transport and Mr Lidington: Scottish Government Ministers regularly Veterans attend as part of the UK delegation to EU Council Education, Youth, 26-27 Angela Constance MSP, meetings. Foreign and Commonwealth Office records Culture, November Minister for Youth indicate that Scottish Government Ministers have formed Audiovisual and 2012 Employment Sport Council part of the UK delegation to Council meetings on at General Affairs 16 October Hamza Yousaf MSP, least 16 occasions since October 2012 (see following Council 2012 Minister for External list). Council meetings cover a wide range of topics and Affairs and International deliberations are publicly available on the European Development Council website. It is not possible to list representatives, agendas and outcomes of every meeting since May 2010 Foreign Relations without incurring disproportionate cost. Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Scottish Government Meeting DATE representative Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support (a) the his Department and (b) UK embassies or consulates Agriculture and 16-17 Richard Lochhead MSP, have provided to Ministers in the Scottish Government Fisheries Council December Cabinet Secretary for Rural (i) during overseas trips and (ii) to facilitate contact 2013 Affairs and the Environment with (A) overseas governments and (B) the European Union since May 2010. [180662] Agriculture and 17-18 Richard Lochhead MSP, Fisheries Council October 2013 Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Environment (FCO) and its posts overseas support Scottish Government Environment 14 October Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Ministers travelling overseas in pursuit of their devolved Council 2013 Minister for Environment responsibilities. This can include support to develop and Climate Change visit programmes and facilitate meetings with foreign Agriculture and 23 Richard Lochhead MSP, Governments, international organisations, political Fisheries Council September Cabinet Secretary for Rural 2013 Affairs and the representatives and businesses; political and economic Environment briefing on host countries; and, where appropriate, UK Agriculture and 15 July 2013 Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Trade and Investment support to identify potential Fisheries Council Minister for Environment investors and trading partners. Scottish Ministers have and Climate Change spoken about the importance of UK diplomatic posts (standing in for Richard to achieving their objectives in devolved policy areas. Lochhead) Agriculture and 24-25 June Richard Lochhead MSP, FCO records indicate that Scottish Government Fisheries Council 2013 Cabinet Secretary for Rural Ministers have conducted at least 45 overseas trips in Affairs and the the past year, including 15 occasions where Scottish Environment Ministers attended EU Council of Ministers meetings Education Youth 16 May 2013 Angela Constance MSP, as part of the UK delegation. It is not possible to list Culture and Sports Minister for Youth and the variety of services provided for visits since May Employment. Fiona 2010 without incurring disproportionate cost. Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Middle East Agriculture and 13-14 May Scottish Minister, Richard Fisheries Council 2013 Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Secretary for Rural Affairs Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent and the Environment representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart 625W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 626W on revoking Military Order 418 and returning planning We continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to powers on Area C to the Palestinian Authorities. guarantee the human rights of all its citizens as laid [180436] down in the Constitution and in accordance with international standards. Baroness Warsi had a frank Hugh Robertson: We continue to urge Israel to ease and open discussion on minority issues with the Prime the restrictions in place in Area C and to fulfil its Minister of Pakistan in the margins of UNGA in obligation under the Oslo agreement to transfer authority September, and when she visited the country in October. over Area C to the Palestinian authority. Officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv most recently raised the issue Palestinians of development for Palestinian communities with the Office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Territories (COGAT) on 3 December. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the UK voted against Palestinian membership of the Middle East and North Africa Olive Council. [180428]

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Hugh Robertson: The UK did not vote against Palestinian Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance membership of the International Olive Council. At the his Department offers to construction companies in the November meeting of the International Olive Council Middle East and North Africa to prevent disruption of the Palestinian Authority did not ask for a vote on their their work. [180237] application for full membership of the Council.

Mr Swire: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Sri Lanka (FCO) and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) prosperity and trade teams provide guidance and practical assistance to UK companies on managing the risk of protective Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for security (including the terrorism threat) when operating Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment overseas. she has made of progress in the human rights situation in Sri Lanka as a result of the UK presence at The joint FCO/UKTI web based Overseas Business CHOGM. [180139] Risk service offers country specific advice to British companies to help them manage a range of risks. The Mr Swire: The Secretary of State for Foreign and website contains information on over 90 markets, including Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member countries in the Middle East and North Africa. for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I met with human rights defenders while in Sri Lanka for the Ministers Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to discuss the current situation and what the UK can do to Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign support their efforts. The Secretary of State made clear and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on during the meeting and after, that ministerial salaries in the last year for which figures are “we cannot and will not turn a blind eye to the human rights available. [180099] abuses which occur, whether they are about freedom of expression, impunity for disappearances or sexual violence, freedom from Mr Lidington: This information is published in the torture and the lack of accountability for alleged war crimes.” Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s annual report and We continue to have strong concerns about lack of accounts 2012-13 demonstrable progress on post conflict reconciliation, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-and- accountability and political settlement in Sri Lanka. commonwealth-office-annual-report-and-accounts-2012-13 The Prime Minister was clear with the Sri Lankan In 2012-13, total ministerial remuneration was £250,562. President at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo earlier this month that we expect real progress on human rights, reconciliation, accountability, Pakistan and political settlement.

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has he has made of the level of religious freedoms for (a) made representations to the Sri Lankan government Christians in Pakistan. [180354] regarding the closure of Jaffna University and (b) had discussions with that government regarding the reasons Hugh Robertson: We remain deeply concerned by the for the recent university closures in that country. violent persecution faced by minority religious and [180656] ethnic groups in Pakistan. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office monitors religious freedom in Pakistan in its Mr Swire: The Secretary of State for Foreign and annual Human Rights report and quarterly updates. Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member The Government continues to raise the issue of the for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has not made persecution of religious minorities on a regular basis representations to the Sri Lankan Government on the with the authorities in Pakistan. Freedom of religion or temporary closure of Jaffna University from 11 November belief is a human rights priority for this Government to 1 December, or on the reasons for the temporary and a personal priority for the Minister of State my closure of the University. We understand that Jaffna noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi. University has now reopened. 627W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 628W

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for publicly our deep concern at reports of police violence Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has being used to break up a peaceful demonstration in made representations to the Sri Lankan Government Ukraine on 30 November. We welcome the Ukrainian regarding land grabs; and what assessment he has made Government’s commitment to a thorough investigation of President Rajapaksa’s commitment to ending land of this violence but stress that it is of the utmost grabs in the north east of Sri Lanka and ensuring importance that the investigation is rigorous and fair. restitution to people affected. [180665] The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I have called on the Ukrainian authorities Mr Swire: The Prime Minister raised land rights and to respect the right of peaceful protest and to abide reducing the military presence in the North of Sri fully by its international commitments to respect the Lanka during a meeting with the President, Mr Rajapaska, freedom of expression and assembly. We were encouraged during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to see that the demonstrations over the weekend of 14 in November. Our High Commission in Colombo has and 15 December passed peacefully. also raised the need to resolve land disputes through a The UK government was disappointed with President fair and accountable process with Sri Lankan Government. Yanukovych’s decision to put preparations for signature Land rights are an issue of concern in many post of an EU-Ukraine Association Agreement on hold. conflict situations involving internally displaced people The message from the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit or refugees. In Sri Lanka, multiple displacements of 28/29 November was clear; the EU’s door remains different groups and individuals have occurred over open; signature is still in Ukraine’s hands. The UK many years resulting in competing claims on the same remains committed to Ukraine’s European future, to land. Our most recent Human Rights Report highlights the Association Agreement and to a closer relationship that there are increased reports of land takeovers in with Ukraine, if that’s what the people of Ukraine Tamil areas. The Sri Lankan Government have recently want. They should be free to make that decision without given assurances that the military would return some external pressure. private land in the north within the next few months. We believe that the people of Ukraine will be best Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for served by an Administration which adheres to European Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) he values. The UK government will continue to monitor and (b) the Prime Minister discussed the (i) education closely Ukraine’s progress on reform in human and civil of Tamil children and (ii) role of the military during rights issues. When I visited Ukraine in September I their visit to Sri Lanka in November 2013; what was pleased to note the increase in momentum on representations he has made regarding the military’s reform; a number of laws aimed at meeting the conditions involvement in schools in the north east of Sri Lanka; set by the December 2012 Foreign Affairs Council were and what assessment he has made of the reasons for adopted. Between September and late November we saw further progress towards new legislation on electoral such involvement. [180666] reform and the reform of the general prosecutor’s office. Mr Swire: The Prime Minister raised the issue of a Further work is undoubtedly necessary, particularly in military presence in the North of Sri Lanka during strengthening the independence of the judiciary and on a meeting with President Rajapaksa, during the selective justice. The United Kingdom continues to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in stand ready to support Ukraine’s reform process. November. Our high commissioner to Colombo, also raised the issue of military involvement in civilian activities with the Sri Lankan President earlier this month. PRIME MINISTER Though military drawback is evident in some areas, we are concerned at military involvement in commercial Arms Trade and other civil activities, such as education, tourism, and agriculture, and the occupation of land in high Mr Sheerman: To ask the Prime Minister (1) what the security zones. We will continue to raise this issue with cost to the public purse of foreign visits he has made to members of the Sri Lankan Government, and press the promote the UK arms industry has been since May need for the military not to partake in civil activities. 2010; [180680] (2) what steps he has taken to ensure that British-made Ukraine arms are not sold to repressive foreign regimes; [180681] (3) what discussions he has had since May 2010 with Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State the governments of (a) the United Arab Emirates and for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what (b) other authoritarian countries on the sale of arms assessment he has made of recent reports of the use of products made by UK companies. [180683] excessive force and violence against peaceful protestors in Ukraine; [180693] The Prime Minister: Details of ministerial overseas (2) what steps the Government is taking to support travel are published quarterly and are available on the human and civil rights in Ukraine; [180694] gov.uk website. (3) if the Government will support further discussions The Government supports responsible defence exports. on the Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the EU. All export licence applications are carefully assessed on [180695] a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking into Mr Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and account all relevant factors, including the prevailing Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member circumstances in the recipient country, the nature of the for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I have expressed goods, the identity of the end-user and the stated end-use. 629W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 630W

TRANSPORT (5) what assessment he has made of whether available research evidence permits firm conclusions about the A57 relative safety performance of pelican and other types of pedestrian crossing; and what guidance his Department Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport issues to local authorities on that matter; [180576] on how many occasions the A57 Snake Pass between (6) if he will issue guidance to local authorities on the Glossop and the Rivelin Valley was closed to traffic due dangers of pelican crossings on roads with multi-lane to (a) road accidents and (b) inclement weather conditions approaches. [180577] in each of the last three years. [180519]

Mr Goodwill: The Department for Transport does Mr Goodwill: The Department for Transport (DFT) not hold the information centrally on how many occasions does not hold information on numbers of pelican and the A57 Snake Pass between Glossop and the Rivelin puffin crossings installed by local authorities during the Valley was closed to traffic due to (a) road accidents period 2010-12 or which local authorities installed those and (b) inclement weather conditions in each of the crossings. last three years. Decisions on what type of crossing to provide are for local traffic authorities, taking into account local factors Airports Commission such as road layout, traffic speed and volume, and pedestrian flow. Many factors contribute to the safety Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport record of a crossing and for this reason it is not possible if he will ensure that the Crown Dependencies are to provide a definitive ranking of crossing types in consulted on the recommendations of the Airports terms of safety. Commission before a decision on this matter is made. However, research commissioned by the DFT showed [180208] that pelican crossings converted to puffin crossings showed an average reduction in accidents of 17%. The Mr Goodwill: The Government is planning to respond report is available to download from: to the Airports Commission’s Interim Report’s short-term recommendations as soon as possible in 2014. The www.trl.co.uk/online_store/reports_publications/trl_reports/ cat_traffic_engineering/ Government is happy to receive representations from report_puffin_pedestrian_crossing_accident_study.htm all interested parties before publication. The Commission’s final recommendations will be made in summer 2015. If The Department gives advice on assessing and designing these recommendations are taken forward, they will be pedestrian crossings in two Local Transport Notes (LTNs), subject to full public consultation as part of a National LTN 1/95: The Assessment of Pedestrian Crossings and Policy Statement. LTN 2/95: The Design of Pedestrian Crossings. These are available to download from: Driving: Young People https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-transport- notes Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for In 2004 the Department also published the Puffin Transport when he expects to publish his Department’s Good Practice Guide, giving detailed advice on the green paper on the safety of young drivers. [180534] design and installation of puffin crossings. This is available to download from: Mr Goodwill: The safety of young people on our https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/managing- roads is very important to us. Too many young people improving-and-investing-in-the-road-network/supporting- die, too often. But we are wrestling with how to make pages/traffic-signs things safer, while not unduly restricting the freedom of Many authorities already choose to install puffin our young people. We want young people to be able to crossings as their default crossing type both at junctions get to work and training, to education and to leisure and stand-alone. The Department expects this trend to activities, and we want them to do so safely. We are continue. finding this a difficult balance, with passionate voices on both sides. We will issue a paper when we have Railways: Radlett considered this further. Pedestrian Crossings Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2012, to the hon. Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Member for Hertsmere, Official Report, columns 947-8W, Transport (1) if he will estimate the number of (a) on aviation: Hertfordshire, how many meetings Ministers pelican, (b) puffin and (c) countdown crossings in from his Department have had with counterparts in the operation; [180572] Department for Communities and Local Government on general planning issues relating to strategic rail (2) if he will estimate the number of new (a) pelican freight interchanges since June 2010; and at how many and (b) puffin crossings installed in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 such meetings the Radlett application was mentioned. and (iii) 2012; [180573] [180597] (3) how many local highways authorities installed pelican crossings in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; Stephen Hammond: I refer to the answer of 26 March [180574] 2012. There have been no subsequent meetings between (4) with reference to the puffin pedestrian crossing Ministers in this Department and counterparts in the accident study published by TRL in March 2011, for Department for Communities and Local Government what reasons his Department permits local authorities to discuss general planning issues relating to strategic to install new pelican crossings; [180575] rail freight interchanges. 631W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 632W

However, Ministers in this Department and in the Electrification of the line between Manchester, Preston Department for Communities and Local Government and Blackpool North via Bolton is due to be completed worked closely together on the preparation of the joint in 2016. written ministerial statement issued in November 2011 to accompany the publication of the Policy Guidance Tonnage Tax on Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges. This was generic guidance that made no mention of specific proposals. Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate his Department has made of the Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport total number of (a) UK, (b) EEA and (c) non-EEA pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2012, to the hon. nationals employed as ratings on ships qualified on for Member for Hertsmere, Official Report, columns 947-8W, the tonnage tax scheme. [180520] on aviation: Hertfordshire, when the conversation with the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst took Stephen Hammond: The numbers of deck and engine place and whether it was minuted. [180598] ratings employed on ships in the tonnage scheme, as reported to us by companies and groups who have Stephen Hammond: As stated in the answer of 26 March submitted their training commitments for 2013-14, are 2012, the conversation between my right hon. Friend (a) UK—1,882, (b) other EEA—1,554 and (c) non- the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs Villiers), and my EEA—7,493. Training commitments for 2013-14 are hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst still outstanding from three companies, so these figures (Robert Neill), took place in Parliament in the autumn could change. of 2010. In accordance with normal Parliamentary protocol, the conversation was not minuted. Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the latest estimate his Department has made is of Rolling Stock: North West the total number of (a) UK, (b) EEA and (c) non-EEA seafarers working on ships qualified for the tonnage tax Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport scheme. [180593] what discussions he has had with First Trans-Pennine Express on the number of carriages in use on peak Stephen Hammond: The numbers of seafarers employed commuter trains between Bolton and Manchester. in the deck and engine departments on ships in the [180437] tonnage scheme, as reported to us by companies and groups who have submitted their training commitments Stephen Hammond: Officials from the Department for 2013-14, are (a) UK—4,350, (b) other EEA—3,821 for Transport have regular meetings with both First and (c) non-EEA—10,990. Training commitments for TransPennine Express and Northern Rail. The new 2013-14 are still outstanding from three companies, so timetable and passenger capacity at Bolton have been these figures could change. discussed with both operators as they have developed the timetable changes necessary for the electrification of Transport: Northern Ireland the Manchester to Scotland route. Operators have also advised Transport for Greater Manchester of their Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for proposals. It is for the railway industry to best match Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the passenger capacity to demand on individual services effects of the review of Local Transport Note 2/95 on making the most appropriate use of rolling stock and policy and practice of devolved government in Northern resources. Ireland; [180503] The operators are monitoring passenger demand at (2) whether (a) Local Transport Note 2/95 continues Bolton closely each day. During the first week of the to apply and (b) the Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian new timetable, operators have advised that there has not Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997 been a significant increase in crowding on peak services remain in force in Northern Ireland. [180504] between Bolton and Manchester. Passengers travelling between Preston, Wigan and Manchester are being Mr Goodwill: The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian advised to travel via the new TPE route using Wigan Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997 North Western station. This will help provide more apply in England, Scotland and Wales, and remain in places for passengers travelling from stations on the force. In Northern Ireland, the Zebra, Pelican and Bolton line. Northern has worked with the Department Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations (Northern Ireland) on contingency plans to provide additional morning 2006 make similar provisions. peak capacity on the Bolton corridor if morning peak In Northern Ireland, responsibility for managing all passenger demand exceeds operators’ expectations. roads, including provision of pedestrian crossings, lies As they are introduced to the Manchester to Scotland with the Department for Regional Development (DRDNI). route, the new TPE electric trains will further increase The advice given in Local Transport Note 2/95 on the the number of seats between Manchester and Wigan. Design of Pedestrian Crossings is guidance, and compliance From May 2014, additional capacity will be provided with it is not mandatory. DRDNI endorsed this document on TPE services serving the cities of Northern England. when it was published in 1995. This will increase the capacity across TPE routes by around 30%. This will include a fifth train each hour Unmanned Air Vehicles between Manchester and Leeds. A new hourly service will run non-stop between Liverpool and Manchester, Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport increasing capacity and offering non-stop expresses between what material on the current or proposed use of remotely these cities for the first time in many years. piloted aircraft systems in UK airspace is collated by or 633W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 634W on behalf of the Cross-Government Working Group on when he expects the terms of reference of that review remotely piloted aircraft systems. [180543] to be finalised; and if he will publish those terms of reference before publication of the initial report. Mr Goodwill: As with all policy groups, the Cross- [179978] Government Working Group on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems considers a range of material from a variety of Anna Soubry: The Secretary of State for Defence, my sources, including from industry and other Government right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Departments. Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has tasked the Army to conduct the cost benefit analysis referred to in my Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport previous answer. As recruitment is an activity where the pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2013, Official cost of recruiting junior entrant (JE) or standard entrant Report, column 198W, on unmanned air vehicles, which (SE) individuals is the same, the scope of the study is RPAS-related departmental polices are informed by the focused on the costs of additional training provided to Cross-Government Working Group on Remotely Piloted under-18s on the JE scheme. Aircraft Systems. [R] [180544] As a result of scoping carried out by the Army, the timetable for this study is now becoming clearer but it is Mr Goodwill: The Cross-Government Working Group too soon to set a publication date for the initial report. on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems works to support It is also apparent that the detailed terms of reference the Government’s growth agenda, specifically aimed at will require more development and a decision has yet to creating an environment that will allow UK operators be taken on publication. and industry to compete in this new and emerging market. This includes issues that cut across a number of Government Departments such as regulation, information Army management and UK infrastructure requirements to support the safe integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Systems into UK and European airspace. what steps he is taking to ensure that regular Army numbers are maintained until the numbers of those serving in the Territorial Army is increased to prevent a ATTORNEY-GENERAL manpower shortfall arising from his restructuring plans. [180236] Witnesses Anna Soubry: The reduction of regular forces and the Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney General how increase in Reserves as part of Future Force 2020 will many Crown Prosecution Service staff were employed continue, although no final decisions have been made in front-line witness care in each of the last seven years. on Tranche 4 redundancies. The Future Force 2020 will [180259] build a balanced and adaptable ‘Whole Force’ of regular, reserve, Ministry of Defence civilian and contractors. It The Solicitor-General: Witness care has been dealt will provide military capability in a different way from with primarily by joint CPS/police Witness Care Units. the past to deliver the range and scale of military forces While there has been a reduction in the numbers of CPS and skills required. The Reserves are not a direct staff in WCUs in recent years the numbers of police replacement for the regulars, they will complement them, staff has increased. There has been no evidence of a and it makes practical, financial and military sense for decline in service and witness attendance rates have some skills and capabilities to be held in the Reserves. remained constant at just above 80%. The numbers of Crown Prosecution Service staff Army: Apprentices employed in front line witness care over the past seven years are shown the following table: Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many apprenticeships are offered in the Army Headcount in each year; [180234] 2013 117 (2) how many apprenticeships the Army offers each 2012 137 year; and what steps he is taking to ensure that figure is 2011 159 reached in 2013 and 2014. [180235] 2010 216 2009 227 Anna Soubry: Where possible, the Army aims to 2008 233 provide an appropriate trade related apprenticeship for 2007 201 every soldier who joins and has developed apprenticeship programmes for all arms and services with the exception of the Intelligence Corps, which is currently under development. DEFENCE Over 95% of soldiers enrol on a trade related Armed Forces: Young People apprenticeship during phase two training and continue these qualifications into their chosen regiments. Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence The number of apprenticeships offered in the Army pursuant to the answer of 12 November 2013, Official for each of the last five years is shown in the following Report, column 696W, on armed forces: young people, table: 635W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 636W

