Thursday Volume 589 18 December 2014 No. 83

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 18 December 2014

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2014 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 1533 18 DECEMBER 2014 1534

link with heating oil? We should be focusing on driving House of Commons down the cost of home-grown energy, particularly clean energy. Thursday 18 December 2014 Amber Rudd: As always, my right hon. Friend makes an important point. Renewable electricity is essential, The House met at half-past Nine o’clock and I hope his Christmas tree lights burn even brighter this year, because 15% of that will indeed be from renewable energy, which is twice as much as under the PRAYERS last Government.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab): At a recent conference, a Treasury official, when asked about the levy control framework, said: “A priority for the next Government is to review what should Oral Answers to Questions happen after 2021.” He also said that he would hope to get clarity early in the next Parliament about what should happen, rather towards the end of it, and that: ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE “We shouldn’t sprint towards a cliff edge.” Is that the Minister’s position on the levy control framework, The Secretary of State was asked— or is she sitting there doing nothing about it? UK Energy Sources (Subsidy) Amber Rudd: The hon. Gentleman will be aware that those decisions are largely for the next Government. 1. Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (UKIP): What steps However, the levy control framework is an important his Department plans to take to reduce the overall part of controlling our expenditure. It is a classic example subsidy to UK energy sources. [906708] of the competence under this Government, as opposed to the chaos under the last, who had no levy control The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy framework at all. and Climate Change (Amber Rudd): The Government recognise the hon. Gentlemen’s point regarding the Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): The Prime impact on taxpayers and consumers of Government Minister said at the Liaison Committee this week that support for renewable and low-carbon energy. However, his party would scrap subsidies for onshore wind after Government policies are also aimed at reducing bills. 2015 and he did not expect any more to be erected Without Government policies, particularly on energy without subsidy, but onshore wind is one of the cheapest efficiency, bills would overall be on average around forms of green energy. Does the Minister not agree that £90 higher this year. an essential part of trying to reduce energy bills is having onshore wind as part of the mix? Douglas Carswell: Yesterday the Prime Minister confirmed that he is happy to see the levy control Amber Rudd: Onshore wind has been an important framework increase to £371 per year per household by part of the mix and, of course, we have more onshore 2020. At a time of falling oil prices and at a time when wind in this country than in the rest of the world, so I the shale gas revolution holds out the tantalising prospect think that it may be time for us to spend our scarce of cheap energy, is not the Department carrying on resources on other types of renewables to ensure the subsidising windmills unnecessarily, and are we not best return for taxpayers. making policy on the basis of outdated assumptions that need to revised? Caroline Flint (Don Valley) (Lab): One of the technologies we provide support to is carbon capture and storage. Is Amber Rudd: We recognise the importance of keeping the Minister aware that UKIP is opposed to carbon bills down for consumers, particularly when times are capture and storage? It has described it as “expensive, difficult, but this Government’s initiatives are to help difficult and pointless”. Does she agree with me that reduce bills and our support for renewables is UKIP’s policy would mean that there is no long-term unquestionable. We feel it is essential to have some future at all for any of Britain’s coal mines or coal-fired subsidy to get renewables going. I note that the hon. power stations? Gentleman is a big supporter of solar. Those costs have come down and our support has consequently come Amber Rudd: I share the right hon. Lady’s views on down. We expect it to reach grid parity by 2020. We are this. Carbon capture and storage is indeed an important optimistic that wind farms are also beginning to come part of our energy mix and an important part of down in cost, and we have seen a 10% reduction in the supporting all energy sources in this country. support for them very recently.

Gregory Barker (Bexhill and Battle) (Con): Does my Energy Bills hon. Friend agree that linking oil prices to energy, and particularly heating bills, is nonsense given that we do 2. Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (LD): What recent not have any oil generation to speak of that generates steps he has taken to help households with energy bills. electricity here in the UK—there is only maybe a tenuous [906709] 1535 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2014 Oral Answers 1536

6. Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): What steps he is authorities. That is a policy that the last Government—and taking to help households with energy bills. [906716] the present Leader of the Opposition when he was doing my job—failed to pursue. 9. Andy Sawford (Corby) (Lab/Co-op): What steps he is taking to help households with energy bills. [906719] Andy Sawford: Does the Secretary of State share my concern about the annual fuel poverty statistics report, 14. Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): What which shows that the fuel poverty gap—the difference steps he is taking to help households with energy bills. between people’s bills and what they can afford—has [906724] grown to £480 in 2014? That is a shockingly worrying statistic, and the real story behind it is being told in the 15. Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): What homes in our communities. Does he agree that it is now steps he is taking to help households with energy bills. time to back Labour’s energy market reforms? [906725] Mr Davey: Fuel poverty needs to be tackled thoroughly, The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which is why we are bringing forward ambitious fuel (Mr Edward Davey): Mr Speaker, with permission I will poverty targets and a new fuel poverty strategy.Opposition answer this question with questions 3, 7, 10, 15 and 16. Members should note that fuel poverty has actually There are three main ways in which we help people fallen under this Government, whereas it rose under the with their energy bills: first, with money, to help vulnerable last Government. That suggests that we should not be customers with their energy bills with policies like the taking advice on energy policy from the Labour party. winter fuel payment, the warm home discount and cold weather payments; secondly, by helping people save Kate Green: Households with a disabled member energy and so cut their bills with policies like energy have high fuel poverty levels, but working-age disabled efficiency, product regulations, the energy company people are not always able to access warm home discount obligation and the green deal; and, thirdly, by making schemes. In bringing forward a fuel poverty strategy, our energy markets more competitive, where our reforms what will the Secretary of State do to ensure that that have seen the market share of smaller independent vulnerable group is protected? companies grow from less than 1% in 2010 to 10% today, enabling people to save hundreds of pounds on Mr Davey: We have a whole panoply of measures to their bills by switching supplier. help vulnerable people, as I set out in my original answer. Some of the wider policies that we are Mr Reid rose— implementing, particularly those relating to competition, are helping people across the board. We are in discussions Mr Speaker: Order. The Secretary of State may have with other Government Departments, particularly the been reading from an old list. It is important to have an Department for Work and Pensions, in relation to the updated list, and he ought to be able to look to people point that the hon. Lady has raised. to provide him with an updated list. This is very unsatisfactory. The grouping is with 6, 9, 14 and 15. We really must get these things right. Grahame M. Morris: It is not just heating oil prices that have fallen. Wholesale gas and electricity prices Mr Reid: The price of oil has been coming down have fallen significantly in the past year, yet consumers quite dramatically in recent weeks. This opens up the have seen little reduction in their bills. Does the Secretary prospect of lower prices, particularly for people who of State now regret voting against Labour’s motion on live off the gas grid. What is he doing to ensure that 18 June, which would have given powers to the regulator companies selling to those consumers bring their prices to ensure that when wholesale costs fell, the reductions down to help them with their heating bills this winter? were passed on to the consumer?

Mr Davey: First, Mr Speaker, I apologise for not Mr Davey: It is interesting to look at the history of getting the list of questions right. My hon. Friend the wholesale prices coming down and reductions not being Member for Argyll and Bute (Mr Reid) makes a good passed on. There were much greater falls in wholesale point. We expect heating oil companies to pass on the costs when the Leader of the Opposition was doing my savings they are making. They do not hedge in the way job, and they were never passed on. This Government that electricity and gas companies do in relation to the have taken action by giving consumers far greater choice. long-term forward markets; I understand that heating They can now switch from companies that are not oil forward purchases are done on a much shorter time offering them a good deal and, in some cases, cut their scale. We would therefore expect reductions in the price bills by hundreds of pounds. of oil to be fed through much more quickly. Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Does the Nia Griffith: It is all very well to talk about making Secretary of State agree that the best way for the the energy companies reduce their bills, but does the Government to keep energy bills down is to stop subsidising Secretary of State not agree that it would be a lot more working windmills? We are now subsidising those that effective if the regulator had the power to force them to are providing energy when the windmills are not working. bring prices down, as Labour is proposing? Instead, we should get cracking with fracking.

Mr Davey: Actually, it was the last Labour Government Mr Davey: That is a good soundbite, but I have to tell who got rid of price regulation from the regulatory tool the hon. Gentleman that his understanding of how book. This Government have supported the referral of these things work needs a little work. It is important the energy market to the independent competition that we have an energy mix. That encourages greater 1537 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2014 Oral Answers 1538 competition as well as enabling us to tackle all our 19. Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): What recent energy objectives, including keeping bills down and assessment he has made of the potential of tidal power ensuring that we cut carbon and have secure energy. as an energy source. [906731]

Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): The Minister is right to The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy say that the number of households in fuel poverty has and Climate Change (Amber Rudd): Tidal energy offers fallen every year since this Government came to power huge potential. Tidal lagoons alone could provide for in 2010. However, those who are affected the most are up to 8% of the UK’s energy needs. To help with the poorest families living in energy-inefficient homes. progress of tidal deployment, as part of the autumn Will he tell us what steps are being taken to help that statement, we announced a commitment to starting vulnerable group of people? closer discussions with Tidal Lagoons Ltd to establish potential at Swansea bay. In addition, we have made a number of studies of UK tidal potential. Mr Davey: My hon. Friend is absolutely right; energy- efficiency should be at the heart of our policies. Our Mr Speaker: I call Tom Harris. Sorry, I meant Mr David new fuel poverty target is focused on energy-efficiency Jones. There is a similarity. for the very reasons he outlined. I can tell him, and announce to the House today, that up to October this Mr Jones: Others have remarked upon it, Mr Speaker. year the green deal and the energy companies obligation It is good news that the Government are in discussions have together led to more than 1 million energy-efficiency with the proposed developers of the Swansea tidal measures being installed, producing permanent reductions lagoon. Does my hon. Friend agree that proposals for a in energy bills, this Christmas and every Christmas. much larger lagoon at Colwyn bay also merit serious consideration? Does she also agree that a chain of Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): I lagoons along the west coast could make a huge wish to place on the record the contribution of the contribution to British energy security? warm home discount scheme to Thirsk, Malton and Filey. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would Amber Rudd: I thank my right hon. Friend for that have been particularly ill-advised to have frozen energy question. As he rightly says, tidal power provides a huge prices at the time a certain party was recommending opportunity for the UK. My Department has started to that policy? explore the potential for a future lagoon programme and is aware of proposals for the tidal lagoons at Colwyn bay. Any such scheme will need to demonstrate Mr Davey: Indeed, one danger of the regulatory strong evidence of value for money, economic benefits, approach is not only that it discourages investment and energy saving and environmental impact mitigation before reduces competition, but that one can freeze prices at a the Government could take a view on its potential, but I high level. The benefits of competition and falling share his enthusiasm. wholesale prices will mean that bills will come down— indeed, people can save on their bills through the Kevin Brennan: May I say merry Christmas to everyone, competition we have stimulated. Mr Speaker? That should help climate change because I do not have to send out cards now. How are the Jonathan Reynolds: Members on both sides of the Government’s talks on the Swansea tidal lagoon, which House recognise that some of the households with the were announced during the autumn statement, progressing? highest bills are in the private rented sector, where we As part of the studies that the Government are undertaking, simply have to raise standards. We want to go further are they working with the Welsh Government to look at than the coalition, but the Secretary of State has repeatedly proposals for a possible tidal lagoon, again on a larger assured us that the coalition Government will act to scale, between Cardiff and Newport? improve the very worst homes by 2018. May I therefore ask him, straightforwardly, whether this Government Amber Rudd: May I also exchange Christmas greetings will introduce the regulations on the private rented with the hon. Gentleman? We are doing our best to sector before the end of this Parliament? If not, why progress with the Swansea bay tidal lagoon. He will be not? aware that there is only so much the Government can say at this stage, because there are other issues to Mr Davey: I share the hon. Gentleman’s view that it is consider. We will continue to keep an open mind to as very important to get energy-efficiency in the private many opportunities as possible, as long as we can rented sector—something that the previous Government reassure ourselves that there are clear economic benefits. failed to act on. We have legislated in the Energy Act Energy Companies Obligation 2011, we have consulted on this and we will be making proposals. 7. Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): What progress his Department has made on the energy companies Mr Speaker: I call Mr Tom Harris. He is not here. I obligation initiative. [906717] call Mr David Jones. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Amber Rudd): The latest Department Tidal Lagoons official statistics show that we are getting closer to reaching our target of delivering energy-efficiency measures 4. Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con): What to 1 million homes. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary assessment he has made of the potential contribution of State has said, we have already reached 1 million of tidal lagoons to the UK’s energy supply. [906713] measures. In addition, legislation came into force in 1539 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2014 Oral Answers 1540 early December to help simplify the scheme and reduce Matthew Hancock: As the hon. Gentleman says, the costs. This has enabled energy suppliers to cut energy Scottish authorities already have control of planning bills by £30 to £35 this year. The scheme will also be for onshore oil and gas, and the Smith commission extended from March 2015 to March 2017 to provide recommends that the licensing of onshore oil and gas greater industry certainty and enable us to reach an underlying Scotland be devolved, whereas the licensing additional 840,000 homes. of offshore oil and gas will remain reserved. The proposals to bring this matter forward in a Scotland Bill are Jeremy Lefroy: I thank the Minister for her reply and ongoing, but as he knows, the Infrastructure Bill is also welcome the news that the scheme will be extended to going through this House as we speak, and we will look March 2017. Will she explain what is being done to at the proposals for how we can make this agreement make the scheme easier to understand and to access? real.

Amber Rudd: We are constantly reviewing ways to Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden) (Con): make the scheme easier and more accessible to people. When my right hon. Friend hands out licences, particularly We have different schemes that will add to its value. in Scotland if it remains his power, will he make it clear Some communities are working with our green deal that those who claim that hydraulic fracturing is a novel communities fund in conjunction with the energy companies and dangerous process are talking nonsense? Far from obligation to ensure that they reach and engage with being novel, 2.5 million wells have been fractured. Far people street by street. We want to have the widest reach from being dangerous, nobody has been poisoned by possible, which includes not just the easiest to reach but contaminated water, and no building has been damaged the most vulnerable. by the minute tremors, which are one thousandth of the power of natural earthquakes in this country. Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): With more than 2 million people sadly still in fuel poverty, why is more than half Matthew Hancock: My right hon. Friend makes a the money being spent on this scheme going to people powerful argument. Of course the regulatory regime for who are not in fuel poverty? onshore oil and gas extraction in the UK is very strong. Onshore oil and gas extraction has been going on for Amber Rudd: May I reassure the hon. Gentleman many, many decades and hydraulic fracturing has been that the changes to ECO clearly did not change at all used onshore over many decades in the UK. We will the targets to help vulnerable people. Although we continue to try to make the most of these huge reserves made the changes to reduce the amount on the bills, we underneath the UK and do so in a careful and cautious have continued to focus on vulnerable people and will way. continue to do so as a priority. Mr Speaker: Ah, a lion to roar. Mr John Robertson. Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): Will the Minister confirm that as a result of the changes to John Robertson (Glasgow North West) (Lab): The the energy companies obligation, nearly half a million Minister will be aware that the price of oil has come homes will not be able to receive that financial assistance down, which means that there will be a lack of investment to upgrade their energy units to get cheaper bills? in the North sea either side of the Shetland islands and into the Atlantic as well. What will the Government do Amber Rudd: As I just said, the Government are about the jobs shortages that are starting to come absolutely committed to helping the most vulnerable. through the system, and how we will maintain the Although we reduced the charges on bills to look after reduced prices for customers? consumers and taxpayers generally, we were absolutely clear that the most vulnerable people would not be Matthew Hancock: One of the advantages of onshore affected. The section of the ECO that is dedicated to oil and gas exploration is that the jobs offshore often helping the most vulnerable people remains in place require similar skills sets, so there is the potential for and continues to provide support. crossover. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Wood review is being implemented to improve the regulatory regime offshore to ensure that it is more flexible and Onshore Oil and Gas Exploration (Scotland) that we can get maximum economic recovery from under the North sea. We are also reviewing the fiscal 8. Mr Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP): How many licences regime to ensure that we incentivise the production of for onshore oil and gas exploration in Scotland have North sea oil, which is good for the whole of the UK. been granted by his Department in the last five years. [906718] Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ Co-op): As the Minister is aware, planning powers and The Minister for Business and Enterprise (Matthew the permitting regime that takes place through the Hancock): In the past five years, the number of onshore Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which is licences for oil and gas exploration that have been responsible to Ministers in Edinburgh, mean that no granted in Scotland is zero. fracking can happen in Scotland without the approval of the SNP in Holyrood. It is a matter for them and, Mr Weir: The Minister is aware that the Smith frankly, they should stop trying to distort that debate commission has recommended that the powers in relation by suggesting that it is not. Following submissions to unconventional oil and gas be transferred to the made by me and others, the cross-party Smith agreement Scottish Parliament where planning permission already included commitments not just on licensing but to rests. Will he press for an early transfer of those powers? devolve underground mineral access rights, which are 1541 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2014 Oral Answers 1542 effectively a secondary aspect of the planning process, Matthew Hancock: Absolutely. The previous Labour to Scotland. Labour has tabled an amendment to the Government insisted on higher bills and there was very Infrastructure Bill, which is now in Committee, to make little in the way of renewables. We have tackled the that commitment good now. Will the Minister commit higher bills and bills are falling—they have not been to supporting that amendment, which will help make it frozen at the high levels at which the Labour party clear and consistent, beyond nationalist distortion, where proposed. We have also ensured that we have renewable responsibility for such matters lies? electricity, because it is secure and it is domestic, and we have done that in a way with as low a cost as is Matthew Hancock: We are absolutely clear about the reasonably possible. policy: Scotland will be responsible for onshore oil and gas exploration. That will include not only planning, as Julie Elliott (Sunderland Central) (Lab): Investors in is the case now and which is an effective veto, but the renewable energy will have been very interested in the positive aspects of licensing. It is a matter for the Minister’s answers but will have been dismayed this Scottish Government now, and in the future it will be week to hear the Prime Minister attack onshore wind, unambiguously a matter for the Scottish Government. the cheapest large-scale form of renewable energy, in We are carefully considering whether that is done through the Liaison Committee. He said the Infrastructure Bill or through a future Scotland Bill, “let’s…put them into the planning system and if they can make but we can put beyond any doubt the clear commitment their case, they will make their case. I suspect that they won’t”. of the two Front Benches of the major parties in the With the right hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar UK that the onshore exploration of oil and gas is a (Mr Pickles) as Secretary of State for Communities and matter for the Scottish Government in Scotland. Local Government, I share the Prime Minister’s pessimism. The Secretary of State has intervened in more than Clean Energy 50 onshore wind applications, which could have powered some 275,000 homes. Does the Minister agree that instead of listening to local communities, as they should 11. Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab/ be, this Government have taken Whitehall intervention Co-op): What recent assessment he has made of trends in the planning system to unprecedented heights? in levels of investment in clean energy. [906721] Matthew Hancock: The Opposition have an The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate extraordinary contradiction at the heart of their questions. Change (Matthew Hancock): Since 2010, an average of The Prime Minister is clear that onshore wind should £7 billion a year has been invested each year in renewable not be subsidised because increasingly it is a value-for- electricity production, double the £3 billion a year in money proposition. The idea that we should subsidise the previous Parliament. more heavily something that is increasingly approaching grid parity seems bizarre, and the idea that that should Cathy Jamieson: In recent months, the UK has slipped be done without proper planning consideration is bonkers. to seventh place in the EY attractiveness index for investment in renewables. EY labelled the Government’s Energy Security actions as “policy tinkering and conflicting signals” 13. Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): and What recent assessment he has made of the UK’s energy security. [906723] “too much for investors to handle.” Does the Minister recognise that mixed messages are 17. Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): What recent coming from his Government and that that is a major assessment he has made of the UK’s energy security. reason for his failure on investment? [906729]

Matthew Hancock: I do not think that the hon. Lady The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change listened to my answer. The amount of investment in (Mr Edward Davey): The UK remains the most energy renewables is more than double that in the previous secure country in the European Union and is ranked Parliament, so it is difficult to answer the rest of the fourth in the world by the US chamber of commerce. question when it is based on a complete misconception On electricity security of supply, we are successfully of the facts. We have a clear policy to tackle carbon implementing short, medium and long-term policies to emissions and ensure that we meet the UK’s international overcome the legacy of underinvestment that we inherited, obligations on carbon alongside the lowest possible so we will keep the lights on. From National Grid’s reasonable cost to consumers and ensuring the security supplemental balancing reserve to the capacity market of energy supplies. In the past year, 15% of our electricity auctions this week through to the £45 billion investment has come from renewable sources, double the amount in the UK’s electricity generation networks in 2010, this under the previous Government. We are making progress, Government have delivered on energy security for the but we must do it in a way that keeps costs down. UK.

David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con): Since we Mr Bain: Meeting our security of supply challenge are quoting EU league tables for energy, will the Minister requires stable investment, and investors need confidence confirm that in 2010 only two EU countries had less in the long-term direction of Government policy. After renewable energy than us—Malta and Cyprus—and 2020, when the levy control framework expires, that that he has no intention of allowing that situation to confidence evaporates in this Government’s current road occur again? map, so will the Secretary of State give the industry a 1543 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2014 Oral Answers 1544 big pre-Christmas present by finally committing this intervention he dislikes so much. Worse still for my hon. Government to a 2030 decarbonisation plan to give the Friend, his constituents are saving money, thanks to sector the certainty it needs? green regulations from the European Union.

Mr Davey: I have done a lot better than that. Through Topical Questions UK leadership in the European Union, we now have European Union 2030 targets, which are among the most ambitious in the world. The UK led that and that T1. [9906708] John Robertson (Glasgow North West) gives confidence to the sector not just in the UK, but (Lab): If he will make a statement on his departmental across the whole European Union. responsibilities.

Albert Owen: The Secretary of State was right earlier The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he said that to get energy security we need a (Mr Edward Davey): The most significant development proper rich energy mix, but is he as disappointed as I for my Department since the last DECC oral questions am that the most predictable of energy sources, tidal has been the climate change agreement secured in this energy, has not progressed beyond the demonstration year’s talks in Lima last week. British leadership on the schemes and into commercial energy projects, including European Union’s position on climate change helps to Siemens in my constituency? Will he meet me and a secure an ambitious 2030 target for EU cuts in greenhouse delegation from the Anglesey Energy Island to see how gases. This European leadership has been significant in we can progress so that national needs can be met by accelerating political momentum into the Lima talks local sources? and beyond, through to the crucial Paris summit on climate change next year. Mr Davey: I will always be delighted to meet the hon. Gentleman. Although there have been some setbacks John Robertson: I congratulate the Secretary of State with Marine Current Turbines being put up for sale by on what happened in Lima. Let us hope that when we Siemens, there are some positive signs—for example, get to Paris we can solidify all the things that were MeyGen in the north of Scotland is the world’s first talked about. tidal array, and we are very proud of that. Moreover, I Secretary of State, I sent your Department, Ofgem, hope the hon. Gentleman will welcome the fact that we the chief executive officers of the big six companies and are intensifying our negotiations with Tidal Lagoon many other interested groups a copy of a report that I Power over Swansea bay. did for the Energy and Climate Change Committee on how to help the safety of vulnerable people at times of Energy Bills (Low Carbon Energy) need. Everyone except your Department and Ofgem has replied: why? All the others have contributed to a 16. Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): What estimate he voluntary code of practice, and I am happy about that. has made of how much subsidies for low-carbon Why cannot DECC and Ofgem put people before political energy will add to domestic energy bills over the next point-scoring? 20 years. [906728] Mr Speaker: I do not have a Department and I have The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change not failed to reply, but if someone has I am sure he or (Mr Edward Davey): The impact of our policies on she will take responsibility. average household energy bills in 2020 is to cut them by 7%, compared to those energy bills without our policies. That is equivalent to an average saving of £92. The Mr Davey: Let me give the hon. Gentleman a Christmas impact estimated for 2030 is to cut bills by 4% or present—I will ask for his report to be put in my £62 per annum. Christmas Red Box.

Philip Davies: The Committee on Climate Change T2. [9906710] Sir Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD): has said that households already pay an average of My right hon. Friend will be aware that the marine £45 a year to support low-carbon power, and that will energy sector has recently had bad news with the rise to £100 in 2020 and £175 in 2030. Can the Secretary proposed sale of Marine Current Turbines by Siemens of State confirm that those figures are true? Does he and Pelamis going into administration. In the light of agree that there is nothing more nauseating than hearing fierce competition from France, which has signed people in this House on the one hand calling for lower partnership agreements to develop two schemes off the energy prices, and on the other hand calling for more Brittany coast, what is he going to do keep the UK at climate change policies and renewable energy, which are the forefront of this, and will he promote opportunities the one thing that increases prices? Is it not time that we such as those off Lynton and Lynmouth as a way of had more cheaper energy and less greener energy? doing so?

Mr Davey: I expect any figures from the Committee Mr Davey: My hon. Friend is right to say that we on Climate Change to be correct, but of course the ones have had some disappointing announcements on Marine my hon. Friend quotes do not tell the full story of our Current Turbines and Pelamis, which is unsettling for policies, which was told by my response to him. My those companies and the families involved. However, hon. Friend just does not get the green energy opportunity, there has been some good news: as I said to the hon. but in the spirit of Christmas let me cheer him up by Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen), MeyGen is the telling him that the green energy savings I mentioned world’s first tidal array project, and I think that the come partly from regulations—the type of Government Lynton and Lynmouth demonstration zones will be 1545 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2014 Oral Answers 1546 able to take forward further tidal arrays. The fact that Mr Speaker: It is good of the hon. Member for we are looking very intensively into tidal lagoon power Tamworth (Christopher Pincher) to drop in on us. We is a real shot in the arm for the tidal industry. are grateful to him.

Caroline Flint (Don Valley) (Lab): May I take this T3. [906711] Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): opportunity to wish you, Mr Speaker, and all hon. Energy experts believe that by 2030 we will need an Members a very happy Christmas? May I also wish the additional 25-30 GW of gas capacity to meet our Secretary of State good luck, as I understand he is needs.What does my right hon. Friend have in mind to appearing in pantomime this Christmas? I am sure that meet that extra provision? Will it include 15-year contracts we all want to wish him the best of luck. It is good to for new entrants and not contracts discounted to one know that the Liberal Democrats are beginning to year? think about their career options after the next election. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Mr Davey: Oh no, they’re not! Climate Change (Matthew Hancock): My hon. Friend is right that we need investment in our energy infrastructure, Caroline Flint: I understand that he is playing a including gas-powered fire stations. The capacity market drunken monk in “Robin Hood”. auction on which many of those investment decisions The best way to help households permanently to cut will be made is under way this week and is continuing their energy bills is to make their homes more energy- today to get the best possible value for money for efficient. According to the Government’s own figures, energy consumers. It would be insidious of me to comment 5 million households would still benefit from cavity wall on an auction while it is under way. [HON.MEMBERS: insulation and over 7 million would benefit from loft “Invidious!”] It would be invidious of me as well, so I insulation. Why, then, has the number of households will not comment, but my hon. Friend makes a critical getting loft and cavity wall insulation fallen by more point that it is vital to get new energy generation investment. than half compared with last year? Mr Speaker: If the Minister could provide us in Mr Davey: First, Mr Speaker, may I wish you, the future with the energy efficient version of his reply, that right hon. Lady and all other right hon. and hon. would be extremely beneficial. I think with practice he Members a happy Christmas? I am afraid that those will get there. who wanted to buy a ticket for the pantomime at the last moment will be disappointed, because I appeared T5. [9906713] Pamela Nash (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): with St Paul’s Players in Chessington two weeks ago; I As has been said during these questions and earlier this should have given more notice. It was “Robin Hood”, week, fracking is a hot topic of debate, particularly in and some of us originally from Nottingham believe in Scotland, which is surprising, because the Scottish some of those principles. Government have an effective veto. Will the Minister The right hon. Lady asked a very important question confirm again that he and his Department are about energy efficiency. She will know that our approach powerless to overturn a Scottish Government decision has been to go after measures not only on loft insulation if they decide to deny planning permission for any and cavity wall insulation—which are very important fracking project? but declining in terms of availability and options because so much has been done—but on solid wall insulation, which is more expensive but vital for tackling fuel Matthew Hancock: As I said earlier, there have been poverty and climate change. no licences in the past five years for onshore oil and gas production in Scotland. Planning is a matter for the Scottish authorities and we are clear in our response to Caroline Flint: The Secretary of State does not want the Smith commission, which all parties signed up to, to admit it, but the reason so few households are getting that licensing will also be a matter for Scotland. Onshore help is that the Government caved in to the energy oil and gas exploration is a matter for the Scottish companies and cut the number of households they have Government. If they do not want it to go ahead, it will to help. The chaos does not stop there. The latest round not, and if it does go ahead, it will be a matter for them. of the green deal home improvement fund for solid walls opened last Wednesday and closed the very next day. This is not just incompetent but wasteful. Instead Mr Speaker: It is very good also of the hon. Member of just giving money away, we could make the funding for St Ives (Andrew George) to drop in on us. I do not go further, in a fairer way, if it was used to support know whether he is aware, but he has a question on the zero-interest loans for energy-efficiency, as we have Order Paper and we want to hear him. It is a topical proposed in our green paper. question—anything the hon. Gentleman likes. I will give him a moment or two more to dream something Mr Davey: The right hon. Lady picks an odd day to up. Come on, Mr George—let’s hear you! ask about energy efficiency when we have announced 1 million energy efficiency measures through the green T4. [9906712] Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): Thank deal and the energy companies obligation. The solid you, Mr Speaker. I apologise: I was in conversation. wall part of the green deal home improvement fund had On renewable projects, particularly large-scale solar to close early because it was so popular and successful, and large-scale onshore wind, is the Secretary of State so for the right hon. Lady to criticise that is remarkable. making sure that community benefit is being assured in All those people who will benefit from that measure will terms not just of the energy created, but of the share note her words. in the resource? 1547 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2014 Oral Answers 1548

Mr Speaker: It was a very good question; it was not Mr Davey: I am delighted that the hon. Gentleman about the money resolution for the Affordable Homes agrees with us that the green investment bank has been Bill, either. a huge success. We have seen it develop further, and we are keen to see it develop still further. He will know that Mr Davey: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that my right hon. Friend the Business Secretary and I are in question. In our community energy strategy and our agreement that our manifesto will say that the bank will work with both the solar and the onshore wind industries, be given borrowing powers. we have stressed the importance of community benefits, and that is having a marked effect. We have enabled that Gregory Barker (Bexhill and Battle) (Con): May I through voluntary protocols, community benefit registers congratulate my right hon. Friend on the important and the like. We have accepted and are taking forward role he played at Lima, along with our excellent team of the report of the shared ownership stakeholder group, negotiating officials, but does he agree that there is which has also shown that people can be directly involved much more to do? Perhaps the single most important and have a stake in local renewable energy projects. thing that the UK could do in the coming year, in the run-up to Paris, is to demonstrate to the world that a T7. [9906715] Mr John Spellar (Warley) (Lab): Following country can grow its economy strongly—we have strong the story in The Sun today, may I congratulate the economic growth—at the same time as reducing emissions. Secretary of State on slapping down his jobsworth official by wishing us all a merry Christmas, and may I Mr Davey: My right hon. Friend is absolutely right, reciprocate those wishes? May I also take him back to and I am grateful for his comments. One of the reasons the reply given to me at the last Energy questions by the I set up the green growth group in Europe was to push Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the argument that a country can grow and go green, and the hon. Member for Hastings and Rye (Amber Rudd), that argument has been won in the debate in the European who claimed: Union. He may be interested to know that in Lima we “There will be no blackouts this winter”?—[Official Report, worked with Latin American countries—particularly 6 November 2014; Vol. 587, c. 951.] Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia and Mexico—because our Does the Secretary of State agree with her? Latin American friends now want their own green growth group. Mr Davey: Merry Christmas. Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (UKIP): The Secretary T6. [9906714] Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) of State reels off statistics about home insulation, rather (Con): May I correct my right hon. Friend the Minister like a Soviet-era apparatchik talking about tractor of State on one point? Other than one example, there production. Thousands of homes in Jaywick were promised has been no deep well fracking for shale gas in this home insulation at the beginning of this year. Why, at country. In Fylde, self-regulation and self-monitoring the end of the year, have only a handful of homes had were proved disastrously wrong. Will he give the House that insulation, and why has the promise that more a commitment that there will be no self-monitoring or homes would get it evaporated? self-regulation but a very cautious approach, and that the regulatory authorities will monitor seismic and other aspects of fracking at depth for shale gas? Mr Davey: I have to say that we have a very good record on energy efficiency, as today’s announcement of 1 million energy efficiency measures from the green deal Matthew Hancock: There is a very strong regulatory and the ECO demonstrates. I do not know about the regime for oil and gas extraction onshore, whether particular example in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency. through conventional means or hydraulic fracturing. In I can tell him that because of some of the changes we fact, in the autumn statement just a couple of weeks made to the ECO this time last year, some energy ago, another £5 million was set aside for independent efficiency schemes have not gone ahead, but what has monitoring, just as my hon. Friend asks. I can give her gone ahead is a £50 cut, on average, in people’s energy the assurance that this will be done in a safe and bills. cautious way.

Several hon. Members rose— Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): Does the Secretary of State think it is fair that at the public inquiry into the Navitus Bay offshore wind park, the Mr Speaker: Order. There is now a spontaneous and applicants have in the middle of the inquiry put forward heavy appetite for topical questions, which I am keen to a separate and different application? It is now being accommodate. considered alongside the original application, which has not been withdrawn. Is that not oppressive and a T8. [9906717] Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) breach of the principles of the rule of law? (Lab): The green investment bank has been a great success, leveraging in over £5 billion of investment in renewables and other green jobs. Does the Secretary of Mr Davey: I am surprised that my hon. Friend, who State not agree that the bank would be an even greater has great experience in the House, should ask a Minister success if it had the power to borrow on the open to comment on a live planning inquiry. market, as the Opposition have proposed, and the ability to focus more on energy efficiency projects? Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): Even after the bodged, When will he speak to the Business Secretary and the late and partial mitigation of the carbon floor price, it Chancellor to make sure that it gets those powers? remains a tax on UK manufacturing that is unilateral to 1549 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2014 Oral Answers 1550 this country. When will the Government come forward Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): What is the with an energy policy to support our UK manufacturing Secretary of State’s position on fracking, particularly that matches the best in Europe? following the news that New York state has decided to ban it? Matthew Hancock: I am slightly disappointed by the hon. Gentleman’s tone because he has been supportive Mr Davey: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would of the energy-intensive industries package that we secured like every Government to follow everything that New at the Budget. It of course has to undergo state aid York state does, but we are an independent country and clearance, but it is pushing as far as is possible within we make our own decisions. He will know that the EU rules. We need to ensure that we land that deal in Government’s policy on fracking is to support it through Europe. At the same time, we have frozen the carbon a robust and strong regulatory regime to ensure that price floor, so progress is being made. health and safety and environmental concerns are fully taken into account, but also that we can exploit this Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): It is disappointing important resource. that there has not been a ministerial statement about Lima this week, particularly given the warning from the Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): When people voted for Union of Concerned Scientists that the negotiators the Climate Change Act 2008 in the last Parliament, we have left too many contentious issues unresolved before were told that if we passed that legislation, every other the deadline in Paris. Will the Secretary of State advise country would follow suit. Have not the Lima negotiations us why the deal is so good? proved that to be a complete and utter load of old cobblers, like much of what the Secretary of State says? Mr Davey: In fact, if one follows the details, one finds If what I am saying is wrong, why, in a recent Westminster that we secured more than we expected to on going into Hall debate, did Labour MP after Labour MP, many of the Lima summit. The reason is that there were some whom voted for the Climate Change Act, complain that good negotiations, particularly on the information that it was doing untold damage to the steel industry? countries will have to supply in what are known as—I Mr Davey: I think that my last answer to the hon. am sure that the House will have followed this closely—their Gentleman, in which I recommended EU product intended nationally determined contributions, which regulations as very effective in reducing his constituents’ will be announced in the first quarter of next year. bills, must have annoyed him a tad. The UK’s leadership Nailing that down was the key issue in Lima and we on climate change is acknowledged not just in this did so. country or in Europe but around the world. We are taking forward the climate change negotiations successfully Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab): As and I look forward to a successful agreement in Paris. the Secretary of State will recall, the Prime Minister The one thing that we have to achieve next year is to said recently that now that 10% of power is supplied by ensure that the deal is ambitious enough. onshore wind, onshore wind should seek its passage through the planning process. I am sure he is aware that Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): The Secretary of in terms of operational schemes and schemes that have State will be aware that the Energy and Climate Change planning permission, it makes up far more than 10% of Committee has produced a report on small nuclear the system already. Does he propose to put the Prime reactors. May we have a quick response from the Minister right on this, or does he intend to rescind Government very early in the new year? When we planning permissions so that the Prime Minister does produced a report on fracking in 2010, it took three or not look silly? four years before it became a flagship policy of the Government. We could go on to lose the opportunity. Mr Davey: I am slightly confused by the hon. Gentleman’s question because he misquotes what the Prime Minister Matthew Hancock: As the hon. Gentleman knows, said on Tuesday. The fact is that onshore wind supplies there is ongoing work on the commercial feasibility of just over 5% of our electricity today. By 2020, with the SNRs. There was a further small package in the autumn onshore wind farms that are in the planning stage and statement to take that work forward, and we are working with the assumption that some will not get through, we internationally to see whether the technology can become expect to get to about 10%. feasible.

David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con): It is odd Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Will the Minister that we have nearly got to the end of DECC questions set out what financial benefits will be available for local and nobody has mentioned nuclear power. To redress communities where shale gas sites are situated? Will he that, will the Secretary of State confirm that Hinkley confirm that it will be local communities that benefit, Point C is going ahead at speed, and that the generation and that it will not be possible for councils to pocket the of power stations after Hinkley Point C at Sellafield, cash and use it elsewhere? Wylfa and Sizewell are doing so as well? Matthew Hancock: Absolutely.The industry is committed Mr Davey: That is certainly our policy. We have to ensuring that there is a contribution to communities managed to agree commercial heads of terms, as my for exploration, but also that a minimum of 1% of hon. Friend knows. We have received state aid clearance production revenues goes to local communities. Some for Hinkley Point C. We are in final negotiations with companies have said that they will put more than that EDF and it is putting together its consortium of investors. minimum into local communities. It is crucial that the We are not at the point of a final investment decision, communities from under which gas can be extracted but we are getting closer. benefit from that extraction. 1551 Oral Answers18 DECEMBER 2014 Oral Answers 1552

Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): Analysis by the rest of the world combined. In the current round of climate change scientists of pledges made by Governments CfD allocations—of course, it has not been completed at Lima shows that the world is currently at risk of yet, so I cannot talk about the details—we have ensured experiencing about 3° C of global warming. What can that we have sufficient allocation for offshore wind, but be done to reduce the global ambition gap on emissions we have also ensured that the levy control framework by the time of the Paris summit, so that we do not cross includes further allocations for it, so that the consumer the 2° C threshold? can benefit from dropping prices.

Mr Davey: The hon. Lady is right that there is a real Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): The Secretary of State risk that when all the countries make their pledges next has mentioned the cuts in the energy companies obligation. year, we will be some way short of what is required to When those cuts were made, Ministers made it clear keep global temperatures below the limit of a 2° C rise, that it would not be acceptable if energy companies did which is what scientists say we need to achieve. We are not pass them on to consumers. Will the Secretary of doing a lot of work, not just in this country but in State explain why 4 million households have still not Europe and beyond, to see what can be done. There are received the full saving and what he intends to do pre-2020 measures that we should focus on, because the about it? treaty would not come into effect before then. That is one reason why, when we negotiated the EU 2030 Mr Davey: I do not recognise the figures that the hon. package, the phrase “at least” 40% was important—it Lady gives, and I have to tell her that the energy gave us a chance to raise our ambition levels in Europe companies obligation is one of the most successful if we can persuade others across the world to do so. energy efficiency policies ever implemented. A huge number of steps are being taken, and I hope that any Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): The villagers of future Government will continue and build upon them. Shepherdswell in my constituency are concerned about We have given the industry much greater stability—it plans for onshore gas exploration there. They are adjacent has never before had three years of reassurance about to an area of outstanding natural beauty, so will the the future regime, which we gave it last year. Minister restate the guidance on that matter? Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab) rose— Matthew Hancock: Absolutely. My first act in this Mr Speaker: Ah. I have been saving the hon. Gentleman job was to strengthen the planning guidance and rules up. on the extraction of onshore oil and gas in national parks, AONBs and other places. That is an important Andrew Gwynne: The Government claimed that the reassurance to those who live in the most beautiful green deal would be the largest home improvement parts of our country that planning considerations for programme since the second world war. If that is correct, onshore oil and gas will be extremely tight. will the Secretary of State tell the House why fewer than 3,500 homes have had work done? Mr Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP): Many offshore wind developers have expressed concern that owing to the Mr Davey: The hon. Gentleman’s figures are, shall we structure of the current contracts for difference allocation say, inaccurate. Our analysis shows that large numbers round, only one development will be given a CfD, of people—getting on for 350,000—have had green deal imperilling many of the others. Can the Secretary of assessments, and more than 80% of those have either State give them any reassurance that there will be greater gone on to have that work done or plan to have it. There consideration of offshore wind in future CfD allocations? are now nearly 8,000 green deal finance plans, and that number is increasing. Although I will happily admit Mr Davey: First, it is worth putting it on the record, that the green deal has not been as successful as we had as it is Christmas, that Britain leads the world in offshore hoped, we have learned a lot of lessons and a lot of wind, with more offshore wind farms installed than in measures have been taken because of the green deal. 1553 18 DECEMBER 2014 A and E and Ambulance Services 1554

A and E and Ambulance Services confirmed that compassionate care in A and Es has improved over the last two years, and according to patients the NHS is getting record scores for the safety 10.30 am of care, and for treating people with dignity and Andy Burnham (Leigh) (Lab) (Urgent Question): To compassion. ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a I will conclude by thanking hard-working NHS staff statement on the performance of accident and emergency across the country for the outstanding care that they departments and ambulance services, and what plans continue to deliver under a great deal of operational are in place to help them cope with winter pressures. pressure. On behalf of the whole House I also thank the 70 NHS front-line volunteers who will be making this The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt): country safer by spending their Christmas in Sierra I welcome this opportunity to come to the House and Leone on the front line in the fight against Ebola. They confirm NHS plans to support A and E and ambulance are the bravest of the brave and make our entire country services over the challenging winter period. First, we proud. must recognise the context. The NHS always faces significant pressures during the winter months, and Andy Burnham: I thank the Secretary of State for his with an ageing population we have 350,000 more over-75s statement. I of course echo the sentiments he expressed than four years ago. As a result, more people are about NHS staff and volunteers fighting Ebola. turning up at our A and Es, with attendances up 5% on I have to say, however, that I heard a good deal of last year, and a greater level of sickness among those misplaced complacency in what he had to say. Winter who turn up has led to an increase in emergency admissions has not begun in earnest, but there are already signs of of nearly 6% on last year. That picture is reflected A and Es and ambulance services being stretched to the across the home nations, with A and Es in Wales, limit. Last week, a record number of people waited Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as England, more than four hours in A and E and on trolleys. missing key performance standards as a result. Ambulance response times are getting worse across In England, where performance has been relatively England, with some 999 calls taking hours. Overnight, better than in other home nations, we have been preparing news has emerged of an 82-year-old man who waited for this winter for more than nine months—indeed, I more than three hours for an ambulance to arrive at his chaired my first meeting to discuss the issue on 17 March. nursing home. He then waited a further 19 hours on a On 13 June we gave the NHS an additional £400 million trolley in a corridor. That is appalling, and there are for winter pressures. That was topped up in autumn by fears that things will get worse when the House is in £300 million, making a total of £700 million to ensure recess. that local services had the certainty of additional money Given that, it should not be for me to drag the and time to plan how it should best be used. That Secretary of State here today to explain what he is funding was provided earlier than ever before in NHS doing to prevent a full winter crisis in the NHS. The history, and was possible because a strong economy has question he did not answer, but must answer today, is allowed us to make year-on-year real-term increases in this: does he have a winter plan? If he does, will he NHS spending. That funding will pay for the equivalent publish it? People working in the NHS need to know of 1,000 more doctors, 2,000 more nurses, and 2,000 other what is in it. [Interruption.] He seems to suggest that he NHS and care staff, including physiotherapists and has one, but let me quote Dr Mark Porter, chair of the social workers. It will fund up to 2,500 additional beds British Medical Association. He criticises what he calls in the acute and community sectors, and provide £50 the million to support ambulance services. “total failure by government to come up with a meaningful plan”. We are also progressing with a long-term plan to The Secretary of State will have to reassure Dr Porter. reduce pressures on A and E. We are providing £150 The Secretary of State mentions money, but is it not million through the Prime Minister’s challenge fund to the case that £300 million of it was allocated only in make evening and weekend GP appointments available November? Does he really think that that gave the for 10 million people, and more than 4 million people service enough time to plan? Dr Clifford Mann, chair of are already benefiting from that. Our better care programme the College of Emergency Medicine, does not think so. integrates, for the first time ever, health and social care He says: services in 151 local authority areas, with plans starting “Had these funds been used back in summer and early autumn in April to reduce, on average, emergency admissions to we might have more resilience in the system now.” hospitals by 3%. The Five Year Forward View is funded by an additional £2 billion of new money announced in Dr Mann also questions where this money has gone, the autumn statement—we have a long-term plan for saying “very little” has been seen by front-line A and E our NHS, just as we do for the economy. staff, and instead “a lot of it has gone to shoring up balance sheets in acute trusts”. The winter will be tough, but a number of changes made over the last four years will put us in a much Is that true? Will the Secretary of State provide of full stronger position. Since 2010, the NHS has nearly breakdown of how that money was allocated and has 1,200 more A and E doctors, including 400 more been spent to date? Were any conditions attached? I am consultants, almost 600 more registrars, 1,700 more sure he will claim the money has been used properly, paramedics and 17,200 more clinical staff overall. Our but, if that is the case, why is the NHS already under so A and E departments are seeing and treating around much pressure? 2,000 more people within four hours every day, and our Over the break, hon. Members will want to monitor ambulances are making nearly 2,000 additional emergency the situation in their local hospitals very closely. However, journeys every day. The Care Quality Commission has we have learnt that from tomorrow the publication of 1555 A and E and Ambulance Services18 DECEMBER 2014 A and E and Ambulance Services 1556

[Andy Burnham] mean forcing NHS staff to work over Christmas, whereas, where possible, we would like them to be able to go data on A and E will be suspended for three weeks over home for Christmas, just like Members of this House. the crucial Christmas period. That is simply unacceptable. When he was Health Secretary, did he publish performance Given that we know the figures are still being collected, or weekly A and E figures over Christmas? He did not. there is absolutely no reason why they should not be He did not publish them at Christmas or Easter; he did published. The Secretary of State rightly puts a premium not publish any weekly A and E figures at all, so to on transparency. Will he today order an end to the news come to the House and call it a news black-out says to blackout and instruct NHS England to maintain weekly me that he is more interested in political opportunism reports? than in care for patients. I have visited a number of acute trusts in recent days It is disappointing that the right hon. Gentleman did and they all say that the pressure on A and E is critically not take this opportunity to disown his own leader’s linked to the severe shortage of places in nursing and instructions to weaponise the NHS. The NHS is not, residential homes and cuts to social care. The sad truth and never should be, a political weapon. This is what is that today a record number of older people are third parties say. Dr Mann, president of the College of trapped in hospital. They are well enough to go home, Emergency Medicine, whom the shadow Secretary of but do not have the support to do so. When are the State mentioned, said yesterday that Government going to wake up to the very real crisis in “the system is under pressure but it’s working pretty well”. social care and the fact that it is dragging down the NHS? The Foundation Trust Network said: Finally, no one can predict what this winter will hold, “NHS providers prepared for this Winter earlier and more but the warning signs are there and the NHS needs to fully than ever before” plan for all eventualities. What discussions has the and that—he should listen to this bit—the Secretary of State held with other Departments, and do “NHS needs support not criticism” the Government have a wider contingency plan for the NHS? please. The NHS Confederation said the NHS was pulling out all the stops on urgent care and A and E, This is a serious situation. If patients and staff are to and that earlier planning and extra money were helping. have confidence, they need better answers than they have had so far. I hope the Secretary of State will start The right hon. Gentleman wants to draw comparisons. providing them now. Nine out of 10 people are being seen within four hours in this country, which is a higher proportion than in any country anywhere in the world that measures A and E Mr Hunt: First, may I thank the shadow Health performance—faster than Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Secretary for bringing this matter to the attention of the Scotland, Northern Ireland and, yes, faster than Labour-run House? As a former Health Secretary, he knows that Wales. Eight people out of every 100 wait more than operational pressures are one of the biggest challenges four hours in A and E in England; in Wales, that figure facing any Health Secretary.Indeed, he had many examples is 15 hours. He should concentrate on saving the NHS of very, very poor care on his own watch and he is in Wales, rather than running it down in England, absolutely right to give the House a chance to hear where it is doing so much better. more about our plans for winter. Finally, if the right hon. Gentleman is worried about The shadow Secretary of State asks whether we have poor care, why is he still saying it was wrong to have a a plan. It seems to me that he prepared his comments public inquiry into Mid Staffs? This is what Julie Bailey, before he listened to the statement. We have put in more the Mid Staffs campaigner, said this week about his money than ever before. Plans were announced in June. comments: NHS England had a press conference in which it went through the plans relating not just to the £400 million, “It is very worrying, because if he becomes Health Secretary again at the election it is clear we would go straight back to the but the extra £300 million that was agreed in September old days of covering up.” and allocated through October. That is a record amount. Let us consider what is happening in his own constituency. The NHS is performing well under great pressure. He In Wigan borough, since 2010, because of spending should commend the efforts being made by front-line that he opposed, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS staff, not undermine them by trying to turn the NHS Foundation Trust has taken on 78 more doctors, 149 more into a political football. nurses and 209 more clinical—[Interruption.] He says, “Does this help?” These are extra doctors and nurses on Mr Simon Burns (Chelmsford) (Con): Will my right the front line, helping patients in his own constituency. hon. Friend join me in congratulating the staff of The right hon. Gentleman talked about care homes. Broomfield hospital in Chelmsford and the GP surgeries The £3.3 million going to help his own constituents in mid-Essex on the fantastic job they are doing to look with winter pressures is to monitor the mental and after patients in difficult circumstances because of the physical health of patients in care homes and to help significant increase in the number of patients needing reduce the number of emergency admissions. We have a and accessing care? Furthermore, does he agree that it is winter plan that is working in his own constituency to rather demoralising for staff and sad that Labour seeks help improve the lot of his constituents. He needs to to turn the NHS into a party political football simply— acknowledge that. The right hon. Gentleman talked about the publication Mr Speaker: Order. The Secretary of State does not of figures over Christmas. We have never published need to concern himself with Opposition policy, as I figures over the Christmas period because it would think the right hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr Burns), 1557 A and E and Ambulance Services18 DECEMBER 2014 A and E and Ambulance Services 1558 on his good days, knows. The Secretary of State should London involve significant improvements, including focus on a brief statement of the Government’s policy, weekend opening of GP surgeries, which is one of the for which we will be grateful. key things that the shadow Front-Bench team has talked about as something that will help A and E departments. Mr Hunt: I can confirm that the Government’s policy As for what is happening specifically, I was disappointed is to root out poor care wherever we find it, not to cover with the CQC report about the A and E at St Mary’s, it up and conceal it for party political purposes. but I gently say to her that it was this Government who Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): The College of set up an independent inspection regime with a chief Emergency Medicine gave the Secretary of State a inspector who gives the public information in a way that 10-point plan in 2013. Will he say which of those they did not have before. I think that is the biggest spur 10 points he has enacted? to making sure that the right changes are made quickly.

Mr Hunt: We have enacted, or started to enact, every Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): The general public single one of them. Some of them take a bit longer—the will not have been impressed with the political posturing contracts for A and E consultants, for example, which from the shadow Secretary of State. Does my right hon. we want to ensure are attractive enough to encourage Friend agree that a significant number of people who people to want to become A and E consultants. I am go to A and E should not be there, and as part of his pleased to say that we have made some progress on that long-term NHS planning, does he agree that if first aid and are now getting the recruits coming into A and E were taught as part of the national curriculum, fewer that we want to see. Other things are starting to happen people would go to A and E? this winter—more co-location of GP services at A and E front doors and better discharging procedures from hospitals. We have been working very closely with the Mr Hunt: I commend my hon. Friend for championing College of Emergency Medicine, which has been a great this cause. He is absolutely right that we need first aid. I help to us in devising these winter plans. think that my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Andrew Percy)—I am not sure he is here—is a Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham) (Con): Last Friday, my first responder, and I want to commend him for the hon. Friends the Members for Portsmouth North (Penny work he does in that respect, because it makes a big Mordaunt) and for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) difference in emergency situations if we can people to and I met leaders of the health and social care system in patients more quickly. south-east Hampshire to discuss how it is dealing with the operational challenges it faces. May I commend to Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): The CQC my right hon. Friend the model it is using—of working report into Imperial, to which my hon. Friend the together to prevent unnecessary admissions, ensuring a Member for Westminster North (Ms Buck) referred, safe and speedy assessment of those who turn up at found poor standards of cleanliness, too few nurses and A and E and also issuing a prompt discharge of those thousands of patients awaiting surgery. It is the third who are medically fit to return to their own homes? CQC report in west London in four months, and it has Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I found five major hospitals as requiring improvement commend what is happening in his constituency. He will and three A and E departments inadequate. The only be pleased to know that this is beginning to happen all one that is not inadequate—Charing Cross, which is over the country. The heart of the long-term solution is good—is the one the Secretary of State wants to close. to have people in the social care system, people in Waiting times are down to some of the worst in the primary care and people in hospitals to see themselves country, yet they used to be among the best. We in west as part of one system, in which people are properly London do not recognise what he is saying. After two flowing between different parts of the system in the way years of refusing, will he now meet me and other west that is right for them, ignoring organisational or institutional London MPs to talk about the crisis in west London barriers. Where that happens, we are making good health care? progress and we are getting the right performance in A and Es. Mr Hunt: On the contrary, it is the hon. Gentleman’s constituents who do not recognise what he says or all Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab): Last the scaremongering leaflets about what is happening to week, the chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS services in north-west London. We have plans to NHS Trust told me that it had a ward of patients that it open two brand-new hospitals; we have weekend opening was unable to discharge into the community. This week of GP surgeries; and we have big improvements happening the Care Quality Commission ranked the A and E unit in A and E departments. Let me gently say to him that, at St Mary’s as being inadequate owing to a lack of bed along with his Front-Bench team, he voted not to have a capacity and physical capacity in the ward. Yesterday chief inspector of hospitals who could provide independent the London ambulance service had to call in emergency information about the quality of services. Now that he help because it is under such pressure. What is the is quoting that information, I hope he realises that that Secretary of State doing to turn around the crisis in was a mistake. central London’s health service? Will he remind us again why it made sense to close two west London A and E units in the middle of an A and E crisis? Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Clinical commissioning groups and hospital trusts throughout the country, Mr Hunt: It is funny how the hon. Lady talks about including those in Oxfordshire, are working very hard the closing of A and E departments without talking to ensure that they can triage people at the entrance to about the opening of A and E departments and the accident and emergency departments, so that those who improvement of facilities. The plans for north-west need primary care get primary care and those who need 1559 A and E and Ambulance Services18 DECEMBER 2014 A and E and Ambulance Services 1560

[Sir Tony Baldry] The hon. Gentleman is right. What we cannot do, given the pressures faced by the NHS, is start pointing A and E services get A and E services. Was the urgent fingers at individual hospitals, because even well-run question not simply a new form of political ambulance- hospitals are experiencing a high level of pressure. chasing? Hospitals tell us that the solution is often not in their own hands. It is a question of the number of people Mr Hunt: What my right hon. Friend has said about who turn up at the front door and the number of people what is happening in Oxfordshire is very important. I whom they are able to discharge at the back, and if commend the efforts that are being made there, as well neither of those problems is sorted out—which will as those that are being made in so many other parts of require proper links with the rest of the local NHS—there the country. It is interesting to note that all the questions will be further problems. The system resilience groups that are being asked by those on the Government Benches that are now working throughout the country are trying are about the details of how we can help the NHS to get to deal with the issue. through the winter, while on the Opposition Benches it is all about politics. I think we know which side cares Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con): I praise about patients the most. the clinical and other staff at Worthing and Swandean Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (UKIP): There have been hospitals, and at Rustington’s Zachary Merton hospital. serious problems with ambulance response times in Could hospitals and GPs in each region or locality get Clacton. I recognise that the ambulance trust is addressing together with care homes and nursing homes and establish, some of them, and I recognise that the Secretary of with the help of paramedics and members of the ambulance State is taking genuine steps, not least in establishing service, which people should be taken to hospital and proper inspection systems, which is fantastic. However, which people should remain at the nursing or care many of the problems have been connected with turnaround homes? Too often, people in old age are taken to times at Colchester hospital’s A and E department. hospital when that is inappropriate. Would it not be helpful if patients could access primary care via GPs in the first place rather than being forced Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I commend to go to A and E departments? Emergency care would the care at Worthing hospital. As he will know, I try to be then accessible in emergencies. go out on the NHS front line and take part in a shift most weeks, and the very first hospital I went to was Mr Hunt: The long-term solution is to provide more Worthing hospital, where I thought the care was excellent. GPs and GP capacity, which is why we plan to train He is right that it is about close working; people in care 5,000 more GPs over the course of the next Parliament, homes who end up going to A and Es when they could but that will take time, so we need to find shorter-term have been better looked after at their care home is solutions. We are working with the Royal College of probably top of the list of admissions to hospital that General Practitioners to establish what can be done in we could avoid, because we know the vast majority of the short and medium term. those people will end up being admitted to hospital if Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Does my right they arrive at an A and E. That is often not the best hon. Friend agree that hoax calls are one of the causes thing for people with late-stage dementia, for example, of the pressures on the ambulance service, and that so my hon. Friend is absolutely right and I want to those responsible should always be prosecuted and dealt reassure him that that is a big focus of our efforts this with in the most severe manner possible? winter. Mr Hunt: It is totally unacceptable for people to Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): Mrs J, an create extra pressure on ambulance services when they elderly constituent of mine, waited two hours following should not be doing so. One of the encouraging aspects a fall for an ambulance that should have reached her in of the better care programme is the fact that we are 30 minutes. The Secretary of State will be aware that starting to analyse the ambulance service, the local there have been similar cases, not least the one described NHS and the social care system in order to establish to the Deputy Prime Minister by my hon. Friend the where the highest volumes of ambulance calls are coming Member for Bolton West (Julie Hilling) at Prime Minister’s from and sort out the problem. questions last week. Two calls were made to the North Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab): Two West ambulance service in respect of Mrs J, and one weeks ago, along with other Members of Parliament, I was received from NWAS one and a half hours after the met executives of the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS first report, explaining there would be a delay in getting Foundation Trust, which, as I am sure the Secretary of an ambulance to her because of pressures in the system. State agrees, is an outstanding trust that invariably While it is welcome that the family and carers were kept meets its care and financial targets. However, we were informed about what was going on, is it not a symptom told that even that trust was not meeting its A and E of terrible pressures in the system that routine operating targets. Would the Secretary of State care to reflect on procedures now have to include call-backs to explain the fact that if a trust as good as the Sheffield Teaching delays? Hospitals trust is experiencing those problems now, there is a real prospect of crisis in the NHS this winter? Mr Hunt: The hon. Lady is right, and there is particular pressure in the ambulance service across the country. Mr Hunt: I agree that that is an excellent hospital, We are putting in £50 million of winter-pressures money and I commend the leadership of Sir Andrew Cash, its to help address those issues. Where there are unavoidable chief executive. I have been to the hospital myself; it was delays because of other emergencies at the same time, it absolutely spotless, and I was very impressed by what is important to get the communication right, and I do Isaw. not think we do that as well as we should. There are 1561 A and E and Ambulance Services18 DECEMBER 2014 A and E and Ambulance Services 1562 times when we could give more specific information ambulance service, has said that more than 6,000 calls about the likely arrival times of ambulances, according were made in the capital over the Christmas period last to the algorithms used by 999 and 111 call-handlers. year in connection with alcohol-related incidents. Does That would keep the public better informed. That is the Secretary of State agree that that is unacceptable something we are looking at. and that it places an unfair burden on the service?

Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): West midlands Mr Hunt: I do. I thank my hon. Friend for going out ambulance paramedics and staff do a brilliant job with his local ambulance service. Indeed, I want to under great pressure at the moment, but one thing that thank the many Members on both sides of the House the head of the ambulance service has mentioned to me who go out and see what is happening on the NHS front is the difficulty in planning ahead to provide more line. The problem that my hon. Friend raises is exactly vehicles and staff because some of the funding—not the kind of problem we are trying to address. I do not particularly the winter-pressures funding, but funding want to pretend that all these problems can be addressed around Stafford hospital—is on a short-term recurring, this winter. Part of the issue is that the quickest way to rather than a long-term, basis. Might the Secretary of see a doctor is to go to A and E, where the average State look into that and see how it could be made long waiting time to see a doctor is only half an hour across term, so that instead of paying lots of overtime, we the country. That is the fastest time anywhere in the could recruit and train more paramedics? world. We need to find better out-of-hospital alternatives, and better alternatives to calling an ambulance, if we Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to draw are to reduce the pressure on the emergency services. attention to that issue. One issue that has been debated often in this House is the money we waste in the NHS Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): It was reported on locum staff, who are much more expensive than recently that Bristol’s Southmead hospital was the third full-time staff. One of the ways we can deal with that is worst performing hospital in the country on emergency through something I announced in my response to the targets, with only 84% of cases seen within four hours. extra money in the autumn statement on our long-term NHS England temporarily withheld £1.35 million to plan for the NHS, which is to give multi-year commissioning cope with extra winter demand while a believable contracts and multi-year tariffs to trusts, so that they improvement plan was produced. Clearly, 84% is nowhere can have a longer-term horizon. Too often the planning near acceptable, particularly as we approach winter. horizon is just for the next year. Indeed, I think there is What can the Department of Health do to ensure that a discussion to be had about whether this winter pressures Southmead hospital improves its performance? money we put in every year to help could be better integrated in NHS core budgets, as a way of making Mr Hunt: We are doing a number of things. I have sure we get the best use of that money. spoken to people in the Bristol area about what we need to do to improve the situation there and I assure the Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East hon. Lady that we are focusing on it. It is partly why we Cleveland) (Lab): North-East ambulance service is now are putting in £700 million this year to help hospitals to the eighth out of 10 ambulance services to be moved to cope with those pressures. We have a brand new hospital operational level 4 as a result of winter pressures—while in Bristol as well, and it has had some teething problems, temperatures are 12° C and above. In my area, the local but I am confident that the staff there are working hospital trust is £91 million in deficit and the Government incredibly hard to turn the situation around. have gone into a process of closing minor injuries units in Guisborough hospital and Brotton hospital and walk-in Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): In Dover, we are centres in Skelton and Park End. Does the Health looking at ways of reducing the pressure on A and E Secretary believe any of those factors might be adding through the Prime Minister’s “8 till 8” challenge fund, to winter pressures, or am I just scaremongering and and at upgrading the minor injuries unit to create a being political? local emergency centre. Is that not a more fruitful thing to do than simply revelling in the winter problems in the Mr Hunt: If the hon. Gentleman looks at the facts, NHS, as the Opposition have been doing? rather than being political, he will see that in his constituency there are more doctors and nurses and more front-line Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend is right. The NHS wants to clinical staff than there were, and he will find that more know that it has a Government who have a long-term people are getting operations and more people are plan for the NHS, who are prepared to fund that plan being seen at A and E departments than when his party and who have thought about the long-term solutions. was in power. That is why, I am afraid, it is very Better access to GPs is one of the key things, as is access political. I notice that on the day when the Labour to a GP who actually knows about the patient and their party is saying that there is a big issue with winter condition. Sadly, we lost named GPs following the pressures in the NHS, fewer than 10 Labour Back changes to the GP contract in 2004, but I am proud to Benchers are present—fewer than 10; that is how seriously say that, from next April, we will be bringing them Labour is interested in this issue. Is it not really about back. the politics? Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): Having Co-op): The Secretary of State has accused Opposition accompanied the London ambulance service on a shift Members of political scaremongering. Perhaps I should at the Mill Hill depot in my constituency, I have seen the refer him to the Public Accounts Committee’s report on unrealistic demands placed on the ambulance service. out-of-hours services, which showed cost-shunting to Fiona Moore, the medical director of the London the ambulance service by out-of-hours providers, and 1563 A and E and Ambulance Services18 DECEMBER 2014 A and E and Ambulance Services 1564

[Meg Hillier] two of my ministerial colleagues are covered by the east of England ambulance service and we are very conscious to our recent hearing on A and E, which revealed an of the problems there. The situation is getting better but incredible waste of public money and a lack of joined-up there is a long way to go. thinking. That is not scaremongering; those are facts from the National Audit Office being interpreted by Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): My right hon. Friend Members from all parties. is fully aware, because he attended the Health Committee last week, that accident and emergency services do not Mr Hunt: Yes, and those are the facts that we are operate in isolation. So does he not agree that integrating acting on with our winter plans. We are trying to reduce not only in-hours and out-of-hours GPs, NHS 111, the amount of money spent on locum staff and to ambulances services and minor injuries units, but social increase flow going into and out of A and E departments. services, mental health services and dental services is There is a huge amount of practical things that can be essential to ensure that we have fewer avoidable A and E done. I have absolutely no problem with dealing with admissions and that we therefore reduce the pressure we constructive suggestions from both sides of the House are debating today? on how we can help A and E departments to get through a difficult winter. It is unacceptable, however, Mr Hunt: I do agree. The first thing we could do as a constantly to turn this issue into a political football, step towards that is properly integrate out-of-hours when everyone knows that the pressures of an ageing care, linking out-of-hours GP services, A and E departments population are making life very difficult for NHS staff and 111 departments. Obviously, that needs to be linked and that those staff have a Government who are doing into the in-hours GP care that people will give. I wish to everything they can to support them. commend the efforts being made in Cornwall to improve A and E performance, which has been getting better in Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con): I welcome the recent weeks. We are all very encouraged by that, because extra money for the NHS this winter, but what more there have been a lot of challenges in that area. can the Secretary of State do to improve awareness of and confidence in the 111 system, in order to stop Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): I people going to A and E when they do not really need thank the Secretary of State for the personal support he to do so? has given to Medway Maritime hospital, particularly the extra £5.5 million given to the hospital to improve its A and E services. Will he confirm that hospitals in Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend asks an important question. special measures and in challenging circumstances will The 111 service is one of the elements of the long-term receive any additional resources they need over the solution that we have not touched on much this morning. coming winter months? There are definitely things that we can do to make the service better. For example, if someone is put through Mr Hunt: We absolutely will make sure that we give to a GP, that GP could, with the patient’s permission, Medway what it needs. I wish to thank my hon. Friend access their medical records. That would give the GP for his tireless campaigning to improve the situation, as access to information about the patient’s allergies, their it is very challenging there at the moment and he has medication history and other key information that would taken a responsible attitude towards it. It is really help the GP to give better advice. I am pleased to hear important to praise the staff at the hospital, who are from NHS England that, by the end of this year, a third working very hard, and to reassure his constituents that of 111 centres will be able to access GP records with the although there are many improvement to be made, patient’s permission. there is a lot of excellent care in that hospital and we all want to get there as quickly as we can. Robert Jenrick (Newark) (Con): Will the Secretary of State join me in praising the Fosse Way first responders Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): When I visited the and the staff of the East Midlands ambulance service, A and E department of the University Hospitals Coventry whom I will be going out with over the Christmas and Warwickshire NHS Trust in Coventry, I saw some period? The East Midlands ambulance service has its hard-working, dedicated staff dealing with many patients problems, with the last Care Quality Commission report who had chosen to be there, rather than making an finding it was failing on four of the six major measures, appointment with their GP, because that was easier and and any support he can give the service will be much more accessible. Does the Secretary of State agree that appreciated by its new leadership. Does he agree that much of the challenge of getting to see a GP arises from Nottinghamshire residents will be surprised to hear of the GP contract negotiated by the previous Government? the Opposition spokesman’s interest in ambulance services, given that we in Nottinghamshire trace the failings of Mr Hunt: We know that there were some serious our service directly back to the last Labour Government’s problems in that contract. Interestingly, the hon. Member decision to regionalise the ambulances services, which for St Ives (Andrew George) was talking about integrated took an excellent ambulance service down to a failing care, but we used to have named GPs who were responsible one within five years? for the entirety of someone’s care—the GP’s name was on that person’s medical record. That was abolished in Mr Hunt: Interestingly, the Opposition, who are trying 2004, which was a very big mistake—we absolutely to make so much of this, have actually run out of want to put it right. questions in an urgent question on a matter that they said was very urgent. I commend my hon. Friend’s Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): When the interest in the east of England and I reassure him that Opposition use the NHS for political point scoring it we discuss it most weeks in my Department, because can undermine the efforts of staff and cause unnecessary 1565 A and E and Ambulance Services18 DECEMBER 2014 A and E and Ambulance Services 1566 anxiety to constituents. A previous example of that was responders in Yorkshire ambulance service, Lincolnshire on 26 November when at Prime Minister’s questions it ambulance service and throughout the country, responding was suggested that Scunthorpe general hospital was to cardiac arrest, respiratory disease and so on. On the turning away emergency cases, which was not the case. matter of community service, what are the Government That necessitated the shadow Secretary of State’s office doing in the light of the Royal College of Nursing ringing the chief executive to clarify the situation. Will saying to us at a Health Committee a few weeks ago my right hon. Friend take this opportunity to thank the that a failure to invest properly in community services staff at Scunthorpe’s hospital and reassure my constituents 10 to 15 years ago is having a major impact now on our that it is open for business? hospitals?

Mr Hunt: I am happy to do that. Staff will have been Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend is right about that. Just as extremely disappointed at the efforts of the Labour this Government have taken a very robust attitude party to try to turn into some sort of political football towards poor care in hospitals—we now have 6,000 more the services that they offer under a lot of pressure and nurses on our hospital wards following the Francis with much hard work. Members of the public just need report—we need to take an equally robust attitude to look at the Chamber right now, and they will see towards what is provided in people’s homes, to make which party believes in the NHS and which party does sure that we have proper care. It is a false economy to not. cut back on out-of-hospital care to pay for hospital care, as we need both. Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): Tomorrow I will be visiting the Worcestershire Royal hospital, part of Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD) rose— the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust, in which there are 144 more nurses, midwives and health visitors Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam) (LD) rose— as a result of investment by this Government. Hospital staff tell me that winter pressures are added to by the Mr Speaker: An absolutely delicious intellectual beauty number of long-term dementia patients who are staying parade. Mr Martin Horwood. on wards. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we need to keep increasing investment in that area to ensure that Martin Horwood: Mr Speaker, your festive generosity we get better dementia care? equals only that of Father Christmas. Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. One of Gloucestershire hospitals have been under severe pressure the most heartbreaking things is to see someone with in recent days, but is not one complicating factor that, advanced dementia arriving in an A and E department. in Gloucestershire and elsewhere, every unplanned GP People do not know anything about their medical history admission to hospital goes via the emergency department? and the best care that they need, and it becomes very Although such cases may be relatively urgent, they are difficult for the hospital to discharge them in that not necessarily what most of us would understand as an situation. Having proper personalised care wrapped accident or an emergency. around those individuals will normally mean that hospital is not the best place for them to go. Indeed, to echo the Mr Hunt: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to comments that have already been made, the key to that make that point. There has been a lot of support for the is knowing where they would like to die. Very often it is NHS today from Liberal Democrats. If they are ever not hospital, so we need to be much better in that considering which is the best partner to back the NHS regard. at any hypothetical time in the future, they should know that there is only one party that can provide the strong Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con): Will economy to fund a strong NHS. my right hon. Friend examine the discharge situation in Gloucestershire Royal hospital? We had an instance this Paul Burstow: My compliments of the season to you, week of which he may be aware of clinically fit patients Mr Speaker. not being able to be discharged. We have some excellent May I draw attention to the fact that people with community hospitals in Gloucestershire. Will his mental health problems have double the attendance Department examine that problem to ensure that all rates in accident and emergency departments compared branches of the NHS—the acute trust, the care services with the general population? Given that fact, is it not trust and the commissioning group—work closely together strange that successive Governments have not invested to avoid that problem becoming a real issue in the new in the evidence? If we invest in liaison psychiatry, we year? can reduce the numbers needing to go to A and E and give them better results as well. Is it not time that this Mr Hunt: I thank my hon. Friend for championing Government did that and did it even more than they are care for his constituents. Let me reassure him: I had a planning to do? meeting on that very issue on Monday. It is important that the NHS community care sector plays its role Mr Hunt: Yes, my right hon. Friend is absolutely alongside the social care sector in making effective right. I can reassure him that we are investing more in discharge possible. liaison psychiatry both this year and next year. The Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): I thank the North Norfolk (Norman Lamb), has particularly Secretary of State for his kind words about first responders. championed that, as it is a very good way in which to I will be on duty tonight, as will thousands of first reduce pressure on A and E departments. 1567 18 DECEMBER 2014 UK Anti-corruption Plan 1568

UK Anti-corruption Plan Stephen Barclay: I thank the Minister for his statement. The plan is welcome and includes a number of welcome measures, such as action 47, which changes the legal 11.14 am test that applies to restraint orders. Will the Minister Stephen Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire) (Con) confirm that there are a number of notable omissions? (Urgent Question): To ask the Minister to make a For example, the plan does not address the introduction statement on the Government’s anti-corruption plan. of unexplained wealth orders. Does he accept that 38 days to prove that a complex international transaction The Minister for Business and Enterprise (Matthew is corrupt is a pernicious time limit? Hancock): I am delighted to tell the House that we are Does the Minister accept that the plan is silent on today publishing the UK’s first anti-corruption plan. limited liability partnerships used as shell companies? The Government are doing more than ever before to Does it address the lack of judicial powers identified in tackle the blight of corruption here and around the the recent judgment from Lady Justice Gloster? The world and the new cross-Government plan sets out Minister mentioned resourcing, so will he confirm how 60 actions for Government and partners over the year many people have agreed to transfer to the new unit, ahead. I pay tribute to my right hon. and learned Friend given that the police do not have TUPE powers and that the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke) and the Under- it has been suggested that only two of the 35 had agreed Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. to that transfer? Friend the Member for Staffordshire Moorlands (Karen Will the Minister address the fact that the plan refers Bradley), for their work on this issue. to a review of the regime on suspicious activity reports, The new anti-corruption plan sets out how we will when the issue is what happens when SARs are reported? build a better picture of how corruption affects society Out of the 316,000 reported, only 110 were subject to and the economy; strengthen our legal and operational investigation by the proceeds of crime unit. Why does tools and activity; enhance our law enforcement response; the plan appear silent on that issue? Will he also address deny use of our financial system to those trying to issues such as beneficial ownership? The Prime Minister abuse it; and step up efforts internationally. I will deal has given welcome leadership on beneficial ownership, with those points briefly and in turn. but the plan seems to ignore the fact that about 45% of First, it is crucial that we know better the breadth of London property over £2 million is owned by offshore corruption and how it affects the economy. It is clear companies. It is silent about the time scale on the that corruption harms prosperity and undermines societies overseas territories, other than pushing it back to the where it is rampant, so we are establishing a new intelligence end of 2016. capacity based in the National Crime Agency with a global reach to investigate and collate evidence in Finally, the Minister wrote a very good book—I am a single place and to make that information available to sure it is still available in all good bookshops—calling investigators, potentially worldwide. We will merge the for much tougher sanctions against those in banks resources currently split between the City of London guilty of regulatory breaches. Why, when he proposed police, the Met and the National Crime Agency into a criminal sanctions in his book, does the plan stay silent new international corruption unit based in the NCA on the fact that the biggest fine in the past decade, on a and we are considering what further funding can be money laundering reporting officer, was £17,500? Was directed to support and enhance this work. my hon. Friend’s plan not an opportunity to preach about what he wrote? We are strengthening our operational tools and the legal framework. We are currently legislating for a new offence of police corruption and operationally pooling Matthew Hancock: That is the second time in two investigators who have previously been split among days that somebody has referred to my book, which I difference forces and agencies. Through the Small Business, thought was long forgotten. I am delighted not to have Enterprise and Employment Bill we are leading the way to promote it myself and that others are doing so for on establishing the first public central registry of beneficial me. ownership, recording who owns companies registered in My hon. Friend raises a series of important points. the UK. That will help law enforcement agencies to This is the first UK anti-corruption plan that brings remove the corporate veil that too often is used to cover together actions across Government. It takes significant up corrupt activities. steps forward, but nobody would say that the job is Britain will be the first country in the EU to provide complete. Everybody would say that there is further transparency to payments made by multinational companies work to do, and I look forward to working with him in the extractives sector and, finally, we will step up our and other right hon. and hon. Members to do that. efforts internationally. We are working with partners Ultimately, we have to balance the need for transparent around the world to build on the G8 commitments at and non-corrupt contracts with the fact that Britain Lough Erne to drive this agenda internationally and gains great advantage around the world from having the strengthen the global system. Britain will lead the way legal system on which many, many international contracts in her historic role of providing the secure, transparent are based. So we need to draw up the plan carefully and and fair basis of law to govern how we do business, to sensibly, but at the same time firmly. stamp out corruption at home and abroad so that all On overseas territories, I can confirm that conversations can prosper in a truly free economy where the legitimate are under way with overseas territories to ensure that hard-working business cannot be undercut by the dishonest progress is made, and we are indeed making good and the corrupt. For centuries, Britain has played this progress. On the transfer of new units, the two units in role and we must do so again. I commend the anti- the police that have the biggest impact on corruption corruption plan to the House. are in the Met and the City of London police, and both 1569 UK Anti-corruption Plan18 DECEMBER 2014 UK Anti-corruption Plan 1570 of those units will be part of the National Crime for their publicly exposed persons—a matter that was Agency. We are undertaking an additional piece of raised by the APPG? What discussions has the Minister work to review how much further we need to go in the had with the British overseas territories, which are a institutional arrangements. For too long all the work on huge component in this issue? anti-corruption was split between a multitude of forces Given last month’s Financial Conduct Authority report and agencies. I am sure my hon. Friend would agree, as which concluded that most small banks have significant he was previously an investigator of such activity. Instead, problems with anti-money laundering provisions, what that work is being brought together in the NCA. measures are in the plan to deliver a more focused On the point about the number of alleged offences money-laundering regime? taken forward, the purpose is precisely to raise that number. I hope that further action will be taken. On Finally, will the Minister join me in wishing everyone beneficial ownership, following the Lough Erne agreement, in the House a very merry Christmas? the clauses being considered in the other place, which went through this House in the autumn, are among the Matthew Hancock: I think the hon. Gentleman and most advanced in the world in making sure that corporate members of his office would benefit from reading my transparency is the order of the day—the standard book, because it is all about why the worst financial practice. We will see how those clauses bed down. I have crash in the history of the world happened on Labour’s no doubt that in years to come we will want to review watch. Labour Members have a few lessons to learn. the effectiveness of those clauses to make sure that they The hon. Gentleman rather unhelpfully missed the are used appropriately and that the functioning of the tone of this discussion, but I will deal with the more register works. Crucially, we must make sure that we constructive elements of his questions. The issue of continue to drive forward the actions in the UK that resources is very important. First, it is about the effectiveness have relevance around the world to make sure that we of the deployment of resources. Bringing together actors stamp out corruption wherever we find it. from different agencies will help to deliver a more Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): If staff in my effective response from any level of resources. Some of office are watching this exchange, may I say to the the funding currently comes from the DFID budget. We person assigned to give me a “secret Santa” gift that I are exploring how international development funding would prefer not to receive the Minister’s book? can further support anti-corruption work at home and abroad. That is part of the plan, and announcements We know that corruption can do huge harm. The cost will be made on it in the coming months. of corruption in Africa has been estimated at £100 billion and the EU estimates that the cost to Europe is £120 billion I am glad to report that the ministerial group has a year, much of it incubated here in the United Kingdom. met. I chair it, alongside the Under-Secretary of State That is why the UK must pledge to do its part in for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member cracking down on corruption. We welcome the steps for Staffordshire Moorlands, and it includes representatives that the Government have taken so far and we welcome from across Government and different agencies. We are today’s plan, although the House has been waiting since accountable to Parliament, and I am indeed reporting June for it to be published. I pay tribute to the all-party back now. Discussions with the overseas territories are parliamentary group on anti-corruption, which has done under way, as I said to my hon. Friend the Member for so much to push the agenda forward. North East Cambridgeshire (Stephen Barclay). The Labour Government introduced the Corporate I welcome the cross-party support for an anti-corruption Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 and plan. The substance of the hon. Gentleman’s questions the Bribery Act 2010, which allows for the criminal was relevant. I look forward to working with him, with prosecution of any organisation the APPG and with others to strengthen the plan “which is incorporated under the law of any part of the United further, because we are a better and stronger United Kingdom” Kingdom if we work together to enact it. for the failure to prevent bribery. I have a number of questions for the Minister about the plan and his statement. Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): Clearly, we all want to What resources will be available for enforcement of do everything we can to tackle corruption effectively, the new action plan beyond the pooling of existing but I worry that the rules become so onerous that they resources? The plan states that a new central bribery catch an awful lot of legitimate small businesses and and corruption unit will be created within the National traders. Can the Minister assure me that the right Crime Agency by bringing together resources from the balance will be struck so that rules will not be so NCA and Department for International Development- onerous and officious that it is very difficult for law-abiding funded units. In June 2014 it was reported that the people to comply with them? budget of the Serious Fraud Office, the agency previously responsible for investigating and prosecuting the most Matthew Hancock: My hon. Friend makes an important serious cases of fraud and bribery, had fallen from point that was also made by the Opposition spokesman. £52 million to £32 million, so what resources will be in We need to ensure that the money-laundering regulations, place? in particular, do their job of tackling money laundering When will the new inter-ministerial group meet, who without putting undue burdens on ordinary people and will make up its membership, and, vitally, how will it on other businesses. There is a vital balance to be report back to this House? struck. Many changes can be made in order to reduce What impact will the action plan have on DFID and burdens while ensuring that the rules are just as tight, if on UK aid recipients? Will the Government take steps not tighter, on the perpetrators of corruption whom we to make aid recipient countries publish asset declarations really want to capture. 1571 UK Anti-corruption Plan18 DECEMBER 2014 UK Anti-corruption Plan 1572

Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): Will the James Ibori conviction was hailed both by the diaspora Minister assure me that the anti-corruption laws will and by many in Nigeria. Will the Minister explain how apply to arms deals and to British arms exports? Will the plan will help more such cases come to court and they involve forensic examination of any supposed tackle corruption with this important partner? corruption that has gone on between arms sales and regimes in other parts of the world rather than suspending Matthew Hancock: The first and most important Serious Fraud Office inquiries, as in the case of an element of the plan that will have an impact is that it investigation into the Al-Yamamah arms contract with will bring together the domestic resources used to tackle Saudi Arabia? such issues—instead of having them splintered among different agencies and departments—and its transparency Matthew Hancock: Of course, the principles in the measures will make sure that we can better tackle anti-corruption plan apply across all sectors. The UK’s corruption through transparency and also disincentivise export control organisation is robust, as is our set of it, because people will know that it will be harder to rules, which will continue to apply. hide. I hope that those two things will help reduce corruption. If we ever manage to stamp out corruption Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): I welcome the as a society, that would be great, but this is about Government’s anti-corruption plan and, indeed, the reducing it as much as possible. extractive industries transparency initiative, which performs a similar function. When will that initiative be extended Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): Given that the to other industries? UK maintains a responsibility to ensure good governance Matthew Hancock: The extractive industries transparency in the overseas territories, when will those countries initiative is specific to those industries. The Small Business, actually be required to implement beneficial ownership Enterprise and Employment Bill will extend ownership rules themselves? transparency across all industries, so in a sense we are tackling the whole piece in one go. If my hon. Friend Matthew Hancock: We are working very closely with wants to suggest different industries that need a specific the overseas territories. Progress has been made. There initiative targeted at them, I would be very happy to is recognition among them that they need to act and listen to him. conversations with them are ongoing. Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): The Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): The Minister is not able to Minister will know that when agencies are brought tell the House which resources will be deployed in the together to create one agency, that can sometimes create new bribery and corruption unit or who will sit on the a form of rationalisation. Does he anticipate a reduction intergovernmental committee that he will chair. It seems in the resources needed to make the new agency work? that the only thing he is able to tell the House this morning is that his book is still available in all good Matthew Hancock: As I have said, we are looking at book shops. how the budget of the Department for International Development, through its designated funding, can support Matthew Hancock: I have said that the current resources this work, because we are very clear that there is further will be deployed and we are working further on that. I work to do both internationally and domestically. have also announced that this is not a future inter-ministerial group, but an existing inter-ministerial group. With Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): When the hon. Member those two answers, I wish the hon. Gentleman a very for York Central (Hugh Bayley) and I were in Dodoma happy Christmas. last month with the International Development Committee, all Tanzanian eyes were transfixed on a parliamentary Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): The Minister hearing, at which its Public Accounts Committee was has mentioned Britain’s leadership on extractive looking into a substantial local corruption scandal. transparency and I certainly welcome the fact that we What work are the Government doing to liaise with have belatedly signed up to the EITI. Does he accept Parliaments across the world—their public accounts that the previous Government made a huge mistake in committees, and indeed the Parliaments themselves, are launching the EITI on to the world but then not signing taking these matters seriously—to ensure that we can the UK up to it, because that created the impression co-operate with them? that it was a product just for corrupt countries? Now that we have fully signed up to it—we are leading the way in Europe in that regard—will the Minister embrace Matthew Hancock: This Parliament has a proud history the recommendation of the Business, Innovation and of helping Parliaments around the world to strengthen Skills Committee that we should be a champion of best their capability to take forward this sort of investigation. practice in extractive transparency? I hope that having a more focused, cross-Government approach in the UK means that we can take it further Matthew Hancock: I pay tribute to the work of the from the point of view of the Government. If there is BIS Committee, particularly that recommendation. My more that Parliament can do to help parliamentary hon. Friend has made an eloquent criticism of the scrutiny elsewhere, I am sure that that will be looked at. previous Government, but I think today is a day to bring all sides together. Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): May I press the Minister on his rather opaque answer on the question Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ of property ownership? As has been said, it is estimated Co-op): Many Nigerians I meet are very positive about that about 45% of London property valued at more the steps the UK is taking to tackle corruption. The than £2 million is owned by offshore companies. Does 1573 UK Anti-corruption Plan18 DECEMBER 2014 UK Anti-corruption Plan 1574 he not think that it is in the public interest that we made with Britain’s overseas territories, and perhaps a should know who the beneficial owners of those properties timetable for each of the overseas territories to implement are? The plan does not require that to be made public. the beneficial ownership rules? He mentioned laws going through the other place and said that they will need time to bed down, but does he Matthew Hancock: There is progress in two areas: the not think that the time for action is now? first is fiscal and on tax, and the second is on transparency. The overseas territories are each in a slightly different Matthew Hancock: The time for action is indeed now. position, so the answer is complicated, but I would be The clauses in the Small Business, Enterprise and very happy to report in future on how that is progressing. Employment Bill, which have gone through this House and are now going through the other place, will put in Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): DFID and place the central register for the first time. If we want to other Departments are doing world-class work in this expand what is in the central register once it is set up, we area. Does the Minister have a view on how the UK should of course consider that. anti-corruption plan stacks up against those of our international partners? Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): On tackling corruption and working with our international Matthew Hancock: I would say that this plan is one of partners, does the Minister agree that people in certain the most advanced anti-corruption plans, but I also pay developing countries need to ensure that everyone at tribute to the work of DFID. Corruption undermines every level pays their taxes, including Members of prosperity and development as much as, if not more Parliament and members of Governments around the than, almost any other failing, so focusing DFID resources world? Only when they start paying their taxes and on measures to tackle corruption is a very powerful way leading from the front will we really be able to tackle to help development. We must make sure that we use corruption. the DFID budget in a way that promotes long-term prosperity, and tackling corruption is a very powerful Matthew Hancock: I thought that my hon. Friend way of doing so. was about to mention the Mayor of London. My hon. Friend makes an important point. As he Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Last month, a knows, this Government have taken a huge amount of report published by the Financial Conduct Authority action to ensure that taxes are low but are paid. We have concluded that most small banks have significant problems raised about £5 billion more a year by tackling tax with anti-money laundering. Given that finding, will avoidance in the UK. We have brought in new techniques my right hon. Friend explain what measures in the plan to do that. I am sure that other Governments around will deliver a more focused money laundering regulatory the world under financial pressures could benefit in the regime? same way. Matthew Hancock: Again, the question is how we can Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): The have strong money-laundering and anti-corruption rules Minister mentioned that discussions are taking place that cause distress to those who try to break them, but with Britain’s overseas territories and his belief that do not place undue burdens on perfectly legitimate progress is being made, but he did not explain to the individuals and businesses. Getting the right balance House precisely what progress he believes is being made. between the two is very important and there is more Will he set out precisely what progress he thinks is being work to do. 1575 18 DECEMBER 2014 Business of the House 1576

Business of the House The report sets out a series of sensible reforms that have the potential to move the administration of this place into the 21st century. It is right to conclude that 11.40 am the role of Clerk and chief executive should be split; it is Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): Will the Leader of right that we should reform the House of Commons the House give us the business for next year? Commission and the Management Board; and it is right that we should explore quickly how we can share more The First Secretary of State and Leader of the House services between the Commons and the Lords. Does the of Commons (Mr William Hague): The business for the Leader of the House agree that it is important that the week commencing 5 January 2015, and therefore next House debates and acts on the report swiftly? Will he year, will be: therefore confirm that it is his intention to move with alacrity to call a debate on it? Perhaps he even has a MONDAY 5JANUARY—Second Reading of the Serious date in mind. Crime Bill [Lords]. Amid the festive flurry of written statements that TUESDAY 6JANUARY—Remaining stages of the Counter- have been published this week, I note that we still do not Terrorism and Security Bill (Day 1). have the long overdue list of special advisers and their WEDNESDAY 7JANUARY—Conclusion of the remaining pay. After the Prime Minister promised to cap their stages of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill. numbers and cut the cost of politics, he authorised a massive increase in their numbers and their cost. He THURSDAY 8JANUARY—Debate on a motion relating to higher education funding, followed by debate on a now seems to have stopped publishing any details whatever. motion relating to Gibraltar. The subjects for both Will the Leader of the House tell us what on earth is debates were determined by the Backbench Business going on and when we can expect the list to be published, Committee. or is he hiding something? I note that, yet again, the Government have failed to FRIDAY 9JANUARY—Private Members’ Bills. bring forward the money resolution for the Bill on the The provisional business for the week commencing NHS that is promoted by my hon. Friend the Member 12 January 2015 will include: for Eltham (Clive Efford). Will the Leader of the House MONDAY 12 JANUARY—Consideration in Committee tell us when it will be forthcoming? and remaining stages of the Stamp Duty Land Tax Bill, On Tuesday, the House voted overwhelmingly in followed by consideration of Lords amendments to the favour of the Bill tabled by my hon. Friend the Member Consumer Rights Bill, followed by motion to approve a for Rotherham (Sarah Champion) requiring large carryover extension on the Consumer Rights Bill. companies to publish their gender pay gap. We know I should also like to inform the House that the that women earn an average of £209,000 less than men business in Westminster Hall for 8 January will be: over their lifetime, and the Government are clearly so concerned that they have done absolutely nothing about THURSDAY 8JANUARY—Debate on the first report it for four years. Seven Conservative MPs even voted from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee against the Bill. Will the Leader of the House confirm on winter floods 2013-14. that the Government will now listen to the will of the I would also like to inform the House that my right House and implement section 78 of Labour’s Equality hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has Act 2010? Will he also tell us whether his equivalent in announced the date of the Budget statement. It will be the Lords, Baroness Stowell, is still being paid less than on Wednesday 18 March. he is? May I take this opportunity to wish you, Mr Speaker, Given that this is our last sitting day before the and all right hon. and hon. Members a very merry Christmas recess, I want to take the opportunity, as the Christmas? I am sure that the whole House will join me Leader of the House did, to wish all right hon. and hon. in recognising the outstanding work that goes on to Members, all the House staff and you, Mr Speaker, a support the House throughout the year. I thank all staff very merry Christmas and a happy new year. It seems who work in the service of the House and wish them a that everyone is getting into the Christmas spirit in their restful and peaceful Christmas and a happy new year. own way. The Chancellor, who is Parliament’s very own [HON.MEMBERS: “Hear, hear!”] incorrigible Scrooge, has been visited by the ghost of Christmas future, and he is the only person in the Ms Eagle: I thank the Leader of the House for country who likes what he sees. The Prime Minister has announcing the business for the first week back—a task been spotted pigeon shooting with a full police escort, that he will have just 10 more times before Dissolution because apparently he misses killing things, and the UK in March and before he bows out after a quarter of a Independence party has been busy putting on its very century as an MP. We will all be sad to see him go, even own nativity play—it sent the wise men back to where though he may be mightily relieved. they came from and told the Virgin Mary to stop I welcome yesterday’s unanimously agreed report breastfeeding in public. from the House of Commons Governance Committee, The festive season is now in full swing, and I have which was presented to the House ahead of the extremely been hearing all about the coalition Christmas party. challenging schedule that the House laid down in its There was a bit too much excitement at the start, and motion of 10 September. I would like to take this early there are now lots of people regretting saying things opportunity to congratulate my right hon. Friend the that they did not mean. They have learned that if you Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw), all the members of end up in bed with somebody, you can regret it for years the Committee and its hard-working staff on producing to come. We can just imagine the games they were such practical recommendations. playing—for the Home Secretary and the Chancellor it 1577 Business of the House18 DECEMBER 2014 Business of the House 1578 was less musical chairs and more “Game of Thrones”. The hon. Lady compared the coalition to a Christmas For the Liberal Democrats it was “Twister” when they party and getting into bed with each other, but it is not should have been playing “Pointless”, and the Tories often that someone signs an agreement to get into bed rewrote “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to reflect their for five years specifically, knowing that at the end of past year—four resignations, three Euro-fudges, two those five years they will be happy to be on their own. lost MPs and a Chief Whip who’s nowhere to be seen. That, however, is what we did in the coalition agreement, and at the end of this year of coalition Government, as we come up to Christmas, we can celebrate what in Mr Hague: It is always a pleasure to listen to the hon. my view is the most important fact: unemployment is Lady, and it was nice of her to say that she will be sad to 455,000 lower than it was 12 months ago. There are see me go. If it is a plot to get me to stay, it will fail. I am 326,000 more businesses in this country than there were determined about the going bit, but also determined to 12 months ago, and 440,000 people have started an enjoy the 10 further business statements that she talked apprenticeship in the past 12 months. Those things are about. I reciprocate the respect; she is the most cheery happening because the parties in the coalition got into Opposition Front Bencher—not that that is a high bar bed with each other. when we look at them in general, but she unfailingly manages to clear that bar. Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): The whole I join the hon. Lady in her welcome for the report by House will be united in condemnation of the massacre the House of Commons Governance Committee, and I of 132 children and nine adults at the school in Peshawar. thank the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw), Following that atrocity, the Government in Pakistan who chaired it, and all the right hon. and hon. Members have announced the reintroduction of the death penalty. of all parties who served on it. It is for the House to If—God forbid—a similar evil was to be committed in reach a view and take a decision—there is no fixed this country, there would be calls for the reintroduction Government view, but I welcome the report and judge of capital punishment. May we please have a debate that it will be well received in the House and that there about what steps will be required to reintroduce the will be a great deal of support for its recommendations. death penalty in the United Kingdom? We will indeed move with alacrity, as the hon. Lady put Mr Hague: The whole House will join my hon. Friend it, to have a debate. Although I have not been able to in wanting to remark on the horror of what happened a announce a specific debate in the first week back, I will couple of days ago, and the slaughter of children. Even certainly facilitate a debate on the report in January so for those of us used to hearing about terrorist events that if its recommendations are supported by the House—as and attacks, this atrocity was heartrending, and the I said, I think they generally will be—they can be taken Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have expressed forward expeditiously. the views of the Government and the whole country. The hon. Lady asked about the so-called festive The death penalty is a matter for Pakistan in Pakistan, flurry of written ministerial statements. Today and yesterday but the United Kingdom’s position is to oppose the there have been 49 of them, although I notice that on death penalty in all circumstances. It is open to my hon. the last two days before the final Christmas of the last Friend and others to try to secure a debate on that Parliament, there were 50—even more. Only one more, subject, but my judgment is that the House has passed but one is enough, as we politicians know. One is always the point at which it would be possible to reintroduce enough to prove a point or win an election, so I consider the death penalty. my point fully made. Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): Around 15,000 British The hon. Lady asked about the publication of the list citizens in my constituency are of Pakistani heritage, of special advisers. It will be published today. There are and the atrocity earlier in the week has been profoundly more special advisers now given the nature of coalition, shocking to them and the whole United Kingdom. although their average pay is actually lower than it was I know that they will be grateful for what the right under the last Government, which is an interesting hon. Gentleman has said, and for the sympathy and point. condolences expressed. Latest figures show that the gender pay gap has I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey closed for people under 40; although there is more to (Ms Eagle) and the Leader of the House for their do, it has closed a good deal and continues to do so approbation of the House of Commons Governance under this Government, which we want to continue. Committee report. I express my profound thanks to the Committee Clerks, who were drawn from all departments The hon. Lady talked about the festive season in across the House service, as well as, formerly, the Clerks general, including for UKIP, and part of the festive Department. Above all, I express my thanks to my season for Government Members is reading the Labour seven colleagues on the Committee, who came to its party document on UKIP, which has already been work with different perspectives and worked fantastically referred to—I am not recommending that my hon. hard. In some cases, we had three evidence sessions Friends spend all of Christmas reading it, but it is good a week. Happily, we managed to produce an agreed for a laugh now and again so I recommend reading it and unanimous report. That was not just a negotiating before Christmas eve. Page 18 gives advice on getting fix; the report contains important and granular into a discussion with voters, and for when people ask recommendations. about Labour policies it states: I thank the Leader of the House for his promise of an “It does not however follow that…emphasising our policies in early debate. May I press him on one further matter? If our conversations with electors is always the correct response.” the report gains the approval of the House, as I hope it Indeed, when one thinks about some of Labour’s policies, will, there will be a need for minor, I think, consensual that is pretty good advice for Labour canvassers. legislation to go through both Houses before the election. 1579 Business of the House18 DECEMBER 2014 Business of the House 1580

Mr Hague: I join the right hon. Gentleman in thanking of France and Mr Putin. Various compromises may be all members of the Committee, and I thank him too. I in the air. This is an important issue. I am not asking for recognise that there were a lot of evidence sessions. The a debate immediately, but before Dissolution at the end Committee got through a lot of work and heard from a of March will the Leader of the House have it in his lot of people with expertise and experience. That has mind, as issues relating to the Russian economy develop, clearly benefited the report. to have another debate? On legislation and the possible amendment of the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978, we will Mr Hague: One way or another, the House will need of course have to listen to the views of the House in the to be kept abreast of developments and to be able to debate. If, as I expect, there is a great deal of support for comment on them, whether through statements from the Committee, it will be important to be able to get on my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary or debates. with the legislation. The right hon. Gentleman will My hon. Friend is quite right to draw attention to this appreciate better than most how difficult it might be to international issue, which is fast moving and immensely ensure proper scrutiny at this stage of a Parliament. The important. I will certainly remind colleagues of the House has a record of wanting to scrutinise legislation need to keep the House informed. on House of Commons matters, as indeed on most other matters. I cannot guarantee that, but I am happy Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): A short time to discuss the matter further with him and the other ago the Foreign Secretary announced the development members of the Committee. of a new British base in Bahrain, and he accompanied that announcement with a statement suggesting that the Sir George Young (North West Hampshire) (Con): human rights situation there was improving. It is the Further to the reply my right hon. Friend has just given, first British base to be developed outside Europe for a may I join the chorus of approval for the work of the very long time, and that is a complete change from the Governance Committee, so ably led by the right hon. Wilson Government’s east of Suez policy of the 1960s. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw)? It has been a model Does not that deserve at least a full parliamentary for how a Select Committee should work. Can I take it debate, because it appears to be a complete change in from what my right hon. Friend has just said that he foreign and defence policy that has not been reported to plans to table the draft motion in annex C when debate the House and that we have therefore not had an the report? Who has responsibility for implementing opportunity to question or debate? the recommendation in paragraph 186: “that the ‘paused’ recruitment process be formally terminated. Mr Hague: As a former Foreign Secretary, I do not We believe that this action should be taken immediately.”? see any change of policy in that; it will be a change in facilities for British ships based in Bahrain. The hon. Mr Hague: I will clarify the motion when we announce Gentleman may know that Royal Navy minesweepers the debate. It is very helpful of the Committee to put have been based in Bahrain for a long time—they are forward a draft resolution, which must be the frontrunner based there now—and play an important part in ensuring candidate to be the motion for that debate. On the the safety of navigation in the strait of Hormuz. For responsibility for implementing that recommendation, I them to have improved facilities in Bahrain can hardly think that rests with the appointment panel that worked be described as a complete change in defence and on it. The matter can be considered even before we foreign policy. come to a debate. Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): May we have a debate Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): I thank the Leader on the identity of political parties? Given that nearly of the House for arranging an early debate on the 31 million people are now in work, the highest level on report. I pay tribute to my right hon. Friend the Member record, youth unemployment is at its lowest level since for Blackburn (Mr Straw) for his steering of the Committee, the 1970s and we have 2 million more apprentices, is it and for putting up with me in the private sessions as not the case that we on the Government Benches are well as the public sessions. The report is important: it now the party of labour and the workers and those on does not look backwards and it is not a slap in the face the Opposition Benches are the party of dependency, for anyone. We are making progressive recommendations, welfare and reactionary conservatism? not least to ensure that Members understand that there is a split in the role and that they are both very important Mr Hague: Yes. That is a most perceptive question roles. I also appreciate the fact that the urgent debate from my hon. Friend. Of course, we are going to have a will take place earlier, rather than later. debate on the identity of political parties in a few months—it is called a general election. I am sure that Mr Hague: I thank the hon. Lady very much for the debate will take place fully across the country. He is part she has played on the Committee. It was clear that right that for the millions of people lifted out of income all members of the Committee were very engaged in its tax altogether and the 2 million people who have been work. The recommendations are clear. As I said, I think able to start an apprenticeship, this Government have they will be well received by the House. We will have the stood up for working people, and we will do even more debate in January. in the months ahead.

Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): We had a Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): One very good debate on Russia and Ukraine last week, but of the surprise inclusions in the Smith commission’s events are moving fast. For example, evidence emerged report was the proposal to break up the British Transport over the weekend of discussions between President Hollande police. It was surprising because commentators over 1581 Business of the House18 DECEMBER 2014 Business of the House 1582 many years have commended them for the safety and extremism. Does the Leader of the House agree we security they provide on our transport networks, especially should debate this issue in the new year? our rail network. Will the detailed proposals for that break-up come forward as part of the Smith commission Mr Hague: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. proposals, or will there be a separate statement from the People in his constituency and across the country will sponsoring Department, the Department for Transport, be deeply moved by the sight of families burying their because I know that many Members will be interested dead children in such huge numbers. It underlines the in looking at that very carefully? need to work together internationally to counter terrorism. The need to do that is one reason we have been debating Mr Hague: I will refer the hon. Gentleman’s specific the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill several times point to my hon. Friends at the Department for Transport over the past few weeks, and in the first week back we and the Scotland Office. The Smith commission put will be devoting two days to its remaining stages. These forward a package of proposals agreed across parties, events underline the importance of that. and where legislation is needed it will be brought forward in draft form by 25 January. I think that the best time to Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): May I welcome the discuss all the implications, including the one he raises, publication today of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill, is at that time, as implementation of the recommendations which will provide the opportunity to fast-track into the is being prepared. House of Lords women consecrated as diocesan bishops? My right hon. Friend will know that there was widespread Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): National and international support and rejoicing in both Houses for the measure corruption inhibits this country’s ability to collect taxes to enable women to become bishops in the Church of that are rightly due and hampers the ability of Governments England, but there was concern that if the rules of in developing countries to help themselves stand on seniority prevailed, it might not have been possible for their own two feet. I welcome the publication of the women bishops to be in the House of Lords for perhaps UK’s anti-corruption plan today, but will the Leader of another Parliament. This is a simple measure in a the House consider ensuring that an annual statement is one-clause Bill. Will he confirm that he intends the Bill presented to the House so that we can see what progress to be taken in a single day, with a Second Reading in is being made in that area? one half and the remaining stages in the other half of the same day? Mr Hague: We have just had an urgent question on the matter, during which the Minister for Business and Mr Hague: The Bill is minutes away from introduction Enterprise, my right hon. Friend the Member for West and publication, and this whole issue has indeed been Suffolk (Matthew Hancock), set out the Government’s the cause of rejoicing in both Houses, as my right hon. position, so I refer the hon. Lady to all the answers he Friend rightly says. I will confirm the arrangements has given. He pointed out the importance of the plan in for the handling of the Bill in due course, but he is bringing together all the Government’s work and assured right that it is a short and simple Bill that should enjoy the House that he will keep it regularly informed. I am widespread support. When I come to announce the sure that she will find the answer to her question among handling of business, I will certainly hope it can be those provided by my right hon. Friend. considered quickly, with these facts in mind. Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab): NHS Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): May we have a debate England has announced at a late stage that it is halting in Government time on unemployment? I fear we cannot the assessment for the Duchenne muscular dystrophy rely on the Opposition to use one of their Opposition treatment Translarna. This decision has caused significant days for such a debate. In such a debate, we could anxiety for people affected by the condition, so will the highlight the fact that the unemployment rate in Shipley Leader of the House set aside time to debate the emergency is 466 lower than it was this time last year, and we might interim measures that the Department of Health and find out why unemployment has dropped by another NHS England need to put in place to ensure that 29 over the last month in my constituency. I like to Translarna completes the approval and funding process think it has something to do with the jobs fair I held in and can be made available to the boys it could help from Shipley last month, which was very well attended. as early as next April? Mr Hague: I congratulate my hon. Friend on the jobs Mr Hague: I know that Health Ministers are conscious fair in Shipley, which is a further example of the outstanding of this matter. It is a priority to ensure that patients in work he does for his constituents. He is right to draw England have access to new and effective treatments on attention to what has happened on unemployment. I terms that represent value for money for the NHS and referred earlier to the reduction of 455,000 in unemployment the taxpayer. I believe the decision-making framework this year, but it is also important to note that long-term for adoption of new treatments and interventions was youth unemployment is down 53,000 this year. Such discussed yesterday at the NHS England board meeting, changes are greatly benefiting people in Shipley and but there will be many further opportunities to put across the country. questions to Health Ministers in the early weeks of the new year. Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab): As stated already, we have all been shocked by the barbaric actions of the Conor Burns (Bournemouth West) (Con): Could we Taliban in Peshawar over the weekend. My constituency find time before Dissolution for a debate on the impact— has many Pakistani residents, and on behalf of the the positive impact—of the Government’s academies Rochdale council of mosques I would like to express programme? In that connection, will my right hon. our deep sorrow for the people burying their dead and Friend join me in congratulating Jackie Steel, the principal to offer our support in the continuing fight against of Bourne academy in my constituency, who retires this 1583 Business of the House18 DECEMBER 2014 Business of the House 1584

[Conor Burns] of the Environmental Audit Committee on air quality, and particularly of the recommendations pertaining to week and who has transformed that school and the the planning system. This is really important for my prospects for its young children? constituency, which forms part of the Greater Manchester air quality management area, and there is great concern Mr Hague: I absolutely join my hon. Friend in about a new proposal for 200 homes in a very heavily congratulating the principal of that academy. So often air-polluted area alongside the M67 motorway. May we it is the principal or head teacher who sets the ethos and have a statement in the new year on that Select Committee creates the performance of a school or academy. We report and particularly on the Government’s intentions should all be grateful to those who successfully transform on taking forward the planning recommendations? educational institutions, and a great deal of that is happening among academies. My hon. Friend’s local Mr Hague: This is clearly an important issue for the example is a very strong one. hon. Gentleman’s constituency and he has already succeeded in raising it powerfully on the Floor of the House today. Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) There are, of course, opportunities to debate Select (SNP): May we have a debate on the newspaper industry— Committee reports, which come up regularly. I announced local and daily, and perhaps with particular reference to one such debate in Westminster Hall in early January the excellent new daily paper in Scotland from the and there will be opportunities for further such reports Herald stable, called The National? After a few weeks, to be debated. The hon. Gentleman has made a good its circulation is almost up to that of The Herald itself case for that particular one. and far higher than the established The Scotsman. Will the Leader of the House take this opportunity to join Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): The value of the all-party me in congratulating the national newspaper on that group was evident in the urgent question we have just and on the jobs it has created? Finally, may I, on behalf heard. Is the Leader of the House aware that yesterday of the SNP, wish you, Mr Speaker, and all hon. Members saw the launch of a new all-party group on e-cigarettes, a merry Christmas—Nollaig Shona. bringing together representatives of the 2.1 million users of e-cigarettes, manufacturers and those with an Mr Hague: I think that is not so much a question as interest in public health. May we have a debate on the an advertisement! I am sure readers in Scotland will be use of e-cigarettes, including perhaps, Mr Speaker, their able to make up their own minds about what they want use on the parliamentary estate and how they can be a to read without our having to endorse it. There is valuable tool for people wishing to reduce or cease their always something a bit suspicious about newspapers use of tobacco? being endorsed by politicians of any colour, and those politicians often live to regret it when the newspaper Mr Hague: I agree with my hon. Friend that e-cigarettes decides to change its editorial line. I caution the hon. have the potential to support public health objectives Gentleman a little about that. and to support smokers who want to cut down or quit. It is important, too, for users to have confidence in the Mr Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): quality of the products, which must be licensed like May I say how happy I am to be able to join all those other nicotine replacement therapies. I am not sure who have commended the House of Commons Governance when we shall have the opportunity to debate this, but Committee report, and urge my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend can of course make the case for it in all bring forward the debate as quickly as possible so that the usual ways. the findings can be implemented? I say that not least because I was the guy who came up with the idea of this Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): Pelamis Wave Committee; I drafted the motion that was accepted by Power in Edinburgh has gone into administration with the House; and I was even the first to invite the right the potential loss of 50 jobs. It is tragic not only because hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) to take on the those jobs are lost but because this company comprised role of Chairman—and he has done so most ably. the leading experts in wave technology in the world. Moreover, the report concurs with the evidence submitted May we have an urgent statement on what the Government by the Public Administration Select Committee. might be able to do—in conjunction, of course, with the Scottish Government—to support Pelamis Wave Power Mr Speaker: Anybody would think that the matter so that we do not lose that wonderful research facility? was about the hon. Gentleman! If he wishes us to think that, it is Christmas time, and we are pleased for him. Mr Hague: Just a few moments ago, we had topical questions to the Secretary of State for Energy and Mr Hague: Indeed, Mr Speaker. I am very grateful to Climate Change, so the immediate opportunity to debate my hon. Friend for having an idea that was taken up by that subject in the House has just passed. The hon. the whole House. We look forward to taking up more of Gentleman is quite right to express concern about the his ideas in the future—provided they are just as good jobs in his constituency.There will be further opportunities as that one. The support he has given and the ideas he to raise that matter with the Energy and Climate Change has supplied are a further illustration of the widespread Secretary on the Floor of the House. support in the House for the work of this Committee and indeed for its findings, as I have no doubt we will Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): May I discover when we come to debate it. welcome the Governance Committee’s recognition of the obvious fact that the qualities necessary to be a Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): The first-class manager are not the same as those necessary Leader of the House will be aware of the recent report to be a first-class Clerk? Has the Leader of the House 1585 Business of the House18 DECEMBER 2014 Business of the House 1586 followed up his pledge to me in business questions on fully consulted. Everyone who works for the House 27 November to speak to the Prime Minister about the has coped very well with the last few months—all possibility of making an award for the three women services have been successfully provided and important who acted so bravely to try to help Lee Rigby in very developments have continued—but now that the report dangerous circumstances? Finally, will he speak to the has been published, we shall need to discuss it as Prime Minister on the question of a final settlement for quickly as possible. those people infected with contaminated blood by the NHS—sometimes decades ago? One of my constituents Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): Because there in that situation pointed out that the Prime Minister had been no ministerial statements during the week, I said in June on the record in the press that this would be attended this morning’s session of oral questions to the sorted out within six months. I do hope that this can be Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to done before the end of this Parliament. try to establish the Government’s position on the United Nations climate change conference in Lima and the Mr Hague: On those three questions—[Interruption.] agreement that was reached on Sunday, as it has huge It is indeed Christmas, so it is right to have Christmas implications for the discussions that will be held in Paris generosity on this. On the first question, my hon. Friend, next year. It worries me that the House has not discussed in common with others, expresses his support for the the United Kingdom’s position on the legal structure of report on the governance of the House. On the second, the agreement. There has been no discussion about the of course I followed up the question he raised on deferred decisions on ensuring a flow of finance to 27 November, although I cannot comment on any potential developing countries, about where the burden for cutting outcome. On the third, which is a health matter, I know greenhouse gas emissions should lie, or about the dropping that my hon. Friend has been assiduous in raising it for of the requirement for countries to provide information his constituents. I will inform my colleagues in the about their “prospect reduction targets”. May we please Department of Health of his anxiety about the timetable, have a debate in Government time, so that we can and ask them to respond to him. discuss those important issues?

Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): This is my fifth Mr Speaker: I think we have already had it. contribution this morning, Mr Speaker, so thank you for being so generous. There is growing concern that the Conservatives are considering a rise in VAT after the next Mr Hague: They are globally important issues. This election—I very much doubt it will appear in the 18 March morning, as my hon. Friend may know, a written statement Budget statement. May we have a full debate in the new was issued to update the House on the outcomes of the year on the consequences of a rise in VAT for people on conference, and my ministerial colleagues from the low to moderate incomes and on businesses in my Department of Energy and Climate Change were here constituency, so that we can go into the election fully to answer questions from Members, including topical informed about what that policy would mean? questions. I am sure that there will be further opportunities to debate the issue before the meeting in Paris next year. Indeed, my hon. Friend may wish to create such an Mr Hague: I hope we will have many exchanges and opportunity with the help of the Backbench Business debates on the economy. Of course, any concern about Committee. increases in taxation will be about those parties that want higher deficits and higher spending rather than those that control deficits and spending and therefore Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and do not need to increase taxation. Since it is now clear Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): Yesterday saw the publication from the last few days that the Labour party wants of the long-awaited report of the independent inquiry higher levels of Government spending than we have into excessive pension charges and the selling of pension today, it is for Labour Members to explain how increased products, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. The report taxation will have an impact on the people of this gives the full details of the scandal of excessive charging. country. The Minister for Pensions has said that he is deeply shocked, which is surprising, given that the Leader of Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): I, too, welcome the Opposition gave some of the details of the scandal my right hon. Friend’s commitment to dealing with the more than two years ago. When the Minister has recovered recommendations of the excellent report from the House from his shock in the new year, may we have a debate in of Commons Governance Committee with alacrity, but Government time to establish how the Government may I join others in encouraging him to deal with them intend to stand up for the hard-working people all over expeditiously as well? I am thinking particularly of the the country who have been ripped off? recommendations concerning the different roles of the Clerk and the subordinate director general. The past Mr Hague: As has already been said, the Government three months have been a period of great uncertainty have a strong record on standing up for hard-working for people both in the House and outside, and that people. However, these pension issues are very important, uncertainty needs to be brought to an end so that we all and there will be opportunities to ask my colleagues at know where we stand. the Department for Work and Pensions about them. As the hon. Gentleman knows, it is also open to him to Mr Hague: I do not think there will be any contradiction press for a debate through all the normal means. in regard to the need for those matters to be dealt with both expeditiously and with alacrity, and I hope that Mr Speaker: I hope to accommodate the remaining they will be, although it will, of course, be important questioners, but may we please have brief questions, for them to be debated in the House so that it can be without preamble? 1587 Business of the House18 DECEMBER 2014 Business of the House 1588

Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con) Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) rose— (Con): As my right hon. Friend knows, I am the chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for the private Mr Speaker: That is about to be exemplified by rented sector. We have conducted a couple of inquiries Mr Rehman Chishti. and produced a couple of reports over the past year or so. May we have a debate on the recommendations of those reports, and, in particular, a debate on the proposed Rehman Chishti: Thank you, Mr Speaker. review of shared accommodation rates? Local businesses in my constituency have contacted me expressing real concerns about the sale of illegal Mr Hague: Those are important issues, and I know tobacco in Gillingham, which has previously been named that my hon. Friend does very good work on them. We as the capital of illicit cigarette sales. May we have an have no Government time to allocate to such debates, urgent debate on how the Government are dealing with but, as I have said to other Members in connection with the problem around the country? other subjects, it is open to my hon. Friend to press for them through all the normal channels, including the Mr Hague: The issue of illicit tobacco is taken very Backbench Business Committee. seriously. It often involves organised crime, and causes a large loss of revenue at the taxpayer’s expense. Medway Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): May we have a debate is certainly an area of Government work on the problem, on imaginative partnerships between the further education involving the police, trading standards authorities and sector and private companies, such as the launch of the HMRC, and a number of sanctions are available to the Risual academy by Stafford college and Risual, a fast- various enforcement agencies. However, I will let my growing IT consultancy in my constituency? ministerial colleagues know of my hon. Friend’s anxiety. Mr Hague: We may not be able to have a debate on Robert Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst) (Con): I am that subject immediately, but it is exactly the sort of sure my right hon. Friend will be pleased to know that co-ordination that is bringing great benefits to the festive cheer in Mottingham has been increased by the economy and to local people, and I know that my hon. Planning Inspectorate’s decision not to allow the demolition Friend’s support for it will be greatly valued. of the Porcupine public house, which has been mentioned in the House before. Will he make time for a debate so Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): Britain has that we can consider what further financial incentives an exceptional trading relationship with the United can be provided to enable community interest groups to States, but more can be done to make trade easier for take over the running of such valued local facilities? small business in particular. May we have a debate about the way in which the transatlantic trade and investment partnership, or TTIP—the current negotiations Mr Hague: I am happy to join in that festive cheer in for a better deal between the European Union and the knowledge that a public house has been preserved. United States—can bring only opportunities for Britain’s Its preservation will be dear to many of us throughout smallest businesses? the House and the country, and I congratulate my hon. Friend and his constituents on their work. The Government Mr Hague: I hope that TTIP will be discussed regularly, have, of course, greatly enhanced the ability of communities and, indeed that great progress will be made on it in the to preserve assets to which they attach great value, but, coming year. It constitutes an opportunity to boost if my hon. Friend presses for them in all the normal world trade considerably, and to add further to the vital ways, there will be chances for the House to debate the economic relationship that my hon. Friend has described. further development of that policy. Our bilateral trade with the United States is the greatest that we have with any country, and we have 1 million Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire) (Con): Yesterday people working on each side of the Atlantic in companies we heard the news that unemployment had fallen again that are owned on the other side of the Atlantic. I hope in South Staffordshire and the west midlands. That has that there will be strong progress on TTIP in the coming been largely due to the growth of apprenticeships and, year. in particular, the fact that Jaguar Land Rover has opened a new engine manufacturing facility in my Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con): constituency. Could time be made for a debate on the A few days ago, my constituency team and I became creation of more apprenticeships, especially in the dementia friends following some very good training by automotive and aerospace sector, which plays such a our local branch of the Alzheimer’s Society. May we key role in the economy of the west midlands? have a debate on how we can boost public understanding of all forms of dementia, making our communities Mr Hague: This is a matter of fundamental importance, more dementia-friendly and thus helping those who are particularly to the west midlands economy. During the suffering from this cruel disease, and, of course, their most recent academic year, 850,000 people were in carers as well? apprenticeships. Two million apprenticeships have been created during the current Parliament, and many of us Mr Hague: As we are not currently having a debate would like to see 3 million created in the next Parliament about the issue, it is important for us all to get on with as part of our aim to abolish youth unemployment it, which is exactly what my hon. Friend is doing and altogether. I hope that, during all the debates on the encouraging in his constituency. We are creating dementia- Budget and the economy, the House will be able to friendly communities which will help to support those discuss precisely those matters. who live with dementia, and we are educating 1 million 1589 Business of the House 18 DECEMBER 2014 1590 people so that they can become dementia friends. I Local Government Finance welcome my hon. Friend’s support for that. All of us in the Cabinet have been taught about the 12.30 pm issue, and, to date, there are more than 600,000 dementia friends. This is another issue on which we should continue The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for to work hard in the new year. Communities and Local Government (Kris Hopkins): With permission, Mr Speaker, I should like to make a Mr Speaker: Order. In wishing all parliamentary statement on funding for local authorities in England colleagues, and everyone who works on the parliamentary next year. estate, a merry Christmas and a happy 2015, I am This Government inherited the largest deficit in post-war minded to mention that there is one upcoming item on history. Thanks to this Government’s long-term economic the agenda to which they can look forward with eager plan, that deficit is falling, the economy is growing and anticipation: on Tuesday 13 January in Speaker’s House employment is at a record high. This Government are we will be addressed, in the lecture series for 2015, on putting our public finances back on track. Local the subject of William Pitt by the Leader of the House. government, like every part of the public sector, has He is a very considerable authority on that matter. made a significant contribution to this. However, the job is not done. As my right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has indicated to the House, in coming years very substantial savings must be made in public spending. The Government continue to need to take difficult decisions to put the public finances on a sustainable path. In the context of this unprecedented challenge to public finance, we have yet again delivered a settlement that is fair to all parts of the country, whether north or south, urban or rural. English local government is expected to spend over £114 billion this year—around a quarter of all public spending. This settlement therefore recognises that local authorities continue to make a vital contribution to helping pay off the deficit. Once again, the settlement leaves councils with considerable total spending power. As planned, we have kept the overall reduction to 1.8%—lower than last year, and one of the lowest levels of reduction under this Government. If we include the funds the Government have provided to support local transformation, the overall reduction is even lower, at 1.6%. Councils facing the highest demand for services continue to receive substantially more funding, and we are continuing to ensure that no council will face a loss of more than 6.4% in its spending power in 2015-16, the lowest level in this Parliament. I am also pleased to announce that all nine authorities eligible for efficiency support grant in 2014-15—Great Yarmouth, Burnley, Chesterfield, East Lindsey, Barrow-in-Furness, Bolsover, Hyndburn, Pendle and Hastings—will have these amounts incorporated into the settlement for 2015-16. We also continue to recognise the challenges faced by rural communities. This Government have a clear commitment to rural areas, and consecutive settlements have helped to address the gap between urban and rural spending power. The gap is closing, and that has already benefited rural authorities to the tune of £208 million. We expect the gap to continue to close. In the meantime, the settlement confirms another year of additional resources for the most rural authorities, to recognise the challenges they may face in delivering services. In 2015-16, this grant has increased to £15.5 million. But this is no longer just about the amount the Government provide to local authorities through grant. We have deliberately shifted the emphasis from keeping authorities dependent on grant to providing councils with the tools they need to grow and shape their local economies. We have given councils a real stake in stimulating local growth. For 2014-15, authorities’ own estimates show that 91% are expecting a growth in their business 1591 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2014 Local Government Finance 1592

[Kris Hopkins] Like all parts of government, councils need to prioritise spending so that it gets to those who need it most. rates income—growth of £414 million in total. That Councils are rising to the challenge. Every council issued includes authorities such as Barnsley, which is predicting a balanced budget for 2014-15. The majority of residents growth in its business rates income of around £900,000, remain satisfied with the way their council runs things. and which will gain additionally from almost £400,000 That bears testimony to the great skill that authorities of growth that it is predicting within its enterprise zone. have shown in prioritising and promoting efficiencies. Through the new homes bonus, councils benefit directly Local authorities up and down the country are from increasing the number of homes in their area and demonstrating real innovation. I have seen for myself bringing long-term empty homes back into use. On the work under way in Kirklees to support young Tuesday, the Minister for planning and housing, my people who need help in starting their young lives. Our hon. Friend the Member for Great Yarmouth (Brandon transformation fund investment of £400,000 will bolster Lewis), announced to the House that £1.2 billion of the Kirklees Cares project, where children in care are new homes bonus funding has been provisionally allocated receiving peer support to prepare them for life after to local authorities in England for 2015-16. This brings leaving care. the total to almost £3.4 billion since the scheme began. In Durham, a partnership of the police and fire Many councils agree that these measures are having a services is using a £500,000 award to bring community positive impact on their ability to deliver better outcomes volunteers and neighbourhood watch services together; in their areas. National growth is the sum of local and I was recently in Sunderland, which is one of five growth. For Britain to prosper, every part of the country areas that had its better care fund plan approved early needs to fulfil its potential. Local places know best how because it was making such good progress. I met staff to support growth in their local economies. We know from both the health and social care sectors working that many authorities recognise this. That is why we together in the same room, with the same patients, in a have devoted such effort to empowering our great cities brilliant new community facility that is keeping elderly and communities to drive local growth through a people out of hospital. Sunderland projects that it can redistribution of power away from Westminster and start to cut local accident and emergency admissions by Whitehall to councils, communities and individuals across up to 15% in the years ahead as a consequence of this the nation. approach. That will save a huge amount of money and To this end, we have established 39 local enterprise provide people with dignity and respect in retirement. partnerships—partnerships between local authorities Last winter, to help local authorities deal with the and business—who decide what the priorities should be immediate costs of the severe weather, the Government for investment in roads, buildings and facilities in their activated the Bellwin scheme of emergency financial local areas. Through our growth deals, we devolved assistance to local authorities. In recognition of the £12 billion of local growth funding to these partnerships, unique scale of the flooding, the terms of the scheme for them to spend on local priorities over the next five were made more generous. The changes included a years. reduction in thresholds above which the Government We are committed to further devolution to increase would compensate, and reimbursement at a rate of local democracy, bring better services and deliver more 100%. This reduction was the first time in the scheme’s homes and jobs. We hope that Greater Manchester and 30-year history that thresholds had been reduced in that Sheffield will be the first of many to take advantage of way. Last month, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of greater devolution of powers, and the Government are State for Communities and Local Government announced open to having discussions with other areas. a consultation on improvements to the scheme, including As well as growing their economies, the best authorities permanent lower thresholds and 100% grant rate. Although are transforming the way they do business. The Government the consultation does not end until the start of the new are supporting them as they do so, achieving real savings year, we have today published illustrative Bellwin thresholds and, importantly, improving outcomes for the people for 2015-16. This will give local authorities a greater who use local services. Last month, I announced the degree of financial certainty in planning for emergencies latest round of successful bids to the transformation in the case of severe weather. challenge award. We will provide around £90 million in With colleagues in the Treasury and the Department support for 73 projects that will improve services and for Work and Pensions, we have been analysing responses ultimately save the public sector over £900 million. In to the Government consultation on how local welfare total, the latest successful transformation challenge award assistance should be funded in 2015-16. We have been bids involve 287 partners, including 122 local authorities looking at these alongside the Department for Work and 165 other organisations across the public, private and Pensions review. Local authorities will continue to and voluntary sectors. be able to offer local welfare assistance from within Increasingly, local authorities are recognising that existing budgets, alongside a range of other services for transformation and further integration has the potential 2015-16 if they judge it a priority in their area. It would to deliver improved outcomes. Nowhere is this more be helpful to many areas to see how much of their evident than in relation to health and social care. We are existing funding relates to this, so today I can confirm supporting the integration of health and social care that we have separately identified an amount relating to services through the better care fund: 97% of local local welfare provision in each upper-tier authority’s plans have been approved and the £3.8 billion initial general grant, totalling £129.6 million nationally. contribution from Government has been boosted by The Government have always been clear that councils local areas to more than £5 billion. This will help should choose how best to support local welfare needs, achieve significant change in services that will benefit because what is right for Croydon will not be right for some of the most vulnerable in our society. Cumbria. This allocation will therefore not be ring-fenced 1593 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2014 Local Government Finance 1594 and we will not be placing any new duties, expectations “will reduce its funding to local authorities by 37% in real terms or monitoring requirements on its use. The Government between 2010-11 and 2015-16”. will carefully consider all responses to the consultation Will the Minister confirm that this is the case, and that on this settlement, including those that relate to the the Government are going ahead with a 10% reduction provision for local welfare over and above existing in the main component of Government funding to local budgets, and we will take these into consideration when authorities in 2015-16, as also reported by the NAO? announcing the final settlement in February. Over the Councils have experienced the biggest spending reductions last year, councils have increased their reserves by in the public sector, and they have done an extraordinary £2.2 billion, and they now stand at a total of £21.4 billion. job in trying to deal with that, but they rightly resent the Authorities should of course maintain a healthy cushion Secretary of State claiming, as he did, that the cuts are when balancing the books. However, local taxpayers “modest” and that Local Government Association fears would be right in asking whether such substantial reserves for the future are “utterly ludicrous”. Does the Minister are necessary. still agree with those statements, given that in an open All councils should be freezing their council tax in letter last month, a large number of council leaders, 2015-16 and helping people with their cost of living. We including 40 Conservatives, said bluntly: are providing additional funding equivalent to a 1% “Services such as libraries, leisure centres and road maintenance council tax increase, to help councils to freeze. This is continue to buckle under the strain of cuts and the ever-rising the fifth successive year of freeze-funding provided by cost of caring for our growing elderly population”? the Government. This brings the total package to £5 billion, The Audit Commission has confirmed that which will save up to £1,075 for an average household “Councils serving the most deprived areas have seen the largest over the course of this Parliament. All councils should reductions in funding relative to spending”. be taking advantage of this extra Government funding That is still happening. Why is it that the most disadvantaged and freezing council tax for hard-working families. Councils communities are yet again being hit the hardest? Why is choosing to increase should have the courage to put it that by 2017, the city of Liverpool, the most deprived their case to local people. Any council proposing an local authority in the country, will have lost over half its increase of 2% or more will need to allow local people Government grant compared with 2010? Why is it that the opportunity to approve or veto the increase in a Wokingham is on course to have a higher spending referendum. This threshold will apply to all local authorities, power per household than Leeds and Newcastle, despite including the Greater London authority, fire authorities those cities’ greater need? Why is it that, having claimed and police and crime commissioners. that those with the broadest shoulders should bear the Parishes are an important part of local government, biggest burden, Minsters have done the very opposite to delivering valuable and valued local services. However, local government? Given the complacency of the that is not a reason for them to impose inflation-busting Department for Communities and Local Government, increases on their taxpayers. The average band D council is it any wonder that the National Audit Office found tax in England has risen by 2% since 2011-12. The that the Department had equivalent figure for the parish element is 14.7% over “a limited understanding of the financial sustainability of local the same period. That is why I would welcome views on authorities”? whether the highest spending parishes should be subject to the same referendum principle as the rest of local What is the Minister going to do about that? Councils government. There is also a question about whether are showing town and parish councils whose failings have been “clear signs of financial stress”. highlighted in a public interest report should be included. What contingency plans do Ministers have to deal with Today marks the start of a period of statutory the potential failure of local councils? The truth is that consultation with local government on the settlement, the Government either do not want to know what is and I welcome its responses. The consultation closes on going on or do not care. Tough times do indeed require 15 January 2015. We are publishing full supporting tough decisions, including on spending, but there is no material online and I have placed copies of the consultation justification whatever for taking the most from those paper and other main documents in the Vote Office. who have the least. This is a fair settlement that continues to recognise the I have a number of specific questions to put to the responsibility of local government to find sensible savings Minister. How many councils will face the maximum and make better use of its resources. It supports business reduction in spending power of 6.4% in 2015-16? Will growth, adding to this country’s wealth, and helps to he accept the NAO’s advice and in the final settlement deliver our long-term economic plan. It also enables publish figures detailing the change in individual local councils to offer another year of frozen council taxes. I authority income in real terms since 2010-11, so that the commend this settlement to the House. cumulative impact of funding reductions is made clear? How have the Government accounted for the better 12.46 pm care fund when calculating 2015-16 funding reductions? Can he confirm that the new homes bonus actually Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) (Lab): I am grateful to takes money away from the most disadvantaged the Minister for giving me advance sight of his statement, communities and gives it to areas where the new homes and at least Ministers have chosen to come to the House would probably have been built in any case? Does he today rather than having to be summoned, as happened not think that that funding could be more efficiently last year. allocated to areas based on need? In its recent report “Financial sustainability of local Will the Minister confirm that the Secretary of State authorities 2014”, the National Audit Office found that lost his battle with the Chancellor to save the local the Government welfare assistance fund? It is clear that this year’s separate 1595 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2014 Local Government Finance 1596

[Hilary Benn] their delivery, and despite the right hon. Gentleman’s words, on the ground the authorities are doing that. grant will now go and will not be replaced with any new The Labour authorities in Manchester, Sheffield and money. That means that councils with the greatest need Sunderland have faced difficult choices but are transforming will face the greatest difficulty, because they are already their services. They are more open-minded than the facing the biggest cuts in funding. How much of the Labour team on the Front Bench, ensuring that they funding held back for the business rates safety net in care about delivering good services where it is important 2013-14 is required for safety net payments, and what to people and that they will deal with the circumstances will be the total amount held back in 2015-16? The they are left. In answer to his question, we are delivering Minister talks about business growth incentives, so why a reduction of 1.8% this year—if we add the transformation will he not allow combined authorities to keep 100% of challenge fund moneys in, the figure drops to 1.6%. business rate income growth? Why has there been no Given the economic circumstances that this Government economic devolution to counties? How will the business picked up four years ago, that represents considerable rates review affect the proposed revaluation in 2017? movement in the right direction. On the impact on front-line services, 324 libraries The right hon. Gentleman talked about the most have closed since 2011. What assessment has the Minister deprived authorities. The 10% most deprived authorities made of how many more will go as a result of this will continue to receive 40% more than the least deprived statement? How many more children’s centres will close, areas, and that is important. It is a standard that we on top of the 578 that have gone since the Secretary of have set and we will continue to do it. However, this is State took office? What effect will this statement have not just about grant; it has to be about promoting on women’s refuges, school crossing patrols and day businesses. It is about increasing growth within a particular centres for the elderly? We have just had an urgent area. That is why this Government have set about, question on the crisis in accident and emergency through city challenge, growth deals and the retention departments. Has it not occurred to Ministers that one of business rates, giving councils the opportunities to reason why this is happening is because of the cuts that grow the moneys in their community. There is no greater councils have had to make in social care ? That is why amount than that from house building, so the new the number of people over the age of 90 going to homes bonus, worth £1.2 billion, is really important. A and E in a blue-light ambulance has increased by However, there are difficult challenges to address. nearly 50% in recent years. The better care fund is there to address one of the In difficult times what councils need is fairer funding, fundamental challenges to public services which for help with longer-term funding settlements so they can generations councils and health authorities have failed plan ahead to protect services, and more devolution of to address—£5 billion to be used to work with local power so they can work with other public services authorities, clinical commissioning groups and acute locally to get the most out of every pound of public hospitals to deliver care for the most vulnerable people. funding. Nowhere is that needed more than in health Labour Members, the Labour Government and the and social care. If the loss of services we have seen House historically have failed to address that. We are already is only part of what the Chancellor and the facing up to this problem, and getting those social Secretary of State have in mind for local government in workers, doctors, health workers in the same place so the years ahead, let me tell the Minister that Labour that they can deliver services. That is the right thing Members will not be joining him in a headlong rush to do. back to the 1930s. What hard-working councillors and We appreciate that welfare provision is important to communities wanted today was recognition of the people, so we are identifying the spending this year in increasingly stark choices they face and some practical next year’s money so that users of services and people help. Instead all they have got is Ministers who have no who may want to call upon that money can understand idea what is really going on. how much money has been spent historically in this area. It will be up to the local council to set those Kris Hopkins: I am really disappointed with the right priorities and make sure that that money is available. hon. Gentleman’s tone. There was no sense of guilt or The right hon. Gentleman talked about counties not shame about the situation we were left in when we came being included in some of the devolution, but this to power. Let me mention two speeches that were made Government are completely open-minded on devolution last week. In one, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor and look forward to all areas coming forward with talked about the requirement and need for us to live ideas about how we can devolve powers. [Interruption.] within our means and to grow our economy in order to Finally, there was an ask about women’s refuges. The be able to support public services. The other speech was Prime Minister himself thinks that this is extremely about how the deficit was the big test for Labour, and important and intervened on the issue of women’s we can see from the right hon. Gentleman’s response refuges and domestic violence and saw that an extra today that the Opposition have no chance of meeting £10 million was put in. [Interruption.] Despite the fact that test. They have failed at the first attempt, wanting that this country faced an economic disaster in 2010, we to borrow and spend more money. are delivering a fair budget for local authorities, making The Government are confident that councils can sure that they can set the priorities they believe are respond to the challenging economic circumstances that important to them. [Interruption.] we inherited, and they are responding. The NAO says that many councils are dealing with that; they have been Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Dawn Primarolo): able to fix and deliver a budget, and to respond to Order. As we progress through this statement, it would economic emergencies as they have come about. The be really helpful if the Secretary of State stopped shouting reality is that all councils need to respond and transform and gesticulating across the Chamber, and if Mr Sawford 1597 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2014 Local Government Finance 1598 you stopped as well, so that we can hear the questions in the new year, and I am more than willing to talk to and the answers. Mr Docherty, I do not need you Bury about its council settlement. saying, “Shame”, as you chatter through just about everything. Perhaps we can make progress now. Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ Co-op): Even a borough such as mine in Hackney, Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): Households across the which is extremely well run by Mayor Jules Pipe, will country will be pleased that the Government are making face enormous cuts in the future. The poorest of my funds available for an unprecedented fifth year to enable constituents who are already finding life very hard will a freeze in council tax. The Minister will be aware that be squeezed until the pips squeak when social services Conservative-controlled Rugby borough council has and other budgets have to face the brunt of these cuts. gone further in the current year, by giving council tax How can the Minister come to this House and say that payers a rebate of 3%. However, given the increasing this is a good settlement for the people of Britain? satisfaction with the services provided by local government as shown in surveys, does the Minister agree that councils Kris Hopkins: Even the most deprived areas have an have risen to the challenge and shown themselves to be opportunity to grow the moneys they receive by promoting very effective at doing more with less? business. Newham, which is struggling in many ways, has still managed to grow its business rate base by some £7 million. It is up to local councils to set as a priority Kris Hopkins: I congratulate Rugby borough council supporting the most vulnerable people. We have talked on its excellent work. I have been there myself and seen about social services, and it is important that councils the quality of the services it is delivering. It is also make some choices in that area. The opportunity to setting out wider plans to deliver more houses and grow the amount of money they receive is there, and we promote business growth. It has also frozen its council put those mechanisms in place. tax, which means that residents will benefit from the fact that they have not had to pay that £1,075 over the Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): Will the past five years. Minister continue to address the grotesque divide in central Government funding of poorer rural authorities Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab): The and urban authorities? For instance, my own district of Minister said in his statement that no council will face a West Lindsey, which is only 45 minutes from Hull, loss of more than 6.4% in its spending power next year, receives a staggering £282 per head less every year than the lowest level in this Parliament. Why does he think Hull. That is simply unfair. People are paying £120 that that is a matter for self-congratulation? Will he more in council tax, and I have in south-west Gainsborough confirm that the percentage cut that local councils will the poorest ward in the whole country. Something needs face in the next year will be bigger than the cut faced by to be done, and we need to have a fair settlement for all central Government Departments throughout the rural authorities with a sparsity factor. whole of this Parliament? Kris Hopkins: I recognise the problem. Despite the Kris Hopkins: It is the lowest level of this Parliament. economic circumstances, we have sought to close that We can achieve that because we are in a far better gap between rural and urban areas. The fact that we economic situation than we were when we came to have increased the rural grant this year to £15.5 million power. More money may have been taken from this goes some way to achieving that. I say again that the particular area of public service, but the fact is it East Riding of Yorkshire, not far from my hon. Friend’s represents a quarter of all public service, which is constituency, has managed to grow its business rate significant. I do not relish the idea of taking money off moneys by some £5 million. Both deprived and rural councils, especially as people are working extremely areas have the opportunity to grow the moneys that hard to deliver quality services. I say to the hon. Gentleman come to their local council. that he served in a Government who crashed the economy and we are picking up the pieces. We want to support Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): May I local councils, and I would be proud to work with them remind the Minister that as far as Walsall is concerned to deliver quality services. there has been an overall reduction of nearly 40% since 2010-11? Further reductions will have an even more devastating effect on front-line services in my borough. Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Bury council It is war—there is no other way to describe it. It is constantly claims that it has not had a fair deal. Will the outright war on the most deprived areas, and it is Minister please confirm for the record that neither he absolutely shameful that this Government continue with nor his officials have picked on Bury council for special such policies. treatment and that Bury council is funded on exactly the same basis as every other council regardless of Kris Hopkins: In the few years I have been in this whether it is in the north or the south and of which House, I have always held the hon. Gentleman in high party controls the council? respect. But it is shameful to say that I or my colleagues would go out of our way to pursue the most vulnerable. Kris Hopkins: I thank my hon. Friend for his question. We want to preserve and protect those most vulnerable The economy in the north is thriving and local authorities people, which is why we have given local councils the are leading the way. What I said in the statement was opportunity to make choices about how they spend that we offer a fair deal to all areas—whether north or their money. south, rural or urban. If the local authority is not content with what it has been offered, it should come Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): and speak to me. I will be speaking to local authorities On local welfare assistance schemes, will the Minister 1599 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2014 Local Government Finance 1600

[Annette Brooke] will deliver savings and ensure that those vulnerable people are getting a decent service and the dignity that clarify whether any extra money is being given to councils they need. to provide those services? In the event of no ring-fencing and no monitoring, will he confirm how a family in crisis through no fault of their own will cope on a Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): What Friday afternoon if their council says, “No, we are not assessment has the Minister made of the likely impact providing anything”? on some of the most vulnerable people—disabled people, low-income families with children and women fleeing domestic violence—of his plans not to put more money Kris Hopkins: There is no additional money in this. I into local welfare assistance and not to protect that said in the statement that if, during the consultation funding? process, a local authority or interested party wants to write to us about additional moneys over and above Kris Hopkins: As I have already said, the 10% of those noted in the Budget, we will consider its contribution areas that are most deprived will receive 40% more than in our final consideration of the settlement. In devolving the least deprived. Issues of domestic violence are important powers to local authorities and enabling them to make to this Government and we have put additional moneys— choices, local authorities need to be transparent and some £10 million— into that. We will constantly monitor open about the choices they make. My right hon. Friend resources related to the issues the hon. Lady raises. says that there are people who need support. We have identified the money so that people will know what Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): On the Government money has gone into a local council historically and Benches, we understand why spending reductions need been used in that area. I challenge local people to make to be made, even if the Labour party does not. Does the sure that those authorities make the right choice to Minister agree that local councils should treat all parts protect those individuals in need. of their local areas fairly? He will know, for example, that Bradford council has drastically cut children’s centre Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): What this statement provision in his constituency and mine, while protecting manages to combine is further savage cuts in spending its Labour heartlands at the centre of Bradford, even to local authorities with further devolution of blame to though they have children’s centres virtually around the local authorities. Will the Minister commit to publishing corner from each other. What can he do to ensure that the financial cumulative impact of the cuts over the life all parts of local authorities get a fair crack of the whip of this Government on each local authority? and that political games are not played by local councils to punish more Conservative parts of their area? Kris Hopkins: The cuts have had to be made as a Kris Hopkins: I thank my hon. Friend for his comments consequence of the Labour Government’s failure to and obviously I know the areas he is talking about. All manage the economy. They are what happened as a the Labour children’s centres are being protected and all result of the mess that was left. We have had to make the Conservative ones are being closed. The fact that he difficult choices. Local authorities are far more sensible has raised this in Parliament—[Interruption.] Centres and respectful in trying to address that matter than in Labour wards are being protected and centres in Opposition Members. I am more likely to have a trustworthy Conservative wards are being closed. The public have conversation about trying to deliver those services with heard that and will make a judgment on it. someone from a local authority than with any Opposition Member. Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): I was rather surprised that the Secretary of State did not Robert Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst) (Con): I make today’s statement, given that a quarter of the congratulate the Minister and his colleagues on the Government’s budget is spent by local government. He statement and urge them not to take any lessons from a did the same thing the other day on the fire brigade. party that produced record deficits and doubled the This announcement will not help anybody in Coventry council tax. Does he accept that it is critical that if we to participate. We need to find another £65 million for are to have genuine local accountability, it must be in a the libraries, for instance, and the welfare budget will climate in which we continue to move away from old- affect a lot of people from among the worst-off. Equally, fashioned dependency on central Government grant we have bed blocking because we cannot get social and to break down the ring-fencing that has inhibited workers, which affects University hospital Coventry. innovation, as we have seen demonstrated by the better The settlement is an utter disgrace and it is no good the care fund, which deals with one of the key pressures on Minister blaming the previous Labour Government upper-tier authorities? when he and I know that it was the bankers he is apologising for. Kris Hopkins: I respect the wise words of my hon. Friend. He is right: the council tax has dropped 11% as Kris Hopkins: I wondered how long it would take for a consequence of the actions that we have taken. It the bankers to come up in this conversation. The Minister doubled under the previous Government. There is a responsible for local government makes the local need to move away from grant and to grow in local government finance settlement announcement, and I economies. The best councils are now stepping up to the am pleased to do so today. If the hon. Gentleman wants mark and growing those economies. On the better care to grow his local economy, rather than coming here, not fund, it is a difficult issue, but we are facing up to it. wanting to talk about his failures as part of the Labour Where previous Governments have failed to do this, we Administration, he needs to go back to Coventry and 1601 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2014 Local Government Finance 1602 think about ways in which to grow the business base The truth is that they are making a disproportionate and encourage more housing. That will create better contribution. Lewisham tells me that at some point in outcomes for the people he alleges to represent. the year 2017-18, if it covers the costs of social care and waste collection, it will have £20 million left to spend on Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): Cornwall, the poorest all other services. If the Minister was the leader of region in the country, is already doing more with less. Lewisham council, what would he stop providing: leisure Before the Conservative opposition in Cornwall runs centres, libraries or parks? another shameless campaign for a council tax freeze as the council faces a cut of a third of its budget over the Kris Hopkins: It is important that local government next three years, causing carnage in the local authority, makes a contribution, as £114 billion is a huge amount will the Minister reflect on his statement today that he is of money. Today’s announcement involves £49 billion closing the gap between underfunded rural authorities, on its own. If I were leader of Lewisham council, I such as Cornwall, and urban authorities? At the rate he would build its business base. Even the most deprived is going, he might close the gap by the next ice age. Will areas can do it. Newham has managed to grow its he please go back to the drawing board? economy by some £7 million, and if Newham can do it, I am sure Lewisham can as well. Kris Hopkins: An extra £4 million is definitely an increase—it was £11.5 million and is now £15.5 million. Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con): I welcome the The Government are going a long way towards closing extra year’s funding for council tax freezes. Will the the gap. If the hon. Gentleman believes that more Minister join me in urging Amber Valley borough council, money is required, there is a mechanism by which that in its one year under Labour rule, to extend the five-year can be achieved, as the council can increase the council council tax freeze that operated when the Conservatives tax. He should trust the people of Cornwall and put it were in control? to the vote. Kris Hopkins: The public of Amber Valley will be Jack Dromey (Birmingham, Erdington) (Lab): Yesterday, watching what the Labour council does. We have given on top of 1,400 police officers already gone, West a significant amount of money, £5 billion, to enable Midlands police service suffered a cut of £23 million, councils to freeze their council tax for the past five being treated less fairly than Surrey. Today, on top of years. I am sure that the public will make their decision nearly £500 million of cuts, Birmingham will see a in early May as a consequence of the choices that further cut of £348 million over the next two years, councils make. being treated less fairly than Surrey. Is the National Audit Office right when it says that those with the Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): When the greatest need, such as Birmingham, are suffering the Government abolished the social fund and transferred biggest percentage cuts? Is it not absolutely wrong that responsibility to local authorities, they said it was an everything that this Government do is characterised by administrative change. Now the Minister has come to rank unfairness? the House and said that there is no additional money and that this is discretionary spend on the part of local Kris Hopkins: Birmingham is not being pursued in authorities. Is that not truly the return of local poor any greater way than anybody else, but it has its own boards and to the 1930s? challenges. There is a report out about the effectiveness of its leadership, and it needs to respond appropriately Kris Hopkins: I have said already that it is important to it. I wonder what savings can be made in that that local communities can understand what has been authority, bearing in mind the poor leadership over spent and can see in their councils’ budget lines what recent years. choices local authorities have made. I trust local authorities to make those choices to protect those individuals. That Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): Labour-run is the whole point of localism, and being accountable Kirklees council has recently managed to find £200,000 for those choices at the ballot box is the right approach. to lend to the struggling Castle and Minster credit We have clearly indicated how much money there is, union. There is no guarantee that it will get that money and the most vulnerable individuals can be protected if back. Does the Minister agreed that that is the kind of councils make the right choices. can-do attitude we need more of from our Labour-run councils? Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): Will my hon. Friend agree to meet the leaders of Christchurch Kris Hopkins: Being from west Yorkshire, I have seen and East Dorset councils to discuss the work they have some interesting responses from different leaders of done to improve the quality of services for taxpayers by Kirklees council over the years. I have also been able to having shared services? Would he also be willing to see some excellent work there. Credit unions are an discuss why he rejected their bid for funding under the important part of the local economy and if the council transformation challenge award when it seemed to satisfy is offering that service and can get the money returned, all the criteria for part A of the scheme? it is the right thing to do, but it is public money and the council must be accountable for it. I am sure that the Kris Hopkins: I would be absolutely delighted to meet public will be watching where that money has gone. my hon. Friend’s councils. They have done some exemplary work in sharing services and we want to ensure that we Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab): In his statement, share that excellent work with other authorities through the Minister said that local authorities continue to the transformation network so that they can do it, too. make a vital contribution to helping pay off the deficit. There were some exceptional bids for the award scheme 1603 Local Government Finance18 DECEMBER 2014 Local Government Finance 1604

[Kris Hopkins] Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): Has the Minister had time to digest the findings of the and we have had to make difficult choices. His councils survey of local government finance directors conducted were unlucky this time, but perhaps in future bidding by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and rounds they might be successful. Accountancy, which shows that their confidence in their ability to continue funding services has plummeted? Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): The Minister is Will he consider the findings, including a desire for right repeatedly to commend Newham council. The councils to be funded in a long-term and sustainable social fund, which my hon. Friend the Member for way, rather than by “stopgap” measures such as the new Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman) mentioned, was homes bonus and the council tax freeze grant? the ultimate safety net against destitution. On the basis of the Minister’s statement, can he give any assurance Kris Hopkins: No, I have not read the CIPFA report, that the replacement local welfare assistance will continue but I have listened to the public, who have said that they to be available where it is needed? continue to have confidence in the quality services offered by local authorities. Kris Hopkins: I was very complimentary earlier about Newham and the fact that it has managed to grow its Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): Is the Minister base. When making choices about how to ensure that aware of the damage he is doing to local government all those vulnerable people are looked after, which both the over the country with massive cuts year on year, while hon. Gentleman and I also want to ensure, the council demand increases among the poorest people in our will no doubt consider the fact that it has increased its community? By the end of the next financial year my reserves by some £46 million in the past year, a significant borough council will have had its income cut by 50%. amount of money that could be used to look after those That is a massive cut for an inner-city borough with a vulnerable individuals. very large number of poor children, and a very large number of needs in the social care and many other Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): It has been areas. Can the Minister think for a moment of what the reported that the Local Government Association said cumulative effect of all this destruction of local government that public services would buckle under the cuts, but is doing to local communities, to jobs and, in the long does the Minister agree that that does not appear to be run, to the achievement of many people in schools and happening on the ground? In my local authority, the other places? London borough of Barnet, over £70 million has been taken out of the annual budget since 2010, 77% of those Kris Hopkins: I repeat that overall the budget will be savings through efficiency in the back office. At the reduced by 1.6%. Bearing in mind that the Government same time public satisfaction with services has increased whom the hon. Gentleman supported prior to 2010 left from 53% to 75%. Does the Minister now feel vindicated? a deficit of £163 billion, getting to the point where we have to reduce our budget by only 1.6% is testament to Kris Hopkins: Members of the House can feel vindicated the work done to ensure that we get things back on that they made the right choices. Labour said that it track, rather than reckless spending, which the hon. would be an economic disaster if we took the money Gentleman may suggest. away from regional development agencies, but we now lead the G8 in growth. A million jobs were going to go, Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): Harrow according to Labour, but 1.7 million jobs have been local authority faces some £25 million in funding cuts delivered. Local authorities are also stepping up to the next year, including the possible closure of the popular plate. They are making the choices to deliver good-quality North Harrow and Rayners Lane libraries and virtually services with a reduced amount of money and they can all our children’s centres. Given that Harrow faces a be very proud of what they have done. further £50 million worth of cuts in future years, can the Minister say when Harrow might expect a fairer Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): Labour-led funding settlement? Redbridge council has re-introduced weekly refuse collections, brought in free bulk waste collections and, to help local businesses, introduced 30 minutes’ free Kris Hopkins: All local authorities across the country parking. All those proposals were in the manifesto on are facing difficult decisions. What efficiencies has the which the council was elected. Despite the legacy of the hon. Gentleman’s local authority put in place? What previous Con-Dem council and the problems emanating business growth has it stimulated to enable it to address from the Con-Dem Government, we are supposed to the challenges that he talks about? If he believes that the pay £70 million in the next three years. What figure will council needs to raise more money, there is a mechanism be taken out in addition, and does that mean that the for it to do so. He should suggest the amount and test improved local services will be put at risk? that opinion among the public.

Kris Hopkins: I was beginning to wonder which party Jeremy Corbyn: On a point of order, Madam Deputy was in if the council had introduced weekly bin collections Speaker. I notice that on today’s Order Paper there are and free parking. Perhaps we can look at what reserves 32 written statements by the Government, and Mr Speaker the council has. Councils across the country have increased has kindly granted two urgent questions on one day. On their reserves by some £2.2 billion, taking the grand the last day of the Session, is it on for the Government total to £21.4 billion, a huge amount of money. Some of to put down 32 statements, many of which could and those councils can make some choices that would make should have been oral statements so that Members the whole system work better. could hold the Government to account for their policies? 1605 Local Government Finance 18 DECEMBER 2014 1606

Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Dawn Primarolo): I National Planning Policy Framework will take that as a rhetorical question, on the basis that it is not a point of order or a matter for the Chair, but when we have concluded the next business on the Select COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Committee statement, the Adjournment provides for a COMMITTEE wide-ranging debate. It is up to the Government to Select Committee statement decide how many oral or written statements they put before the House; it is not within the remit of the Chair. Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Dawn Primarolo): Mr Clive Betts will speak on his subject for up to 10 minutes, during which no interventions may be taken. At the conclusion of his statement, I will call Members to put questions on the subject of the statement, and call Mr Betts to respond to these in turn. Members can expect to be called only once. Interventions should be questions and should be brief, not statements. We do not need any background information. Members on the Front Bench may take part in the questioning. I call the Chair of the Communities and Local Government Committee, Mr Clive Betts.

1.27 pm Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab): I am delighted to present the Committee’s report and I thank in particular our Committee specialist, Kevin Maddison, and specialist adviser, Kelvin MacDonald, whose hard work and expertise have made a major contribution to the report. As has been customary with reports from the Committee, this report was agreed unanimously. Three years ago this week we published our report on the draft national planning policy framework which, at the request of the Government, we had closely scrutinised. We were encouraged that the Government paid close attention to our findings at that time and accepted 30 of our 35 recommendations. By listening to and acting upon the concerns that we raised, the Government were able to make big improvements so that when the final version of the NPPF was published in March 2012, it was well received for the simplification that it brought to the planning system. The NPPF, in the words of the then Minister, now the Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, the right hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark), reduced “over a thousand pages of often impenetrable jargon into around 50 pages of clearly written guidance”. The NPPF was a bold, radical and much needed change. Given that it was such a big change, it was inevitable that there would be unforeseen problems and that a couple of years down the line some changes would be needed to it. No Government could have carried out such a wide-ranging reform and expected it to work perfectly from the off. This was the motivation for our inquiry, which led to our report. Our aim was to take a comprehensive look at the NPPF as it was operating in practice, to identify any sticking points or unintended consequences and to make recommendations for how they should be addressed. Our approach was thorough: 300 submissions were made to the Committee, we called 45 witnesses, we had discussions with 60 representatives from parish and town councils and community groups, and we made visits to the Planning Inspectorate and to councils in Gloucestershire. We based our recommendations on the evidence we found. We found overall that there is still strong support for the principles of the NPPF and the simplification that it has brought. We do not need to tear it up and start again. There are, however, a number of emerging concerns 1607 National Planning Policy Framework18 DECEMBER 2014 National Planning Policy Framework 1608

[Mr Clive Betts] and also delaying the local plan process. To address this, the NPPF should be amended to make it clear that all that people have raised with us about inappropriate sites with planning permission should be counted towards development in their communities. Much of this arises a five-year supply. Moreover, developers are taking a as a result of speculative planning applications by pessimistic view about the future viability of sites. They developers. Although the NPPF is clear about the refuse to accept that brownfield sites that are unviable importance of sustainable development, for many people, now may well be viable in five years’ time, and therefore sadly, the absence of a local plan has created an easy look to add more greenfield sites to the five-year supply. route to unsustainable development. In our report, we We call for a much more transparent approach to the set out a number of steps that should be taken to assessment of viability. Developers should be required address these concerns. to open their books and account must be taken of The key to preventing undesirable development is for future projections of viability. councils to get their local plans in place. Local plans We must make better use of previously used land. were first introduced in 2004, but two fifths of authorities The NPPF is clear that brownfield land should be have still not adopted one. This is not a problem with developed first, but a lack of resources means that this the NPPF, but the NPPF envisages and is based on a often does not happen in practice. The Government plan-led system. The NPPF has a presumption in favour have launched some eye-catching initiatives, but they do of sustainable development, but that golden thread not address the costs of making the land fit for building. running through the framework is linked to the development In order to deliver their own policy, we call on the of local plans. One cannot have a plan-led system Government to establish a brownfield remediation fund. without plans. Councils that fail to adopt a plan surrender Next, we must update the NPPF to ensure that it their ability to influence the future development of their gives greater protection to town centres. Planning policy local area and leave their communities exposed to must face up to the fact that changing shopping habits, speculative development. We therefore call for a statutory particularly with online shopping, mean that town centre requirement for every council to put a local plan in uses are also changing. The Welsh Government are place within three years. producing a new 21st-century town centre planning Some councils may not have shown the political will policy, and we must do the same in England. Councils or made available the necessary resources to develop must look to reduce the size of their retail areas, which local plans, but we received evidence of a number of are often too large for modern needs. To do this effectively, other issues that have delayed their production. The we need to manage and plan the change. Our evidence planning inspector’s approach can be a barrier to councils was strongly opposed to the new permitted development getting plans in place. The process of producing a plan rights that allow shops and banks to become homes has been likened to a game of snakes and ladders: without the need for planning permission. It is too councils can spend years drawing up a plan only for the random, and risks hollowing out the commercial heart inspector, on examination, to find it unsound and send of our town centres in an unplanned way. Councils have the council right back to square one. This is frustrating to be able to plan strategically for the future of their and wasteful, especially if the plan comes unstuck on communities through their local plans. These permitted just one particular issue. development rights must be revoked. We call for the Government to allow plans to be Finally, the Government must ensure that the NPPF partially adopted when the bulk of the work has been delivers the sustainable development that it promised. done. When an inspector is happy with the bulk of a Steps must be taken to ensure that equal weight is given plan, he should consider finding it sound, subject to an to environmental and social factors as well as the economic early review. Such an approach was taken in Dacorum, ones. Development must be accompanied by the to widespread acclaim. We could not understand why infrastructure necessary to support it. the Planning Inspectorate did not see that as a model Those are some of the steps that the Government for others to follow. Inspectors should also give more should take. They should also carefully monitor the support to councils throughout the plan production impact of the NPPF. Regrettably, it stopped collecting process. The assessment of housing need has emerged important data about what is being built, and so we no as a particular bone of contention. There is a clear need longer know how many homes are being built on brownfield for an agreed methodology against which inspectors land or what percentage of retail development is built can test strategic housing market assessments. on out-of-town sites. Ministers should not be making Another sticking point for local plans is a duty to policy decisions in the dark. The Government need to co-operate. The Government should consult on appropriate establish a set of data to monitor the impact of the incentives and penalties to encourage councils to co-operate NPPF against a small number of key aims. better. Councils such as Cheltenham, Gloucester and In summary, the NPPF has, overall, been a success. It Tewkesbury, which we visited, should be rewarded for has consolidated planning policy and made it more choosing to group together. Where combined authorities accessible to professionals and the public alike. The exist, a duty should be placed on them to produce a Government should be proud of their achievement, but joint core strategy for the area they cover. they should not be defensive about the changes we say Problems identifying a five-year supply of housing are needed. With a major reform, there will always be land have left many areas without an adopted local issues that have to be addressed. Three years ago, the plan. Up and down the country, in places as diverse as Government and the then Minister embraced our report Leeds and Forest of Dean, problems have been caused on the draft NPPF and acted on our recommendations. by developers claiming that sites are unviable in order to I very much hope that the current Minister will be obtain planning permission on more lucrative sites, equally positive in his response to this report. We must against the wishes of the council and its communities build on the success of the NPPF to give communities 1609 National Planning Policy Framework18 DECEMBER 2014 National Planning Policy Framework 1610 the protections they seek, to deliver development that is but we also feel—I think local authorities generally truly sustainable, and to ensure that the NPPF becomes agree with this—that if the Planning Inspectorate, right a document in which everyone can have confidence. at the beginning of the process, laid down in guidance a consistent methodology, most councils would welcome Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con): I that. Indeed, when Lord Matthew Taylor undertook his congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his Committee’s report on planning guidance, he suggested that that was work, not only in this excellent report but previously. an area on which further guidance would be welcome. The report contains a number of issues that I would like to raise, primarily local plans. Sir William Cash (Stone) (Con): May I congratulate Of course, a plan-led system needs plans. I was the hon. Gentleman and his Committee on an excellent disturbed to hear the hon. Gentleman say that only two report and on the balanced way in which they have gone fifths of local authorities have a plan in place. Two of about it, paying tribute where it needs to be paid and the local authorities that I represent do not have a plan. making constructive criticisms where they are deserved? That is causing them severe problems with speculative On Tuesday I presented to the House the Local Planning developers. It also means that parish and town councils and Housing Bill, which I hope the hon. Gentleman will are reluctant to embark on neighbourhood plans, which have an opportunity to look at, if he has not already are really important. An example of these problems is done so. It has been printed and deals with matters in a bit of evidence that his Committee was given from such as local plans, neighbourhood plans, housing supply, Kingswood parish council in my constituency. It had local development orders, affordable housing, land plenty of sites available, but a speculative developer has banking, duration of planning permission, development emerged on the worst possible site, and it looks as on greenfield, green belt and brownfield sites, and the though the district council will be unable to resist definition of sustainable housing development. I hope granting that permission. the hon. Gentleman will find some of the Bill’s ideas helpful and I would be grateful if we could talk about it The Government should cut the three-year requirement on a future occasion. to have a plan in place to a year and a half. They should adopt a carrot-and-stick approach, forcing councils to Mr Betts: I would certainly be more than happy to introduce the plans but also providing resources to help meet the hon. Gentleman when I have had a chance to to them to do it. Small local authorities in my constituency read his Bill, which is on my Christmas reading list and are very short of forward planning resources. The seems to address exactly the sorts of issues the Committee Government should also make it easier to adopt plans. considered. I emphasise that this is a Committee report. A lot of developments cause problems when infrastructure The whole of the Committee worked extremely hard is not in place, as in the case of the 2,500-house development and went on the visits, and we agreed the recommendations proposed in Chesterton in my constituency. unanimously.