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Number Defence whether he expects the chief executive of the 2008-09 8,960 arm’s length company that will run DE&S will also act 2009-10 10,370 as Chief of Defence Materiel. [180187] 2010-11 9,480 2011-12 11,740 Mr Dunne: The role of Chief of Defence Materiel 2012-13 13,550 and the Chief Executive of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) are the same roles. It is essentially a Figures have been rounded in accordance with title change to reflect the change in status of DE&S as Government statistical convention. an arm’s length body.

Defence Equipment and Support Defence: Procurement

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether military, civil servants and privately Defence what assessment he has made of the application contracted staff within the Defence Equipment and of project trust funds to defence contracts. [180182] Support plus will receive different terms and conditions of employment for similarly qualified and graded Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence does not recognise positions. [180137] the term “project trust funds” in relation to UK defence contracts. Mr Dunne: At present in Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), Military personnel, civil servants and Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for privately contracted staff have different terms of conditions Defence pursuant to his statement of 10 December and we expect this to continue. We do however expect 2013, Official Report, columns 146-8, on defence there to be changes to terms and conditions in the new procurement, whether he will publish an impact assessment organisation. A key feature of the new organisation is of the changes announced. [180186] that we will be able to employ people along more commercial lines at market reflective salaries. The military Mr Dunne: The new entity does not require an impact component in DE&S is vital and they will continue on assessment because its creation does not require new normal military terms and conditions. legislation. Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the staffing of the new DE&S+ security Defence if he will details the breakdown of the costs will be; whether it will use existing Civil Service grades; incurred to date by his Department in establishing a and what accountability arrangements there will be. GoCo and running the tendering process. [180188] [180183]

Mr Dunne: The new Defence Equipment and Support Mr Dunne: We have spent some £7.4 million supporting (DE&S) organisation will be staffed essentially by the our work on the GOCO option. That investment has same employees in the existing DE&S organisation with allowed us to understand better the challenges we need the addition of some private sector support in advisory to meet to make a GOCO work and the outputs will be and support roles. The new organisation will be permitted retained to inform any future competition. significant freedoms and flexibilities, agreed with the Treasury and Cabinet Office, which will allow us to Reserve Forces: Yorkshire and the Humber revise existing terms and conditions where there is a business need, including grade structure. The new entity Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence will have a hard boundary with the rest of the Ministry what targets he has set for increasing the number of of Defence, a separate governance and oversight structure Reserve Forces based in Yorkshire and the Humber as with a strong board under an independent chairman. part of his overall plan to increase the number of The chief executive will be an accounting officer, reservists to 30,000. [178948] accountable to Parliament for the performance of the organisation. Anna Soubry: The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has undertaken to provide Defence when the new DE&S+ entity will be the House with information on national recruitment established; when he expects it to take over the running targets by the end of this year. There is no intention to of procurement for his Department; and when he set specific targets for Yorkshire and the Humber. expects the service pillars to transfer to the new entity. [180184] Trident Submarines Mr Dunne: The new organisation will be established in April 2014 at which point it will take on the running Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for of Defence procurement and support activities. Final Defence what steps his Department is taking to prepare details regarding the scope of the new organisation will a preliminary proposal for refuelling the Vanguard build on the recommendations in the Defence Equipment class submarines; what the timetable is for that work; and Support (DE&S) plus proposition and be similar to and what budget has been set aside for that work. the current DE&S. [179008] 637W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 638W

Mr Dunne: In line with the strategic defence and and following: security review, the Ministry of Defence is planning the additional work that is needed to extend the life of the Estimated CO2 Vanguard class submarines to maintain continuous at Measure impact sea deterrence until the successor submarines have entered Changes to ECO 2.7-2.9 MT service. This includes an additional deep maintenance CO increase 2 period (DMP) for each submarine in the class, starting £450 million over three years for energy efficiency Up to 1.8 MT with HMS Vanguard in 2015. The work to be undertaken incentives through the Green Deal: Stamp duty CO saving 2 in the first additional DMP continues to be developed rebate worth up to £1,000, or up to £4,000 and the full scope will be finalised around spring 2014. particularly expensive measures, available to all people moving house including those who do not Unmanned Air Vehicles pay stamp duty, helping around 60,000 homes a year over three years. Scheme to support private landlords in improving the energy efficiency of Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for their properties, which it is anticipated will Defence pursuant to the answer of 12 June 2013, Official improve around 15,000 of the least energy Report, column 327W, on unmanned aerial vehicles, efficient rental properties each year for three what recent discussions he has had with his international years. Improving the energy efficiency of schools, 0.6 MT CO counterparts on the legality of the armed drones 2 hospitals and other public sector buildings with saving programme. [180135] £90 million over three years for a loans scheme, building on the existing Salix scheme. Mr Dunne: There have been no discussions with Long-term commitment to maintaining a fuel At least 0.5 1 international counterparts on the legality of the armed duty differential for lower-carbon HGV fleets MT CO2 remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) programme as saving the framework for their use is clear. 1 This further detail replaces the original text “Additional savings from transport policies to be announced | shortly”.

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the insulation industry about potential job Carbon Sequestration losses as a result of the changes to the Energy Companies Obligation announced in the Autumn Statement. Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for [180251] Energy and Climate Change when his Department plans to publish details of Contract for Difference arrangements Gregory Barker: DECC officials have regular discussions for carbon capture and storage projects. [180639] with representatives of the insulation industry to inform development of Energy Company Obligation policy, to Michael Fallon: A draft generic Contract for Difference better understand how the scheme is being delivered on (CfD) contract was published for comment in August the ground and to discuss the potential impact of the 2013. We expect to publish an updated version shortly. proposed changes to the scheme. Most of the terms of the generic CfD will also apply to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), although we anticipate Energy Supply some technology specific tailoring will also be needed. The details of that tailoring will be worked up in Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for consultation with developers of early stage CCS projects, Energy and Climate Change how much electricity capacity including those in the CCS Competition. which was connected directly to the distribution network Energy Companies Obligation there was in each of the last 16 years. [180143] Michael Fallon: DECC publishes data annually on Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for plant capacity in the UK (Table 5.7 in the Digest of UK Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has Energy Statistics). The following table shows the capacity made of the effect of the changes to the Energy Companies of ‘Other generators’ in the UK. The majority of this Obligation announced in the Autumn Statement on capacity is connected to the Distribution network. meeting the UK’s climate obligations for the period up Table 1: Plant capacity of other generators in the UK to 2020. [180249] MW

Gregory Barker: The Government is committed to 1997 4,625 ensuring that the overall effect of any changes to the 1998 4,990 Energy Company Obligation (ECO) are carbon neutral, 1999 5,388 and for this reason when the proposed changes to ECO 2000 6,258 were announced, we simultaneously introduced the 2001 6,296 significant package of new public funding to boost energy 2002 6,336 efficiency. 2003 6,793 The announcement of 2 December included a 2004 6,829 preliminary analysis of the estimated carbon dioxide 2005 7,422 impact of the proposed changes to ECO and the package 2006 7,407 of new funding, available at 2007 6,763 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/govt-action-to-help- 2008 6,686 hardworking-people-with-energy-bills 639W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 640W

Table 1: Plant capacity of other generators in the UK Gregory Barker: The value of the benefit will vary MW between companies, but, on average, the package of measures announced on 2 December, will be worth 2009 7,021 around £50 to households. The Government, has 2010 7,045 encouraged energy suppliers to ensure that all customers 2011 7,267 benefit from the whole package of measures. 2012 7,498 Fracking Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much installed electricity Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for capacity connected directly to the transmission capacity Energy and Climate Change whether the future growth of the fracking industry in England will require the use there was in each of the last 16 years. [180144] of water from Wales. [178937] Michael Fallon: DECC publishes data annually on plant capacity in the UK (Table 5.7 in the Digest of UK Michael Fallon: Water sourced from local water Energy Statistics). Table 1 as follows shows the capacity companies for projects in England could potentially of major power producers in the UK. The majority of originate from Wales. this capacity is connected to the transmission network. Gas Fired Power Stations Table 1: Plant capacity of major power producers in the UK MW Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for 1997 68,140 Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 398, on 1998 68,312 energy security, how many of the new gas plants that 1999 70,245 have come online since May 2010 (a) received planning 2000 72,193 consent and (b) began construction before May 2010. 2001 73,382 [180145] 2002 70,369 2003 71,471 Michael Fallon: I refer the right hon. Member to the 2004 73,293 answer I gave her on 10 July 2013, Official Report, 2005 73,941 column 322-24W. 2006 74,996 2007 75,979 Green Deal Scheme 2008 76,993 2009 77,810 Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010 83,426 Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 2011 81,783 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 397, on 2012 81,742 green policies, what assessment his Department has made of satisfaction ratings for the Green Deal. Energy: Company Accounts [180146]

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Gregory Barker: DECC has captured evidence on the Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the Statement Green Deal experience through surveys with households of 31 October 2013, Official Report, column 1096, by that have been involved in the process. This includes what criteria he will assess the level of transparency of both the assessment and installation experience. The the financial accounts of the energy companies. [180152] latest research with households that had an assessment revealed that 78% found the assessment useful, 78% had Michael Fallon: The Secretary of State for Energy confidence in the recommendations made and 72% and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member would recommend having a Green Deal assessment to a for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), has asked family or friend. Similar research also found that 85% Ofgem to deliver, by spring 2014, a full report on the of households that had installed a recommended measure transparency of financial accounts of the energy companies were satisfied with the installation process. The research and ways this could be improved. In their recent consultation can be found at: of 31 October Ofgem set out that for transparency https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/green-deal- measures to be effective information provided must be assessments-research robust, useful and accessible. The merits of measures to Insulation improve transparency must also be assessed on the basis of the relative costs and benefits for end consumers. Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy: Prices Energy and Climate Change pursuant to oral answer of 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 390, on Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for energy efficiency, what the evidential basis is for the Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made statement that 4.8 million insulation measures have of the average saving on energy bills for (a) those on been installed through Government schemes. [180196] direct debit schemes, (b) those who pay the bill upon receipt and (c) those who use prepayment meters following Gregory Barker: The statement that 4.8 million insulation the changes announced in the Autumn Statement. measures have been installed through Government schemes [180250] is based on the number of installations of retro-fit 641W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 642W cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and solid wall Programme (CESP), Warm Front, the Energy Company insulation through Government schemes since July 2010. Obligation (ECO) and Cashback between the start of It includes measures installed through the Carbon Emissions July 2010 and the end of June 2013. Reduction Target (CERT), the Community Energy Savings

CERT CESP Warm Front ECO Cashback Total

Cavity wall insulation 1,350,000 2— 2— 50,000 2— 1,410,000 Loft insulation 3,180,000 20,000 10,000 60,000 2— 3,270,000 Solid wall insulation 27,000 80,000 n/a 5,000 2— 112,000 Total1 4,550,000 100,000 20,000 120,000 2— 4,800,000 n/a = not applicable 1 Figures for each Government scheme and energy efficiency measure have been rounded to the nearest ten thousand, and therefore totals may not sum due to rounding. 2 Less than 5,000 measures installed.

Nuclear Power: Education report, published October 2013, what estimate he has made of the time required to make each mothballed Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy plant operational. [180247] and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education and his Welsh Michael Fallon: The readiness to produce power of counterpart on the inclusion of educational material any mothballed power station is a commercial matter supporting the use of nuclear power in the national for the company involved. curriculum; what the cost is of the preparation of this work; and from which departmental budget it is funded. [180356] WORK AND PENSIONS Michael Fallon: There have been no conversations between the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton Armed Forces: Children (Mr Davey), and either the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for (Michael Gove), or his Welsh counterpart on the subject Work and Pensions what guidance he has issued to the of the inclusion of educational material supporting the Child Support Agency on the implications of the Armed use of nuclear power in the national curriculum. Forces Covenant in respect of child custody and visiting The Secretary of State and I support the inclusion of rights. [180353] material within the curriculum which supports the development of the science, technology, engineering Steve Webb: There are currently three statutory and maths (STEM) subjects which will be required to maintenance schemes. The 1993 and 2003 scheme is support low carbon industries for the future. delivered by the Child Support Agency and the 2012 scheme is delivered by the Child Maintenance Service. Power Stations Child custody and visiting rights fall outside the remit of child maintenance. Child maintenance is Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for responsible for ensuring that parents fulfil their obligations Energy and Climate Change with reference to table 1.2 to make financial provision for their children with whom of his Department’s statutory security of supply report, they no longer live. Issues related to custody and visitation published October 2013, if he will list each plant scheduled are dealt with by the courts. to close in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15, (c) 2018-19, (d) Child support policies and guidance regarding the 2019-20 and (e) 2023-24. [180246] treatment of those in the armed forces, reflect the intent and the spirit of the Armed Forces Covenant. Michael Fallon: The operational lifetime of a plant is a commercial decision for the companies involved. As a result neither Ofgem nor National Grid publish plant Children: Maintenance by plant estimates of closure dates. DECC does publish the current lifetimes of nuclear plant which can be Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for found here: Work and Pensions when he envisages all Child Support https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Agency arrears cases with no ongoing maintenance attachment_data/file/48353/2027-past-and-present-uk- liabilities to be moved off the 1993 and 2003 computer nuclear-reactors.pdf systems; how many cases it is anticipated will be moved These are the dates that they are currently scheduled to off the two computer systems at this stage; and whether close. Any lifetime extensions are a matter for the all relevant cases will be transferred on to the new 2012 regulator who must be satisfied with the safety of the scheme computer system. [180355] installations. Steve Webb: We will begin the case closure process Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for when we are confident the 2012 scheme is working well. Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph Our current planning assumption is that the case closure 1.16 of his Department’s Statutory security of supply process will begin next year. 643W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 644W

Where arrears of child maintenance are linked to an number of these cases will remain outstanding with no ongoing child maintenance case on the 2012 scheme, we suitable enforcement action being identifiable, and will will move arrears in those cases to the 2012 scheme therefore form the second segment at case closure. computer system and pursue them as appropriate. “Nil compliance”in these cases will match the definition In cases where the arrears are not linked to an ongoing provided in the CSA Quarterly Summary of Statistics, 2012 case, and a parent with care requests that we i.e. where payments are expected but none have been collect the arrears, we will transfer them to the 2012 received within the previous quarter. system and pursue collection as resources allow. It is estimated that there are approximately 500,000 Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for cases with arrears but no ongoing child maintenance Work and Pensions if he will take steps to ensure that, liability. This estimate is subject to change and review. following the planned process of Child Support Agency (CSA) arrears validation that will accompany Notes: the case closure programme, the Child Maintenance 1. Information sourced from final impact assessment—child Service will give the same priority to the active recovery maintenance reforms: case closure, charging, supporting family-based of any CSA arrears which a parent with care of a arrangements available at: dependent child wishes to have collected, regardless of https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ whether a £20 application fee has been paid to the attachment_data/file/259694/cm-case-closure-and-charges- regs-ia-final.pdf Child Maintenance Service in respect of continuing maintenance for the child. [180366]

Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Steve Webb: Non-resident parents may owe arrears to Work and Pensions how many cases he expects to fall parents with care in existing Child Support Agency within each of the five segments scheduled for closure, cases, regardless of whether they apply to the 2012 listed in the Government’s full response to the Supporting scheme. We do not intend to write those arrears off, separated families; securing children’s futures consultation unless the parent with care specifically requests that we Cm 8742. [180364] should do so. As our arrears strategy, published in January 2013, Steve Webb: It is estimated that in the region of makes clear, we will give priority to collecting on cases 900,000 existing cases will close, as published in the case where there is an ongoing maintenance liability. Where closure and charging impact assessment, paragraph 86 a parent with care does not apply to the 2012 scheme, available at: but does want their arrears collected, we will transfer https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ the arrears to the new computer system and will collect attachment_data/file/259694/cm-case-closure-and-charges- them as resources allow. regs-ia-final.pdf The breakdown of these cases are estimated to be Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for approximately as follows: Work and Pensions what guidance will be given to a. Segment 1: Nil assessed cases—circa 160,000 Child Maintenance Service officials in respect of Child b. Segment 2: Nil compliant cases—circa 140,000 Support Agency cases closed within Segment 2 of his Department’s case closure programme because of nil c. Segment 3: Cases handled off system—circa 40,000 compliance, where a parent with care who applies to use d. Segment 4: Remaining system cases—circa 420,000 the new Child Maintenance Service asks to use the e. Segment 5: Cases with ongoing enforcement action—circa statutory collection service straight away, on the grounds 130,000 that the non-resident parent’s nil payment record means they are unlikely to pay the new maintenance liability in Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for accordance with the calculation if left to do so via a Work and Pensions what Child Support Agency (CSA) voluntary Direct Pay arrangement. [180367] cases will come within Segment 2 of his Department’s proposed order for CSA case closure; and what period Steve Webb: Where non-resident parents make clear of nil compliance with child maintenance will be necessary their intentions riot to pay child maintenance as part of for a case to be included in Segment 2. [180365] the application process to the 2012 scheme, the Child Maintenance Service will take immediate enforcement Steve Webb: Child Support Agency (CSA) cases falling action. into “Segment 2” of the proposed case closure order, as Where this is not the case, non-resident parents will outlined in the Government’s response to the consultation be given the opportunity to pay the parent with care “Supporting separated families; securing children’s futures”, directly. As the previous Child Support Agency cases published on 5 November, will have a liability to pay would have been nil compliant, there is no ongoing maintenance, but no payments are being made and regular payment pattern which risks disruption by pursuing there is no current enforcement action. this approach; and should any such direct pay arrangement It is likely that, in these cases, all appropriate enforcement be successful both parties will avoid paying the proposed actions have been utilised but we have been unable to collection charges. obtain compliance, or we lack sufficient information The Child Maintenance Service will, of course, take about the non-resident parent’s employment status or action to enforce payments where non-resident parents assets to attempt enforcement. The CSA does keep such fail to comply with the direct pay arrangements. cases under periodic review, and monitors data from HM Revenue and Customs and credit reference agencies Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work in order to flag up any cases where enforcement action and Pensions with reference to his Department’s Impact may become possible. It is however inevitable that a Assessment, Child maintenance fees reforms: CSA case 645W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 646W closure, introducing CMS fees, supporting family-based Employment: Disability arrangements, when he expects the new statutory scheme for child maintenance to attain post-transition steady Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State state. [180427] for Work and Pensions how many disabled people declared fit for work have subsequently reapplied and Steve Webb: There are currently three statutory been classed as unfit for work within a three month maintenance schemes: the 1993 and 2003 scheme delivered period. [180340] by the Child Support Agency and the 2012 scheme delivered by the Child Maintenance Service. Mike Penning: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate We propose to introduce charging and begin the case costs. closure process when the 2012 scheme is seen to be However if you would like information on employment working well. The current planning assumption is that and support allowance, initial work capability assessments charging will be introduced and case closure will begin and outcomes of appeals heard on fit for work decisions in 2014. We expect the case closure process will take these are published by the Department. I have included around three years to complete. a link which directs to publications. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment- Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and-support-allowance-statistics-on-reassessments-of- and Pensions with reference to his Department’s Impact incapacity-benefits-july-2013 Assessment on Child maintenance reforms: CSA case Housing Benefit closure, introducing CMS fees, supporting family-based arrangements, dated 31 March 2013, (a) on what basis Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and (b) over what period his Department has estimated and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion that the amount of the child maintenance fee income of the total discretionary housing budget that was spent expected to accrue during the transition from the present during the first six months of 2013-14. [180542] two statutory schemes to the new 2012 statutory scheme will be £2,220 million. [180533] Steve Webb: The Department has collated six-monthly returns detailing DHP awards made by local authorities Steve Webb: Application fee income has been calculated in Great Britain between the beginning of April to the by multiplying the estimated volume of 2012 scheme end of September 2013. applications by the £20 application fee. Collection fees The Department has pre-announced that this information have been calculated by multiplying the estimated collection will be published on 20 December 2013. service caseload by an average assessment amount and This year the Government contribution to discretionary applying a 24% fee (20% for paying parents and 4% for housing payments has been increased to £180 million. receiving parents). Enforcement fees have been calculated As part of this, local authorities are able to bid for by applying the following rates (available at page 13 funding from a £20 million reserve fund. The scheme is of the impact assessment) to the estimated volume of open to bids until 3 February 2014. enforcement actions: Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing Deduction from earnings order/request: £50 Regular deduction order: £50 Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Lump sum deduction order: £200 Work and Pensions what proportion of households affected by the under-occupancy penalty have a member Liability order: £300. from an ethnic minority. [180667] The estimated £2,221 million revenue is calculated across the transition period of 2012-13 to 2028/29. Esther McVey: See the following table. DWPs 2012 Table A4 on page 36 of the impact assessment—‘Child equality impact assessment estimated that 10% of claimants maintenance reforms: CSA case closure, introducing affected by the removal of the spare room subsidy are CMS fees, supporting family-based arrangements’, dated black or minority ethnic claimants. 31 March 2013, measures the difference between Policy Option 1 (do nothing baseline which introduces the Breakdown of working age 2012 scheme without case closure and charging) and Estimated number of SRS HB claimants affected Policy Option 3 (proposed full reforms). Paragraphs 33 Ethnicity claimants affected (percentage) and 80 of the document explain this, stating that Policy White 600,000 90 Option 1 is the baseline against which the costs and Black and 60,000 10 benefits of the proposed reforms will be measured and minority that without case closure the transitional period would ethnic be 17 years (2012-13 to 2028-29). All 660,000 100 Notes: Source: Policy Simulation Model using 2009-10 reference data from the The impact assessment—‘Child maintenance reforms: CSA case Family Resources Survey closure, introducing CMS fees, supporting family-based A link to the equality impact assessment can be arrangements’—is available at: found at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/259694/cm-case-closure-and-charges- attachment_data/file/220154/eia-social-sector-housing-under- regs-ia-final.pdf occupation-wr2011.pdf 647W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 648W

Jobcentre Plus Personal Independence Payment

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the Work and Pensions if he will use a non-geographic number of incidents of violence or abuse carried out number for the Personal Independence Payment helpline. against staff in jobcentres in each month since June [180348] 2010. [180655] Mike Penning: The Department already provides a Esther McVey: Jobcentre Plus currently conducts non-geographic number for the Personal Independence approximately 25.5 million adviser interviews each year. Payment Inquiry Line. Physical assaults on Jobcentre staff are very rare. However we take such physical assaults extremely seriously and Universal Credit work with the police and departmental solicitors to secure the harshest penalties appropriate. Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Please note that a more detailed online system was set Work and Pensions (1) what estimate he has made of up in September 2011 which has improved the quality annual changes in the size of the universal credit caseload of our reported incidents. in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16, (c) 2016-17, (d) 2017-18 The table provides the total number of recorded and (e) 2018-19; [180449] incidents, since June 2010. These figures include verbal (2) how large the universal credit caseload will be in and written incidents. (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16, (c) 2016-17, (d) 2017-18 Figures include Customer Care Officers and Security and (e) 2018-19. [180450] Staff who work for contractors on their own terms and conditions. Esther McVey: Universal credit is now operating in seven areas and we remain on track to roll out in Bath, Year Harrogate and Shotton by next spring. We announced Month 2010 2011 2012 2013 our plans for the next stage of implementation on 5 December, and these were set out in a written ministerial April — 1,234 1,867 2,639 statement. The WMS can be found here: May — 1,182 2,195 2,543 June 1,239 1,136 1,948 2,331 http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-vote-office/ 1 December%202013/5%20December/6-DWP- July 1,301 1,344 2,346 2,923 UniversalCredit.pdf August 1,281 1,081 2,182 2,732 2 Official statistics on universal credit were published September 1,306 2,047 1,885 2,504 on 3 December and can be found at October 1,216 2,148 2,498 2,828 http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/UC/Universal_Credit.html November 1,366 2,133 2,681 2,564 December 1,168 1,652 2,115 — Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for January 1,236 1,955 2,614 — Work and Pensions whether his Department provided February 1,437 2,304 2,735 — the Office of Budget Responsibility with the universal March 1,631 2,095 2,606 — credit caseload projections published in the Economic 1 Figures from July 2013 onwards, awaiting validation at time of [180668] writing. and Fiscal Outlook, December 2013. 2 New improved web-based incident reporting system was introduced to DWP staff in September 2011. Esther McVey: The Department provided the OBR Older Workers: Dementia with the projections for universal credit published in the Economic and Fiscal Outlook. Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for These are provisional planning assumptions pending Work and Pensions if his Department will commission final decisions on the detail and full business case an assessment of the effects on employers and the approval. additional support they may require owing to the potential Actual case load figures will be determined by the increase in the number of people of employment age detailed implementation planning and delivery now who have dementia as a result of the extension in under way. They will be reported monthly, as previously retirement age; and what discussions he has had with announced. the Secretary of State for Health on the needs of older workers. [180266] Work Programme Steve Webb: 1.3% of people aged 65 to 69 have dementia, and its onset increases significantly from age Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for 75. As part of the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia, Work and Pensions (1) how many Work programme a task and finish group is looking at how employers can participants who are in the jobseeker’s allowance early better support people with dementia in the workplace. access claimant group because they are homeless have The Government is also improving services for people (a) been sanctioned while participating in the Work with mental health conditions through initiatives such programme and (b) secured a job outcome; [180657] as ‘talking therapy’ services, which include a focus on (2) how many Work programme participants are in employment, through the new Health and Work Service the jobseeker’s allowance early access claimant group; which will be central to preventing avoidable early exit and how many such participants are in the group from the labour market. because they are homeless. [180669] 649W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 650W

Esther McVey: Information on Work programme in the last 12 months; how old these animals were; and participants who are in the jobseeker’s allowance early what their country of origin was. [180154] access payment group because they are homeless, is not currently available, and could be provided only at George Eustice: The following figures are for dogs disproportionate cost. and puppies entering Great Britain(GB) under Balai Information on the number of Work programme Intra-Union Trade rules during the past 12 months referrals and attachments, by payment group, is available (December 2012 to November 2013). It is not possible at: to break these figures down by age. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistics- Country Quantity tabulation-tool Belgium 338 Czech Republic 1 Denmark 1 ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS France 3 Germany 5 Animal Diseases Greece 2 Hungary 799 Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Ireland 31 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Italy 11 Department has made of the increase in incidences of Netherlands 61 zoonotic diseases entering the UK since the relaxation Poland 125 of the regulations under the pet travel scheme in January Slovakia 84 2012; and what action his Department plans to take in Spain 40 response to recent rabies cases in the Netherlands and Sweden 223 France. [180155] The following figures are for dogs and puppies entering George Eustice: Since the UK harmonised with the Northern Ireland under Balai Intra-Union Trade rules EU pet travel scheme on the 1 January 2012 there have during the past 12 months (December 2012 to November been no confirmed cases of rabies in domestic or wild 2013). It is not possible to break these figures down by animals within the UK. The UK’s continued disease-free age. status for the Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm was confirmed by the European Food Safety Authority Country Quantity in November 2013, on the’ basis of disease surveillance results shown at: Spain 2 http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsaiournal/pub/3465.htm The following figures are for dogs and puppies entering The risk associated with the changes that were made GB under Balai Third Country Trade rules during the to the UK’s pet travel rules as a result of harmonisation past 12 months (December 2012 to November 2013). It with EU law was assessed by experts in 2010: is not possible to break these figures down by age. http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/a-z/rabies/ The risk of a dog with rabies entering the UK under the Country Quantity EU import rules was assessed as very low; and the risk USA 147 of rabies being passed from a pet to a person is lower Japan 1 still. Malaysia 1 In October 2013 the Dutch authorities confirmed rabies in two puppies illegally imported from Bulgaria. The following figures are for dogs and puppies entering However, on 9 December it was announced that further Northern Ireland under Balai Third Country Trade tests have shown these dogs to be negative for rabies. rules during the past 12 months (December 2012 to November 2013). It is not possible to break these figures In November 2013 the French authorities confirmed down by age. rabies in an illegally imported kitten from Morocco. This case does not increase the overall risk of incursion Country Quantity to the UK. The UK operates a robust checking regime to make Brazil 1 sure that pets entering the UK do not pose a risk to Canada 2 animal and human health. Ferry, rail and air operators UAE 1 are licensed to carry pets on the basis that they check USA 13 every pet travelling with its owner for compliance with the rules of the EU pet travel scheme. Anyone who does Elephants: Conservation not follow these rules is committing a criminal offence and local authorities have the power to deal with offenders. Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding the Dogs: Imports Government plans to contribute to the African Elephant Action Plan; whether UK involvement in that plan will Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for be led by Ministers or officials; what outcomes the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dogs Government is seeking from that work; and if he will and puppies entered the UK under the Balai Directive make a statement. [180464] 651W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 652W

George Eustice: The Government supports the African As with all payment by results schemes, actual payments Elephant Action Plan and has, to date, contributed a are dependent on the level of performance and therefore total of around £114,000 towards its implementation. budgets allocated to this programme remain under regular My noble Friend Lord de Mauley led the UK delegation review. Where we need to make adjustments to budgets to the African Elephant Summit in Gaborone, Botswana, to match the timing of results, we look to do so through on 2-4 December 2013, at which the African Elephant the standard budget review processes within the Department Action Plan was a central feature of the Urgent Measures and where necessary through the Supplementary and adopted by all participants. Main Estimates. Although the UK does not have a seat on the Steering Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Committee, where donors to the Action Plan are represented Communities and Local Government how his Department by Germany, France and the Netherlands, DEFRA works with the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office officials are in regular contact with their counterparts and the Department for Education in delivering the in these countries and the African elephant range states Troubled Families initiative. [180500] on issues covered by the plan. The London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade, which the Prime Minister Kris Hopkins: The Troubled Families programme will be hosting in February 2014, will also address was launched with the financial support, of six Government issues that should help to ensure more effective Departments, including the Ministry of Justice, the implementation of the African Elephant Action Plan. Home Office and Department for Education. My Department continues to work closely with these Departments, including regular contact at senior official and ministerial level. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Housing

Carbon Monoxide: Poisoning Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homes Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for have been completed as a result of the new homes Communities and Local Government what steps he is bonus to date. [179615] taking to ensure that the uptake of the recommendations stemming from the report by HM Coroner for Manchester Kris Hopkins: The bonus is now recognising nearly City, made under Regulation 28 of the Coroners 550,000 new build/conversions and over 93,000 long-term (Investigation) Regulations 2013, into the carbon empty homes returned to use. monoxide-related death of Mrs Aurora Kerr; and whether According to recent Office for National Statistics relevant recommendations will be considered in the figures, new orders in residential construction have risen recently announced review of property conditions in to their highest level since 2007. the private rented sector. [180641] I also refer the hon. Member to my answer of2 December 2013, Official Report, columns 558-59W. Kris Hopkins: Following the carbon monoxide related Housing: Greater London death of Mrs Elizabeth Aurora Kerr, the coroner made a number of recommendations, some of which were Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for addressed to the Department. We have addressed the Communities and Local Government what assessment points made by the coroner in respect of those he has made of the effect on London house prices of recommendations. The review into property conditions overseas investment in new build homes in the capital. in the private rented sector will carefully consider whether [179417] landlords of privately rented accommodation should be required to install carbon monoxide alarms in their Kris Hopkins: Foreign investment in new housing has properties. been helping provide the finance to build new-housing that would not otherwise be viable. In turn, these new Families: Disadvantaged housing developments not only provide new homes, but also unlock the affordable housing that may be linked Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for to the new development. Moreover, even if property is Communities and Local Government how much funding foreign-owned, much of it may then be rented out to his Department allocated to the Troubled Families initiative domestic residents. in each of the last three years; and how much funding These points were made powerfully by my predecessor, he expects to allocate to this initiative in each year to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford and Stortford 2015. [180499] (Mr Prisk), in the debate on foreign-owned UK property on 20 June 2013, Official Report, column 1161 onwards, Kris Hopkins: My Department published details of pointing to research by the Greater London authority, all the departmental resources allocated to the Troubled Berkeley Homes and Jones Lang LaSalle. Families Programme in its Annual Report for the period Of course, London is a global city (not least due to from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013. The information the free movement rules of the European Union and can be found on my Department’s web pages here: European Economic Area), but foreign sales should not https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ be overstated. In a report in October, Knight Frank attachment_data/file/245153/DCLG_2012- estimated that between 85% and 90% of new-build sales 13_combined_Annual_Report_and_Accounts_130923.pdf in Greater London were sold to domestic buyers, and The funding information requested can be found on there was “no indication of a shift towards higher page 40. non-resident purchases” in the last two years. They 653W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 654W added: “our research points to the fact that the majority One of the key changes we have made to the Right to of demand for new-build property in London from Buy is to ensure that all additional receipts raised from overseas remains focussed on the relatively small and local authority Right to Buy sales are used to directly concentrated market made up of the central London fund new homes for affordable rent. Since April 2012, postcodes”(Knight Frank, International Buyers in London £219 million has been generated from additional sales October 2013). The Bank of England’s financial stability and 1,622 homes have been started on site or acquired. report from November also estimated that foreign buyers There will invariably be a certain time lag between the represent just 3% of all residential transactions in London, Right to Buy sale and the construction of the new build and were concentrated in ‘prime’ central areas of London. home, but the replacement timetable is in control of the Notwithstanding, it is important that the owners of local authority. If a council were to fail to spend the foreign-owned property pay their way, which is why this receipts within three years, it would be required to Government has taken action to tackle tax avoidance return the unspent money to government with interest. by reforming taxation of high-value UK residential This provides a strong financial incentive for any slow-coach property held by non-natural persons, and is also levelling councils to use this new funding and get on with building the playing field by introducing capital gains tax on more homes for local people. future gains made by non-residents disposing of UK residential property. Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he We would also encourage the property industry to has made of the proportion of local authority social ensure that homes for sale should be marketed in the housing lets in (a) London and (b) Birmingham that United Kingdom, and not solely overseas: this is both have been recorded in the Continuous Recording of in their financial interests and their reputational interests. Lettings and Sales data for that year; and what Planning Permission: Staffordshire proportion of such records included information on the nationality of the tenant. [180638] Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities Kris Hopkins: Continuous recording of lettings data and Local Government how many planning appeals on local authority social housing lets (both general have resulted in local authority decisions being overturned needs and supported housing) were provided by by the planning inspector in (a) Cannock Chase Birmingham city council and all London local authorities constituency and (b) Staffordshire since 2010. [178960] for 2012-13. The information requested is as follows:

Nick Boles: Planning is a quasi-judicial process; it is a Proportion of total local long-standing feature of the planning system that there authority social housing Proportion of these records is a right of appeal, just as there are with other local lettings recorded that include nationality (percentage) information (percentage) quasi-judicial decisions such as on licensing applications, gambling applications or parking fines. London 81 72 The following table is by local authority area: Birmingham 71 86 This is an improved response rate over 2011-12 and Calendar year: reflects continuing engagement with data providers and 2013 efforts by local authorities to report data. The Department to 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 date has also recently published further guidance for authorities in the reporting of household information in Continuous Cannock Chase 25 17 12 9 7 6 Recording of Lettings data, which is available at: appeals received https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/provision-of- Cannock Chase 1685331 appeals allowed social-lettings-data-advice-to-local-authorities Staffordshire 321 266 235 243 169 163 Published official estimates of the characteristics of appeals received households receiving lettings use statistical methods to Staffordshire 118 92 81 93 67 65 adjust for missing data. appeals allowed Ministers have been very clear that local authorities These figures show how the number of planning should ensure they have up-to-date information about appeals received and allowed has fallen under the National prospective tenants’ nationality and immigration status, Planning Policy Framework, refuting the suggestion of in order to ascertain their eligibility for social housing, ‘planning by appeal’. It is clearly unacceptable that some local authorities are failing to collect or provide accurate information about Social Rented Housing social housing being given to foreign nationals.

Sir Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he has INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT taken to speed up the delivery of replacement social homes for rent for those lost through Right to Buy; and Afghanistan if he will make a statement. [178644] Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Kris Hopkins: The reinvigorated Right to Buy scheme International Development how many women have been is helping social tenants become new home owners; it involved in senior negotiations and decisions on the levers in new finance to increase construction and house UKs withdrawal from Afghanistan; and what proportion building; and it assists new people into affordable housing of the total number of senior negotiators and decision who would otherwise be on a housing waiting list. makers this figure represents. [180138] 655W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 656W

Justine Greening: Details of the membership of the Lynne Featherstone: We continue to believe that a National Security Council are publicly available. cross line polio vaccination campaign led by UNICEF and WHO is a priority and we have supported this with Developing Countries: Health Services lobbying across the board at all levels of the United Nations (UN). The issue was most recently raised with Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF on 11 for International Development (1) what steps her December 2013 during his mission to Sudan. We also Department is taking to address the shortage of health pushed hard for and were successful in securing a workers in developing countries; and if she will make a statement by the UN Security Council in October 2013. statement; [180358] Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International (2) what steps she is taking to increase human Development what assessment she has made of the resources available for health services in developing effect of the recent polio vaccination campaign in Sudan’s countries. [180362] Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. [180212] Lynne Featherstone: The UK is helping countries Lynne Featherstone: The first phase of Sudan’s national develop their own health care systems, including country polio vaccination campaign has taken place in all areas efforts to build and maintain health worker capacity. with the exception of those areas of South Kordofan DFID supports the health workforce in the countries in and Blue Nile states which are controlled by the Sudan which we work through programmes that help train People’s Liberation Movement—North (SPLM-N). We new health workers such as nurses, birth attendants and remain greatly concerned that the 165,000 children in midwives. those areas have not been vaccinated, and have continued In addition, DFID funds the Health Partnership to lobby the Government of Sudan and the leadership Scheme that supports partnerships between UK health of SPLM-N to agree the terms for a cessation of hostilities institutions and partners in developing countries to which would allow for a full campaign to take place. strengthen health worker skills. DFID also provides funding to the Global Health Workforce Alliance, which advocates for improved human resources for health and which supports countries health workforce coordination HEALTH and planning. Autism Developing Countries: Sanitation John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that local Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for authorities are consulting with people with autism, International Development if she will attend the Sanitation their families and community-based charities as they and Water for All high level meeting in Washington DC develop local plans to implement the Adult Autism on 11 April 2014. [180206] Strategy. [180400]

Justine Greening: The UK will be represented at an Norman Lamb: Local authorities (LAs) should be appropriate level at the 2014 Sanitation and Water for working with people with autism, their families and All (SWA) high level meeting. This meeting will focus community based charities to implement the Adult on accountability and the progress each country, including Autism Strategy. As part of the current review of that the UK, has made in meeting the commitments made at strategy, LAs and their partners have taken part in the the 2012 high level meeting. DFID officials are working national autism self-assessment exercise on progress with the SWA Secretariat on the agenda for the high made in implementing the strategy. This included a level meeting. question on engaging people with autism and their carers in planning which was answered by 151 LAs. Sudan Only seven said that minimal engagement work had taken place, with the remainder scoring themselves Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International higher than that, of which 83 said that a variety of Development what assessment she has made of the mechanisms are being used so a cross section of people number of fatalities from yellow fever in Sudan’s West on the autistic spectrum are meaningfully engaged in and Southern Kordofan states in the last year. [180210] the planning and implementation of the strategy.

Lynne Featherstone: The Sudanese Federal Ministry Breast Cancer of Health (FMOH) recently notified the World Health Organisation (WHO) of a yellow fever outbreak affecting Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for twelve localities in West and South Kordofan states. Health what steps his Department is taking to promote According to WHO, between 3 October and 24 November campaigns to tackle breast cancer. [180565] 2013, a total of 44 suspected cases of yellow fever including 14 deaths were reported from this outbreak. Jane Ellison: Campaigns are now the responsibility of Public Health England (PHE). Be Clear on Cancer Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International campaigns (encouraging symptom recognition and earlier Development what representations she has made to the general practitioner presentation) have been running United Nations on the polio vaccination campaign that since early 2011 and have covered a number of cancers, had been due to take place in Sudan’s Southern Kodorfan nationally and regionally. Breast cancer (specifically and Blue Nile states. [180211] aimed at women over 70) forms part of the programme. 657W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 658W

Following successful local and regional pilots, a national The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence breast cancer campaign targeting women aged 70 years (NICE) is currently updating its clinical guideline on plus and their influences will run from 3 February to 16 the management of multiple sclerosis in primary and March 2014 and will include television, press, direct secondary care. The scope of the guideline states that, it mail and out-of-home media advertising. The key message will cover the management of spasticity with Sativex in is: ‘1 in 3 women who get breast cancer are over 70, so patients with multiple sclerosis. NICE currently expects don’t assume you’re past it’. to issue its updated guideline in October 2014. NICE clinical guidelines are developed through consultation Cancer: South Yorkshire with stakeholders. In the absence of NICE guidance on Sativex, it is for Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for national health service commissioners to make funding Health what the proportion of people in the latest decisions based on an assessment of the available evidence survey with suspected cancer is who have seen a cancer and the individual patient’s clinical circumstances. specialist within the two weeks target in (a) Doncaster The Department has not commissioned any recent and (b) South Yorkshire. [180158] research on the medicinal uses of cannabis. A study funded by the Medical Research Council on Jane Ellison: The information is not available in the cannabinoid use in progressive inflammatory brain disease format requested. The target for two week, waits following is within the portfolio of research managed by the general practitioner (GP) urgent referrals for suspected Department’s National Institute for Health Research cancer is 93%. (NIHR) through the NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies In quarter two of 2013-14 at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Coordinating Centre. Details of this study can be found Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 93.4% of patients on the centre’s website at: attended out-patient appointments within two weeks of www.nets.nihr.ac.uk/projects/ememrc/0980001 an urgent referral from their GP for suspected cancer. In quarter two of 2013-14 for Doncaster Clinical Childbirth Commissioning Group (CCG) 94.6% of patients attended out-patient appointments within two weeks of an urgent Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for referral from their GP for suspected cancer. Health (1) what support his Department makes available The 2013-14 quarter two figures for other CCGs in for the emotional health of women during pregnancy; South Yorkshire are; [180636] Barnsley CCG: 96% (2) what support his Department provides to families Bassetlaw CCG: 91.2% who have had premature births; [180637] Rotherham CCG: 95.1% (3) what the annual cost is of premature births to the Sheffield CCG: 94.1%. NHS; [180640] (4) what support is given to the families of premature Cannabis babies to help them form a secure bond with their babies; [180679] Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for (5) what support his Department provides to women Health (1) what his policy is on the use of cannabis in to help them maintain a healthy pregnancy. [180699] the treatment of multiple sclerosis; [180113] (2) what recent studies his Department has commissioned Dr Poulter: Women should receive maternity care on the medicinal uses of cannabis. [180114] that focuses on their needs and emotional well-being. The Mandate from the Government to NHS England Norman Lamb: Cannabis and its preparations are includes an objective that every woman has a named Class B controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs midwife who is responsible for ensuring she has personalised, Act 1971. In the United Kingdom, it is illegal to produce, one-to-one care throughout pregnancy, childbirth and possess, supply, import and export cannabis except during the postnatal period. under Home Office licence. Cannabis is also subject to Families who have had premature births are supported international drug control under United Nations by the neonatal unit providing care for their baby. NHS Conventions. England is responsible for commissioning neonatal critical Cannabis is listed in Schedule 1 of the Misuse of care services for sick and premature babies. Clear quality Drugs Regulations 2001 as the UK does not recognise standards for neonatal care are outlined in the Department’s that it has any medicinal use. UK pharmacists are only Toolkit for High-Quality Neonatal Service and the NICE able to possess, supply or dispense Schedule 1 drugs Quality Standard for Specialist Neonatal Care. NHS under a Home Office licence. England commission neonatal critical care services against Sativex (nabiximols), a cannabis-derived mouth spray, these standards. is licensed in the UK as an add-on treatment for moderate In line with NHS England’s standard contract for to severe spasticity in multiple sclerosis and can be neonatal critical care, neonatal services should provide prescribed on the NHS. a family centred approach to care that involves families In April 2013, the Home Office rescheduled Sativex in the care of their baby and helps them understand from a Schedule 1 controlled drug to a part 1 Schedule 4 their baby’s needs. controlled drug. The rescheduling reflects Sativex’s low Information on the annual cost of premature births potential for abuse or diversion. to the national health service is not collected centrally. 659W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 660W

Family centred care puts the physical, psychological (12) if he will make an assessment of the potential and social needs of both the baby and their family at effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed the heart of all care given. To support bonding parents changes to the funding formula for NHS Rotherham are encouraged to participate in their baby’s care at the Clinical Commissioning Group; [180321] earliest opportunity. This can include regular skin to (13) if he will make an assessment of the potential skin contact, feeding and day to day care such as nappy effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed changing. The Department awarded Bliss—the National changes to the funding formula for NHS Doncaster charity for the Newborn (for years 2010-13) a grant for Clinical Commissioning Group; [180322] ‘Family Centred Care: A guide for parents project’, (14) if he will make an assessment of the potential which aims to improve parent’s experience of neonatal effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed care and help them to establish their role as parents as changes to the funding formula for NHS Bassetlaw soon as possible. Clinical Commissioning Group; [180323] Women receive advice on maintaining a healthy pregnancy from their midwife as part of routine antenatal (15) if he will make an assessment of the potential care. Additional support and advice is available on the effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed NHS Choices website and through the NHS Information changes to the funding formula for NHS Barnsley Service for Parents and through the Start4Life campaign. Clinical Commissioning Group; [180324] (16) if he will make an assessment of the potential Clinical Commissioning Groups effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed changes to the funding formula for NHS Vale of York Mr Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Clinical Commissioning Group; [180325] (1) if he will make an assessment of the potential effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed changes (17) if he will make an assessment of the potential to the funding formula for NHS Wakefield Clinical effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed Commissioning Group; [180310] changes to the funding formula for NHS Scarborough (2) if he will make an assessment of the potential and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group; [180326] effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed (18) if he will make an assessment of the potential changes to the funding formula for NHS North effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group; [180311] changes to the funding formula for NHS North (3) if he will make an assessment of the potential Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group; [180327] effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed (19) if he will make an assessment of the potential changes to the funding formula for NHS Leeds South effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed and East Clinical Commissioning Group; [180312] changes to the funding formula for NHS North East (4) if he will make an assessment of the potential Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group; [180328] effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed (20) if he will make an assessment of the potential changes to the funding formula for NHS Leeds West effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed Clinical Commissioning Group; [180313] changes to the funding formula for NHS Hull Clinical (5) if he will make an assessment of the potential Commissioning Group; [180329] effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed (21) if he will make an assessment of the potential changes to the funding formula for NHS Greater effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group; [180314] changes to the funding formula for NHS Harrogate (6) if he will make an assessment of the potential Rural District and Clinical Commissioning Group; effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed [180330] changes to the funding formula for NHS Bradford City (22) if he will make an assessment of the potential Clinical Commissioning Group; [180315] effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed (7) if he will make an assessment of the potential changes to the funding formula for NHS Hambleton, effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning changes to the funding formula for NHS Leeds North Group; [180331] Clinical Commissioning Group; [180316] (23) if he will make an assessment of the potential (8) if he will make an assessment of the potential effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed changes to the funding formula for NHS East Riding changes to the funding formula for NHS Bradford of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group. [180332] Districts Clinical Commissioning Group; [180317] (9) if he will make an assessment of the potential Norman Lamb: Responsibility for resource allocation effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed is a matter for NHS England as set out in The Mandate. changes to the funding formula for NHS Calderdale The Government has made clear in the mandate that Clinical Commissioning Group; [180318] one of the governing principles should be equal access (10) if he will make an assessment of the potential for equal need, and that changes in allocations should effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed not result in the destabilising of local health economies. changes to the funding formula for NHS Airedale, Initial findings from NHS England’s fundamental Wharfdale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group; review of allocation policy, which drew on the expert [180319] advice of the independent Advisory Committee on (11) if he will make an assessment of the potential Resource Allocation and, involved a range of external effect on local services of NHS England’s proposed partners, were considered by the NHS England board changes to the funding formula for NHS Sheffield at their meeting on 17 December. The board paper is Clinical Commissioning Group; [180320] available at: 661W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 662W

www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/bm- violent behaviour as one of the indicators; and where item7.pdf each such bed is situated. [180271] I refer the right hon. Member to the written ministerial statement issued by the Secretary of State for Health, Norman Lamb: We do not hold the information in the the right hon. Member for South West Surrey (Mr form requested. However, we do have data on the Hunt), on 17 December 2013, Official Report, columns number of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services 88-89WS. (CAMHS) medium secure, low secure and psychiatric Compulsorily Detained Mental Patients: Young People intensive care beds as shown in the following table. However, not all those placed in CAMHS low and Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for medium secure beds or psychiatric intensive care unit Health how many beds are available to juveniles who (PICU) beds will necessarily have been sectioned under have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act with the Mental Health Act or presented with violent behaviour.

PICU Organisation name Name of site Name of ward/unit Total low Total medium Total

Alpha Hospital, Bury Alpha Hospital Bury Buttercup 0 12 0 Alpha Hospital, Bury Alpha Hospital Bury Mulberry 12 0 0 Alpha Hospital, Bury Alpha Hospital Bury Primrose 8 0 0 Alpha Hospital, Woking Alpha Hospital Woking Parkview First—Female 11 0 0 Therapeutic Ward (Non- Admission) Alpha Hospital, Woking Alpha Hospital Woking Parkview Ground—Male 6 0 0 East London NHS Foundation Coborn Centre Coborn Centre 3 0 0 Trust Greater Manchester West Prestwich Hospital Gardener Unit 0 0 10 Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust North Essex Partnership St. Aubyn Centre Larkwood 10 0 0 University NHS Foundation Trust Northumberland, Tyne and Alnwood Wilton 0 0 6 Wear NHS Foundation Trust Northumberland, Tyne and Ferndene Stephenson 0 8 0 Wear NHS Foundation Trust Northumberland, Tyne and Ferndene Redburn ICU 4 0 0 Wear NHS Foundation Trust Northumberland, Tyne and Alnwood Lennox 0 0 7 Wear NHS Foundation Trust Northumberland, Tyne and Alnwood Ashby 0 0 9 Wear NHS Foundation Trust Oakview Hospital Oakview—London Oakview—London 0 10 0 Priory Hospital, Marchwood Southampton Priory Kingfisher Ward 0 10 0 Priory Hospital ,North London Priory Hospital, North Adolescent Unit 0 14 0 London St. Luke’s Health Care St. Luke’s Health Care Cherry Oak 0 10 0 Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys West Lane Hospital, Westwood 0 10 0 NHS Foundation Trust Middlesbrough The Huntercombe Hospital— Huntercombe Hospital, Hartley 12 0 0 Stafford Stafford The Priory Hospital, Cheadle Cheadle Royal Meadows 12 0 0 Royal The Priory Hospital, Cheadle Cheadle Royal Woodlands 0 10 0 Royal West London Mental Health W London Mental Wells Unit 0 0 10 NHS Trust Health NHS Trust 78 84 42