Mr Betts: The hon. Gentleman is right that local Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): Will the hon. plans are at the heart of this. We set out a number of Gentleman comment on one unintended consequence ways in which the process could be improved and simplified. and offer advice on it? One local authority in my part of At the Planning Inspectorate, we were shown boxes of Essex has decided to plonk several thousand houses on documents just for one local plan in one area. It has all the extremities of its district, miles away from its major got a bit too complicated. He is right about neighbourhood centres of population but right on the doorstep of plans. They are a success where they have been put in urban Colchester. Is there not a flaw in the NPPF if that place, but there is an issue about the relationship between sort of situation is being allowed to happen? neighbourhood plans and local plans, particularly when the neighbourhood plan comes first and then has to be Mr Betts: The hon. Gentleman will recognise that I related to the local plan. His point about infrastructure cannot comment on or have knowledge of every particular is well made, and it is mentioned in our recommendations. planning development throughout the country. Clearly, there are issues of contention where housing need in Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (UKIP): I one area has to be met by putting housing in another had mistakenly thought that this Government were area. The duty to co-operate, which should resolve that, intending to localise planning decisions. Does the hon. has not been working in all circumstances. We went to Gentleman think it is possible to make an objective Gloucestershire and found three councils working very assessment, as the Government purport to do, with well together, but even they said that they did not consultants or otherwise, on housing need in a particular always have terribly good relationships with the councils area? Would it not be more sensible to allow local next door that were not part of their process. A look authorities to make these decisions as appropriate, perhaps needs to be taken at the whole issue of co-operation and with financial incentives through the new homes bonus how it can be improved. or business rates? Robert Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst) (Con): May I Mr Betts: Assessment of housing need is problematic, join in the congratulations to the hon. Gentleman and and the evidence we received was that often local authorities his Committee on this very good and useful report? I would work for a long time on it, only for the Planning have a lot of sympathy for many of its recommendations. Inspectorate to arrive at the end of the process, decide On partial adoption of plans and the statutory duty, that its methodology and conclusions were different has the Committee considered what might be done and then send the local authorities back to the drawing specifically to simplify the plan development process? board. We think that the Planning Inspectorate could Councils have sometimes had eight-plus years to develop work more closely with authorities during the process, local plans. If we are going to impose a duty, should we 1611 National Planning Policy Framework18 DECEMBER 2014 National Planning Policy Framework 1612

[Robert Neill] the Committee was entirely right to call for a statutory requirement for local authorities to get their plan in not also consider how we can reduce the amount of place promptly. information that goes into the plans; how they can be We also identified one or two areas where the NPPF made more strategic rather than needlessly complicated; could be strengthened, one of which relates to housing and how in particular we can deal with the delays that land supply, whereby those authorities that have identified are sometimes caused to planning authorities by statutory large sites that are not deliverable within the five years consultees? If there are going to be penalties for planning are vulnerable to speculative applications. Does the authorities, should there not also be penalties for statutory hon. Gentleman agree that the Committee was entirely consultees when they delay the process? right in calling for that matter to be addressed?

Mr Betts: The hon. Gentleman’s last point is a very Mr Betts: I thank the hon. Gentleman, who is also a good one. We did not take particular evidence on it, but member of the Committee, for his contribution to the it does aggravate councils up and down the country. We report, particularly the way in which he focused on made a recommendation that a look should be taken at the problems with the five-year supply of housing and how the process could be simplified. We did not go into the definitions of viability. Indeed, sites where planning the specifics, but boxes of documents at the Planning permission has actually been given are not necessarily Inspectorate for one local plan for a relatively small automatically factored into the five-year supply, and district showed how complicated the process has become. our report calls for that to be addressed. The hon. At a time of spending and resource constraints, many Gentleman did not mention this, but he has also been a councils are struggling to finish that complicated process. great champion of what more we can do to protect the We think that the Government, the Planning Inspectorate high street and town and city centres. and local government should sit down together and revise and simplify the process. Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): The hon. Gentleman praised the joint core strategy process in Nick Herbert (Arundel and South Downs) (Con): As Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury, but will he a strong supporter of localism and neighbourhood acknowledge that there are huge problems with local planning in particular, may I echo the warm welcome consent even there? For instance, Leckhampton parish for the hon. Gentleman’s Committee’s report, which council produced a well thought out and substantial correctly identifies a number of the issues confronting application for local green space status under the NPPF, local communities? May I also join in his plea to the but it was told that it could not use it before the JCS Minister to pay attention to the recommendations, to process because it would pre-empt the plan-making respond to them constructively and as soon as possible, process; that it could not use it during the JCS process and in particular to deal with the problem of the because it was more appropriate at local plan level; and loophole that is allowing speculative development that it could not use it in the local plan afterwards if the applications, with developers circling villages like hawks, land had already been allocated to a development in the waiting to pounce on greenfield sites that are not in JCS. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that those kinds of identified local or neighbourhood plans, and as a result Kafka-esque techniques for defeating the wishes of undermining faith in the localism we promised? local residents are not in the spirit of the NPPF or of localism? Mr Betts: That sentiment was expressed very strongly to us when we met the 60 representatives of community Mr Betts: The hon. Gentleman’s comments show that groups and parish groups. We consistently heard the even when authorities make genuine attempts to co-operate, message that people did not feel in control of what was it does not always result in sweetness and light. We also happening in their own areas. If there was no local plan identified a problem with the relationship between in place, they felt completely unprotected against individual neighbourhood plans and local plans. That needs to be applications for developments that they felt would be clarified because there is a lot of concern—particularly unsustainable. The right hon. Gentleman gave evidence when a neighbourhood plan comes before a local plan—that to the Committee on precisely those points and we took there can be misunderstandings about the relative status that very much into account in our recommendations. of the two.

Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): May I thank the Chair Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): May I congratulate of the Committee for his accurate representation of our the Committee on an excellent report? Suspension of report and pay tribute to him for the way in which he the local plan for Cheshire East council, covering my brought people together—Members and witnesses— constituency, is causing untold concern in areas such as throughout our inquiry? I am sure he will have seen the Congleton, Sandbach and Alsager, despite a huge of recent report by the Home Builders Federation which volume of work by Cheshire East council. I therefore shows that planning permissions for new homes are thank the Committee for highlighting many points, running at 200,000 a year for the first time in many including the need for clarification of what sustainable years. That is evidence of a simpler and more easily development actually means, the need to facilitate partial understood system, but we heard concerns from individuals adoption, and the inclusion of housing consents in and groups about the operation of the NPPF. The planning numbers, which would go a long way to help evidence showed that the greatest challenges occurred my council in finalising its plan. in those areas where there was no local plan—this is a In the meantime, while the Minister considers those plan-led system—but that people have little to fear points, will the Chair of the Committee join me in when the local authority has a plan in place. Therefore, asking Ministers to speed up the process for the formulation 1613 National Planning Policy Framework18 DECEMBER 2014 National Planning Policy Framework 1614 of neighbourhood plans? No fewer than 14 such plans the Select Committee and its Chairman on putting are now in train in the Cheshire East area, but these are together a solid and sound report. They have my and small communities. Does the hon. Gentleman agree the Government’s thanks for the efforts that they have that there should be a clear, quick process, free of clearly put into taking evidence and working on the bureaucracy and with the appropriate resources and report. support, so that the plans can finalised in early course? I particularly note the importance given to neighbourhood plans, which has been mentioned. I Mr Betts: There is widespread support for the concept agree that they are hugely important, which is why we of neighbourhood plans, but there is some concern that are speeding up the process and putting another £22 million poorer communities may not be able to adopt the into them. It is good that, as has been outlined, the process as easily as more affluent ones. That goes back general view is that the NPPF is working. It has now to the issue of the relative status of neighbourhood and delivered 240,000 new planning permissions in the past local plans if, for example, 14 neighbourhood plans are year. being developed but there is no local plan. I assure the Committee that the Government and We think that the definition of sustainable development the Planning Inspectorate will look at the report’s in the NPPF is a good one—it draws on Brundtland 29 recommendations as part of our desire to improve and on the five principles—and we do not want to the planning system—we can speed it up, while ensuring change it. The problem is that the definition goes on to that we further enforce localism and local decision say that sustainable development is defined by everything making, which is the key to positive development in in the NPPF, and we thought that that rather circular future—but does the hon. Gentleman agree that local argument was unnecessary. plans are hugely important, and that local authorities should be getting on with delivering local plans as well Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) (Lab): I, as neighbourhood plans to make sure that they have too, congratulate my hon. Friend and his Select Committee real local power over planning? Like me, he will be on producing this excellent report. It raises several interested to see how local government reacts to and issues about the national planning policy framework takes on board the eight recommendations specifically and how it operates in practice, and the Government directed at local government. I again thank him for the will need to address those issues. I am particularly report. pleased that it echoes much of the Lyons report, commissioned by Labour, which deals with critical issues Mr Betts: Last time the Government agreed to 30 of such as how to get local authorities to produce local our recommendations. It will be difficult to match that plans and the need for more land to be made available this time as we have given them only 29 recommendations, to support housing and infrastructure development. but I am sure that they will be grateful to receive one I particularly want to stress that I agree with my hon. less. Friend’s findings on town centres. Did his Committee It is absolutely right that the Government should receive evidence from local authorities that are finding take away the report and consider it. We are saying that that allowing a change of use from office to residential, the NPPF has been a success in general, but we hope under permitted development rights and without planning that the Government will recognise that there are some permission, is hurting local businesses and leading to a problems, particularly about issues—the development shortage of much needed office space in some areas? of local plans, the five-year supply of housing land and the relationship between neighbourhood and local plans— Mr Betts: The specific regulations on permitted that need to be addressed to improve the system that development rights were not about offices, but about they set up. I hope that the Government will respond shops and banks. However, we did receive some evidence positively, and we look forward to discussing their on that. Concerns have been identified, particularly in response to our recommendations when it is made. London, about the loss of business and office space to residential use. BILL PRESENTED I want to make two points about town centres. First, local authorities—I am a great localist—did not get the LORDS SPIRITUAL (WOMEN)BILL message that retailing was changing fundamentally with online shopping, and did not change their local plans Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) quickly enough to respond to that, which is a big issue. The Deputy Prime Minister, supported by the Prime Secondly, the Committee strongly made the point that Minister, Secretary Nicky Morgan, Mr Oliver Letwin, the response to such rapid changes has to be properly Greg Clark, Mr Sam Gyimah, Jo Swinson and Tom planned for by making changes to local plans. If, on a Brake, presented a Bill to make time-limited provision pepper-potted basis, we allow a change of use from for vacancies among the Lords Spiritual to be filled by shops and banks to residential, we might well end up bishops who are women. with less ability to reconfigure town centres or to change Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on areas wholesale from retail to other uses. That was one Monday 5 January 2015, and to be printed (Bill 143) of our big concerns. There should be a plan-led approach with explanatory notes (Bill 143-EN). to changes in retailing, not pepper-potting by permitted development. Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. This The Minister of State, Department for Communities morning, the Leader of the House said that the list of and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): I want to add Government special advisers would be published today. to what all Members have quite rightly said in congratulating It has been placed on the gov.uk website, but no copy 1615 National Planning Policy Framework 18 DECEMBER 2014 1616 [Thomas Docherty] Backbench Business has been made available to Members at the Vote Office. Christmas Adjournment Do you have any suggestions about how I could encourage the Deputy Leader of the House to ensure that Members 1.57 pm of the House are given the courtesy of being able to Mr David Amess (Southend West) (Con): I beg to pick up a copy at the Vote Office? move, That this House has considered matters to be raised before the Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Iam forthcoming adjournment. surprised at the hon. Gentleman’s point of order merely I move the motion on behalf of the Backbench because, unlike me and some other Members of the Business Committee, and I want to raise several points House, he is computer literate. I am surprised that he before the House adjourns for the Christmas recess. prefers to have such a matter printed on expensive and The place in which we work has changed and continues tree-wasting paper, rather than in electronic form. However, to change. I pay tribute to all the staff who work here. if any Member asks the Vote Office for a paper copy of However, I have a number of worries, including that if a matter published on the Government website, the we leave this place for five years, when it is refurbished, Vote Office ought to be able to provide one. I am quite we may never return. I am very concerned about our sure that the Deputy Leader of the House has heard sitting hours, which have had a deep impact on the what the hon. Gentleman and I have said, and I would catering facilities. Many of the facilities used to be very be very surprised if the Vote Office does not, in the very busy, but half of them are now empty. I am very near future, take the hint and produce some paper concerned about the prices of refreshments generally. copies of the matter that the hon. Gentleman so rightly The refreshments are excellent, but the prices have put draws to the attention of the House. off charities from having events here. I praise the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, which was introduced last year by one of my colleagues, my right hon. Friend the Member for Croydon South (Sir Richard Ottaway). However, a couple of constituents came to see me to say that it is very expensive to get the licence, and that they do not believe the legislation is fully funded. All sorts of people are just paying lip service to it, so I urge the Government to ensure that extra support is given to local authorities and the police to monitor scrap metal sites and mobile dealers. I had the privilege to pilot the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 through the House, but the issue of fuel poverty still has to be addressed. I am delighted that the Government are rolling back green levies, and increasing the winter fuel payments and the warm home discount. However, some families are still suffering from fuel poverty. I encourage all constituents to consider switching to an energy provider or to a tariff that is cheaper and suits them best. A list of accredited switching sites can be found on the Ofgem website. I am delighted to report that Southend high school for girls and Southend high school for boys have been chosen to represent England at the world school athletics championships in China next year. I hope that everybody rallies behind them so that they do very well. I have mentioned to the House before that Councillor David Stanley leads the wonderful Music Man project, which enriches the lives of people with learning difficulties. I am delighted to tell the House that it will be performing at the London Palladium on 21 June 2015. I am hoping that my good friend, Sir Bruce Forsyth, will compere the programme. Tickets will be available next month. The House will know that Southend is the alternative city of culture 2017. I am delighted to announce that at the end of January 2015, c2c will be naming one of its trains in recognition of that, and that there will be a talent show in the Arlington Rooms in February next year. Earlier this year, I had the honour of hosting a number of Koreans at the Leigh Elim church. That is particularly pertinent given the story in the news today. Those wonderful people from Korea are praying for this House. I hope that Members take comfort from the fact that those people are working on our behalf in a far-off land. 1617 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1618

I want to comment on a number of all-party people with mental health problems account for 23% of parliamentary groups that I chair. As we all know, some the disease burden, they receive only 13% of NHS all-party groups are absolutely farcical and do not meet expenditure. Something needs to be done about that. much. I chair the all-party parliamentary group for the Thinking of the season of good will and Christmas, I Philippines. People from the Philippines do marvellous am chairman of the all-party parliamentary hepatology work. Its care workers are second to none. I am sure group. I urge hon. Members to read the group’s report that I have the House’s support when I say that, thankfully, on hepatitis C, which highlights the catastrophic the number of casualties of the terrible flooding that consequences of failing to address the alarming rise in the Philippines has experienced as a result of Hagupit, liver disease in the United Kingdom, which is caused by which made its first landfall on 6 December with a force preventable viral hepatitis, alcohol misuse and obesity. equivalent to a category 3 storm, has been relatively small. I know that the Philippines would like to thank I know that a number of colleagues have been lobbied the British Government for their generosity in the wake recently by Parkinson’s UK. I agree with its campaign of the typhoon. The Department for International that calls for Duodopa to be commissioned routinely, Development has activated its humanitarian rapid response based on national eligibility criteria. I would like to see facility and agreed to a £2 million fund to help the more transparency from the clinical priorities advisory humanitarian relief that is being provided by GOAL, group in relation to that treatment. Christian Aid and Oxfam, which are all established in I was lobbied recently by the Institute of Customer the Philippines. Service. We all want the highest quality of service possible. I am very concerned about the situation in Bahrain. I It has concluded that the major enablers of excellent continue to receive reports from individuals of ongoing customer service in the public sector include a focus on torture, arbitrary detention and extra-judicial killings. customer insight, the co-creation of services with customers, The recent sentencing of the activist, Zainab al-Khawaja, simpler processes and employee engagement. is of particular concern. The Foreign Affairs Committee I will end—[HON.MEMBERS: “No!”] Well, I could go this year claimed that it had found no evidence of on a little longer, but there are 18 other speakers. I will progress in Bahrain and I have asked the Foreign and end with an issue that I have mentioned on a number of Commonwealth Office to list it as a country of concern. occasions, which concerns Southend hospital, the South I am the joint chairman of the British parliamentary Essex Partnership Trust and Monitor. Because of what committee for Iran freedom. I urge the Government to happened between 1997 and 2010, I believe that this refer the regime’s human rights dossier to the United place has increasingly lost a lot of power. I want to take Nations Security Council for punitive measures and this opportunity to praise all the doctors, nurses and the prosecution of the Iranian regime’s leaders. The ancillary staff who work at Southend hospital and for Government should realise that something needs to be SEPT. However, I am appalled by the management done, particularly in respect of Camp Ashraf. standards. I am the chairman of the all-party parliamentary fire The chief executive of Southend hospital left, but she safety and rescue group. I praise the Under-Secretary of seems to have moved on seamlessly to another job, even State for Communities and Local Government, my though she took a £25,000 pay increase before she left. hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth North (Penny We have also been left with an £8.5 million debt. That is Mordaunt), who is responsible for fire, resilience and quite wrong. I want to know where the governance from emergencies, for supporting the work of the APPG. A the chairman has been. I want the chairman of Southend number of concerns about the built environment and hospital to be replaced and I want a new management schools remain unresolved. The group wants to work structure to be introduced. more closely with the appropriate Departments. Monitor came to see me in October, and it has taken I was pleased that when we voted against the prayer longer than two months to get back to me. A meeting on Monday, we received strong assurances from my was supposed to take place in my office this morning, hon. Friend on firefighters’ pensions. I visited one of but it seems not to have happened. I am not best pleased my local fire stations last week and was made aware of about that. I want to know who exactly is running the all the concerns that were raised in the debate. I was hospital on an interim basis, how much they are being delighted to hear her confirm that if someone fails a paid and what their expertise is. fitness test through no fault of their own and does not I say again to the House, SEPT is a huge organisation. qualify for ill-health retirement, they will be redeployed It is top-heavy with management. I am not going to or receive an unreduced pension. leave this matter alone until the current management I am the chairman of the all-party parliamentary are replaced and until what went on under the last group on maternity. Having fathered five children, I management, by which I mean the previous chief executive, think that I have a few qualifications for that. I was is addressed. What is happening at those two services delighted that we organised an event, in collaboration simply is not good enough. with the National Childbirth Trust, to honour a number I extend my thanks to c2c, Arriva, the Genting Club, of maternity groups throughout the country that are Waitrose, Morrisons, Tesco and all the other good providing an excellent service for parents and their organisations that have helped our community in the babies in the first 1,000 days. past year. I hope that that will encourage others to How many times have we heard that mental health is follow suit. the Cinderella service? Of course, all political parties I wish you, Madam Deputy Speaker, Mr Speaker, the say that they will do something about that. I was very other two Deputy Speakers, all colleagues and all staff of concerned to find out, when I met a group who are the House of Commons a very happy Christmas, good proposing a mental health manifesto, that although health, peace, prosperity and a wonderful new year. 1619 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1620

Several hon. Members rose— How could Londoners be given a greater say? The simplest way would be to create a right for all those Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. paying council tax in London to join TfL if they want I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind remarks. It is to do so. Membership of TfL would entitle London’s obvious that a great many people wish to speak in this residents to attend annual meetings and to listen to, final debate. We do not have unlimited time, as we have question and approve TfL bosses’ plans. Such a system had in the past. I am reluctant to introduce a time limit already exists in foundation hospitals, and to a lesser and thought that we might try to rely on the good will extent in Welsh Water. The Mayor would still have the of Members to their fellow Members. I ask that Members right of initiative, but crucially he would have to face a restrict their remarks to around seven minutes. If everybody far more vigorous system of public scrutiny and approval. takes around seven or eight minutes, everyone who I gently suggest to the House that TfL needs to be wishes to speak will have the opportunity to do so. Let reformed and that a more engaged and democratic TfL us see how it works. needs to emerge. Secondly, I wish to mention the huge cuts in funding 2.10 pm that my local authority faces—some £25 million this Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): I year. That will put facilities such as Harrow arts centre will do my best, Madam Deputy Speaker. and Harrow museum at risk, although they appear to Transport for London is London’s biggest and arguably have been saved at least for this year. Other cuts that the least accountable quango. Bossed by the Mayor, in council envisages include those to North Harrow library practice it is answerable to no one in London apart and Rayners Lane library, both of which are popular from him. Londoners have virtually no say in what it facilities. North Harrow library in particular is a crucial does. Fares go up with Londoners having no chance to community facility in an area that has lost a number of stop them, never mind reduce them, while vanity projects other services and commercial firms of late. Harrow such as a plan for an estuary airport, on which a royal faces some £50 million of further cuts in future years, so ransom has been spent, and a cable car that carries few there will be difficult choices. I nevertheless hope that passengers, are funded and no one can stop them. That there might be a way to save North Harrow library in needs to change. particular. Londoners need to be given more control over TfL, in Thirdly, I want to raise the example of Desjardins, the same way that patients were given the right to become the biggest financial services player in Quebec, in Canada. members of their local hospital so that they have to be It is basically a credit union, but an unusual one. It is listened to and consulted on the trust’s strategy and essentially a federation of 480 individual credit unions, non-executive director appointments. Surely it is time which co-operate to present a unified back-office service that Londoners were allowed some power to shape what and a unified front-facing offer. The individual credit TfL does, affect the decisions it makes and have a voice unions share back-office services, cross-guarantee each when its spending and fares plans are put together. other’s financial decisions and share the same brand name, making marketing of their services far easier. London’s fares have gone up by some 60% in the past six years, with outer-London residents, including those Desjardins is owned by its members and backed by in my constituency, being hit very hard. TfL’s most senior the Church in Quebec, and its branches have become almost staff member recently said that he fears riots if the cost as prolific in Quebec as churches. It offers the full range of London travel keeps rising. There has been little of individual and business financial services, helping discussion with Londoners about the decision to shut individuals to manage their future and helping small virtually every ticket office despite the current Mayor’s businesses to grow into larger ones. It makes a profit, pledge to keep them open, and there has been even less which is shared by members across the credit unions. public debate about how TfL’s property might be used In the UK, the challenge remains how to take credit to address London’s housing crisis. unions to scale. Part of the Desjardins model is being There is the fiction of mayoral and London assembly considered in the UK under the credit union modernisation accountability: every four years, if people do not like project that the Department for Work and Pensions has what the Mayor has done with public transport in funded. What has not yet been created is a similar London, they can vote for change, and there are regular front-facing offer—a common brand with an extensive London assembly transport question times, when the common marketing offer and agreement on common likes of Val Shawcross, Navin Shah and other assembly products. Co-operatives are often fiercely independent, members do a great job within huge constraints, but but I wonder whether it is time for an attempt to be there is no real input from ordinary Londoners. The made to bring credit unions together, at least on a first that anyone on the 8 am train from Harrow on the regional basis, to fund for a number of years the common Hill or East Croydon hears of the next year’s fare front-facing offer that is needed. Clearly, flexibility would increases is when they read about it in the Evening be needed so that individual credit unions did not lose Standard, and only once the Mayor’s spin doctors have their identity or power. Why could not the Mayor of carefully packaged the announcement so that the worst London, perhaps working with the Church of England, rises are not discovered for a couple of days. consider such an operation to help London’s credit If Londoners are to be given the chance to have a say unions grow in membership and number? on the big decisions that are needed on the future of The last point that I want to raise is about London London’s transport, they must surely be part of TfL’s Welsh rugby club. I have recently written to Alex Chisholm, decision making. They should be able to challenge the the chief executive of the Competition and Markets Mayor’s proposals on significant issues such as above- Authority, about the fact that London Welsh, newly inflation fare rises, big projects or significant shifts such promoted to the premiership this year, get just £1.5 million as privatising services or the use of TfL land. in subsidy whereas other premiership rugby clubs get 1621 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1622 more than £4 million. Inevitably, the premiership is a Development (OECD) to reform the international tax standards rigged market as a result, always making it harder for to prevent profit shifting by multinationals. It is essential that newly promoted clubs to compete with more established these issues are looked at in a comprehensive and co-ordinated clubs on an equal basis. manner to come up with effective solutions.” What do we find in the tax paragraph on Gatwick Talks are in progress between London Welsh and Airport Ltd’s financial evaluation? There is not a single Premiership Rugby, but I hope that Mr Chisholm from figure for tax payable by the company during the lifetime the CMA might be willing to use his good offices, of the project. There is an assumption about corporation following the letter that I have written to him, to which I tax, but not one single figure for actual tax paid. hope the shadow Deputy Leader of the House might encourage a quick response, to encourage Premiership Having seen that lack of information, when I and Rugby to see sense and sort out the huge imbalance in some of my colleagues who have constituencies in the funding. vicinity of Gatwick airport met its chief executive, Mr Stewart Wingate, I asked him why he had redacted 2.17 pm all that information. His answer was that it was commercially confidential, but I do not accept that that Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling) (Con): For argument has validity. It would be valid if Gatwick all of us, it is a matter of fortuity as to whether the Airport Ltd were competing for a franchise over the experience and expertise that we acquire in different airport, but it is not. Gatwick Airport Ltd is the owner ways before we enter the House can be utilised when we of the airport, which it bought from the British Airports come here. I had the good fortune, before I entered the Authority for £1.5 billion in 2009. In those circumstances, House, to be a member of the financial evaluation team I do not believe that the issue of commercial confidentiality at Rio Tinto-Zinc. Our responsibilities were to evaluate reasonably arises; much more fundamental is that there for the board of RTZ some of the most complex and should be openness and transparency at what is a largest capital projects worldwide in the mining and critical time moment for those living in the vicinity of hydroelectric sector. The head of our team was the Gatwick and indeed Heathrow. internationally renowned Mr Allen Sykes, and the book that he co-authored with the late Professor Tony Merrett, It is time-critical because this is the last-chance saloon “The Finance and Analysis of Capital Projects”, was and the last opportunity for members of the public and required business school reading. their elected representatives to give their views to the Airports Commission about the three available options— That background has been of considerable help to after the general election the commission will make its me both as a Minister and on the Back Benches, but choice. This is a critical moment, and I consider that perhaps never more so than now. My constituency Gatwick Airport Ltd has failed—and failed scandalously extends to the western extremity of Kent, and every —to be open and transparent about the financial evaluation single aircraft landing at Gatwick airport from the east of its project. flies over my constituency, where noise levels for many of my constituents are already intolerable both by day Gatwick Airport Ltd has projected an increase in and by night. The House will not be surprised to know airline passengers from the current 30 million to almost that when the Airports Commission produced its latest 90 million by 2050—an extra 60 million travellers. It is and final consultation documents on the three additional self-evident that that will require substantial surface runway options for the south-east, I went straight to access improvements to Gatwick airport, and particularly Gatwick Airport Ltd’s financial evaluation of its second rail access. What has Gatwick Airport Ltd said about runway proposal. To say that I was acutely disappointed meeting that need? There has been a deafening silence. by what I found would be a major understatement. In Happily, by contrast the Airports Commission has not fact, I was profoundly shocked at the level of concealment. been silent, and paragraph 3.36 of its paper, “Gatwick Airport Second Runway: Business Case and Sustainability The key elements in any financial evaluation are the Assessment”, contains a significant one-sentence statement: crucial lines of financial numbers and the assumptions “It is likely that Government will need to fund some or all of behind those numbers. Let us consider the key document the surface access requirements”. published by Gatwick Airport Ltd and the appendix entitled “Financial Model”. In paragraph 3.4 on financing, In my view, Gatwick Airport Ltd is simply seeking a for example, we would expect lines of figures, but instead blank cheque from UK taxpayers, signed on their behalf we have lines of scissors—every single figure has been to provide the surface access infrastructure that will be redacted. When we look at similar paragraphs, the needed. balance sheet or the cash-flow statement, similarly, it is In conclusion, on the grounds that Gatwick Airport all scissors. In the crucial paragraph on tax—tax payable Ltd has totally failed to be transparent about its financial is a critical element of a financial evaluation—again we evaluation, and has concealed the public expenditure find acute disappointment. implications of the infrastructure needed for a second The owners of Gatwick airport are an international runway, its proposal should be rejected by the Airports company, and all the major shareholders are foreign. Commission. They are from the US, Abu Dhabi, Australia and Korea. One key policy on which there is complete all-party 2.26 pm agreement across the House is that international companies Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): It is a pleasure to that operate out of the UK should pay their full and follow the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling fair share of UK taxation. That was stated to me (Sir John Stanley). This debate gives us a chance to unequivocally by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, touch on various issues, and I wish to mention three: who said in a recent letter: local government, the NHS, and something I hope we “The UK is at the forefront of multilateral action through the can all support on a cross-party basis because it appeals G20 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and to our humanity. 1623 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1624

[Valerie Vaz] run down the services, so people have to look to outside providers. That is not the way to run a national health On local government, there is much discussion about service. the private and public sectors, and in my view the public Finally, I became involved with John’s Campaign sector comes off worse. Let us consider the cuts in when I met Julia Jones and Francis Wheen. Julia told welfare and the amount of money given to bankers under me about her elderly mother and how she worries about quantitative easing. What is that quantitative easing her as her carer. She talked about her friend Nicci other than welfare for bankers? There were no questions Gerrard, whose father had recently died. Many Members asked, no Atos interview requiring them to walk 60 metres will have seen the article in The Observer about Nicci’s to qualify; the money was just handed over and they dad. Dr John Gerrard had dementia. He was admitted kept it without even lending it. In contrast, most local to hospital, and Nicci said he was cared for by the authorities that provide vital services are having their doctors and nurses. Nicci and her family took an interest budgets slashed. It is extraordinary that the Government in John: they talked to him, read to him and played are pushing ahead with budget cuts to local government chess with him. However, in the hospital setting Nicci of more than a third. was not allowed to stay with John. All Nicci asked for The National Audit Office said that single-tier authorities and wanted was to continue doing those things with feared for core services, including education and social John, so that he could carry out his usual activities. care, and that the Government have no way of monitoring Hospital is unnerving without dementia, but imagine if the financial sustainability of councils. That matters one cannot remember things—one would definitely feel because my council—Walsall metropolitan borough council more vulnerable. Nicci knew that John was deteriorating. —is a single-tier council. We have an outstanding Sure The Library provided information on an example of Start centre in Palfrey that has an innovative fathers very helpful good practice in a Bristol hospital. University club. It has a role to play in helping new parents and is a Hospitals Bristol allow carers to continue their care in focus for them, but all that is under threat. Some families hospital. Ward staff have an initial daily conversation in Walsall cannot even afford a computer or the internet, with carers, so they are clear what their role is in so children go to libraries after school. How will we hospital. Carers are allowed to be with patients outside raise standards and aspirations if we deny people, especially visiting hours, including through the night. children, access to knowledge? Those vital services can The Minister of State, Department of Health, the affect the long-term needs of society, and the budget right hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb), cuts are short-term thinking that in the end will undermine who has responsibility for care and support, wants all society. hospitals to be dementia friendly. He wrote a letter, on 14 March 2013, to all acute hospital trusts, but this Let me turn to the NHS. In the Health Committee I aspect was not mentioned. Parents are encouraged to was surprised by an extraordinary admission from the stay with their children overnight to make the experience Health Secretary, who told me that NHS staff could not less formidable. I ask the Deputy Leader of the House receive their 1% pay rise because it was in patients’ to ask the Minister to meet me and the founders of interests not to give it to them. I cannot follow the logic John’s Campaign, Nicci Gerrard, Julia Jones and Francis of that. People were entitled to that pay rise, which was Wheen, to discuss taking this issue forward. The early-day agreed and would have raised morale. Productivity drops motion I tabled has received cross-party support from if people do not feel valued, and none of the crisis in the 41 Members, as of today. If there ever was a new year NHS was made by the people who work in it. resolution that could come true, the Deputy Leader has Earlier this year the Health Service Journal reported it in his power to grant it. It would help those who that two thirds of commissioners have experienced increased support their loved ones in difficult times, and do so in commissioning costs, and £60 million has been spent John’s memory. on tendering exercises. That is taking money out of It remains for me to say that I sat on the House of the NHS. I have to keep repeating this, because the Commons Governance Committee and I have seen how reorganisation cost £3 billion. An underspend of £1.4 billion brilliant this institution and the people who work in it, was sent back to the Treasury in 2011-12. In 2012-13, from top to bottom, are. I want to thank all of them for £2.2 billion of underspend was sent back. That has all their hard work, and wish them a happy Christmas and been handed back without giving staff a pay rise, even all the best in 2015. though there is a crisis in A and E. We need more doctors, yet we know that for every 2.33 pm 350 medical student places there are at least another Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): I thank 1,000 applicants who have met the criteria. Should the my hon. Friend the Member for Southend West (Mr Secretary of State not discuss with universities how to Amess) for securing the debate. He is always the expert fast-track new doctors? The Secretary of State cannot in delivering so many constituency cases and I congratulate rely on the one doctor, Doctor Who, to save the NHS—he him on that. I want to cover a number of constituency can save lots of other things, but not the NHS. cases—perhaps not as expertly as my hon. Friend, but I The most important thing is accountability.The Secretary will do my very best. of State and the chief executive of NHS England both First, I very much welcome the announcement by the appeared before the Committee. No one quite knows Secretary of State for Transport on the £2 billion to who is in charge and no one has a grip on the NHS. deal with the bottleneck on the A30/A303, which goes Like Statler and Waldorf, the two characters from the through my constituency. Muppets who sit in the side box, they heckle everyone Broadband in rural areas is extremely necessary. I saying, “Work harder or you won’t get a pay rise.” Of have worked with all Members for Devon and Somerset course, staff work harder but do not get a pay rise. They from both sides of the House to secure funding for rural 1625 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1626 broadband. Devon and Somerset county councils have production is at least 30p. Farmers need support. I urge put money in, along with Broadband Delivery UK, to the Government, when procuring milk and other dairy deliver rural broadband across the two counties. The products, to look for British product. I would also like very nature of the contract let to BDUK states clearly the Government to look at how we promote milk. I am that broadband should get to the hardest-hit areas. Of a great believer—I declare an interest as a former dairy course, what happens when the contract starts is that farmer—in milk being a wholesome product that is very BDUK picks the easiest cherries on the tree and gets to good for us. Over the years it has been downgraded, the areas that are not quite so hard to hit. However, with people always talking about the fat it contains, but there are delays and delays in bringing rural broadband not the protein and all the other good constituents. We to areas around the Blackdowns, such as Upottery, should go out and promote milk, using the resources of Smeatharpe and over on the other side towards Seaton Dairy UK and others. The Government must stand up and Rousdon. We even had the chief executive of BDUK, for a great farming industry that is not only looking in the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, after and feeding people, but delivering the great countryside saying that it could be 2020 before some of those that we all love to visit. villages are reached. BDUK has come out with wonderful Finally, I thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and all statistics stating that there is 95% broadband coverage in the House for looking after us so well and wish across the country. The only problem is that nearly 95% everyone a thoroughly happy Christmas. of parts of my constituency do not have broadband. I suggested to the BDUK chief executive that it would not be wise for him to make that statement in some of 2.41 pm my rural villages, because 95% of the people there do Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab): I am absolutely delighted not have broadband. to have this opportunity to contribute once again to a BDUK has begun, very late in the day, to look at Christmas pre-recess Adjournment debate. I want to alternatives to the large junction boxes or cabinets with raise two health issues: the hysteroscopy procedure and fibre-optic cables. There are ways to introduce smaller pancreatic cancer. I know that some Members were cabinets on telegraph poles and the like. It is now present when I talked about hysteroscopy last year, but beginning to pilot those schemes, but it is time for it to I must warn the others that it is not for the squeamish, up its game and get broadband out to those hard-hit so I will perfectly understand if anyone wants to leave rural areas. I am looking forward. I welcome the support, the Chamber. with Government, council and public money, but it is The hysteroscopy procedure was first brought to my time that broadband was delivered. I would love the attention by my constituent Debbie, who lives in Plaistow. Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy, my hon. She is a really lovely women and a great campaigner. Friend the Member for Wantage (Mr Vaizey) to deal She was diagnosed with womb and uterine cancer and with this, because pressure needs to be put on BDUK contacted me not about the pain of the cancer, but the on delivery. pain she went through during the process of diagnosis. In my constituency, there is a group of volunteers Debbie underwent a hysteroscopy, which I remind Members called the Devon Freewheelers who deliver blood and is a procedure for looking inside a patient’s uterus. It is body parts for transplant to hospitals. They have police-type used to investigate symptoms such as pelvic pain, abnormal bikes, are fully trained and deliver across the county of bleeding and infertility. Biopsies are often taken during Devon, into Cornwall and beyond. The service they the procedure and tissue is removed. The procedure is provide is run entirely through charity. No help has uncomfortable and can be incredibly painful. been given to it by the NHS or the local NHS trust, Debbie has since campaigned tirelessly to prevent even though it now has a contract with the NHS in other women being subjected to such a painful procedure. Devon for deliveries. It is time that we looked across our I pay tribute to the work that she and others in the Departments in Government to see if we can find ways hysteroscopy campaign have done. Since raising Debbie’s to support these great people, who have put in a huge story in the House last Christmas, I have been contacted amount of effort. One can imagine the tremendous by a number of women across the country who heard amount of money it would cost if the NHS in Devon, about the debate and wanted to share their stories with Cornwall and beyond had to pay for the service. me. The cases they described have all happened since My constituent John Panvert of Steart Farm in last year’s debate. Stoodleigh, Tiverton, bought a farm with a commercial One such woman is Mrs Hughes. She had a thickening stables with a large gallop area, many stables and an of her womb and was told that she might have cancer, indoor horse-walking area. When he bought the property, so she had a pipelle biopsy, which in itself was very business rates were being paid on it. He did not challenge painful and distressing. She was then told that she immediately the fact that he carried on paying business would need a hysteroscopy and that she would be given rates, even though he now uses the stables domestically, an anaesthetic. Mrs Hughes, who has heart problems, so he now has a huge amount of business rates to pay. I phoned the hospital to find out what type of anaesthetic have been to the property twice and seen that three she would be given. She was told that it would be a stables are used for his wife’s horses, but for no other nerve block anaesthetic. To be clear, Mrs Hughes received purpose. Even though we have challenged the valuation information from a doctor, a nurse and a leaflet at the office about that, it is about to hire a barrister and take local hospital, all telling her that the procedure would him to court to get him to pay the business rates. I think be conducted under anaesthetic. that is an abuse of power by those in authority. On the day of the procedure, however, her doctor—let My last point is about the huge problems facing dairy us call him Dr C—told her, “Well, we only give anaesthetics farmers in my constituency and across the country. The to people who can’t cope with facing it. It stings, but price of milk is falling to 24p and below, but the cost of you’ll be all right. I’ll be gentle. I’ll be in and out in 1627 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1628

[Lyn Brown] She wants me to help get the message out that early diagnosis and surviving pancreatic cancer go hand in hand, 30 seconds.” But the doctor could not find the cervix. and she argues that the lack of funding for the fight against After some time, and a considerable amount of intense pancreatic cancer is directly responsible for the poor and painful probing inside her, water was pumped into survival rate. Understandably, she wants that to change. her womb and a camera was inserted. The pain increased Tragically, Steven was diagnosed only after numerous significantly and Mrs Hughes was calling out loudly in visits to their GP with a range of symptoms. He had distress. She felt herself passing out because of the pain. lost 4 stone and had diabetes, but it was only when a The doctor then said, “I can’t reach it.” The procedure locum saw him that he was referred to hospital. Tragically, was terminated without a biopsy or a diagnosis. it was too late. We need to do far more to save people like After the procedure, Mrs Hughes went home. She Steven. Survival rates have remained unchanged over said: the last 40 years, with 22 people dying every day from “I had excruciatingly painful cramps and bleeding. I was so pancreatic cancer and only 10% of patients being diagnosed very distressed and dazed... I started to shiver and then began to in time for lifesaving curative surgery. Surely we can do shake all over. I couldn’t stop the shaking. My nerves were shot. I better. As Members know, behind each statistic are was crying and couldn’t get the procedure out of my head... I kept personal stories and individual and family tragedies. having flashbacks. My heart was affected, thumping and missing beats. I felt truly traumatised. I couldn’t sleep—I kept waking up Pancreatic cancer has the worst survival rate of all in an absolute panic.” cancers, yet it receives only 1% of research spend. Over She was in agony and was clearly experiencing post- the last four years, cancer spending has been cut by traumatic stress. The doctor simply told her that she £800 million in real terms, and I am told that treatment would have to come back and have the procedure done standards are deteriorating and that the national cancer under general anaesthetic. target has been missed in the last three quarters. Hon. Members will share my concern that this is simply not This really cannot go on. The Under-Secretary of good enough, so I implore the Government to look at State for Health, the hon. Member for Battersea (Jane the issue afresh. I am sure I speak for all Members in Ellison), kindly wrote to me after last year’s debate. She extending our thoughts and prayers to those battling highlighted the guidance from the Royal College of cancer and in expressing our admiration for and thanks Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, stating that she expected to the NHS staff caring for them, especially over the “all clinicians to adhere to guidance where available to ensure Christmas period. good practice and the best outcomes for patients.” The guidance includes the need for formal informed Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish you, hon. Members consent for out-patient hysteroscopy before the procedure. and everybody who works on the parliamentary estate I am afraid that I do not consider that to be sufficient the happiest of Christmases and the very best of new protection for women. A significant number of hospitals years. still do not use a written consent form for an out-patient 2.51 pm hysteroscopy. It is a postcode lottery as to whether a patient is offered different options for pain control, or Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): We hear today that indeed even advised to take a pain killer before the Sony has pulled the apparently joke film “The Interview” procedure. Put simply, many women across our country about North Korea. I decry inhibiting free speech, are still having to go through this procedure, which is whatever the material, but life in North Korea is not a often agonising, without the right information or informed joke. It is not a joke that desperate women wade across consent. the frozen Tumen river to escape to China, only to be I implore the Minister to take action to ensure that caught by Chinese men, sold into sexual slavery and surgeons must always discuss with patients what will then, when used up, sent back by the authorities to face happen before, during and after a hysteroscopy, and torture in North Korea and the forced abortion of their that they must obtain formal informed consent for an unborn children. out-patient hysteroscopy before the procedure. This It is not a joke for those hundreds of thousands who matter must be tackled. I ask the Minister to use her live in concentration camps reminiscent of the Nazi era, good offices to make some progress. many for uttering a few words against the North Korean I would now like to turn to pancreatic cancer. The regime—or, worse, under the regime’s atrocious “guilt diagnosis of pancreatic cancer often comes too late for by association” rule, not for something they have done, any effective treatment, meaning that for many the news but for something their relatives have done to offend the is abrupt, shocking and, all too often, a death sentence. regime. Prisoners are told they are not humans but It is often called the silent cancer, because the early animals and indescribably tortured: steam-rolled to death; symptoms are hard to detect and it is only later, when killed by having hot molten metal poured over them; more precise and exact symptoms appear, that patients frozen to death; starved to death; worked to death in and doctors consider the possibility of pancreatic cancer. factories; hung upside down to have water poured into One of my constituents, Norma Giles, wrote to me about their nostrils, like so much beef hanging from hooks in the loss of her son Steven to pancreatic cancer in 2010. a slaughter house; deprived of clothing and sleep, then He was previously a fit and healthy man, happily married mercilessly pummelled with wooden bats; kept in cells and a father, and his death has had a devastating impact with two holes in the door for them to stick their feet on the family. He was just 42, and like many he was out to be horrendously tortured; and frequently forced diagnosed too late for surgery. His wife, Clair Giles, wrote: to watch executions, including of their blood relatives. “if I told you pancreatic cancer is a git, I would be lying, as there As my co-chair of the all-party group on North Korea, are no words strong enough to tell you what pancreatic cancer an increasingly active group, Lord Alton, said, does to the patient and to their family. I have struggled losing my “Christmas spent in a North Korean gulag will be just another husband, my soul mate.” day of grotesque suffering.” 1629 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1630

Life in North Korea is not a joke outside the 111 countries that those responsible for human rights concentration camps either. It is not a joke for the violations in North Korea be brought to justice by the thousands of stunted, parentless children—the so-called International Criminal Court. We also called for all wandering swallows—who eke out a living on the streets. appropriate justice mechanisms to be considered to The problem of malnutrition in North Korea is so bad bring the North Korean Government to account for that the minimum height for a member of their armed their terrible atrocities against their own people. Here in forces is just 4 feet 2 inches. It is not a joke for the the UK Parliament, as MPs we continue to press for the disabled in North Korea either. Just when we thought BBC World Service to broadcast to you, the people of that reports from North Korea could not get any worse, North Korea, in the Korean and English languages, and this week we heard at first hand from an escapee at a we MPs continue to press for an increased dialogue meeting of the all-party group in the UK Parliament with China to stop its policy of forced repatriation and about how disabled people, including children, were sent for humanitarian aid to the people of North Korea. “for medical tests such as dissection of body parts, as well as tests So, at Christmas time our hearts go out to you, the of biological and chemical weapons. Dwarves are castrated. North Korean people, from the UK. Know that we are Babies with mental and physical handicaps are routinely snatched with you; know that we are supporting and working from hospitals and left to suffer indescribable things until they die. The disabled in North Korea are simply disappeared.” with your relatives and friends who have escaped to this country and know that they have a voice; and know that We were told that by a disabled escapee, Ji Seong-Ho, we shall continue to speak out for you and to press for who, at 14, lost his left hand and leg after passing out action on your behalf until the day comes, which it from hunger while scavenging for coal on railway tracks surely will, when your country is free again and your and was run over by a train. He was told by North suffering is at an end. Korean Government officials: “disabled people like you hurt the dignity of North Korea and you should just die.” 2.59 pm He told us, “That really hurt.” Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (UKIP): It is At Christmas time, let us remember that living in a privilege to follow the hon. Member for Congleton North Korea is not a joke for the many brave Christians (Fiona Bruce), who I am sure speaks for the whole who every day fear incarceration simply for owning a House in her moving and compelling contribution. Bible. One lady has told the all-party group that if soldiers suspect that someone is a believer, they will The hon. Member for Harrow West (Mr Thomas) spoke ransack their home until they find what they are looking about Transport for London, and the ridiculous plans for. In her home, they did: they noticed a brick slightly of the Mayor of London and Transport for London out of position, and behind it they found her Bible, so which no one could do anything about. He gave two she was taken to prison. examples, one of which was a Thames estuary airport. I am pleased to say that we could do something about I have mentioned just two of many escapees who have that, following a fantastic campaign, which the Airports spoken to our group this year and who are now finding Commission said generated more representations than sanctuary in the UK and increasingly giving testimonies any other. I was privileged to lead that campaign with of their suffering to Members of Parliament. For the people from the Hoo peninsula and elsewhere in my rest of my speech, however, I want to speak not to constituency, but also with people from across the country fellow Members, or even to our constituents, but to the and beyond, so that on 2 September this year, the people of North Korea. When I first spoke about North Thames estuary airport pie-in-the-sky proposal promoted Korea in the House, I was amazed to receive a letter by the Mayor of London was categorically ruled out. from supporters in South Korea saying, “You are being heard” so I know that when we speak here, many of you Unfortunately, two days later, Medway council’s in North Korea hear what we say—and that is increasingly own planning committee attacked the Hoo peninsula the case with modern means of communication, such as with its own threat—a very serious threat—to build smuggled-in USB sticks. approximately 5,000 houses at Lodge hill, a bird sanctuary in my constituency. Two days after we had had the I want you, the people of North Korea, to know that dreadful threat of the Thames estuary airport ruled your suffering is being heard. Do not think that no one out, we had this other one to deal with. Five days later, cares. Do not think that no one is speaking out for you. Medway council had to refer the application to the In the UK Parliament, more and more people are speaking Secretary of State to consider whether it should be out and showing that they care. We have compassion for called in. you in your suffering, and this Christmas remember that our compassion is as nothing compared with that of Christ. One day, this too will end. Kingdoms rise and Sir John Randall (Uxbridge and South Ruislip) (Con): fall. We are praying for you and for your freedom. Will the hon. Gentleman give way? In addition to praying and speaking out, more and more people are acting. This year, a 400-page UN Mark Reckless: No. [Interruption.] I said no. report by Mr Justice Kirby catalogued the brutal atrocities The criteria used for planning application call-ins you experience. The world now knows of them and used to be called the Caborn criteria. Three of those cannot stay silent. Increasingly, people in the free world criteria appear to be met very clearly by this application are calling for action on your behalf. Only last week in to the extent that a call-in is required. The first relates to this Parliament, the all-party group on international conflicting with national policies on important matters, freedom of religion or belief issued a report that can be notably the protection of sites of special scientific interest— found at www.freedomdeclared.org which added to and, indeed, the whole integrity of our system of demands made last month at the UN by no fewer than environmental protection. 1631 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1632

[Mark Reckless] a number of representations that had been received, including representations from the RSPB and Natural The second relates to having significant effects beyond England. Unfortunately the Minister did not attach the the immediate locality. It could even have an effect as representations that he said he had attached to the far away as west Africa, where the nightingales that are letter, and, as far as I know, they have not been published. the cause of this area becoming an SSSI spend the The letter is peculiar, however. It is not clear whether British winter. There could be an impact on Essex, Medway council’s views were being sought, or the views because the planning committee of Medway council of the planning committee, or both, and it is not clear has, in its wisdom, accepted a proposal that the nightingales how any conflict between them should be resolved. The can be told to go to an alternative location somewhere planning committee meeting was, of course, on the in Essex. We do not have much in the way of detail, but record, so the extent to which it has considered—or, one this clearly suggests significant effects beyond the immediate suspects, not considered—the matters that it should locality.Perhaps most importantly, approving the proposal have considered should have been made clear either in or failing to call it in and seeking to nod it through with its decision notice or in the record of that meeting. I a green light could have impacts on other SSSIs across therefore question the credibility and reliability of any the country. ex post facto justifications that Medway council may The third criterion is where the development would now produce for its decision, and any statement in give rise to substantial cross-border or national controversy. which it purports to have abided by the national planning Having been at the centre of such controversy during policy framework. the recent Rochester and Strood by-election, I can Given that letter, given that at least three of the vouch for that. criteria for call-in were clearly met, and given the statement On 25 September, the Secretary of State for Communities by the deputy leader of the council that the proposal and Local Government recused himself from considering would be green-lighted in the light of communications the application on the basis that he is a member of the that he at least believed were taking place within the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Two days Government or among those who he thought could later, I recused myself from the Conservative party and speak for them in respect of there not being a call-in, I was determined to fight a by-election partly on this think it is clear that the safest and, indeed, the only issue. Since the Secretary of State recused himself, the appropriate option is for the Government to call in the matter has been considered by the Minister of State, application, appoint an inspector, and give proper Department for Communities and Local Government, consideration to what is, in my view, an incredibly the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth (Brandon Lewis). damaging application. This application would result in He wrote to me on 15 October, and I was glad to hear the pulling together of several villages into a single that no ministerial decision had been taken on whether conglomeration, and would cause a site of special scientific the matter should be called in. He criticised what he interest to be almost completely built over, which would described as my claim that such a decision had been taken. undermine the whole system of environmental protection in this country. It should now be considered by an Of course, that was not my claim. It was a claim made inspector and then by the Secretary of State, and, by the deputy leader of Medway council, Councillor hopefully, turned down as a result. Alan Jarrett, in a meeting of Conservative councillors. His statement was that it had apparently been communicated to him by the Government that the 3.7 pm proposal would be green-lighted and would not be Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): Two hundred years called in. That led to another councillor present at the ago Britain and the United States of America were at meeting, Councillor Peter Rodberg, leaving the Conservative war, and had been for more than two years. Christmas group and joining me in UKIP. He says—and this is Eve is the 200th anniversary of the signing of a peace borne out by another councillor who has spoken to me, treaty to end the north American war of 1812-14. Since and who remains a Conservative—that at the end of the then our two great countries have been friends and close meeting, after the councillors had been told that the allies, which has served us well through good as well as Government would green-light the proposal, Councillor difficult times. However, as far as I can ascertain, the Peter Hicks, who represents Strood Rural, said that anniversary of the treaty of Ghent is not being they should keep quiet about it until after the election. commemorated either in the United Kingdom or in the It was a pleasure to learn from the Minister that he United States. was dealing with the issue of the call-in properly. He Next year there will be huge commemorations to clearly recognises that he is acting in a quasi-judicial mark the 200th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, capacity, and—at least in terms of the time that he has at which Napoleon was finally defeated, and every year already devoted to the issue and the correspondence we have Trafalgar day to mark the battle of Trafalgar in that he has issued—he appears to be performing his 1805. Two great battles that shaped European history duties with diligence. His most recent letter was written are taught in our schools, so why has the north American on 8 December to Councillor Rodney Chambers, the war, which took place in the years between Trafalgar leader of Medway council. I understand that since this and Waterloo and which shaped British history and the Government have been in office no more than a dozen history of north America, been airbrushed from the applications have been called in each year, whereas history that is taught to our children? under the last Government about 30 a year were called Had the United States won the 1812-14 war, there in, but I am not aware of any precedent for such a letter. would not be a proud Commonwealth country called The Minister wrote asking for Medway council’s views, Canada today.Fortunately, our Canadian cousins recognise and in particular the views of the planning committee the huge importance of what was delivered by the treaty that had considered the application on 4 September, on of Ghent, but successive British Governments and the 1633 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1634 education establishment—by omission—stand accused between the two countries, and of restoring, upon principles of of dereliction of duty in ignoring it in the school history perfect reciprocity, peace, friendship, and good understanding curriculum. It would be an insult to the memory of between them, have for that purpose”—[Official Report, 16 March those who fought for Britain—British soldiers and sailors 1815; Vol. 30, c. 209-10.]— and the loyalist population living in British north America and which continues with a list of the representatives of —if the British Parliament did not recognise the the two countries delegated to reach an agreement 200th anniversary, so in their honour I am doing what I to end the war which had been declared by the USA on can today to put on the official record that this important Britain in June 1812. Among the five Americans was moment in our nation’s history has been raised in the John Quincy Adams; 11 years later, he become President House of Commons. of the United States. I can further report that on Monday evening this We are currently commemorating the 100th anniversary week, at my instigation, a commemorative dinner was of the first world war which started in August 1914. held in the House of Lords hosted by Lord Clark of Some 100 years before, in August 1814, British forces, Windermere with two guest speakers from the US embassy, among them the East Essex Regiment, burnt down the Brigadier General Dieter Bareihs, defence attaché of White House. That was the last time that mainland the US air force, and Elizabeth Dibble, deputy chief of USA had been invaded by a foreign power. We quite mission. It was a modest event with just 20 people drawn rightly commemorate the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 from both Houses. We had toasts to Her Majesty the and the battle of Waterloo in 1815. Now, with the 200th Queen and the President of the United States, and to anniversary of the peace treaty which brought to an end UK-USA relations past, present and future. Thus the the north American war of 1812-14 between the United 200th anniversary was commemorated, with most admitting States of America and the United Kingdom, I urge the that they had not hitherto been aware of the war of Government to prevail on those responsible for the 1812-14, and nor had I until last year when I stumbled history curriculum in our schools to include this war, across knowledge of it during a visit to Canada with the which occurred in the same period as those two battles, Colchester military wives choir, who sang at the Canadian and on the education establishment to give an explanation international military tattoo, at which cameo scenes as to why it currently ignores it. from battles of 1813 were staged between the main events. 3.14 pm This prompted me to hold an Adjournment debate on Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): I enjoy the 25 June this year entitled “History Curriculum: North Christmas Adjournment debate because it gives us a American War, 1812-14”. I have also pursued at education chance to raise diverse subjects that are of concern to questions why this war does not feature in the history us. I want to raise two subjects that might look very curriculum. I will not repeat today what I have put on different but in fact have a link from the national to the the record previously, but instead I will concentrate on international. In questions to the Leader of the House the signing of the peace treaty in what is today Belgium today, and earlier this week in questions concerning on Christmas eve 200 years ago. As ever, I am grateful Iraq, I asked why Britain had just announced that it was to the House of Commons Library for its assistance, going to build a new military base in Bahrain. I have specifically Mr Paul Lester and Mr John Prince. also just tabled an early-day motion on the subject. It will be the first new base to be built anywhere in the Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): world by Britain for a very long time. It is not just an I intend to talk about this later, but is the hon. Gentleman extension of the existing naval facilities; it is a new base. aware of the excellent book by Andrew Lambert called The details are slowly beginning to emerge, and it “The Challenge”, which deals in particular with the appears that Bahrain is buying a British flag to go on naval element of the 1812-14 war, in which the Royal the base and is indeed paying for quite a lot of it. Navy sank the whole US navy? Following the announcement, the British ambassador to Bahrain spoke at a business meeting last week at Sir Bob Russell: I am not aware of that book, but I which he assured the business men—I should imagine am aware of the equally wonderful book by the TV that they were indeed all men—that Britain was aware journalist Peter Snow about when British forces burnt of the improving human rights situation and democratic down the White House and other aspects of the war of processes in Bahrain, and that it was therefore an act of 1812-14. choice for Britain to build the new military base there. Following the signing of the treaty of Ghent, it was Yesterday, a press conference was held in the House of ratified by the Government and signed by the King on Lords. It was excellently chaired by Lord Avebury of 30 December—or perhaps by the Prince Regent; I have the parliamentary human rights group. It was attended not been able to confirm which. The ratifications of the by a considerable number of people who had been treaty were exchanged in Washington on 17 February exiled from Bahrain. Some were political exiles, others 1815. Hansard, volume 30, columns 209-218, headed had relatives in prison there. A number of lawyers were “Treaty of Peace with America”, records that the treaty, also present, and they explained exactly what the prison when fully ratified and exchanged, was presented to conditions were like. Parliament by Lord Castlereagh on 16 March 1815. The assertion that human rights in Bahrain are somehow It is fascinating to read the proceedings, and to improving is bizarre beyond belief. If anyone doubts observe that the treaty was printed in full, broken down that, I would refer them to an excellent article in The into 11 separate articles, with a preamble commencing Guardian on 20 October by Maryam al-Khawaja, in as follows: which she describes how her family have been imprisoned “His Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, in Bahrain and how she has tried to get them out. They desirous of terminating the war which has unhappily subsisted are in prison because they had been protesting about 1635 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1636