Dementia on identifying signs of early dementia. However, next year, Public Health England, working with Alzheimer’s Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Society, will launch a three year, £12 million social Health if he will issue guidance to employers and movement to make the nation more aware of dementia employees on identifying signs of early dementia; and and how to help people with the condition. Aside from if he will make a statement. [180264] public-facing activity, the movement will target business partners and urge them to continue roll out the Dementia Norman Lamb: The Government does not have plans Friends programme within their organisations, giving to issue guidance solely aimed at employers and employees their employees an understanding of dementia and the 663W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 664W supportive action they can take to help themselves, Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements family, friends and customers. In addition, the NHS Health Check programme offers advice and support to Mr Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) help people aged 40 to 74 make lifestyle changes that what progress has been made on the implementation of can reduce their risk of dementia and other conditions, Article 21.1 of EU Directive 2011/24 regarding cross and now includes dementia awareness advice for those border access to health care; and if he will make a aged 65 to 74 years. Further information is available at: statement; [180413] www.healthcheck.nhs.uk (2) how many EU member states have transposed into national law EU Directive 2011/24, on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare; and if he Gender Recognition will make a statement; [180414] (3) what steps his Department has taken to implement Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health EU Directive 2011/24; and what assessment he has pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2013, Official made of the progress of other EU member states in Report, column 96W, on gender recognition, (1) what implementing that directive. [180627] the average waiting time from GP referral to an appointment at a gender identity clinic was in (a) the North West Jane Ellison: As of 12 December 2013, the Department and (b) England in each of the last three years for of Health understands from the European Commission which data are available; [180555] that six member states have fully transposed the directive, seven member states, including the United Kingdom, (2) how many people have been referred to gender have provided a partial notification of transposition, identity clinics in each of the last three years for which and a further four member states will transpose by the data are available. [180556] end of 2013. On behalf of Wales, Scotland, Gibraltar and England, Norman Lamb: This information is not held centrally. on 24 October, the Department of Health submitted a Hospital Episode Statistics data cannot be used to partial notification to the European Commission on the identify gender identity clinics; gender identity is not a implementation of the EU directive on cross-border treatment specialty identified in the data. healthcare. Officials from the Department of Health, Social Services General Practitioners: South Yorkshire and Public Safety in Northern Ireland have advised that the regulations transposing the directive in Northern Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Ireland will come into operation before the end of this Health what proportion of patients were provided with year. a GP appointment within 48 hours in (a) Doncaster With regard to steps taken by the Department of and (b) South Yorkshire for the last quarter for which Health, the National Health Service (Cross-Border figures are available. [180167] Healthcare) Regulations 2013, the implementing regulations for England and Wales, came into force on 25 October Jane Ellison: The information requested is not collected. 2013, to coincide with the transposition deadline. Ministers Health Education Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on ministerial salaries in the last Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for year for which figures are available. [180101] Health what Public Health England’s campaign plans are in relation to (a) alcohol, (b) tobacco, (c) obesity Dr Poulter: Information about the ministerial salaries is in the public domain and is published annually as and (d) physical activity. [180664] part of the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts Resource Accounts Remuneration Report. The latest Jane Ellison: Public Health England has not yet 2012-13 accounts are available at: finalised its campaign plans for the 2014-15 financial www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc1314/hc00/0046/ year but will publish its marketing plan in the spring. 0046.pdf The plan will be subject to approval by the Cabinet The following table has been extracted as follows Office’s Efficiency Reform Group. from the 2012-13 accounts:

Table 3: Minister Salaries Department of Health Annual Report and Resource Accounts -Remuneration Report - P57 £ 2011-2012 2012-13 FYE Lords FYE Lords Lords Lords Full year Ministers Ministers Full year Office Office Compensation equivalent night night equivalent holders’ holders’ forlossof Salary salary subsistence subsistence Salary salary allowance allowance office

Jeremy Hunt1 — — — — 34,413 68,827 — — — Norman Lamb2 — — — — 16,501 33,002 — — — Daniel Poulter3 — — — — 13,692 23,697 — — — Anna Soubry3 — — — — 13,692 23,697 — — — Earl Howe4, 5 68,710 68,710 18,183 18,183 68,710 68,710 18,183 18,183 — 665W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 666W

Table 3: Minister Salaries Department of Health Annual Report and Resource Accounts -Remuneration Report - P57 £ 2011-2012 2012-13 FYE Lords FYE Lords Lords Lords Full year Ministers Ministers Full year Office Office Compensation equivalent night night equivalent holders’ holders’ forlossof Salary salary subsistence subsistence Salary salary allowance allowance office

Andrew Lansley4, 6 68,827 68,827 — — 31,727 68,827 — — — Simon Burns1, 7 33,002 33,002 — — 16,501 33,002 — — — Paul Burstow1, 7 33,002 33,002 — — 14,118 33,002 — — 8,251 Anne Milton1,7 23,697 23,697 — — 11,514 23,697 — — — 1 Secretary of State started on payroll from 1 October 2011, paid by DCMS for September. 2 Minister joined Department on 1 October 2012 and £627.03 pay arrears not included paid by BIS for September. 3 Minister joined Department on 5 September 2012, includes £65.83 overpaid and recovered salary. 4 There was no increase for 2012-13 with salaries remaining at the entitled rate as at 31 March 2008. 5 Earl Howe is entitled to the full amount of Lords Ministers night subsistence however, he only claimed 50% or his entitlement which amounts to £18,183 in 2011-12 and 2012-13. 6 Secretary of State until September 2012 on payroll until 30 September 2012 then transferred to Cabinet Office payroll. 7 Ministers in post until 4 September 2012.

Musculoskeletal Disorders NHS organisations are strongly advised to adhere to the Code of Practice in all matters concerning the Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for international recruitment of health care professionals Health for what reason musculoskeletal conditions across all disciplines—including the appointment of were not included in the first planned wave of primary medical staff, nurses, dentists, radiographers, physio- care data into the care.data programme. [180658] therapists, occupational therapists and all other allied health professionals. Norman Lamb: NHS England is taking forward the implementation of the care.data programme. All clinical Nurses conditions, including musculoskeletal conditions, should be included in the extract of primary care data for the Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for care.data programme with the exception of those conditions Health how many nurses are engaged in full-time daily designated as ″sensitive″. care of patients in (a) England and (b) Greater London. [180254] NHS England is working with the Health and Social Care Information Centre to prepare a further submission Dr Poulter: The number of full-time equivalent nurses, to the General Practice Extraction Service Independent midwives and health visitors working in the national Advisory Group to ensure that a wider range of conditions, health service in England and Greater London are set including musculoskeletal conditions, are contained in out in the following table. the specification. The proportion of a nurse’s time spent on patient care will vary from trust to trust and post to post. NHS: Foreign Workers The data is from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) 2012 Annual Workforce Census, which Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State reflects the numbers of NHS staff employed in England for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of on 30 September in each year in both primary care and migrant health workers from developing countries hospital and community health services. The 2012 working in the National Health Service. [180357] Workforce Census is the most recent; the next Census will be published in March 2014 and will reflect the Dr Poulter: The Department is not able to make an position as at 30 September 2013. assessment as the number of migrant health workers NHS Hospital and Community Health Service and General Practice from developing countries is not collected centrally. (GP) workforce as at 30 September 2012 (excluding bank staff)— Although in earlier years the national health service Full-time equivalents relied quite heavily on recruiting staff overseas, efforts England Of which: London to recruit, train and retain staff in this country have Total qualified nursing 319,755 53,745 paid off in recent years. The NHS now has many more staff1 health care professionals, and is much closer to self- Qualified nursing, 305,060 51,886 sufficiency—in line with World Health Organisation midwifery and health recommendations. visiting staff 2 However, given the size and complexity of the NHS it GP practice nurses 14,695 1,860 1 is likely that it will still need to recruit some doctors Nursing and midwifery figures exclude students on training courses leading to a first qualification as a nurse or midwife. (and other skilled staff) from overseas to fill gaps in 2 Practice staff counts for 2010 and 2011 have been revised to service provision. provide a 100% census, with estimated numbers for those practices The United Kingdom has signed the World Health with null returns. Further details can be found in the data quality statement/methodology. Organisation Code of Practice on the International Sources: Recruitment of Health Personnel and the UK was a HSCIC: General and Personal Medical Services; Medical and member/donor of the Global Health Workforce Alliance. Dental Workforce Census; Non-medical Workforce Census 667W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 668W

Social Workers: Temporary Employment Post Office Network

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for 10. Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State Health what estimate he has made of the number of for Scotland when he last met representatives of the agency social workers employed by local authorities in Post Office to discuss the network transformation 2013-14. [180361] programme and its potential effect on post offices in Scotland. [901642] Norman Lamb: The information requested is not available within the Department. David Mundell: The Scotland Office is in regular communication with the Post Office on the network transformation programme. I last met with representatives of the Post Office in November when I had the pleasure LEADER OF THE HOUSE of visiting the new Post Office in Biggar, in Lanarkshire, Human Rights: Children to discuss a range of issues.

Sarah Teather: To ask the Leader of the House what Treasury Analysis Papers steps he has taken to ensure that the parliamentary Counsel are made aware of the UK’s international 11. Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State human rights obligations relating to children including for Scotland what discussions he has had with the the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on HM Treasury’s Scotland Child. [180443] analysis papers. [901643]

Mr Lansley: Parliamentary Counsel draft legislation Mr Alistair Carmichael: I have held, and will continue on instructions from departmental lawyers. The Office to hold, regular discussions with various Government of Parliamentary Counsel believes it is important for its Ministers on the Scotland analysis papers. drafters to have a sound knowledge of human rights The Scotland analysis programme will continue to law, both with regard to children and more generally. publish papers that set out how Scotland contributes to Drafters are supported in this by, amongst other things, and benefits from being part of the UK. a variety of training opportunities and knowledge-sharing arrangements. A reminder about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has recently Infrastructure Programme been issued to members of the Office. 13. Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Government’s infrastructure programme SCOTLAND on Scotland. [901645] Scottish Independence: Effect on North-east England Mr Alistair Carmichael: The UK Government’s national 8. Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for infrastructure plan sets out the decisive action we are Scotland what recent assessment he has made of the taking to support long-term investment in energy, transport, potential effect of Scottish independence on the economy telecommunications and innovation. These lie at the of the north-east of England. [901640] very heart of a successful Scottish economy.

David Mundell: The detailed Scotland analysis papers “Scotland’s Future” we have published, underline the value to the economy, across the whole of the United Kingdom, of Scotland 15. Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for remaining as part of the Union. Scotland what assessment he has made of the implications As it stands, the UK is a true domestic single market, for his Department’s policies of the Scottish Government with free movement of goods and services, capital and document “Scotland’s Future”; and if he will make a people. statement. [901647]

Civil Service Mr Alistair Carmichael: The Scottish Government’s White Paper has been long awaited. 9. Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for Unfortunately it fails to provide a sufficient response Scotland whether he has had discussions with the Cabinet to any key referendum questions on issues such as Secretary on the impartiality of the civil service in currency, costings and pensions. Scotland in relation to its involvement in preparing the Scottish Government document, “Scotland’s Future”. If Scotland votes for independence their future will [901641] need to be negotiated with the remaining UK and others. Mr Alistair Carmichael: I have no doubt that the civil service in Scotland has provided full advice to Scottish Ministers Ministers—it is for the Scottish Government to account for the use of that advice. Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland They are of course accountable to the Scottish how much was spent on ministerial salaries in the last Parliament. year for which figures are available. [180107] 669W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 670W

David Mundell: Since the coalition formed in 2010, out by ALBs. DCMS also provides capital funding to ministerial salaries within the Scotland Office have not arm’s length bodies (ALBs) including Arts Council increased. The amount spent on ministerial salaries is England, English Heritage, 15 sponsored museums and published in the Scotland Office Annual Report and galleries and the British Library. Decisions on how to Accounts. Figures for the last financial year, 2012-13, invest core capital grant in aid are made by those ALBs, can be found at: independently of Government. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-report- and-accounts-2012-13--2 Marriage

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many officials in her CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Department are working on allowing same-sex couples Betting Shops to convert their civil partnerships to marriages. [180545]

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Mrs Grant [holding answer 18 December 2013]: DCMS Media and Sport what estimate she has made of (a) has approximately nine full-time equivalent policy and the numbers of licensed betting establishments in each legal staff working on implementing the Marriage (Same parliamentary constituency in each of the last five Sex Couples) Act 2013. The new procedures and processes financial years, (b) the numbers of B2 machines required specifically for the conversion of civil partnerships operated in such licensed betting establishments in each into marriages are the responsibility of a number of parliamentary constituency in each of the last five other Departments. financial years, (c) the gross amounts gambled on those machines in each parliamentary constituency in Olympic Games 2012 each of the last five financial years and (d) the net annual profits derived from such gambling in each Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, constituency in each of the last five financial years. Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 4 December [178328] 2013, Official report, columns 668-9W, on National Lottery: Olympic Games 2012, what estimate she has Mrs Grant: The Department does not collate figures made of the receipts that will arise on completion of the on licensed betting offices or category B2 gaming machines Olympic Village in 2014; and if she will make a statement. by parliamentary constituency. [179029] The Gambling Commission’s most recent industry statistics publication shows that, at 31 March 2013, Mrs Grant: The receipt to be realised from the sale of there were 9,055 licensed betting offices nationwide. For part of the Village for private renting will be confirmed previous years, as of 31 March, there were the following in 2014 following completion of the sale. What can be numbers of licensed betting offices: approx. 8,862 in confirmed at this stage is that £71 million of this receipt 2009, approx. 8,822 in 2010, 9,067 in 2011 and 9,128 in will go to the Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund (OLDF). 2012. The industry statistics show that, between April 2012 Pay Television and March 2013, there were on average 33,209 B2 gaming machines available for use in licensed betting Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for offices. For previous years, the average was as follows: Culture, Media and Sport whether offices of (a) her 31,439 in 2008-09, 33,663 in 2009-10, 32,832 in 2010-11 Department and (b) its executive agencies have access and 33,270 in 2011-12. to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports Figures for the gross amount gambled are unavailable, television service; and what the cost to the public purse however the gross gambling yield (the amount retained is in each case. [176426] by operators after the payment of winnings but before the deduction of the costs of the operation) for these Mrs Grant: DCMS receives its TV feed from the machines between April 2012 and March 2013 was Parliamentary Network, as it requires access to the £1,547 million. For previous years, the gross gambling House of Commons and House of Lords Annunciator yield was as follows: £1,051 million in 2008-09, £1,167 feed and coverage. The Broadcast channels, provided by million in 2009-10, £1,302 million in 2010-11 and £1,450 the Network, include Sky Sports 1, 2 and 3. The feed is million in 2011-12. provided over fibre cable. DCMS pays £1,275 per month for the fibre connections, including maintenance, between Culture: Finance the House and the 100 Parliament street.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Radio: Advertising Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to review her Department’s allocation of capital for culture Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, projects to ensure that areas across the country are Media and Sport when her Department plans to hold treated equitably. [180452] a consultation on broadcast advertising rights for community radio stations. [180537] Mr Vaizey: There are no plans to review the Department’s allocation of capital for culture projects at this time. Mr Vaizey: The consultation will be published shortly. Ring-fenced allocations of capital grant in aid are allocated The details will be published on the DCMS section of by DCM5 towards a number of major projects carried the Gov.UK website. 671W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 672W

Remembrance Day behalf of the British Overseas Territories and there are no plans to change the existing arrangements for wreath Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for laying. Culture, Media and Sport who is permitted to lay a wreath at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph; and on whose behalf such people lay wreaths. WOMEN AND EQUALITIES [179917] Babies Mrs Grant: Tradition and precedent maintain that Mr Hollobone: To ask the Minister for Women and the following people lay wreaths at the Remembrance Equalities what progress has been made in promoting Sunday service at the Cenotaph: the provision of breast feeding and baby care facilities Her Majesty the Queen lays a wreath on behalf of the in high streets. [179025] nation, while the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, the Duke Mrs Grant: This does not fall under the Government of Kent, the Earl of Wessex, the Duke of Cambridge Equalities Office remit. The Government recognises and Prince Henry of Wales lay wreaths in their own that breastfeeding has significant short and long-term right. health benefits for both mothers and children beyond The Prime Minister lays a wreath on behalf of Her the period of breastfeeding itself. However, the Government Majesty’s Government and the Leader of the Opposition is also aware that breastfeeding is a personal choice for lays a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty’s Opposition. each woman to make and that not all mothers are able The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth to, or choose to, breastfeed. The Department of Health Affairs lays a wreath on behalf of British Overseas is committed to supporting breastfeeding through the Territories. The High Commissioners of the Healthy Child programme, as set out in the White Paper Commonwealth countries lay wreaths on behalf of “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our strategy for public the Commonwealth. The First Sea Lord, Chief of the health in England”. General Staff, and the Chief of the Air Staff lay wreaths Bishops: Females on behalf of the individual armed services. While representatives of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets, Guy Opperman: To ask the Minister for Women and the Air Transport Auxiliary Association, the Civilian Equalities what steps she has taken to support the Services lay wreaths on behalf of the Merchant Navy Church of England’s General Synod on the subject of and Fishing Fleets and the Air Transport Auxiliary women bishops. [179088] respectively. Mrs Grant: I strongly support the Synod in the Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for progress that it has made this year towards enabling Culture, Media and Sport who currently lays wreaths women to become bishops. It is widely acknowledged on behalf of (a) the Crown Dependencies and (b) the that women already do a tremendous job within the British Overseas Territories at the Remembrance Church of England and the time has come to take the Sunday service at the Cenotaph. [179918] final step of enabling women to become bishops. I understand that, the Synod hopes their legislative process Mrs Grant: The Secretary of State for Foreign and to enable the appointment of women bishops will be Commonwealth Affairs lays a wreath on behalf of the completed by the end of 2014. British Overseas Territories. A wreath is not laid on It is important to note, that decisions about the behalf of the Crown Dependencies. Church of England’s internal structure and organisation are matters for the Church itself and not Government. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what process is used when Gender Recognition the decision is made as to who is permitted to lay a wreath at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Cenotaph. [179919] Equalities if she will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to ensure equal Mrs Grant: There is no specific process which determines treatment of those who are transgender or of who is permitted to lay a wreath at the Remembrance indeterminate sex. [178592] Sunday service. Tradition, precedent and practicality Mrs Grant: The Sexual Offences Act 2003 does not set out those who lay wreaths at the Remembrance fall within the remit of the Government Equalities Sunday service at the Cenotaph. Office. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to advise the Royal Household that each of the (a) British BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Overseas Territories and (b) Crown Dependencies should Apprentices be allowed to lay a wreath of their own at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph. [179920] Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what the median Mrs Grant: Tradition, precedent and practicality sets pay was in each sector of Government sponsored out those who lay wreaths at the Remembrance Sunday apprenticeships in each of the last three years; and service at the Cenotaph. The Secretary of State for what the median pay for each such sector in each such Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs lays a wreath on year was for (a) women and (b) men; [180505] 673W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 674W

(2) what the (a) average gross hourly pay and (b) Matthew Hancock: Small businesses are vital to the median annual salary was of Government-sponsored economy and this Government is supporting them in hairdressing apprenticeships in England and Wales in many ways. each of the last three years; [180523] Of course, economic stability, lower taxes, deregulation, (3) what the (a) average gross hourly pay and (b) and a culture of enterprise are vital to business growth. median annual salary was of Government-sponsored Gov.uk is the home for Government services and engineering apprenticeships in England and Wales in information online. each of the last three years; [180524] www.gov.uk (4) what the (a) median and (b) mean (i) annual and One of the tools available is the ’Finance Finder’, a (ii) hourly salary is for (A) men and (B) women in searchable database of publicly-backed sources of finance. Government-sponsored apprenticeship schemes; and The tool helps businesses to explore the full range of what the equivalent figures were in each of the last options available, from Government grants to investment three years. [180596] finance available from Business Angels and Venture Capitalists. Matthew Hancock: Information on apprenticeship pay in England and Wales by sector framework and The BIS guide “SME access to finance schemes: gender is published in research findings from the measures to support small and medium-sized enterprise Apprenticeship Pay Survey. The most recent surveys growth” is available on the same website by searching cover apprentices working in 2011 and 2012: for the title and provides details on the main forms of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship- public support available to businesses. The website pay-survey-2012 www.greatbusiness.gov.uk https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship- also provides support and advice for businesses trying pay-survey-2011 to grow as well as for entrepreneurs starting out. In addition to on-line support, the Business Services Helpline Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for is available to provide a quick response on queries about Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what the gender starting a business, or a personalised and in-depth breakdown was of Government-sponsored hairdressing advice service for more complex needs. apprenticeships in England and Wales in each of the last three years; [180515] Start-Up Loans are available to anyone over the age of 18 starting a business (or in the early stages of doing (2) what the gender breakdown was of Government- so) but lacking access to the necessary finance or support sponsored engineering apprenticeships in England and to realise their ambitions. In Hendon, 32 loans have Wales in each of the last three years. [180516] been made with a total value of £200,149. Further Matthew Hancock: Information on apprenticeship information about Start-Up Loans can be found at: starts by gender and Sector Framework is published in http://www.startuploans.co.uk a supplementary table to a Statistical First Release: We have put in place a package of credit easing http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/DE9F098F- measures, to improve the supply of affordable credit to 97AC-49E3-AB93-DCE58EC9B8C5/0/ small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). ‘Funding June2013_ApprenticeshipStartsbySectorFrameworkLevelGender for Lending’ is supporting the supply of credit to the _revised.xls whole economy. In April 2013 we extended the scheme http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/Statistics/fe_data_library/ and made it much more generous to SMEs. We are also Apprenticeships/ supporting SMEs who lack sufficient trading record or Full year apprenticeship starts information for the collateral by providing a Government guarantee. In 2012/13 academic year is not yet published by gender Hendon, 18 SMEs have been offered ‘Enterprise Finance and sector framework. The Department does not collect Guarantee’ loans worth over £2.04 million since May further education information relating to the devolved 2010. Companies in Hendon have also received funding Administrations. of over £600,000 through schemes such as the Early Growth Fund and Regional Capital Venture Fund. Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department For businesses ready to go further there is has made of the number of new apprenticeship ‘GrowthAccelerator’—a £200 million programme for schemes created in (a) England, (b) London and (c) up to 26,000 high growth potential SMEs, providing Hendon constituency since 2010. [180570] them with expertise and networks to achieve sustainable growth. Matthew Hancock: Information on the number of apprenticeship starts by geography is published in a EU External Trade: USA supplementary table to a Statistical First Release: http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/6D9AE2BF- Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State CDB4-44C9-AB55-0EACF719BBBE/0/ for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on Nov2013_Apprenticeship_Starts.xls the EU’s proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/Statistics/fe_data_library/ Partnership; and if he will make a statement. [180696] Apprenticeships/ Business: Hendon Michael Fallon: The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a top priority for the Government. Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, It has the potential to be the largest bilateral trade Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is agreement in history and to bring significant economic taking to support small businesses in Hendon benefits, in terms of growth and jobs, to both sides of constituency in accessing finance. [180477] the Atlantic. The UK has consistently pushed for an 675W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 676W ambitious and broad agreement that eliminates the vast Mr Willetts: The UK is a global leader in research majority of tariffs, addresses behind-the-border barriers into graphene. The Government is investing £50 million across sectors and seeks to achieve regulatory coherence to create the Graphene Global Research and Technology between Europe and the US. We are working with the Hub. This will ensure that the UK remains a leader in Commission and other member states to develop a the development of applications for graphene. comprehensive agreement which reflects UK priorities. Patent statistics may be used as an indicator of the There are compelling strategic reasons for the TTIP. state of development of a particular technology, and of It demonstrates clear EU-US leadership on the trade which companies and universities participate in its agenda and a firm commitment to liberalisation and development. The Intellectual Property Office is working open markets. This is an important opportunity to with the Technology Strategy Board in its technology establish 21st century trade rules. The TTIP is also assessment programmes. central to the Government’s vision of a reformed EU which is more competitive and able to deliver jobs and Overseas Trade: Scotland growth for its citizens. Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Negotiations are progressing as planned, with two Business, Innovation and Skills what support UK rounds completed and a third taking place this week in Trade & Investment has provided to Ministers in the Washington. The third round has a broad focus, including Scottish Government (a) during overseas trips and (b) services, investment, procurement, regulatory coherence, in relations with foreign governments since May 2010. and various sectoral discussions. The negotiations will [180663] be tough but we hope that a deal can be reached by early 2015. Michael Fallon: Detailed information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State British Government Overseas Posts do provide support for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he to Scottish Ministers on overseas visits, when requested. has made of the proposed Transatlantic Trade and UK Trade & Investment and UK Export Finance also Investment Partnership for national sovereignty and provide support to Scottish businesses. the ability of governments to act in the public interest. [180697] Royal Mail

Michael Fallon: While the Commission has competence Mr Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, under the EU’s Common Commercial Policy to conduct Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of trade negotiations, it does so in accordance with mandates effects of privatisation of Royal Mail on the Post from the Council. In the case of the Transatlantic Trade Office. [180626] and Investment Partnership (TTIP) we would expect Jo Swinson: Post Office Ltd has been a separate, the final agreement to be a mixed competence agreement, independent company since April 2012. Through its requiring ratification by each member state. network of more than 11,500 branches, the company Negotiations for TTIP are at an early stage. As with provides access to around 170 products and services, any trade or investment agreement, the UK aims to including those of Royal Mail, but also a wide range of promote the UK’s trade and investment interests while Government services, financial products and services, ensuring that the UK Government is not prevented and telephony products. from acting in the public interest. In 2012, prior to separation from Royal Mail, Post Office Ltd signed a long-term, commercially negotiated Graphene: Patents agreement with Royal Mail for the continued supply of services through the post office network. This is a Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for legally binding agreement and is not affected by the sale Business, Innovation and Skills how many UK-based of shares in Royal Mail. patents have been granted for use of graphene in each The two companies are natural commercial and business year since that material’s discovery. [180333] partners and the chief executive of Royal Mail has said it would be ″unthinkable″ that there would not always Mr Willetts: The number of UK-based patents granted be a strong commercial relationship between the two for the use of graphene, by year of grant, is given in the companies. following table.

Year of grant Number of UK-based patents CABINET OFFICE 2013 7 Charitable Donations 2012 4 2011 1 Mr Sheerman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the amount All years prior to 2011 contain zero results. donated to UK charitable organisations through UK crowdfunding platforms in the last year [180121] Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has Mr Hurd: The information requested is not held made of the implications of public policy on the centrally. Crowdfunding is a new and innovative way for number of UK-based patents for graphene; and if he people to support charitable organisations and I am will make a statement. [180334] interested to see how it develops. 677W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 678W

Civil Servants: Scotland were employed in jobs paying less than the national minimum wage in 2013. [180489] Ann McKechin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what representations his Department has received Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the from the Scottish Government in the last 12 months on responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have continuity of employment of UK Government civil asked the authority to reply. servants working in Scotland in the event of Scottish Letter from Caron Walker, December 2013: independence, as outlined in Scotland’s Future: Your On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Guide to An Independent Scotland. [180164] Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mr Hurd: The Cabinet Office has not received any how many people aged 22 or over resident in each (a) local representations from the Scottish Government on this authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency, were employed matter in the last 12 months. in jobs paying less than the national minimum wage in 2013. (180489). Estimates for the number of jobs paid below the national Deloitte minimum wage in the United Kingdom are produced using data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), but Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet estimates are not available below Regions. The table shows the Office what discussions he has had with the Secretary regional estimates for April 2013, the latest period for which results are available. Figures relate to employee jobs, which are of State for Health regarding assessment of work by defined as those held by employees and not the self-employed. It Deloitte under its NHS contracts for consultancy is not possible for reasons of quality to provide an age breakdown services in the first quarter of 2010. [180514] for these figures. A guide to measuring low pay and associated articles can be Mr Hurd [holding answer 17 December 2013]: As found on the National Statistics website at: was the case under previous Administrations internal http://wasppreview/ons/guide-method/method-quality/ discussions are not normally disclosed. specific/labour-market/annual-survey-of-hours-and-earnings/ new-annual-survey-of-hours-and-earnings.html Lone Parents Jobs paid below national minimum Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet wage (thousand) Percentage Office what estimate he has made of the number of children being cared for by a single parent in (a) North East 215 1.5 Ribble Valley constituency, (b) Lancashire and (c) the North West 130 1.1 UK. [180564] Yorkshire and 130 1.4 Humber Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the East Midlands 120 1.1 responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have West Midlands 132 1.4 asked the authority to reply. East of England 125 1.0 1 Letter from Caron Walker, dated December 2013: London 25 0.7 South East 127 0.8 On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National 1 Statistics, I have been asked to respond to your question asking South West 27 1.2 the Secretary of State for Education what estimate has been made Wales 213 1.2 of the number of children being cared for by a single parent in (a) Scotland 117 0.7 Ribble Valley constituency, (b) Lancashire and (c) the UK. (130564) Northern Ireland 119 2.8 The number of dependent children living in lone parent families UK 279 1.1 in different areas of the UK can be estimated using the Annual Guide to quality: Population Survey. Dependent children are those living with their The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, parent(s) and either (a) aged under 16, or{b) aged 16 to 18 in the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is full-time education, excluding children aged 16 to 18 who have a likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an average of spouse, partner or child living in the household. 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220. Dependent children living in lone parent families 2012 Key: Thousand * CV>5% and<=10% **CV>10% and<=20% Ribble Valley parliamentary 2 constituency Press Releases Lancashire County1 55 United Kingdom 3,084 1 Lancashire county consists of 12 local authority districts. The two Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet unitary authorities formerly in the ceremonial county of Lancashire Office for what reasons a quote from Jonathan Isaby, are excluded here. Political Director of the Taxpayer’s Alliance, was included As with any sample survey, estimates from the Annual Population in his Department’s press release, Government savings Survey are subject to a margin of uncertainty. reach £5.4 billion at mid-year point, published on 7 November 2013. [179999] Minimum Wage Mr Hurd: It has been the practice of successive Mr Bain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Governments over many years to reference views, statistics how many people aged 22 or over resident in each (a) or research from external organisations in communications local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency materials. 679W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 680W

For a couple of examples from a previous Government There are a further 501 sites which were designated as I refer the hon. Member to: children’s centres in April 2010 that remain open and http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20070701141754/ offering services to families and children as part of a http:/www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/ network of children’s centres. press/2007/press_65_07.cfm Due to these data issues, reliable information in http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20070701141754/ connection with areas of multiple disadvantage is not http:/www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/ yet available. We will provide this information as soon press/2007/press_67_07.cfm as possible. To ensure that the data presented to the public is as accurate as possible, the Government will now review TREASURY the way in which the children’s centres data is collected from local authorities and presented on the direct.gov Ministers website. The website will be amended overnight to reflect the correct current position. Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer To provide the information for earlier years would how much was spent on ministerial salaries in the last incur disproportionate cost. year for which figures are available. [180109] 1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/numbers-of-sure- start-childrens-centres-april-2010 Nicky Morgan: HM Treasury ministerial salary expenditure is published each year in the HM Treasury Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for annual report and accounts: Education how many children’s centres there were in https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hm-treasury- each local authority area in the latest period for which annual-report-and-accounts-2012-to-2013 figures are available. [177099]

National Income Elizabeth Truss: My Department has carried out a data-cleansing and survey exercise to assure me of the Steve Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer level of confidence in figures provided by local authorities if he will make it his policy to adopt the gross output on the Sure Start-on database. This has shown that in measure of the economy developed by the US Bureau 2010 there were actually 3,615, not 3,6311, centres open, of Economic Analysis in order to reveal the total sales as there were 15 centres which local authorities entered volume at all stages of production in the UK. [180207] onto the database which did not subsequently open and one duplicate record. Nicky Morgan: The Government regards the headline Of these 3,615 centres, information from local authorities measure of gross domestic product (GDP) to be the shows that 65 have closed. Six new centres have opened. most relevant measure of aggregate economic activity. These figures are published by the Office for National As of 30 November 2013, 3,055 children’s centres Statistics (ONS). The ONS also publish estimates of that local authorities have designated as statutory children’s gross output at aggregate, institutional sector and industry centres are open. level as part of the wider UK National Accounts. There are a further 501 sites which were designated as children’s centres in April 2010 that remain open and offering services to families and children as part of a network of children’s centres. EDUCATION Due to these data issues we are not yet able to provide Children’s Centres accurate numbers by local authority area but will provide that further information as soon as possible. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State To ensure that the data presented to the public is as for Education how many children’s centres there were accurate as possible, the Government will now review in the 30 per cent of most deprived areas across the way in which the children’s centres data is collected England, calculated according to the Index of Multiple from local authorities and presented on the direct.gov Deprivation, in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) website. The website will be amended overnight to reflect the correct current position. 2013. [176910] 1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/numbers-of-sure- Elizabeth Truss: My Department has carried out a start-childrens-centres-april-2010 data-cleansing and survey exercise to assure me of the level of confidence in figures provided by local authorities Higher Education: Admissions on the Sure Start-on database. This has shown that in 1 2010 there were actually 3,615, not 3,631 , centres open, Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for as there were 15 centres which local authorities entered Education what proportion of school leavers in each onto the database which did not subsequently open and constituency went to (a) Russell Group Universities one duplicate record. and (b) the University of Oxford and the University of Of these 3,615 centres, information from local authorities Cambridge in the latest year for which data is available. shows that 65 have closed. Six new centres have opened. [180448] As of 30 November 2013, 3,055 children’s centres that local authorities have designated as statutory children’s Matthew Hancock: The requested data are published centres are open. here: 681W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 682W

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Schools: Armed Forces attachment_data/file/231113/ KS5_Parliamentary_Constituency_Percentages_SFR192013.xlsx Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for These show the Key Stage 5 Destination Measures Education what measures are in place to ensure clarity Parliamentary Constituency Tables for 2010/11 destinations, of responsibility between his Department and the and are the latest data available. The Russell Group and Ministry of Defence over safeguarding concerns in Oxford and Cambridge University figures can be found Combined Cadet Forces. [180300] in the table labelled ‘KS5_PCON_PER’. A copy of the document has been placed in the Mr Laws: The position on safeguarding responsibilities House Library. is very clear and is set out in guidance from the Department for Education and from the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The armed forces’ responsibility over safeguarding in Languages: Education Combined Cadet Forces (CCF) is clearly set out in two MOD Joint Service Publications (JSPs). JSP 313 includes a CCF Responsibility Matrix, which states that Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for responsibility for Disclosure and Barring Service clearance Education what steps he is taking to increase the number of Contingent Officers lies with the School Head/ of young people who speak a second language. [180566] Contingent Commander. For a CCF, the school head teacher may delegate this to the Contingent Commander, Elizabeth Truss: As I stated in my reply to the hon. but the head teacher retains ultimate responsibility. JSP Gentleman on 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 535 is the Cadet Training Safety Precautions and sets 400W, the English Baccalaureate is already encouraging out policy and procedures on child safeguarding and more young people to take a second language at GCSE provides Cadet Force Adult Volunteers with specific level. The number of pupils entered for a modern guidance for dealing with accidents, incidents and child foreign language GCSE at the end of key stage 4 (ages safeguarding issues. 14 to 16) in England increased by over 20% from 2012 Schools’ responsibilities are set out in statutory guidance to 2013. from the Department for Education on safeguarding: We have made study of a foreign language compulsory ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013’ and at key stage 2 (ages seven to 11) as part of the new ‘Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in national curriculum, which comes into force from Education’. The guidance covers the issue of volunteers September 2014. The new programmes of study for key working with children, for example in school cadet stages 2 and 3 (ages 11 to 14) set out that teaching a units. foreign language should enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in Education what assessment he has made of the results writing. of the Military ethos in schools programme. [180301]