[Jeremy Corbyn] saying, in answer to many questions, that the way forward for each local authority was to grow its business base to the lack of democratic rights in Bahrain, the systematic grow its income. That is fine, and I am sure every local discrimination against the opposition there and the authority would like to do that, but the reality is that interference in Bahraini affairs by Saudi Arabia at the more than half of all local government expenditure comes invitation of the Bahraini Government. from central Government grant. That is not likely to It is incumbent on our Government at the very least change in a big hurry, unless there is a massive change to come to the House and make a statement telling us in the whole taxation system in this country, and I do why the base is being built, from where they are getting not see anybody introducing that in the near future. their information that human rights in Bahrain are Local government is dependent on central Government improving when clearly they are not, and why they think grant every year. It comes in many forms—direct grant, that our approving of the regime—from the Formula 1 special grants, special services and so on—but in essence race to this—is somehow going to improve the human local government is dependent on that. rights situation there. Under this Government there has been a huge cut in In a telling section of her article, Maryam said the the local government grant, which has affected most thing that would have the greatest influence on improving local authorities, but it is not a universal cut. The great human rights in Bahrain would be the influence of the cities of Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, and all British and United States Governments, if they chose to the London boroughs, have had massive, disproportionate exercise it. They have chosen not to exercise it, however; cuts, almost directly related to the level of need and they have chosen to do the exact opposite because that poverty that the people of those boroughs experience. fits their geopolitical view of the world. By the end of the financial year 2015-16, Islington, my borough, will have had half of its money cut under this We are, of course, also a major arms supplier to Government, yet it faces the same level of demand—nay, Bahrain. We have even sent anti-personnel equipment it faces an increased level of demand and need, because to Bahrain that has been used to suppress demonstrations the borough has a bigger population. Some 40% of our and used against demonstrators. It does not do much children live in a degree of poverty. There are huge for the image of the United Kingdom when people are needs and there is a huge wish by the local authority to being oppressed and beaten with equipment that has be able to meet those needs and the adult social care been supplied by this country, assisting the police in needs, but it will not have the wherewithal to do it. I oppressing human rights and demonstrators. appeal to the Government to carry out an audit on Behind all that lies the huge influence of Saudi Arabia, levels of poverty in this country and to start to think which went into Bahrain with military force in order to about how we allocate expenditure based on the crying support the Government there. The human rights record needs of many people, particularly children growing up of Saudi Arabia is beyond appalling—there are public in inner-city areas. executions and very few rights for women—yet it remains Like all of London, my area suffers a housing crisis. a massive arms export market for British products. That The local authority is doing its best to build council is why, when we discussed earlier the anti-corruption housing, either directly or in partnership with housing plan, I specifically raised the running sore of the way in associations, and to ensure that it does not go down the which the previous Prime Minister, Tony Blair, suspended road of the Government’s policy of charging 80% of the Serious Fraud Office investigation into the corruption market rent for social housing but remains with the surrounding the al-Yamamah arms contract, which was original affordable formula of local authority rents. worth £2 billion in sales to Saudi Arabia. However, the council is not going to be able to solve the We talk about corruption around the world, and about housing crisis very quickly, and the issue we face is in human rights around the world. It is true that we cannot the private rented sector, which comprises about a third change everything, and that we have limited powers, but of my constituency housing. we can send signals. The signal sent by opening a base Despite everything the Government say, rent levels in a country that systematically abuses human rights and are increasing fast. The security of tenure is limited—it by selling arms to a Government who we know abuse is usually six months but sometimes a year in an assured human rights is absolutely the wrong one. We could do shorthold tenancy. There is little security at the end of something rather different and rather better. I hope that those six months and no security if the person has had when we come back in the new year we will have the the temerity to complain to the environmental health opportunity to scrutinise the Government’s decision on service about the conditions they are in. The rent levels the base and the associated issue of the arms trade. Of are so high that they are way beyond the level of the course, it is part of the strategy that our Government benefit cap, which, sadly, Parliament voted through, adopt internationally, but I would have thought that the and that means that when it goes beyond the ability of experience of the wars in Afghanistan and in Iraq—the families to pay the rent, they will be forced to move cost in human life, both of the Iraqi and Afghan people, away from the borough. The families want to remain in and of British and American soldiers, and the damage the borough and their children want to remain in local to our own civil liberties and standing in the world—would schools, so many children are having horrendous long lead us to think a little more carefully about spending journeys every day in the hope that they will be able to such sums on a military presence around the world. We get back into the borough and get a council house in the could be using that money so much better. future. The situation is cruel, disruptive and damaging The second part of what I want to say relates to how to the community. The lack of regulation in the private Government money is spent. The Under-Secretary of rented sector is enabling speculative private landlords to State for Communities and Local Government, the hon. make vast amounts of money. This Parliament is unlikely Member for Keighley (Kris Hopkins) has just announced to bring in any kind of regulation of the private rented the local government spending settlement, and he kept sector; it will be a job for the next Parliament. 1637 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1638

The proportion of private rented homes is very high track and overhead electrification cables to improve and in my constituency and in a number of other areas in enhance the service, but to my mind there is no excuse London, as it is in one or two big cities, but nationally it if, due to bad planning, it overruns into the rush hour is going up very fast. By the end of the next Parliament, on a Monday morning, causing catastrophic disruptions more than a quarter of the people in the UK will be for commuters trying to get to work. living in the private rented sector. It is unbelievable that The third reason is track faults and broken rails, in the next Parliament there will not be regulation of which account for 11% of total delay minutes and 9% of the private rented sector to give longer, more secure the total calculations. Those three categories alone caused tenancies, rights for tenants and, above all, control of 45% of the disruptions to the service in the first two rents, so that we bring an end to excessive rents and the weeks of December. evictions that follow. When we talk about broken-down trains, the company I wish everyone a very happy Christmas, but I also that gets most blame is Greater Anglia, which provides think of the misery of children being homeless, unsure the service, but in most of the cases in this two-week of their future and living in very poor conditions. It is period it was not Greater Anglia trains that were breaking unnecessary in the fourth richest country in the world down but freight trains, which then caused the back-ups that this degree of insecurity and poverty exists. We can and backlogs in the service. That is why I want far and should do something about it. quicker action on electrification of the Felixstowe to Nuneaton line so that more freight trains can use that 3.25 pm electrified service and will not have to come down through Chelmsford into London and around north-west Mr Simon Burns (Chelmsford) (Con): I am grateful London to go out again towards the midlands and to have the opportunity to raise an issue of great north of England. importance to my constituents: the rail service between Chelmsford and Liverpool Street. I also want to see new trains for Greater Anglia routes or for whoever else gets the franchise to run the We have a problem with the railway because, by the service in 2016. I am particularly pleased that my right historic nature of its original build, it is only one track hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the up the line and one track down, and it is impossible to Secretary of State for Transport have accepted that a expand it to two tracks because of where the track was commitment to new rolling stock and trains will be part positioned in the first place. We are relived that, in the of the franchise tender document published next year, next five years, Network Rail will be investing £149 million before the award of a new franchise from 2016. We have in improving the whole of the Great Eastern main line. now become one of the parts of the rail network with In his autumn statement, my right hon. Friend the the oldest rolling stock. It is at least 30 years old and has Chancellor of the Exchequer embraced the Great Eastern all the problems that 30-year-old rolling stock suffers taskforce recommendations, which will see £476 million from, particularly with the reliability of the engines. invested in improvements to the rail network. I am also keen that more should be done by Network However, in the short term, there is a problem. If one Rail to put measures in place to ensure that when it looks at the reliability figures over the past six months plans its timetable for badly needed engineering work— between April and the beginning of November, one sees considerable engineering work has gone on on the line that they have fluctuated each month, between 92.6% for the past 10 to 15 years, with an upgrade of the track on a good day and as low as 87.5% on a bad day. from Liverpool Street through to Chelmsford and north Worryingly, Chelmsford station is, according to the up to Colchester and the replacement and modernisation Office of Rail Regulation, the second busiest station in of the electrification cables—it must do it in such a way the region. More than 8,500 people commute daily to that when Monday morning dawns it has completed the London to work, so they are reliant on that service to work planned for that weekend and the rail network can get to and from work each day. Since late November, we get back to running a reliable and proper service for have been seeing far too many disruptions to the line, hard-pressed passengers who have to get to work. I have which have caused severe problems for those who need spoken to Network Rail and appreciate that it understands to get to work or to travel to London or elsewhere along the problem and the need to get its timetables and the network. programmes right, but it cannot simply talk about it. It Sadly, one reason, which is not unique to the line, is must ensure that that actually happens. the increased number of suicides that are occurring on Commuters, whether they are in Chelmsford or elsewhere, our railways. It is a tragedy not only for those who do not pay cheaply for the service they get. I accept that commit suicide and their family and friends, but for in the past when British Rail was a nationalised industry, society at large. It is, as Members will recognise, a successive Governments, Conservative or Labour, always difficult issue to overcome, but more needs to be done. had investment in the rail network as one of the first There are three top causes for the disruptions to our cuts at their disposal when getting into financial problems. railways from 1 December to 15 December. First, 22% It was a false economy at the time, and since privatisation of the total delay is due to technical fleet delays, which successive Governments—to be fair, the previous Labour basically means broken down rolling stock and engines. Government did this too—have played catch-up to provide That has accounted for 23% of the rail cancellations. the investment. In this control period, 2014 to 2019, The second reason is what is known in the trade as £38.5 billion is being spent by Network Rail to upgrade possession overruns, which is a serious and totally our rail network, just as the previous Labour Government, unforgiveable issue. It is when Network Rail overruns in control period 4, invested billions of pounds. The on the engineering work it has been doing over the only difference is that one of the main challenges for the weekend. Of course, we all welcome the engineering rail network now involves greater electrification. In work being done, because it shows investment in the 13 years, the previous Government provided an extra 1639 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1640

[Mr Simon Burns] Shaker was among the prisoners who protested against the harsh conditions and he soon became a respected 10 miles of electrification whereas this Government will spokesperson for the other detainees. Following his role provide 856 extra miles. The hon. Gentleman on the in a major hunger strike in June and July 2005, he Opposition Front Bench, who I do not think has ever organised a prisoners council. All the prisoners’ requests been a transport spokesman, is shaking his head, but I were denied, and to silence him Shaker was put into assure him that those figures are right. solitary confinement for five years. Articles 5 and 9 of the universal declaration of human rights state: Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): Although I was not a transport spokesperson, I worked “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or for Network Rail and I am a member of the Transport degrading treatment or punishment” Salaried Staffs Association. I worked on a project to and build a new electrified line that was 15 miles in length, “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or so I am sorry that the former Transport Minister is not exile”, quite aware of all the facts. yet Shaker’s lawyer in the US, Brent Mickum, stated: Mr Burns: I am impressed by the hon. Gentleman’s “Shaker is still being tortured down there. Shaker has been qualifications, but I will tell him, and he can check jailed as long as anyone, undergoing regular torture from beating the facts later—surprisingly, his own Front-Bench to food and sleep deprivation. There isn’t a shred of evidence team have never questioned them—that under the against him.” Labour Government there were 10 extra miles of electrification in their 13 years. Under this coalition Shaker has now been held without charge for over a Government there are at present 856 extra miles—not decade. President Obama promised to close Guantanamo replacing existing electrified line, but over and above, by January 2010 and to restore the US to the rule of law. new electrification of our railways. Before Christmas if However, Guantanamo still remains open, with the he has time or in the new year, the hon. Gentleman will remaining detainees losing hope of an end to their no doubt be able to check his facts and write back to me ordeal, in which all their human rights have been denied. confirming the accuracy of my figures. Shaker Aamer was cleared for release by the Bush Administration in 2007. In January 2010, the Obama I think we have consensus now. On that happy note, I taskforce review reaffirmed his status. In August 2007, wish all the staff who work so diligently and hard on the UK Government recognised Shaker’s right to return our behalf throughout the year a very happy Christmas, as a long-term resident and requested his release to the and Mr Deputy Speaker, I wish you a very happy UK. This request was strenuously repeated on subsequent Christmas. occasions. In July 2010, the Prime Minister stated that Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Thank you. the coalition Government would continue to request his release. 3.36 pm Shaker’s family live in Battersea and they are British John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): I citizens. They were represented formerly by Martin want to raise the case of Shaker Aamer and make a plea Linton and now by the current Member of Parliament for Government action to secure his release from for Battersea, both of whom have worked assiduously Guantanamo Bay. Shaker is the last British resident of to secure his release. All he is asking for is to return to Guantanamo. his family to live with his four young children back The story of Shaker is simple. He was born in December home in London. It is beyond belief, frankly, that he is 1968 in Medina in Saudi Arabia. He left home aged 17, still detained in Guantanamo, having been cleared twice. lived in America for a year and travelled to many It is extremely hard for his family and friends to bear. countries before making his home in the United Kingdom. He has done no wrong but has been greatly wronged by In 1996, he was granted the legal right to remain in the the shameful action of the US Government, unfortunately UK and worked as a translator for a firm of solicitors. with some collusion originally by the UK Government. His application for British citizenship was in progress He has suffered cruel and inhuman treatment, including when Shaker, his wife and young family decided to many years incarcerated in solitary confinement in a travel to Afghanistan to work on charitable projects. cell of 6 feet by 8 feet. Shaker’s mental and physical Notably, he was supporting a girls school and digging health is a cause of great concern. Following recent wells. He arrived in June 2001 to join his friend Moazzam visits from his lawyers, it was reported that he is “gradually Begg and to share a house in Kabul. dying in Guantanamo” from his many medical problems After 9/11, in October 2001, the US and the UK and from the years of abuse. started bombing Afghanistan and Shaker sent his family I ask the Prime Minister to pick up the telephone on to safety. As he tried to follow them, he was betrayed again to Washington to ask that Shaker be released. He by Afghani villagers to the Northern Alliance. He was is innocent, he has been cleared twice, and he should be tortured and then sold for a bounty of $5,000 to the US. returned home. He was taken to the “dark” prison in Kabul, where he suffered appalling torture and was transferred to Bagram and Kandahar for further abuse. Shaker states that he Jeremy Corbyn: I was happy to be with my hon. was subjected to cruel torture and coercive interrogation, Friend yesterday delivering a letter about this to Downing and MI5 and MI6 agents were present. In February street. I am sure he agrees that if President Obama can, 2002 he was among the first detainees to be transported correctly, release the remaining members of the Miami to Guantanamo, in the orange suits, the chains, the ear five and show a rapprochement with Cuba, he could muffs, the shackles and the blindfolds. There he continued release somebody who is in prison in Cuba whom he to suffer acts of cruelty, torture and deprivation. has the power to release, and do it quickly. 1641 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1642

John McDonnell: It is perfectly open to the President the things they have bought—but the wonderful staff. to do this now. There is a window of opportunity that The longest serving member of staff has been there may close in January as a result of the changes in 42 years and I assure the House that I will do whatever I Congress, so now is the time for him to act. A number can to help those who want to find another job. I will do of MPs from all political parties have signed a plea to my very best. urge the Prime Minister to pick up the phone to Washington Having witnessed the experiences of those looking to ensure that Shaker is returned home to his family by for work elsewhere, I am shocked at how the retail world Christmas. has changed. The sort of employment being offered I want to raise two other things. This Christmas will now, including zero-hours contracts, makes it quite the last Christmas when my constituents and many scary for people going into the retail business. All of us, others in the London borough of Hillingdon will have as consumers, have to take some blame for that, because the opportunity to use the services of Randalls store in it is consumer pressure that leads to margins being cut Uxbridge, because it is closing. It has served our community and everybody looking at how they can do that, and I over generations and decades. I thank the right hon. am afraid that employment is one of the affected areas. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Sir John Although I can blame online services and lots of other Randall), his predecessors, his family and the staff for things, we all have to take responsibility for that. the service they have provided. I wish him and all the On the issue of long-serving members of staff who staff well in the future. The store will be greatly missed have probably done more for my constituents than I as a local community facility. have ever done, I want to mention my secretary, Mrs Delma This morning I visited pupils at Harlington community Beebe, who has been with me since I entered the House school, a local secondary school where a group of sixth in 1997. She started working in the House in 1963, in formers had, of their own volition, collected parcel the Refreshment Department. In 1967 she took on a after parcel of food to be provided to Hillingdon food Member of Parliament and I am her latest, and probably bank. I wish them a very happy Christmas. I take pride her last, MP.She is the person with whom my constituents in what they have done and their generosity as young have most interaction. If it was not for her, I am not people working hard on behalf of the community. I sure that I would be here today, because they may well wish you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and all Members and have booted me out. staff a happy Christmas. One of my constituents, Mr Conrad Tokarczyk, has raised with me the issue of step-free access in underground Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): There can stations, and the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington be no more appropriate moment to call Sir John Randall. and I have been working on that, together with Deborah King. She is another constituent of mine who is always 3.43 pm coming up with good and interesting ideas, although I do not always agree with them. For instance, she wants Sir John Randall (Uxbridge and South Ruislip) (Con): job sharing for MPs, but I do not understand how that One of the regrets I will have when I leave this House would work with votes. Anyway, step-free access is very will be not to work alongside—at least in parliamentary important and there are some innovative ideas about terms; I may be able to do so in an extra-parliamentary how businesses could provide sponsorship. Money could way—my comrade in arms, the hon. Member for Hayes also be taken off a passenger’s Oyster card—to return and Harlington (John McDonnell). to my favourite subject—on a voluntary basis and given This will be my last Christmas Adjournment debate. to their particular station in order for it to improve its Like all good things, it must come to an end. Yesterday facilities. Transport for London should find out how in the Division Lobby, I rather got the impression that much the necessary improvements will cost, because the time had come to leave, because as I approached the then we would know the sum we are working towards. desk to register my vote, I pulled out my Oyster card. I One of the things I have been very pleased to have think that sums up the fact that I am getting ready played a small part in during my time in the House is to go. the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, because I did I remember these Adjournment debates with great some work on marine issues. I was delighted to hear the pleasure. When the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris recent announcement on fisheries. The anglers and I do Bryant) was Deputy Leader of the House, he used to not always agree—they have different policies from make very amusing wind-up speeches in which he gave mine on cormorants and goosanders—but I have spoken all the speakers roles from various television sit-coms, to Members and an ex-Member, Martin Salter, and such as “’Allo ’Allo!”, “Dad’s Army”, and perhaps they are disappointed that there are not enough measures appropriately, “Are You Being Served?” As the hon. relating to the preservation of sea bass stocks. We Member for Hayes and Harlington has said, I was should address that. usually portrayed as YoungMr Grace. I think the Prime I know that not only the House but somebody from Minister must have read some of those Hansard reports, Private Eye who likes to follow these debates and regards because he used to refer to me as Young Mr Grace. I do my speeches as among the most boring things that not think that was necessarily a compliment, but I will happen in this place would be disappointed if I did not take it as such. mention birds in the remaining minutes of my speech. I As the hon. Gentleman has said, unfortunately the was disappointed that the hon. Member for Rochester family business is closing its doors. I want to thank the and Strood (Mark Reckless) did not take my intervention staff who have worked there over the years. When I go earlier, because I was going to welcome him to the side around canvassing or talking to constituents and they of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. I mention the store, it is usually not the quality of the remember having a heated discussion with him in the products that they talk about—although they do mention Members’ Lobby some time ago. He had said during a 1643 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1644

[Sir John Randall] side effect of the retina vitrectomy operations that I received is a cataract. In my case, the operations caused Westminster Hall debate that houses were more important a partial one in the right eye and, more recently, a full than birds, so I was going to congratulate him on his one in my left eye. Damascene conversion in the past few months. Is it not As a result of my first experience, I became actively refreshing to find UKIP actually speaking on behalf of involved with several sight-related issues in Parliament. west African migrants? We should all welcome that. I spoke in an Adjournment debate on the use of Avastin I want to talk about a success story, which Members in age-related macular degradation. I campaigned for from both sides of the House can take pleasure in. The oral warnings on silent hybrid vehicles, and I sought to bittern—the bog bumper, as it is also known—has been change the law so that an attack on a guide dog is increasing. It is a marvellous bird. People do not need considered as an attack on its owner. I welcomed the to go to incredibly special places to see them. In the opportunity to open the Optegra eye hospital in Colindale winter, not far away at the London Wetland centre in in my constituency. I have urged constituents to have Barnes, people can, if they are lucky, see these elusive regular eye and sight tests, and I have lobbied Barnet denizens of the marsh. In 1997, there were only 11 booming clinical commissioning group to ensure there are enough males. They are called that because of their display call, funds to cover the demand for cataract operations. which can be heard for miles. I want to raise the issue of eye clinic liaison officers. Across England, ECLOs help patients and their families John McDonnell: How does it go? to understand their diagnosis when someone loses their sight. They provide information and support, including Sir John Randall: I do not think that Hansard had referrals to other services. However, only 30% of eye better try to do it. clinics in the UK currently have some kind of qualified In 2014, there are now 140 boomers, or singing males, support. over 61 sites. The great thing is that that is all the result My constituents in Hendon are covered by the Royal not only of a bittern project, but of making sure that Free London NHS Foundation Trust. Three hospitals the reed beds are in a good way. I am particularly in the area have an ophthalmology department—Barnet pleased about the reed beds not only for the bitterns, hospital, Edgware community hospital and the Royal but for other denizens of the reed beds that are doing Free hospital. First, Edgware community hospital does really well. One bird that I perhaps feel a great affinity not have an ECLO, but it is a very small clinic. Although for, and which is also doing well, is the bearded tit. I would not necessarily call for an ECLO to be based [Laughter.] there, it should certainly have access to one. Secondly, On that note, as always at this time of year, we like to there is no qualified sight loss adviser service at Barnet thank everybody who works in the House. Because I hospital, although early intervention support is provided worked with them for a long time, I particularly want to by the Hertfordshire Society for the Blind, to which we refer to the people in the Government Whips Office. I are grateful. Finally, as far as I am aware, the Royal Free have previously mentioned those at the very top of hospital does not have a sight loss adviser service. it—Mark Kelly, Roy Stone and Kate Wilson—but I During my regular visits to Moorfields eye hospital, also want to mention Claire Scott and the others in the I have witnessed the pressure that ophthalmology administration unit. departments are under. During 2011-12 in England Finally, I must mention one person whom I have alone, the number of out-patient appointments for never referred to in Parliament before, but who has ophthalmology totalled 6.8 million, making it the third done as much for me as anybody else in this place—my largest hospital service in terms of attendances. The wife Kate, and I will also mention our children Peter, demand for ophthalmology services will continue because David and Elizabeth. If it had not been for their support, the number of people with sight loss is set to increase. I would have been even grumpier than I normally am. Recent research conducted with health care professionals in Wales has shown that sight loss advisers reduce the Several hon. Members rose— number of follow-up appointments through the immediate and ongoing support that they offer, which saves the Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. May NHS money in the longer term. On three occasions, I I just say that Members should aim to speak for seven have sat in hospitals on my own facing the reality that I minutes? Otherwise somebody’s time will be cut, which could lose my sight—a prospect that is frightening for I do not want to happen. anyone. Sight loss has a huge impact on the lives of those who suffer it and on their families. I believe that 3.52 pm the expansion of ECLOs across the country would be a comparatively small financial price to pay for a service Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): I assure you whose benefit cannot be measured in monetary terms. that I will keep to that limit, Mr Deputy Speaker. According to the Royal National Institute of Blind Every 15 minutes, someone in the UK is told that People, 66% of registered blind or partially sighted they are losing or have permanently lost their sight. people of working age are not in employment. Two-thirds That leaves them with a sense of bewilderment, and of working-age or employed people with sight loss they often ask themselves what will happen next. In experience restrictions in accessing and fully participating January 2011, I underwent an emergency operation to in employment. That is a great loss on many levels. repair a torn retina in my right eye. If the operation had Unsurprisingly, almost half of the public in another not taken place, I would have lost the sight in that eye. recent poll expected that emotional counselling would Back in September, I again experienced the same trauma be available if they discovered that they were going to in my other eye, which also required surgery. A possible become blind. Sadly, that is not the case. 1645 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1646

I find it ironic that I stand here today, knowing that to people getting treatments. My request is simple: tomorrow I and several hundred other people will again NHS England needs to take a common-sense view face the prospect of losing our eyesight without any clinical of the case and ensure that the procedure is provided, support. Some people will have corneal replacements, because it will make a huge difference to the life of a some will have vitreo-retinal procedures and some will young lady in my constituency and give her back her have glaucoma operations or canaloplasty. I expect to teenage years. have cataract operations on both eyes. As I said, cataracts are a side effect of retina vitrectomy operations. There I turn to another matter, relating to the care sector. is now a clinical need to operate on both my eyes. Over the past year I have had the privilege of chairing two commissions, one with Demos looking at the future In conclusion, it is clear that sight loss can have a of residential care and the other with the Local Government devastating and profound impact on a person’s life, and Information Unit looking at home care. Both commissions it is shocking that people are left to face it on their own. have independent experts with a wide range of talents, The general public expect practical and emotional support and on the subject of care workers both have come to to be available to people who are losing their sight. No broadly similar conclusions: that the low pay, low skill one should have to return home on their own not and low status of workers in the sector undermines care understanding their sight condition, not knowing what and the continuity of care. As a result of the low pay, support is out there and left isolated. Sight loss advisers the sector has among the highest turnover rates of any provide a bridge between health and social care, and sector of our economy. As our society ages and more ensure that patients receive the support and information and more families are having to juggle work with both that they need to be independent and to learn the skills raising children and looking after parents, a failure to that they need in order to adapt to losing their sight. address those weaknesses in our care system will simply The service is cost-effective and benefits the clinic by hold back growth in our economy. ensuring that patients receive the necessary support, which results in clinicians being able to focus on treating Both commissions have made some proposals to and diagnosing patients. Today, I want to join the call of make care a career of esteem. They say that there need the RNIB for every eye department in the UK to have to be better and clearer training standards and a licence access to a sight loss adviser and for those vital posts to to practice. It is unacceptable that we recognise the need be funded permanently. We need to ensure that no one for bouncers and hairdressers to be licensed, but when is left to face sight loss on their own. someone comes into our own homes to administer the most intimate of care, we do not think they need a licence to practise. 3.57 pm Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam) (LD): I echo the I hope that the Deputy Leader of the House will feed last point made by the hon. Member for Hendon it back to the Treasury and particularly to HMRC that (Dr Offord). It is right that that sort of investment is they must redouble their efforts to pursue and prosecute made because it provides a saving and makes a huge cowboy care agencies that exploit their staff by paying difference to people’s ability to live with the consequences less than the national minimum wage. I hope that he of their eye problem. I commend him for what he said. will also urge his colleagues in the Department for Communities and Local Government to lift their ban Before the House rises for Christmas, I wish to raise on the Care Quality Commission conducting themed several issues. The first concerns my constituent Lauren inspections of councils’ commissioning practices, which Dobbe, who is 14 years old. On Tuesday, I presented a sometimes condone that. petition to this House on her behalf to draw attention to her case. She has gastroparesis, and it took a lot of The hon. Member for Southend West (Mr Amess) time and a lot of tests to get that diagnosis. The condition referred to mental health, and I want to raise a concern means that she is constantly nauseous, finds it hard to about the current international negotiations on the UN eat and is in pain for 24 hours every day of the week. sustainable development goals, which make good references Because of her condition, she now has to be fed by a to the importance of physical health but do not give the tube. Her teenage years are being marred by this. same prominence to mental health. I hope that the The good news is that a procedure is available that Minister might enter some discussions with Ministers in involves fitting a gastric stimulator. It is not a cure, but the Department for International Development to ensure it does manage the symptoms. The procedure has been that the Government’s policy of parity of esteem as recommended to Lauren by no fewer than four specialists. between physical and mental health is reflected in our The bad news is that, despite the specialist opinions, international stance on global health goals. NHS England, which is responsible for funding the I turn now to several constituency points. I start with procedure, is playing a game of pass the parcel with a 1960s office block in North Cheam, which is empty Lauren and her family. It sought a second opinion, but and has become increasingly derelict over many years that endorsed the four specialist opinions that had been and is an eyesore that many of my constituents would offered. It then tried to refer the matter to a hospital in love to see demolished. There have been many delays to London, but it turned out that the hospital could not its redevelopment, despite the best efforts of councillors provide the procedure. and local planning officers. One of the current causes NHS England is now saying that the family must of delay is that one unit is still occupied, by the reapply because the procedure can be provided only in a bookies Ladbrokes. There is growing frustration in the different region. However, NHS England is one legal neighbourhood that the company is holding up progress entity. It does not have separate legal bodies from one on the much needed demolition and replacement of the region to another. Its decision to sub-divide itself for building. There is a perception that it is gambling on the administrative convenience should not become a barrier prospect of getting a better pay-off to quit the building 1647 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1648

[Paul Burstow] and with Ministers. Not a lot happened in those eight years in practical terms, but I am delighted that much and give over its lease. I hope that Ladbrokes understands progress has been made since May 2010—I do not that that is bad for its reputation and for the economic choose that date arbitrarily; it is a result of the coalition development of North Cheam. Government’s approach and the way they were ready to Then there is Thameslink. One has only to look at listen to the case put forward by my constituents. There Twitter, or indeed at my mailbag, to understand that has been a consultation and 70% of my constituents every day commuters from my constituency suffer real supported the road, with only 10% opposing it. The misery because of the uncertainty about trains running first phase of the road now has full funding and planning on time and about their reliability. As a fellow south-west permission, and hearings on compulsory purchase have London MP, I hope the Minister will join me in asking been held. The contractor has been appointed and I am Transport Ministers to take a hard look at the performance delighted that phase 1 will start on site in March next of the Thameslink franchise. year. Finally, I want to raise the issue of consultations. The Today I am speaking in favour of phase 2 of the consultation on renal services in south-west London is bypass. I am delighted about phase 1, which mainly running over the Christmas period and will end on runs through the constituency of my hon. Friend the 9 January, and many people tell me that they were Member for Cheadle (Mark Hunter). He and I stood unaware that it was taking place. I hope that the Minister shoulder to shoulder on this campaign throughout those will raise with NHS England the need to extend the years, and the first phase will run from the A6 in Hazel consultation period. Grove via Woodford to the Manchester airport interchange I hope that at this time of year we can recognise the with the M56. However, for my constituents in Hazel amazing work done by staff in this place, whether they Grove, Romiley, Bredbury and Woodley, the traffic, work directly for us or for others, and the amazing work pollution, congestion, heavy goods vehicles and pressure that people do in our constituencies. I thank the right on their daily lives will not be lifted or reduced by phase hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Sir John 1. Phase 2 is needed, and I urge the Deputy Leader of Randall) for paying tribute to his wife and family—he the House to convey to Ministers elsewhere the fact that spoke for many of us who appreciate the support that we need the next step and an update on SEMMMS. The family gives us. I wish you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and all Stockport metropolitan design team and engineers will other hon. Members, a happy Christmas. have finished work on phase 1 by early next year, so from April onwards they will be ready to begin work on 4.4 pm phase 2. My plea is simply for the necessary £300,000 to be allocated for that vital task. Sir Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove) (LD): I am delighted to take part in this Christmas Adjournment debate. My second point relates to a more immediate and The right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip perhaps smaller scale event that may have wide (Sir John Randall) said that it was his last, and it will be consequences. There was a catastrophic house fire in my last as well. I think it is also my first—I may have Kennett drive in Bredbury in my constituency. It took been missing something all these years, but I am delighted place in a house that was built just over 10 years ago on to take part now. I will start by wishing Members and an estate of 60 or so homes of the same character. staff here a happy Christmas, as well as members of my Unexpectedly, the fire spread from one house to another, family and office staff in my constituency who work until four homes were completely destroyed. I am happy exceptionally hard on my behalf. to report that there was no loss of life, although one firefighter was injured putting out the blaze. I wish to raise two topics. The first is the Hazel Grove bypass, the A555. I raised this in my maiden speech in The issue has highlighted the failure in the expected 1997, so it is not an issue that has just arisen on the performance of the fire protection of those homes. Of street corner. There is a bit of history to this because course, when a house catches fire it is likely that there back in the 1930s a dotted line on a map showed that will be damage to that home. However, the design of all there would be a bypass around Hazel Grove. Plenty homes in this country is intended to be such that a has happened since I came to the House in 1997, and house fire will not spread to adjacent property, at least the most significant event was the south-east Manchester not before the fire brigade can get there and get it under multi-modal study, which was an attempt to analyse control. On this occasion, it was unable to achieve that the transport needs of the southern part of the Greater and four homes, consisting of a whole block, were Manchester conurbation. Its report stated that completely destroyed. As you can imagine, Mr Deputy improvements were needed to rail and bus services, Speaker, the residents in the remaining homes are very cycle provision and also for pedestrians, and that that concerned about the implications for their homes. I was essential if we were to reduce pollution and congestion have been working intensively with them, the fire authority in the area. The report went on to state that even when and others to see what needs to be done. all those things had been done, a Hazel Grove bypass The opinion of the fire brigade, as expressed to me by would still be needed. Given that the study was set up to its fire prevention officer, is that there was a breakdown prove the opposite of that, it confirmed what I and my in the construction, and that what is called technically constituents had been saying and campaigning on for the “fire stopping” was not properly in place, which led years. to the spread of the fire through what was a timber-framed For eight years after the publication of the south- building with brick cladding, making it unstoppable. east Manchester multi-modal study—commonly called I have had meetings with the National House SEMMMS—there were frequent attempts to get action Builders Confederation, which provided the building on that road. I led a number of public campaigns and regulation control and the guarantee to householders took every opportunity to raise the matter in the House on which they rely. I have studied the Building Research 1649 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1650

Establishment’s reports on fires in similar buildings second most deprived in England, it contains much that and I am currently pushing the NHBC to extend its is good when it comes to community support, and it is investigations on site to ensure that other homes do not communities that pull together feelings of mutual identity suffer from the same fault of defective fire stopping. I and provide for others. The widespread anger among am sure the Minister will understand that residents will local people about the one-sided “Skint” programme is not be satisfied until they know precisely what happened, fully justified, and the message has gone out very clearly and whether it is likely to happen to their homes as from the local community: “Don’t come back. You will well. not be welcome.” There is a wider point here. This type of construction Last weekend I attended two events on consecutive is very widely used in the United Kingdom. Clearly, a evenings in the East Marsh ward. The first was the fault has been revealed that needs to be examined and Christmas concert provided by the excellent Grimsby dealt with at national level. I have, over several weeks, Philharmonic Society, at which the solo performer was put in a request to Mr Speaker for a full Adjournment Michael Dore, the Cleethorpes-born singer. The following debate on this topic. I hope, by raising it today, that I evening, along with the hon. Member for Great Grimsby may have caught your ear as well, Mr Deputy Speaker, (Austin Mitchell), I attended the annual Salvation Army with the possibility of exploring the issue more fully carol concert. It was notable that each time the admirable and properly. With that, I wish you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Ivan Stead, who always presides on such occasions, and others in the Chamber a very happy Christmas and mentioned that we were on the East Marsh, or that here a successful new year. was yet another example of the community coming together, while also raising £400 for the mayor’s charity, a ripple of applause went around the hall. Clearly the 4.12 pm community, not all of whom were East Marsh residents, Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): As I have done were feeling rather sore about the programme and wanted on many occasions in these Adjournment debates, I to show some support. want to speak about my Cleethorpes constituency. I will The point that keeps coming through is identity. We focus on the wider local community of Grimsby and are passing through a period when the electorate feel Cleethorpes. The central theme is something that applies more and more remote from the political process, and to any provincial town represented in this House—one the further we travel from Westminster, the more remote of identity. it can seem. I hope that the current debate about Grimsby and Cleethorpes are in fact one town. We devolution to England will deliver English votes for locals, of course, know where the boundaries lie and English laws fairly quickly. However, as I mentioned to each town has a distinctive history. Those of us born in the Leader of the House when he announced his Cleethorpes are Meggies, whereas over the border they programme yesterday, I hope that we will have the are Grimbarians. Councillors and MPs have the great opportunity to look over a slightly longer period at the privilege of getting around and meeting many different structures and powers of local government, because people who contribute to their local communities through they, too, have an essential role in community identity voluntary groups, churches and the like. Only recently, I and in providing for local communities. It is essential was privileged to attend services at St Margaret’s church that units of government, at whatever level, follow in Laceby and All Saints church in Goxhill. After the boundaries that people can identify with. If people feel service, chatting over a cup of tea, I realised how much no allegiance to their unit of government, we will not be local people put into their local communities. It then wholly successful. comes as a bit of a shock when TV programmes such as In my part of the world we lived through the disastrous “Skint” on Channel 4, which has featured Grimsby in local government reorganisation of the ’70s, with the the past month, in many respects denigrate local creation of county Humberside. People felt no allegiance communities and make them feel rather unwanted. to it, so eventually it withered on the vine. Only last I do not intend to focus on the individuals who have week the Scunthorpe Telegraph was again reporting that occupied the programme’s storylines. They are characters Hull city council is planning some sort of land-grab, in who in slightly different circumstances could have been what appears to local people to be a reconfiguration plucked from any part of the country. Some are struggling that will recreate county Humberside. That will simply to come to terms with the world around them, others not work. Individuals need and value their sense of seem content with their lot yet, to most people’s eyes, identity. It is not created by political boundaries, but if are not achieving anything like their full potential, and we can strengthen that sense of identity by creating others are struggling with drugs and alcohol. administrative units that reflect local communities, we Channel 4 has deservedly come under a barrage of will all benefit. local criticism. We cannot stop such programmes being Madam Deputy Speaker, I join others in wishing made, but surely it is reasonable to ask whether they you, members of staff and all Members of the House a benefit anyone. Perhaps we kid ourselves that we are happy Christmas. watching with the intention of finding solutions to the predicaments of the participants. The local media have reflected local opinion, which is overwhelmingly hostile, 4.19 pm and not only to the programme makers, but to Channel 4 Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): It is a great privilege itself. to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Cleethorpes Although the Department for Communities and Local (Martin Vickers), and I echo entirely what he said about Government’s index of multiple deprivation statistics shows identity—in Stafford and Staffordshire, during difficult that the East Marsh ward in north-east Lincolnshire—that periods over the past few years, we have experienced is where the programme was filmed—is classified as the that same sense of identity. 1651 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1652

[Jeremy Lefroy] A 24/7 A and E department would guarantee 24/7 access for children to paediatric emergency doctors. In Yesterday, we heard the welcome news that the number the meantime, I and my constituents need assurances of people out of work claiming jobseeker’s allowance that any transfer of services will not happen unless had fallen in Stafford by 452 in 12 months. Stafford’s independent experts say that the arrangements are safe. strengths are many—in engineering, especially energy, Next year will see the review into consultant-led and in information technology, health services, defence maternity services. Let me be clear: this must be properly and consumer chemicals—and signs of investment are carried out, as the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary everywhere. There is the substantial expansion of the have said. There can be no pre-ordained outcome. I Ministry of Defence base, to welcome two new Signals have still heard no convincing explanation why our major regiments in 2015; two new business parks; major European neighbours can run much smaller consultant-led developments in the town centre; Northfield village, units but we cannot, especially when, as with our county which brings together a new health centre, extra care hospital, a hospital is part of a large trust that could housing, a first-class dementia care home and a community surely provide such services on a network basis. centre; and the opening of Pencric in Penkridge, which Our part of Staffordshire is tendering for cancer and is a superb example of extra care housing, with a end-of-life services. I understand the reasoning—a desire mixture of homes to buy and houses for social rent. to integrate the services better to improve care and Stafford borough and especially Stafford have also outcomes—but, as I have said before, I believe that this been clear about the need to build more homes to meet form of tender is not the right way to go about things. If current and future needs—more than 10,000 of them—but there is a need for an integrator to help better joint in a planned way. Several developers have tried to break working, let us search for an organisation to work open a plan on which so much time and effort have been alongside the providers; there is no need for the integrator spent. Fortunately, thus far, it has been to no avail, but I to be the commissioner as well. It will simply add urge the Secretary of State for Communities and Local another layer of management. I therefore urge the Government to make it clear that an agreed plan is an Department, NHS England, Macmillan, which is involved, agreed plan and that efforts by developers immediately and the clinical commissioning groups to reconsider my to throw it into the bin will not succeed. proposal for an integrator that helps providers to work After five and a half years, two Francis inquiries and better together but does not actually commission the a trust special administration, our hospital, now the services. county hospital, can finally focus on what my constituents Our libraries are at the heart of many of our local and its excellent staff wish to do: deliver top-quality, communities. Staffordshire has had a consultation on safe care. I thank the Support Stafford Hospital group their future, and I welcome the county’s desire to keep and many others for all they have done to get this far. all its libraries open, but the initial proposals for my The hospital is now part of the University Hospitals of constituency are flawed. The main towns in the county North Midlands Trust. I believe that this coming together should all have a library in the top category—“library will bring both challenges and benefits. We will see extra”. I simply cannot understand how Stafford and benefits through increased investment in A and E, Cannock were not placed in this category, but Newcastle- cancer and dialysis services, and refurbished wards and under-Lyme, Burton, Lichfield and Tamworth were. theatres, but the challenge will be to ensure that the That needs correcting. Penkridge is also a large and trust makes best use of the county hospital for my thriving community with an excellent library. As stated constituents and others. The hospital is a tremendous in the petition I presented here last week, it needs asset, and our community campaign has managed to professional staffing—assisted, of course, by the volunteers save its A and E and acute status and even to save it who are very willing to support it. The other libraries in from closure, which some people feared might happen. my constituency in Rising Brook and Holmcroft also need the support of professional staff. As we debated this morning, there is great pressure on A and E everywhere. In Stafford, we have a much Let me turn to other matters concerning my constituents. improved A and E that is open 14 hours a day. Increasing Nuisance telephone calls and copycat websites that that back up to 24 hours a day with paediatric cover will pretend to be official, but charge people money bring great benefits both to Stafford and the rest of the unnecessarily are the bane of many constituents’ lives. I region, where hospitals are under pressure. The proposal urge the Government to mount an education campaign for an overnight, doctor-led service at the county hospital to alert people to the free services and to work with from April is welcome and will help, but I will continue search engines to ensure that the free Government to argue for a return to 24/7 A and E until it happens, services are always top of the listing. because it makes absolute sense and the cost is manageable. Respite care funding is another issue. This Government have introduced more of it, which I welcome, but there is increasing need for people to have respite care. The Mr Simon Burns: My hon. Friend is being somewhat millions of carers around the country depend on it. modest, because he omits to mention the tremendous work he has done for the hospital ever since he became I welcome the steps that the Minister for Schools has a candidate. We should also mention the work of our taken to improve schools funding for the underfunded hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Sir William Cash). counties and authorities around the country. In Staffordshire, however, we have not gone far enough, and there is a problem with the formula under which special Jeremy Lefroy: I am most grateful to my right hon. care funding is calculated. I welcome the fact that the Friend for his comments. He was a doughty supporter Minister has now included the county of Staffordshire as a Minister in the Department of Health, which we within the 10 authorities where that is being investigated. appreciated greatly. General practice and health funding need looking at, 1653 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1654 too. The weighting of funding for older people is not Mr Burns: I assume from his generous comment that sufficient, which certainly affects my constituency and the hon. Gentleman will accept that I was talking in the my county. context of England, and that my figures were therefore Constituents have raised a number of other matters, correct. often relating to older people and their treatment by pension funds and their tax treatment. A widow who had been Thomas Docherty: I think—if I may say so gently—that married to a policeman who died in the course of his the confusion may have been confounded when I referred service has found that, having married again, she is not to the Airdrie-Bathgate rail link and the right hon. able to collect her pension. There seems to be some Gentleman was unaware that that was in Scotland. Let confusion about whether that should be the case. I have me move on, however, to his useful remarks about been told that it should not be under new regulations, but suicides and attempted suicides at this time of year, her experience is that she is unable to receive her widow’s particularly those involving railway lines. He and I will pension. both know, because of our backgrounds, that not only I discovered last week from a constituent whose are many of the very unhappy individuals who seek to husband died more than 50 years ago—and she has not throw themselves under trains unsuccessful, but horrific remarried—that she is not entitled to the transferable and life-changing injuries may result from their actions. inheritance tax allowance on her property, whereas I am sure that all Members would urge any constituent someone whose spouse had died more recently would who faces such troubling times to contact organisations be entitled to that transferable allowance on the estate. such as the Samaritans. I commend their work, and also The estate effectively claims on both spouses, the original that of Network Rail and the rail companies which have and the current, making two allowances. I believe that invested a great deal of time in recent years in trying to this amounts to some sort of age discrimination, which minimise the number of cases that occur. the Treasury could look into. The hon. Member for Colchester (Sir Bob Russell) I would like to bring to the attention of the Department raised the issue of the 1812 war. He knows of my of Health the matter of retrospective care refunds. interest in that subject, and he was right to draw attention There was a problem a few years ago when families were to the 200 years of close co-operation between our two overcharged for care. A process of refunding is going nations. He was also right to point out that a third on, but it is taking too long, with bureaucratic hurdles nation participated in that war. When we stand at the in the way. I ask the Department of Health to look into Dispatch Boxes, which rest on a table that was donated this and to work with CCGs to ensure that the refunds, by our Commonwealth cousins in Canada, we are always many of them dating back as far as 2006 and 2007, are grateful for their continued friendship. given to the people to whom they are owed. My hon. Friend the Member for Islington North Finally, I would like to thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, (Jeremy Corbyn) referred to Bahrain. He will not be for all the work you do and to wish you a very happy surprised to learn that Opposition Front Benchers do Christmas. I would like to thank all the staff and everybody not share his particular view of the decision to set up a in my constituency. I thank the voluntary organisations, base there, but he was right—as he was earlier today—to and then there are local councillors, to whom we do not call on the Government to organise a debate about foreign often give enough credit. This year, when the Staffordshire policy and our defence posture in the new year, particularly mayoralty is 400 years old, it is particularly important as in 2015 we shall have a national security strategy from to remember local councillors and the work they do, the new Government. We strongly support that call, along-side volunteers and everybody else who makes and we hope that the Deputy Leader of the House will my constituency such a wonderful place in which to refer it to the Leader of the House for consideration. work and to live. As ever, the hon. Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce) made an impassioned and knowledgeable speech 4.28 pm about the situation in North Korea. She has a tremendous Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): track record in relation to the persecution of Christians, I shall be as brief as I can manage, so that the Deputy and—again, as ever—she made a hugely important Leader of the House has enough time to respond fully contribution. I know that her work has the support of to all Members who have spoken. It is a pleasure to all Members. respond briefly today. As far as I am aware, this will be The right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip our last pre-recess Adjournment debate before the end (Sir John Randall) spoke in support of what I suppose of this Parliament. could be called the bird communities in the United It has been a pleasure to shadow the Deputy Leader Kingdom. He is a champion of the Royal Society for of the House over these past six months or so. We the Protection of Birds, and, as he knows, my researcher sparred a bit over the Deregulation Bill and the Recall Sally Webber says that he is probably its biggest supporter of MPs Bill, but I hope he has a good Christmas and in the House of Commons. The RSPB will certainly new year, and an opportunity to get along to Selhurst miss him, even if not all Back Benchers are entirely park with his son and hopefully see some Palace victories forgiving of his strong leadership during his time in the over the new year period. Whips Office. Let me now comment on a few of the points that have I want to mention some of those who serve the been made today. The right hon. Member for Chelmsford House. Many Members on both sides of the Chamber (Mr Burns) made a thoughtful speech about railways. have rightly thanked the House’s staff, and, on behalf of He and I may disagree on whether the Labour Scottish the Opposition, I too thank all those in all the Departments, Government’s expenditure should be included in the particularly Hansard, the Doorkeepers, and those in electrification figures, but he made some valid points Visitor Services. I also want to highlight a small group about investment. of individuals, some of whom have retired or are about 1655 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1656

[Thomas Docherty] debate. Earlier, we heard that the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant), who has previously taken this to retire after decades of public service. I am grateful to debate, referred to Members who contributed to the the Clerk of the House for his assistance in the compiling debate as characters from different TV series. I would, of this list. perhaps, liken those sitting here today to characters we Roger Rankine worked at the House for nearly 27 years. would all recognise from our local pub. There is the one He started as a joiner working in the outbuildings, who always bangs on about how immigrants take our before working his way up to become a higher technical jobs. There is the one who always goes on about medical officer. In that role, he covered the external works for problems. There is always one who only ever drinks state openings and has led the search team for that event. orange juice. There are others who will insist on talking Roger is sports mad and an extremely keen golfer. about birds at great length. Finally, there will be another who will always complain about their trains being late—that Rosalind Bolt retired at the end of October. She is me, incidentally. served for 21 years in the House. She started her career in the accounts payable team and finished as office This debate was, as always, opened very effectively by manager in the web and intranet service. She knew the hon. Member for Southend West (Mr Amess). As many, many people across the parliamentary estate and usual, he ran through a large number of issues, and I was, as you know, Mr Deputy Speaker, widely respected. will try to respond to at least some of them. I think he She was always quick to offer support and guidance to started by suggesting that, following the renovation her colleagues and had a strong sense of the “right way” works, we might never return to this place. He will be to interact with colleagues, stakeholders and suppliers. relieved to hear that I suspect his concerns in that Mel Barlex, whom I had the pleasure of working with respect are unfounded. He referred to the facilities in particular on restoration and renewal, stood down being empty and the prices being too high, and then earlier this autumn as parliamentary director of estates. went through a long list of local issues, including scrap He turned a struggling organisation into a high-performing metal, energy prices and the world athletics—and I delivery team, providing maintenance, capital works want to commend his schools, Southend high school for and property services to both Houses. boys and Southend high school for girls, on qualifying to represent England at that event. He also referred to Michael—Mick—Brown was a Doorkeeper who retired the Music Man project and to Councillor David Stanley, at the start of the summer recess. He had been here since and then proceeded to plug that event. He did not tell us 1990, and before that had served in the Royal Navy and what the ticket prices would be, but he no doubt would is a Falklands veteran. Ian McDonald, a fellow Cumbrian, have done so if time had allowed, as well as providing us will be retiring this week. He worked here from December with a link so that we could purchase tickets online. He 2006 and before that served in the Metropolitan police. also referred to the talent show that is being launched as Sonia Mcintosh retired in October 2014 after some part of the alternative city of culture events in 2017. I 30 years’ service in the House. Chris Ridley completed think that the House would like to be assured that he 37 years of public service, retiring at the end of October will be taking part in that talent show himself. 2014. He worked in the civil service and the House of Commons over that period. Peter Thomas started in the The hon. Gentleman referred to all-party parliamentary catering services as a kitchen steward in 1990. He was groups. Initially, he described them as “farcical”, but then the first person to come into work at the weekend for went on to describe the very significant role that he plays the lying in state of the Queen Mother. in a number of APPGs. He rightly highlighted the fact that, following the significant loss suffered in the Philippines Janice Spriggs retires today from the House of Commons after the cyclone struck, the authorities there took the catering service after 38 years of service. Janice joined necessary action. That shows that, if countries take as a waitress in the Members’ Dining Room before steps to deal with climate change, mitigation can have moving to the Harcourt Room, which is now, of course, an effect, even if it is not always successful in reducing the Churchill Dining Room, and then the Strangers’ the amount of damage inflicted on the infrastructure of Bar. She ran the 6th Floor 7 Milbank room until its a country. He referred to Bahrain, and I will come back closure. Latterly, she has worked on the Principal Floor to that subject shortly. He also mentioned Iran. managing the Strangers’ Dining Room. I know she will be fondly missed by many customers and colleagues. The hon. Gentleman talked about the all-party parliamentary group on fire safety. My right hon. Friend Finally, Carol Hill, the heritage cleaning team manager, the Member for Hazel Grove (Sir Andrew Stunell) has retired after 15 years in the House. Her team is might want to talk to him, if he has not already done so, responsible for looking after the heritage areas in the about the fire safety issue that he identified. The hon. Palace. Gentleman rightly drew attention to something that I, on behalf of the Opposition, want to wish all those Members on both sides of the House are concerned public servants a very enjoyable retirement. I am sure about—the issue relating to firefighters. He said that if they will all be trying to have a peaceful Christmas, and a firefighter failed a fitness test through no fault of their will perhaps even take a slice of Chorley cake to top off own and did not qualify for ill-health retirement, they their Christmas lunch. Let me end by wishing you, would be redeployed or receive an unreduced pension. Mr Deputy Speaker, and all colleagues a very peaceful That is a significant concession that is worth underlining. and merry Christmas, and a happy new year.