Mr Laws: The development of military ethos, such as Ofsted self-discipline, resilience, teamwork and leadership, lead to positive outcomes both for individual young people and for society as a whole. Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when (a) he, (b) the Minister of State for Alternative Provision providers inform us of progress Schools and (c) the Minister of State for Skills and and impact on a regular basis. They also undertake Enterprise received a copy of Ofsted’s Annual Report their own independent evaluation exercises. These include 2013. [180468] a study by Swansea University into Commando Joe’s programmes in four schools serving 57 pupils, which found that 56% of pupils in the study improved their Mr Laws: Section 121 of the Education and Inspections mathematics academic achievement grades, 46% of pupils Act 2006 sets out that Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector in the study improved their academic reading achievement has a duty to report annually to the Secretary of State grades and 70% of pupils in the study improved their and that the Secretary of State must lay the report academic writing achievement grades. before each House of Parliament. In order to fulfil this requirement, the commentary section, which includes In addition, research by the National Foundation for the letter from the Chief Inspector presenting the annual Educational Research (NFER) into Knowsley Skills report, was sent to the Secretary of State on 4 December. Academy (KSA) found that 90% of the 30 individuals Ministers received the full report on 10 December. not in education, employment or training (NEETs) on the company’s programme gained employment. NFER reported that: Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for “Feedback from young people, parents and other agencies Education whether Ofsted released its annual 2013 indicates that KSA is making considerable progress at turning Annual Report to media organisations before 10.00am around the lives of young people and giving them the motivation on 11 December 2013. [180471] and skills to make a successful return to mainstream education”. Teacher assessment of the direct impact on 32 pupils Mr Laws: This question is a matter for Ofsted. I have involved in Challenger Troop programmes found that asked Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, 77% of pupils showed improvement in self-control and to write to the hon. Member. A copy of his reply has behaviour after six months, with 10% showing improvement been placed in the House Library. after one day. It also found that 86% showed improvement 683W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 684W in their social skills after six months and 73% showed Duckworth and Seligman looked at the importance improvement in their self-awareness and confidence of self-discipline on a group of 13 and 14 year olds from after six months. a socioeconomically and ethnically diverse school. They It is too early for us to assess the impact of Troops to conducted a two-year study of the students’ self-discipline Teachers on schools as the under-graduate programme levels, finding that self-discipline was a significantly does not commence until-January 2014. better predictor of academic performance than IQ. Feinstein finds that a sense of personal agency at the It is also too early to make an assessment of the age of ten is more important to future chances than impact on new cadet units in schools set up under the reading skills. We also know that the percentage of programme in 2013. However, early discussions with cadets that re-offend or commit a serious offence is schools indicate that the programme is already making significantly less than the national average. a positive difference to children, as is evident in this recent quote from one school participating in the We have evidence from the US Troops to Teachers programme: (T3) programme that troops can make outstanding teachers who are likely to have a more significant result “it has offered a valuable and incredibly rich outlet to students on the achievement of children and to remain in teaching who do not typically throw themselves into the life of the school”. longer than teachers recruited through other routes. The US T3 programme identified that one of the benefits Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for that Service Leavers brought to the classroom is that Education what plans he has to expand the Military they provide a role model to whom disadvantaged children ethos in schools programme. [180302] can relate. This benefit was also highlighted on the BBC Panorama programme about Troops to Teachers on Mr Laws: Last month the Department for Education 28 February 2011. awarded £4.8 million of grants to military ethos providers in addition to the £3.2 million already committed last Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for academic year. Education what consideration was given to sources other than the Military in the design of a programme As part of a wider engagement between the services to foster the values of self-discipline and teamwork. and schools, Troops to Teachers will develop eligible [180304] service leavers into teachers through a combination of additional financial support and the introduction of a Mr Laws: Military ethos is about improving educational bespoke initial teacher training course from January attainment, and those things that support it such as 2014. good behaviour and attendance, through instilling positive The Cadet Expansion programme aims to create qualities and values such as confidence, resilience, self- 100 new cadet units based in English state funded control, loyalty, agency, teamwork and problem solving. schools by 2015. The programme has been given £10.85 These qualities are of course not exclusive to the military. million by the Department for Education and Ministry In the UK we have a strong tradition of youth uniformed of Defence so that more young people can benefit from organisations, such as Girlguiding UK. and the Scout the cadet experience, and to increase the number of Association, or St John’s Ambulance and the Boy’s and state schools benefiting from having a cadet force as Girl’s Brigades, who have an excellent track record of part of school life. developing young people from a variety of backgrounds and of building their self-esteem and ability to self-manage. Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Schools may also support a wide range of non-uniformed Education what the evidential basis is for the benefits activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, of a Military ethos in schools. [180303] the National Citizen Service and other sports, adventure and volunteering schemes. Mr Laws: Two studies have provided evidence on the The education system in England has a diverse range benefits of Cadet Force membership. These are: “The of alternative provision, delivered either in school or Societal Impact of Cadet Forces”, November 2010, by offsite, that helps foster these values. These include the universities of Portsmouth and Southampton and provision with work-based elements such as construction, “The Impact of Combined Cadet Force Contingents in or activity-based elements such as sports. It is for schools state secondary schools in Wales”, June 2009, by the to decide what alternative provision is most suitable for university of Wales Newport, School of Education. their pupils. We have removed restrictions over maintained Results from the Portsmouth and Southampton study schools’ power to direct pupils to be educated offsite for suggest “that cadets tend to have high levels of respect the purposes of improving their behaviour. for authority and others and high levels of self-esteem. I also refer the hon. Member to my answer to PQ They are likely to be committed citizens and have 180303. heightened aspirations.” Self-discipline has been shown to be a greater indicator Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for of future success than IQ. This is set out in two reports. Education what alternatives to physical activities are Duckworth, A.L, and Seligman, M.E.P. (2005) Self- available for those unable to take part in military ethos discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance programmes as a result of a disability or for other of adolescents’ Psychological Science, 16:12 pg. 939-944 reasons. [180306] and Feinstein, L (2000) The Relative Economic Importance of Academic, Psychological and Behavioural Attributes Mr Laws: Schools should ensure that their curriculum Developed in Childhood London: Centre for Economic provision offers opportunities for all pupils and is inclusive Performance (LSE). of those with disabilities. 685W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 686W

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Laws: The qualification success rates for 16 to Education how many instances of bullying, abuse or 18-year-olds are not comparable to the success rates neglect were reported by cadets in school Combined used for adult Further Education Minimum Level of Cadet Forces in each academic year between 2010 and Performance. Producing a comparable measure would 2013. [180308] incur disproportionate costs. The Department for Education introduced interim Mr Laws: We are not aware of any such incidents minimum standards for 16 to 18-year-olds in 20121. related to pupils’ experience as cadets. Safeguarding These standards are based on attainment rather than incidents would be for the relevant local authority to success rates. follow up with the school and, where relevant, the local 1 brigade. http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/ youngpeople/participation/b00218198/16-19-accountability/ Schools: West Sussex interim-minimum-standards-2011-12 An explanation of the Level 3 interim measure can be found here: Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education https://www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance/2012/ what support his Department plans to give to parents download/2012_16-19_Interim_minimum_standards.xlsx affected by the decision to withdraw funding from April 2014 of the Discovery New School in Crawley constituency; Teachers: Training and if he will employ and assist West Sussex Local Education Authority in managing school places. [180674] Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effects of the time Mr Timpson: The Department’s officials are working taken to allocate subject knowledge enhancement places closely with the Chair of governors of Discovery New on the capacity of universities to recruit to those School and West Sussex county council (WSCC) to programmes in the 2013-14 academic year. [180298] ensure that the children’s move to other local schools is managed with as little disruption as possible. WSCC is Mr Laws: Subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) committed to working with the Department for Education places are no longer allocated to a restricted group of to ensure that there are suitable places ready in good institutions. All schools and initial teacher training local schools. (ITT) providers that were allocated teacher training WSCC contacted the school and parents on the day places on 31 October were informed on 8 November of the announcement and has also offered to visit the that they could access funding for subject knowledge school to offer advice to parents on securing a new enhancement. This was to increase their capacity to school place for their children. The Department will recruit from 21 November, when the UCAS Teacher continue to liaise with WSCC and offer support throughout Training application system for ITT opened. As with the process. the previous scheme, SKE in 2013/14 will be available to supplement the knowledge of suitable applicants for Sixth Form Education ITT, but now to a far wider group of providers and schools. Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to tackle poor performance Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education in school and academy sixth forms. [180465] for what reasons the allocation of subject knowledge Mr Laws: The Department for Education has recently enhancement places to universities in academic year consulted on proposals to reform the accountability 2013-14 was not made until 8 November 2013. [180299] system for 16-19 education to secure sharper accountability across all 16-19 schools and colleges. This includes Mr Laws: Following the review of the subject knowledge proposals to strengthen minimum standards. enhancement (SKE) programme and subsequent consultation with stakeholders, we have changed the The Government introduced interim 16-19 minimum way SKE operates. SKE places are no longer allocated standards that applied to school and academy sixth to a restricted group of institutions; rather funding to forms for the first time in May 2013. In recognition that source SKE provision is available to all institutions with the standards were a new and interim measure of initial teacher training (ITT) places. Once schools and performance, no formal action was taken in relation to ITT providers had teacher training allocations confirmed schools and academies falling below the interim 16-19 on 31 October, they could be informed on 8 November standard this year. However, all schools and academies that they could access funding for SKE. This was to falling below the standard were issued with letters, and increase their capacity to recruit from 21 November, academies were informed that in the event that they when the UCAS Teacher Training application system continued to be below the 16-19 standards, further for ITT opened. action, in accordance with their funding agreement, may be considered. Written Questions: Government Responses All schools and academies remain subject to Ofsted inspection. Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for pursuant to question 177099 tabled on 20 November Education how many (a) schools and (b) academy 2013 for answer on 25 November 2013, when he plans sixth forms have success rates in the education of 16 to to answer that question. [180698] 19 year olds lower than the minimum performance levels expected of further education colleges in that Elizabeth Truss: I have answered the hon. Member’s area. [180466] question today. 687W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 688W

JUSTICE Number of people received into Contempt of Court Month in 2013 custody for contempt of court John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for January 8 Justice how many people were received into custody for February 8 contempt of court in each month since January 2012. March 10 [180224] April 15 May 11 Jeremy Wright: The following tables set out the number June 8 of people who were received into custody for contempt of court between January 2012 and June 2013 (the latest available figures). Contempt of court covers a wide Driving Offences variety of conduct which undermines or has the potential to undermine the course of justice. I welcome the Law Commission’s report on contempt and look forward to David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for discussing its recommendations. Justice how many people in each region were convicted of (a) a motoring offence that resulted in a fatality and Number of people received into (b) [171917] Month in 2012 custody for contempt of court careless driving in 2012.

January 11 Jeremy Wright: The UK has one of the best road February 12 safety records in the world, but more can be done to March 7 prevent deaths and serious injuries. By improving the April 7 skills and attitudes of drivers and riders, providing May 12 better safety education and actively enforcing existing June 7 laws we are working to reduce the number of serious July 12 road traffic collisions and the appalling impact they can August 13 have on victims and their families. September 14 October 10 The total number of defendants found guilty of causing November 16 death by driving and careless driving, by region, in England and Wales, in 2012, can be viewed in the December 10 following table.

Defendants found guilty of (a) a motoring offence that resulted in a fatality and (b) careless driving in England and Wales 20121,2 Region Yorkshire England East North North South South West and and Offences East Midlands London East West East West Wales Midlands Humberside Wales

Motoring offence 38 43 34 14 62 45 32 29 40 40 377 that resulted in a fatality Of which: Causing Death by 11 12 14 4 21 7 12 9 12 14 116 Dangerous Driving3 Causing Death by 1 3 106513 1 2 23 Careless Driving when under the influence of Drink or Drugs4 Causing Death by 2427168333219152423221 careless or inconsiderate driving5 Causing death by 0 1 221102 3 1 13 driving unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers6 Causing Death by 2 0 101000 0 0 4 Aggravated Vehicle Taking7

Careless Driving Careless Driving— 1,893 1,068 2,165 475 1,110 1,413 1,156 593 1,512 1,179 12,564 Without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for other road users8 689W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 690W

1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 An offence under S.1 Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Road Traffic Act 1991 and Criminal Justice Act 2003 4 An offence under S.3A Road Traffic Act 1988added by Road Traffic Act 1991 and amended by Criminal Justice Act 2003 5 An offence under S.2B Road Traffic Act 1988added by Road Safety Act 2006 6 An offence under S.3ZB Road Traffic Act 1988added by Road Safety Act 2006 7 An offence under S. 12A(2)(a) [dangerous driving] or 12 A(2)(b) [injury/death] Theft Act 1968 8 An offence under S.3 Road Traffic Act 1988 Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Family Proceedings Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many sex offenders are held at HM Prison Oakwood; John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for and how many places on sex offender treatment Justice which foreign governments have complained to programmes are available at that prison. [179774] the UK (a) before 2013 and (b) in 2013 about the treatment of their citizens in family court proceedings. Jeremy Wright: As of 30 September 2013 there were [179792] 299 prisoners held at HMP Oakwood with an index offence of a sexual nature. The prison acts as a treatment Mr Vara: This information is not collected centrally. I support site for HMP Stafford. As a consequence Oakwood refer the hon. Member to the reply he received from have recently increased the number of staff trained in my hon. Friend the Member for Crewe and Nantwich completing appropriate sex offender assessments and is (Mr Timpson) on 30 January 2013, Official Report, planning to have all offender supervisors appropriately column 813W. trained. Oakwood have run sex offender only Thinking Skills Programmes to meet identified needs. Knives: Crime

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Justice (1) pursuant to the answer of 1 July 2013, (1) what the (a) agreed and (b) actual staffing levels Official Report, column 480W, on knife crime, what the have been at HM Prison Oakwood in each month since length was of each of the eight immediate custodial that prison opened; [180654] sentences contained in Table 8 of the Knife Possession (2) how many prison officer equivalent staff work on Sentencing Quarterly Brief for the first quarter of 2013 the wings at HM Prison Oakwood; and how many such which were handed down for the offence of threatening staff are accredited and fully trained; [180660] with a knife; [166328] (3) how many staff at HM Prison Oakwood had no (2) which of the defendants in each sentencing previous service in the prisons system when they went category referred to in Table 8 of the Knife Possession to work at HM Prison Oakwood; [180670] Sentencing Quarterly Brief for the first quarter of 2013 (a) had a previous knife-related conviction, (b) had a (4) how many occasions prisoners have been (a) previous violence-related conviction, (c) had any other denied access to visits or (b) locked in their cells previous conviction and (d) were sentenced for more because of staffing shortages at HM Prison Oakwood than one offence at the same time as the offence of since that prison opened. [180671] threatening with a knife. [166329] Jeremy Wright: The information requested could not Jeremy Wright: I understand that you have now be obtained within the time scale. I will write to the received a response to your parliamentary question and right hon. Member in due course. I apologise for the delay.

Oakwood Prison Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff at HM Prison Oakwood have less than Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice one year’s service. [180659] when he took the decision to have HMP Oakwood run by a private sector business. [170958] Jeremy Wright: Staff working at HMP Oakwood are Jeremy Wright: The right hon. Member for Blackburn employed by a number of providers, to deliver a range (Mr Straw), who was Secretary of State for Justice in of services. These include, for example, probation services, the Labour Government at the time, announced on 27 education and health care, as well as custodial services. April 2009 the Government’s intention to compete the While G4S, the main provider, is not able to provide operation of four existing prisons and one new build information covering staff employed by all these providers, (HMP Oakwood). My right hon. and learned Friend within the last 12 months 385 people have been cleared the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), my predecessor to work at the prison. Most of these are employees of as Secretary of State for Justice in the coalition Government, the various providers, but the figure also includes volunteers, announced on 31 March 2011 the outcome of the such as Independent Monitoring Board members and competition for HMP Oakwood. lay visitors. 691W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 692W

Prisoners: Suicide Table 1: Number of prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, England and Wales Year Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Prison 2010 2011 2012 how many incidences of (a) suicide, (b) attempted Belmarsh 39 45 45 suicide and (c) self-harm there were in (i) HM Prison Birmingham 93 132 143 Oakwood and (ii) on average in all adult prisons in Blantyre House 0 0 1 each of the last three years. [179775] Blundeston 36 13 17 Brinsford 37 229 273 Jeremy Wright: We are committed to open and Bristol 65 86 67 transparent reporting of data relating to self-harm incidents and deaths in custody. It remains a priority to reduce Brixton 95 100 57 the number of deaths and violence in prisons. Bronzefield 70 128 81 Buckley Hall 37 18 31 Statistics on the number of (a) self-inflicted deaths Bullingdon 91 51 39 and (c) self-harm incidents for each prison establishment Bullwood Hall 17 19 21 are published on an annual basis in the Safety in Custody Bure 14 16 24 statistics bulletin, published at: Canterbury 30 24 22 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody- Cardiff 17 14 13 statistics Channings 54 65 35 Statistics on self-inflicted deaths by establishment can Wood be found in Table 1.16 in the annual tables which Chelmsford 165 222 137 accompany each publication, and the number of self-harm Coldingley 17 24 31 incidents in table 2.13. Cookham 124 55 152 Figures for the rate of self-inflicted deaths and self-harm Wood incidents in prison custody are given in tables 1.1 and Dartmoor 20 20 19 2.1 of the same bulletin. An attempted suicide will be Deerbolt 238 205 163 recorded as a self- harm incident. Doncaster 141 228 351 Dorchester 30 38 34 Prisons: Crimes of Violence Dovegate 116 80 103 Dover 27 27 24 Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Downview 16 31 26 Justice how many assaults were committed against Drake Hall 22 13 31 prisoners in each prison in England and Wales in each Durham 125 136 82 year since 2010. [178798] Eastwood Park 20 23 21 Edmunds Hill 40 11 0 Jeremy Wright: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and the Prison Officers Association Erlestoke 28 23 30 (POA) are jointly committed to a zero tolerance approach Everthorpe 62 50 48 to assaults on staff, visitors and prisoners. Exeter 65 111 94 Featherstone 57 63 81 NOMS takes the issue of assaults in prisons very Feltham 658 702 590 seriously. It currently has systems in place to deal with perpetrators quickly and robustly, with serious incidents Ford 6 5 6 referred to the police for prosecution. Forest Bank 202 260 262 Foston Hall 9 2 4 NOMS is committed to exploring options to continue Frankland 52 55 39 to improve how violence is tackled in prisons to keep Full Sutton 49 31 24 both staff and prisoners safe. It is currently looking at Garth 54 69 67 the policy and practice of the management of violence. Gartree 14 9 8 The number of prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, including Glen Parva 355 319 354 fights, in each prison in England and Wales in each year Gloucester 43 38 36 is provided in Table 1. Statistics on assaults in prison Grendon/ 010 custody are published at a national level on a quarterly Spring Hill basis and annually for prison establishments and are Grendon/ 312 published at: Spring Hill: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody- Grendon statistics Grendon/ 212 Spring Hill: Table 1: Number of prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, England and Wales Spring Hill Year Guys Marsh 48 50 55 Prison 2010 2011 2012 Haslar 4 5 9 Altcourse 265 282 261 Hatfield 0 0 2 Ashfield 453 934 533 Haverigg 58 79 88 Ashwell 9 0 0 Hewell 140 157 166 Askham 100High Down 101 186 205 Grange Highpoint 67 129 174 Aylesbury 200 127 102 Hindley 238 299 287 Bedford 80 72 83 Hollesley Bay 0 4 1 693W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 694W

Table 1: Number of prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, England and Wales Table 1: Number of prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, England and Wales Year Year Prison 2010 2011 2012 Prison 2010 2011 2012

Holloway 26 40 43 Sheppey: 91 115 108 Holme House 106 111 89 Elmley Hull 93 91 92 Sheppey: 930 Standford Hill Huntercombe 86 4 21 Sheppey: 50 76 47 IOW: Albany 20 20 25 Swaleside IOW: Camp 53 38 45 Shepton Mallet 1 3 3 Hill Shrewsbury 17 22 24 IOW: 30 25 35 Parkhurst Stafford 69 74 43 Isis 10 162 198 Stocken 62 40 65 Kennet 22 16 14 Stoke Heath 410 138 108 Kingston 3 1 1 Styal 32 29 24 Kirkham 0 0 4 Sudbury 0 0 2 Kirklevington 2 1 0 Swansea 23 32 16 Lancaster 61—Swinfen Hall 89 168 191 Castle Thameside — — 107 Lancaster 225 277 173 Thorn Cross 16 22 13 Farms Usk\Prescoed 9 3 0 Leeds 72 77 127 Verne 13 27 22 Leicester 41 72 73 Wakefield 34 25 31 Lewes 64 86 90 Wandsworth 67 72 52 Leyhill 3 1 0 Warren Hill 273 174 231 Lincoln 66 125 125 Wayland 68 97 116 Lindholme 35 49 74 Wealstun 46 52 55 Littlehey 80 170 170 Wellingborough 78 85 56 Liverpool 191 160 137 Werrington 148 165 192 Long Lartin 37 30 24 Wetherby 433 507 439 Low Newton 44 47 42 Whatton 10 8 11 Lowdham 49 82 100 Whitemoor 32 36 17 Grange Winchester 43 56 45 Maidstone 11 7 12 Wolds 31 40 39 Manchester 140 116 116 Woodhill 76 90 110 Moorland 82 28 30 Wormwood 137 77 96 Moorland 200Scrubs Open Wymott 39 37 50 Morton Hall 14 11 37 Escort Areas 4 5 8 Mount 44 52 39 Total 11,244 12,316 11,584 New Hall 23 12 1 North Sea 8116 Camp Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Northallerton 95 58 23 Justice how many assaults on (a) prisoners and (b) prison staff there were (i) in HM Prison Lewes and (ii) Northumberland — — 99 on average in all adult prisons in each of the last three Northumberland: 79 98 21 [180475] Acklington years. Northumberland: 146 30 14 Castington Jeremy Wright: The National Offender Management Norwich 58 66 108 Service (NOMS) and the Prison Officers Association Nottingham 71 108 85 (POA) are jointly committed to a zero tolerance approach Oakwood — — 29 to assaults on staff, visitors and prisoners. Onley 119 111 70 NOMS takes the issue of assaults in prisons very Parc 339 338 256 seriously. It currently has systems in place to deal with Pentonville 206 231 186 perpetrators quickly and robustly, with serious incidents Peterborough 258 249 180 referred to the police for prosecution. Portland 131 135 121 NOMS is committed to exploring options to continue Preston 100 140 107 to improve how violence is tackled in prisons to keep Ranby 68 79 94 both staff and prisoners safe. It is currently looking at Reading 32 22 24 the policy and practice of the management of violence. Risley 63 70 57 There are a number of factors that affect the number Rochester 216 183 118 of assault incidents at any individual establishment. Rye Hill 35 65 60 These include, but are not restricted to, the size of the Send 11 15 12 population held at the prison, the type and role of the prison and the gender of the prisoners accommodated. 695W Written Answers18 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 696W

For example, younger, male prisoners are more likely to of a failure of the programme to be delivered either in be involved in an assault than other prisoners. Differences scope or within the timescale set by Ministers; [180274] in population size of establishments mean it would not (3) what assessment he has made of the risks posed to necessarily be correct to conclude that a prison with a the Transforming Rehabilitation Probation programme higher number of incidents than the average is a less of insufficient Ministry of Justice capacity to manage safe prison; nor that a prison with a lower number of the process due to its scale and a lack of coordination incidents than the average is a safer prison. between different Ministry of Justice work streams; Statistics on the number of assaults on staff for each [180275] prison establishment are published on an annual basis (4) what assessment he has made of the risks posed to in the Safety in Custody statistics bulletin, published at: the Transforming Rehabilitation Probation programme https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody- of insufficient attention and support from his Department statistics due to other demands; [180291] They can be found in Table 3.15 of the annual tables (5) what assessment he has made of the risks posed to accompanying each quarterly release. the Transforming Rehabilitation Probation programme Prisons: Drugs by the scale and speed of the programme making it unachievable or achievable only superficially; [180292] (6) what assessment he has made of the risks posed to Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the Transforming Rehabilitation Probation programme how many and what proportion of jails are free of of a failure of poorly designed operational processes; illegal drug use. [180268] [180293] Jeremy Wright: Prisons have achieved considerable (7) what assessment he has made of the risks posed to success in reducing the level of drug misuse against a the Transforming Rehabilitation Probation programme background of a continuing high demand for drugs. of a failure of poor engagement with trusts and failure Drug misuse as measured by random mandatory drug to take on board their views; [180294] testing (MDT) has fallen 17.4 percentage points over (8) what assessment he has made of the risks posed to the past 16 years despite the fact that more drugs are the Transforming Rehabilitation Probation programme being tested for. of insufficient testing of operational design; [180295] MDT, which runs to standardised procedures across (9) what assessment he has made of the risks posed to prisons, has three main aims, one of which is to supply the Transforming Rehabilitation Probation programme detailed information on patterns of drugs-misuse in of a failure due to a lack of resources and preparation. prisons and is used by the National Offender Management [180296] Service to measure the level of drug misuse in prisons. A single episode of drug misuse over a defined period, Jeremy Wright: We are introducing radical reforms to strictly interpreted, would deprive a prison of drug free the way offenders are rehabilitated, to finally tackle our status. Prisons can perform very well in keeping drugs stubbornly high reoffending rates that currently see out of prison but technically not be drug free. almost half of all prisoners commit further crime within a year of release. Nevertheless, the Department is overseeing Over the 2012-13 financial year, three prisons in the reforms in a careful way which ensures public safety England and Wales reported no drug misuse as measured remains our top priority. We have developed the design by random MDT. 96 prisons in England and Wales of the new system through consultation and engagement, reported no drug misuse, as measured by random MDT, and we have taken on board the experience from the in at least one month of the 2012-13 financial year. PbR pilot programmes across government to ensure The data in this answer have been drawn from live lessons learned are being applied. administrative data systems which may be amended at We are delivering reform at pace, nevertheless we are any time. Although care is taken when processing and also testing the design of the new system rigorously to analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to ensure the changes are introduced safely and effectively. the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. The data are not subject to audit. Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Probation what the cost per annum to the Probation Service in England and Wales is of supervising a person on licence for (a) 12 months, (b) 24 months and (c) Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 36 months. [180273] (1) what assessment he has made of the risks posed to the Transforming Rehabilitation Probation programme Jeremy Wright: Probation unit costs are published on by (a) insufficient and (b) delayed guidance from his an annual basis by the Ministry of Justice at the following Department; [180272] page of the Gov.uk website: (2) what assessment he has made of the risk posed to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prison-and- the Transforming Rehabilitation Probation programme probation-trusts-performance-statistics-201213

5MC Ministerial Corrections18 DECEMBER 2013 Ministerial Corrections 6MC

Ministerial Correction Year/ Establishment Project title Total (£)

Wednesday 18 December 2013 HMP/YOI New Healthcare (cancelled 881,454 Dorchester scheme) HMP Pipework and pumps 3,417,550 Blundeston 2009/10: JUSTICE HMP Relocation/Expansion of 2,450,457 Blundeston laundry Prisons 2008/09: HMP Repair/Replace roofs to B and 420,891 Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Blundeston D wings what capital expenditure projects his Department commissioned at (a) HMP Blundeston, (b) HMP Note: The fire alarm upgrade at Reading began over a year before the Dorchester, (c) HMP Northallerton and (d) HMP decision to close the prison was taken and was initiated on Reading in each of the last five years; what the cost of recommendation from a fire safety inspection by the Crown each such project was; and if he will make a statement. Premises Inspection Group (CPIG). Due to the modular design of [168199] the new health care centre at Dorchester, commissioned in August 2011, it will be relocated to another part of the prison estate. [Official Report, 8 October 2013, Vol. 568, c. 75-6W.] The correct answer should have been: Letter of correction from Jeremy Wright: An error has been identified in the written answer Jeremy Wright: The following table shows the centrally- given to the hon. Member for Wansbeck (Ian Lavery) funded capital expenditure projects commissioned at on 8 October 2013. HMP Blundeston, HMP/YOI Dorchester, HMP/YOI Northallerton and HMP/YOI Reading in each of the The full answer given was as follows: last five years and their cost.

Jeremy Wright: The following table shows the centrally- Year/ Total funded capital expenditure projects commissioned at Establishment Project title (£ million) HMP Blundeston, HMP/YOI Dorchester, HMP/YOI Northallerton and HMP/YOI Reading in each of the 2012/13: last five years and their cost. As at 6 September 2013 HMP/YOI Healthcare Unit 1.5 there have been no projects in those prisons in 2013/14. Dorchester The total projected maintenance requirements for the HMP/YOI Fire Alarm Upgrade 1.0 four prisons over the next five years would have amounted Reading to £17 million. 2011/12: The Department needs to modernise the estate to None — — provide prison capacity at much lower cost and in the 2010/11: right places to deliver our ambition of reducing re-offending. HMP Replace Perimeter Intrusion 1.6 That is why MOJ are replacing older accommodation Blundeston Detection System (PIDS) that is expensive to run with newer, cheaper and more HMP/YOI Roofs and window grilles 0.5 efficient accommodation that will provide better value Dorchester for money. 2009/10: HMP Replace Perimeter Intrusion 0.1 Year/ Blundeston Detection System (PIDS) Establishment Project title Total (£) HMP/YOI Roofs and window grilles/ 1.8 Dorchester replace visits building 2012/13: 2008/09: HMP/YOI Healthcare Unit 1,823,270 HMP/YOI Roofs and window grilles/ 3.9 Dorchester Dorchester replace visits building HMP/YOI Fire Alarm Upgrade 1,144,946 Reading Note: 2011/12: Figures rounded. The fire alarm upgrade at Reading began over a year before the decision to close the prison was taken and was None — — initiated on recommendation from a fire safety inspection by the 2010/11: Crown Premises Inspection Group (CPIG). Due to the modular design of the new health care centre at Dorchester, commissioned in HMP Replace Perimeter Intrusion 1,774,311 August 2011, it can be relocated to another part of the prison estate. Blundeston Detection System (PIDS)

ORAL ANSWERS

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Col. No. Col. No. PRIME MINISTER...... 732 SCOTLAND—continued Engagements...... 732 Fisheries...... 729 Illegal Immigration ...... 727 SCOTLAND ...... 723 Low Pay...... 724 Barnett Formula ...... 728 North Sea Oil and Gas...... 731 Energy Prices ...... 730 Whisky Industry ...... 723 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL...... 97WS ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 108WS Parliamentary Written Answer (Correction) ...... 97WS EU Energy Council...... 108WS Smart Meters ...... 108WS BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 98WS State Aid ...... 109WS Assisted Areas Map 2014-20 ...... 98WS Contingencies Fund Advance ...... 99WS HEALTH...... 110WS UK Commission (Triennial Review) ...... 100WS Health Council...... 110WS World Trade Organisation (Accession of Yemen)... 99WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 111WS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT...... 101WS Police Funding...... 111WS Firefighters Pension Scheme ...... 101WS Local Government Finance ...... 101WS Onshore Oil and Gas Development LEADER OF THE HOUSE...... 118WS (Planning Applications) ...... 104WS Parliamentary Privilege...... 118WS

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 105WS TREASURY ...... 97WS Electoral Administration ...... 105WS Banking Reform...... 97WS

EDUCATION ...... 106WS WALES ...... 118WS Funding Allocations ...... 106WS Draft Wales Bill ...... 118WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL...... 633W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— Witnesses ...... 633W continued Social Rented Housing...... 653W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 672W Apprentices...... 672W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 669W Business: Hendon...... 673W Betting Shops...... 669W EU External Trade: USA...... 674W Culture: Finance ...... 669W Graphene: Patents...... 675W Marriage ...... 670W Overseas Trade: Scotland...... 676W Olympic Games 2012 ...... 670W Royal Mail ...... 676W Pay Television ...... 670W Radio: Advertising...... 670W CABINET OFFICE...... 676W Remembrance Day...... 671W Charitable Donations...... 676W Civil Servants: Scotland ...... 677W DEFENCE...... 633W Deloitte...... 677W Armed Forces: Young People...... 633W Lone Parents...... 677W Army...... 634W Minimum Wage ...... 677W Army: Apprentices...... 634W Press Releases ...... 678W Defence Equipment and Support...... 635W Defence: Procurement...... 636W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT...... 651W Reserve Forces: Yorkshire and the Humber ...... 636W Carbon Monoxide: Poisoning ...... 651W Trident Submarines...... 636W Families: Disadvantaged ...... 651W Unmanned Air Vehicles ...... 637W Housing ...... 652W Housing: Greater London...... 652W EDUCATION ...... 679W Planning Permission: Staffordshire ...... 653W Children’s Centres...... 679W Col. No. Col. No. EDUCATION—continued INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT—continued Higher Education: Admissions ...... 680W Developing Countries: Sanitation ...... 655W Languages: Education...... 681W Sudan...... 655W Ofsted ...... 681W Schools: Armed Forces ...... 682W JUSTICE...... 687W Schools: West Sussex...... 685W Contempt of Court...... 687W Sixth Form Education...... 685W Driving Offences ...... 688W Teachers: Training...... 686W Family Proceedings ...... 689W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 686W Knives: Crime ...... 689W Oakwood Prison ...... 689W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 637W Prisoners: Suicide...... 691W Carbon Sequestration ...... 637W Prisons: Crimes of Violence ...... 691W Energy Companies Obligation ...... 637W Prisons: Drugs ...... 695W Energy: Company Accounts ...... 639W Probation ...... 695W Energy: Prices ...... 639W Energy Supply...... 638W LEADER OF THE HOUSE...... 667W Fracking...... 640W Human Rights: Children...... 667W Gas Fired Power Stations...... 640W Green Deal Scheme...... 640W PRIME MINISTER...... 628W Insulation...... 640W Arms Trade...... 628W Nuclear Power: Education ...... 641W Power Stations ...... 641W SCOTLAND ...... 667W “Scotland’s Future” ...... 668W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS ..... 649W Civil Service ...... 667W Animal Diseases...... 649W Infrastructure Programme...... 668W Dogs: Imports...... 649W Ministers...... 668W Elephants: Conservation ...... 650W Post Office Network...... 668W Scottish Independence: Effect on North-east FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ...... 623W England ...... 667W Council of Ministers...... 623W Treasury Analysis Papers ...... 668W Foreign Relations...... 624W Middle East ...... 624W TRANSPORT ...... 629W Middle East and North Africa ...... 625W A57 ...... 629W Ministers...... 625W Airports Commission...... 629W Pakistan ...... 625W Driving: Young People...... 629W Palestinians ...... 626W Pedestrian Crossings ...... 629W Sri Lanka ...... 626W Railways: Radlett ...... 630W Ukraine...... 627W Rolling Stock: North West ...... 631W Tonnage Tax ...... 632W HEALTH...... 656W Transport: Northern Ireland ...... 632W Autism ...... 656W Unmanned Air Vehicles ...... 632W Breast Cancer...... 656W Cancer: South Yorkshire ...... 657W TREASURY ...... 679W Cannabis...... 657W Ministers...... 679W Childbirth ...... 658W National Income ...... 679W Clinical Commissioning Groups ...... 659W Compulsorily Detained Mental Patients: Young WOMEN AND EQUALITIES...... 672W People ...... 661W Babies ...... 672W Dementia ...... 661W Bishops: Females ...... 672W Gender Recognition...... 663W Gender Recognition...... 672W General Practitioners: South Yorkshire...... 663W Health Education...... 663W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 642W Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements ...... 664W Armed Forces: Children...... 642W Ministers...... 664W Children: Maintenance ...... 642W Musculoskeletal Disorders...... 665W Employment: Disability ...... 646W NHS: Foreign Workers...... 665W Housing Benefit ...... 646W Nurses...... 666W Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing ...... 646W Social Workers: Temporary Employment...... 667W Jobcentre Plus ...... 647W Older Workers: Dementia ...... 647W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 654W Personal Independence Payment...... 648W Afghanistan ...... 654W Universal Credit...... 648W Developing Countries: Health Services ...... 655W Work Programme...... 648W MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Col. No. JUSTICE...... 5MC Prisons ...... 5MC Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. The Bound Volumes will also be sent to Members who similarly express their desire to have them. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied. Corrections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy containing the Corrections must be received at the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

not later than Wednesday 25 December 2013

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PRICES AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES DAILY PARTS Single copies: Commons, £5; Lords, £4. Annual subscriptions: Commons, £865; Lords, £600. LORDS VOLUME INDEX obtainable on standing order only. Details available on request. BOUND VOLUMES OF DEBATES are issued periodically during the session. Single copies: Commons, £105; Lords, £60 (£100 for a two-volume edition). Standing orders will be accepted. THE INDEX to each Bound Volumeof House of Commons Debates is published separately at £9·00 and can be supplied to standing order. All prices are inclusive of postage Volume 572 Wednesday No. 96 18 December 2013

CONTENTS

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 723] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Scotland Prime Minister

Local Government Finance [Col. 745] Answer to urgent question—(Brandon Lewis)

Royal Assent [Col. 760]

Credit Union (Armed Forces) [Col. 761] Motion for leave to bring in Bill—(Mr Thomas)—agreed to Bill presented, and read the First time

Opposition Day [15th allotted day] Accident and Emergency [Col. 764] Motion—(Andy Burnham)—on a Division, negatived Food Banks [Col. 806] Motion—(Maria Eagle)—on a Division, negatived

Waveney (Coastal Flooding) [Col. 860] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Homelessness and Rough Sleeping [Col. 219WH] Crowdfunding and the FCA [Col. 244WH] Hospices (Children and Young People) [Col. 252WH] Electrical Safety (Private Rented Sector) [Col. 277WH] Television Services (Scotland) [Col. 283WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment

Written Statements [Col. 97WS]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 623W] [see index inside back page]

Ministerial Correction [Col. 11MC]