4.37 pm Lyn Brown: May I say something to the right hon. Gentleman—very gently, as it is Christmas—about the The Deputy Leader of the House of Commons (Tom repeated statement that firefighters in those circumstances Brake): It is a pleasure to respond, for what will be the will get redeployment or a full pension? If he reads the last time in this Parliament, to the pre-recess Adjournment statutory instrument that was laid today, he will see that 1657 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1658 the Minister is going to ask the fire and rescue authorities My hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton and Honiton to do that, but that there is no requirement for them to (Neil Parish), who is not in his place, referred to the comply. We will not be doing anyone a service by A303. Anyone who has gone to that part of the country continuing to repeat that there is to be a requirement for will welcome the investment being made in that road. jobs and full pensions to be guaranteed. He referred to the need to accelerate the implementation of rural broadband, on which, again, we would all Tom Brake: As I understand it, the situation will then agree. He also referred to the Devon Freewheelers, be monitored to ensure that that happens. talking about bikers who deliver body parts—he paused The hon. Member for Southend West also referred to at that point and we all started to worry about what this his own personal contribution to the work done by meant, but it turned out to be about transplants. We maternity wards, in that he has five children. I congratulate should certainly support such charities. I believe he was him on that. He mentioned the mental health manifesto. calling for NHS funding, but often charities work because He also talked about the all-party parliamentary hepatology they are charitable enterprises. I am sure, however, that group. He started that point with a reference to the anything the Government can do to support them in season of good will, then referred to obesity, hepatitis terms of publicity and ensuring that they can operate and alcohol misuse, which was a bit of a downer. He effectively will be done. was making a serious point, however. The hon. Member for West Ham (Lyn Brown) referred If I were to refer to all the other things that the hon. to hysteroscopy, as she did last year, and it was equally Gentleman mentioned in the debate, I would not have as uncomfortable for us listening to it as it was 12 months time to refer to anyone else. However, his most important ago. I am pleased to hear that the Minister with subject was the one he raised at the end of his speech. It responsibility for public health did respond to her, but is a concern that he has raised repeatedly, and it relates clearly she has identified that there is an ongoing issue to his local health service. I am sure that the Department and so I will follow that up again and make sure that she of Health, his clinical commissioning group and the gets a further response, which I hope will clarify that trust in his area will have heard his arguments loud and things have moved on and what further can be planned. clear. She also raised the issue of pancreatic cancer, the silent The hon. Member for Harrow West (Mr Thomas), cancer. More needs to be done to raise the profile of who is no longer in his place, referred to the estuary that, so that we have a better chance of early diagnosis. airport. I agree with him that that project was never I commend her for drawing that to the House’s attention. going to happen, because the airlines would not have My hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Fiona wanted to pay for it or to pass on the costs to their Bruce) rightly drew attention to North Korea and the passengers. He referred to the important role of London horrendous situation there. Anyone who is in any doubt assembly members in holding Transport for London to about that can still go on to Google Earth to look at the account, and I would like to congratulate Caroline concentration camps in North Korea. I commend to all Pidgeon and Stephen Knight on the role that they play Members “Escape from Camp 14” on Shin Dong-hyuk. in the assembly in that respect. The hon. Gentleman I have read it and it sets out in the bleakest terms supported the idea of Transport for London being possible exactly what conditions political prisoners and more open to engaging transport users in the system, others in North Korean camps are kept in. and I agree with him on that. He referred to local authority funding cuts, which other Members have also The hon. Member for Rochester and Strood (Mark raised; that is clearly an issue. Labour Members have Reckless) referred to the estuary airport. [Interruption.] accepted that the deficit needs to be addressed, and that He is not in his place. He then talked about a housing is one way of doing it. If they find it unacceptable, they development of 5,000 homes and he did a very effective must come up with a financial alternative, but I am job of opposing those plans—it was as effective a job as afraid that none has been forthcoming. he did when he was supporting them before he defected to the United Kingdom Independence party. It is My right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Christmas—a time for caring, reflection, forgiveness Malling (Sir John Stanley) referred to Gatwick, where and good will—and I know he is running a fundraising other aviation proposals have been made, raising concerns campaign whereby he is seeking £7.30 contributions about some of the financial aspects and the passenger from each and everyone to support his legal case against projection increases. If the intention is for an increase the Conservative party. I am not sure how many people from 30 million to 90 million by 2050, clearly there will will want to contribute to that appeal fund. be a need for significant public transport investment in infrastructure around Gatwick. We then heard from my hon. Friend the Member for The hon. Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz) Colchester (Sir Bob Russell), who will be very relieved touched on the issue of local government and the tough to hear that it is perfectly in order for schools within the financial settlement. She referred to the NHS pay rise, national curriculum to discuss the 1812 to 1814 war. I where people have been given a minimum of a 1% increase will, if he wishes, set out afterwards precisely how that across the board, although I agree that that is not the is possible. We have given teachers the flexibility to do full pay increase that some had been expecting. She that. Clearly I hope that many teachers will have listened referred to the need for more doctors and nurses. I am to his pleas for them to pick up this issue and will pleased to say that there are 9,000 more doctors and respond accordingly. 3,000 more nurses. Perhaps more helpfully, she referred We had a contribution from the hon. Member for to John’s Campaign, which is about allowing carers to Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn) on the subject of the stay in hospital. I can confirm that, by means of an base in Bahrain. The Leader of the House responded to exchange of texts, the relevant Minister has confirmed that point in some detail this morning, drawing on the that he would be happy to meet her and campaigners to knowledge he had gained from his previous role as discuss that issue. Foreign Secretary. The hon. Gentleman and I have been 1659 Christmas Adjournment18 DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Adjournment 1660

[Tom Brake] on residential care and home care. He asked me to pursue with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs agencies lobbied by representatives about the human rights situation that pay less than the minimum wage to carers, and of in Bahrain. Although the Foreign and Commonwealth course I will do that. He talked about the need to ensure Office thinks that some positive steps have been taken, that there was parity of esteem in relation to the millennium it is clear that there are still areas that need to be development goals and the role that the Department for addressed. In particular, more needs to be done on the International Development is playing. accountability of police personnel and the investigation Finally, he referred to the short time frame for the and sentencing of those alleged to have committed renal consultation. As I understand it, that is necessary torture and mistreatment. There is a recognition that because the changes need to be implemented by 1 April action needs to be taken. next year, and it will be difficult to achieve that if the The hon. Gentleman also referred to local authority consultation period is extended. I am sure that he will funding and the private rented sector, which he does on follow that up with the Department of Health if he a regular basis, and I commend him for that. He will be does not feel that that is satisfactory. as disappointed as I was—indeed as almost everyone My right hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove was in this House—that the Bill about revenge evictions referred to the A555, for which he has consistently put forward by my hon. Friend the Member for Brent campaigned along with my hon. Friend the Member for Central (Sarah Teather) was talked out. Cheadle (Mark Hunter) since 1997. Phase 2 might be We then had a positive and informed contribution on his legacy, but that might be in the next Parliament. I the subject of trains and the reliability problems that am sure that he will be able to get his name attached to my right hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford it in some shape or form and I hope that the money for (Mr Burns) faces on his service. I can commiserate with that phase will be forthcoming. He raised the issue of him on that matter, as the works at London Bridge at fires in houses, which he could take up with the all-party the moment are causing chaos on the Southern and parliamentary group, but I will ensure that it is drawn to Thameslink services, which frustrates me virtually every the attention of the appropriate Minister as there is day of the week when I attempt to get into this place. I clearly a potentially significant issue that could affect will refer to the Secretary of State for Transport his plea not only that estate but many others around the country. for faster electrification of the Felixstowe and Nuneaton My hon. Friend the Member for Cleethorpes (Martin line. Vickers) is a regular attendee at these events and I I congratulate the hon. Member for Hayes and welcome him again to this one. He referred to a number Harlington (John McDonnell) on again raising the case of significant events in his constituency and the need of Shaker Aamer, to which the Government accords for a rapprochement between the electorate and high priority. He again called on the Prime Minister to Westminster. He also referred to English votes for English raise the matter with President Obama, and I will laws, which we need to move on quickly. However, I do ensure that that request is conveyed to him. The Prime not think we can rush it and there are issues that need to Minister last raised the matter in June 2013, but there be considered alongside it, including the devolution of have been interventions since from the Deputy Prime more power below the level of England and, in my view, Minister and the Foreign Secretary. He is right to continue the need for a constitutional convention. to raise that particular issue. My hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Jeremy I regret the forthcoming departure of the right hon. Lefroy) raised a number of local issues and I commend Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Sir John him for his work in campaigning to improve the NHS in Randall). Having been on a Select Committee tour to his area as well as the campaign he is running to ensure Brazil and Venezuela with him, I can say that he is that his A and E is returned to a 24-hour-a-day service. I excessively good company and one of the friendliest, wish him well. He also referred to libraries, and I think most considerate and courteous Members of this House. we collectively support the network of libraries in our We will all miss him, as will the customers of his store. constituencies and will want to see them strengthened He also thanked the Whips Office, which is probably by the provision of the sorts of things recommended in rather rare in this place. the recent report, such as wi-fi provision, innovation The hon. Member for Hendon (Dr Offord) talked and ensuring that they can operate as a network. My about sight loss. I commend him for the work he is hon. Friend referred to other issues that affect many doing on that issue and draw to his attention the importance Members of Parliament, including nuisance telephone of ensuring that sight tests are available for people with calls and copycat websites, which I think we can all do a learning disabilities, which is an issue I have taken up lot to campaign against through our use of our own recently given the high level of prevalence of sight social media, for instance. He also referred to local impairment within that group. He raised the matter of councillors and I want to take this opportunity to sight loss advisers and the need for expanding eye clinic commend them for their work. liaison officers, and I will draw them to the attention of The hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife the Department of Health. (Thomas Docherty) referred to the Recall of MPs Bill. I My right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton and do not know whether he noticed that Lord Campbell- Cheam (Paul Burstow) raised a number of issues, including Savours was rather lacking in festive spirit when he described that of his constituent, Lauren, and the runaround that the changes that the hon. Gentleman had implemented he is getting from NHS England in relation to the as ones made by boys in short trousers in the shadow services or support that will help her to deal with Cabinet. Perhaps he can take that up with Dale later. gastroparesis. As he has often done in this place, he The hon. Gentleman asked for a debate on foreign referred to a number of issues to do with care, on which policy, which I shall certainly pass on to the Leader of he is a real champion, and he referred to the two reports the House, although I think that contrary to the impression 1661 Christmas Adjournment 18 DECEMBER 2014 1662 that was given we are not a zombie Parliament. We have Jobseeker’s Allowance (Sanctions) important business to transact and that might be a Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House matter for the Backbench Business Committee. I thank do now adjourn.—(Anne Milton.) the hon. Gentleman for thanking members of staff individually, some specifically for what they have achieved in the House. 4.59 pm In conclusion, Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank you and Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): I am very grateful wish you a merry Christmas. I wish all Members in the to Mr Speaker for this opportunity, following my point Chamber, the Clerks, the officers of the Serjeant at of order in the Chamber last week. My aim is simple: to Arms, the staff who care for us here and our own staff a obtain from the Minister an answer to a straightforward merry Christmas. parliamentary question to which I have—in vain—been Let me finish where we started the debate with the seeking an answer for the past year and a half. final words of the hon. Member for Southend West. I We know from the Trussell Trust that about a quarter thank the emergency services that will be looking after of a million people went to a food bank in the past year us over the Christmas period. I thank the ambulance because their benefit had been sanctioned and they did service in St Helier, the fire service in Wallington, the not have enough money to buy food for themselves and police in Sutton and the NHS staff in all our hospitals, their family. particularly at St Helier hospital. I know that they will be working over the Christmas break to keep us all 5pm healthy and safe, so merry Christmas to them all. Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 9(3)). Question put and agreed to. Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House Resolved, do now adjourn.—(Anne Milton.) That this House has considered matters to be raised before the forthcoming adjournment. Stephen Timms: Published official figures show that the number of people sanctioned rose from about half a Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): May I also million in the year before the election to a million in the take this opportunity to say thank you to all right hon. past year. That figure includes sanctions subsequently and hon. Members? I wish them all the best for Christmas overturned on appeal. The Minister has been quoted as and a peaceful new year, as well as all the visitors of this saying, and has said from time to time, that only a very House and the staff who keep this place going. small fraction of claimants receive a sanction. That is a fair comment about any given month, but in fact about a quarter of jobseeker’s allowance claimants get a sanction at some point during their claim. The increase from half a million to a million is obviously a big one, but it is not clear why, from very few people before the election, the number forced to use a food bank because of a sanction has rocketed to a quarter of a million. Early last year, I tabled a parliamentary question to ask not how many people had been sanctioned, but how much money was being taken away from them all. I received an answer from the Minister’s predecessor on 25 March last year which I found very helpful. The Minister’s answer showed that in the year before the election, the amount of benefit withheld from fixed JSA sanctions was £11 million—that is, a little less than £1 million per month. In April to October 2012—the latest period for which data were available at that time—the amount was £60 million, so £10 million per month. That represents a tenfold increase in the amount withheld, as opposed to a twofold rise in the number of people affected. It struck me that that was the beginning of an explanation for why so many people had been forced to use a food bank as a result of a sanction: the amount of money being taken away was greatly increased. Those data went up to October 2012. In that month, a new and significantly harsher system of sanctions was introduced. The minimum period for a sanction was increased to four weeks and it became possible to remove claimants’ benefits for a full three years. We do not yet know precisely how many people have received a three-year benefit sanction, but it appears that the number is already over 1,000 across the country, so there seems little doubt that following the tenfold increase between the election and October 2012, the amount being withheld in sanctions must have increased substantially further since October 2012. 1663 Jobseeker’s Allowance (Sanctions)18 DECEMBER 2014 Jobseeker’s Allowance (Sanctions) 1664

[Stephen Timms] of jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) that claimants would have received if they had continued to be on benefit for the length of a fixed Once the financial year 2012-13 was over, I again sanction. This is not the same as the amount withheld as a result tabled a written parliamentary question to obtain an of sanctions.” updated answer to my earlier question, in order to find I thought, perhaps a little naively, that the Minister out how much had been withheld in the second half of was finally giving me a hint about how to obtain the the financial year 2012-13—that is, after the changes information I wanted, so on 2 December I tabled this introduced in October 2012. This time, the Minister’s question: predecessor provided me with a much less helpful answer. “How much additional jobseeker’s allowance in total claimants Dated 24 June 2013, it appears at column 30W: subject to a fixed sanction would have received if they had continued “An estimate of the amount withheld as a result of benefit to be on the benefit for the length of time of their sanction in sanctions cannot be made for a number of reasons. Primarily, we (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14.” do not know what benefits and payments the claimants would Unfortunately, my optimism was ill-founded and short-lived. have received had the sanctions not been applied.”—[Official On 5 December, I received a repeat of the refusals I had Report, 24 June 2013; Vol. 565, c. 30W.] previously received: I was puzzled by that, Mr Deputy Speaker, as I know “The Department doesn’t make an estimate the amount of you understand, because a perfectly good answer had benefit that would have been withheld as a result of benefit been provided to the same question three months earlier. sanctions.” Early this year I had another go, as I told Mr Speaker, As you know, Mr Deputy Speaker, because I have in a three-page letter which he described in responding already pointed it out several times in this debate, the to my point of order as “a substantial academic essay”. Department did make precisely such an estimate in the I should say that I also forwarded that letter to the written answer to me dated 25 March 2013. office of the Minister, so that she knew exactly what the I have now, over a period of a year and a half, tabled simple and straightforward question was to which I was six written parliamentary questions to obtain straight seeking an answer through this debate. -forward and important information that was provided The current Minister, who is in her place today and in a written answer in March 2103, but in all that time who had by then taken over, told me in a written answer and with all that effort, I have so far drawn a complete on 5 February, at column 268W: blank. In exasperation, I appealed to Mr Speaker for “The information is not available in the format requested. advice, and he suggested this debate as a way to enable Trends in sanctions are better understood by looking at the number the Minister finally to provide the requested information. and type of sanction decisions—which are routinely published (the last publication, covering sanctions to end June 2013, was I have discussed this matter with Dr David Webster published in November 2013”—[Official Report, 5 February 2014; of Glasgow university, the leading academic authority Vol. 575, c. 268W.] on benefit sanctions. He estimates that the amount of Again, the information was provided in the format benefit withheld in sanctions is now running at £300 million requested on 25 March 2013, so I could not understand per year. If that is the case, it is important that Parliament the rationale for that answer saying that it could not be knows it. It should not be necessary for people to make done in the format I had requested. The Minister’s speculative estimates—the Minister should provide the suggestion to me that trends in sanctions are better answer. She will no doubt want also to provide various understood by asking something else made it hard to caveats, clarifications and health warnings, as did the avoid the inference that she simply did not want to initial answer on 25 March 2013, but she should provide reveal the answer, as her predecessor willingly had done. Parliament with the basic information being sought. On 9 April this year, I tried again, at column 300W, In preparing for this debate, I had a look at the and was equally unsuccessful. Last month, I tried yet ministerial code, which says: again, with Question 215334, and received this answer: “Ministers should be as open as possible with Parliament and “The Department does not estimate the amount of benefit the public, refusing to provide information only when disclosure withheld as a result of benefit sanctions.” would not be in the public interest which should be decided in Yet on 25 March 2013, the Department did provide precisely accordance with the relevant statutes and the Freedom of Information such an estimate. On 25 November, hoping to understand Act 2000.” why an answer that could be given in March 2013 could That is all I am asking for. I believe that as a Member of not be repeated now, I tabled this question: this House, ever grateful to you, Mr Deputy Speaker, “Pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2014 to Question and to Mr Speaker for upholding the privileges of Members, 215334 and the Answer of 4 July 2013, Official Report, column 736W, I am, and we are, entitled to a substantive answer. (a) on what date and (b) for what reason his Department stopped I applied for this debate within minutes of Mr Speaker estimating the amount of benefit withheld as a result of the giving me his advice. One unexpected result was that I application of sanctions.” have received a number of representations expressing On 1 December, the Minister sent me this answer: real worry about the impact of current jobseeker’s “The Department has never estimated the amount of benefit allowance sanctions. The Salvation Army has told me: withheld as a result of benefit sanctions.” “The more stringent conditionality introduced into the benefit As you will appreciate, Mr Deputy Speaker, I know that system under this government and the resulting rise in benefit that was not right, because the answer I received on sanctions are having a profound effect on many of the people we 25 March 2013 contained a table headed “Benefit withheld work with…we urge the government to review the system and from fixed JSA sanctions (£ million)”, so the Minister’s ensure that adequate systems are put in place to make sure that predecessor provided precisely the estimate that her benefit sanctions are applied in a way that is both appropriate and latest answer claims never to have provided. The Minister’s proportional.” answer went on: St Mungo’s Broadway has said: “The answer of 25 March 2013, Official Report, column 986W, “Under current sanctions regimes St Mungo’s Broadway clients on social security benefits, contained a calculation of the amount are under threat of being sanctioned for failing to meet conditions 1665 Jobseeker’s Allowance (Sanctions)18 DECEMBER 2014 Jobseeker’s Allowance (Sanctions) 1666 which do not help them to enter and remain in work or which We know that, internationally, most developed economies they cannot meet. People who are homeless are more likely to be use sanctions. As the OECD said recently: sanctioned than other claimants.” “There seems little reason to doubt that, especially in countries The Joseph Rowntree Foundation stated in a report with high levels of benefit coverage of the non-employed working-age published in September: population, the success of activation policies in relation to “Sanctions are now used much more frequently within the unemployment is critical to achieving high employment rates.” welfare benefits system. The severity of sanctions has also increased To go back to the right hon. Gentleman’s parliamentary and conditionality is now applied to previously exempt groups question, the response made it clear why we cannot (e.g. lone parents, disabled people). Benefit sanctions are having a strongly disproportionate effect on young people under 25, and estimate, and have never estimated, the amount of benefit there is also evidence of severe impacts on homeless people and withheld because of a sanction. The Department does other vulnerable groups.” not make an estimate of the amount of benefit withheld In a striking representation, Barnardo’s says: as a result of benefit sanctions. Sanctions are designed “Particularly worrying…is the impact that the harsher to ensure claimants comply with their requirements to conditionality regime is having on our services which work primarily move off benefits and into work. with young people. Barnardo’s run a number of services which The answer of 25 March 2013 on social security work with vulnerable young people, for example services which benefits—Official Report, column 986W—made it clear offer support to care leavers, homeless young people, or teenage that it is not possible robustly to estimate the actual parents. Amongst this subset of services over two thirds (67%)”— amounts withheld, as we do not know what would have in a survey it carried out— happened in the absence of sanctions. For example, “said that the increased conditionality and greater use of sanctions some claimants who leave benefits during a sanction were having an impact on their service users. Our services report may do so irrespective of the application of the sanction, that sanctions often happen because of misunderstanding on the part of the young people...The impact of sanctions on this group while others may do so because of the sanction. of young people, who often lack family support, is to plunge them As the right hon. Gentleman has pointed out, we into destitution, leaving them reliant on insecure credit, and often provided some data in the response to the parliamentary resulting in them ending up in rent arrears, putting their tenancy question. The Department wrongly interpreted the question at risk. As one service manager commented: ‘We have a number to mean the maximum amount of benefit that claimants of care leavers being sanctioned which results in extreme poverty.’” would have received had they remained on benefits for There is now, therefore, very widespread concern about the length of the sanction, rather than to mean a total. what is happening, beyond the very striking conclusion It is impossible to calculate such a total, and trying to in the report published last month by the Trussell Trust, do so would lead to the Department handing out inaccurate the Church of England, Oxfam and the Child Poverty information. Action Group that between 19% and 28% of people driven to use food banks were there because of a benefit It must be noted that the original response clearly set sanction. out the reasons why that is the case. Let me run through them. First, the data provided were for the maximum Parliament is entitled to be told what is going on, so amount that claimants would have received, and should will the Minister inform the House how much is currently not be interpreted as absolute. In fact, we made it clear being withheld from jobseeker’s allowance claimants in that the figures were “overestimates”. benefit sanctions? Secondly, the data could not take into account claimants 5.12 pm who had left benefits during a sanction, such as those who might have moved off benefits and gone into a job The Minister for Employment (Esther McVey): As or education, or moved on to another benefit. As we this is the last parliamentary business before the Christmas know, employment is now at record levels—up nearly recess, I want to start by wishing you Mr Deputy 600,000 over the past year—so many people are moving Speaker, the right hon. Member for East Ham (Stephen off benefits and going into work. The rate at which Timms) and all other Members and parliamentary staff people are doing so is now faster: nearly 80% of them a merry Christmas and happy new year. I also thank the have moved off benefits within six months. right hon. Gentleman for securing this debate in order to bring closure to the matter and give him the clarification Thirdly, the calculation does not net the figures for he seeks. hardship payments. It is not possible to take into account Sanctions are not a tool to save money, nor were they the hardship payments that would have been received, ever designed with that purpose in mind. In fact, sanctions which puts up to 80% of the benefits back into payment. play a vital role in supporting the conditionality of a Fourthly, the amount of benefits withheld is not regime. They encourage claimants to comply with the readily available for JSA-varied sanctions. During the requirements that are designed to help them move into period covered in the parliamentary question—2009 to or prepare for work. Sanctions have always been a part 2012—the sanctions system changed, which resulted in of the benefit system since they were first designed and more fixed level sanctions so that claimants could be introduced. Successive UK Governments have applied clearer about the consequences of not meeting the sanctions. requirements designed to help them into work. There is a link between entitlement to benefits and It was therefore clear that the information handed engagement with the labour market. As Matt Oakley out was not right, and that such a total could not be said in his review: provided. That came to light when follow-up questions “Benefit sanctions provide a vital backdrop in the social security were asked, including in the other place. We do not system for jobseekers” routinely collect information of benefits withheld because and are a of a sanction that has been imposed, or of benefits that “key element of the mutual obligation that underpins both the would have been claimed had someone not lost their effectiveness and fairness of the social security system”. entitlement. We therefore cannot produce the figures 1667 Jobseeker’s Allowance (Sanctions)18 DECEMBER 2014 Jobseeker’s Allowance (Sanctions) 1668

[Esther McVey] Stephen Timms: A year and a half ago. without making a number of assumptions and judgments John McDonnell: An answer that was given a year about people’s behaviour, and any resulting figures would and a half ago was misleading. If that is the case, would be very misleading. it not have been appropriate for the Minister who gave Stephen Timms: All I am really asking for is an that misleading answer to come to the House at the first update of the table provided on 25 March 2013. I take opportunity, as is the convention, to correct the information? the point that such a table would need a caveat attached As far as I am aware, there has been no correction to it and that people would need to be told that it is not whatever. I ask you to take this matter up, Mr Deputy what it might at first appear to be, but if we just had an Speaker, as a point of procedure with the relevant updated version, the House would be happy. Department. Esther McVey: I appreciate what the right hon. Mr Deputy Speaker: What we need to do is to get to Gentleman says, but if we want the Department to the end of the debate. The point is well made and it has provide robust and reliable information which is not been taken on board. misleading, then such an update cannot be given. He says that he just wants a good answer, but such an Esther McVey: I do not have my glasses on at the answer would not be a good one. Surely nobody would moment. It is John McDonnell on the Opposition Benches, want information to be given out to people who might is it not? [Interruption.] It is. I thought that perhaps the be misled. As we know, all those caveats are seldom, if hon. Gentleman was standing up to pass comment on ever, applied, and such information would be incorrect. something else, now that it is Christmas—the time when After the further questions, and having examined what people should be able to stand up and apologise—or, as was first handed out, the Department decided that the he said he would in front of the House, to invite me for information provided was wrong, inaccurate and misleading. a cup of tea— The answer stated that it was important to focus on why there is a sanctions system. It is about making sure John McDonnell: Will the Minister give way? that people understand what is required of them, making sure that decisions are timely and correct, and protecting Esther McVey: Hang on a second. Let me finish what the most vulnerable. Fundamentally, sanctions cannot I am saying. For what he was reported to have either be seen in isolation. They are part of a broader system said or repeated, I say for every woman I know who has of support that includes financial support, training in been affected by violence; for every woman I know who employment skills and getting people into work. Because has actually lived by violence, I believe that what— of that extra training and support, and because of the claimant commitment that we have introduced to make John McDonnell: On a point of order, Mr Deputy the system tailor-made for the individual, so that they Speaker. know what sanction they would get and, at the same time, what support they would get, we have seen record-breaking results in getting people into work, the biggest fall in Mr Deputy Speaker: Order. [Interruption.] Order, youth unemployment since records began, the biggest everybody! Let us have a little bit of Christmas spirit. fall in long-term unemployment since 1998 and record The Minister must give way when there is a point of rates of women getting into work. All that is part of a order. system. What we were aiming to do, and what we have done, is to get nearly 2 million extra people into work. John McDonnell: On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Allegations have been made here that have Stephen Timms: On a point of order, Mr Deputy been responded to previously. If the right hon. Lady is Speaker. Can you advise me whether it is in order for raising matters in relation to me, I am quite happy to the Minister to say that she is not going to answer a respond to them if she gives way. question because she thinks that the answer would be misleading? Surely it is for Members of the House to Mr Deputy Speaker: We are not going to get into determine what information they want and for Ministers that. It is Christmas, and this is the final debate before to provide that information. the recess, so we ought to take on board where we are Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): The and be careful about the comments that are made. responsibility to answer a question lies with the Minister. The right hon. Member for East Ham (Stephen Timms) Esther McVey: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As has been tenacious in holding the Minister to account. the hon. Gentleman said that he would make a phone That is the role of Members: to hold Ministers and call to speak to me about this matter, I await the phone Departments to account. I am sure that that will continue call— if he does not get the answer today. Esther McVey: I appreciate that, Mr Deputy Speaker. John McDonnell: On a point of order, Mr Deputy That is why we are having this debate today. It is not me Speaker. If you check the record, you will see that a who is— point of order was raised by another Member, not the Minister, and I offered that Member the opportunity to John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): On a come for a cup of tea with me on the advice of Madam point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. As I understand it, Deputy Speaker. I offered no phone calls to the Minister, what the Minister has said is that an answer that was whom I would not wish to meet and who was awarded given to my right hon. Friend the Member for East the Scrooge of the year award in her own constituency Ham (Stephen Timms) two years ago— last week. 1669 Jobseeker’s Allowance (Sanctions)18 DECEMBER 2014 Jobseeker’s Allowance (Sanctions) 1670

Mr Deputy Speaker: I do not want this debate to was neither reliable nor accurate, and that was why the deteriorate any further. It is an important debate, and I subsequent answers were given in a series of letters and want us to stick to the facts. I do not want any more parliamentary answers. I have given the exact reply that personal attacks on either side of the Chamber. I want has been deemed correct, because we obviously want to move forward. the Department and the House to give out accurate information. Esther McVey: As I said to the right hon. Member for Question put and agreed to. East Ham, the point is not whether I was withholding the information. The Department looked at the information that had been handed out and felt that it was not 5.25 pm robust. It was not comfortable handing it out because it House adjourned.

565WH 18 DECEMBER 2014 Business Investment (Outer-City 566WH Estates) We are not a delivery body. We rely on a small board Westminster Hall and a tremendously dedicated staff team from the public and private sectors, who generously give their time and Thursday 18 December 2014 personnel. We are indebted, not least to Public Health England, the local enterprise partnership, the council, Carillion, Nottingham City Homes, further and higher [PHILIP DAVIES in the Chair] education, and the social enterprises, community and voluntary sector, as well as many others—even the local Business Investment (Outer-City Estates) MP, and I declare an interest, as I am the chair of the Rebalancing charity. The key to all such enterprises of Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting change is and will always be effective partnership working, be now adjourned.—(Mel Stride.) not just in the locality but also between the local and national levels. Convention forbids me from naming 1.30 pm them, but I will put on the record my appreciation of Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North) (Lab): I am the support and creativity that particularly officials, but pleased to be here under your chairmanship today, also Ministers, have shown. That has been immensely Mr Davies, on the last day that the House is sitting. encouraging and helpful. This is a debate on a very important topic—the outer I will give two small examples of what I mean. One cities. We hear a lot about the inner cities but the outer involves retail and shopping. We are working with the cities, and I represent an outer-city constituency, often Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local seem to be the forgotten part of the UK. One of the Government, the hon. Member for Portsmouth North things that I have attempted to do is to bring the outer (Penny Mordaunt), and her Department. We will host cities back into focus and back on to the Front-Bench an outreach event in Nottingham in the new year, which agendas of all parties. Outer cities are often neglected will bring together a range of local retailers from across and unbalanced, with too many houses and not enough the area to build links and share best practice. There are jobs. There must be a strategy, at both national and lots of great examples up and down the country of local level, to address their problems, and I am happy to people coming together to breathe life back into their be trying to pioneer that approach in my constituency communities, and there is no reason why we cannot of Nottingham North. apply that energy to the shopping parades on our outer-city estates. On the first day that the Minister for Skills and Equalities was in his new office, I had an Adjournment Another example is building on the encouragement debate on part of the agenda that we are putting forward of the Under-Secretary of State for Health, the hon. in Nottingham North. I will not today go back over the Member for Battersea (Jane Ellison), who has responsibility demographic and statistical background to prove how for public health, by bringing forward dental checks for deprived my constituency is, other than to say it is one every three-year-old. That is a legal provision at the of the most deprived constituencies in the UK. I will moment, but it is terribly underused. We would also like give one example: it sends the fewest number of young to introduce a lung check for every 60-year-old, because people to university of any constituency in the UK, we have 1970s levels of smoking in Nottingham North. and, as I will refer to later, it has 1,250 young people Finally, we aim to do the first prevalence study of the who, by the age of 24, have never known a single day’s drinking habits of mums-to-be, so that we can tackle work in their lives. I could regale Members with other foetal alcohol syndrome, which is so damaging to the statistics, but I have already done that, so today I will growth potential of many of the young people in my talk about what we are doing locally. We are not being constituency. ground down by our circumstances, rather we are getting However, the focus today is on investment. If we are together, organising and improving our local circumstances to tackle the problems of outer-city estates sustainably, in the long term. I hope that the Minister will be able to our investment horizon must be long-term—at least tell us a little more, from his point of view, about how 10 years and preferably much longer. That is hard to the effective partnership that we have between our achieve when our partners are dealing hand to mouth locality and national Government Departments is working. with the consequences of austerity. That is one of the Many local partners have worked together, and continue reasons why our relationship with the LEP is central. to do so, on outer-city problems. It is not as if nothing is Our LEP is called D2N2—Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham being done; people are working incredibly hard. However, and Nottinghamshire—and its growth deal not only what we have done in my constituency is to add a talked about building roads and bridges but included a further and original element, by creating an independent commitment to develop our rebalancing outer city estates charity to cover the whole of the Nottingham North project, with the aim of getting more people into work, area—the Rebalancing the Outer Estates Foundation. I raising education and skill levels, and making better use hope that this charity, as it goes through its learning of local assets and spending. The growth deal also curve, can teach others lessons that can be spread states that the rebalancing project can be used to provide throughout the United Kingdom. That particularly applies evidence on how these practices can be applied effectively to the topic we are discussing today, which is the lessons to similar outer-city areas. around economic and business investment in the outer Included in the LEP’s growth deal were commitments cities. from the Cabinet Office, the DCLG, the Department However, the expectations need to be made realistic for Work and Pensions, and the Department for Business, from the outset. The role of Rebalancing—if I may call Innovation and Skills to work with the LEP, to develop it that—is not only to speak up for the area but to proposals and to help put those proposals into action broker the deals and convene the partners who can help. where there is a strong case for doing so. In order to 567WH Business Investment (Outer-City 18 DECEMBER 2014 Business Investment (Outer-City 568WH Estates) Estates) [Mr Graham Allen] The second part of the youth engagement fund bid is to create a small college dedicated to the 14 to 17-year-old sustain the Rebalancing charity itself, we have submitted group that I mentioned—what we might call the pre- a bid to the LEP, which will be decided on in the new NEETs—so that those people have their own place to year. Separately, we have a big, overarching employment go to. Just as the heads are dealing with the five A to C and skills plan, which will be discussed with our key group at school, we want to place those other young funding partners. We hope to make progress on the people in an environment where they may want to go on main proposals by about March next year. I will come and study. We are locating that college in the middle of back to that plan a little later. a completely rebuilt further education college in the middle of my constituency. It was a great privilege to go Fundamental to business investment coming to the on site with a hard hat and wellies, with Ofsted and all rebalancing area is that the labour market is ready, and our principals and local head teachers, to see where the that local people have the education, skills and training 14 to 17-year-old pre-NEET college will be, as it is to be able to take the jobs on offer. Again, I could go on being developed and built. I believe that it will be about the evidence regarding the demography that we occupied around the middle of next year. are working with, but I will give just one example from our evidence base. A majority of working-age people in That college has much more potential. We are rebuilding Nottingham North are not qualified to work in anything on part of it, but it also has some land, which in the beyond entry-level—that is, unskilled—employment, and outer cities is an incredible asset. It is not a green field. that problem is particularly pronounced among young Every last bit of land and property, every last street people. That is one of the worst statistics, or pieces of corner and every derelict site must be used to try evidence, showing the problems afflicting Nottingham incrementally to bring work, skills and training back North, and we are determined to do something about it. into an area like mine. Using what is called the Basford To tackle those problems requires consistent and sustained Hall further education college of New College, Nottingham intervention. Little bits of money thrown here and will be fantastically important. there, which finish after a year or 18 months, can be I want to focus a little bit on something rather closer worse than useless, because they raise expectations; they to home for the Minister and the Department: the gear people up, then drop them back down again. A disadvantaged learners scheme. We are working on little investment and a little energy provided over a long proposals for the disadvantaged learners scheme with period will be much more beneficial to communities. the LEP and with central Government help. The LEP They can build on that, and then take over themselves commitment is to work with Government and other as the investors gently move aside and the process parties to co-design, test ideas and learn from the transitions to people entirely running their own affairs. disadvantaged learners pilot. We are happy to be one of There are several examples of how we are doing that. the guinea pigs—we hope, if we are so lucky. Central I have been discussing the matter with Ofsted and Government’s commitment is to support the LEP in concluded a positive agreement with it and with the developing a targeted ward-level pilot, focused on addressing principals of the six secondary schools in the constituency, skills challenges faced by disadvantaged learners with frankly, just to talk to each other outwith the quasi-judicial multiple barriers to employment and, subject to agreement relationship that Ofsted and inspectors tend to have on the proposals, to make funding and flexibilities with schools. Let us talk to each other and find out available within the adult skills budget. The pilot will what works. Let us talk to each other and see if we can consider how local partners can work together to improve understand each other better. As Ofsted expands its outcomes. inspection regime to include young people who are not A key word in that regard is “flexibilities”. It is going to get5AtoCs—thepre-NEETs, if they can be always helpful if extra resource is given, but much of called that—let us talk to each other to see how we can what we need to do in a place such Nottingham North, recognise their achievements. I have been to see the in the rebalancing area, is about having discretions Minister about that as well. I can inform him that, since around the edges to let people get on and do the job as we met last, those meetings are now taking place. Indeed, they see it, to trial particular approaches, rather than we are extending them across the whole city, so that just going straight down the line, with people saying, heads can understand better and Ofsted can understand “Do it this way or not at all.” I know it is difficult— heads better. It is one of the lessons that I mentioned Whitehall has to run the whole country—but I have earlier. That is absolutely positive progress. found that officials and Ministers are positive about The other thing that we are doing—I alluded to this minor changes that could be trialled and looked at in some time ago, but things have moved on—is the youth places such as Nottingham North, just to make the engagement fund bid. We are now towards the end of system work a little smoother, in the way that we all that process. We are still not sure that we are going to intended in the first place. win out, but numbers of other applicants have been The disadvantaged learners fund complements the weeded out as the process has gone on, so we are ever bigger, overarching employment and skills plan that we hopeful. If we are lucky enough to get that funding, we are putting together. The ambition behind that plan is intend to have what I would call a careers adviser in for all those who live in Nottingham North to embark every one of my secondary schools. No doubt they are on a journey through education, skills and training and, called a life-work coach or some such name these days, ultimately, employment. Yes, it applies to the hardest to but the theory remains the same: helping young people reach, but to everybody else as well. That is our ambition. at the earliest possible moment to figure out what their It is a big one, but we think we can do it, given time, options are in terms of skills, training and employment. patience, flexibility and the drive that all our local They will be there to do that early and to be alongside partners are bringing to bear. The overarching employment young people as they grow through school. and skills plan brings help at every stage of that journey, 569WH Business Investment (Outer-City 18 DECEMBER 2014 Business Investment (Outer-City 570WH Estates) Estates) from helping people to address their initial barriers to The fifth and final initiative is a local growth plan to work and training, to engaging employers in local labour develop and implement strategy to support local businesses, schemes, and assisting people to access formal accredited helping them to grow and create jobs for unemployed training and qualifications to levels 2 and 3 and beyond. residents in Nottingham North. A variety of barriers In the big plan there are five key initiatives. I do not exist to all those things. If it was easy, we would have think the Minister has heard this before, because we done it a long time ago. The Rebalancing the Outer have only just pulled it together and we are working Estates Foundation is well placed to talk to the people with officials in his Department and others to be clearer who the normal public sector institutions sometimes about them. All the initiatives are of some benefit to find it difficult to link to, through, for example, drug disadvantaged learners, and some support the delivery and alcohol work, youth work, sometimes community of formal accredited training and access into employment protection, mental health and even public health and for the hardest-to-reach groups. housing. Bringing those areas in and engaging them in addressing social and personal issues is an end in itself, First, community job coaches will provide continuous but another consequence of engaging with those people mentoring and pastoral support to the hardest-to-reach is that they will start to think about training, skills and jobseekers throughout their journey to employment. employment. Instead of popping in every so often, asking, “How’s it going?”, there will be someone with them, who they can If successful, our disadvantaged learners fund bid have confidence in and ask the right questions of and would set up a partnership to manage personal who will take them on the journey. Then there will be employability budgets and employ community jobs coaches, the great moment when that person is totally independent embedding them in the local community. That would and can fly on their own. not be the Rebalancing foundation, but a third party, Secondly, personal employability budgeting will meet properly procured and tested to ensure that it could the unforeseen costs that prevent jobseekers from the deliver high-quality employability budgets and community deprived estates of Nottingham North from accessing jobs coaches. Those coaches would provide one-to-one training and work. Those things crop up, and a little pastoral support to develop some of these young people flexibility around a budget can get a young person to an who do not have basic social and emotional capabilities, interview, get them in good shape and allow them to do such as one would expect from a young person serving the necessary things that they need to do to ensure that people in a retail shop, selling a tie or whatever. These they are getting the opportunity. young people are not capable of engaging and having that sort of negotiation and interaction. Sometimes it is Thirdly, community-employer partnerships will as basic as those fundamental social and emotional encourage employers to engage more with local skills that most of us take for granted. A real incentive communities, give greater support and get more involved for the partner organisations we can engage is that it in employability interventions. That sounds pretty ticks the boxes of their agendas. For example, gaining straightforward, Mr Davies. You and I normally would training and employment decreases the likelihood that just put a circular letter out, saying, “Come along to a young people will get involved in crime. I often say, as meeting, have a sausage on a stick and talk to me about no doubt do you, Mr Davies, that the best crime prevention this issue.” However, it is a bit harder to do in a place measure is a good job. People in work are more likely to with a demography like that of Nottingham North. I be healthier, less of a burden on the health service and have done that and ended up with just two small employers to live longer and happier lives. Employment increases in the room. In such places a one-man business has to income, ensuring sustainability of rent payments and shut the shop for two hours for the privilege of going addressing housing issues. Work can bring structure to have a little chat with the Member of Parliament. We and self-worth to life, improving mental health and need to work harder on that. Certainly, we are working helping to tackle some of the consequences of mental ill closely with the Federation of Small Businesses to do health, including drug and alcohol problems. that. Rebalancing would ensure a good mix of provision Fourthly, a skills in the community element will deliver that is suitable for local disadvantaged learners. We accredited vocational training and qualifications in a would work closely with our partners to do that. As I community setting and alongside mentoring and the mentioned, we want to target directly the 1,250 unemployed softer types of community-based support. There was young people in the area, as well as cutting off the a cull—some of us would say, “About time, too”—of a supply of young people into that group. That is one of lot of accredited courses. I have discussed this openly our key ambitions. If we are fortunate enough to succeed and sensibly with the Minister, and I think that the baby in our bid, from August 2015 and running for three went out with the bathwater in a number of cases. A years, we would target three trial wards within the number of courses performed a really good function in Rebalancing area. In those wards, we would target getting a young person back into thinking about education: those aged 19 to 24 who are long-term unemployed and attending, working, writing. Frankly, if it does that, it have claimed out-of-work benefits for more than six has the makings of being the sort of course that people months. The information—their names and addresses—sits might want to accredit, because it starts a young person with the Department for Work and Pensions and some who has dropped off the conveyor belt back on the form of interaction or agreement will therefore need to journey to skills, training and work. I am of course not be in place, whereby the Department regularly updates saying that anything will do. That attitude was around information on the eligible beneficiaries within the proposal before. However, sometimes we need to go back, have target area. another look at the list and say, “There are a number of courses on there that should be reaccredited.” That way, Briefly, on small businesses, Rebalancing had a meeting we can start to get these young people on that journey. just a couple of weeks ago with the NBV, the Federation It all starts with that first step. of Small Businesses, the east midlands chamber of 571WH Business Investment (Outer-City 18 DECEMBER 2014 Business Investment (Outer-City 572WH Estates) Estates) [Mr Graham Allen] something. Sometimes, people who do that will fail. They need to be allowed to fail, because most of the commerce, Invest in Nottingham, RightTrack Social time they will be finding better ways to do stuff. It must Enterprise and Business in the Community. We agreed be additional, not an add-on to what we already have on three specific things that we would like to take with the many very good people in the field already. The forward. The first is the development of a concise and bulk of the bigger picture on employability will be clear marketing and communication plan for small and looked at over the next couple of months. medium-sized enterprises, underpinned by a few key We hope to benefit from European structural and messages. I know that my hon. Friend the Member for investment funding, which is coming up shortly, and Chesterfield (Toby Perkins) has taken a particular interest want to work up a proper bid with our local partners, in pursuing similar ideas. The second is the deployment the LEP,the council and others to produce a community-led of business buddies to engage and mentor small and local development programme to be delivered by the medium-sized enterprises, understanding the support Rebalancing the Outer Estates Foundation and local they need to grow and assisting them in providing that partners. We hope to agree that by March next year and essential service. Having someone to turn to who has to get action on the ground via the LEP following that been there and done it is important if someone is bid no later than the second quarter of 2015-16. starting up a single or double-handed business. The In conclusion, I apologise for perhaps being a little creation of a Nottingham North SME advocate agency— long-winded, but it is necessary when trying to explain part of the problem about being in a big city is that a something new, innovative and, I hope, exciting. It city-wide function might not reach the places it needs to represents a possible way forward in several different reach most—that represented the interests of SMEs areas. I repeat that I am almost certain that several of would give them the support they need and a voice in the projects—across the whole range from public health our city and nationally. to community building, which I have not talked about—that I want to put a few specific issues on the Minister’s we are attempting to put together will fail, but to be radar, although I do not suppose he will have time to allowed the chance to try to succeed without asking too deal with all of them today. I have touched on some of much of the public purse and building on the good will them. My first key word is intensiveness. Just having the of our private, voluntary and public sector partners, all service there and saying, “We have got it. It ticks the of which have contributed without requesting any financial box”, is not good enough. It helps if there is someone to recompense, is a great start. whom those hard-to-reach people can turn or phone outside normal hours. We tried that with the early We hope that we can trial some things for the Minister intervention project in Nottingham with teenage mums and for the Government. Should there be a change of using the family-nurse partnerships. Every teenage mum Government, whether we get another coalition or whatever in the programme has an experienced health visitor who else May might bring, that offer will remain. We have they can turn to at any time. In a way, it is a little bit like made a start in Nottingham North. We are not whingeing that with hard-to-reach jobseekers. To reach them, it about the numbers or about where we sit in a league requires someone who can be personal and on the end table. We are using the best offices of people in the of the phone whenever advice is needed. I put that on locality, the best official advice and interaction with the Minister’s radar. Intensiveness as well as coverage is Government, and we intend to make a real difference. part of the answer. Ultimately, our ambition is to ensure that every young person leaves school work-ready and gets a job. Flexibility is another key word. I have talked a little about it. Sometimes, we meet the criteria set by the 2.1 pm funding body, rather than the criteria needed by the individual. I fully appreciate that it is difficult to administer Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): It is traditional at programmes that are tailor-made for each individual, this point in a contribution to say what a pleasure it is to but frankly it is essential when we are dealing with this serve under your chairmanship, Mr Davies. It is always sort of person. It is the only way it will work. Do not a pleasure to see you on the Back Benches as well. You bother doing it unless there is the flexibility to say, “We are always keen to make contributions, some of which can in certain circumstances bend what we are trying to have been among my favourites and will no doubt find do just to reach that person.” There are lots of great their way into my leaflets in April. examples of how that has been done and how someone I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for who everyone else said was a lost cause—they said they Nottingham North (Mr Allen) on not only the contribution would be unemployed for their whole life, could not he just made, but the wider work for which he is care less and had this problem and that problem—proves recognised and admired across the House. His description to be a big success story, because of that spark of of the specific work being done on rebalancing outer flexibility and interaction with individuals. estates was informative and thought-provoking. He Continuity is another key word. When we are dealing described it as long-winded, but the time positively flew sometimes with families who have inter-generational by for me. It was also a pretty strong sales pitch for unemployment, programmes have to be sustainable inter- cross-departmental work and the impact that that can generationally. Perseverance is needed. The programme have on areas such as his constituency. He was typically needs to be there at all points, because the issues cannot pragmatic and non-partisan, which may be something be tackled in the short term. The words “quick” and for me to aspire to in future years, but we cannot escape “fix” do not sit together in the same sentence. Were that the political dimension of many of the challenges that true, we would have dealt with the issues long ago. his community faces. However, I understand why he My final key word is additionality. When we are would choose not to introduce that into this debate and trying to do something original, flexible and new, we into his promotion of his cause. He made some thought- need also to be innovative, interesting and trialling provoking points about the challenges and the positive 573WH Business Investment (Outer-City 18 DECEMBER 2014 Business Investment (Outer-City 574WH Estates) Estates) steps that his project can take to make a difference. He cuts, may have a greater reliance on food banks and spoke at length about the importance of partnership may have to deal with other social ills, which will working and bringing on board the private, voluntary inevitably have an impact on the educational attainment and public sectors, local enterprise partnerships and of the area and on other things that my hon. Friend various other networks. is attempting to address. Placing that on the record is My hon. Friend highlighted that a project such as important. this will face a lack of core capacity, so where will that I entirely agree with my hon. Friend about the importance capacity come from? In the main Chamber today, we of careers guidance, and I hope that that aspect of his had a statement on local government funding. In many plan is taken up and supported. Careers advice and areas, local government would have been the glue that getting careers advisers in schools in his constituency is pulled together the fantastic work that he described. We a key goal of his project. In fact, one of my most loyal have already seen unprecedented local government cuts party members in Chesterfield was previously a careers over the past four and a half years, and if the events of adviser in a school in my hon. Friend’s constituency. the past few weeks have taught us anything, it is that if I know how important such work is in raising the we continue down the path the country has taken over aspirations and expectations of people from more deprived the past few years, local government will experience communities. My hon. Friend should be reassured that, even greater ravages. In somewhere like Nottingham, more broadly, the Labour party has publicly identified which has an excellent local authority, that will inevitably previous attempts by successive Governments to boost have an impact on capacity. social mobility as having too often focused on getting more young people from disadvantaged backgrounds Mr Allen: Since we have a little time to spare, I am into the traditional professions. In many cases, we need prompted by my hon. Friend two mention two things. to see those young people’s aspirations and expectations First, in terms of all-party working or working “across opened more broadly, in particular with support for the aisle”, it will often be the case that the serious things them to set up and run their own small businesses, that we need to do will stretch across more than one which is a key part of his focus. Government and more than one political complexion. My hon. Friend will also be pleased, I hope, to know When talking about intergenerational change, it is important that a future Labour Government intend to get a that we attempt to find some common ground across all representative of the business community on to every parties, but there will always be differences. board of governors in every secondary school in the Secondly, further to my hon. Friend’s point about country. Schools do excellent work to ensure that young today’s statement, local government funding is relevant people pass exams, but alongside that there is real to today’s debate, because I am strong advocate of potential in ensuring a focus on the links between proper devolution to local government. Even in the schools and the business community, which can have a direst circumstances, those in the localities will spend positive impact on the educational aspirations of young money, limited and diminishing though it is, much more people. He is very much pushing at an open door on the wisely. I pay tribute to the men and women in Whitehall, broader approach with what he is looking to introduce but local people will spend money more wisely than in his constituency through that project. I am supportive those in the centre. I hope that my hon. Friend, in his of his specific initiatives as well as of what needs to be exalted position on the Front Bench, will continue to done more generally. push that point with his colleagues in Her Majesty’s My hon. Friend spoke about personal employability Opposition. being one of the key criteria that his project wants to support. He is absolutely right to acknowledge the wide Toby Perkins: I do not think that it needs a great deal recognition of the need for an education system that of pushing. My hon. Friend will be aware of the report supports people in their personal employability at the produced by Lord Adonis, and the Labour party is school level and through further education. He was enthusiastically pursuing many of its ideas, which would entirely right to say that, although some streamlining of represent significant steps towards devolution. We recognise qualifications was necessary, there is a real worry about that whatever Government follow the next election will the focus moving away from vocational education and still be working in straitened economic times and tough about the great narrowing of the further education decisions will still need to be made, but we disagree opportunities available to people. about the sustainability of the scale of the proposed When people leave school, we need to get them on to cuts. Projects such as my hon. Friend’s must be able to courses that will not only give them rewards for studying, survive from one Government to the next as Governments but get them turned on to study, or there is a real change colour. The local authority devolution agenda, possibility of all of the prevalent problems that come involving combined authorities working with local enterprise from the absence of that. My hon. Friend was absolutely partnerships and bringing in the best of the public, right about personal employability, but he was also private and voluntary sectors, is a vision that we share. right about the importance of the vocational further My hon. Friend also mentioned the impact of austerity education landscape. on his constituents, which cannot be overstated. We are I want to touch on and take up the business support all conscious of the link between poverty and educational challenge set by my hon. Friend. He is absolutely right underachievement, but for too long the focus has been that if we want to see more people from deprived on spending more on education to deal with educational communities setting up businesses, we need them to underachievement, rather than dealing with poverty, have the support. I ran three businesses, at least one of which is an approach that this Government could have which was successful, so I know how important business taken. In communities that have faced challenges over support is for people when they first set out on that many years, people will often have to deal with welfare path. It gives them the huge array of knowledge necessary. 575WH Business Investment (Outer-City 18 DECEMBER 2014 Business Investment (Outer-City 576WH Estates) Estates) [Toby Perkins] I accept that the fulfilment of such a role by the hon. Member for Nottingham North is a tribute to, yes, his When people become a new business owner, they moral purpose, but also to the needs of his constituents. instantly become the salesperson, the marketing person, Many of them live difficult lives in a country where the buyer, the legal person and the accountant—they much seems to have improved over many decades, although are supposed to have all those skills and knowledge not for them—indeed, for some, things have even got bases. Having someone able to support people and worse. It is extremely welcome that he takes on himself understand the kind of environment that they come the role of initiating, leading, stimulating, chivvying from and the kind of challenges that they will face, and prodding local and national Government to get ensuring that they are given correct guidance on the them to act in the interests of his constituents. process, is incredibly important business support. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman accepts that his In recent years, in particular in the absence of Business task would be even harder were the broader economic Link, we have seen that business support tends to context not one that was improving. The challenges collect where most businesses are, so the areas already faced by his constituents have stretched over boom doing well and growing well are pretty well provided for times and busts—the challenges are not creations of with business support networks, but in areas such as my recent years—but, none the less, were the economy not hon. Friend’s on the exterior of cities, or even more so growing and creating jobs at an extraordinary rate, one in small towns and rural areas, business support networks far higher than in the rest of the European Union, his are much more spread out and patchy. As a result, we challenge would be far greater. I am sure, without tend to find most businesses being set up in exactly the wanting to tempt him into any partisan positions that areas that are already performing best, and the fewest might sit uncomfortably with him, he would nevertheless businesses being set up in the very areas that need them agree that the absolute prerequisite for making any the most. I support what my hon. Friend is attempting progress at all on the issues that he highlights is to have to do with the project that he has set up. I make the a sustainably growing economy, which of course itself wider point that his project is perhaps providing a road rests on having a Government with a long-term economic map for some of the ills that face our country more plan. broadly. That is a challenge that the Labour party will be enthusiastic to take up. A phrase much used by politicians, in particular I congratulate my hon. Friend again on his excellent those of a glib cast of mind, “the rising tide lifts all contribution and on the work that he is doing. I support boats”, is more revealing in the senses in which it is not his approach and, even more than that, the need for true than in those in which it is true. It is clearly true broader devolution in tough times. He provides a road that no boats will be lifted if there is no rising tide. So map that gives us all food for thought about some of the there has to be a rising economic tide for any progress challenges that face a future Government. The principles to be made anywhere in communities that the hon. that he has set out for how Nottingham North can be Gentleman represents or that you, Mr Davies, or I developed would be listened to by a sensible Government represent. But it is also clear that when we have a rising in a much broader context. tide it is easier to identify those boats that stubbornly refuse to rise, and—I am stretching the metaphor to its 2.15 pm limits, I feel—those whose structural flaws are so profound that they need direct intervention. That is exactly what The Minister for Skills and Equalities (Nick Boles): I, he is proposing through his work with the Rebalancing too, am delighted to be serving under your chairmanship, the Outer Estates Foundation and a whole range of Mr Davies, if not for the same reasons as the hon. other partners. Member for Chesterfield (Toby Perkins). I am particularly pleased to be given an opportunity I will address—briefly and very specifically—the to respond to another debate of my honourable friend, particular schemes that the hon. Gentleman is currently the hon. Member for Nottingham North (Mr Allen)— proposing and working on with Government. I hope convention has it that we are not Friends, but we are that I can give him a fairly positive response. He referred friends nevertheless and will remain so. The hon. Gentleman to the bid by Rebalancing the Outer Estates and its had a debate on my first day in the post of skills partners to the youth engagement fund for support for Minister, so it is particularly interesting for me to return the employment of careers advisers or work-life coaches— to the subject with some understanding of the problems, whatever one wants to call them—in every secondary the various Government programmes and the history of school in his constituency. Although he will understand Government interventions in the area, both successful that the rules for such schemes mean that those are not and unsuccessful. decisions that I can make, I will happily put on the record my support for his bid. So long as it meets the There are different kinds of Members of Parliament. criteria for that fund I would strongly encourage those The basic job is the simple one of representing constituents who are in charge of making those decisions to support as Parliament deliberates and makes laws. The best kind that bid. If we are looking for a place where proper of Members of Parliament, however, are themselves engagement with young people is urgently required and community leaders and social entrepreneurs. No one where proper advice for them about the different fulfils the latter function better in the hon. Gentleman’s opportunities available to them is desperately needed, it community than he does. I would put him in a category is hard to think of a better example than Nottingham with some of the newly elected Members of my own North. party, such as my hon. Friends the Members for Harlow (Robert Halfon) and for Bedford (Richard Fuller), who both I would make a similar comment about the second aspire to fulfil the same sort of role in their communities project that the hon. Gentleman discussed, the bid to as the hon. Gentleman does in Nottingham North. the disadvantaged learners fund for a pilot project. 577WH Business Investment (Outer-City 18 DECEMBER 2014 Business Investment (Outer-City 578WH Estates) Estates) Toby Perkins: Just before the Minister moves on, I skills, that he thought had value. If he, or indeed anyone welcome what he said a moment ago. Does it reflect a else—it is a general invitation—writes to me with specific slight softening of the Government’s approach to careers details about a qualification that they think was valuable, guidance that suggests that they now recognise its value and can provide evidence of how, I am always happy to on the ground and face to face? Is he saying that they have another look. The qualifications he is thinking of recognise that that sort of careers guidance should were probably removed for a reason, but that does not happen, particularly in areas of greater deprivation mean that every such decision is always right or was and, if so, are we likely to see that change of approach made when all of the evidence was available. Certainly more generally across the board? no decision is ever for ever. Finally—in this season of good will, I do not wish to Nick Boles: I thank the hon. Gentleman for asking test anyone’s patience, Mr Davies—I will reflect on the that question because it allows me to remind him and general points that the hon. Gentleman made about the other hon. Members of the Government’s announcement nature of engagement in areas such as his. He referred just last week of a new careers company. That company to his own long-standing support for localism. That was is specifically charged with identifying those areas of the first thing that brought us together, before I was the country—sadly, too many—where, frankly, the headline elected to this place, and I share his support for it. I duty on schools to ensure the provision of independent know that he welcomes the progress the Government advice and guidance for young people, to inform their have made with local growth deals, city deals, local choices both of qualifications and for further progression economic partnerships and, most interestingly of all, in the education system and into the world of work, is the recently announced agreement with Greater Manchester not being properly met. that will see a substantial devolution of powers and Schools need to provide that guidance—it is extremely budgets to the new combined authority, not least in the explicit that they should—although we have tried not to areas of skills and employability. I hope that that is just be too prescriptive about how they should do so. When the first of those moves. I know that my colleagues will any of us visits a good school, of whatever kind, in be looking forward to receiving proposals from other whatever community, we find that it provides that guidance. areas of the country and I will certainly be happy to It is not, therefore, something mysterious to those running lend my support to any proposal for Nottingham, led schools, but unfortunately not all schools do it. There by the hon. Gentleman, to be a candidate for receiving are different ways of doing it; it is not necessarily the further powers of that sort. case that every school will want to employ its own full-time careers advisers or work-life coaches—it may Philip Davies (in the Chair): Mr Allen, there is no be that schools will want to work with some of the obligation for you to do so, but if you would like to take many social enterprises and charities that do such work. a couple of minutes to wind up the debate, I am happy But it is clear that, for schools and communities facing to facilitate that. the very particular, deep and deeply entrenched challenges that schools in the constituency of the hon. Member for 2.27 pm Nottingham North face, it is right to look to try to support that kind of very specific project to employ Mr Allen: Thank you, Mr Davies—the invitation is work-life coaches; of course, that particular project will unexpected but none the less very welcome. have to prove itself and have benchmarks and a data I thank the two contributors from the Front Benches. review to see whether it has had an effect. If other My own party’s Front Bench is well represented in this schools choose to use their direct schools grant, which area, particularly on small business, through the expertise we have been able to protect despite the cuts elsewhere that my hon. Friend the Member for Chesterfield brings in public expenditure, they will not hear any criticism to bear. I was pleased to hear him continue to emphasise from me. that if Her Majesty’s Opposition become Her Majesty’s I turn back now to the disadvantaged learners pilot. I Government they will step forward on the devolution am looking vaguely at the officials in the box to see trail with an even firmer tread than has been apparent whether that is something over which I have more in recent years. That will be very welcome. influence, as I do not know, but I suspect my influence I would like to say that the Minister learned everything is still none—one of the great discoveries on becoming he knows from being a member of my Select Committee, a Minister is how little power one has, not how much. but that would not be true. However, we were colleagues However, again, I say that I cannot think of a better before he became a Member. His understanding and place for that money. To be honest, the figures that the grasp of this field is second to none. I was pleased and hon. Gentleman has shared with us make it quite clear grateful that he made the point that he supports the that it is hard to think of a place where learners are youth engagement fund bid and, should it be part of his more disadvantaged than in Nottingham North. So bailiwick, the disadvantaged learners fund bid. again, if the project proposed and being worked on by The Minister is absolutely right—as was my hon. the local economic partnership and Rebalancing the Friend—that it is not possible statistically to find a Outer Estates is able to meet the criteria, I will be a place more in need of assistance. That is not just the strong enthusiast for it. case in terms of funding; the interest displayed by I want to respond to one final specific point. The Ministers, officials and the Opposition Front-Bench hon. Gentleman said that he felt that the reform of team is as valuable as funding, because it means that qualifications—he himself acknowledged that that was people know that they are valued and that others want a much needed—with its winnowing out of soft and way forward for them so that they can achieve and unproductive qualifications, had caught up some courses obtain the qualifications that they are absolutely capable and qualifications, particularly those related to employability of getting. 579WH Business Investment (Outer-City 18 DECEMBER 2014 580WH Estates) [Mr Allen] Carnforth Station It is only if we can get that done that all the other 2.30 pm things—housing, jobs, building a community—will fall David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con): It into place. The key is to enable people to set off on the is an absolute pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, course of education, skills, training and work. If we can Mr Davies. I am grateful for this debate on the future of crack that, we can crack many more of the problems Carnforth station, a subject close to many of my that come in its wake. constituents’ hearts, as well as to my own. In order to discuss the future of Carnforth station, I need to start by discussing the past and how the station has served the community. In the 1940s, it was a bustling junction station that connected the north, south, east and west of the country. Its strategic position created jobs and prosperity from the railway, but the demise of the steam trains in the 1960s sadly led to its demise. The main line platforms were closed down and physically removed in 1970, prior to the electrification of the west coast main line. Carnforth was reduced to a branch station, and its buildings gradually fell into disrepair. The station has a rich history: most people will recognise it as the setting of David Lean’s classic 1945 film “Brief Encounter”, which was filmed at the station. The station clock is an iconic part of that film—I am sure that many Members are familiar with the romantic scenes that occurred in front of it. There is no truth to the rumour that some of my constituents have said I am the Trevor Howard of the modern era—as much as I would love that—but I hope that this will be not a brief encounter but a railway rendezvous with a destination that will mean only Carnforth reincarnation. In 1996, members of the community, led by Peter Yates MBE—who is present in the public gallery—joined together to form a trust to restore the station from a shell. Peter’s vision was to see it restored to its rightful place as a transport hub for commuters, tourism and heritage. The trust received £1.5 million pounds of funding, in co-operation with Railtrack. Peter Yates even sourced the original clock and ensured that it was re-installed at the station, where it belongs and still is today. The station’s café and museum are immensely successful and attract tourists from miles around—in fact, from all over the world. Carnforth also features four country walks, and the station café serves the best food of any train station I have ever had the pleasure of stopping at. Couples from all over the world come to the station to propose under the clock, as well as to absorb the ambience of Carnforth’s iconic setting and the surrounding countryside. Carnforth station is not just a museum or tourist attraction; it should be the natural strategic station to link Barrow, Leeds, Kendal and Windermere. Carnforth has always been referred to as the gateway to the Lakes, and the rail service should reflect that. The station is connected to the M6 motorway by the A601M, and it also has close links to the Lancaster canal. Because of the transport links that the station boasts, it is perfectly placed to displace Lake District traffic and encourage people on to the railway, which will protect our national park for generations to come and cut down on pollution. This year, Carnforth station has seen an increase of 29,672 passengers since 2009, which shows that the train station is becoming more and more popular, not least because of the ease of accessing it. The nearest main train station is Lancaster, which is not easy to get to. In fact, it was recently announced that Lancaster is the second worst area in the country for slow traffic, beaten only by Westminster in central London. 581WH Carnforth Station18 DECEMBER 2014 Carnforth Station 582WH

Not only have the figures for station usage risen; the Carnforth station in a 10-hour period during the day, support for the station that I feel as the local Member of and concluded that an extra stop at Carnforth on the Parliament is extraordinary. The people in Carnforth, main line First TransPennine Express service would not and the many visitors that it attracts, are supportive of cause any delay to the Virgin trains that pass through the station, and they contact me every time they feel the station. that there might be a threat to services. Currently, one The big problem is trains going north. Geographically, of the main concerns is the new franchise for the the next town north of Carnforth is Kendal, but to get Barrow to Manchester airport line. The Department for to Kendal on the train people have to take a train south Transport has announced that the line between Manchester to Lancaster and then a train north to Kendal, passing airport and Preston will be electrified, and my constituents through Carnforth on the way back up. That is a huge are concerned that that will affect the frequency of waste of time and encourages people to use their cars trains from Barrow to Preston and on to Manchester instead of the railway. The other major pull in the area airport. I have raised the matter with Ministers, and the is Windermere. To get to Windermere from Carnforth, DFT’s response was that the winning bidder would be people also have to go south in order to go north. If the expected to deliver an improved quality of service to train from Windermere to Preston could stop at Carnforth, customers. we could welcome more visitors to the “Brief Encounter” Nevertheless, my constituents remain concerned about café, help tourism in Carnforth, allow commuters to the frequency of trains under the new franchise. The access towns to the north, rather than just to the south, main issue that they would like to be addressed is the and enable more business to be conducted. reinstatement of the platforms on the main line at The Lake District hub at the moment is Oxenholme, Carnforth station. On 21 July, I presented to the House an extremely small station that is not large enough to a petition of more than 5,000 signatures of people who keep cars away from other areas of the Lake District. If support the platforms. For context, the electoral ward Carnforth could be the hub, its connections are such of Carnforth has approximately 2,000 homes. That that fewer cars would be needed in the countryside. The shows how wide ranging is the support for the station in case for the restoration of the main line platform is only my constituency. strengthened by HS2 going through the area. When Historically, there were main line platforms at Carnforth HS2 is built, it will not reach Carnforth, but it will free station, but they were closed off in the 1970s. My up a considerable amount of capacity on the main line. constituent, Robert Swain, has found that the platforms Although I understand that no decisions on that will be were taken away illegally and never formally closed. made until HS2 is near completion, it presents an Even if that is the case, Network Rail has informed me opportunity for Carnforth station to have even more that in order for the platforms to be brought back into services stopping at the station. use, a business case must be put forward to show that The people of Carnforth and the wider community services would use the reinstated platforms. I have a would like the platform to be reinstated so that the letter that I received from Chris Gibb when he was at mainline TransPennine Express train could stop there. Virgin, which states that although Virgin itself would How do we go about that? The Department for Transport not seek to stop trains at Carnforth, it has no objection has told me this is a local decision and it is for Lancashire to the main line platform being used by other operators county council to determine whether such a scheme is a on the line. First TransPennine Express has stated that local priority. At the moment, it has not placed it on its if the platforms were suitable to accept passengers, it priority list. When the Conservative councillor, Tim would look into the possibility of stopping further Ashton, was the portfolio holder for transport at Lancashire services at Carnforth. county council, he was fully supportive of the reinstatement Carnforth station is the centre of the railway universe. of the platform. He told the then Secretary of State for It hosts connections to the north, south, east and west, Transport of this proposal. However, Tim Ashton is no and my constituents would like to see it as the train hub longer the portfolio holder at the county council and it it once was, rather than the mere feeder service for local is now led by the Labour party. stations that it currently is. To paraphrase a famous In conclusion, I believe that my constituents in Carnforth former constituent, Mr Eric Morecambe, is seems that have made a strong case for the platforms to be reinstated we have all the necessary information we need to restore on the mainline platform. I would urge the Minister to the platforms at Carnforth station, but not necessarily ensure that Lancashire county council is made aware of in the right order. this positive case and is encouraged to conduct a feasibility Let me be clear: my constituents are not asking for study, so that the platforms can be restored and Carnforth the Virgin west coast main line train to stop at Carnforth. can once again be a prosperous station which would That idea has been tried and tested in this House; serve the public as a station should. Mr Davies, thank despite agreements, it has not yet transpired. We are you so much for letting me address the House. well aware that if Virgin trains did stop at Carnforth, another station would lose its service, and that is not 2.41 pm what my constituents want. They would like to see the platform restored so that the Preston to Windermere Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): May I train, run by First TransPennine Express, can stop in take this opportunity, Mr Davies, to wish you, hon. Carnforth. The preliminary maths have already been Members and all the staff of the House a very merry looked into by the Department for Transport, and a Christmas? stop at Carnforth on that service would see journey I begin by congratulating the hon. Member for times increased by only a couple of minutes. My Morecambe and Lunesdale (David Morris) on securing constituents, Peter Yates MBE and Robert Swain, the debate—and indeed, on securing one of the last conducted a survey of all the trains that passed through items of parliamentary business for this term. I also 583WH Carnforth Station18 DECEMBER 2014 Carnforth Station 584WH

[Lilian Greenwood] provides that essential capacity relief. Opposition Members support HS2, because it will transform the transport welcome the hon. Member for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey) connections of the midlands and the north, providing to the Front Bench at a transport debate, and I congratulate crucial extra capacity and making new journeys possible. her on her new role as a rail Minister replacement HS2 Ltd has said that it is looking to recruit an service. I know that she is familiar with a number of the experienced operations manager, with a view to planning issues being discussed today, and I hope that she will how HS2 will interact with the existing network. Will address the points raised by the hon. Gentleman. the Minister say how the Department for Transport, As the hon. Gentleman said, Carnforth station is and for that matter, the Treasury, will support HS2 known internationally as the main filming location for Ltd’s work? Will it form part of a wider Government “Brief Encounter”. I am sure that the film’s many fans strategy for those new journeys? What assessment has would argue that it is beyond criticism, but speaking as been made of Network Rail’s “Better Connections” a proud native Lancastrian, I could suggest one report, which identified some of the options for improving improvement and say that it should have been set in local journeys in the north? Lancashire. Of course, “Brief Encounter”was inexplicably Passengers will also want to see improvements to set in the home counties instead, but fortunately, the their existing services, and I am sure that they share true location was given away in once scene, as perhaps concerns that the process for awarding the new Northern those in the Gallery will know, by a platform board that and TransPennine Express contracts has been delayed. advertised services to Hellifield, Skipton, Bradford and Will the Minister confirm press reports that those contracts Leeds. have been delayed as a result of overruns to the Carnforth station is part of Lancashire’s rich cultural electrification programme? Can she give a revised date and railway heritage, and I join the hon. Gentleman in for the publication of those documents, which should celebrating the £1.4 million raised by the local community have been produced this month? Will she also say to build a visitors’ centre and restore the station’s buildings, whether any improvements are planned to the existing including the famous refreshment room. The refreshment services between Barrow-in-Furness and Manchester room was described by Celia Johnson’s character as— airport, including to Lancaster, or to the services between I will not try her accent— Lancaster and Leeds? “the most ordinary place in the world”, I received a written answer, published yesterday, from the rail Minister, the hon. Member for Devizes (Claire but it certainly does not sound as though that could be Perry), confirming that the cost of the electrification said today. programme has doubled and that TransPennine Given the station’s past, I can well understand the electrification has still not been costed. The delays are frustration expressed by the hon. Gentleman over current holding up plans to introduce additional trains to the service levels. As he said, the long-distance platforms north, and many of the passengers from Carnforth are were removed in 1970, and although Carnforth is still still forced to board Pacers for their journeys on Northern an important rail junction, only two platforms now services. As the hon. Member for Morecambe and remain in operation. Of course, the plot of “Brief Lunesdale will know, Pacers are essentially a 1970s Encounter” frequently relied on Celia Johnson and British Leyland bus stuck on top of a freight train. Trevor Howard being forced to part to change platforms, They are uncomfortable; they are not compliant with so I think it is fair to say that some of the romance disability access regulations; and they were never intended would be lost today. And although some would say that for many of the long-distance routes that they are used the nation’s love affair with the railways has been on today. rekindled—with passenger numbers doubling over the Of course, it must have seemed like a relief when the last 20 years—Carnforth’s former connections have not Chancellor announced in his autumn statement speech been restored. that he was We all know that there are serious capacity constraints “replacing the ancient and unpopular Pacer carriages with new on the west coast main line. It is both a vital transport and modern trains”—[Official Report, 3 December 2014; Vol. 589, artery for the north-west and the busiest mixed-use line c. 313.] in Europe. That means that improving services in one —but as we all know, the devil is in the detail. Indeed, area can be detrimental to provision elsewhere. Indeed, when I turned to page 50 of the green book, it said that I have seen some stations further south, near Stoke, that the Government would only have had all their services withdrawn over the last “encourage bidders to replace the outdated pacer trains” decade. When the hon. Gentleman secured a debate on this subject in 2011, the then Transport Minister, the and right hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), said: “bring all the trains that remain up to modern standards”. “Initial analysis by the Department suggests that a call at Will the Minister confirm that, in fact, there is no firm Carnforth would require a stop at another station to be deleted.”— commitment to replace all the Pacer trains, and that [Official Report, 11 July 2011; Vol. 531, c. 138.] passengers from Carnforth may be forced to use them When the Minister responds, will she tell us whether for many years to come? that is still the Department’s understanding? What recent The truth is that this Government have broken their discussions has the Department held with Virgin Trains promise on getting rid of the Pacers, even when passengers and First TransPennine Express regarding the possibility have seen their fares rise by 20% since 2010. Pacers may of stopping at Carnforth, if funding for restoring the be used on Northern services, but TransPennine Express platforms is identified? In addition, it would be good to also has serious rolling stock problems to confront. know how the Government plan to make use of the TransPennine Express operates some of the most additional paths on the west coast main line, once HS2 overcrowded trains in the country, but it is about to lose 585WH Carnforth Station18 DECEMBER 2014 Carnforth Station 586WH

13% of its fleet. The Department knew last October which is commemorated in the excellent heritage centre that nine TransPennine Express trains would be transferring and refreshment room. Indeed, when I informed my to Chiltern. The Secretary of State saw a copy of the mother this morning about my debut today, she said new lease agreement and did not object. However, without that she had visited the heritage centre and would those trains, the operator’s improved May timetable thoroughly recommend it to others. However, as my cannot work, and 14 months on, there still is not a hon. Friend has so eloquently explained, this is about solution from the DFT. Indeed, we have been told since more than a heritage centre. The station plays an important March that an answer was on the way, but we have not role in supporting the economy of north Lancashire. had it yet. However, we have learned that Ministers are Good transport links, such as the Furness line linking sounding out manufacturers over a possible emergency Carnforth with Barrow, Lancaster and beyond and the order of new, diesel trains. That is just nine months links to Morecambe, Skipton and Leeds, are essential to after the Rail Delivery Group said that on current support a growing economy.I acknowledge the importance assumptions, of good rail services and connections to delivering the “no new diesel vehicles (or other self-powered vehicles) would be economic priorities of our local partners in Lancashire required to be built in either CP5 or CP6.” and Cumbria. It is clear that the Government’s plans for the north’s I will turn shortly to my hon. Friend’s main concern, railways are falling apart. Prospective additional trains the question of reinstating the mainline platforms, on are stuck in the sidings; electrification is running close which he has spoken with great clarity, but I want first to the wire; and passengers are left to foot the bill. to assure him that the prospects for Carnforth station Those are some of the immediate issues that affect all are good even without that development. As he observed, rail passengers in the north, and I urge the Government Carnforth station has seen encouraging growth in the to reconsider their approach to them, alongside the past few years. The Office of Rail Regulation statistics calls to restore Carnforth station’s mainline status. We show that 206,590 passengers used the station in 2013-14. need to ensure that the north receives improvements to That was an increase of 10,000 on the previous year and its rail services in both the short and the long term. The 29,000 higher than in 2009-10. We want this station and cross-party consensus on the need to invest in the the services using it to continue to prosper, and this railways is immensely valuable, and I hope that I can Government’s plans for record investment in the railways speak for both sides of the House in saying that we all and the refranchising programme will help to ensure that. want to ensure that investment in the north is no brief Long-distance connections from the south, via a affair. change at Lancaster, have been enhanced. From December I am sure that those who have campaigned for years 2013, Virgin Trains combined the hourly Birmingham to restore those mainline platforms must occasionally to Scotland service with a London to Birmingham feel like Trevor Howard as Dr Alec Harvey, who said service, which improved connectivity from Lancaster to that places such as Birmingham International, Coventry “it seems an eternity since that train went out of the station”, and Milton Keynes. Additional capacity has been provided or like Celia Johnson as Laura Jesson, who said: on Virgin Trains services, with 106 additional Pendolino vehicles added to the fleet in 2012. “This can’t last. This misery can’t last.” I wish those campaigners well and I hope that the I recognise that the reduction in through services Minister will address the points raised when she sums between Carnforth and Manchester from December up the debate. 2013 caused much local disappointment. The effect on services to Carnforth is the result of a new timetable that introduced a new electrified TransPennine Express 2.50 pm service between Manchester and Scotland from May Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): I congratulate 2014. The introduction of new electric trains has facilitated my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale an increase in services, including a fifth TransPennine (David Morris) on securing a further debate on Carnforth Express train each hour to increase capacity between station, but first may I extend apologies to you, Mr Davies, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and York. Additional to my hon. Friend and to the hon. Member for Nottingham TPE services between Manchester, Lancaster and Scotland South (Lilian Greenwood) from the Under-Secretary of now offer additional capacity on that popular route. State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for TransPennine Express has had to decide on the best Devizes (Claire Perry)? She is unable to be here to balance of services to meet its passengers’ needs across respond to the debate. She will write to our hon. Friend the franchise. To provide additional services and capacity and she pays tribute to the campaigning that he continues on the North TransPennine and Manchester to Scotland to do for his constituents on this important issue. routes has required amendments to the overall timetable. As has been pointed out, this is my debut at the Every effort has been made to retain as many services as Dispatch Box, and it is a great privilege to serve under is practical. Carnforth and stations on the Furness line your chairmanship, Mr Davies, especially as we served are being served by through services to and from together on the Select Committee on Culture, Media Manchester airport over and above the minimum number and Sport. I thank the hon. Member for Nottingham required by the May 2014 passenger service requirement South for her warm welcome and her—dare I say on Mondays to Saturdays. it?—little joke. I am sure that it could go down well in a Let me turn to future developments. To address record Christmas cracker, and I will use it again myself at my and growing demand, we are continuing to invest in the next constituency do. most significant rail modernisation programme for As has been eloquently said, many people will be generations. Network Rail’s northern hub programme, familiar with Carnforth station only as the setting for together with electrification of routes in the north-west, Noël Coward’s famous 1945 film “Brief Encounter”, including the recently announced confirmation of 587WH Carnforth Station18 DECEMBER 2014 Carnforth Station 588WH

[Dr Thérèse Coffey] and which destinations should be served by the through services. We received more than 20,000 responses to the electrification of the Windermere branch, and the North consultation. Those included representations from TransPennine line and other enhancements—together the Carnforth railway action group, authored, I believe, adding up to more than £1 billion of investment—will by Peter Yates, to whom I pay tribute. transform rail connectivity across the whole of the I welcome the fact that the response to the consultation north of England by increasing capacity, reducing journey has been so strong. It is important for us to hear the times and facilitating the introduction of cleaner, more views of the public and stakeholders, so that we can reliable electric trains and new direct services. Those take those into account in developing the specifications investments provide an essential foundation to the wider for the two franchises. I can assure my hon. Friend the plans for a northern powerhouse on which my right Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale that before hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has spoken reaching final decisions, we will give very careful in recent months. That includes Government backing consideration to the views expressed. I hope that he will for the development of a high-speed rail link—HS3— understand that I cannot go further at this stage. The further to improve connectivity between our great northern invitations to tender for the franchises are due to be cities. I am particularly keen to see that happen, because issued early next year. although I represent a Suffolk constituency, I was born Work is already under way, led by Network Rail, to in Lancashire and spent my early years there. consider the strategic priorities for further investment in As I mentioned, new electric services between Manchester our railways in the next control period from 2019. and Scotland and a fifth train per hour on the North Network Rail is undertaking a long-term planning process TransPennine route have already been introduced. However, in consultation with industry partners and other there is much more to come. The transformation of stakeholders, including local enterprise partnerships, Manchester Victoria station is nearly complete, and other to develop the industry’s priorities and inform the schemes will come on-stream in the next few years. Government’s next rail investment strategy. Key future Our new franchising programme is key to delivering stages relevant to the services at Carnforth are a refresh the benefits to passengers of the investment. A new of the industry’s electrification strategy, which is due for directly awarded franchise agreement with Northern publication for consultation in spring next year, and the Rail, agreed in March this year, sets challenging new northern route study, on which work is due to commence targets for customer service. Shortly after that, we concluded in early 2016. an agreement to provide four-coach electric trains on I recognise that there is strong local interest in the Northern Rail services between Liverpool and Manchester. potential for the electrification of the Furness line. My Those will commence passenger service early in 2015, hon. Friend may be aware that to inform decisions on with further electric trains due to enter service on local the next generation of electrification projects in the routes in the north-west in the next few years. north of England, the Secretary of State announced in December last year the creation of a taskforce consisting Lilian Greenwood: Obviously, the new electric trains of three MPs from the north of England, Network Rail will be incredibly welcome, but can the Minister give us and two council leaders nominated by Rail North to a date by which she expects that there will be no Pacers advise him on the priorities. operating on Northern services? The taskforce is chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Andrew Jones). I Dr Coffey: I thank the hon. Lady for that intervention. assure my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and I am not in a position to give her an answer today, but I Lunesdale that it is carefully considering all remaining am sure that if there are questions that I do not manage non-electrified rail lines in the north of England, including to cover in my response, my hon. Friend the Under- both the lines that serve Carnforth. The taskforce expects Secretary of State will write to her. to submit its interim report in early 2015, to enable its In June, we launched the competitions for the next recommendations to be considered alongside Network TransPennine Express and Northern franchises—they Rail’s draft electrification strategy. Through a supporting are due to start in February 2016—with a consultation stakeholder working group, which includes local authorities, document. We have ambitious plans for rail in the north the taskforce is drawing on a wide range of relevant of England to support the growth of the economy in information including local enterprise partnerships’strategic the north, and those franchises will be key to transforming economic plans. the way in which rail contributes to communities and Looking further ahead, to provide the capacity and businesses across the region—including Carnforth— connectivity the country needs in the longer term, the building on our investment. I am very pleased that we Government continue to progress High Speed 2. I welcome are taking the franchises forward in partnership with my hon. Friend’s support, and the support of the hon. the Rail North association of local transport authorities Member for Nottingham South, for that vital infrastructure from across the north of England, including Lancashire project. As has been noted, HS2 offers the prospect of and Cumbria county councils. Our developing partnership faster connections from Carnforth and the Furness line with Rail North is bringing a much stronger local focus to London and the midlands. We are considering the to the franchises. impact of HS2 on other routes, and Network Rail is The consultation on the franchises posed important closely involved in the discussions. The Government are questions relating to the future operation of the Furness fully behind HS2, and the Bill is being considered in line, including the possibility of transferring the Furness Select Committee. line stations and services from TransPennine Express to I have heard my hon. Friend’s strong representations Northern, and sought views on the appropriate number in favour of the reinstatement of the mainline platforms of through services and shuttle services to Lancaster at Carnforth station. Government policy makes it clear 589WH Carnforth Station18 DECEMBER 2014 Carnforth Station 590WH that it is for local bodies to decide whether that would that are bypassed by the new high-speed line. Nevertheless, be the best way to meet local transport needs. Local the advent of HS2 services will provide a further useful bodies would have to prioritise that solution to receive stimulus to rail demand in the area. All those issues, funding from the resources that the Government make and others, mean that stopping any service at Carnforth available to local bodies through the local growth fund, could involve a number of trade-offs, now and in the and they have not chosen to do so to date. The Department future, which are less straightforward than they might would, of course, be happy to provide advice and first seem. guidance should those local bodies change their minds. It is already possible to travel directly between Carnforth and stations to the south, including Preston and Manchester. David Morris: My understanding is that reinstating As my hon. Friend has noted, that means that the main the platforms is within the remit of the county council, benefits of stopping Windermere services at reinstated in any case. Will my hon. Friend join me in some kind of mainline platforms at Carnforth would be to create communication with the county council to ask it to better journey opportunities between Carnforth and push forward a feasibility study for these platforms to stations to the north, including Oxenholme, Penrith, be reinstated? and Carlisle, and to provide better connections to the Dr Thérèse Coffey: My hon. Friend has taken the north from other stations on the Furness and Skipton words right out of my mouth. I urge the council to give lines. every support to the project that he is backing so I certainly do not want to rule out the possibility of strongly; it would be of great merit for the residents of developing a viable proposition at some point, but local Carnforth. Although not everyone might agree with my authorities and local enterprise partnerships must want hon. Friend that Carnforth station is the centre of the it to progress, and they must back it financially. They rail universe, it is an important connection for many did not identify such a proposition as a priority in their people and businesses in that community. response to the franchise consultation. The position of My hon. Friend alluded to the process followed to the current holder of the TransPennine Express franchise close the platforms in the 1970s. I assure him that the is encouraging, but that franchise is coming to an end Government are of the opinion that the mainline platforms and my hon. Friend will need to encourage the local were correctly closed. There was no statutory requirement authority to engage with the shortlisted bidders for the at the time for any form of consent to be sought for new franchise as they develop their bids next year. the partial closure of a station. I understand that the Department wrote to his constituent in detail on the Lilian Greenwood: Will the Minister give way? matter on 8 December this year. I hope that my hon. Friend can persuade the council Dr Coffey: I was about to answer one of the hon. to look in more depth at the possibility of reopening the Lady’s questions. She asked about the delay to Northern platforms. It may be helpful, however, to remind hon. invitations to tender. My understanding is that, as Members of some of the operational and commercial stated by the Chancellor in the autumn statement, the challenges that would need to be addressed in developing invitations to tender will be published in early 2015, but any viable proposal. A key issue is whether a proposal the date for publication will be announced in due course. to stop mainline services at reinstated platforms at Does the hon. Lady still want to intervene? Carnforth would work operationally and commercially. As was indicated in the last debate on the subject in July Lilian Greenwood indicated dissent. 2011, line capacity would be reduced. The west coast main line is heavily used, with up to Dr Coffey: In conclusion, I should say that my hon. three long-distance services per hour between London, Friend has been a real champion for his constituents. Birmingham and Manchester, and Glasgow and Edinburgh, He has achieved a lot for them, including the securing plus regular freight services. Those trains are already of the Heysham-M6 link road. I can see how hard he is popular and well loaded, and further growth is expected. working for his constituents on this important rail Network Rail’s 2011 route utilisation strategy for the matter. I hope I have been able to assure him that the west coast main line corroborates the heavy usage of Government’s plans to invest in, and develop the services the line and the resulting capacity problems. on, the rail network to address record levels of demand The journey time of a service that called at reinstated provide the conditions under which Carnforth station platforms at Carnforth would be increased. Further can continue to prosper and develop its important role examination, with Network Rail and the relevant train in supporting the economy of north Lancashire. operator, would be required to determine the potential I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s continued and commercial impact of that, and to determine the impact assiduous campaigning on the matter, and I hope that of such a stop on other services that used the line. The he will pursue the case for reinstating the mainline modernisation of the west coast main line and the platforms with Lancashire county council and the local introduction of the December 2008 timetable delivered enterprise partnership. They would need to take the some significant journey time reductions and more lead, working with Network Rail and a train operator, frequent services, which have delivered significant revenue in establishing whether there is an operationally and growth since December 2008 and increased rail’s share financially viable proposition. of the total travel market on the routes served by the If there are questions that I have not been able to west coast main line. Rail serves those markets well, and cover, I will ask my hon. Friend the Minister to write there are strong calls for further journey time reductions. and respond to those points. As we approach the busiest My hon. Friend referred to the potential impact of weekend of the year for rail services, I wish all hon. HS2. I caution that released capacity is likely to be on Members a merry Christmas and I hope that everyone sections of the west coast main line further to the south gets home safely on the train tonight. 591WH Carnforth Station18 DECEMBER 2014 Carnforth Station 592WH

Philip Davies (in the Chair): Mr Morris, I allowed station. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk Mr Allen the courtesy of a couple of minutes to wind Coastal (Dr Coffey), and I congratulate her on her up the debate, so it is only right for me to offer you the sterling work at the Dispatch Box. I also thank her for same opportunity. There is no obligation, but if you helping me with this subject on every possible occasion. want to take it, you can. Question put and agreed to. 3.8 pm David Morris: I am grateful to you, Mr Davies, for 3.9 pm the opportunity to thank Members for their cross-party, collegiate support for reinstating the platforms at Carnforth Sitting adjourned. 109WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 110WS Written Statements Lloyds Banking Group (Government Shares)

Thursday 18 December 2014 The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Andrea Leadsom): Yesterday the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that he has outlined a trading plan to sell BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS more of the Government’s shares in Lloyds Banking Group. Anti-Corruption Plan This decision was made on the basis of advice from UK Financial Investments Ltd that it would be appropriate to outline a plan to gradually sell shares in the market The Minister for Business and Enterprise (Matthew over a period of time, in an orderly and measured way Hancock): Today I am making a joint statement with and in accordance with pre-agreed parameters. The my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the trading plan will last for approximately six months. Home Department, who is responsible for modern slavery The Government are committed to returning Lloyds and organised crime. Together we wish to inform the to the private sector and getting taxpayers’ money back. House that the Government are publishing the UK’s A statement will be laid before Parliament with further first cross-government anti-corruption plan. details at the end of the plan. Corruption harms societies, undermines economic Future sales will always be subject to value-for-money development and threatens democracy. considerations and market conditions. The UK is recognised as having strong institutions, and has led the way in implementing world-leading legislative standards through the Bribery Act 2010. But we recognise that more can be done to improve our COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT co-ordination at home and better manage how we deal with bribery and corruption overseas. Ebbsfleet As part of our second open government partnership national action plan, we committed to bring together all of the UK’s anti-corruption efforts under one cross- The Minister of State, Department for Communities government plan. This plan will bring more co-ordination and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): At Budget and coherence to our efforts and ensure that future 2014, the Government set out plans for a new urban activity to tackle corruption is joined up and collaborative. development corporation to deliver a garden city settlement The plan highlights that our priorities are: to build a of up to 15,000 homes at Ebbsfleet in Kent. This is better picture of how corruption is affecting our society being taken forward in consultation with local MPs, and economy; strengthen our legal and operational councils and residents. tools and activity; enhance our law enforcement response; Urban development corporations are established by deny use of our financial system for those who are means of a statutory instrument under section 135 of trying to abuse it; and step up our efforts internationally. the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. In my role as the Government anti-corruption champion Our aim is to establish the Ebbsfleet urban development I will jointly chair, with the Minister for modern slavery corporation in the first half of 2015. and organised crime, an inter-ministerial group to oversee Parliamentary approval for additional resources for delivery of the plan. We will work with colleagues this new service of £358,000 will be sought in a across Government and civil society to drive forward supplementary estimate for the Department for work on this agenda. Communities and Local Government. Pending that A copy of the plan will be placed in the Library of approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £358,000 will the House. It will also be available on the Government be met by a repayable cash advance from the Contingencies website: www.gov.uk Fund.

Integration Update TREASURY

European Union Finances (Annual Statement) The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles): I would like to update hon. Members on the work of my Department on The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David integration. We are committed to confronting and Gauke): I am today laying before Parliament, “the challenging extremism in all its forms, tackling the European Union Finances 2014: statement on the 2014 violence and hatred that seeks to create division. We are EU budget and measures to counter fraud and financial championing what unites our country across class, colour mismanagement” (Cm 8974). This is a routine annual and creed, and we are standing up for and supporting publication. It is the 34th in the series. British values. The statement gives details of revenue and expenditure Our broad approach is laid out in the Government’s in the 2014 European Union (EU) budget, recent integration strategy, published in February 2012, which developments in EU financial management and measures can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/ to counter fraud against the EU budget. It also includes publications/creating-the-conditions-for-a-more- an annex on the use of EU funds in the UK. integrated-society 111WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 112WS

INTEGRATION PROJECTS Female genital mutilation/forced marriage champions network As of December 2014, current integration projects Funding three organisations to recruit community and activities include: champions to lead a local response to raising awareness Advocacy project of and tackling female genital mutilation and forced Action to provide a platform for young people to marriage share positive stories about integration. Sixty young Flying the flag people are being trained as journalists and will produce Ongoing support for championing the flying of local at least 120 stories and 2 million opportunities to view and national flags, and working with the Flag Institute by end of June 2015. to encourage more local communities to create their Anne Frank Trust UK own local flags. Funding will enable the trust to deliver its programme Holocaust commission to 35,000 young people in London and the west Midlands A commission of inquiry to investigate how best to by July 2015 to challenge UK prejudice and reduce commemorate and teach future generations about the hatred, encouraging people to embrace positive attitudes, holocaust. responsibility and respect for others. Holocaust memorial day Arts Council—Arts in the community Funding the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust to deliver Work will engage five areas around England— the UK’s annual commemoration of Holocaust memorial Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Burnley and potentially day and to support its work with schools and local Thurrock—to improve their art/cultural provision to communities throughout the year to raise awareness increase participation by bringing in more people through and deliver local events. more activities. Project match funded with Arts Council England and local authorities. INFORM Arts Council Enterprise libraries Supporting an independent charity providing information that is as up-to-date and reliable as possible about cults Supporting library projects in 16 locations to develop and unconventional movements. business and intellectual property centres across the country. Project match funded with Arts Council England Integration through sport and the British Library. DCLG contribution to Sport England’s community Asian cuisine sport activation fund to sport support integration-focused sport projects. The project supports a scholarship scheme at the University of West London, and raises the profile of Inter Faith Network the sector through the Mastara Chef campaign. Our A charity that links up and resources local and national aim is that young people from different backgrounds inter-faith bodies and faith umbrella bodies and runs will view the Asian cuisine industry as offering exciting the annual inter-faith week activities. and rewarding careers, increasing opportunities for social National community tensions team mobility and underlining the important place which Asian cuisine occupies in modern Britain. DCLG contribution to the team which carries out a national assessment of community tension on a weekly Cornish language basis and provides a resource on the impact of public Support to Cornish Language Partnership for the order, counter-terrorism and other extremist activity on development and promotion of the Cornish language. communities. English language match funding for European integration Near neighbours fund funded projects Campaign bringing together diverse faith communities DCLG match funded three community-based English in local neighbourhoods through grants to local projects language projects supported by the European integration and programmes of training for clergy, youth leaders fund to teach English and integration skills in Slough, and community activists. Tower Hamlets and Bradford. Opening Doors English language community-based programme Opening doors partnership comprising Black Training Support for six projects providing community-based and Enterprise Group, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, English language tuition to 24,000 isolated people in Asian Business Initiative and PJ’s Community Services selected target areas. to establish an enterprise development programme to Enterprise Challenge Sheffield train young unemployed and socially disadvantaged Extension of Enterprise Challenge to include engagement people in Haringey, Brent and Croydon to be entrepreneurs. with and integration of Roma. Our Big Gig Extremism taskforce Delivery of a national mass-participation musical Expanding a suite of integration projects into key event from 11-13 July, together with targeted activity in areas identified by the extremism taskforce. selected areas over a longer period, with the aim of Female genital mutilation and honour-based violence— bringing diverse communities together and encouraging including forced marriage: community-led projects local participation in music on a sustained basis. Funding 15 community projects across the country Post-holocaust issues envoy to deliver community engagement work to prevent female To support the work of the post-holocaust issues genital mutilation and other forms of honour-based envoy to represent the UK in international fora on violence, including forced marriage. restitution and addressing anti-Semitism. 113WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 114WS

Post Office community enterprise fund World war one—Victoria Cross paving stones Enhancing the role of post offices as community Project to commemorate world war one Victoria hubs and providers of other services, such as support Cross recipients with a paving stone across the country for small businesses, by running a joint competition to at their birth place or at the National Memorial Arboretum identify and support 25 innovative community-led schemes. (Staffordshire) for overseas-born Victoria Cross recipients. Remembering Srebrenica World war one—Woking Peace Garden Programme of activities to raise awareness of the A project which will use the Woking Peace Garden as Srebrenica genocide, to teach the consequences of hatred a focal point for world war one commemoration events and intolerance through visits to Bosnia, commemoration and educational visits, events and activities to raise events around 11 July, and education packs. awareness of the contribution of Commonwealth Schools linking network servicemen to world war one. Unlocking talent and potential scheme to bring together Youth United pupils from different backgrounds, provide them with The project aims to create opportunities for 10,800 young business mentors and work experience opportunities, people in 400 newly established units run by 2,700 and enable the most committed pupils to go on to volunteers. establish new enterprises. Below are lists of examples of projects and activities Social media workshops we have previously supported—it is not a comprehensive Four social media workshops were held in London, list of every single integration activity or programme. Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds. We worked in A Year of Service conjunction with Home Office research information and communication unit and Breakthrough Media. The A series of volunteering events, held by nine different aim was to improve the social media capacity of community faith communities in turn throughout the year in 2012, organisations in each area in promoting positive narratives linked to festivals or special days to encourage themed and case studies. social action, such as feeding the poor or improving the local environment. The Big Iftar Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation perpetuity fund Creating a mass movement through a diverse set of Iftar activities during Ramadan in mosques, synagogues, Contribution to ensure the ongoing restoration and other places of worship and community centres around preservation of Auschwitz- Birkenau. the country for Muslim communities to come together Bad Arolsen archive Wiener Library to share Iftar with their non-Muslim neighbours, highlighting the commonalities between communities, Funded the Wiener Library to get a copy of the rather than the differences. international tracing service archive to help UK citizens trace what happened to their relatives during Nazi Together in service persecution across Europe. A two-year programme of faith-based social action Caste prejudice building on the success of A Year of Service (2012). Every month the social action of a different faith DCLG and Government Equalities Office jointly community is celebrated and new multi-faith projects provided grant in 2012-13 and 2013-14 on assessing encouraged. The project is supported by the together in prejudice on the basis of caste among Hindus and service fellowship of willing volunteers and a small Sikhs. grants fund to kick-start new inter-faith projects. Contextualising Islam World war one battlefields visit Report representing the conclusions of around 40 Support to enable two children and one teacher from Muslim scholars, academics and other participants who every English state-aided school to visit world war one took part in the project’s symposia to discuss and battlefields—joint with the Department for Education. consider what it means to be a Muslim living in modern World war one “Last Post” campaign Britain. Encouraging communities to engage and come together Enterprise business connectors through local music events, which include playing the Project run by Business in the Community to help “Last Post” on any instrument. small businesses in Haringey, Salford, Tower Hamlets, World war one—Remember world war one Nottingham, Liverpool and Bristol to survive and to A mass initiative to engage individuals, groups and grow, and be able to provide local employment, goods communities in England to volunteer 100 minutes of and services in some of the most disadvantaged their time to world war one related activity. communities through support from large businesses. Secondees from large businesses to be placed in these World war one—Show and tell areas to act as “business connectors” to facilitate Online resource for communities, which includes libraries interactions. and local historical societies, to work with local areas to Enterprise Challenge identify first world war stories and artefacts. A national competition run by Mosaic, part of the World war one—VC grave restoration project Prince’s Trust, that aims to inspire knowledge and Grave restoration campaign to restore the graves of enthusiasm about business among young people. School world war one recipients who are buried in the UK but teams are supported by specialist business mentors to not under the care of the Restoration Project compete through an online business game. The project Commonwealth War Graves Commission. was match funded with Apax Foundation. 115WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 116WS

English language training Searchlight Education Trust—English Defence League Funding additional English language provision for project learners with no, or extremely poor, levels of spoken Volunteer-led community groups organising local news- English, who are not in or actively seeking employment, sheets and community events to generate positive local and who are unable to afford course fees. identities in four areas vulnerable to English Defence League activity. Faith through a lens Show racism the red card—English Defence League project As part of A Year of Service we teamed up with an existing national photo competition—faith through a Workshops for young people aged 11-18 to help them lens—to have a special category on A Year of Service to reject the narratives of groups like the English Defence both celebrate and act as a record of the volunteering League. activities undertaken. Society of Editors—addressing online hate crime Faith-based Regeneration Network A moderation guide for user-generated content. Grant to support faith-based organisations with a Supported town hall prayers focus on community development, regeneration and Encouraging councils to use their general power of social action. competence under the Localism Act to hold prayers at the start of council meetings if they wish. Foreign translation Tell MAMA—measuring anti-Muslim attacks Issuing guidance to councils to discourage the translation of documents into foreign languages, to help encourage Initial start-up grant during 2011-13 to help establish English language learning and strengthen integration of reporting mechanisms and a system that offers advice those who do not speak English into mainstream British and support to victims of anti-Muslim attacks and society. hatred. The Big Jubilee lunch Future for Youth DCLG funding enabled the Eden Project to provide Match-funding to the Future for Youth foundation targeted support to 20 hard to reach areas where there to run a pathfinder project in Salford to support young had been little or no participation in the Big Lunch to people to move into employment, training or education. date in the run up to the Big Jubilee lunch in 2012 and Gurkha fund the Big Lunch 2013. Funding to help address the resource pressures on The Jubilee hour Rushmoor borough council and support other councils DCLG support for a campaign to encourage people with large numbers of retired Gurkhas to manage the to volunteer for 60 minutes in recognition of the Queen’s integration of retired veterans and their families. diamond jubilee. Aim to encourage community involvement Industrial Cadets and to engender long-term volunteering activity. True Vision—Cross-Government hate crime programme To enthuse secondary age pupils (13-14) about the possibility of a career in industry—engineering, Support for the online hate crime reporting portal, manufacturing, etc. Pupils to undertake an eight-week which includes online reporting of hate crime on the course with a local industrial firm, learning about the internet and best practice. sector and the career options it offers. World war one—Curzon Institute Inter-faith week This project sought through a series of lectures, films and educational materials to inform communities of Support to Inter-faith Youth Trust to deliver a wide the role of Commonwealth nations in securing allied range of projects and activities focused on engaging victory in the first world war. young people from different faiths and encouraging faith-based social action. This year, Ministers have also led a series of road shows to engage directly with the public to inform them Jewish Museum about our integration projects and cross-Government Funded the Jewish Museum work with 12 schools in work tackling extremism and hate crime. To accompany the London area to improve understanding of the Jewish these road shows DCLG produced infographics way of life and to address casual anti-Semitism in summarising our broader integration work—rather than schools. just funding projects. These include projects led by other Government Departments. They are available National Citizens Service—Young advisers online at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ Project to deliver young advisors training to between communitiesuk/sets/72157644380501531/ 150-200 young people in 2011-12 and up to a further 375-500 in 2012-13. FURTHER WORK National special interest group on the English Defence We continue to implement the actions of the extremism League taskforce and are currently working with the Home Office, who are leading on the Government’s new extremism Blackburn and Luton-led national special interest strategy.We will also shortly be publishing a comprehensive group to share best practice between councils and other report on the Government’s work on tackling anti-Semitism partners in countering English Defence League activity.

Operation black vote COMMUNITY RIGHTS AND BIG SOCIETY One off transitional funding to enable the organisation Our work on integration is also complemented by to develop a sustainable business model. our Big Society and Community Rights programmes. 117WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 118WS

The table below shows the organisations which are Prevent funding reflects the reassessed priorities following funded by my Department as part of our Big Society the 2011 Prevent review. Resources are prioritised according and Community Rights programmes in the current to the risk to national security. financial year. Some provide direct support and grants But spending money wisely is more important than to community groups who wish to exercise their community the quantity of funding. The last Administration’s Prevent rights or take control of decisions, services or assets in strategy was widely criticised and discredited, not least their areas; other projects are delivered through contracts in using councils to “spy” on Muslim communities in a with external suppliers. completely counter-productive way; failing to keep track of how taxpayers’ money was spent; insufficient checks Big Society and Community Rights on funding going to extremist groups; and confusing Projects Group work on cohesion with counter-terrorism. Community Ownership and Locality (contract) In contrast to the last Administration, we have moved Management of Assets Programme away from supporting separate communities’ identities— Community Right to Challenge Social Investment Business “single group funding”—as it undermines integration. Programme (contract) We promote British values including equality of all Delivering Differently 10 contracts—each supporting a before the law and a belief in democracy. We will not separate local authority, fund or engage with groups which promote violent or working with councils to sort non-violent extremism. delivery via voluntary sector, mutual and social enterprise Our Place support—including Locality (contract) TERMINATION OF FUNDING support for “emerging potential” areas and parish In addition to the projects listed above, as an action councils which stemmed from the extremism taskforce, my Our Place implementation Castle Vale—holding funding department initiated the faith minorities in action project— evaluation on behalf of the Balsall Heath designed to encourage integration by promoting inter-faith Forum work, the role of women in faith, tackling youth crime, Support for new parish councils National Association of Local Councils; County Associations and also to provide child protection training. The Muslim of Local Councils Charities Forum was awarded this contract. Quality Councils Scheme National Association of Local However, following a formal review of the project, Councils which included examination of allegations made in the Certificate in Local Council Society of Local Council Clerks press, and of the organisation’s continued poor performance Administration Qualification in delivering against agreed objectives, I have taken the Sustainable Communities Act— Local Government Association decision to terminate its funding. The Muslim Charities funding for selector and National Association of Local Councils Forum has failed to reassure us that they have robust Community Shares Unit Co-Operatives UK measures in place to investigate and challenge their members. Concerns have also been raised about events The Co-operatives Advice Line Plunkett Foundation held by member organisations, at which individuals Diversification of community Pub is the Hub pubs projects with extremist views have been invited to speak. This Just Act—supporting Community Development has undermined their work and means they are no community projects Foundation longer able to deliver on the faith minorities in action Nottingham North Rebalancing Nottingham Community and objectives. Project Voluntary Service We are determined that faith institutions should have Localism Alliance—work to Civic Voice, Campaign for Real the support they require to carry out their vital work. encourage take of community Ale, Supporters Direct and Faith institutions play a key role in communities. They rights in eight deprived areas in Theatres Trust—Civic Voice will England hold the grant on behalf of the provide support and moral leadership and a sense of other members community all around the country. Well-run collaborative faith institutions can provide a bulwark against extremism by providing a local source of identity, a place to SPENDING temper views through discussion, and a first point of Over the 2011-15 spending review period, DCLG was call for concerns individuals may have. We will shortly initially expected to spend £43 million on supporting launch a new call for applications from organisations integration projects; since 2010 we have already spent able to work in collaboration with faith groups and to £45 million, and the current estimates are that we will deliver effective support. be close to £50 million by March 2015. Similarly, my Department has asked Faith Action, who deliver English language training to facilitate social Estimated integration, to cease their funding of Islamic Help as expenditure part of their project. This decision stems from Islamic (£m) 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Help’s recent invitation to an individual with extremist Integration 11.0 14.2 12.8 11.9 views to speak at one of their events. I hope this action illustrates our resolve to cease This spending is in addition to £150 million that has funding any organisation that supports or is linked to been allocated by the Home Office for the revised individuals who fuel hatred, division and violence. We Prevent programme since 2011. will fund only those programmes and organisations that The Home Office refocused the Prevent strategy in actively encourage integration and uphold fundamental 2011 to ensure that resources were better targeted. British values. 119WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 120WS

Sustainable Drainage Systems CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Independent Library Report The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles): As part of the Government’s continuing commitment to protect people and property The Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy from flood risk, my Department and the Department (Mr Edward Vaizey): Today I am publishing the for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recently consulted Independent Library Report and depositing a copy in on a proposal to make better use of the planning system the Library of the House. This has been undertaken by to secure sustainable drainage systems. Today we are William Sieghart and I would like to state on record my publishing our response to the consultation explaining particular thanks to him and his expert panel for their how we will be strengthening existing planning policy. endeavour and ambition to create a positive action plan This will make it clear that the Government’s expectation for libraries. I am also very grateful to everyone who has is that sustainable drainage systems will be provided in contributed to this important work. new developments wherever this is appropriate. We welcome the panel’s recommendations, which are To this effect, we expect local planning policies and being considered in detail. I am taking the immediate decisions on planning applications relating to major first step in partnership with local government to set up development—developments of 10 dwellings or more; the joint taskforce to advise on implementation of the or equivalent non-residential or mixed development (as recommendations which will be chaired by Dr Paul set out in Article 2(1) of the Town and Country Planning Blantern, chief executive of Northamptonshire county (Development Management Procedure) (England) council. He will be supported by a range of experts with Order 2010)—to ensure that sustainable drainage systems an interest in libraries. This taskforce will report both to for the management of run-off are put in place, unless Ministers and the Local Government Association and demonstrated to be inappropriate. the first meeting is due to take place in spring 2015. I wholeheartedly support the public library service Under these arrangements, in considering planning which has been making a vital contribution to the applications, local planning authorities should consult knowledge, delight and quality of life of communities the relevant lead local flood authority on the management in every part of England for more than 150 years. They of surface water; satisfy themselves that the proposed are a cherished part of our cultural heritage, and a key minimum standards of operation are appropriate and player in our future. ensure through the use of planning conditions or planning obligations that there are clear arrangements in place for ongoing maintenance over the lifetime of the development. The sustainable drainage system should DEFENCE be designed to ensure that the maintenance and operation requirements are economically proportionate. To protect the public while avoiding excessive burdens Future Reserves 2020 (External Scrutiny Team Report) on business, this policy will apply to all developments of 10 homes or more and to major commercial development. The Government will keep this under review, and consider The Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon): I the need to make adjustments where necessary. The have today placed in the Library of the House a copy of current requirement in national policy that all new a letter that I have sent to Lieutenant General (Retired) developments in areas at risk of flooding should give Robin Brims, the chair of the Future Reserves 2020 priority to the use of sustainable drainage systems will external scrutiny team to update him on the programme, continue to apply. and particularly on the recommendations that his team’s report made. I am grateful for the work of that team. These changes will take effect from 6 April 2015. For The House will recall that the Defence Reform Act 2014 avoidance of doubt this statement should be read in includes a statutory obligation to commission an conjunction with the policies in the national planning independent report into the state of the volunteer reserve policy framework. This statement should be taken into force. The first review under the statutory arrangements account in the preparation of local and neighbourhood is under way and will report next year. plans, and may be a material consideration in planning decisions. To support local authorities in implementing these Nuclear Deterrent Update changes, we will publish revised planning guidance in time for the policy changes to take effect, and engage with local government on a capacity building programme. The Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon): On 18 May 2011, the then Secretary of State for Defence, My Department will today begin consulting on a my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset proposal to make lead local flood authorities a statutory (Dr Liam Fox) made an oral statement to the House, consultee on planning applications for surface water Official Report, column 351, announcing the approval management; and makes changes to the statutory consultee of the initial gate investment stage for the procurement role of the Environment Agency to better reflect the of the successor submarines to the Vanguard-class SSBNs. Agency’s strategic expertise and reflect the new He also placed in the Library of the House a report responsibilities for local flood management exercised “The United Kingdom’s Future Nuclear Deterrent: by lead local flood authorities. The Submarine Initial Gate Parliamentary Report”. 121WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 122WS

This Government committed to publishing an annual Currently, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York report on the programme and I am today publishing the and the Bishops of Durham, London and Winchester third report, “The United Kingdom’s Future Nuclear automatically take seats in the House of Lords. The Deterrent: 2014 Update to Parliament”. A copy has remaining 21 seats are occupied by bishops in order of been placed in the Library of the House. seniority—length of service. Under the current system, it would be many years before women bishops were represented in the Lords. The Government’s Bill, which is supported by the DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Church of England, proposes a modification of this rule for the next 10 years, so that if a female bishop is available when a Lords Spiritual seat becomes vacant, City Deals they will automatically be appointed to the House of Lords. If no female bishop is available, the vacancy would be filled by the next most senior male bishop, as The Minister for Universities, Science and Cities (Greg currently happens. Clark): I can today inform the House that the Government A copy of the Bill and explanatory notes can be have reached an agreement on devolution with the found on the website: Sheffield city region, which will transfer powers over economic growth to local control. http://services.parliament.uk/bills The deal will give the Sheffield city region LEP and combined authority more control over the key levers of economic growth and job creation, while also strengthening local governance and giving businesses a bigger say in EDUCATION key decisions. The deal covers skills, employment, business support, transport and housing, areas which have been identified by Sheffield city region. Sheffield city region will assume greater control over School Breakfast Clubs (European Aid) skills and business support spending in their area, working closely with the Government. These changes will make the skills and business support systems more responsive The Minister for Schools (Mr David Laws): The to employer demand in the Sheffield city region, and Government plan to use the UK share of the fund for help accelerate growth. European aid to the most deprived to provide additional The Government will work closely with Sheffield city support for school breakfast clubs in England. Under region on public transport, aiming to improve bus, tram the plans, which will be led by the Department for and train services and moving towards smart, integrated Education, this money would be allocated to schools ticketing across the transport network. The Government with particularly high rates of disadvantage, as measured will also work in partnership with Sheffield city region by free school meal eligibility. to dispose of public sector assets in a way that supports We believe that breakfast clubs effectively target help economic growth and achieves best value for the public to many of the most deprived children—providing purse. nutritious meals in some of the poorest areas, supporting This deal also lays the foundations for the Government academic attainment, promoting healthy eating habits and Sheffield city region to continue working together at a young age and saving families money. This funding on further devolution, while also strengthening the city would be in addition to existing support provided by region’s governance and capacity to deliver. As part of the Government—we have already committed just over this, Sheffield city region will consider different options £1 million over two years to support an expansion of for improving local governance and accountability, including breakfast clubs in poor areas. the possibility of a directly elected mayor. Any further The UK’s allocation is worth ¤3.96 million (or agreements will be subject to further discussions at local £3.1 million) over seven years from 2014 to 2020, and and national level. can be used to deliver one or more of the following: food aid for the most deprived people; consumer goods for homeless people; consumer goods for children; and Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill non-labour market social inclusion activities for the most deprived. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland decided not to participate, due to the small sums involved The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Sam and the administrative effort required. The allocation Gyimah): Today the Government are introducing the has been deducted from the UK’s structural fund Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill to the House of Commons, allocation—European social fund and European regional with explanatory notes. development fund. The Bill follows the legislation permitting women to This use of the fund for European aid to the most be ordained bishops. That was completed by the General deprived is subject to final agreement with the European Synod of the Church of England on 17 November. Commission, and will be managed in accordance with With the way clear for the first women to be appointed, the fund’s stringent eligibility, accounting and evidence it is right that those women should be among the requirements. Bishops who occupy seats in the House of Lords—known A copy of the draft operational programme can be as Lords Spiritual. This Bill is intended to allow that to found online at: http://www.parliament.uk/ happen sooner than it would under the existing rules. writtenstatements. 123WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 124WS

Reformed AS and A-Level Content on climate change took place in Lima, Peru, from 1-14 December. The United Kingdom was represented The Minister of State, Department for Education by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. (Mr Nick Gibb): The Government are reforming AS What we agreed and A-level qualifications to ensure they are academically rigorous and provide students with the knowledge and All countries in the United Nations framework understanding to prepare them for higher education, convention on climate change committed at the COP in and employment. Durban in 2011 to negotiate, by 2015, a new global, legally binding agreement, applicable to all nations, to The Government have already published subject content come into force by 2020. In Warsaw, last year, all agreed for the first group of A-levels to be reformed. Today I to bring forward their intended nationally determined am publishing revised content for A-levels in ancient contributions (INDCs) to that agreement well in advance languages, modern foreign languages, geography, of Paris, and by the first quarter of 2015 for those that mathematics, and further mathematics. The content for arereadytodoso. these A-levels was recommended by the A-level content advisory board (ALCAB), drawing on advice from The UK’s key objectives for the Lima conference subject experts, universities and subject associations. were to secure: (a) clarity on the process next year for By giving university academics a leading role, we are parties to communicate their INDCs well in advance of making sure that these qualifications will provide students Paris; (b) draft elements of a negotiating text of the new with the skills and knowledge needed for progression to agreement; and, (c) continuation of the work on emission undergraduate study. I am grateful to ALCAB for their reductions between now and 2020. These objectives expert advice, and I am accepting their recommendations. were achieved. In ancient languages there is a clearer requirement to study Regarding a process next year, we secured three key literary texts in the original language. outcomes: In modern foreign languages the content has been strengthened, with new requirements for students to translate unseen material 1. Agreement that quantifiable information should accompany both into and out of the target language at both AS and countries’ INDCs next year, that countries will have to set A-level. out their INDC in a clear, transparent and comprehensible manner, and explain why they believe it is fair and ambitious, In geography, content has been updated to reflect the approaches so that the international community can understand the to geography taken by universities and geographical level of ambition behind each INDC and its contribution to organisations, with a better balance between physical and the below two degree goal. This is a crucial step to create human geography. trust in the new regime. In mathematics, all the content is now prescribed in detail. Students will be required to study both mechanics and 2. Agreement that countries’ INDCs should represent a statistics. There is an increased emphasis on mathematical progression beyond current targets, which is important as it problem solving to ensure students understand the underlying demonstrates willingness by all countries to enhance emissions mathematical concepts. reduction actions. It is clear that mitigation is at the core of In further mathematics, the A-level builds on the mathematics INDCs. Countries may opt to also include in their INDCs content with 50% of content prescribed. AS-level includes information on their adaptation contribution or planning new minimum requirements for matrices and complex numbers, processes, if they wish. with 30% of content prescribed. 3. Agreement to a synthesis report, which the UNFCCC will Copies of the content for reformed A-levels are available. put together by 1 November 2015, which will assess the Alongside these announcements, Ofqual is today aggregate effect of INDCs. Ahead of this, the UK anticipates a debate within the international community about the confirming its decisions on how these subjects should INDCs submitted and what they represent in terms of fair be assessed, including the proportion of non-examination and ambitious contributions to the two degree objective, assessment and the assessment objectives for each subject. even though this was not formally mandated by the Lima These reformed A-levels will be ready for first teaching outcome. in September 2016, apart from mathematics and further Regarding the draft elements text, the Lima COP mathematics for which first teaching is deferred until successfully elaborated the elements of a draft negotiating September 2017. This will give mathematics students text of the new agreement and annexed this to the main the best opportunity to benefit from the new qualifications Lima COP decision. We expect it to now form the at GCSE and A-level. The decision is informed by starting point for negotiations next year. These elements advice from ALCAB and Ofqual’s chief regulator. are only draft and cover a wide range of options from The Department has also consulted upon the content different perspectives, including many we will not support. for GCSEs in art and design, dance, music, computer Negotiations on the content will resume next year. All science, physical education (PE), citizenship, cooking countries will need to work together to move from these and nutrition, design and technology, and drama, and elements containing options to a full draft negotiating A-levels in dance, music and physical education and text by May 2015. drama and theatre, and is currently consulting on proposed content for GCSE and A-level religious studies. For all Regarding progress on increasing mitigation ambition these subjects we will publish content early next year. before 2020: we agreed the continuation of the technical expert meetings on specific initiatives until 2020, and that these meetings would be limited to mitigation ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE action only. Lima Climate Change Conference In addition, there was agreement to that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change capabilities would apply to the new agreement but that (Mr Edward Davey): The annual conference of the it would do so, parties (COP) to the United Nations framework convention “in light of different national circumstances”. 125WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 126WS

This represents acceptance that this principle—often officer. This approach includes cattle movement restrictions, referred to as differentiation—will, in the new agreement, badger vaccination in the edge area—bordering the reflect countries’ evolving and particular circumstances, high-risk area—and culling where the disease is rife. rather than be based on a binary view of countries Cattle measures remain at the heart of the strategy circumstances. and that is why we have steadily reinforced them over We also reached a balanced decision on finance, this Parliament. In the coming months we plan to which I brokered alongside the South African Environment launch a consultation on further cattle measures including Minister. The decision sees countries welcome the statutory post-movement testing for cattle entering the capitalisation of the green climate fund—more than low-risk area. This measure will help us remain on $10 billion committed in the initial capitalisation round—as course to achieve TB-free status for the low-risk area of well as other initiatives, and calls for increased transparency England by 2019. and predictability of climate finance. On 2 September 2014, I announced our badger edge This was also a conference that dealt with the important vaccination scheme which will create a buffer zone to mechanics of the existing international climate regime help prevent the spread of TB to new parts of the and continued to build the foundations for the global country.We are working closely with wildlife organisations, agreement in 2015, including on REDD+, market vets and farmers to establish large areas within which a mechanisms, the regime for measuring and reporting high proportion of the badger population will be vaccinated emissions and progress by the UNFCCC institutions, for a minimum of four years. including the financial and technology mechanisms, the Badger culls were carried out in the autumn. Culling adaptation committee and the Warsaw mechanism on ended on 20 October 2014 and I am today publishing loss and damage. the report and supporting data of the independently Overall assessment audited results. I have placed the summary report and Overall, the Lima outcome was broadly positive. We the chief veterinary officer’s advice in the Library of the secured the basis for everything the Government want House. to see in the final agreement, which was outlined in In west Somerset, 341 badgers were safely and humanely Government’s vision for the new agreement—“Paris removed, against a minimum of 316, while in west 2015: Securing our prosperity through a global climate Gloucestershire, 274 badgers were safely and humanely change agreement”—that I published on 9 September removed, against a minimum of 615. The results in 2015. We achieved a good result on climate finance by Somerset show that this approach works. The results in demonstrating again the UK’s leadership in this area, Gloucestershire reflect the challenges of extensive unlawful which helps enhance our reputation and credibility protest and intimidation. internationally. The UK continued its strong record of The chief veterinary officer reviewed the effectiveness leading on climate change action: demonstrating our and humaneness data and supports the continuation of ambition at home, our support to developing countries culling by a combination of cage trapping and controlled and our leading influence in the EU and with international shooting as part of our comprehensive strategy. In his partners. view the outcome of this year’s cull in Somerset indicates Next year that industry-led culling can, in the right circumstances, Looking ahead, 2015 will be an intensive year of deliver the level of effectiveness required to be confident negotiations, with negotiators working to refine the of achieving disease control benefits. elements of the draft negotiation text, with a view to As part of our focus on practical measures to reduce preparing a first draft of the negotiating text of the the risk of disease spread, I am today publishing a agreement by May 2015 and countries, especially the biosecurity action plan developed by industry and major economies, submitting their INDCs to the new Government. We have recently awarded £50,000 in small deal in the first quarter of 2015. grants to livestock markets to support voluntary risk-based trading of cattle and we have been working with the private sector to develop a TB-risk accreditation system ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS for cattle herds. To help all farmers manage the risk of TB we plan in early 2015 to launch a web-based map showing locations of TB breakdowns and to publish Bovine TB TB reports for the edge and low-risk areas. We will also be starting a trial of a new service to provide farmers within the two badger cull areas with bespoke advice on The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and how better to protect their farms from TB. Rural Affairs (Elizabeth Truss): Today I am updating TB can also affect other animals and humans. We the House on the measures we have taken to tackle TB have introduced additional TB measures for south American in cattle since we published our strategy in April 2014. camelids including statutory compensation and consolidated Between 1997 and 2010, TB in cattle increased ninefold, existing legislation concerning TB in deer. We are planning threatening the future of our beef and dairy industries a further review of TB controls in non-bovine animals. and our food security. England has the highest incidence We have continued to invest in TB research and I am of TB in Europe, and that is why we are taking strong today publishing a summary of the research that we are action to beat the disease. funding this year. Over this Parliament, we have invested This Government are pursuing a comprehensive strategy, over £24 million into TB vaccine research. An independent based on best international practice, supported by leading report on the design of field trials of cattle vaccine and vets and endorsed by the Government’s chief scientific a test to detect infected cattle among vaccinated cattle adviser, DEFRA’s chief scientist and the chief veterinary (DIVA) shows that before cattle vaccination field trials 127WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 128WS can be contemplated, we need to develop a better DIVA Members of the European Parliament, the devolved test. This research is likely to take a further two years. Administrations and Crown Dependencies, business groups, We are also investing in research on badger diagnostics think-tanks, academics, civil society groups and professional and improving epidemiological analysis of the disease, membership associations based both in the UK and while the dairy industry is progressing DEFRA-funded beyond. The evidence we received in the fourth semester research potentially to enable farmers to breed cattle was again of high quality and I would like to take this with greater genetic resistance to TB. opportunity to thank all those who contributed. Finally, I am pleased to confirm that the European As with previous semesters, the reports have undergone Commission has informed us that our comprehensive rigorous internal challenge to ensure they are balanced, TB eradication programme is approved, securing further robust and evidence-based. Evidence submitted—subject financial support from the European Union in 2015. to the provisions of the Data Protection Act—will be The Government are determined to continue published alongside the reports on the gov.uk website to implementing all elements of our comprehensive strategy ensure transparency. until this terrible disease is eradicated. Attachments can The fourth semester reports, along with reports from be viewed online at: http://www.parliament.uk/ all previous semesters, are available at: https://www.gov.uk/ writtenstatements review-of-the-balance-of-competences. Copies of the reports will be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses and hard copies will be made available in the Vote and FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Printed Papers Offices.

British Council Annual Report Falkland Islands: South Atlantic Medal The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr Hugo Swire): Copies of the British Council’s annual report and accounts for the 2013-14 financial The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth year have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Office (Mr Hugo Swire): I am pleased to inform the The report can also be found at the British Council’s House that in 2015 the South Atlantic Medal will be website at: www.britishcouncil.org presented, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, to the Falkland Islands, in recognition of the assistance provided During the period the British Council received £162,400,000 to the forces of the United Kingdom during the liberation grant-in-aid from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. of the Islands in 1982. The islanders’ individual acts of courage exemplified the indomitable will and personal EU: Balance of Competences Review commitment to defending the islands’ right of self- determination. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Philip Hammond): I wish to update the House on the progress of the balance of competences Military Personnel (Protection and Immunity) review that my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) launched on behalf of the Government in July 2012. I am pleased to inform the House that the The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth fourth and final set of reports has been published today Affairs (Mr Philip Hammond): I wish to inform the on the gov.uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/review-of- House of arrangements put in place to regularise the the-balance-of-competences As per the written ministerial status of British military personnel serving in Iraq, as statement of 23 October 2012, the reports were written part of our contribution in response to the Government by lead departments for each policy area. This set of of Iraq’s request for support in dealing with the threat reports covers economic and monetary policy; education, posed by ISIL. As I mentioned in my statement to the vocational training and youth; enlargement; information House on 16 October 2014, Official Report, column rights; police and criminal justice; subsidiarity and 468, and as described in the statement by my right hon. proportionality; and voting, consular and statistics. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 13 October With publication of this final set of reports, all 32 2014, Official Report, column 9WS, UK military personnel reports in the balance of competences review are now are being deployed in support of the Iraqi security complete. The review provides the most extensive analysis forces’ capacity-building efforts. of EU membership ever undertaken by any member ISIL is a clear national threat to the UK, as it is a state and draws upon nearly 2,300 pieces of evidence to global threat to our international partners and the consider the impact that EU action has on the UK region. ISIL makes no distinction between cultures, national interest and future challenges that may arise. countries and religions. If it is left unchecked, we will In doing so, it provides an important contribution to face a so-called Caliphate, run by terrorists, on the the ongoing debate on EU reform and will be a valuable shores of the Mediterranean and bordering a NATO aid for future policy-makers, as well as a resource to member, with a declared and proven determination to enable people to judge for themselves how current attack our country and our people. arrangements are working. The Government of Iraq are in the front line of the Calls for evidence for fourth semester reports were struggle. It is vital that local Iraqi forces are able to take published in March 2014. We saw a high level of interest on ISIL terrorists, and that they are given the support and received nearly 350 pieces of written evidence. The they need to do so. We are keen to do what we can to review attracted input from a broad spectrum of experts help provide that support and enhance the Iraqis’ own and interested parties including parliamentary committees, efforts to defeat ISIL. 129WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 130WS

Deploying military personnel to assist the Government the unacceptable state of affairs when a vulnerable child of Iraq is a key part both of building our relationship can be held in a police cell at the point of mental health with Iraq and of our strategy to deal with the threat of crisis. Police stations must only be used in genuinely ISIL. exceptional circumstances and never for a child or UK military personnel initially deployed to Iraq in young person aged under 18. We therefore propose August 2014, at the explicit request of the Government amending legislation to this effect subject to the next of Iraq, in order to help stabilise the humanitarian Parliament. situation in northern Iraq. The UK has since expanded The review makes a number of other recommendations. its support to the Government of Iraq, by providing It points out that making better use of alternative training and assistance, so that their forces can roll back places of safety would be advantageous as we recognise ISIL’s advance on the ground. that there is not one solution which is appropriate for After long discussions with the Government of Iraq, all people at all times. There was a clear consensus that we are clear that coalition countries will not be offered a a maximum period of detention under these sections is status of forces agreement at this time. The only way too long at 72 hours, and the review therefore proposes currently agreeable to the Government of Iraq to place reducing this to 24 hours, while still emphasising the coalition military personnel on a satisfactory legal footing need to complete assessments as soon as possible. is to accredit them to their respective embassies in Although there is no space remaining in this Parliament Baghdad and, to facilitate that, to issue them with to make these changes, I believe there is a general diplomatic or official passports. (United States military consensus that these issues must be addressed. Therefore personnel are an exception. They are in Iraq on the I hope that in the next Parliament the momentum that basis of an existing strategic framework agreement.) has been generated will be maintained. We will therefore exceptionally issue official passports The following documents are available as attachments to military personnel going to Iraq who will be on the online at: http://www.parliament.uk/writtenstatements, ground and directly providing training and assistance. and copies have been placed in the Library of the These staff will be accredited to the British embassy in House. Baghdad and will be accorded the privileges and immunities Review of the operation of Sections 135 and 136 of the of administrative and technical staff under the Vienna Mental Health Act 1983: Review Report and Recommendations; convention on diplomatic relations by the Government Review of the operation of Sections 135 and 136 of the of Iraq. Mental Health Act 1983: A Summary of the Evidence; This is an exceptional measure based on the urgency Review of the operation of Sections 135 and 136 of the of the requirement to respond to the Government of Mental Health Act 1983: A Literature Review, Iraq’s request for assistance, and the need to ensure that The Centre for Mental Health’s report, Review of Sections 135 our personnel have sufficient legal protection. Several & 136 of the Mental Health Act: The views of professionals, of our coalition allies have adopted or are adopting the service users and carers on the codes of practice and legislation. same measure. In the meantime we will continue to work with the Government of Iraq and our coalition allies to find a more sustainable solution. HOME DEPARTMENT I will inform the House if the situation changes.

Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill HEALTH

The Minister for Security and Immigration (James Mental Health and Policing Brokenshire): The Government are today publishing for public consultation a number of documents relating to the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill. These are: The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman A draft code of practice for officers exercising functions Lamb): The Government have today published the report under what will become schedule 1 of the Counter-Terrorism of the Government’s review of the operation of sections 135 and Security Act 2015 in connection with seizing and retaining and 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. This has been travel documents. an important piece of work, conducted jointly by the Draft guidance relating to the duty under what will become Home Office and the Department of Health. chapter 1 of part 5 of the Bill for named authorities to have It is our overarching objective for all public services due regard to the need to prevent people from to respond at the right time to the needs of people A draft revised code of practice for examining officers who experiencing mental health crises. We also need to improve exercise port and border controls under schedule 7 to the the outcomes for people experiencing mental health Terrorism Act 2000 to examine goods. crises when they come in to contact with the police. This A consultation on the proposed Privacy and Civil Liberties review showed that there are areas where this is working Board under clause 36 of the Bill. well and areas where there is still room for improvement. The first consultation document seeks responses to a We have been fortunate that this review took place draft code of practice on the proposed powers under alongside both the Home Affairs Select Committee’s schedule 1 of the Bill to seize and retain travel documents inquiry into policing and mental health and the Health temporarily at a port where there is reasonable suspicion Select Committee’s report into child and adolescent that the person is travelling for the purpose of involvement mental health services. This work rightly highlighted in terrorism-related activity outside the United Kingdom. 131WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 132WS

The responses to this consultation will inform the Police Bail: Statutory Time Limits development of the code to ensure that the power is exercised appropriately and effectively. The Bill proposes to place a duty on named authorities The Secretary of State for the Home Department to have due regard to the need to prevent people from (Mrs Theresa May): The College of Policing published being drawn into terrorism. The provisions in the legislation last week the results of its consultation on improving allow the Secretary of State to issue guidance to specified the way pre-charge bail is managed, which provides the authorities about discharging their duty.The draft guidance police with welcome guidance on the way they should sets out the type of activity we expect specified authorities operate the current system. However, as I announced in to consider when complying with the duty. It has sections my speech to the college’s annual conference on 15 October, on each of the sectors under the duty, which aims to we also need to look at statutory time limits on the use give sufficient detail for specified authorities to have of pre-charge bail, as that is the only way we can ensure clarity about the types of activity they need to consider that people do not spend months or even years on bail when complying with the duty, while allowing for local only for no charges to be brought. differences and innovation. I am today publishing a consultation paper setting Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (schedule T) out potential changes to the legislation underpinning allows an examining officer, normally a special branch pre-charge bail that would result in the greatest reform police officer, to examine goods to determine whether of that legislation since it was passed 30 years ago. The they have been used in commission, preparation of end result of the proposed changes should be to reduce instigation of acts of terrorism. Clause 35 and schedule 5 both the number of individuals subject to, and the of the Bill include amendments to schedule 7 and other average duration of, pre-charge bail. The measures being legislation, which would clarify the legal position in consulted upon include: relation to where goods may be examined and the Enabling the police to release someone pending further examination of goods which comprise items of post. investigation without bail in circumstances where bail is not We are consulting on a draft revised code of practice for considered to be necessary; examining officers who exercise schedule 7 powers at Setting a clear expectation that pre-charge bail should not ports and the border, which reflects changes that would last longer than a specified finite period of 28 days, as be made to the code should these provisions receive recommended by the College of Policing; Royal Assent. Setting the extenuating circumstances in which that period Clause 36 of the Bill provides the Home Secretary might be extended further, and who should make that decision; with a power to create a Privacy and Civil Liberties Establishing a framework for the review by the courts of Board. The board will support and provide extra capability pre-charge bail; to the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation Considering whether extension of pre-charge bail should in delivering robust independent scrutiny and oversight only be available in certain types of case, such as fraud or tax to UK counter-terrorism legislation. This is an important evasion, or in all cases where there are exceptional reasons area and any changes to existing arrangements must be for an extended investigation; carefully considered. This consultation therefore invites Considering how best to enable the police to obtain timely comments on the proposals and provides an opportunity evidence from other public authorities; and for all interested parties to influence key elements of the Considering whether individuals subject to pre-charge bail board, including its composition and functions. We will should be able to challenge the duration as well as the carefully consider the outcome of the consultation before conditions in the courts. bringing forward regulations to set out the detailed The consultation document is available online at http:// arrangements of the board. tinyurl.com/hocons and a copy will be placed in the Copies of these documents will be placed in the Library of the House; the closing date for responses is House Library. 8 February 2015.

Daniel Morgan Violence Against Women and Girls

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May): Further to my statement of 10 May The Secretary of State for the Home Department 2013 announcing the creation of the Daniel Morgan (Mrs Theresa May): Domestic abuse is a serious crime independent panel to shine a light on the circumstances that shatters the lives of victims, trapping them in cycles of Daniel Morgan’s murder and my statement of 3 July of abuse that too often end in tragic and untimely 2014 announcing the appointment of Baroness Nuala deaths. There are over a million calls for assistance to O’Loan as the new chairman of the panel, I can today the police each year for domestic abuse-related incidents, announce that two additional members will join the but only 78,000 prosecutions. It is clear that the criminal panel: justice response to domestic abuse can be improved and Professor Rodney Morgan—Emeritus Professor of I am determined to achieve this. Criminal Justice at the University of Bristol. In September 2013 I commissioned Her Majesty’s Samuel Pollock OBE—Chief Executive of the Northern Inspectorate of Constabulary to review the police response Ireland Policing Board. to domestic abuse because I was concerned that it was The work of the independent panel is set out in the not as good as it should be. Sadly, when HMIC reported full terms of reference which were placed in the Library their findings in March, my concerns were realised. I of the House in May 2013. These provide that the panel am clear that there must be an immediate and lasting will seek to complete its work within 12 months of the change in the police response to domestic abuse. This documentation being made available. means a change in culture right from the officers in 133WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 134WS charge to those on the front line. I am chairing a a fundamental review by the Public Guardian of how National Oversight Group to make sure this happens. the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) supports him This work remains a priority, however I am also keen to in the supervision of deputies appointed by the Court of ensure the police and other frontline agencies have the Protection. Deputies are appointed where a person tools they need to respond to domestic abuse. lacks the mental capacity to manage their own affairs The Home Office ran a consultation over the summer and has not previously nominated anyone to have lasting seeking views on whether the law on domestic abuse power of attorney. Concerns had been raised by Members needs to be strengthened. Some 85% of respondents about the charges that professional deputies were making, agreed that the law in this area is inadequate, and 55% and this element was incorporated into the fundamental agreed that it should be strengthened with a new offence review. to close the gap in the law relating to coercive and The review aimed to make sure that there is a responsive, controlling behaviour in intimate relationships. robust and case-sensitive approach to the supervision of Today, I can inform the House that we will be tabling deputies. The objective is that there should be effective amendments to the Serious Crime Bill at Committee and proportionate oversight and swift investigation of stage to strengthen the protection afforded to the victims allegations of wrongdoing, to make sure that people of domestic abuse. A new offence of domestic abuse who lack mental capacity are properly protected and will provide an additional charging option where there their needs are met. is continuous or repeated coercive or controlling conduct, The review has now concluded and has identified the cumulative impact of which can be no less traumatic ways in which the OPG can improve the protection it for the victim than physical violence. affords those lacking capacity, and the service it provides I will place a copy of the consultation response to those it is supporting and supervising. This includes document in the Library of the House. a move to supervising according to deputy type. This will enable staff to specialise in one of the deputy types—lay, professional or local authority—and become JUSTICE more familiar with the challenges faced by a particular vulnerable group. Marriages: Non-religious Belief Organisations Concerns about the charges levied by professional deputies are also being addressed as a result of the fundamental review. New measures which have been The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Simon agreed with stakeholder groups include targeted assurance Hughes): I am today publishing the Government’s response visits to professional deputies and their clients carried to the consultation on “Marriages by non- religious out by a specialist OPG team and a requirement for belief organisations” launched on 26 June 2014 and deputies to submit annual plans and asset inventories, concluded on 18 September. Copies will be placed in with work and cost estimates. Standards for professional the Libraries of both Houses. deputies are also being developed. The consultation sought views on whether the law A key element in the new framework will be the use of should be changed to permit non-religious belief digital channels, which will allow more sophisticated organisations to solemnise marriages in England and monitoring and make services easier to use for deputies. Wales. I am grateful to all who responded to the This will dovetail with the culture change at the OPG, consultation. which will put the people it serves at the heart of all it The Government have considered the full range of does. responses and the range of issues associated with any The proposed changes were included in a public options for change and which have implications for consultation, to which the Government responded on marriage solemnisation more broadly.It is the Government’s 21 August 2014, and in engagements with stakeholder view that the legal and technical requirements of marriage groups which continue. ceremonies and registration in England and Wales need I will place a copy of the review in the Libraries of to be reviewed and potentially reformed before or at the both Houses. same time as making a decision on whether to take It is also available online at: http://www.parliament.uk/ forward the specific proposal to permit legally valid writtenstatements. marriage ceremonies for those with non-religious beliefs. It is important that we resolve these issues in as timely a manner as possible. The Government will ask Transforming Rehabilitation the Law Commission if it will undertake a broader independent review of the law concerning marriage ceremonies, requesting that the Commission begins work The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice as soon as possible. The Government will start to work (Chris Grayling): I am today signing contracts with the with the Commission in January to consider the scope new owners of the 21 community rehabilitation companies of such a review. (CRCs). This is another major step towards implementing the Government’s probation reforms. Office of the Public Guardian: Review of Supervision Despite almost £3 billion a year investment in prisons and just under £1 billion in delivering sentences in the community, overall reoffending rates have barely changed The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Simon over the last decade. Hughes): My hon. Friend and former Under Secretary The very highest reoffending rates are among prisoners of State for Justice (Helen Grant) announced in a sentenced to custodial sentences of under 12 months. debate on 30 October 2012, Official Report, column 53WH, The current system is simply not addressing this problem— 135WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 136WS many of these prolific offenders, with a host of complex created instability and uncertainty. Tensions in east problems, are released on to the streets with little or no Asia have added to the risks in that region. Sophisticated support. and targeted cyber attacks continue to cost the UK For the first time in recent history, these reforms will economy several billion pounds per year; the dangerous mean that virtually every offender released from custody and irresponsible leaking of sensitive information by will receive statutory supervision and rehabilitation in Edward Snowden has had far-reaching consequences. the community. The Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 The Ebola virus is wreaking immense damage in west will extend this statutory supervision and rehabilitation African nations, and posing a potentially devastating to all 45,000 of the most prolific group of offenders threat to others. sentenced to less than 12 months in custody. The National Security Council (NSC) this Government We are also putting in place an unprecedented nationwide introduced have transformed the Government’s analysis “through the prison gate” resettlement service to support and decision-making on tackling these challenges. It offenders from custody into the community. has continued to meet regularly, bringing together the relevant departments and ensuring that national security This is the most diverse market we have ever had for issues are seen from both foreign policy and domestic any competition in the Ministry of Justice. The contracts policy perspectives. that I will be signing today demonstrate how we are bringing together the best of the public, voluntary and At the heart of the national security strategy lies the private sectors with a wide range of skills and experience restoration of our economic strength. After the deepest to improve rehabilitation provision. recession in peacetime history, Britain now has the fastest-growing major advanced economy in the world. In nearly all of the 21 areas, a mutual or voluntary, But the eurozone remains weak and there are worrying community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisation signs of slowing growth in some emerging markets. We is involved at tier 1 or as a strategic partner, and six of have enhanced our engagement with countries of growing the CRCs will be run with the involvement of a probation economic and strategic importance to the UK, creating staff mutual. All new owners have included VCSE 250 new front-line posts in Turkey, India, China, Africa, organisations in their proposed supply chains and 75% the Americas and east Asia since 2011. We are helping of the 300 subcontractors named are VCSE or mutual British companies to identify opportunities and win organisations. business in key markets; promoting transparency, a Our transforming rehabilitation reforms are part of a rules-based international economic system and open programme across the whole justice system, making it markets; countering risks to economic stability including ready to meet the challenges of the future. We are threats to growth from energy and resource insecurity; creating a justice system that produces more effective and promoting the UK as a creative, innovative and and more efficient services for all—reforming offenders, trustworthy partner and a world-class destination for delivering value for the taxpayer and protecting victims business, tourism and study. and communities. Defence I have placed a copy of the final list of new owners in In defence, the Government have brought the budget the Library of the House. under control, allowing us to supply our armed forces It is also available online at: http://www.parliament.uk/ with the high-quality equipment they need and properly writtenstatements. fund equipment programmes. In July, Her Majesty the Queen formally named the first of two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. In September, I announced that PRIME MINISTER we will bring both into service, ensuring that one will be available at all times. In July, I announced a £1.1 billion investment programme including £800 million for National Security Strategy/Strategic Defence and intelligence and surveillance equipment for the armed Security Review forces. The Successor Deterrent programme is on track: 2016 will see the delivery of our first production Joint Strike Fighter test and evaluation aircraft enabling the The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): On behalf first front-line squadron to become operational by 2019. of the Deputy Prime Minister and other members of The first of three Rivet Joint signals intelligence aircraft the National Security Council, I am pleased to present was deployed to support operations in Afghanistan this the fourth annual report of progress in implementing year well ahead of schedule. Along with procurement of the 2010 National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence 589 multi-role Scout armoured vehicles, nine Voyager and Security Review as attached. Copies are also being aircraft, the A400M Atlas transport aircraft and new placed in the Library of the House. Chinook helicopters, these assets will significantly enhance The global context our armed forces’ capabilities. Over the last year the country has faced a wide range Alliances and partnerships of risks and threats. The Government have taken resolute In September, the UK hosted the NATO Wales summit, action and tough decisions in response, sticking to the the largest ever gathering of world leaders in the UK. adaptable approach to national security we adopted in Allies were united in addressing a range of major challenges 2010. Islamist extremism, with most lately the emergence and reached important conclusions: pledging to provide of ISIL, is the struggle of our generation; and we are strong support to help Ukraine improve its own security; working closely with international partners to tackle on defence spending, leaders agreed publicly for the this, deploying UK armed forces to combat the emergence first time to reverse the trend in declining defence of this senseless, barbaric organisation. Russia’s illegal budgets and to continue further work to reform NATO; actions in Ukraine and conflict in the middle east have on countering Islamist extremism; on our future support 137WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 138WS to Afghanistan; and on supporting our military and strengthen our border and aviation security. And in their families, signing an armed forces declaration that July, Parliament passed the Data Retention and recognises the contribution that men and women in the Investigatory Powers Act to maintain, where possible, armed forces make, and sets out a commitment to current communications data and interception capabilities. support them and their families. All of these were UK Instability and conflict overseas priorities. The commitments made will ensure the Alliance is agile, equipped and funded to deliver Allied security We have adopted an integrated approach to tackling with partner countries and organisations. Following on instability and conflict overseas, drawing on skills and from the Wales NATO summit, the London conference capacities across Government in the fields of intelligence, on Afghanistan, held in December, allowed the international diplomacy, development, defence engagement, trade community, civil society and wider stakeholders to set promotion and stabilisation. Conflict prevention is most out their commitments to Afghanistan’s future. likely to succeed when it uses diplomatic efforts with development programmes and defence engagement around The armed forces covenant a shared integrated strategy. From 2015-16 this will be The Government have continued to strengthen the supported by the new £1 billion conflict, stability and armed forces covenant and so reinforce the essential security fund, replacing the current conflict pool. In bonds of trust and mutual respect between the armed 2013, the UK became the first G7 country to achieve forces and society, ensuring recognition of the sacrifices the target to contribute 0.7% of gross national income they make in their critical and often hazardous role. We (GNI) in official development assistance (ODA). The have used the LIBOR fines to invest in the covenant UK is on track to meet the 2010 commitment to spend including establishing a £40 million veterans’ 30% of ODA in fragile states by the end of 2014-15. accommodation fund and a £20 million childcare fund; Cyber security and to invest a further £10 million per annum from 2015-16 for the covenant. From April 2015, widows, The national cyber security programme is delivering widowers and surviving civil partners of all members of major improvements to our understanding of, and ability the armed forces pension scheme who remarry will to counter, the rapidly changing nature of cyber threats, retain their pension for life. Following the Sir John supported by £860 million of investment up to 2016. In Holmes independent review of military medals and the past year, the programme has included improving policy issues, MOD continues to ensure that all those critical national infrastructure resilience; incentives for eligible receive their awards in a timely fashion; and on business to improve cyber security and support for the 21st October 2014, I presented the South Atlantic Medal UK’s cyber security sector; investments in cyber skills to personnel who became eligible following extension of and research; police operations to crack down on cyber the criteria. crime; and international efforts to protect and promote UK interests in cyber space. Extremism and counter-terrorism Crime and border security threats In December 2013, the extremism taskforce recommended a bolder approach to extremism along The Government have strengthened our national with related practical measures. Since December 2013, capability to fight serious and organised crime. The a dedicated police team has taken down more than National Crime Agency is already making a tangible 46,000 pieces of unlawful content encouraging or glorifying difference, working closely with police forces, regional terrorism; and we have strengthened our approach to organised crime units and international partners. In its tackling extremism in our schools, universities and prisons. first year, it has achieved over 920 disruptions against The Government have worked to dissuade people from serious and organised criminals. The Government are travelling to the region of Iraq and Syria, and to intervene providing £37 million of funding to regional organised when they return. And working closely with international crime units in 2014-15 to support increased capabilities partners to mitigate terrorist threats overseas, the and capacity. Furthermore, updated co-ordinating bodies Government have continued to focus on building security along with close and collaborative working across law and justice capacity overseas to help contain such threats, enforcement agencies are delivering a new strategic including through partnerships where UK interests are approach to tackling border security threats. And use of most at risk. technology and intelligence to check people and goods The Government have also worked to ensure that the remains central. police and the security and intelligence agencies continue Resilience and civil emergencies to have the powers and capabilities they need to tackle For civil emergencies, the national resilience capabilities all new and existing counter-terrorism threats, whether programme is enhancing our ability to manage natural home grown or international; and that those powers are hazards like pandemic infectious disease, severe flooding proportionate and subject to close scrutiny. The increasing and extreme weather. In response to last winter’s severe threat we face means that we will now make an additional weather, we have committed over £565 million in flood £130 million available over the next two years, including recovery support funding. Over 90% of flood and coastal new funding to enhance our ability to monitor and erosion management projects have been completed, and disrupt self-starting terrorists. others are planned or under way. The joint emergency We have also introduced the new Counter-Terrorism services interoperability programme, has enabled over and Security Bill to Parliament. The Bill contains important 10,000 priority police, fire and ambulance service personnel new powers to help fill the gaps in our armoury in to be trained in new guidance and principles, improving tackling the increased threat that we face. The provisions the joint response of the emergency services to any in the Bill will strengthen our counter-terrorism powers major or complex incident. And a new, secure web-based to prevent travel; stop suspects returning unless they do service Resilience Direct is enhancing information-sharing so on our terms; relocate individuals within the UK to about emergencies among organisations, responders help break their links with extremist networks; and and planners. 139WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 140WS

Ebola WORK AND PENSIONS The Ebola outbreak in west Africa is a public health crisis requiring an urgent international response. Left unchecked, the disease has the potential to become a Access to Work serious global threat with economic and security consequences. The UK has so far committed £230 million to tackle Ebola and has been active in generating global The Minister for Disabled People (Mr Mark Harper): support, including a commitment of ¤1 billion from the In the course of my evidence to the Work and Pensions EU and a strong statement of support from the G20. Select Committee inquiry into Access To Work, I accepted Within Sierra Leone, our specialist expertise and military that during the reorganisation of access to work operations, capabilities are working to support the infrastructure from April to October 2014, we had not met our customer and training needed to scale up the response. The service standards. Today I am pleased to report that we Government have also introduced arrangements to screen have achieved a significant improvement in customer travellers from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia at key service well ahead of schedule and our outstanding UK ports of entry. claims awaiting payment are now generally running at less than one day’s worth of intake, compared with The approach to national security that we adopted in nearly 18 days’ worth in October, so that payments will 2010 has continued to enable us to address the challenges usually be made within 10 working days of receipt of a we have faced this year. claim. In addition I set out that I did not wish to delay making further improvements to the programme, which is on course to support more disabled people in work TRANSPORT than last year. I am therefore pleased to announce the following improvements: establishing specialist teams to ensure that they understand the issues faced by customers and can produce consistent Haulage: Road Tank Vehicle Compliance decisions. We have already established teams covering deaf and hearing loss customers, visually impaired customers and those with mental health conditions, and others are being The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport considered; (Claire Perry): Further to the written ministerial statement setting up a technology and innovation forum to help customers, given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under- stakeholders and staff understand how existing and emerging Secretary of State for Transport (Robert Goodwill) on technology can help provide the support disabled people 24 October 2013, the Department for Transport has need to get and keep employment; continued to work with the Health and Safety Executive working with stakeholders on a series of events early next (HSE), Department for Energy and Climate Change year to raise awareness of the Mental Health Support Service; (DECC) and industry to resolve an issue around the ensuring that communication with customers can be made incorrect certification of fuel tankers manufactured in via email more easily, subject to the customer’s request for a South Africa and certified as meeting international reasonable adjustment. This will better meet customer accessibility requirements and greatly speed up the resolution standards by Bureau Veritas. Following a detailed of cases; investigation these tankers were found not to be in full working with stakeholders to develop user-friendly guidance, compliance with internationally agreed regulations (the with the aim of beginning to publish this by the end of European agreement concerning the international carriage March 2015; of dangerous goods by road—“ADR”). improving transparency of the programme. I will set out Since the previous statement, about 100 new replacement more information about programme performance in the tankers have been entering into service, reducing the next set of official statistics due in January, and at that time number that are not in full compliance to around will explore how this can be further expanded in subsequent 130 tankers. During this time the Department for Transport releases. commissioned a £1.5 million research programme to Finally, I will consider carefully the findings of the inform decisions about the future use of these vehicles. Work and Pensions Select Committee Report into Access Based on the outcome of the research published today to Work when it is published and will respond to it in on the Department’s website www.gov.uk/dft, the date due course. by which those tankers built after the middle of 2010 are to be withdrawn—about 70 tankers—will be extended subject to the outcome of further work to establish Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer acceptance criteria that may allow an individual tanker Affairs Council to continue in use for up to 12 years after entering into service. Those tankers still in service that were built before the middle of 2010 are to be withdrawn as The Minister for Employment (Esther McVey): The originally planned a year ago. Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Over the same period new tankers from the manufacturer Council met on 11 December 2014 in Brussels. have been certified as ADR compliant by a different The Council agreed general approach on both the tank inspection body for supply to the UK, starting in directive applying existing employment directives to the next few months. In the meantime, the Department seafarers and the proposed regulation on the European has an ongoing dialogue with industry over plans to network of employment services (EURES). On seafarers, resolve this issue using a process that maintains fuel the UK supported the proposal as a whole but tabled a supplies while upholding safety. statement setting out concerns around the legal basis. 141WS Written Statements18 DECEMBER 2014 Written Statements 142WS

On EURES, the UK supported as this met the were raised by the UK and a few other MS that some Government’s domestic goals. This dossier will now be areas of the proposal, particularly those covering education passed to the Latvian presidency to take forward and social protection strayed into the field of MS negotiations with the European Parliament. competence. The Council reached political agreement on a directive The Council adopted conclusions on the review of concerning working time in inland waterway transport. the implementation by the MS and the EU institutions The UK opposed this directive and together with Cyprus, of the Beijing Platform for Action. the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland Under any other business, the Italian presidency and Malta tabled a joint statement highlighting the presented a report of the Rome conference on “Unlocking inadequacy of the Commission’s impact assessment the potential of the Social Economy for EU Growth”, and the lack of adherence to better regulation principles. held in Rome on 17-18 November 2014. The Latvian The UK also tabled a second statement with Hungary delegation presented the work programme of its upcoming and Malta which raised concerns about the lack of presidency. representation during the social partner negotiations. There was an exchange of views on the subject of Remploy “Investing in YouthEmployment”, including discussions on the implementation of the youth guarantee and the European Alliance for Apprenticeships. In this, the UK The Minister for Employment (Esther McVey): Remploy welcomed the commitment to tackle youth unemployment Ltd will publish its annual report and accounts for in Europe and highlighted the success of the UK approach 2013-14 later today. I will place a copy in the Libraries to youth employment. The UK reiterated the message of both Houses and electronic copies will be available that national labour markets must determine the appropriate on the Remploy website. response. Remploy Ltd achieved the following against its 2013-14 performance and resources agreement: The European Commission presented the annual growth survey 2015, the joint employment report and the alert Total operational funding of: target £67.3 million; achieved £62.8 million mechanism report, and invited views from member Factory businesses operating cost of: target £10.5 million; states. In the discussions, the UK intervened to welcome achieved £4.5 million the package presented while raising concerns over the Employment service operating funding of: target £30.3 million; increased role of social and employment indicators in achieved £30.3 million. the procedures to tackle macroeconomic imbalances as Employment service business to achieve: this could distract from the employment and growth Total disabled job outcomes: target 16,000; achieved 14,797 focus of the European employment strategy. of which Work Choice job outcomes: target 8,500; achieved In introducing the proposed directive for gender balance 9,143 of non-executive directors on company boards, the of which other disabled job outcomes: target 7,500; achieved presidency noted that further work was needed. The 5,654. presidency invited the incoming Latvian presidency to I have written to the chairman of Remploy Ltd take it forward. confirming the following 2014-15 performance and The Italian presidency reported on progress of the resources agreement between the Department and the directive to encourage improvements in the workplace company: health and safety of women who are pregnant or Total operational funding result of £33.6 million breastfeeding where disagreements between the Council Employment service operating funding result of £30.3 million. and the European Parliament remained. The presidency Employment service business to achieve: noted that the Commission was considering withdrawing Total disabled job outcomes: 16,000 the proposal as a result of the deadlock, but hoped that of which Work Choice job outcomes 9,000 progress could be made. of which other disabled job outcomes 7,000. There was a progress report and orientation debate Work Choice cumulative job outcome performance on the proposed directive on equal treatment of persons 36,450. irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual This information is set out in attached tables, which orientation. The UK and other member states (MS) can be viewed online at: http://www.parliament.uk/ supported the aims of the proposal, however concerns writtenstatements

5MC Ministerial Corrections18 DECEMBER 2014 Ministerial Corrections 6MC

to some 50,000 businesses led by women. Last year at Ministerial Correction the conference we announced that we would provide support for mentoring for 100 women across north Thursday 18 December 2014 Africa. [Official Report, 17 December 2014, Vol. 589, c. 1391-2.] Letter of correction from Mr Swayne: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Small Businesses (Developing Countries) An error has been identified in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield (Michael The following is an extract from Questions to the Fabricant) during Questions to the Secretary of State Secretary of State for International Development on for International Development. 17 December 2014. The correct response should have been: Michael Fabricant: My right hon. Friend will know that it is hard enough, with some notable exceptions, to get women involved in entrepreneurial activities in Mr Swayne: We have provided some 26.9 million women this country. What is he doing to encourage women with access to financial services, and we are supporting entrepreneurs in developing countries? the provision of some £1.25 billion in commercial loans to some 50,000 businesses led by women. Last year at Mr Swayne: We have provided some 29 million women the conference we announced that we would provide with access to financial services, and we are supporting support for mentoring for 100 women across north the provision of some £26 billion in commercial loans Africa.

ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 18 December 2014

Col. No. Col. No. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 1533 ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE—continued Clean Energy ...... 1541 Onshore Oil and Gas Exploration (Scotland) ...... 1539 Energy Bills...... 1534 Tidal Lagoons...... 1537 Energy Bills (Low Carbon Energy) ...... 1543 Topical Questions ...... 1544 Energy Companies Obligation ...... 1538 UK Energy Sources (Subsidy)...... 1533 Energy Security...... 1542 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Thursday 18 December 2014

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 109WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE— Anti-Corruption Plan ...... 109WS continued EU: Balance of Competences Review ...... 127WS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 110WS Falkland Islands: South Atlantic Medal ...... 128WS Ebbsfleet ...... 110WS Military Personnel (Protection and Immunity) ...... 128WS Integration Update ...... 110WS HEALTH...... 129WS Sustainable Drainage Systems...... 119WS Mental Health and Policing ...... 129WS CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 120WS HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 130WS Independent Library Report ...... 120WS Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill ...... 130WS Daniel Morgan ...... 131WS DEFENCE...... 120WS Police Bail: Statutory Time Limits ...... 132WS Future Reserves 2020 (External Scrutiny Team Violence Against Women and Girls...... 132WS Report) ...... 120WS JUSTICE...... 133WS Nuclear Deterrent Update ...... 120WS Marriages: Non-religious Belief Organisations ...... 133WS Office of the Public Guardian: Review of DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 121WS Supervision ...... 133WS City Deals ...... 121WS Transforming Rehabilitation ...... 134WS Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill ...... 121WS PRIME MINISTER ...... 135WS EDUCATION...... 122WS National Security Strategy/Strategic Defence and Reformed AS and A-Level Content ...... 123WS Security Review...... 135WS School Breakfast Clubs (European Aid) ...... 122WS TRANSPORT ...... 139WS Haulage: Road Tank Vehicle Compliance ...... 139WS ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 123WS Lima Climate Change Conference ...... 123WS TREASURY ...... 109WS European Union Finances (Annual Statement)...... 109WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Lloyds Banking Group (Government Shares) ...... 110WS AFFAIRS...... 125WS WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 140WS Bovine TB...... 125WS Access to Work ...... 140WS Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 127WS Affairs Council ...... 140WS British Council Annual Report ...... 127WS Remploy...... 142WS MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Thursday 18 December 2014

Col. No. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 5MC Small Businesses (Developing Countries)...... 5MC Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. 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 Thursday 25 December 2014

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CONTENTS

Thursday 18 December 2014

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 1533] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change

A and E and Ambulance Services [Col. 1553] Answer to urgent question—(Mr Jeremy Hunt)

UK Anti-corruption Plan [Col. 1567] Answer to urgent question—(Matthew Hancock)

Business of the House [Col. 1575] Statement—(Mr Hague)

Local Government Finance [Col. 1590] Statement—(Kris Hopkins)

Select Committee Statement [Col. 1606] National Planning Policy—(Mr Betts)

Lords Spiritual (Women) [Col. 1614] Bill presented, and read the First time

Backbench Business Christmas Adjournment [Col. 1616] Motion—(Mr Amess)—agreed to

Jobseeker’s Allowance Sanctions [Col. 1662] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Business Investment (Outer-City Estates) [Col. 565WH] Carnforth Station [Col. 580WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment

Written Statements [Col. 109WS]

Ministerial Correction [Col. 5MC]

Written Answers to Questions [The written answers can now be found at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers]